Nvidia G84m/G86m faulty chip happen to Vaio??

[6800gt]

I just wonder if anyone has the alleged graphic problem with your vaio series. I got AR51J with 8400m GT early this year. So far it works fine, but not sure it would die shortly :smileysad:. What's the sony's response?

origin story: All Nvidia G84 and G86s are bad
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/09/nvidia-g84-g86-bad

Channel Vendors Demand Graphics Cards Suppliers to Recall Potentially Faulty Nvidia GeForce Graphics Cards.
Resellers Want to Return Potentially Faulty Nvidia GeForce Graphics Boards to Makers
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/video/display/20080725123120_Channel_Vendors_Demand_Graphics_Cards_Supp...

[Tuck187]

Anybody suffering from this problem needs to read this. Sony are finaly doing something about it. If your unit is out of warranty when you call up tell them your problem is related to the graphics card failure and insist the unit be picked up for free good luck to all. I have also put the link to the sony support report.

http://genesis.sony-europe.com/instranet/ccil_sony/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=35880&l=en_GB&m=VGN-...

Distorted video, random characters or blank screen issues due to failure of the NVIDIA graphics chip


August 4th, 2009



In July 2008, NVIDIA publicly acknowledged a failure associated with some of their graphics processors (GPU) due to a manufacturing defect in the graphics chip packaging. At that time Sony and NVIDIA jointly investigated whether VAIO models equipped with this GPU were impacted by this issue. This investigation revealed that the issue had not occurred in such VAIO models.
However, after closely monitoring the situation, Sony has now determined that a very small percentage of VAIO computers with the NVIDIA graphics chips may be affected.
These PCs may exhibit distorted video, random characters or a blank screen due to a failure of the NVIDIA graphics chip.


Resolution
As a part of our commitment to quality, for any customer who requires repair of their VAIO computer due to the NVIDIA graphics processor issue, Sony will cover the cost of repair (parts and labor) at no charge during the first four years following the date of purchase of the models in question (see list below).
In case your model is shown in the list below, we invite you to contact VAIO Support to arrange service for your VAIO.


Applicable Models
• VGN-FZ11x, VGN-FZ18x, VGN-FZ21x, VGN-FZ31x, VGN-FZ38x
• VGN-AR11x, VGN-AR21x, VGN-AR31x
• VGN-C1Zx, VGN-C2Zx
• VGC-LM1xx, VGC-LM2xx
• VGC-LT1xx, VGC-LT2xx

[Thalamus.]

Hi Tuck187,

the 'Distorted video, random characters or blank screen issues due to failure of the NVIDIA graphics chip' announcement has posted earlier in this thread, but it was some time ago so thanks for posting again..

[simcerut]

Hi to all... i had this problem on august/september 2009; after 3 times that my sony has moved for repair, finally on september the laptop seems to be work correctly, but today after three months that works correctly, the laptop has the same problem. The warranty was elapsed on december 2009...so i have this problem... can someone say if there'll fix the problem free, out of the warranty?

[Thalamus.]

Hi to all... i had this problem on august/september 2009; after 3 times that my sony has moved for repair, finally on september the laptop seems to be work correctly, but today after three months that works correctly, the laptop has the same problem. The warranty was elapsed on december 2009...so i have this problem... can someone say if there'll fix the problem free, out of the warranty?

Can't say for sure but if the problem is indeed nVidia GPU related and one of the models listed then Sony have stated...

Sony will cover the cost of repair (parts and labor) at no charge during the first four years following the date of purchase of the models in question (see list below).
In case your model is shown in the list below, we invite you to contact VAIO Support to arrange service for your VAIO.


Applicable Models
• VGN-FZ11x, VGN-FZ18x, VGN-FZ21x, VGN-FZ31x, VGN-FZ38x
• VGN-AR11x, VGN-AR21x, VGN-AR31x
• VGN-C1Zx, VGN-C2Zx
• VGC-LM1xx, VGC-LM2xx
• VGC-LT1xx, VGC-LT2xx

I suggest you contact Sony support either by clicking Support at the top of this page or use the following link:Vaio support

[Geolucifer]

Hi,
I had a pretty thorough look through this thread but couldn't find an answer to my question - so here goes: I have an FZ285ub with the Nvidia issue - I bought my Vaio in the USA at the end of 2007, but now I live in Norway. I've spoken to Sony Europe and they told me they will only repair European laptops, and that I need to speak to Sony USA. Before I do I'd like to know if anyone has managed to get Sony to pay for shipping back to the US for repair from Europe? Or if anyone has shipped their laptop back to Sony in the US for repair from Europe?
I'd just like to have a better idea of what I can demand before I get on the phone with them 🙂
Thanks in advance,
Luke

[adjukes12]

My laptop screen went exactly as everyone else is describing, getting very frustrated with sony as i canty contact them

it is not accepting my serial number on online support so cannot log in, also i cant dial premium numbers and cannot get through to a person on ther 0870 number

I cant see this problem is not caused by the graphics card so i will be mightly peeved if not sorted out foc when i can actually contact someone at sony

model number is fz21m

[adjukes12]

just booked in for collection, exactly the same problem as descibed in this thread, they did say if this wasnt the problem then they would charge me £150 just to have it sent back to me!!!

[Sealbhach]

OK, so I've just received back my Vaio FZ21M from DHL today - the graphics problem is fixed. When it was at the repair centre, Teleplan tried to charge me £225 (see my previous post about this ) but I emailed the Sony Customer Support and I said the only thing I want done is to get the Nvidia card repaired as they had promised to do.

Looking at the documentation that came today it seems they replaced the "Main Board".

The laptop was repaired and has been with DHL since December 16th, they tried to deliver it around that time but I was not aware of it until DHL rang me yesterday.


Anyway, all is fixed now and all for free so I'm happy and well done to Sony for fixing it for free.

My advice to anyone is to only communicate by email, not by phone. Have a record of everything agreed in writing.

.

[adjukes12]

Spoke to Sony today and mine has been fixed for free and is on it's way back

[Vaio-Jeanette]

1.


VGN-SZ61XN-C have the similar problem!!!
When I contacted Sony they said they would not repair it free of charge because it is not one of the affected models. Can somebody help me?
CASE NUMBER IS: 4499666

2.
I Have Sony VGN-FZ21Z too, and was 2 times repaired (2nd repair after 7 days from sony delivery) times it have been in GERMAN service before!. Now is hot (One month after 2nd repair)! Give me cash back, or similar notebook!!!!