Ron Schenone

Dell – Unhappy Consumers Over NVidia Fix

Posted by on Jul 30, 2008 | 4 Comments

As reported a few days ago, Dell is offering a BIOS update for some of their laptop systems, using the GPU from NVidia, that is faulty. In lieu of replacing ALL of the bad chips, Dell has instead has issued a BIOS update that will increase the fan use to help keep the systems cool. Seems that the problem involves the NVidia chips overheating, which NVidia claims was poorly designed laptops by the OEM’s that is casuing the problem.

It also appears that HP is also experiencing a similar problem and has also chosen a software fix to correct the hardware issue. What is apparent is that it is going to be the consumer who is burdened with a faulty system, and it doesn’t matter who is to blame. The fact is that consumers want their systems repaired properly and not simply fixed with a band-aid.

Over at the Direct2dell site some people are expressing there displeasure with the BIOS fix:

So rather than replacing the faulty parts you are going to just turn up the fans, at the expense of battery life and noise.  I would rather just leave the bios as it is and get a proper fix if the problem occurs.  Even if the problem occurs out of warranty I think there is a strong case for Dell fixing it for free since there is an admitted manufacturing defect.

Here is another:

I tend to agree with some of the other comments. A bios update to turn on cooling fans is not the appropriate response when I have spent approx. $2000 on an XPS that I now fear will have a shortened life span. I am really glad I got the 3 year warranty, that is for sure.

Dell needs to reconsider their action plan, this is not acceptable.

At a time when consumer confidence is a main concern to Dell, this is not a good time to erode that confidence, and force the consumers to revolt. It is also advisable to do the correct thing and replace the defective chips. Turning up the fans to cool the chip may extend the life of the chip, but eventually it may fail. If this happens out of warranty the consumer may be stuck with a costly repair.

What do you think? Should Dell, HP and others who used the NVidia chip replace the defective part?

Comments welcome.

Source.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/igames Matt McCarty

    Hey Ron when you go to Lockergnome.com is it taking you to some random blog?

    Also try Lockergnome/updates

    weird.

    I would of emailed you but for whatever reason I cant find your email address.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi Matt,
    Yeap. It takes me to Steve’s Photo Blog. :-)
    I emailed Chris about it.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/igames Matt McCarty

    Boy that guys gonna have a hell of a lot of views today :)

  • Bruce

    Well, my wife has a Dell Vostro 1500 and I have a new HP dv9700t – nether of which are on the bios update list but both have the nVidia chip in question. IF our computers were on the recall list, I would be fuming! A software fix for a hardware problem is NOT acceptable, and I smell a class action suit in the making. And, as usual, the lawyers will get millions and millions of dollars and the affected consumers will get $50 off their next new computer.