Nvidia geforce 8400m gt issue

[aldciarr]

Hi All,

I hope that you can help. I have a 3 year old Vaio Model PCG-3A1M running vista. The display adaptor, a Nvidia geforce 8400m gt keeps failing causing green vertical lines to cover the screen and a "Rundll32 has stopped working" msg to appear.

Any ideas how to resolve this? I think I read somewhere a while ago that this was a known issue,

Thanks in advance for any help,

Al

[Blencogo]

Hi Al,

Can you please check your Vaio model - you are quoting an invalid model type.  It will probably give the correct model - starting VGN - on the surround to the screen.

[aldciarr]

Sorry I found the number above on the back, the model is VGN-FZ38M

[aldciarr]

Now I have used the correct model number I think I have found the answer: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?mdl=VGNFZ290&news_id=349

[Blencogo · Accepted solution]

Yes, that is one of the models with the known nVidia issue.

Go to the support page for your model here: -

http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/specifications/index.aspx?m=VGN-FZ38M&l=en_GB

Click on 'Support' and look in the section for 'Hot News'.  Select 'Distorted Video ......' and you can read the statement from Sony.

If your issue is caused by the known problem, Sony will repair your Vaio provided it is less than 4 years old.

Good Luck.

[aldciarr]

Blencogo you are a star. I wish I had posted here early last year when the problem first started. I just decided to purchase a Dell because I was so disapointed in Sony and could not live without my business computer while John Lewis fixed the issue. Once I got the new computer I left the Sony in a corner until last night when I tought I would post here.

This is a great forum, I will post the outcome to let others know how sony responded,

Thanks again,

Al

[aldciarr]

Update.

I contacted Sony who confirmed that they know of the issue. DHL was sent to pick up my laptop and Sony replaced the main board and updated BIOS. I had the computer back in 5 days so I am very happy with the way Sony has dealt with this and thanks again for your help.

Al

[jonroper3]

I have an identical issue to this with a VGN-AR51E VIAO with at GeForce 8400M GT

However I live in the UK and can't find any information on the UK support site.

Could you give me the equivalent link for the Sony UK service centre to resolve it.

Thanks in advance.

Jon

[rich912 · Accepted solution]

Hi jonroper3,

Yours is not one of the models that Sony has acknowledged as being affected by the NVIDIA chip problem.

As your machine is out of warranty you will need to call 0905 0310006 (0.35 £/min)

Rich

[jonroper3]

35p per minute, how generous!