Need some tech support please!

[NObama]

Uh oh.  The computer's acting up!

Background:
Dell XPS M1730, circa 2007 running Vista 32-bit
About a year+ ago, I had the 8700M GT replaced.  Later, I learned that this laptop with that card is notorious for the videocard failing.

Situation:
When powering on, sometimes the display doesn't work.  If I power it off and then back on, it will work just fine.  might take a few tries.  Once the system is running, I never, ever lose video.  It's purely a start-up problem.

Doing a quick internet search brought up something about weak solder.  Some people report that baking their videocard in the oven(!!!) for 10mins at 200 degrees solves the problem temporarily.  It allegedly melts the solder and reseals key connections.  Obviously, that's some bullshit I'm not going to do myself.

Anyone have any thoughts?  I paid about 3,000 for this gaming rig back in 2007 and it's got tons of life in it yet.  Unfortunately, buying yet another video card (450-650) costs about the same as buying a worthy Dell replacement laptop with way more power than I'm running now ($1079).

[Crome969]

Since when the Video problem appeared`? Camed after time or u noticed directly? How you shutting down your System, all the time same way,sometimes by power off  or shutting down via Windows\Linux? Tested different driver?Is the Card Dell branded? Wich System you use, Windows or Linux. Any specific Version or Variant?
Did you checked temperature of your Videocard? Does it has higher temperature when it starts working at boot up? or Cold. In wich Scenes does that Issue Appear?
Maybe its just a small issue like wrong driver or some damage in your Windows\Linux System. Then a reinstall of driver or formatting System would help as best. The other case could be a real hardware problem like a clinch in the transponders or such. Then you couldnt avoidbuying a new graphic .

[TrailMyx]

If you are indeed suffering from a cold solder joint, that's something that you really can't deal with.  One of the reasons I choose EVGA for my video is they have a lifetime warranty that would cover something like cold soldering of a BGA joint.  Check the warranty of your card to see if anything can be done from that standpoint.

[Newsman]

baking it will melt the cheaper plastics first...  And destroy the screen.  If you're soldering, use the proper tool, a cheap soldering tool is like 25 bucks.  Truth be told, laptops arent worth a huge investment.  They are less durable, bounced around more, and subject to more adverse environments. 

Do not spend a large sum on your laptop and do not put it in the oven...

[Crome969]

[NObama]

baking it will melt the cheaper plastics first...  And destroy the screen.  If you're soldering, use the proper tool, a cheap soldering tool is like 25 bucks.  Truth be told, laptops arent worth a huge investment.  They are less durable, bounced around more, and subject to more adverse environments. 

Do not spend a large sum on your laptop and do not put it in the oven...

Hehe - to be clear, I meant disassembling the entire thing and just putting the videocard in the oven.  Not that I would ever really do it, but there are several reports out there of it (temporarily) working.  Also of going poof, though...

[Crome969]

Your Sources about coming from proofed Sources? The Internet  lives from lives and fakes..
Iam Unsure that heat could fix diod or hardware issues..

[TrailMyx]

Your Sources about coming from proofed Sources? The Internet  lives from lives and fakes..
Iam Unsure that heat could fix diod or hardware issues..

That's true.  If the baking instructions for the video card also included chocolate topping, I'd be careful...

[NObama]

Oh hell no.  It's just a couple of random people on the internet claiming to have worked a miracle in their oven.  For all I know, these are the same people who faked the Apollo moon landing.

I think the wife is onboard with me getting a new rig in a year or so.  It helps that I can buy about two or three times the power I'm running now for a third or less of what I paid in 2007.

So, my solution is to never turn off my laptop unless forced to by system updates/etc.  The fewer on/off stresses I subject it to, the longer it lasts...in theory.  Also, if the problem really becomes bad, I'll open up the laptop just to check all the connections for something that's come loose.  You never know.

[Endless Night]

Your Sources about coming from proofed Sources? The Internet  lives from lives and fakes..
Iam Unsure that heat could fix diod or hardware issues..

That's true.  If the baking instructions for the video card also included chocolate topping, I'd be careful...

now that was the funniest thing i read/heard all day..... can i get sprinkles on my vid card to go please. 

[Newsman]

Nobama, what do you use your computer for?  my laptop NEW, was a very low end and very cheap refurb. My desktops are a core 2 duo mac mini and an i5 mac mini. The older core 2 duo does pretty well. It runs scripting clients, a browser and icq.  The newer i5 is a delightful media monster. Plays the few games I play well (starcraft 2, UO, shadowbane). The HDMI port is nice and the computer was shockingly low priced.  The energy usage is like equal to an energy efficient lamp.  Overall, I consider it to have been one of the best purchases I could have made.  An equivalent PC tower would draw tons more electricity, cost relatively the same(pc would probably have 1TB hd) and taken a ton of random space up in my tiny apartment.

These days, I'm convinced the mac mini is the most underrated desktop computer on the market.  Mac users prefer IMacs. PC users prefer their self built towers.  But the mini has pretty much everything you want/need and then a lot of stuff that you'll appreciate a lot more when you've owned it.

And just to reiterate. DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THE OVEN. Metal has higher metal points than plastics and rubbers.

[NObama]

These days, I primarily use it for MTGO, UO and stupid facebook games when EUO is down from a forced patch.

I've long since abandoned the 'bake it in the over' concept.  It's still working so far...(knock on wood).

[Trixta]

NoBama can I get mine with a side of microwaved Mouse and keyboard?   I'll pay the extra up size price!!!!!