Dell M90 Precision Graphic Card Issue

Hello,

My 5 y.o. M90 precision runs a NVIDIA Quadro FX 3500M Graphics Card (512mb). Which I suspect has some malfunction as the Laptop will not Start-up. It directs me into the safe mode option screen.

If I select Safe Mode start after a while I get a blue Screen saying that there is a problem on the video card. Also from the moment I start the laptop I get dots on the screen, which they disappear only when I boot from the Windows disc. I suspect this happens because the computer boots with the motherboard integrated graphics and not the NVIDIA.

Could someone tell me what Graphics Card options do I have that will be compatible with the M90 Precision I have? Or is there a possibility I can repair the card my self?

Also is there a way to by pass the NVIDIA completely so that I can boot the laptop to access my files until I find a solution.

I am not a computer expert that’s why I am asking your opinion. I do not want to get reaped off by “repair” shops or by buying the wrong graphics card.

 

The Precision M90 is built upon the same chassis as the Dell XPS M1710.

The XPS M1710 is well known for overheating graphics cards. Compatible models include the 7900 gs, and 7900 GTX and 7950 GTX. When these cards overhead eventually they malfunction / become damaged.

Dell replaced the graphic card in my M1710 three times during it's ownership for this reason, until I stopped using it for any gaming.

Some people suggest that if you "bake* a graphics card, that can restore its functionality, but I can't comment on how applicable this is to M90 graphics card.

 

There is no way to "bypass" the Nvidia GPU; you will need to replace the GPU or connect the hard drive to another machine if you want to retrieve your data.

You can buy any GPU made for the Inspiron E1705/9400, XPS M1710, or Precision M90/M6300. I would not recommend buying another Nvidia card.

You can bake the graphics card as well, but at least on these higher-end cards, the fix typically doesn't last more than a few months.

 

I did baked it and re-pasted it and worked like a charm. Although I am now in the process on finding another card for the inevitable death of this one.

Any model suggestion? Similar performance with the Nv Quadro Fx-3500m (512mb)?

 

Basically nothing if you don't want another Nvidia time bomb. The only ATI cards are the X1300 and X1400 for the 9400. All the cards for these models are stupidly expensive for what you get too.

 

I found this one on eBay: DELL NVIDIA GEFORCE 7950 GTX Go DDR3 512MB VGA P/N 58C8T LAPTOP GRAPHICS CARD (item number:221032684989). It was taken off a working XPS

Do you think it will fit? Looks Identical although I don't know if the DDR3 is compatible with an M90? Is the Quadro FX 3500M using DDR3 memory?

 

It will die a quick death.

It will also work though, if that's really what you want.

 

Yes, it will fit and also (from memory), the 7950 is the consumer equivalent of the FX3500.

I'm on my third FX2500M graphics card and second motherboard, on my M90 btw.

 

I bought a "USED" 7900GS from a guy here who claimed "I have never even heard of baking a card before" I bought it with the assumption it was a good card. Started having issues almost immediately with the card dieing a full death within a year with 0 gaming and only watching TV. The guy never responded to my PMs. Unless the card came from GOD himself, I would have my doubts about its quality.

 

There are NO good Nvidia chips from 2005-early 2008. All Santa Rosa/Napa platform chips will go bad, you shouldn't even bother to spend the money to fix an old laptop from this time period, put that money into an newer machine, it will obliterate any laptop from this time period.