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HP reveals problems with NVIDIA chips in desktops

by Scott Bicheno on 14 October 2008, 14:01

Tags: NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA), Hewlett Packard (NYSE:HPQ)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qapq3

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New development?

Last July HP announced a "Limited Warranty Service Enhancement" in which it offered free repairs to a range of its notebooks due to a number of symptoms, including defective video, which were attributable to NVIDIA 'ConnectorGate' die/packaging crisis.

Now HP has created a new support page offering a similar warranty enhancement for 38 HP Pavilion Slimline Desktop PCs. This could be a very significant development in the 'ConnectorGate' saga as NVIDIA has been adamant that the problem is restricted to notebook parts.

The page states: "Some of these computers may not boot or may not display video. Computers experiencing either or both of these symptoms, attributable to the computer's motherboard, are eligible for this HP Limited Warranty Service Enhancement."

HP's support page doesn't actually name NVIDIA, but an HP spokesperson confirmed that is the case in a statement to HEXUS.channel: "Certain NVIDIA chips used in the Slimline PCs have experienced issues. We are still investigating the problems."

So the key issue here is: are these desktop or notebook parts? We're currently in contact with both HP and NVIDIA to shed light on this matter and will update you as soon as we have more information.

Update - 14:15, 14th October 2008:

In line with our HEXUS Right2Reply policy, NVIDIA's European PR head, Luciano Alibrandi (pictured), contacted HEXUS.channel with the following statement in response to our story:

"The issue is actually with a single design. The model numbers refer to different configurations and sku's for various of HP's partners."

"It is slim line, notebook-like design but there is no conclusive evidence that the failure mechanism is the same as the notebook issue we announced in July We are working very closely with HP to determine if/how the NVIDIA chipset is involved in the failures. Modern PC's are complex and OEMs determine their own warrantee and repair programs based on their individual testing"

Luciano Alibrandi, director of product PR EMEAI, NVIDIA Ltd

 



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Epic fail, once again :stupid: