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HP: Nvidia graphics defect an issue since November 2007

Hewlett-Packard says the Nvidia graphics chip problem has been a warranty issue since November of last year.

Brooke Crothers Former CNET contributor
Brooke Crothers writes about mobile computer systems, including laptops, tablets, smartphones: how they define the computing experience and the hardware that makes them tick. He has served as an editor at large at CNET News and a contributing reporter to The New York Times' Bits and Technology sections. His interest in things small began when living in Tokyo in a very small apartment for a very long time.
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Brooke Crothers
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Hewlett-Packard lists 24 laptop model variations affected by a widely reported Nvidia graphics chip defect. HP said the flaw has been a warranty issue since November of last year.

Some HP DV9000 series notebooks used potentially defective Nvidia graphics chip
Some HP DV9000 series notebooks used potentially defective Nvidia graphics chip CNET Networks

Dell made a statement Friday regarding the same graphics chip issue. Nvidia published a "Business Update" on July 2 that addressed the problem. The Nvidia defect is centered on a "weak die/packaging material" in certain versions of Nvidia graphics silicon used in laptops. The die refers to the chip itself and the packaging is what encases the chip.

HP has published a list of potentially affected systems that comprises Pavilion and Compaq Presario laptop models.

"HP has taken appropriate actions for any HP notebook products that use the known affected Nvidia chips," an HP spokesperson said Monday, responding to an e-mail query. "We initiated a customer program to address this issue in November 2007, and have notified registered customers who have notebook PC models that are included in this HP program.

"HP became aware of this issue when we began performing an investigation based on field performance data," the spokesperson said.

Pavilion dv2000, dv6000, and dv9000 and Compaq Presario V3000 and V6000 series are listed by HP as being potentially affected. Symptoms include no video on the computer LCD screen, no power and no active LEDs, and "the notebook does not start," according to HP's Web page that cites the problem.

"If you are experiencing one or more symptoms listed below, and your computer meets the product criteria listed below, contact HP to determine whether you are eligible for a free repair," the HP Web page states.

The defect is described by Nvidia in more detail here.

Technology Web site The Inquirer cited affected HP systems earlier this month.