graphic card prolems with vgc-ra204!!!!

[puck77]

I bought a vaio vgc-ra204 last day with a 256Mb radeon x600 xt card, 1024 Mb RAM and 3.6Ghz P4. The problem is that occasionally the card driver send a messagge of a prolem with the graphic card and with the original drivers installed, the screen chenge from 1028x1024x32bit to 640x480x16 colors with the GPU turned off!!!!! I need to reset in order to start again to work!!! With the last catalyst ati driver's it's quite the same, but the vpu recover send a messagge of a problem with the graphic card, manteining 1028x1024x32bit but with the software renderer!!!!! It seems like the graphic card turn automatically off the GPU when is going to work!!! I tryed also to download the new driver in the sony vaio club and also installed the new bios, but it's the same!!!! when I try to play a game the computer turn off the video card and I need to turn off the computer from the main switch!!! And when I came back to turn on the computer after some time, It need to restart windows several times before enter, because each time after the intel inside logo, some black and white strips appear on the screen (a samsung syncmaster 170mb) and the computer automatically reset itself!!! all the software is original and I tried also to make a reinstallation with the two sony dvd's. Anyone can help me or I have to bring it to sony assistance??? HELP!!!!!!!!!

[feederfan]

Yeah, i suppose, its the first time ive heard of such a problem though! I normally use nVidia cards for my desktop, they are cheaper, and normally faster than the ATi counterparts, so Im afraid i cant offer much advice on solving anything other than ATi Mobility problems!

[kee-lo_]

My expert intuition....:smileyraised_eyebrow: lol, tells me that this is probably a problem with the Graphic card heat managment system. If it is under warranty, definitly send it back. If it wasnt, however, I would remove the GFX card, and take the heatsink off the GPU, reapply some new thermal paste, artic silver or something similar, and see if that helps. But if you do that, it is entirely at your own risk!

You might have a point there Davos

[puck77]

on 28 december 2004 the sony assistance decided to send my computer back, simply with a new graphic card and a new hard disk (?), I'm sure of this because I'd take all serial numbers before send the computer to the sony!!!
I don't know why they change the hard disk it's very strange I think that changing simply the graphic card would be enough!!!!
anyway the computer now works, there is only one thing, after a month, the sony assistance send me back the computer to canghe simply the graphic card, it's quite a long time to understand the problem (it was quite clear I think) and they simply send me an extended warranty!!

[kee-lo_]

Nice

[pynzu]

Thank you very much Puck77 for your answer (you have probably read the message I have sent in Italy...).

I think also (after my own tests) that it is certainly the graphic card which is out of order. The problem is really to be without his PC for a too long time when you know that is an obvious breakdown..!!!...

So, perhaps I will buy a new an better graphic card (ATI X 700 Pro ?)......

[kee-lo_]

The graphic card in the RA series is good, but if it does go then it's a real shame.