The Nvidia Defect Forum

Hi everyone

My HP DV2535 (Serial No: 2CE73229TR) failed in April 2010 due what I believe to be the Nvidia defect. Initially the screen started to flicker, then became covered in horizontal lines, and finally turned black, showing only a couple of red lines, rendering the laptop completely unusable.

I have sent the initial letter before action to HP but before taking any further action was hoping that you could confirm a couple of things.

1. If I disable the Nvidia graphics, and have it running on the basic VGA grpahics adapter, the computer will sometimes run okay. I assume that this can happen with the Nvidia defect? Obviously when the Nvidia graphics are enabled I cannot use the computer at all.

2. In January 2010 when the laptop was still working I installed Windows 7. Should I try and remove this and revert to Vista in case at some point in the future HP would ask to inspect the laptop themselves as they make clear on their website that they do not support Windows 7 on this model.

3. I purchased the laptop on my mother's credit card in September 2007 before beginning university. I have, however, sent the intial letter before action in my name (same surname as my mother). Is it okay to continue the proceedings in my name, and then if necessary at some point in the future, I can get my mum to give authorisation for me to continue with the case?

4. Do you know if the small claims procedure works any differently in Northern Ireland? Also, if I send the laptop to Lapcure for an engineers report (which I expect to do next week) does shipping to and from Northern Ireland with DHL cost anymore?

Many thanks

Robin

Hello Robin and welcome to our forum.

Sorry to hear of the problems you are experiencing with your laptop.

Please find below the answers to your questions:-



Yes, this is quite common and this type of failure is closely followed by a complete failure of the Nvidia GPU.



I wouldn't bother trying to remove Windows. The fact that HP do not support Windows 7 has nothing whatsoever to do with your current problem so it would be a fruitless exercise for you.



Your mother would have to start the ball rolling against the retailer, or at least give authorisation that they deal with you on her behalf. If this went as far as court then you would have to act as layperson for your mother.

The fact that you paid by credit card is excellent news as the card company is as liable for the failure of your laptop as the retailer. You can make a Section 75 claim against the card company and they have to help.



I am not sure if the court system is the same in Northern Ireland, but I guess it should be.

There is an extra cost of £20 to collect and return to Northern Ireland so the total cost of the report would be £85. This sum is recoverable from the retailer as a consequential loss.

If you have any further questions or if you need any advice then please let me know.

Good luck and best wishes

Paul
The Admin Team

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Please note that I am not legally qualified and I only offer my own personal advice. You are advised to seek professional legal advice for formal clarification of advice I give.

HP called me yesterday to acknowledge receipt of my initial letter before action. The only purpose of the call was to confirm that I had spoken to their technical support department. Apart from this they did not care what I had to say about the laptop.

When I did speak to the technical support department last week, the very helpful HP engineer cut me off mid sentence when trying to explain that I was trying to get the problem resolved by HP due to their liability under the sale of goods act and not under a warranty that has clearly expired!

One person who was quite helpful was one of the HP representatives based at Bracknell who seemed quite sympathetic to my case but said that the only way I will get anywhere with HP is by taking legal action. At least she was honest with me!

Paul - I have just submitted a new job on the Lapcure website to obtain an engineers report on the laptop.

Hello Donald,

Well, that response from HP was to be expected so all is going to script.



I have now sent you an email with collection information.

If you have any questions or if you need any advice then please let me know.

Good luck and best wishes

Paul
The Admin Team

_________________
=======================================================
Calculate the minimum refund that you would be entitled to.
FAQ's
Why you should not accept a repair
Links to evidence
What is the Nvidia Defect?
Step by step help to getting a refund
Do you need an engineers report?
=======================================================

If you like what you see on this forum and would like to help then please post links to this forum in other forums or blogs. The more people we can help the better.


Please note that I am not legally qualified and I only offer my own personal advice. You are advised to seek professional legal advice for formal clarification of advice I give.