Computer Makers Haunted By Chip Woes
Nvidia Corporation often gets good reviews for its technology, but the way in which the chip maker and two computer manufacturers are handling a product defect hasn't pleased some critics within the computer repair industry.
The problem affects an undisclosed number of laptop computers, stopping them from booting up, causing screens to go dark and other issues.
Nvidia has traced it to packaging material used on some chips that manage graphics and other functions, which can fail if they get too hot.
The company disclosed the problem last month and is reportedly taking a $196 million reserve to cover computer makers' costs in addressing it.
Nvidia hasn't recalled the affected chips or identified which models have problems, but it's clear this isn't a small issue.
Compounding the issue is that Dell and Hewlett-Packard, the two customers that have so far announced plans to remedy the problem, said they won't perform computer services or repair affected laptops until they fail.
The PC makers instead recommend updating internal software - known as BIOS, for basic input-output system - to adjust the speed of a laptop's cooling fan. That change doesn't guarantee the systems won't fail.
Rather, it simply reduces the likelihood of failure.
In the meantime, the companies have extended their warranties; Dell on Monday added 12 months to its standard warranty - usually one year for consumers and small businesses - to systems affected by the problem.
But some Ft. Lauderdale computer repair seekers, knowing they own computers that could stop working, are likely to be displeased by this development.
Continue reading this article in the Wall Street Journal ...
