Riva TNT ?

[carlk56]

Hello, I had a Riva TNT card installed in my
pc (AMD K-6, 350 64 meg) last week. Worked fine for a few days but died on Friday. My tech was unable to figure out why and also told me the warranty did not cover this sort of problem. Any ideas on why this may have happened, am I being ripped off ? I need a new card but I fear the same thing will happen. Thanks

[carlk56]

Thanks Target. He told me he tried it on his system and nothing, notta, zilch. He installed his old, used 3D Rage Pro AGP 2X card in mine as a loner until I get a new card but told me not to be surprised if that one kicks the bucket also. Say's I might have a monitor or heat problem. I play Warbirds and the ATI card won't cut it. I'm very new at this and feel I'm being taken for a ride. Thanks again,
Carl

[Target]

You're welcome CarlK56.....

Heat certainly could have burned up your card, but in such a short period of time, I find that excuse a little suspect as well unless your case has absolutely no ventilation.

When you get your replacement TNT, go to radio shack and buy a 486 CPU fan. You can easily attach that to the heat-sync on your video card which would easily keep it well under the standard operating temperature for the chipset. They also carry larger fans that can be used to cool your case, and they are pretty cheap as well.

As for a monitor problem causing the card to go bad......I guess technically its a very remote possibility, but I have never seen a monitor cause a vid card to go bad. I guess what I am saying is that since I can't definitely refute that excuse, I'd let it slide.

I can't say for sure that you are being taken advantage of here, but it doesn't sound like you are getting 100% accurate information from your local tech.

[Target]

When you say it died....do you mean completely won't work no matter what??

If that is the case, I find it suspicious that your local tech tells you its not covered under warranty if he cannot even accurately determine what the problem was!!

Almost any video card will come with some sort of warranty, and your Riva TNT card surely should have (unless you bought it used or "as-is"). I'd re-address the issue with the person/company you bought it from and insist on them giving you a new one..... That card should have lasted a very long time for you. One week is totally unacceptable in my opinion!

[BBA]

The only time I saw a TNT card not even boot up was when I found one of it's little surface mount componants loose inside its static bag. I guess the solder job just wasn't as perfected as it needed to be. I took it back as defect.

I believe you should take yours back, especially if it only lasted a week. Even overclocked to failure a TNT will still boot a PC. Yours is defective.

PS: It helps to be beligerant sometimes too.

[Shawn]

If it was a new card I would expect a replacement. If the card got too hot then the manufacturer should have included a lasagna cooler built onto the card (like my Leadtek). If you were using the card the way it was designed to be used (playing games like Warbird) and it burned up then it was a bad card and should be covered under warranty. I wouldn't let this slide unless you are rich and have money to waste. As far as the tech, he sounds like an idiot. Most of the techs that I have encountered tell you whatever they can come up with. 1) A monitor won't fry your video card. 2) If it was a heat problem then the card should have been designed with a larger heat sink (manufacurer problem)

[Susan]

I would finish your dealings with the tech that sold you the TNT card (and insist that he replace the card for free) and then not return to him for further service.

If he refuses to replace the card, you can try to contact the manufacturer of the card, but they will tell you to go back to the reseller or dealer who sold you the card.

My tech was unable to figure out why and also told me the warranty did not cover this sort of problem.

That's a contradiction on his part.

[carlk56]

Thanks everyone ! Well he made good. Called a while ago and told me my new card will be here monday. I left him a message on his answering machine telling him I spoke with a Nvidia rep and he returned my call within the hour. Now the only problem is..... I want the Riva TNT-2 32 mg card but I'll count my blessings and live with what I have for a few months. Thanks again,

Carl