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Dell motherboard failure

  • 31-08-2008 09:33AM
    #1
    ajmull
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭


    The motherboard on my 4 year old Dell Dimension 8400 failed recently. Examination of the board shows 5 capacitors showing signs of failure, one having leaked and the other 4 with bulging tops. I read on the Internet of other instances of motherboard failures due to faulty capacitors on Dell desktops, though not 8400s that I can find. Dell are not prepared to replace the motherboard as the PC is out of warranty. Their Out of Warranty Dept. is to call me in the next day or two and I will be making the case for a replacement motherboard based on the capacitors being faulty when the PC was manufactured, which I believe they were. Anyone have any advice on how I should proceed with this?


Comments

  • #2
    ewj1978
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,937 ✭✭✭ewj1978


    From past experience you'll have a tough time trying to get a replacement when the product is that old. All components only have a certain lifespan. Dell, AFAIK, do not have to replace your motherboard. If they did everyone witha Dell no matter what the age could ask for a free board/psu etc...


  • #3
    MunsterCycling
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,864 ✭✭✭MunsterCycling


    Yeah, I'm afraid you'll have to bite the bullet and shell out for a replacement but keep trying with the Dell guys you never know your luck...

    MC


  • #4
    ajmull
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭ajmull


    Just to bring this up-to-date. Dell have been quite generous and they are replacing the motherboard and anything elso attached (except the monitor, which is fine anyway) that has been blown. Not for free but at a considerable reduction. So far the motherboard and RAM has been replaced and it turns out the graphics card needs replacing too. That's to be done tomorrow. So far I'm happy enough. When the job is complete I'll let you know.


  • #5
    Sarcasmo2005
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25 ✭Sarcasmo2005


    DELL had a problem with the optiplex GX270 motherboards, where the capacitors around the CPU would expand over time and in some cases seep out whatever 'goo' is inside them. If the board is the same type as the optiplex, then you'd have a good case for getting it replaced as a design fault. I'm sure a if you did a search on the dell support forum, you'd find out quick enough if it's the same type.

    The GX270's system's would boot up and give you a 'thermal failure' error when the system was going thru the POST. We had quite a few of them, and dell organised to come out and replace them all, once we collected the asset tags. I remember one engineer telling me that the Guardai had bought a load of them, and the guys were out for quite some time replacing mobo's on the 270's

    I'd also seen similar with Toshiba tecras, where we were having serious problems with tecra 8100/8200's. Over time the VL inverter would detach from the motherboard and power to the LCD panel would be lost (heat would soften the solder and it would come loose from the motherboard). Any time I rang our reseller, once we mentioned it was a VL inverter problem, they would collect and repair free of charge (even after they were out of warranty).

    PD


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