Laptop falling apart!

Coeurdepirate

I bought a Compaq laptop in around March of 2009, and now the plastic casing around the screen is starting to come off, from what I assume is constant opening and closing... I'm holding it together temporarily with duct tape, but it still makes a cracking noise when I move the screen so I leave it open. Anyway, does anybody know if I could fix it myself, or if not where can I get it fixed in the Galway city area, and how much roughly would it cost?
Thanks.

Coeurdepirate

*bump*

katierose1

Hi. I have a similar issue with a 2 yr old Dell Studio Laptop with a plastic lid. The hinges have snapped, exposing the wires. Dell are querying whether this is a warranty issue as they say it could be as a result of wear and tear. My family have had several laptops and none have fallen apart like this - although they all have metal edges to the lids and metal hinges. Has anyone else had a problem with plastic lids/hinges? Dell or otherwise?

I've repaired several laptops with damaged hinges. The most recent was a Compaq CQ70 - the design of many of them is terrible, with small screws going into a moulded screw hole in the lid. There's not much holding the screw in there and they can break fairly easily.

In a lot of cases it requires the whole lid to be replaced (you can carry the screen over, of course) but sometimes you can be lucky and it might just be a few screws missing.

Voodu Child

Look up the model number on ebay and see if you can find a replacement bezel. Also, use google to try and find a service guide for your particular model, or else email the manufacturer.

It shouldn't be expensive, and whether it is difficult or not depends how handy you are.

Tinie

katierose1 wrote: »

Hi. I have a similar issue with a 2 yr old Dell Studio Laptop with a plastic lid. The hinges have snapped, exposing the wires. Dell are querying whether this is a warranty issue as they say it could be as a result of wear and tear. My family have had several laptops and none have fallen apart like this - although they all have metal edges to the lids and metal hinges. Has anyone else had a problem with plastic lids/hinges? Dell or otherwise?

Had the exact same problem with my studio 1737, my hinges started separating gradually at the line on them, dell wouldn't repair it though as it was not covered under in house warranty, only with limited warranty :rolleyes:

Had to get it repaired by a freelance.

katierose1

Thanks for your comments guys. The problem is that the hinges form part of the plastic cover - they also hold the socket for the power cord. The whole top has come apart - exposing wires. It's not something I could repair, even if I could get the parts. This is the first laptop we (as a family) have had with plastic hinges - all the others have some sort of metal support. I wonder if it's just crap design or, if it is a wear&tear issue as they suggest, faulty manufacture (surely a laptop should survive less than 2 years wear and tear in normal use?). It has not been dropped or damaged in any other way. Or my expectations just too high?

Voodu Child

katierose1 wrote: »

Thanks for your comments guys. The problem is that the hinges form part of the plastic cover - they also hold the socket for the power cord. The whole top has come apart - exposing wires. It's not something I could repair, even if I could get the parts. This is the first laptop we (as a family) have had with plastic hinges - all the others have some sort of metal support. I wonder if it's just crap design or, if it is a wear&tear issue as they suggest, faulty manufacture (surely a laptop should survive less than 2 years wear and tear in normal use?). It has not been dropped or damaged in any other way. Or my expectations just too high?

Even if their warranty small print says they do not cover 'wear and tear', its poppycock because under Irish consumer laws a product should be of merchantable quality and last a reasonable length of time. In my opinion, a laptop whose hinges break from normal useage in under two years satisfies neither of those.

However im no expert in consumer law, you should check the consumer issues forum for more information. Link. Often if you call them and make it known that you are aware of your consumer rights, it gets the bal rolling.

katierose1

Voodoochild.
Thanks for your advice. I am still pursuing this with the manufacturer but communications have broken down - The support man has been less than helpful, will not email me with any details and will only speak to me by phone. I have asked him to email me an estimate before I speak to him again and haven't had any contact from him since!
I have now contacted the customer complaints department as a last resort.
I agree that it is probably a 'not of merchantable quality' issue but am hoping to resolve it with the company before going down the legal or ombudsman route. I have used the same company for over 14 years, repeat business, both laptops and desktops, and have never had a problem like this. I'm not sure I will be such a loyal customer in the future...

paulhealy1991

sorry for bringing up a old thread but my studio 1555 is suffering from the same fault as yours. ive had tape holding the bezel to the lid but think its time to get it fixed before it breaks. i was woundering how much it cost to get repaired. did dell help you out in at all?? any suggestions of where to get it done?

katierose1

Sorry to say they were of no use at all once they had decided it was not a warranty issue - despite contacting their online 'unresolved issues' department. On the advice of the consumer advice people I am now going to the small claims court - goods not of merchantable quality.
It may be possible to have it repaired - I think if it's just the lid cover, a replacement can be ordered outside warranty through the online spares dept. My problem was both hinges fractured, exposing wires - not something I would be confident of repairing. I also didn't want to mess with it until the warranty issue was resolved.

paulhealy1991

ya i think i will just order a replacement on ebay and have a go at fitting it myself with the aid of youtube! best of luck with the small claims court