Dell Laptop 18 months old- faulty motherboard

Andalucia

So bought a Dell Inspiron N5030 online 18 months ago as a present, it decided to go on strike the other day, turns out the issue is the motherboard. Local computer shop reckons it would cost as much as a new laptop to fix.

Any one any positive experience of Dell standing over such issues, the warranty is only for a year, but the laptop was hardly ever used. Very disappointing, considering I use a Dell laptop myself which is over 6 yrs and and has never given me a problem.

duckysauce

what's the laptop doing ?

You can try ringing Dell tell them you have a problem and you will extend the warranty for two years if they fix the current problem which would work out well.

Andalucia

its not doing aything, it wont even turn itself on
I'll try Dell and see what they say

zenno

Andalucia wrote: »

its not doing aything, it wont even turn itself on
I'll try Dell and see what they say

You could also write a registered letter to dell business park headquarters and explain to them that you expect the laptop you purchased from them to last longer than 18 months and they might have it fixed for you as a good will gesture. It's definitely worth a try.

Can't find the address in ballycoolin i think it is so if anyone has it post it up. You have nothing to lose but if you do decide to write to them make sure you get the letter registered post.

wexie

Andalucia wrote: »

, turns out the issue is the motherboard. Local computer shop reckons it would cost as much as a new laptop to fix.

Are you sure it's the motherboard?

If Dell refuse to do anything about it, you could bring it up with the Small Claims Court. I know of someone who went took a company to the SCC over a 15 month laptop and the ruling was in their favour. In the judge's words that day "warranties mean nothing in here" - it's about whether the period is considered by the judge to be a "reasonable lifespan."

carbon nanotube

Andalucia wrote: »

So bought a Dell Inspiron N5030 online 18 months ago as a present, it decided to go on strike the other day, turns out the issue is the motherboard. Local computer shop reckons it would cost as much as a new laptop to fix.

Any one any positive experience of Dell standing over such issues, the warranty is only for a year, but the laptop was hardly ever used. Very disappointing, considering I use a Dell laptop myself which is over 6 yrs and and has never given me a problem.

what were the reasons for them saying it was toast? the easiest thing in the world for a computer shop is to say the mobo is dead.

truth is hardly any one can fix or diagnose (properly) motherboard repairs. i very much doubt these shops have oscilloscopes and logic analyzers to go fault finding a circuit board.

im not saying its not faulty.. but its too vague.

Alan_P

Karsini wrote: »

If Dell refuse to do anything about it, you could bring it up with the Small Claims Court. I know of someone who went took a company to the SCC over a 15 month laptop and the ruling was in their favour. In the judge's words that day "warranties mean nothing in here" - it's about whether the period is considered by the judge to be a "reasonable lifespan."

I had a laptop that failed after 2 years :- I brought it to the SCC. The retailer's representative, when presenting her case, said it was out of warranty, and the judge interrupted to say she didn't recognise the word warranty and the concept didn't exist in her courtroom.

As you say, it's what the judge considers a reasonable lifespan :- from my case, and others I heard in the court that day, it was clear she considered a reasonable lifespan for domestic appliances and electronic equipment to be 5 years. I was awarded 3/5 of the purchase price of the laptop, on the basis I'd had the use of it for 2 years, which I considered quite fair.

carbon nanotube

that is good for a punters point of view, but I cant see courts around the world paying out for good that 'go' before 5 years.

I'm not saying that goods should only last a year but is this the norm across the EU?

Is there a directive that states what a reasonable amount of time goods should last?

god forbid if this law existed in china.

carbon nanotube

carbon nanotube wrote: »

that is good for a punters point of view, but I cant see courts around the world paying out for good that 'go' before 5 years.

I'm not saying that goods should only last a year but is this the norm across the EU?

Is there a directive that states what a reasonable amount of time goods should last?

god forbid if this law existed in china.

The EU say two years while Irish law simply states a reasonable lifespan - so Irish law is theoretically better for the customer.

zenno

Like I already said, a registered letter explaining you're case could possibly work in you're favour as they don't want to go to court over this and it will cost them nothing to send a technician out to fix it for you. If you ring them then you are wasting your time, the pen and paper will do a better job in your case to dell headquarters as it reaches the top so well worth it imo, a simple stamp and a little extra to register the letter that's all it takes as I have dealt with dell this way a few times before and they always fixed it.

carbon nanotube

Karsini wrote: »

The EU say two years while Irish law simply states a reasonable lifespan - so Irish law is theoretically better for the customer.

i see, that is too vague. I would imagine any big manufacturer of consumer goods to take any punter to the cleaners but thats just my opinion.

i think 5 years is too much myself.

why not make it 10...

Alan_P

carbon nanotube wrote: »

that is good for a punters point of view, but I cant see courts around the world paying out for good that 'go' before 5 years.

I don't know about around the world, but I certainly saw an Irish court ordering a payout for a laptop that failed after 2 years, on the basis it should have lasted 5 years. And the courts don't pay out :- they order the retailer to. I got my cheque last Tuesday.

carbon nanotube

good on you, its generous (5 years) but to fail after 2 years is pretty **** by all accounts.

things like white goods (washing machines) would never last 5 years for a refund...

Andalucia

so finally got this issue resolved. I rang Dell, they as much as said tough luck initially, but when I pushed them a bit harder on it, they agreed to repair the laptop if I purchased a warranty extension, which I did, cost eur 90, they sent out a technician who replaced the motherboard.

so seems to be back working fine.

so not a bad result in the end, still a bit surprised that it went after so little use, would put me off buying another Dell product for this reason

ED E

Andalucia wrote: »

so finally got this issue resolved. I rang Dell, they as much as said tough luck initially, but when I pushed them a bit harder on it, they agreed to repair the laptop if I purchased a warranty extension, which I did, cost eur 90, they sent out a technician who replaced the motherboard.

so seems to be back working fine.

so not a bad result in the end, still a bit surprised that it went after so little use, would put me off buying another Dell product for this reason

From somebody who fixes em, trust me, its not just dell. Laptops are designed to fail nearly at this point.