Zenbook, local laptop repair or return to Asus?

runswithascript

My Asus Zenbook UX32A has taken a fall and now the hinge(s) of the screen have become loose so that when using it the screen will fall/tilt backwards all on its own.

Above: obviously the laptop is not supposed to be used vertically, but that video demonstrates the fault which causes it to tilt backwards even when horizontal on a table or my lap.

Above: this is what could happen over time if not repaired.

Below two pictures of the of a dent in the casing of the hinge, and two pictures of what the other side looks like which is undamaged.









The speaker which between the hinges horizontally and between the screen and the rest of the laptop also moves slightly when pressed, just on one side, the side without the dent.

On the same size the power lead is plugged in, and now does not charge properly unless moved around in a certain way - this of course could just be a faulty cable, but with everything else going on I suspect it is all related.

When just the dent was the problem I had planned to open it up myself and try to hammer it out with a small rubber jeweller's hammer, but now with the power issue, and the speaker moving when touched I think I am better taking it to a professional - either back to ASUS in the UK or a local laptop repair place in Dublin.

This Zenbook cost me around €900, Asus will probably keep it longer and charge more, but I believe they will fix it perfectly because after all they built it. They will probably also opt to replace the entire lower aluminium panel which is the entire bottom of the laptop rather than repair the small dent in it - this will also add to the price.

Going local I fear not as good a job will be done, I do not think ASUS have any authorised repair partners, I will not have as much redress if something goes wrong, they may never have repaired an ASUS Zenbook, or a UX32A with these specific problems, I might end up dealing with a cowboy, and they will probably void my ASUS warranty etc.

What do you think? Any idea what sort of fee I am looking at either way? I think ASUS want £25 just to examine it.

runswithascript

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runswithascript

If you have had similar repaired properly in Dublin please post a recommendation.

I left something into Multitech before to fix a small problem and it came back with a bigger one because they were not able to reassemble the device properly despite my bringing it back to them a second time.

Alanstrainor

The trouble with this will be sourcing parts. Had a quick search on ebay and can't see any ux32 casings.

runswithascript

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The trouble with this will be sourcing parts. Had a quick search on ebay and can't see any ux32 casings.

Yeah, there are a few Zenbooks on eBay, but I only found one for parts and it was a UX31 - might be close enough but I am not sure.

Someone on Tom's Hardware thinks ASUS might charge me something like €600, I would be happy if I could have it repaired for closer to €200.

The same poster thinks the problem with the power connector can be fixed with a new €5 part being soldered on.

I have some soldering experience, but considering there's also a problem with the hinge, and the speaker moves slightly, for peace of mind I am considering calling into Business Management Systems tomorrow to see if they can fix it.

http://www.bms.ie/support/repairs.htm

They says say they have 30 years experience, that their technicians fix 150 laptops a week, they are authorised service repair centres for Toshiba, Sony and Samsung although not ASUS but I do not think that company authorise anyone but their own technicians.

I could also send it to the UK if I learned of somewhere reputable to send it but BMS is looking good from here...

What do you think?

Alanstrainor

i have the same laptop by the way, UX32a. Lovely machines, but I'll be more careful now after seeing what happened to yours

I had a look at the UX31 casings also, and they look very similar, but there are differences. The number of screw holes in the bottom case are not the same, but from looking at the cases, it looks like a lot of them will line up. It's a big gamble. If you found one for 50/60 quid, I'd probably chance it, just make sure to check it yourself.

I would ring that BMS crowd tomorrow and ask them if they can source Asus parts, and specifically the part you are looking for. If they can't there's no point sending it to them at all.

runswithascript

Alanstrainor wrote: »

i have the same laptop by the way, UX32a. Lovely machines, but I'll be more careful now after seeing what happened to yours

I had a look at the UX31 casings also, and they look very similar, but there are differences. The number of screw holes in the bottom case are not the same, but from looking at the cases, it looks like a lot of them will line up. It's a big gamble. If you found one for 50/60 quid, I'd probably chance it, just make sure to check it yourself.

I would ring that BMS crowd tomorrow and ask them if they can source Asus parts, and specifically the part you are looking for. If they can't there's no point sending it to them at all.

Hi

Yes, take care of it, I am really missing it!

So it was left into BMS and they said they had an ASUS supplier but we are collecting it today and they have told me they cannot source the parts required - this really got me down but at least BMS are waiving the assessment charge.

Before they found out they could not source the parts they wanted to replace the entire motherboard to fix the problem with the DC in, but I think it may be possible to fix replacing just that part, perhaps by soldering, it's seems an awful waste of my money to replace an entire otherwise working board because there is a problem with one jack on it. It may be that they would only be prepared to stand over the work if the entire board was replaced.

BMS have also done up a list of the problems they found when inspecting it which I am thinking of relaying to other laptop replace companies here and in the UK by email to see if they can source the parts needed. Also considering just sending it back to ASUS.

Again, anyone with recommendations for laptop repair feel free to jump in, there surely is one of you out there!

danger_mouse_tm

BMS are very good. I know a number of IT companies (NSSL example) that use them. I've bought from the a couple of times but never had to use their repair service.

I use a ITEK computers here in Cork for my soldering work as I don't have the eyesight for that kind of stuff anymore! He has repaired quite a few power jacks for me and his workmanship is fast and flawless.

runswithascript

danger_mouse_tm wrote: »

BMS are very good. I know a number of IT companies (NSSL example) that use them. I've bought from the a couple of times but never had to use their repair service.

I use a ITEK computers here in Cork for my soldering work as I don't have the eyesight for that kind of stuff anymore! He has repaired quite a few power jacks for me and his workmanship is fast and flawless.

Yes, other then BMS being unable to source the parts or unwilling to repair without replacing the motherboard I found them good to deal with, and I appreciate them not trying to charge me the assessment fee.

I will have a look at ITEK. The only problem is if I do take it somewhere like that and get the DC-in repaired, they may not be able to fix the problem with the hinge and it might have to go back to ASUS anyway where having had someone else work on it might cause problems.

Unfortunately since it is a relatively new ultrabook I have not found anyone yet who has repaired the hinge, and it is not practical to leave it in to every repair shop for inspection.

I am thinking I might just bite the bullet and send it back to ASUS, and if they are asking for too much I will have it returned and try repair it somewhere in Ireland or the UK, and/or buy a new laptop.

runswithascript

Alanstrainor wrote: »

i have the same laptop by the way, UX32a. Lovely machines, but I'll be more careful now after seeing what happened to yours

Yes they are lovely machines, and I finally got mine back restored to being a lovely machine from ASUS in the UK last week

Just for the record their nominated third party repair centre letmerepair.co.uk initiall quoted me £540.

They wanted to replace the base panel and top panel (which includes the keyboard) to remove the dent - all of which was fine - but then to correct the minor hinge problem they told me that since ASUS will not supply them with just a hinge they would need to replace the entire top half of the laptop including the the screen!

I declined that offer but did have them replace the two lower panels. They discovered the power issue was to do with a faulty adapter which was covered under warranty and because of this they knocked the bulk of the labour charge off. All in it came to €140 and apart from a 3/4cm scratch on the back of the aluminium lid I am happy with the work.

Now I have it back I have done a clean WIN8 install and I after some time I now think I have the 24GB iSSD caching the 500GB HDD as it should be - since you have the same Zenbook as me can you please look at my other thread on that topic to confirm the caching info looks the same on your machine as mine?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=84547295#post84547295