Bought Dell M4400 but Tag does not verify

it certainly sounds like an american import anyway. did you try entering the service tag on the dell america website? what is the last character of the service tag? that last character indicates country. for example UK is J, malaysia is S, etc..

 

sorry-are you saying you dont have the service tag at all? it should be both on the shipping box (if its a genuine dell box) and also in the BIOS

 

Sorry that last statement was more about the serial itself if it were applicable in this stage
The tag itself I already have from the BIOS

Interestingly in regards to your comment about the country identifier... the last "character" in the tag in my case is actually a number - 1 (one)
The last letter is H which comes before the 1

So it is this XXXXXH1 ( I hope censoring it is ok with the forum rules?)

 

This is what the Dell site brings back
System Type:
Service Tag: *I've removed this for the post*
Ship Date: 8/29/2008
Dell IBU: Americas
Quantity Parts # Part Description
There is no configuration information associated with this system.

 

i think you should call dell and have a word with them. could be a part of a large corporate order that was stolen, etc. definitely needs an explanation

 

Will do - though I hope it is not stolen because they're not getting it back unless they can replace it or re-imburse me ! Just like giving away £1000 otherwise !

I don't suppose you have a UK number for them? I know there are plenty of numbers for sales but the others all require a valid tag to get the details.

I dont think it is though - main reason being is I know he has been supplying the chain of stores for a long long time - we're talking 10 years +
The store I went to had M1530s and 1730s still sealed in boxes etc