Cracking display Bezels.

Hi,

Ive had my bezel crack twice now in the exact same place as yours. I have a 3 year on-site warranty so they've changed it twice now with no hassle. But it's definately a design or manufacturing error.

Sami

 

I also had the same issue on my E6500 a few months back. Dell replaced it under warranty. I declined the system mail-in option, and Dell just mailed me the parts instead. Only the front (screen)-half was cracked, which I had explained, but fortunately they sent me the back (cover)-half as well, as I was afraid I'd crack that one, too, getting it apart.

Everything went back together without issue - but I sure would not be comfortable taking it apart again without a really good reason, at risk of it cracking while taking it apart. For example, if I had to replace the screen, I would hope they'd include a new replacement bezel as well. I would have preferred some screws to hold things together (like on the Latitude C series), instead of these current plastic snaps. Mine had cracked exactly in the same spot shown in the OP's pictures - and I believe this is actually where one of the snaps are.

 

Do you know happen to know why it cracked? I don't abuse my laptop and treat it very well.

 

No abuse from me either, it sits on my table mostly. I thinks its a design or manafacturing error.

 

Especially for the issues like mine and as shown in the OP's pictures, where the bezel is cracked near the bottom and near the hinges, my guess is a stress fracture from opening and closing the display. Simple physics around the use of leverage mean that there is going to be more stress near the hinges than further near the top of the screen.

 

It could be, but that must be some seriously hard brittle plastic or some serious flex from the metal frame when opening and closing. It also appears as if it could be shock or trauma to the area when closed.

 

I hav E4300 bought from dell last 3 month ago cracking same place as photo.i did call to dell tech chat service.i do hav 3 year on-site warranty but the they denied to replace reason is
this is from dell chat service
1:30:32 PM Ferdinand_Domingo As I discussed it and undergo of the evaluation on your account record, your system warranty is not on a Complete Cover warranty.
1:31:07 PM Ferdinand_Domingo This mean there is no way for us to replace the cracked bezel since your account is not on a Complete Cover warranty.
1:31:08 PM koko that was i don't know .but that not a accident
1:31:20 PM Ferdinand_Domingo As much as I would like to replace but its not beyond my control
1:31:33 PM koko i see
1:31:42 PM Ferdinand_Domingo Even its not an accident they will not replace it.
1:31:57 PM Ferdinand_Domingo I am sorry and I do understand your situation.
1:32:08 PM koko when i bought that doesn't appear or not say that complate cover or not
1:32:17 PM Ferdinand_Domingo I hope you also understand my side since I cannot request the replacement since they will not approve it.
1:32:44 PM koko so why they excahnge for me defected LCD in last 2 month?
1:32:47 PM Ferdinand_Domingo It appeared on the records that your account is not on a Complete Cover warranty.
1:33:03 PM Ferdinand_Domingo LCD is part of the warranty.
1:33:08 PM koko i see
1:33:21 PM koko so how should i do ?
1:33:36 PM koko that i worry seriously lately
1:33:46 PM Ferdinand_Domingo In this case, you could also call our Sales Dept to purchase a plastic bezel.
1:34:06 PM Ferdinand_Domingo Yes you have to buy the plastic bezel.

confusion with complete cover & 3 year on-site warranty & I when i purchase there are no longer option for complete care or cover warrty in dell site.

 

at the last part
1:36:42 PM koko ok thank fernando i will check my warrnty service again
1:36:48 PM koko thank for your help
1:36:51 PM Ferdinand_Domingo Koko I do appreciate your understanding.
1:37:04 PM Ferdinand_Domingo My pleasure Koko.
1:37:16 PM koko anyway
1:37:21 PM Ferdinand_Domingo You are always to visit us here for any Technical Issue.
1:37:28 PM koko what i hav warrnty to other parts?
1:37:35 PM Ferdinand_Domingo We are always happy to help you.
1:38:01 PM Ferdinand_Domingo All the parts on your system except for the plastic cover. (That a point?)
1:38:13 PM koko not even 4 month i hav no idea what i could hav others parts of this machine
1:38:15 PM Ferdinand_Domingo And for battery warranty it will carries only 1 year warranty.
1:38:24 PM koko i see
1:38:27 PM koko thank again
1:38:40 PM Ferdinand_Domingo You are most welcome.
1:38:58 PM koko ok ferdinand
1:39:03 PM koko we meet again
1:39:06 PM Ferdinand_Domingo Thank you for choosing Dell and have a great day.
1:39:21 PM koko i catch to call dell sale phone

 

heluxx, you probably got some new guy, he doesn't know he stuff yet. Dell warranty covers 100% of your system (expect software, of course). Your case is not accidental. You said that you got your LCD changed by a tech.. blame your problem on him... probably a bad install from his part.


Call Dell tech support and try again (don't talk about the conversation you had). If it doesn't work, call back and ask immediately the supervisor.
(phone ALWAYS wins over chat or e-mail for ANY company - Usually Chat and e-mail is reserved for new employees so that can get familiarized with the system and allow their supervisors to follow the discussion better.)

If the supervisor doesn't help you out. Then go at the top top top... Micheal Dell, founder and CEO of Dell.
That stupid screen frame costs pennies for Dell, they should send it to you. It makes no sense why not too. A customer that will never buy Dell product again vs a probably 0.02$ frame.

Michael Dell e-mail: http://consumerist.com/2008/11/email-michael-dell.html

Make sure you type in a full well typed letter, clam, very polite, don't insult anyone, and put all your contact information and system service tag in question.

 

I ordered an E6500 from the Dell Outlet last December and it was classified as a "Certified Refurbished". When it arrived, the bezel was broken on both sides near the base, just like the one posted above. Then I noticed it had some small fractures in the upper right corner of the bezel that looked like stress fractures. I came to the conclusion that someone had either dropped it with the display open or forced the display back too far pressing on the upper right corner.....the second day I had it, the bezel snapped about half way up the right side and part of it fell off completely. Dell was already sending me a new bezel, but I decided to send that E6500 back instead!!!

I got an E6400 instead and no problems after a year of heavy use!