M17x-dead HDD, why replace mobo?

My HDD died on the weekend and I informed Dell. The tech was pretty good and very helpful. I offered to install the replacement drive and send them the old one like I have done for other parts on other systems (8800 gtx anyone?). Anyway he insisted "no it has to be done by a techy".

Today I got a call from the local tech company to book in the new HDD. He also informed me that Dell wants him to stick in a new mobo and heatsink.

I don't like anyone touching my system and I can't figure for the life of me why they want to slip in the extra parts.

Is there some recall or issue I'm not aware of.

Any ideas?

 

There hasn't been a mobo recall( except R3 systems).
Don't worry they do that because they get parts for a lot less and it's cheaper for them to send the tech once and replace a few parts than send another one again.

 

The tech's are so crap here it will end up costing them more in the end.....

 

just be kind with him and follow him step by step to be sure he make a proper job

 

Man be happy that they do it instead of refusing the repair ;D.
Cheers

 

Yeah Katalin I do love the extended warranty.

CptX I promise I will be kind. LOL I'll even give him a cup of coffee if he doesn't screw up.....

 

Seems like tech always likes to throw in a new mobo whenever they get the chance....maybe they just love doing it but seems completely unnecessary in my book for a faulty HDD.

Sometimes, replacing stuff like that *can* lead to more issues - especially if the tech isnt that competent.

No wonder the prices of AW are high - given the fact that Dell replaces soooo many MB's that dont need replacing in the first place.

Personally, I would be asking for just the HDD replacement initially and if you have problems afterwards, then they should look at replacing other things.

Complete madness is all I can say!

 

I believe it is because there are 2 possible causes for your problem, if before talking to the tech you where able to put your own HDD in there and prove 100% that it was the HDD they would most likely not bother replaceing the MB, for me the best solution would be to send out the tech with both parts and let the service guy change HDD first and if all is ok then stop there, time is money and it most likely cheaper to replace both in one hit making the chance of first time repair 100%, I had a power unit issue with my Dell and the tech was insisting on changing the MB as well as the power unit until I told him I had already tried my friends power unit and it fixed it.

 

Test the bad drive with Seatools or another drive test software to make sure the drive is bad. Put a good drive in and load an OS to see if problems persist. Don't let him swap your MOBO if it is not the problem. Dell techs generally don't have much experience with AW laptops and there is a 50/50 chance he could mess something up. Just prying up the control bezel can leave scratches or break the power cable that runs to it. Or they can not reseat a cable properly, like they did with mine and then order 10 more replacement parts because they can't figure out why it isn't working right. Not too mention, the MOBO you get will probably be refurb.

 

I agree, Ghost is right I ran a test on my HDD and it had a bad sector. Dell NBD a replacement drive for me to put in myself. I understand your not wanting to have more done to it if not needed.

 

Bugger.

Tech has been and gone. Wouldn't listen to reason, " I can only do what Dell has instructed me to, I even have to box up the used thermal goo from the heatsink to proove I have followed the instructions."

Now it won't even make POST screen and Dell wants me to box it back to them.

I'm screaming blue murder. FWIW The led's are indicating
1. Reseat the LCD cable.
2. Replace the LCD panel.
3. Replace the video card.

 

The LCD cable can become a pain try to repeat it and screw back the keyboard only when you gey it right.

 

Hmmmm, Katalin, I've been pondering the same myself. Still weighing it up.

 

If you paid for the warranty then you have no obligation to send it back. They on the other hand must fix it within a certain period of time - I suggest you get them to keep sending out techs (and therefore wasting money if they send crap ones) until its fixed. After a few techs you could probably demand a replacement system even!

 

I would totally agre with Simon. They have a duty under warranty. God knows why on earth they wanted to replace the mobo in the first instance is beyond me.....unless it NEEDED doing, the potential for something else going wrong was greatly increased given the horror stories we have seen with various tech visits.

 

Precisely what I'm weighing up Simon.

I have sent an email to the senior Dell techy requesting confirmation that it will be returned in good working order within 10 business days or to request a replacement. If not then I won't send it back. I'm awaiting his reply.....

It is temping to tear it down and see what's not plugged in though.

 

Dont know if its something they will do but maybe you could insist on a temporary replacement IF you have to send yours away?

 

I also consulted with the senior techy and it apppears it was booked for a new mobo because I had requested the power supply be replaced....

At the end of the initial call thay said have you had any other issues. Stoopid, stoopid me "yes well actually the PS led's aren't working anymore, not on the brick or the plug end and occasionally I get the - AC ADAPTOR NOT PLUGGED IN BLAH BLAH due to the old BIOS". Techy was ,"ok we'll replace the PS as well, no problem."

Apparently the consulting tech had figured if the PS is having issues maybe the mobo is the culprit, and mustn't of known about the BIOS issues. Go figure. I do feel like I shot myself in the foot. Damn power supply.

 

If you think you might break something don't do it.
But if you're comfortable with it and curious as i am i suggest you take a look at the m17x teardown videos and try seating the cable properly (it's tricky and that's why i said try to power the machine without seating the touchstrip and screwing the keyboard only plug them, i know it's tough but i did it ) and start the machine until you don't get the error in the diagnostic tool.
The videos you can find them on youtube,type m17x teardown, there are 2 parts.

Good luck

 

Cheers Katalin, no problem with the teardown this end I offered to do the HDD for them and was refused. I actually downloaded the DELL vid's for the techy, just in case. LOL

My issue is = should I see if I can fix it < or > demand a new system. This is the 2nd issue this computer has had (GPU was dead on arrival - 9400 was fine but as soon as I selected the 260m's nada nicht nein non).

It is supposed to be NBD service. So far it is 1 week and counting......

 

That's an abuse! You should be the one to decide on whatever makes you happy, I will not start to lure you in any direction. First decide if you want to try and fix the cables/ribbons seating yourself if not call Dell and take a decision together. That's why you paid for this warranty,eh?

 

also remember the machine is bought and paid for - you own every screw and tansistor in there, the tech should have tried the easy option first, you should have insisted.

 

they are paid based on the number of interventions they make so hurried up to change everything..

 

Ok Update went ahead and di a check on the techy's work.

1st thing I noticed what's bits of hair and dust in places they shouldn't be and most importantly noticed the LCD cable was not plugged in properly. The blue tagged pull wire was not even folded down properly and was an instant giveaway.

Rep to Katalin who diagnosed the prob.

System is all up and running fine. Just about to get some benchies running tomorrow.

 

Great, happy that you're up and running again. Might want to change the status in the sig now

 

Wowwhen i started reading this i was about to suggest taking dated pics of the chassis in case me marked anything.
I didn't actually think he'd leave the machine not working.
What an awful repair tech.
Glad you got it sorted yourself. Taking the M17x's apart is not such a bad thing.
When i build my R1 i used 3 donor machine to get working parts to get one working.
I learned very very fast how they are built

 

Katalin. Yes will update my sig. Still getting the software tuned and all.

-l-Z3K3-l- Yes I was tempted to do the pic's etc but it really isn't hard to reset the time on a camera and fake whatever you want, hell, I could even photoshop an explosion in it. LOL

Seriously though point taken, cheers.