R1 damaged hinges/screen assembly question

Hi everyone, I am looking to buy an M11x r1 locally for the boy, I have sourced one with a broken screen assembly and broken hinges, it currently just runs on an external display.

My question to you is what should I need to get it working again? Will this screen assembly be enough or are there separate hinges I need to purchase too? Also I assume it is pretty simple to just swap over and plug in?



Tom.

 

Dell should replace the assembly for free if it is the hinges that is broken, but yes it is just one whole assembly, it is all built in together. How much are you paying for it? You can get a mint R1 now for $400-450 (in the us that is). To swap them out, you need to pretty much take apart the entire computer, but it is not so bad.

I bought a used r1 about 2 years ago with the hinges going out, and a few months later the assembly was laying next to my computer so I know from experience

 

Dell will replace the Hinge/LCD for FREE even if your warranty is expired. I just got mine replaced a few days ago and I was out of warranty. The only issue is you have to send it to the dell repair depot but its also on their dime (they send you the box/label etc). I highly recommend this because they did a great job and also replaced the top panel, the entire laptop casing, the speakers, motherboard and battery/battery charger. Dont ask me why but I wasnt gonna complain that they replaced $600 worth of parts lol. So basically I sent my computer in pretty beat up and got back a brand new machine. The only question I would ask (if I were you) is if they replace it without you being the original owner. That I dont know...

 

Yes they would. I bought my M11x R2 from ebay and it was used. The hinges began acting up and they sent a tech to my house to replace the whole LCD assembly completely free of charge.

 

Ok that sounds great although I believe the screen isn't working because somebody's tried taking it apart (to fix the hinges i assume) and broken it. I wouldn't have thought dell wouldn't be likely to fix it in that condition! I suppose I could replace the screen with the second hand assembly then call dell although it'll probably be easier just to do it all myself while I'm at it.

So does anyone know if the hinges are a separate thing to fix than the screen assembly?

Tom.

 

They SHOULD replace the LCD as well. What happened to me was when the hinge broke, it broke so badly off the machine that it separated the plastic covering the LCD screen. While I was trying to temporarily fix it, the monitor stopped working all together, but the machine was still working fine because I plugged it into an external monitor. When I called them, I told them when the hinge broke, a few days later the monitor stopped working and they told me its no problem, they replace the LCD anyway when they do hinge replacement. I think they have to because the hinge physically attaches to the LCD Panel. Regardless just tell them when the hinge broke that the display stopped working too and you'll be golden.

And to make you feel even better, here is an excerpt from a PCworld article explaining that Dell will replace the hinge/lcd regardless of warranty status.

"In fixing the hinge assembly, Dell will replace the LCD panel and wireless components. Dell has asked customers with working hinges not to contact the company. But if a hinge breaks in the future, a fix will be provided, Dell said."

Source: Dell Fixing Alienware M11x Laptops With Broken Hinges | PCWorld

 

Awesome! So basically I should just buy it and call dell straight away. Just to clarify does it matter if the hinges have been replaced before? Will they only do the fix once or countless times?

Also you say your screen broke but you knew all was fine as it worked plugged into an external screen. This is the same situation, so I can rest assured that when I get a new screen assembly it'll all be working. I'm just worried that maybe the screen connection on the mobo may be damaged and he isn't letting on!

Tom.

 

No it doesnt matter. If my hinge breaks tomorrow they will replace it again and again. As far as your screen is concerned, its most likely the wire that goes from the LCD to the MOBO which flows through the hinge, so they will take care of that for you. If by chance it happens to be the connection to the MOBO they will probably fix that for free as long as you tell them the monitor stopped working after the hinge broke (so its a related issue). Like I said, they replaced a ton of stuff on my laptop even though it was JUST my hinge that broke and I wasnt under warranty anymore (mobo, battery, etc). The only thing you need to do is stay on them and keep checking the status of your laptop after you send it in. You can actually do that HERE. Other than that good luck! If you have any questions PM me!

 

Thank you very much for all your help! I shall let you know how I get on.

 

If it is out of warranty, Dell will replace the hinges one time only.
From this thread:

If it is out of warranty and the hinges have been repaired already, don't count on it.

 

Aaaah that's not what I wanted to hear! I thought I had heard that before somewhere. Can anyone clarify this for certain?

 

Wrong. If it is out of warranty, Dell will only repair it ONCE. If it has already been repaired, even if it was done during the warranty period, Dell will still not repair it because as far as they are concerned they replaced the faulty component with the new revision so if it breaks after that it has to be the users fault.

But then again... It all depends on who you get, sometimes you can get past a few "protocols" if your on the line with the right people, but it's a gamble.

 

Ok thank you. I shall find out if it's been fixed before and go fom there.

Tom.

 

Even if it has been, just try and call em up anyway and see what they say. But if they do, they'll replace the entire lid inc LCD panel so i don't think the screen being damaged would be an issue since it's gonna be replaced anyway.

 

Well I haven't yet purchased it but I will get the service tag off him and give dell a ring see if I can set something up. If I can I'll purchase it, if not I'll leave it!

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/641407-fixing-up-m11x-r1.html

Read post 7 of that thread. It tells of what I had to do online to get my R1 ownership transfured into my name. I did a temp fix on mine, still haven't called to see about getting it fixed by Dell yet. Been Having too much fun with it.

 

That's brilliant and very useful as I have just purchased a second hand m11x so will be doing this once it's received. Thanks.

 

So you bought it then? Let us know how is works out!

 

Nope. I managed to source a fully working one for £300 with next day warranty until 2014! Well happy!

 

Not bad at all, can't beat that.