Can't find an M15x MOBO anywhere!!!

Hi guys,

First of all, I'm talking about the new M15x so don't get confused about the older Area 51 model. So, as it has happen to some of the guys in this forum, the MOBO of my M15x just died yesterday, and the worst part is that my warranty just ended 1 month ago and I didn't extend it cuz during all the 1st year my M15x just performed magnificent without any problem till now so I have to buy the MOBO, and here is the problem: Dell only sells a refurbished kit costing almost $600 bucks but I don't need the whole kit, just the MOBO. I've been trying to find one on the net but it seems that no one sells them, any ideas guys? Thanks.

 

Have you tried talking to the warranty department to see what they can do something for you. I know you can haggle with them on prices and maybe even extend the warranty. give it a try. Don't waste time talking to the parts department. They are just going to charge you the full retails price. Good luck!

 

I heard somewhere that u can extend ur warranty. call dell and ask them abt the warranty first, the the mobo later if you know what i mean

 

Extending the warranty and then trying to get it fixed it's a nice possible solution, but I would have to wait a little to ask for the repair don't you think? for it not to look too obvious? and the problem is that apart from using my M15x to play video games its the PC I use for work so I need it fixed ASAP... A local technician told me that he could manage to get the MOBO at $300 bucks but that would automatically eliminate the possibility to extend the warranty... I just can't decide what to do, have to wait a little for the warranty (if they even give it to me) or fix it right away but without more warranty support for my M15x what would you guys do?

 

And doesn't dell keep like a track with your service tag? cuz the dell agents that helped me asked for it, and one of them sent me a cost estimate of an in-home technical support, so maybe they could know that theres something wrong with my m15x when trying to extend the warranty.

 

Well, it's worth a try. I recommend calling dell. Ask for a warranty extension and if this isn't possible go for the 300$ deal, as you won't have warranty anymore in this case it doesn't matter.
However, if they're willing to renew the warranty I'd say call Dell asap for the mobo replacement as soon as you got the confirmation of the extension.

 

^agreed. They must've already known the reason why u're asking for an extended warranty. And if they still give u an "OK" then asking for a new mobo is expected

 

Or you can call up your credit card company as they offer extra year warranties for month purchases and they can pay for the repair. I suggest you check it out in this, http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3066

 

Ok, thank you guys for your help, I'm going to wait tomorrow and see if the dell agent who told me about the $250 MOBO answers my mail, if not I'm going to buy the $300 one.

 

250$ for a mobo is quite a good deal, especially as it's a mobo directly from dell!! Even tough it's quite a pain in the ... to change it yourself. Not too difficult but nevertheless rather complicated, nothing I'd recommend without ESD protection.

 

Yes, I'll have to tear down almost all the case, but I'm letting this one to a technician cuz right now I don't have a ESD protection and not even joking I'm going to touch the CPU without it :O

 

Yes, that's a good decision. It's too easy to mess up the system while working on it without ESD protection.

 

I am in a similar situation right now, Can u guide me with ur experience? Should i go for the extended warranty option?

 

As mentioned to saadleo in another thread, brush up on your countries laws.

Manufacturers warrenty does not affect your consumer rights, nor does it remove any rights you have as a buyer from a seller.

This is the key part, if you bought directly from alienware then they have to abide by local law. As the *seller* not the manufactuer

I had a similar issue, one monthe out of warrenty, called up AW and they fixed it free of charge... but in the EU we are covered by a 2 year mandatory seller warenty, and hell, even a 6 year version by UK law.

The latter has to be used with common sense, but a laptop dying 13 months after purchase? Fully covered.