Should I be worried?

I recieved my laptop Aug. 2008 and had no problems with the built except for the scratch (pics below) along the hinge area and some minor creaking when opening the lid. I didnt bother to complain about the scratch because I can live with it. Creaking sound is very minor specially when opening the laptop from the middle. Like most of you, I take good care of my laptop. Recently, I noticed a gap (which is not there when i recieved it) at the hinge area. Here are the pics of it.



A closer look...


Will this lead to the dreadful hinge breaking issue? Is there any way I can do to close this gap myself? Please give some advice.

Another problem is that I cant send my unit to AW right now because im on another country (business trip) and will be staying here up to Dec. or Jan. next year.

 

Yes you should be worried. Again, i wish dell would merge aw support in with its own. International business customers have the ability to have their laptops worked on while abroad. Myself, a couple colleagues, and a couple family members have all been able to avail ourselves of this option with our dell laptops.

 

Yea you should be worried when you get the time send it back.

 

Yes, have to contact your laptop dealer for replacement as soon as you can.

But, I wonder if your system got the unconditional warranty.

This kind of physical scratch is not under warranty most of time, the first time you received the laptop, you should have contact your laptop dealer about this, they may still replace it free for you. Now, unless you have the warranty, otherwise, they will reject your request and only replace the hinge if you pay.

Hope this can give you some idea how to get your laptop fixed.
Why not contact them to ask first?
Bill

 

Man you are late to this whole hinge show . AW made a big deal to the first few people who had this problem but now they just ask you to send it in to have it repaired. It's all good a few months ago they would have tried to make him pay for it.

I think this could be the 19th user here who has had this issue making this a key issue with the M15x (don't try to deny it I don't think any of you guys have seen such a huge problem before on an AW notebook). I mean I know 19 users isn't a lot but there are the thousands of people who don't go on forums.

 

I would say to try to keep extreme care until you get back from your trip. Also keep tabs on the size of the gap.

 

Thanks for the reply guys.

The scratch doesnt bother me at all really. In person its not really that noticable unless theres a good amount of light in the area and if your going to move around the laptop viewing the exact same spot in diff angles. The scratch seems like its very noticable in the pic because of the flash of my camera. Actually, its more of a dent not a scratch bec the paint is still intact in the area. Its the gap thats been bothering me.

Seems like the so called "new batch" chassis isnt true at all

 

I skimmed through your original post (I'll read it through after I post this) but man, the clarity of the camera you used is AMAZING. Either that or you're a really good at taking pictures.

Edit: I have read through this entire thread and I think there is a DIY fix for this. By the looks of how that is opened, it's open from the middle. Most people who have the hinge issue have theirs opening starting from the side. It looks like you might have a loose screw.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=304343 (Refer to the first post by shadedurza).

Only do this if you feel confident that this might fix it. This may or may not worsen your problem.

To be on the safe side, if you do not want to opt trying this out, I suggest you personally email the Roswell Crew and explain the issue you are having. Ask questions about the turn around time, how the procedure will take place, and familiarize yourself with the specific Roswell person you are speaking to (my personal favorite Roswell representative is Rebeca). It'll make the whole process a lot easier later when you are able to send it in. You will want accountability and you'll want things to be done as soon as possible, so it should be a lot easier for you to get things done when they already know you and the issues you have been having.

Edit #2: I still can't get over how clear that picture is. Even though it's just a picture of the hinge, I can't help but think "wow..."

 

Contact: Roswell, Armando or James.

 

THere is something not right about this hinge send it back straight away.

 

Like Oceanus said, it could be the screw holding the hinge being loose as I found it to be the reason on 2 of my m15x's. Try it, it doesn't hurt. Maybe you can avoid sending it back.

 

Yeah, I found it kind of peculiar how it's opening from the middle and not opening from the end.

 

Thanks for your reply. Im using my Canon 40D with EF-S15-55mm IS kit lens and an 580EX external flash pointed to the ceiling to give a natural lighting for my photos. Photography is one of my hobbies so I know a thing or two when it comes to this .

Regarding your link, I tried loosening and tightening the screw. It comes to the point where the screw doesnt move anymore and Im afraid to force it but im sure its tight. Unfortunately the gap is still there.

BTW the creaking sound when opening the lid is the same (which is very minimal) compared to when I got it. So basically no changes regarding the sound of opening and closing the lid. Im really hoping this wont lead to its hinge breaking.

I already pmed Alienware-James and Alienware-Armando. Hoping they have a solution with this problem and would give me instructions on doing it myself because of my current situation.

 

I am astonished how people can suggest others to try fix themselves such problem... at the risk of voiding the warranty of such expensive notebook.

Only try to fix something like this if (a) know what you are doing; AND (b) you have a written OK from AW that it won't void the warranty you payed for.

It's better loose some time that loosing the warranty on systems like the m15x.