Asus 8js - cracked hinges

I have had my Asus since January 2007 and my laptop covers hinges have completely cracked to the point to where I cannot close the cover for fear of further damage. It started as a small crack near the left hinge. I was still able to close it, but recently, a nice chunk came off the back left hinge AND the screen frame is cracked on the front right. I have never leaned on, forced open, or otherwise manhandled this laptop (having researched this laptop extensively, I knew that the structure wasn't exactly strong) so I'm not exactly sure what happened, but I'm willing to pay to have it fixed, if necessary.

Is this something that is covered or replaceable by ASUS? I'd rather not ship my laptop anywhere so is this something that can be fixed by a local repair facility? Or is it best to ship it back to Asus?

Any advice would be appreciated - thanks!

 

Just ship it to asus... they will repair it for you... this happened to me too. .

 

Thanks Cotolay. Did they charge an arm and a leg for it?

 

I had the same exact problem with my A8js. front bezel, lcd cover and top case were all crack due to very tight hinges. Asus service did regrease both hinges and replaced all the above parts.

 

Cool...I just got my RMA and will send it in the morning. Hopefully it won't take too long. I've developed an unhealthy attachment to my laptop

 

So there is a cracked hinged problem with our laptops, like the A8Jm. Luckiliy, my hinges are fine. My stupid touchpad on the other hand...

 

Hi guys, as a happy returning ASUS laptop customer, I bought my A8jn last November in The Netherlands and took it to India where I work for one year. One of the reasons I bought it was due to the international warranty they offer. In the meantime I have only been able to "enjoy" it for 6 months though. The motherboard died on me and when the parts came after 2 months!! from Taiwan, it seemed the video card was broken also. Another month of waiting without replacement model or any other help or assistance from ASUS. I had to rent a laptop for 3 months just to be able to work normally. The worst thing is that in the meantime they must have promised me my laptop back 5 or 6 times, they only didn't bother to keep me updated when again a promised delivery date could not be met. I talked to Bangalore service managers, Bombay division heads and even the service manager for ASUS India on several occasions, and they all had the same story: "it is not our fault", it never is...

During that time I also noticed a crack and chip out of the left corner near the hinge, I told them about it when I brought in my laptop. They told me they would take care of it but that it possibly would not be within warranty. When I got my laptop back afterwards, the crack was still there, but I assumed they fixed it internally. Anyway, the guy delivering my laptop had no idea what I was talking about.

But now after I have my laptop back for a few weeks, the cracking noise next to the hinge has gotten very bad and pieces of broken off black plastic are coming out, the screen cover even bulges at the hinge where it is broken when I try to close it! It looks like I have to send it in again! Man, I really do not want to get stuck without my laptop for another month or two!

But as they annoyingly say in India: "What to do". Well, what to do! I have made a very clear resolution NEVER to buy a ASUS laptop again. Their international warranty is the worst I have ever experienced and the quality of this particular model is far below par. And I have advised my girlfriend, my employees, and my friends and family members to never buy one as well! That just cost ASUS about 10 laptops right there in the next 3 years.

Excuse my ramblings, I got carried away. Actually my questions was if all you guys got this problem fixed under warranty and if you could send me some "proof" of this, maybe a case number with ASUS or something, then I at least have something to swing at them. (Yes, I've gotten to the point I feel I need to swing something at them).

I hope you’re able to help,

Rob

 

my asus a8jp having the same problem, i sent to local authorized repair center took me two months, i'm not very happy with their service at all, currently i'm having problem with my laptop again, the problem is from the LCD i can turn the laptop on but nothing come out, but if i keep trying about 10 or 20 times it work fine... so i sent my laptop to the local authorized repair center again, about two weeks, still no news...

 

Update:
The local agent for ASUS service came to my office to check out the problem with the laptop. One of the matters complicating things is that I am in India at the moment, Bangalore to be precise and that ASUS is not yet well represented here.

So the guy looks at my laptop and concludes that there is a hole in it. Well yes, that is indeed the problem sir! The "engineer" has the balls to tell me it is a cosmetic problem and is not covered by the warranty offered by ASUS. What? Cosmetic? Of course a big gaping hole in my screen cover is cosmetic, but what do you think CAUSED that problem? Right: a structural failure... But there was no budging him, his boss on the other side of the phone was also sure it was a cosmetic problem.... [sigh]

So I tell him: imagine that the motherboard would start melting and that my keyboard as a result of that catches fire and the keys are all melted, would this qualify as a cosmetic problem also? This comparison was a little bit too high-fetched for him. Their solution: I have to go to a importer of ASUS parts here in the city with my laptop, they will take a look and tell me which parts I need to replace, I have to buy them myself from that company after which I have to take my laptop and the purchased parts to the ASUS service agent (with which I started this post) and they will fix it for me, within warranty! I don't get it, they will fix it within warranty but I have to buy the parts myself!??! Pff, this is really costing me way too much energy.

Next step: calling ASUS in The Netherlands, where I bought it, and see what they have to say...

I'll keep you posted.

 

Okay...I was going to buy one of these, but I don't think I'll bother.

Anyone got an idea as to something similar, but better? The same size and respectable graphics power?

 

Asus V2S or F8S

 

Thanks! I didn't know about them coming out. There doesn't seem to be any certain price for them yet though, and they'll probably be twice the price of the 8js...but I hope I'm wrong.

 

I think the F8 will be around $1500 and the V2S about $1700.

 

I think the F8 will be around $1500 and the V2S about $1700.

 

No problems with my baby, had her since January too. Still perfect condition

 

Rob there goes an old saying don't let one minority represent the majority.

While its upsetting to here that the quality of service was poor in those countries, it is my personal belief that the service they give in North America stands true to ASUS mission statement. Recently i sent my notebook in, after buying it for 2 weeks before and i notice the wireless switch was loose and the battery drained to quickly. ASUS quickly responded and took care of it quickly and effectively. I sent this notebook on the Tuesday and the repairs are done today *the Friday*

The thing with bad customer support is that it can be improved =) so just write a letter explaining your experience with ASUS and i am sure the next time you call them for help you will get the quality you deserve.

And for another note ASUS builds are actually pretty solid compared to different companies and they know what they are doing.

*just my 2 cents

 

It's not really Asus' fault, although you had a particularly bad experience. They don't stock many of the models here, and there's nothing Asus can do if your spares are unavailable. One of my friends had to send in a V1J for service(again, not available in India), and he was straightaway told that it would take about 3 months to be repaired. And for the meanwhile, he has been given a refurbished F3Jc, until his unit comes back. I'd say that counts for pretty good service. The turnaround time sure sucks, though...

 

I had the same problem with my A8Js here in Singapore, so I brought it to the service centre; they replaced the screen casing without any need for payment, so it should be under warranty...

(The guy at the centre even asked if it was just cosmetic, or if there was anything else wrong with the laptop, and took it in after I said it was purely cosmetic.)

 

i have an a8jp i got in feb 2007. i suppose i use it heavily however i am ultra careful using it. it's mostly on my desk anyway. however i have a problem that relates here. after a month or two of usage, i noticed that the hinge had become more wobbly. i just assumed that this was poor build quality and a sacrifice for the cheap price i got for my laptop.

unfortunately this problem worsened and whenever i open or close it there's this cracking sound. the casing itself looks like it's starting to open and even a piece of the casing has broken off somehow!? eventually it got to the point where, like the op said, i was afraid to even close or open it anymore that it might just completely break.

so i called asus technical support and I have now sent my notebook away for warranty repair. i live in USA so their service location is in CA. I expect to receive my notebook back within a week according to their tech support (which i confirmed twice on the phone).

will report further when i receive my notebook. again i have a8jp, this problem is appears to be pervasive to the A8 notebook series. hope all of you others that had this problem found resolution.

 

I own an Asus M6N and the hinges are also very bad. A cracked top cover is the result. The construction is bad and now the M6N isn't under the warranty anymore. Asus won't help. I will never buy an Asus again: bad design and no refective attitude.

 

That's the first time I've heard this mentioned with an M6, they are generally very good notebooks. Also, it is not useful to post the same information twice.

Have you tried looking for the parts on the Asus estore? Or if you're not in US, order them through the reseller. If you only need the plastic it won't be expensive.