Asus F3: crack in palmrest at keyboard corner

I just developed this crack in my asus f3ke today (from corner of keyboard to edge). To my surprise I did a quick google search and this thread came up with people experiencing the exact same problem. I live in the UK however, is it really worth it getting a replacement, I've heard some horror stories about asus uk customer service, should I just try putting some glue on it, or will I have a hard time getting a replacement.

 

Hmm. Unfortunately, I am not sure (and do not believe) that you can replace the top case yourself, without having to remove the heatsink(s) and thereby void your warranty. If that were possible and if you felt up to the disassembly, I'd recommend that you try calling the ASUS UK and get them to send you the top cover replacement...

There was a report of someone able to stop the crack from spreading by using glue, but I don't have a link now. Given those horror stories that you mention, it may be the best idea...

 

Well I emailed asus, they said to send a picture as they know this is a common fault with F3 series. However, I need this laptop for university, and I don't think I could risk it not being sent back in time. If I do choose to glue the topcase, does anyone know if this is safe? Also, would this invalidate the warranty, as I may wan't to repair it a few months down the line.

 

I don't know how gluing would affect warranty. You might ask ASUS and see what they say.

It should be pretty safe, but use a glue that sticks very fast, and don't put too much -- both of these to make sure it doesn't seep into the electronics below... Also make sure the glue resists to temps up to 50-60 degrees Celsius -- just to be on the safe side.

 

Another one with the same problem in a F3Sv.
How many people are out there in this situation??
I've been loking for my part in the asus estore but I only can find parts for the F3JC, F3JM-1A and the F3Jp series. The photos don't show the gap for the fingerprint reader between the two buttons of the touchpad so I can't find my part. Any ideas???
And anyway, is it really that difficult to replace???
I have not read the full thread but has anybody replaced this part at home??

Thank you very much.

 

Many. I think on the order of tens on this thread alone, but it's just an estimate.

I don't know how difficult it is to replace, because I didn't find a disassembly manual for the F3.

Also I don't remember if people confirmed they replaced this at home.

Where are you located? E.g., if in the US, ASUS support is excellent, you can send the notebook for case replacement and it will be returned in a couple of days.

 

Oh, I'm in the UK and I've heard a lot of bad things about tech support here.
And besides that, I bought the laptop in Spain and I don't know if asus is going to support me here.
The problem is that I need this laptop every day. Maybe I can send it to technical support next january or february (a really busy laptop). I hope the crack doesn`t grow very fast.
Thanks for the fast answer.

 

Bettter not to send it to ASUS, then. (in UK they have long turnaround times, so you need to prepare for that if you wish to send it)

Spain would be no problem though, the warranty is international.

 

best to take out a cheap £7 a month insurance for a couple of month, for damage / theft.

whatever you do dont send it to A-NOVO UK REPAIR bodge centre.

 

Mine was replaced, and 5 months later, still hasn't cracked again.

 

I was feeling very lucky that my F3SV did not have this crack. Then my HD failed and I needed a replacement . Asus USA ( indy) made a quick and cost free replacement , but much to my disappointment there was the crack when I unpackaged the returned machine. I must assume that in changing the HD ,almost any flexing causes this defect. No arguments from ASUS on another RMA and cost free repair. I will give them an A+ for customer service , but this top casing must be very poorly designed.
My real question is , other than Crusher are there others with the repair that are finding the replacement casing is of stronger design or is this going to be a constant problem?
Thanks,

 

As far as I know, the crack once it goes from the corner of the keyboard, right to the edge, it won't grow anymore. Theres a screw right next to it on the underside that keeps the case in place. Unless you keep pulling up the part near the crack its unlikely to cause any problems, apart from a slight cosmetic blemish. Think I'll just leave it for now, and once I finish uni next year send it off for repair.

 

count me in for having the same problem with mine it just cracked from the lower right corner of my keyboard in a, 4 cm long, diagonal line to the edge of my lappy :s there's also such a crack near the power button but it doesn't seem to be that serious...

hope this thing will last till I have decided which one to buy next XD

 

Hello everybody, also thos who remember me from 4 months ago. Ive had my replacement for about 12 weeks now and all is ok.

However, yesterday i knocked a full pint of orange over my replaced F3sv-AP250c.

I quickly turned it off. (power 4 secs was quickest i could do without moving the unit). then the panic set in, about 3 1/4s went on floor and the rest splashed all over keyboard. i got some tissue and soaked it up. Then i set out to strip off the top case.

It took me 20 mins to take hd out, dvd out, all screws on bottom for top case, 1 was on fan unit for keyboard, and another was sunken labled, and the screen off too(hinges etc).

there was a bit of liquid on the topcase underneath keyboard, its like a sealed unit the top case is, got the top case off and there was a spec of water under mouse. I was very lucky.

I pulled off some keys to see if it was sticky, and it was all clear. The keyboard has loads of holes for each key, so definetely not a waterproof k/b.

What little amount that did get through was just a few drops.

I cleaned it up then put it back together.

I took some pics of the under side, The top case part on mine is a f3SE top case.

All in all it took me an hour +/- 10 mins to have it all re assembled.

Then when i switched on it said corrupt OS, so i put drivers disc in. pressed f9 for recovery. Stupid me i couldnt get it to reload or recover, so i left it, then i went back to it last night.

This time it wouldnt even show asus logo screen, or boot, just wuurrd on the hard drive.

So i thought , ah, reset button.god knows how many times, after 30 mins i nearly gave up. It was dead. No asus flash screen etc, so i took out the hd, dvd, then reset again.

Then i got it to show flash screen.

I bought a new 320gig hd last week and put that in and loaded XP pro up, =all ok.

Then i realised id been using the vista drivers disc and not the recovery disc. (both of these were scratched to F*** (thanks asus, I'll be giving you a call for some new ones)),

I then put the original 250 gig hd back in.

Then after that i didnt need the recovery disc, i just f9ed it. and it recognised the hd, it did a repair, and is now all ok.

THE thought of blagging it and having to send it back to ASUS tech saying that it had stopped working all of a sudden made me mad with anger, i could not go another 12 weeks without a laptop while A-Novo UK etc trashed it and nicked bits for spare parts, and the lies from Holland, and the whole hassle and stress of getting a laptop sorted out, made me feel like throwing it out of the window.

Then peace set in and my headache disappeared, as if a whole load of weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and i said to myself. NO MORE DRINKS NEAR THE LAPTOP.

God knows why it took A-Novo UK in LArbert Scotland, 4 weeks to change the top case, and nick around 7 or 8 screws out of my notebook, and leave no screws in the fan unit, as it only took me an hour and a bit to do it myself.

Its easy to do yourself if you can get the top part. write down on paper ie a load of circles and say where the screws have come from, use pointers. draw the bottom of laptop and mark which screws go where. as its confusing remembering which go where sometimes.


Pics of top case off.

Also pic 1 shows whats underneath where the crack is. not sure why but this topcase was made last year. Maybe in time this will crack too, who knows, but theres certainly plenty of metal for support.
Theres 2 copper stick ons where the heat sinks onto the top case, hence very warm/hot graphics chip and this will then weaken the top case and cause crack. Theres also a couple of other pieces of thermo stickers.

 

lol my crack is the worst look at this :S

 

Not really mine one is just the same :/

 

U will be better off sending it to the USA. Quicker than UK, and you get to keep all your parts inside. I would bet a 2 week turnaround, compared to 4 weeks UK.

If you are in USA then fair play to ya. you'll be ok.

Otherwise,..................................DIY.

 

... some more cracks.

Is there anything that can be done to pursue ASUS to replace it under the warranty?

 

Have you paid for the replacement?

 

Nope, they covered it under warranty.

 

How to get a replacement

A-NOVO UK will prob keep it for 4 weeks,

When it arrives back, it will prob have screws missing.

Ups will have prob have been nosey and opened up the parcel, (seal will now be broke).

When delivered sign for it but sign as not checked.

Examine., if any of the above, fine. time for a complaint to Asus regards the repair.

The next procedure takes a few weeks of waiting and patience.

Next thing to do is smash the screen, give it a good punch, imagine its A-NOVO service guys face that has just bodged up your notebook.

Take the fan wire out from under bottom cover. The fan will prob not have screws in anyway if a new top case has been fitted.

Get a screw driver and touch all 3 pins. This will make the note book short out and will never work again after you have done this.

Call Holland, and tell them that you have just had notebook redelivered by ups and that A-NOVO uk has trashed your notebook up compared to when you sent it off.

Wait at least 10 weeks. Write a letter of complaint to uk and Holland. Then get intouch with the main manager. he will then hopefully pass it on to Donna King, and it will then take 2 weeks before you have your new notebook.

------
The above actually happened to mine, by ups and A-NOVO, but if you follow these lines, i dont see why you wont get a replacement. Thats how you get your own back on UPS and A-Novo UK.

 

God, this is an epidemic. I just noticed the crack this morning. It looks exactly the same as the photos that've been posted. Ridiculous.

 

RMA. Unless you're in the UK, in which case it may be better to just use superglue.

 

i just superglued mine anyway.. couldnt be bothered to send it off

 

Finaly got mine back! They got it on 18th of Sept, I got it back on 5th of Nov.
(They tried to deliver it on 17th Oct, but I wasn't home).
I had two problems my MB died, so I asked for the case replacement as well. They haven't charged me anything.

You can feel that the replacement cover is different (not native) - i promise this is not me beeing paranoid, bu tyou get used to it. I'm glad to have it finaly back.

 

could be a difference between the different F3's, but im pretty sure mine is the same style (just minus the year of wear)

I got mine back 4 days after i sent it to them (Canada service is much faster )

 

... New to the forum and I am joining this crack crew.

Same **** crack in the same place.

This should be a recall.

 

a recall for a small little crack? It really doesnt affect anything and if it really bothers you just send it back, they will replace it for you.

 

Its been 5 months now since getting replacement.

No new cracks have appeared.

If it did i'd prob just glue it and do a designer spray job on the top case.

The only thing unreliable in the last 2 months is that when left on for say 12 hours or even more, Vista has given a blue screen of death and then reboots. Its happened 2 times within the last 2 months whilst just ticking over doing nothing.

Otherwise im happy to live with this machine F3sv ap250c, until the next best technology comes out next year.

 

...i cant believe im readin this..i am in UK Aand aalso have just noticed a crack appear in exactly the same place as all these posts on here...bottom right corner or keypad...and mine goes right out to the edge and it actually fulled cracked..ie split...getting worse if i use it.
This is so inconvenient...
Yes ive already considered the superglue option...as living in the UK knowing services like this arent always the best..but i cant do this..the laptop is for professional use on stage and in clubs so its too vulnerable with the crack....even at home for watching movies or whatever its no good with a cracked case like this.

I have read a fair few posts on here..and wondering what to do.
When i initially got this laptop..new at beggining of this year it seeme dto have a power cable prob..so i sent it in..Asus picked up etc...i boxed it really well in origional packaging..and it got sent back some time later with apparantly a new bit inside...not even sure what they did...but think with a new power lead etc...and all seemed fine,except...they sent it back in a crappy box..woith no proper packing at all...just a measly piece of cling film type stuff which was supposed to hold it in place in the box...i wanted my orig box back as i needed it..but they said nothing they can do..;/
Now however...not only does the Vista seem pretty unstable..im also getting other probs...not to mention the crack.
Does anyone have a good suggestions.??..its under a 24 month warranty!!!!!!
and i really cant be without for too long as need it for work.Should i demand a new one...or should they repair it free and will they service it too as the s/ware seems to haver some probs since it came back form the last rpair!!!!!!

 

I recommend against sending it to ASUS UK; as bad as it sounds, it's the best recommendation I can give. People who sent it there invariably report long service times and poor quality jobs.

Given UK's poor record, maybe it's best to order the parts (palmrest) yourself off ASUS eStore (if you have a friend in the US) or asusparts.eu, and replace the stuff yourself.

For the software problems, more details would be needed. But usually software problems can be eliminated by doing a factory recovery. Backup your data before doing that!

If you do decide to take the chance and send it to ASUS UK, it's best having a backup machine (e.g., older laptop, borrow from a friend) in the meantime since it can take quite long.

 

I've had the complete opposite experience in the US. I sent my notebook (from Seattle to California) to be repaired on a Friday and got it back on Tuesday. Amazing service. I wish they had included new decals, but eh...

 

Yeah, USA and Canada service depots are very good for getting the product back on time (and hopefully fixed ), while the UK service depot seems to get nothing but complaints about the quality of work and the time it takes to do that poor job.

 

Well, after beginning this thread and about 10 months since replacement, small crack back again! Not too bad though, since I feel lucky to have the quick service in NA.

Anyways, I believe Asus in NA upped their service quite a bit, no hassle phone call and was granted an RMA, I think they took in the complaints, so great service and effort from them. They seem to be one of the small proportions of companies that seem to care a bit more (I am speaking only for NA though-so don't take me wrong).

Called two days ago and now already shipped and arrived in repairing status.

Again, -10 C in Western Canada (first time for at least a decade I am guessing), and it still cracked, I believe about 2 weeks ago. My basement was around 1-2 degrees C. BTW, although an advice for consideration, the notebook cooler suggestion (as suggested in thread) is not the solution, from what I read on Asus' own forum, the cooler still could not defend the notebook from cracking for that fellow member, which still cracked. So I would suggest be prepared for cracking, whether be 4 months, 10 months, a year. IMO I conclude a combo of mostly design and maybe some heat (for which the cooler is probably of least help in this aspect of protection--save that cash from the useless gadget-- and just use warranty--which we paid these Asus machines at extra cost over other brands anyways--but think 2x for UK&Europe) that causes the cracking.

However, the F3 line is probably not being sold much anymore, so this topic is not as crucial, but will still be helpful for people with F3 series notebooks bought this year and for the next 24 months (coverage period) to come.

BTW I really appreciate the help and participation from fellow members this thread has received and evolved into.

And I hope for no cracking in the coming NEW YEAR! for other models/new models.

 

Hope for the best, wait for the rest... I've just found that crack on mine F3KA too. I can swear, that it was not there yesterday... I live in Czech republic - Ostrava, where the ASUS factory is, so i HOPE that they will fix it in matter of days.

EDIT 2nd jan.: I just called ASUS Czech Republic and theyve told me, that this IS COVERED by warranty and IT IS DESSIGN ISSUE without seeing any photos or so. The technician, whom i spoke to said "Crack on the right side of keyboard" as soon as i said "words F3KA" and "crack" together, so they know all about it and they have plenty of spare parts. So hooray for me and maybe for everyone.

 

I have the F3SV and it has the same crack. I thought it was just me but after seeing someone else with the same crack i decided to look on the net and found this. I live in Australia, will call up ASUS and see what they say. Ive had the laptop for over a year now but the crack has been there for a while and is quite large now. Its even began working its way down the side. I don't know if anyone has noticed and posted this but the crack appears to close as the laptop heats up. So I'd say its a design problem where the temperature of the hard drive (hard drive is directly under the crack) is changing so much that the case can't handle it.

Will let you know how i go.

 

Yeah, it is a design fault. If you contact them they will fix it (well, in Canada they did... not sure if Australia is the same as Canada though)

 

So... i did what i said and yes, they replaced that cover for free (warranty covered of course). I have also new battery (weak capacity) and main board (malfunctioning lower rear USB) so basically a new notebook )

 

Hello world!
Looking for some information about power/battery problems I found this tread. My laptop, F3E-AP033, has EXACTLY same crack in the same place! I was reluctant to call the service (lI am leaving in Romania) from the very begining to complain about the crack, since last year I had to do a lot of talking with about an '(liquid) spill issue' .. Finaly they agree there was no spill and the motherboard was changed - useless, since the problem was with the battery.
Anyway, thanks to your tread I will not let this issue to pass as I let the on about power!

 

You can contact them and use this thread as a reference. Just be sure to make it a clear point that this is a well-known manufacturing defect of the series. Don't let them tell you otherwise.

Get your battery exchanged as well, while you're at it (unless its warranty is already out...)

BTW in Romania you need to use the service center in Hungary, or do ASUS have a local one nowadays?

 

Ive had mine since June last year and so far no recurring crack.

Ive since setup Vista on C drive and Xp pro on D drive, The only prob i have now is that since Jan this year i have been using my F3sv-ap250c professionally dj-ing, with various softwares, and im not sure if its the power 4 gear software thats causing interference when i plug into a pro mixer. chirps and scratchy electronic noises can be heard.

Not sure as to cut the moulded plug off and disconnect the earth, as i had a dell do this and was cured this way, or to take out power 4 gear software. It stops when i pull the power plug out. I have 2 f3 power adaptors, but didnt want to do it until i found out if anyone on here gets the same issue.

Just wondered if anyone plugs their F3 through a hifi system and gets the symptoms im getting.

Applies to Vista and xp software for the strange noises.

Other wise its an ok laptop, after all the hassle from before.

 

Sounds like a "ground loop" if it goes away when you unplug the computer. You could use a 3-prong to 2-prong adapter on the power supply to eliminate the ground pin on either the computer or mixing station (is that a good name?). This can be dangerous! the ground pin is there for a reason -- but nothing catastrophic should happen if your power network is in good shape. Anyway eliminate the ground on the cheaper of the two components .

Another option would of course be to remove the ground on the jack itself but that involves disassembly so it's more complicated.

 

As E.B.E wrote it is matter of grounding. Try to couple that asus with mixer (or anyting preceding that if not connected directly to the mixer) with a single wire. You can do that "canibalising" one of the DVI / VGA / S-Video / USB connector for this (if you are good with soldering iron) - just buy one in nearest hobby electronics shop and use metal shielding as connection point, then attach this wire to the grounding point of that sound equipment of yours. Use as short wire as possible. I've had same problem and i've solved it with this easily.

Technically this problem exists due to the "grounding loops" - more power asus takes, more ground from power source and even any other grounding is "dedicated" for power distribution - not grounding and connecting together with another equipment thus there are those nasty noises. ATM you disconnect power source there is no need (and no way), that asus use that grounding wire in audio cable for power consumption purposes and it is fully "dedicated" as a signal ground, thus fullfilling its original means. So - if you make grounding between asus and sound mixer (or so) as strong as possible, it will use that additional wire as power one and that signal wire will be just signal one.

 

I've got the same crack, but it's not as bad as some of the pictures show. I can live with it...

 

Thank you for your post!
There is a service center and I hope they improve their presence as office too. They should, as Asus is a major seller of IT stuff in Romania (I have also a very good wireless router from them, WL500gp)

 

Based on previous reports, it will very likely get worse with time.

Best to be sure and get it repaired under RMA while still in warranty (although you could wait until the very end). It's a known issue that Asus is fixing without incident.

 

It does get bigger, but I just crazy glued mine and it stopped getting wider. I goes over the edge and down just a bit until the material changes (there is also a little lip there), then it stops getting any longer. I put the glue on just to make sure it didn't get wider.

If you're ok with having glue in a noticable spot like that, it's much more convenient than losing your notebook for a week while they fix it. (ASUS support is great... in North America anyway)

 

Hello everyone,

A new member here.

I have an Asus F3Ka purchased around 1.5 years ago. Its casing is crumbling now. It also has a faulty DVD writer that burns DVDs alright but can't burn CDs.

I bought this one in Moscow, Russia and paid around 1100 USD or so.

The first problem is the infamous palm-rest crack. I got it a long time ago, it was a tiny crack at first and didn't bother me much. By now it's a fully developed crack.

The second problem is recent; this problem with the casing is much more serious. It's preventing me from using my notebook. Not long ago huge cracks appeared in the back side of the bottom part of the notebook casing right below the left screen hinge. The cracks are so bad that little pieces of plastic came off already and there is a hole and I can see a naked screw. I can't neither close nor open the notebook since it may lead to more cracks.

As you probably suspect the notebook hasn't been subject to any abnormal use. Anyway, it's been sitting either on my desk or on my lap around the house for the last 6 months or so before the bad cracks under the hinge appeared.

Oh yeah, there's another thing. The silver wristpad plastic on F3Ka is of such a low quality that I've gotten a huge black spot after a month of use on it from my left hand's sweat. No cleaning can take this dirt off. I've had the same problem with my oldest Fujitsu notebook which also had a silver casing but it only started appearing after two years of constant use.

I don't know what to do. I expect Asus to take the notebook in for repair since it's still on warranty. However, they don't provide replacement computers for while notebooks are on repair. They say it takes two weeks. So I had to buy another notebook so that I don't stay without a computer while they're repairing this one. I've spent around 350 USD on my new notebook.

I suspect they would replace the casing with the one of the same quality. What I need them to do is to either replace it with a casing which doesn't have the same engineering defaults or, if they can't do this, to replace the notebook altogether with one of similar characteristics that doesn't have those engineering defaults.

 

I understand your problems The F3 is one of the worst ASUS computers in terms of build quality.

Unfortunately, I believe the company policy is that they do not issue replacement notebooks until the 3rd failed repair for the same fault... which I do not think is doable within the remaining warranty time for you.

That doesn't mean you cannot try to get it replaced though. Explain to them in an email the doubts you have about the build quality (politely, but firmly).

 

I already called their support line here in Moscow. I wanted to speak with someone higher in their hierarchy but they can't or won't connect and gave me some general e-mail for complaints with their Russian office instead.

Do you know where they head office is and whether there's a specific person who has power to decide? Is it in Taiwan or somewhere else? I don't know if suing them is a viable option; that would be overly difficult in Russia anyway. I'm Canadian and I could contact consumer advocates in Canada but I don't know if it will work since I bought the computer in Russia and the manufacturer is Chinese...

I think the best option is to e-mail an ASUS executive who has the power to decide. But who would that be and where?