RAM Upgrade Voids Warranty on Asus Ensembles

I just thought sharing this news would help a lot of people out. According to PowerNotebooks.com representative, a mere memory upgrade voids the one-year Asus warranty on any Asus Ensemble laptop. Built on Asus computers do not lose their warranty as it comes from the reseller (i.e. PowerPro, Crown, etc.) and they allow the upgrade. Knowing this will probably influence my decision since a RAM upgrade can be very efficient considering the low cost, ease of doing it and the results that can come from it. Does anybody know the policies of other manufacturers on RAM upgrades?

~ Brett

 

Most here are aware that upgrading the RAM, HD, etc would void it.. all you need to do is simple remove the upgrade and put back the original component when you need to deal with Asus.

 

Hmm, I guess I was the only one then. I know it's not hard to do all the swapping but I guess technically once you've made the switch and broken whatever seals are in place, you've voided the warranty...? I'm just so surprised that such a simple thing as replacing the RAM which is now purposely in an easy to reach compartment voids the warranty. Oh well

~ Brett

 

There are no seals for the RAM/HD, but for the CPU and wireless card(YMMV, it seems some has...), there are seals.

 

Interesting. If you go to the Corsair memory Configurator, you'll see this notice:

So is Corsair incorrect?

 

Coriolis is right there are no seals for those parts. Powernotebooks is just very against any of that stuff. But most dealers will tell you its really not a big issue.

 

What's up,
I've never heard of this either! Although ASUS ensembles come with a good amount of memory it would be nice to be able to upgrade later on without voiding your warranty. Maybe certain resellers who sell ensembles cover this upgrade under their own extended warranty?
Jake

 

Kingston says the same thing on their website:

http://www.kingston.com/company/magnuson-moss.asp

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
On occasion, Kingston hears reports that a computer system manufacturer's sales representative has told a customer (which could be an end user, reseller or integrator) that if the customer uses third party memory in the system manufacturer's computer system, the system manufacturer's warranty is voided. Through this ploy, the sales representative attempts to coerce customers into purchasing memory modules from the system manufacturer, usually at much higher prices than Kingston charges. A system manufacturer may resort to this type of warranty threat to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt in the minds of consumers, rather than to compete on the basis of quality and price ("FUD marketing").

 

My understanding was that upgrading ram/hd could give Asus cause for voiding your warranty but doesn't necessarily mean that they would. We are encouraged to put in the original parts if the unit ever needs to be serviced because otherwise it will be obvious that we have been tinkering with the hardware and any damage/problems may be a result of our own efforts and not simply the fault of the machine (and Asus could point that out when it comes to repairing/replacing the unit). I have to think there is a reason Asus doesn't put seals on the HD/RAM. Maybe Asus considers those to be relatively minor upgrades, maybe they are required by law to make them possible upgrades.

 

I have had my W3V for almost a year now. Within a week of purchasing, I added another 512MB stick of RAM. A couple of weeks ago, Asus replaced my LCD under warrenty.

 

More than likely sales reps tell you this because they want you to upgrade the RAM before you buy the laptop (as in, included in the price.) The store gets more money this way, and they get to sell you a more expensive laptop. If they are on commission, this is always better for them.

 

Just to be clear, you have the Ensemble W3V and not the barebones (white-box) Z63A? You sent it back without taking the RAM chip out right? That's good news.

~ Brett

 

True, but in the case of PowerNotebooks, there is no way to add more RAM and there is no comparable notebook in the catogry, even for more money. They don't really have an incentive to do this unless they honestly believe it causes a problem and have seen people make the upgrades and then get rejected on warranty repairs... right?

~ Brett

 

They probably fear people will ruin there laptops when installing the RAM, and that they will still be eligible for the warranty option. They could lose money that way, especially if you can get a new notebook out of it and it gets around.

 

Time for me to jump in.

I have read a lot about this, when it was Powernotebooks vs SRD lol!!!
They lasted about 3 rounds in the ring. <-joke

I haven't closely and read the fine lines of the ASUS Ensemble Warranty.

Here's what i gathered:

Ensembles are really suppose to be just left alone, not upgraded or downgraded by anymeans.

The reason is so that ASUS can actually diagnose a problem knowing the components, rather than user upgraded components.

They have already experienced cases where the user upgraded something like the ram, and that was the problem with the laptop, not saying that ram will mess your ensemble unit.

Yes the Ram and HD are easily accessible and upgradeable by users, hence many do at the least a RAM upgrade.

As i said above, Ensemble units should be just left alone, but users will upgrade them.

Yes, technically speaking upgrading does void the warranty, but if you keep the original ASUS parts and then put those back in for the upgraded ones and make it look perfect, in which ASUS cannot tell the difference, then yes technically ur getting away...

So yah...we should bring up the ASUS warranty and possibly call them about this.

Thanks,

MysticGolem

 

I almost bought a SOny SZ before I discovered the Asus W3J (whew!!!) and got worried when I read about your warranty can be voided if you decide to upgrade the RAM. so after reading as much as I could about the W3J for the last couple of days I find a reseller website that actually says "Notice: Configuring an Ensemble at all will Void the Asus Global Warranty. You will receive the Star 1 year warranty covering parts and labor instead." at the bottom of the W3J specs page. so you deal with the reseller if you have any problems.

the website is...
www.asusdirect.com Which I found in the ASUS FAQ sticky

FYI: it then redirects you to www.allasus.com operated by Star Tech

 

Its really do what you want. I have read the fine print and yes upgrading anything is completely against the warranty they have. even opening the laptop is. Will you have issues upgrading most likely not. Just dont go sliding your feet on a rug for five minutes before switching ram.

Sometimes pcs dont like the brand ram you use. Just pick Kingston you will have the least compatability issues. So if you want to upgrade go ahead be careful and save the old stuff.

Yes its against the warranty will asus know most likely not. Not saying you should. I would but im very skilled with pcs not everyone is. This really is the same with every product though. from me modding my cars to dirtbikes my xbox 360 can play burned games now. Just learn the consequences of your actions and decide if the outcome is ok with you. that it

 

It seems like it has been covered. Just keep the originals incase of trouble. If you are like me and buy the 3 year warranty, you likely won't have trouble because of the reverse of Murphey's law (you spend all this money for not, but if you hadn't, you would have needed the warranty). None of this is to say that Asus are bad computers, but long story short, if you are worried about voiding the warranty, stay at home in an interior room void of sunlight and safe from the world, that way you can't get cancer or be hurt. Also be sure to keep that new Mustang in the garage so the engine ins't worn out and so you don't get it dirty - god forbid you actually drive your car (or use your computer). I think you get the drift.

 

Yes, I have the W3V. However, I did not deal directly with Asus, but through my retailer, and I do not think my retailer removed the extra stick of RAM because my notebook was returned to me directly from Asus (with my 1GB of RAM installed).

 

They say that because If you buy those extra components when you buy your system, everything will be on one bill/receipt. Therefore, If you ever needed warranty service through Asus, they might ask for your proof of purchase...and It would be clear that you upgraded. However, like many have said, Asus isn't really picky, so If you're smart, you can upgrade the Hard drive and RAM, but don't have any proof of it on your original receipt. If you run into trouble and need service, put the stock components back in....returning the system to stock specs, and you're all good.
It's basically an unspoken understanding. If you follow what we've all told you...and don't touch anything with factory seals, then you're all good. Just be smart and do the upgrading on your own...or at least ask for two bills.

 

The warranty seal is on the cpu only. No other place on the laptop has a seal. I am no lawyer but this is what i consider legal. If inside the box there is a pamphlet that states you cannot open or mod the laptop in any way then you cannot. The ensembles from asus do not include any such notice. Conclusion is that you can mod the notebook as you see fit. Asus will gladly rma parts like hdd and ram if you run a diagnostic util and can narrow it down. Have not seen posts about this lately but i have seen asus replace parts for ensembles. Moral of the story is keep the original parts so you can replace the mods if it has to go back is the worst case scenario. The best case scenario (and this is what i think) is that asus will not void your warranty for mods other then the cpu unless signs of physical damage or improper use is detected. There have been many many people that modded and rma'd their notebook have exprience with this. Hope they post

 

LOL at this thread. As long as you are able to physically change RAM, you'll be fine. Swap it - send it back.

^ Testament that it may not even be that difficult.

 

Ok. One last time. This is not a PowerNotebooks policy it is an ASUS policy.

You open your ASUS Ensemble computer you void your warranty. If you try to deceive ASUS by putting it back to original before you send it in for warranty repair you are trying to defraud ASUS (if this weren't true, why put it back?). Deceiving ASUS to obtain warranty repair is fraud, just like trying to defraud your insurance company (a warranty is very much like an insurance policy isn't it?). No doubt many have done it and gotten away with it, and no doubt more will try. This doesn't change the fact that it is deceitful and fraudulent.

Now, straight from ASUS regarding this issue:

"As discussed last week, any end-user that chooses to install, or replace a component that is pre-installed and validated by the manufacturer, ASUS - the entire warranty is automatically voided.

...As far as I know there have already been end-users 'burned' by this policy."

So, this is the straight scoop. You can be a deceiver if you like, but you do it at your own risk...and if ASUS denies your warranty request you have no one to blame but yourself.

Knowing this, PowerNotebooks.com will not modify any ASUS Ensemble laptop nor will we advise anyone that it is ok to do it and try to deceive ASUS.

Any purchaser who buys from a reseller that modifies the Ensemble laptop and then replaces the ASUS Global warranty with their own is potentially making a big mistake. A warranty is only as good as the company behind it. Why replace a warranty from a multi-billion dollar Global company with over 58,000 employees with a warranty from a small reseller who is offering to mod the system just to get another sale? You will find that the major ASUS resellers on the "Where to Buy" page at ASUS will not mod your ASUS Ensemble laptop for you, and for good reason. Only the small ones will do it, and you have to ask yourself why. (Sorry Eddie, but it is the truth) You will find that only the small resellers will do it, which brings me back to asking why you would trade a warranty from ASUS for a warranty from a small reseller?

If you want to upgrade an ASUS Ensemble notebook, either do it after the ASUS warranty is over, or be honest about it and realize you will no longer have an ASUS warranty.

 

Well paladin44 that is interesting, BUT I know for a fact that here in New Zealand where the Asus notebooks are imported/distributed and fixed from Renaissance Ltd, the Asus rep says its totally fine to change things. We (the electronics store where i work) change the Ram on ASUS notebook everyday and have NEVER had a problem with warranties. They have even replaced batteries when the notebook are out of warranty (a few special cases)
I even informed the rep that I swapped the HDD from my two asus's around as one stopped and didnt have time to send it away to get fixed, and he said its perfectally fine!

He said the ONLY time they will not warrant it, is IF you broke something by changing something.

So that's New Zealand sorted. I guess it might be different depending on whether they are services by ASUS themselves or a third party acting on ASUS's behalf.

I guess to be safe just put things back to how you got it IF you dont have a reseller who will back you.

Will be interesting to see what Justin has to say about the policy over there?


Insane

 

My comments only relate to ASUS North America.

Justin has addressed this issue many times in this Forum. ProPortable will not modify an ASUS Ensemble laptop for their customers due to the ASUS warranty...but let me leave anything further comments for him to make.

 

You are right proportable wont modify. But Justin says in the forums all the time people should change the parts themselves if they want. and if they need warranty work just put the old ones back in.

 

And that makes it right?

And Justin holds what executive position at ASUS?

And when ASUS denies the warranty claim Justin is going to rush in and make it right?

Count on this: "You can be a deceiver if you like, but you do it at your own risk...and if ASUS denies your warranty request you have no one to blame but yourself." And neither Justin nor Eddie nor anyone else is going to rush in and help you............nor will saying "Well, a bunch of people on the forums said it was ok!" help you...

 

Yeah anything i do i realize what can happen and if something happens i will pay myself that doesnt bother me. And i have had an asus sent back for repair. i just took out the 2 gigs ram and 7200 rpm drive returned it to normal and sent it back. You know they have no way of knowing. But who am i decieving. did i lie to them no. Did they ask me if i modified it no. did i break anything no. could i have most likely not. You are making a big deal out of nothing for whatever high and mighty view of honesty you think you have. i would not make asus pay for something i broke. but i will make they pay for something unrelated even if i upgraded the laptop. everyone knows anything is possible asus can void anything they want.

 

Some models have one stick of RAM, and leaving one slot empty is kinda suggesting something there

 

As is putting no warranty seals on those areas. They will warranty a z63a barbone that i built just not the parts i put in. if they were so worried about that stuff they wouldnt even take the barebone if it needed repair but they do.

 

You guys sound like lawyers trying to argue your case

And SRD, you can't compare a barebones to an Ensemble.

I am through with this issue. You guys can argue it any way you want, and that simply does not change the truth as I have stated it...One last time...

""You can be a deceiver if you like, but you do it at your own risk...and if ASUS denies your warranty request you have no one to blame but yourself." And neither Justin nor Eddie nor anyone else is going to rush in and help you............nor will saying "Well, a bunch of people on the forums said it was ok!" help you..." You see, that is the truth, and argue mightily as you can you cannot change what has been said between the quotes.

 

I really dont want to argue with you about whats right and whats wrong. We know asuses legal stanpoint. what their actual warranty states noone is arguing that. As for moral standpoint noone really asked that either. People just want to know if they modify but put the notebook back to normal can they send it in for repair. The easy answer most the time yes, but if asus knows they might void the warranty. so its at your own risk. But most people dont have trouble with this.