*XPS M1730 Problems/Dell Replacement Issues*

So the situation is getting to the point where I'm considering contacting my state attorney general, BBB and taking dell to small claims court.

No one at dell is able to help me except this one person. When I dial her extension instead of leaving me at a voice mail box it routes me to another department where no one else can see my records or deals with exchanges.

Tech support directs me to contact this person. I receive no response from replying back to the original unresolved issues email.

She's never at her desk when I call up and reach these other people, typically after 20-30 minutes on hold.

Many times when I call up and get transferred I am simply disconnected/hung up on.

I've wasted 3 hours contacting dell today.

Ideas?

 

Bloodroses that is exactly what I would do (actually I would've done so earlier but hey).

Today on the idiotbox they had one of those moron breakfast chat/news shows and they had a rep from the consumer rights here in Oz. Anyway they have conducted a survey and it revealed that 50% of consumers beleived the only warranty they had was with the manufacturor and if the manufacturor fobs you off or refuses to deal with the issue then the item is a bin job. They tpointed out that all products are covered by Statutory Warranty that an item is fit for use and free of defects the length of time that the statutory warranty is determined by the amount the item cost. So $500 netbook 2 years would be acceptable but a$3-4000 laptop should be working for at least 5 years. They also went on to discuss that when a consumer shows a manufacturor that they have a tribunal claim lodged even the most recalcitrant manufacturor falls over like a house of cards because they know they will lose the case.

Ok I know we are all in different countries and jurisdictions etc but there is a consumer protection group in every "modern" country so use it.

 

I agreed with you. The touchpad on the 1730 was much better than the one on the M17x....

 

These people are useless. The 8800M GTX has 512MB of memory per card, 1GB total if you have 2 in SLI. That's the exact same *memory* as a single 260M GTX, but memory != performance!

I had my rep try this on me as well, saying how it has 2x the memory so is 2x the upgrade. Obviously I had to settle with the cards anyway, and 2x260Ms are far better than 2x8800Ms, but it's no way near 2x the performance. (Though in real world use it does seem faster than the theoretical ~25% performance increase so something was clearly slowing the 8800Ms down somewhere).

 

id just ask for dual 280s or the cross fire 4870s since they are the top end cards for the m17x just like how the 8800gtxes were the highest cards for the xps1730

 

They don't do replacements based on top end / top end, they do like for like performance on previous specs. And since a pair of 260MGTX SLI easily beat 8800MGTX SLI in performance by warranty standards they would be fine giving you those, anything over is just graavy and you're lucking out IMO. Of course, ask, otherwise how can you receive?

Kade did you cough up 1300$ for those 9800MGTX's!!?!

 

Hey Kade, they did offer the 9800M GTX here in the states for a very short run. It's not actually a new card/design. And yeah, still jut G92 based with slightly higher clocks due to being the premium yield of the manufacturing process. I'd almost be more concerned that these cards are being pushed even closer to their actual limits and have an even higher chance of failure. Back to the BIOS thermal table fix which will never come.. (although the E1705/E9400 just got a BIOS update *yesterday* for the same problem [sigh]).

 

Hi all, i sent my XPS M1730 away about 7 weeks ago and still awaiting parts. I called Dell today and said which i was told i would have to wait 30 days, i informed Dell that a replace has to be arranged, as this is being completed for other XPS owners, the only issue i have is they asked me to provide other users service tag numbers which have had replacement systems for there XPS 1730 as they do not believe me. Can anyone help.

 

Actually, no card is new or of new design. Nvidia - the way it's meant to be renamed. Your 280s, 260s - all of 'em are G92. The only decent thing about the newer cards is the die shrink, but that's again, as you've put it, getting more out of the same.

Yes, I've known of the 9800m GTX before it even came out for Dell thanks to the silly BIOS update.

The point here is that these cards came and went over a mere two months. Gone. No more. Now we have another set with the K650M part number, which is the same card, but not under the old part number for the 9800m GTX. Two Dell clients have received these as replacements in recent weeks, so it is up to us to interpret the greater meaning of these vague facts. Are they making lab rats out of some people, again? Or is this their idea of a solution? Because if it is the latter, then they're either very stupid, or the new cards have the physical flaw fixed.

I don't know engineering as well as other experts, but is there not a chance that these might be ones with the 'problem' repaired? Remember, the G92 core issue was a physical problem with the soldering. This issue is *not* with how hot they get, but the impact the thermal cycling takes on that bad solder-job. Now you fix this, and the heat problem is moot. And this could very well exist in our 280s and 260s as well, but we like to believe that the G92b might not have this problem. I certainly hope so.

And Nick. No, man. I only test, and I had just today to test them and will be parting very soon, since I am done. While we are on the subject, I am more intrigued by where you got such interestingly scary figures. . . awfully specific, if you know what I mean. Do you know of someone selling these for USD $1300?

To RubyBoy,
You can ask, but the 260m will be fine. As for which is better between the 4870 or 280m? It's up to you as a user. Driver support is better for Nvidia cards, and while some here would like to say otherwise, here in UK, the Radeon's are officially the 'cheaper' cards. Go look at www.dell.co.uk. I believe in USA it is the other way around. Go figure. I prefer ATi. At least they don't rebrand as often as nVidia.

As for what they offer. Yes, they can argue that with the 260m, they've given you is equal or better, but as a customer, you too can request that you invested in a top-tier card at the time, and would like top-tier again. But, you are not being cheated if you get 260m - perfectly good replacements.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-M1730-NV...emQQptZPCC_Video_TV_Cards?hash=item3efab7fc6b

Sorry; its more, 1,449.00

 

Why'd you think that I acquired a part from these people? I give you too much credit, sometimes, Nick. I'm disappointed. Lawl.

But, damn!

*Considers something.*

Hey, screw testing! I just had a very profitable business idea!

. . .

Fine! Fine! I wont! It's not my morality or conscience; I just hate filling out my tax forms.

 

so no one wants a set of gray wings? what about an adapter?

 

So the nightmare continues.

The only person I can contact has been unreachable all week. When I call up they tell me she's not at her desk and no one else in that department deals with the issue. She does not call here as other workers have continually promised.

The call to the extension does not go to a voice message but instead is routed to the department, they then send her email messages to contact me (or at least claim to)

At this point my case is listed as cancelled due to some dell internal snafu.

I call tech support and they tell me I should call x number. I call it and it does not function. There's nothing there.

I could fill out another unresolved issues, I could carpet bomb execs with a history of what I've been through in an attempt to resolve the issues. I could just contact my attorney general, BBB and file a small claims case against dell.

I really just want a working laptop. So far this week I've spent close to 10 hours chasing dell ghosts.

Any advice?

 

Hey, I'm just floating it out there, Ebay IS the place to get parts like this from (they won't have it on Newegg.com or Novatech.co.uk) but it seems that you got some other way of getting parts that will remain your secret

Hey now, I'm very resourceful so don't write me off quite so soon

 

Just contact someone else, get pissed off, talk to a manager. That's about all you can do!

I found sarcasm works - give them the, have it your way scenario and paint it so it seems absurd. That's what got me my replacement.

So when do you expect to resolve my issue with my Next Business Day warranty - next month? the month after that? next year? What if my warranty expires by the time you resolve my issue? What would you do, in my situatoin? Do you have any recommendations as to what uses outside of a functioning computer this laptop might be used for (Doorstop?)

Just keep calling, it's all you can do

 

I agree it's worth a try. I gave that argument a go till I was blue in the face but they wouldn't budge. LOL

They did however give me BD R+W and bumped me to a a terrabyte of HDD's.

I'm sorry to the peep's who have had Dell nightmares but sometimes I do find it fun "playing" the game and pushing their buttons.

 

Can't believe you guys are still getting screwed.

 

It seems that there hasn't been anyone recently who claims that they have been approved for an Alienware M17x as a replacement. Seems like they are trying to stall people or provide lesser replacements like the SXPS 16. This really sux!

 

I was approved on the 20th for a M17x replacement and the order was was confirmed on the 1st, currently in production.

 

Hello people, I have been following this thread since my m1730 8800 GTX SLI failed a few weeks ago. I thought I might report on what has happened for me and hopefuly me experience will help others.

Go straight to the mock dialog if you don't feel like reading too much.

I purchased the 1730 in january of this year from dell australia. I am in the USA right now though, so I have to go through support for the states while I'm here. I sent e-mails to dell australia, which got forwarded to dell USA, but never got replies. It was thanksgiving week though so I waited.

Monday this week I got tired of waiting and called dell USA, phone being the only direct contact option for international laptop roamers (no chat or e-mail, foreign service tag is blocked). I was quickly transfered to XPS support after being given their direct number, and the support person there apparently got ahold of some GPUS and told me it would be installed by a tech by wednesday (dec 2). I could beleive this, maybe there was a secret stock for australian xps users...

On wednesday I call the tec to see what up and, guess what, he tells me that the part didn't come in despite being told that it shipped on tuesday. He also tells me that the parts would always be in by then if they really shipped, and advised I immediatly contact dell.

So I do.

Using the XPS support number, which is apparently the dell buisness support number as I was given the wrong one, I call dell buisness support. The guy who answered didn't m'ind though and started to help me but when he started asking for my "service pack", I told him to go ahead and transfer me to xps support. I know realize that he was actually asking for my service tag, so who knows what would have happened if I stayed on buisness support.

Now when the interesting stuff happened. The XPS support guy determins that something wrong happened because there are no 8800 GTXs available untill january at the earliest. Now a paraphrased dialog for simplicity.

ME:"I can't wait"
HIM:"I can give you 8700s untill they are out"
ME:"That is not acceptable, what else?"
HIM:"I'm sorry, these are the options you have."
ME:"I know that you can give a replacement or refund, that's what you have given other people with the same problem as me"
HIM:"Please hold while I talk to my resolution specialist.."
~7 minutes later
HIM:"I can give you the downgrade, that's the only option, ok?"
ME:"No, a refund"
HIM:"Ok, a refund. A lady will call you tommorrow to sort out the details"
ME: "thanks, bye"

I wanted the M17x though, but I think that the lady who handles refunds also handles replacement systems, so I ended the call which at this point was 1 hour 20 minutes long. Most of that time was related to the difficulty USA support has getting details on aussie bought laptops.
Now the call late the next day:

HER:"Can I speak to XXXXX?"
ME:"Yup, that's me?"
HER:*gives me the lowdown on refunds*
ME:"Hmmm, what a replacement laptop instead of a refund? One of the newer models."
HER:"Yeah, we can do that. Probably a m16XX or a m13..."
ME:"I think the proper replacement for a m1730 would be a m17x actually"
HER:"Hmm, that an alienware right?... Lets see.... Sure, we can do that"
ME:"Sounds great"
HER:"I'll call tomorrow around the same time or a little earlier with more info"

And here we are, it's the next day, and I am awaiting the call. Still a few hours till it's the same time as yesterday.

 

i heard almost exactly the same... i was authorized a m17x by the refund guy, but 2 days later he called back and told me they wouldn't do it. dell is crazy

 

In every single one of these cases, when you reach the point of talking to the rep who indicates they are going to assist you, insist on having their contact info as well as their supervisor's contact info. If they indicate they can't provide it, the immediate response should be - transfer me to your manager.

There is no reason to rely on a phone call from them without having some kind of recourse other than calling the standard support line back. Get to the top level as soon as possible.

Just my 2 cents as I have gone through this very same process.

 

The shame with Dell is that it is so freakin hit and miss. When I 1st called to explain my GPU failure they practically begged me to take the m17x off their hands. BUT most times I call they refuse to give a staff# extension # or any other identifying information, it's just my name is Emma Sir. The last time I called I was transferred to a deadline and effectively hung up on 4 times. Eventually I was transferred to a manger and this time it was Neil Sir and he promised the world................ I'm still waiting to hear back from him or his promised email.

This is endemic of Dell around the world with some - UK being much worse. The forums are full of the same stories as above.

 

Yeah I hear you Slammin - the UK segment really needs a refresher in Customer Care. Just stay on them folks - don't accept an end of call without obtaining a call back #. I know its frustrating. I was ready to board a plane from CA to TX at one point

 

Suddenly I wish my notepad of dell phone numbers was better notated. I'll keep what you guys have said in mind when they call me/I call them.

I hope similar doesn't happen to me. Maybe my unique situation- can't get a refund without transfering ownership to a USA addressed version of myself - might help.

 

Nickbarbs,
I know you're resourceful. . . that's why I was disappointed. Heh. Kidding. I'll give you more details in a few days, but I didn't acquire anything.e

Anyway, there is doubt in my mind that this whole replacement fiasco is like the lotto.

I don't mean to discourage people, or play down the accomplishments of others such as BatBoy, Hankaaron, etc.; they made very credible arguments to back their cases, and they have the results to prove that their methods work.

But the more I read, and the more I study each experience, there's only one real consistency that I do see. . . and that is the blatant inconsistency in how Dell respond. Some people, with very little nagging or arguing, score maxed out M17x rigs. Others, with very valid points and detailed discussion, keep getting shafted regardless of how compelling a case they make for themselves.

Here in UK, there is no clear-cut guidelines on what is the done deal and what is not the done deal. One agent will make one statement, whilst another agent will make another statement, and when you call them on it, they will wave the 'I can't comment for the words of another' argument, which isn't really an argument at all.

Seriously, the only thing I see here is a case of luck. It does feel very 'hit or miss' to me from the looks of things, and that's tough.

Not disagreeing with anything here--in fact, I fully agree! The only way to insure some sense of control over this 'chaos' is to persist and stick to one's argument without going mad.

 

Yes, this is 100% on the money. Not just in terms of contact info, but each and every single call, email, contact. Document, Document, Document. Write down everything. What was discussed, who said what, etc. If you don't maintain accurate notes, you can't back up what you are being told.

Save all email exchanges.

 

Long time reader first time poster.

I have been reading this forum for the past 2 years and my experiences mirror many of your own. I want to share my insight so it may be helpful to some of you all. I purchased the Dell M1710 about 3 years ago, about 1 1/2 years ago it failed, and was replaced by the M1730. About mid July my video card along with other parts of the computer started to fail. 3 technician visits, 2 video cards, 2 mother boards, keyboard and fans later my frustrations started to boil over so I pressed for other resolutions. I was offered SXPS 16 as my first option. I didn't accept the replacement, but accepted the downgraded card based on promises that another 8800 card was only a week away. A month later still no cards were available. I called Dell again after reading the forum and hearing others experiences, again they offered the SXPS 16 only. Finally I decided to write a well drafted letter to unresolved issues stating my case, from that point on I wrote all names and Rep Id's down for every conversation. I also read the NBD warranty, and Dells policy on Warranty and complaints.I stated if they didn't offer another resolution I would have to pursue legal means. In my letter to unresolved issues I stated specifics in their own Policy Section 14:6 of the Dell Customer Master Services Agreement states:
"Dispute Resolution. Customer and the Dell Parties will attempt to
resolve any claim, or dispute or controversy (whether in
contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this MSA, Dell's
advertising, or any related purchase (a "Dispute") through face-to-face
negotiation with persons fully authorized to resolve the Dispute or through
mediation utilizing a mutually agreeable mediator, rather than through
litigation." So I demanded face to face negotiations if we couldn't agree upon a mutually desirable resolution.

Anyways, I was called the next day and offered the M17x and confirmed components within a week. I also went thru the order status cancellations, and multiple calls/chat sessions to confirm everything was still on track as many of you were. And even negotiated upgrades based on the cancellations. My point being hold Dell to their word and make them stand accountable for their actions. Document everything. Even after conversations with my rep I would email them a summation of our telephone call so there were no doubt what promises or time lines were agreed upon.

In the end I didn't need to carpet bomb anyone. I didn't make anyone cry over the phone. I was persistent and held them to their word. I encourage anyone that is going through this process to have faith there is a light at the end of the tunnel. My process took about 4 months start to finish. Don't expect dell to offer up any replacement after only one occurrence.

 

this pisses me off a bit as i fought for 4 months to get a m17x but was told because i had the 1710 in the beginning i would only ever offered a sxps16... i finally gave in and accepted the 16 and received it a few days ago. it is basically doa so they are sending me another new one... dell is so inconstant on the replacements. i am always nice to the reps i talk to, and i thought i tried everything to resolve this with the best outcome, but i just started to get too stressed out over it and gave in...

 

@woodstock:

The 16 was refurbished or did they send a new one? You know the drill - would be a nice neon orange sticker on the bottom of the chassis stamped "Refurbished". If refurbished, was there any damage consmetically?

I ask since my first replacement to my dead M1710 was a M1730. The M1730 was horribly damaged cosmetically (duct tape like residue on the Wings and LCD housing) and had missing screws from the chassis. I was on the phone same day with the Escalations Rep handling my case and insisted on a new build. They ended up sending out a new M1730.

Point being, if this next Studio 16 is hosed, tell them you will accept nothing less than the M17x as you have given them enough chances to get it right. I know... same old fight.

 

it was brand new! 30 dead pixels and sometimes wont boot. i am stuck though, i have a rep that will not do anything for me, i try to go above his head and it always comes back to him, i just get a refund offer which would be ok if it wasn't such a pain in the butt. i just cant be without a computer anymore because it costs me too much money as i use it strictly for work.
another annoying thing, one of my programs i use for work wont install on x7 hp. i need xp mode apparently and i had xp originally but he wouldnt even budge on the os... he actually told me o install xp on the 16, and then he told me: "which isnt supported and would void my software warranty"
i accepted this downgrade to be done once and for all and it is doa, it is completely unbelievable. i have talked all my coworkers out of getting dell's and tell everyone i can about the problems i have had, so dell is just a huge black hole of crap computers, crap technicians and crap service. ridiculous.

i have often demanded nothing less than a m17x but that gets me nowhere. i was at the end of my rope a month ago, now i dont know where i am, past the end i guess. just have no clue what to do anymore.

 

Sorry you are stuck in this Wood. Seriously man, if there was anything I could do about it, I would. Hang in there.

 

I am indeed very sorry to hear this story.

Wodstock, just take it easy this time around. Keep the machine, and tell them that until they don't provide you with an acceptable and proper replacement, you will keep the SXPS and continue to pursue the matter.

You keep the current machine, and you operate at a pace that suits you best. Whenever you get the spare time, just drop them a few firm, 'to the point', e-mails about the situation. This won't get you quick results, but someone will respond and deal with the matter. Once a proposed replacement is in the works, simply go with the 'I'll return the old machine once I get my replacement system as I need a functioning laptop for work' argument.

 

I think some of you might want to try this direct no-wait telephone number into XPS support. The number is 866-566-2055. I originally had an Inspiron E1705 that was promptly replaced with a refurb (looked new) within 4 days. Then my M1730 started developing problems after a year and my story is below. That number I used seems to have help me minimize most of the problems that many users have been having.

When my XPS M1730 started developing problems on Sept 21, I contacted Dell and after about 30 minutes on the line, they decided that it needed to be replaced. I was told that they would take up to 3-5 days to find an equivalent system, and if that does not happen a new system with equal or better parts will be ordered. I got a call a few days later claiming that they could not find a replacement M1730 so they have me approved for an Alienware M17x replacement. The CS rep automatically said I was getting the M17x because it is the only system that is equal or better than the M1730. I got a call 2 days later with an order number and the computer came after about 2 more weeks. I was surprised that Dell did not try to offer me anything else because my M1730 only had a T7700 (2.4GHz) cpu and a 8700GT SLi cpu. They automatically gave me the P8600 and GTX260 SLi. Seems fair to me. I have since then upgraded the CPU to a Q9100 from Ebay and was able to overclock it to 2.8 Ghz.

 

Man that sucks I originally had the 1710 which was replaced by the 1730 and not they have replaced it with the Alienware M17x, they did originally try to give me the XPS 16 but I told them it wasn't equal or better than what I had, I just can't believe that they will not replace yours with the Alienware. They seem to be all over the place with the replacements.

 

My Dell Hell experience continues.

I spent over 12 hours this week contacting dell via phone in addition to my attempts at tech chat.

It always comes down to this one individual who apparently is the only person at dell who can do anything. They are never at the desk, no one can ever reach them.

An entire week of absolute BS.

The last time I asked to speak to management and executives since there has been many attempts by myself over an extended period of time to attempt to reach a resolution. I was promised a call back and never received it.

Like others have commented unless you use tech chat support the employees refuse to give you any contact information, employee numbers, etc.

During this entire process I have not had a single point of contact. The one exception being this ghost with an extension number and no voice mail box where I end up being routed to another department.

I'm at the point where I now feel that if I don't end up filing a lawsuit and I do get a replacement that it should have substantial upgrades due to the way that dell has mishandled this situation and caused me undue stress and routinely delayed and wasted my time.

No one should have to spend hundreds of hours in order to resolve a problem that is under warranty and is clearly their responsibility.

As others have been commenting, the dell experience does seem to vary widely. Some experience no resistance where others encounter continual obsticles and delays.

 

Since my last post I have gotten a call from a person who called just to tell me the extention # of the replacement/refund person that was on my case. He then apologised for the delay as they had to process a ownership transfer to myself in the USA so that the 1730 could be processed like a laptop bought in the USA. I checked my e-mail afterwords and discovered that the transfer had taken place so I called the extention and the voicemail indeed identified it as the lady from the other day. So I left a message.

The transfer was interesting, because I know many other international people who where told they wouldn't be helped untill they did the ownership transfter themselves, and it took 2 weeks to process. Yet here they are doing it for me and it only took a few hours.

 

It just happened, she pushed for a 1640 and told me that a refurbished m17x might be possible, but the specifications would be unknown. I pointed out that even the best 1640 would fall short of most of the specs on my 1730 (hard drives, graphics cards, etc..).

So I was told only an escalation manager or whatever they are called could get what I want. So now I'm waiting for a call from one of those.

I was also told they only normally give you a brand new m17x if you bought the 1730 less then 90 days prior. This thinking is silly of course, no other laptops dell offers comes close, unless you configured your 1730 pretty conservatively.

Here's to hoping my next point of contact is the last.

PS. It may not look like it from the description, but all that was the result of me putting up a won't-take-no-for-an-answer persona.

 

Complete Care solves these issues and is why I always get it with Dell systems.

Once quick chat requesting a Complete Care claim and BAM you are in business!

 

never had a cc claim before. maybe i am going about this all wrong?

 

Just as a reminder, it is against forum rules to discuss illegal acts, including fraud. Posts along these lines will be removed.

Thanks all.

 

Since I got my last call, I came to the realization that, since my laptop is now of the USA, I could contact dell through non-phone channels. I went on XPS chat and told the agent who connected with me about my problems getting a suitable replacement for my laptop. He agreed that the offers I was getting didn't make sense.

As a result my problem has been escalated to the "Higher Resolution Experts", who will apparently* call me tommorow to talk about a proper replacement.


*I've learned not to deal in absolutes when it comes to this situation.

 

The reason this number works so well is because it's the Education/Business XPS Support, based in Nashville. If they find out (or if you tell them) your system was purchased for personal use, they'll redirect you to the crappy, regular XPS support. If you call them, make sure it's during normal business hours during the week, or else you'll be transferred as well. I've called them a few times to get my warranty extension, but I had to go through the normal XPS line to get my system exchange started.

And an update on my M17x GPU replacement. The part was sent out and the Dell tech got it on Thursday. He told me that I could schedule for him to come over "whenever I wanted."

So I scheduled for 4:30 pm. When 4:30 pm came, he called and said he was running behind so he wouldn't make it until 5:30 pm. Well, I couldn't be home then so I rescheduled for Friday at 8:00 AM.

So, I got up early and waited. I called at 8:30 am to see what was up. And then I waited. And then I waited some more. I get a call at 11:30 am, the Dell tech apologizing that he took so long to return my call; he told me he had a lot of clients to see.

Wait a sec...our appointment was scheduled for 8:00 AM. Now, tell me exactly how many other appointments he had before then? Anyways, he then tells me he'll be able to make it at 1:30 pm. That was fine. 1:30 came. And I waited. And I waited some more. I think there's a pattern here. At 2:45 pm, I had to go to work. The second I got to work, he calls me to let me know that he's outside my location.

Sigh. I told him that I had to go to work. But I was home at 1:30. And 8:00. And 4:30 the day before. He apologized again and asked if he could come back later that afternoon. I told him I didn't get off work until 11:00 pm. And then he was like "Well, we normally don't work on weekends, but I could come on Saturday." Unfortunately, I work 12-hour shifts on the weekends. He apologized again and we rescheduled for 8:00 am on Monday. He assured me that he would clear his schedule so there weren't any conflicts.

Perhaps he'll get it right the fourth time.

 

Wow.

This forum is great! Now posts that don't agree with mods and ones explaining reasoning are being deleted.

I think time away from this place will serve me well. Anyway, I hope all of you get your "premium" systems fixed or replaced. There is always class action if needed.

Laters....

 

This is probably why I had little trouble getting the replacement M17x. I bought my original Inspiron E1705 via Dell Education when I was still in grad school.

I guess people should also start buying their Dell computers via the small business division whenever possible.

 

What I dont get, is how every machine he receives is a lemon. Going through his post history over the years here and on another forum is quite intrigueing and educational. He is the unluckiest man alive....

 

Well, my Dell hell saga continues. Unfortunately.

The Dell tech arrived this morning around 8:45 am to install my missing 260M GTX. Everything seemed to be going fine. However, as soon as he left, I noticed that he had damaged part of my LCD screen's center hinge upon installing the new GPU--it has 3-4 blunt scratches on it, down to the metal. Fantastic.

And then, while idle, the temps on my new 260M skyrocketed to 107°C. Yes. Then the system shut itself off.

Completely irate at this point, I called up Alienware and informed them of the situation. They asked me to remove the back cover and stuff to get to the GPU. Turns out that Dell sent me a GPU with no insulation stuff on it (there was some foil-sticker thing and some felt pads on the one there from the start). They're sending another 260M and a new LCD screen.

Sigh.

 

I always made the tech stay untill I had run a small battery of tests to verify the work. It can be a good idea to have test lined up for these. In many cases it can be the 32 bit dignostics for things like fans and memory, and some temperature checks after booting into windows would be a good idea, Especially since 90% of my laptop problems over the years have been heat related.

I'm the reason the tech was a little late getting to other peoples doors .

 

Hey, at least Dell is making things right by sending you more parts.

Right?

 

Sorry you feel that way sleey...

Perhaps if your post wasn't discussing the ethics of committing fraud it wouldn't be removed. It’s not rocket science. The Forum Rules exist for a reason. You either accept them or you don’t - if you don't, action is taken by the MOD team.

There are other routes which can be pursued to resolve an issue with Dell besides committing fraud. Two wrongs don't make a right.