[e1405] Depressed about my depressed touch pad button

The left touch pad button of my e1405 is depressed; it still works, but not quite as well as it did and I fear that at some point it will no longer work. My laptop is about eight months old and already showing general physical signs of wear--in addition to the touch pad button the screen is feeling a bit loose and the keyboard has a key missing (although that is due to my two-year old daughter). I probably won't be buying a Dell again as I feel that in general their design is rather shoddy, and I'd rather spend a few hundred dollars more for a better built machine (e.g. a Mac or Lenovo, etc). But I'd like to make this one last for at least another year, preferrably two or more (my general rule of thumb is that a laptop should last me at least three years).

So my question: how to fix the touch pad button? I am not a techy type but am savvy enough to, say, replace a laptop keyboard if necessary. But I'm not sure how to get to the touch pad buttons...anyone have any idea?

Thanks!

 

1.) You purchased a consumer-grade notebook. Unfortunely the trade-off for the low price is a lower durability. Next time a business class laptop such as a latitude or Thinpad (as mentioned) would be a better idea, especially if you have small children about.

2.) This link will start you in the right direction to figure out how to take apart your computer.
3.) You are still under warranty, I'd call Dell and request a new keyboard/touchpad; they have an obligation to you while you're still under warranty.

 

Thanks, Vespoli. Do you know what I need to call Dell? Just my product key? What I want to avoid is them asking me to send the laptop in and not having it for a month.

 

BTW, I've looked in the owner's manual--and what you linked to--and couldn't find any info on how to fix the touch pad buttons, only take out the keyboard etc.

 

I'd just call Dell, give them whatever info they need--they know what to ask. Tell them you need a new keyboard, touchpad/buttons. Tell them that you'll install the parts and that you will NOT send the laptop in for repair. (unless you have on-site repair, in that case have them send someone out.) I'll try to find the proper way to remove touchpad/buttons..give me a few minutes.

EDIT: looks like you might need an entirely new palm rest if you buttons are busted.

see: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins640m/en/SM/palmrest.htm#wp1000139

 

Hi,

My name is Todd and I'm a customer advocate at Dell's corporate headquarters. My team was designed to help customers via blogs and forums. I saw your post and wanted to contact you.

If your system is less than a year old it should still be under a service contract. The touchpads on that unit aren't really designed for customers to replace themselves.

If you would like I can set up either a service call to send a technician out to replace it (and the keyboard while they're there) or have the system returned to the depot for repairs depending on your service contract.

You can contact me directly by email at [email protected]. Please include my first name (Todd) in the subject line so it can quickly be routed through to me. If you can send me the service tag of your system, which is located on a sticker attached to the bottom of the notebook, I'll be able to pull up the contract details and set up service for you.

Thank you,

Todd
Customer Advocate
Dell, Inc.

http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2006/11/19/3648.aspx

 

WhOA!!! dell on our fourums! btw, Why don't you use a mouse?
I use the pad only when I reinstall windows and the driver for my G7 doesn't work..I know when I bought my computer, I made sure to look and see the touchpad wasn't overused..just wondering...

 

Does Dell still send out offers to extend warranty/service plan when yours is almost over?

They sent me an truckload of them when the last desktop I bought from them was about to expire.

I actually own several Dell laptops, the oldest being a p3 latitude, and while the touchpad has worn a little everything else on it works great.

 

Yes, we do. You can also pull up warranty information off our support site, http://support.Dell.com. There is a link in the upper left corner for Warranty Information, which will lead you to a link to extend contracts.

If you prefer you can call them directly at 1-800-288-4410. I recently had to do that for my Dimension.

 

I have the exact same problem only unfortunately I am just recently out of warranty (typical).

I just had my keyboard replaced in July and now i'm stuck (mind the pun).

Let's hope that my VISA's extended warranty can cover this.

If not well, I will be really angry.

 

so it turns out that they have to replace the whole touch pad which is 250 bucks.

seeing as though i paid just under 900 for the whole laptop and i know dual core processors go for 250ish i'm getting ripped off.

I stand by this right now that I will never purchase another shotty Dell again. They are simply pieces of **** oh and your service sucks **** too.

**** you dell.

I had a Toshiba before that ran great for 5 years, I'm giving them my business from now on.

again, **** you dell.

 

Woah there tiger. There is no need for that type of language to be used here.

Dell offers extended warranties for a reason. It is not dells fault you did not want it.

If paying dell is too much to replace it, why not hit up ebay? I paid i believe a whole 12 dollars to replace my dell x300's.

And again, please refrain from ranting like a troll on these boards.

 

Same exact problem here... Touch pad buttons are very cheap! Totally worthless if you use this machine waiting to catch a plane! I put in a request to Dell to get it replaced, let's see if they want to keep me as a repeat buyer of these products.

 

1. I can say whatever I want you stupid mug, if you don't like it then jog on.
2. I wanted to ensure the Dell CSR who once replied to this thread saw my commentary and the poor result I got from contacting his company.
3. So you are placing the blame on the consumer for a rubbish product? Thats teh biggest load of bollocks I've heard in a while.

oh and again, if you don't have any relevant feedback and have just snide remarks to offer then quiet down coz you're boring.

 

I was able to fix the problem by purchasing a replacement rest plate from ebay and following the instructions from dell on how to dis- and re-assemble my laptop. The hardest part was the 3 days I had to wait for shipping.

Me