How did your Dell notebook get damaged?

How did your Dell notebook get damaged and what Dell did about it? How quickly were they able to resolve your issue? If not damaged, how quickly were you able to prevent it from being damaged. What exactly did you do to save your notebook?

I request you to cast your vote in the poll and also provide tips to avoid damage in case of a mishap. Tips to deal with Dell in such situations would also be extremely helpful.

Please specify your issue if you select the option "Others (specify)" in the poll!

 

Where is the poll?

 

Sorry, for the delay. The poll is up now and you are welcome to share your story or tips.

 

Water spill. Shut off laptop, let dry for 2 days. Then it worked...If you have the accidental insurance you wouldn't have to worry.

 

I dropped it once while coming down the stairs as my bag slipped from my shoulder. Luckily, the messenger bag protected my notebook and there wasn't even a scratch! I strongly suggest carrying notebooks in bags specifically made for notebooks, especially when outdoors.

 

Once, my friend spilled a dry snack and small particles got lodged under the keyboard. I simultaneously, turned off the notebook while turning it upside down. My friend disconnected the AC power cord, while I slided the battery off. In the same position, I took a keyboard cleaning brush and got the offending food particles off from underneath the keyboard.

 

Some J*** has voted "Others" without specifying in a post how his or her Dell notebook got damaged. How are we supposed to know what happened?

In order to ensure maximum participation, especially given the subject, I had to make the poll anonymous and we have some J*** here who create trouble!

 

Mine came with a faulty fan. At least Dell was good about a fast repair...

 

The tech scratched my screen, keyboard and pretty much everything else replacing the media control panel. Called XPS service, got a person within 5 minutes and my new XPS1530 is being made within the next couple of days. Good thing is I don't have to return this one until the new one arrives.

 

Dropped mine today in a zeroshock notebook bag... it went down a flight of stairs and fell off the platform hit the rail then the gravel on the railroad... chuoline in tokyo... not a scratch and runs fine... quite impressed it was a good 20-30 s fall ... first laptop ever ... and first computer from dell ...VOSTRO 4 LIFE

 

It wasn't a Dell, and it wasn't mine, but I still enjoy retelling the story.

First time: LG of some descript. Nice, thick, padded bag, faux leather etc etc. I had the laptop sitting in the case on the passenger seat of the work van. I'd just returned to the workshop. I jumped out of the drivers seat, walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, grabbed the bag handle, turned around, and started walking. At first, the bag felt the normal weight. Suddenly, it became lighter. Time slowed down. I spun around just in time to see the laptop crack down onto some nice solid gravel. Panicking, I quickly opened it and brought it out of sleep mode. *Whew* no damage. I slept well that night.

A couple of weeks later. In that time, I'd been very careful. I never left the laptop just sitting in the open case (The zip went around the entirety of three sides, so the lid could be opened 180 degrees), always used the carry straps inside the bag. Until the second time. Exact same scenario. This time, not so lucky. Cracks across the LCD. Dead pixels like a splash of liquid covering a third of the screen.

Funnily, we never got around to replacing it/repairing it. I used that laptop for another half year before I left that job. Became quite proficient at using two thirds of viewable screen.

And that, that is why I got the three year accidental damage cover for my Inspiron

 

Acorn & Sinstoic, thank you for letting us know how you got the liquid and solid food out of your notebooks. Hmm! I always knew that food and notebooks don't go well together.

CompFreak & Big.Jon, sorry to hear what happened to your notebook. Would you be kind enough to share your experience with Dell Support and any tips for us when we have to contact Dell?

X2P & LordBug, I thank you for taking time to share your story. You have reiterated that a notebook bag is a must! You are welcome to share your tips to prevent notebook damage.

You all have been repped for your participation and tips. Keep up the good work!

 

I dropped my Vostro 1500 on the concrete floor covered with thin/hard carpet in my office while removing from the case. There were no cracks but the screen image went garbled . I opened the notebook and reseated the graphics card, problem fixed . I am now removing from the case with both hands.

 

It didn't even need my help...... Screen hinges broke by themselves

 

I accidentally stepped on it (XPS M1210) and damaged the LCD but they replaced it pretty fast

 

I had an accident with cat & water bottle long a go on my M90 and mobo was replaced purchased from For Sale/Trade at other MB. Also the screen was cracked because nephew threw a toy car and self replaced as well. That's why I purchased a Complete Care for my M1530 and planing to buy a Complete Care from now on.

 

my buddy spilled a bottle of water on the keyboard so i pulled the power and turned the laptop upside down. Luckily the lips on the edge of the keyboard caught most of the water. Works fine now.

 

Mrg666 & Vinumsv, sad to know what happened but happy about how things progressed later on. It would be helpful if you could describe it in detail. Thanks.

Kowell, would you please care to share your story. Thanks.

Vbrookie, thanks for sharing your story and telling us about the advantage of Complete Care.

Jamesmoon2, thanks for sharing your water mishap story and tips on how you prevented the damage.

You all have been repped for your participation and tips. Keep up the good work!

 

There is not much to describe, really. After dropping the laptop on the floor, the screen image was unreadable, I was afraid that the LCD was damaged due to shock and thought there was nothing I could do about it. But I decided to eliminate at least the possibility of a loose contact inside the laptop. I have downloaded the service manual of Vostro 1500 from Dell and opened it up to reach the graphics card. I gave a firm push down and into the socket without even taking the card out. Then rebooted and VOILA! The image was perfect again.

 

Hmm! The poll says nobodys notebook has flown away because of the power cord getting pulled off. No wonder we Dell users do not need any magnetic power cord connector similar to Apple MagSafe connector.

 

My Vostro 1500 is so heavy (especially with 9 cell batt.) compared to Macbook, either the power port breaks off, or someone who steps on the cord trips. It needs real determination to move this thing, let alone flying

 

Hmm! So are you mocking at Dell or appreciating Apple

 

Both have strengths and weaknesses. I love my Vostro 1500, it is a true work horse and very reliable, but again, it is heavy. On the other hand, Macbook is light, looks cute (or stylish ... whatever), but gets really hot. I only use it to play with OSX and when I need a light notebook to carry around. So, no mocking or appreciating, just the facts imho

 

Well I guess I should vote 'Dropped it hard' since it did fall 4-5 feet from my backpack... the problem is it didn't break

 

I've never damaged any of my laptops.

 

Come on man! Nobody damages their notebooks, it happens!

 

Had a drive arbitrarily die on me like way back in 2000. That was like a 5GB unit and Dell replaced it with a 20GB unit. Don't remember if I had to pay for it through. Probably had it replaced under warranty.

Someone spilled a drink on my 500m about four years ago. Had the mainboard replaced under complete care. Think it took about two or three weeks for a run to the depot and back.

Got a small amount of water on said 500m about a year ago and screwed up the keyboard. Bought a replacement on ebay since its way out of complete care.

 

As a Dell Telephone support Tech depending on the warranty phurchased will set the amount of time it takes to repiar the machine always be willing to work with the tech and inform them if the problem is caused by accidental damage or liquid spills as this will help the tech and speed up the repair. Also if a liquid does get spilt on the unit disconect all power mains and battery then remove keyboard and palm rest and swab motherboard with isopropel (alcahol) most liquid spills I have delt with have been pop/soda (full teardown insturctions available on www.support.dell.com

 

Pixels a few inches from the bottom corners of my screen started turning brown. They weren't dead pixels, as they still displayed the colors...just with brown tinting on them. I told them this on chat, they immediately offered to replace the screen.
Laptop was picked up by DHL on Thursday, got it back this Tuesday. (Yeah, I got the basic 1 year warranty )