Issues with Inspiron E1505

I have a Dell Inspiron E1505 (Core 2 Duo, 80 GB HD, 2GB RAM, ATI X1400) that is a little over 1.5 years old. I have been getting blue screen several times in the past 1 week and I even tried a few things based on the suggestions that I got from the Windows Software forum.

Since I kept getting the trouble again and again, I called the Dell Customer Support (CS) two days back. They ran some diagnostics for a couple of hours and wanted me to reformat the disk which I immediately with their help. They told me that the issue is with the hard drive and suggested that they could replace it with a new one if the problem persists. After just one day I got the same issue again and the only way I can work in my laptop is by logging in the safe mode. I have summarized the issues with my laptop below:

1. Hard drive (according to Dell CS) needs to be replaced.

2. Based on the minidump file info, there is problem with the graphics card as well (which I have disabled for the time being)

3. CD/DVD drive isn't working properly.

4. I also have the high temperature issues with the system for the past 6 months. They replaced my AC adapter and battery 6 months back. But the problem persists. When I use the system continuously for more than an hour, the system literally burns (Average HDD temperature is around 58-60 C, sometime 62+)

I have also had several freezes with this system. I would really like a system that gives me less trouble.

My questions are:

1. They have given me an option to send the system to Dell for complete service (which according to them would fix all the issues). Do you guys think this will be a good option?

2. I have asked for a equivalent system replacement. For this they said a Dell CS support would call me in the next 48 hours to discuss about it and it is unlikely that I would get a replacement since they haven't factory repaired the current system even once. According to them the system needs to be serviced a minimum number of times before it can be replaced. Do you think I can get it replaced with an equivalent system?

3. I am actually leaning towards disposing this system off completely and purchasing a new system. Does Dell provide any buyback options so that I can return the system to them, get a credit and buy a new system spending some extra dollars?

Thanks a lot.

 

1. Assuming it's still under warranty, yes, that sounds like a good option.

2. Probably not right now, unless it's really, really messed up when they try to repair it and they decide it's cheaper to just replace it. But it sounds like there's only about 4 things not working (GPU, HDD, CD, cooling), so they probably will repair it rather than replace.

3. Not that I know of. Though you could sell the working parts individually (processor, LCD, keyboard, wireless card, anything else that works right).

A couple other things:
*If it still isn't working when Dell returns it, disposing of it may be the easiest option, as if the "repair" didn't fix anything it probably won't the next time either. But you ought to give them at least one chance to fix it.
*The replacement hard drive not working probably is due to the HD temperature issue - 55C is usually the highest temp that HDD's officially support. It wouldn't surprise me if your HDD problem is solely due to temperatures.

 

Your Concerns

1) That is easy, and you could actually buy a bigger and faster one yourself for not too much money.

2) The GPU is modular in the E1505, which means they could ship you a new one too.

3) Again, easily replaceable if you know how to use a screw driver. I think you only need to undo one screw.

4) Check out the cooling guide, and clean your notebook.

Your Questions

1) I think you are better off having them ship parts to you, they are easy to swap and replace. I'm not a fan of mailing off a laptop.

2) They are right, in that it needs to be a problem multiple times. Laptops always have issues once they are old enough, this is kind of expected.

3) No buy back options to my knowledge. Even then, a trade in with ANY company that does trade ins would only buy the system for $100-300 at most.

 

How long have you owned the computer?

1. I think that a repair attempt would be worthwhile, as a bad or only partially functional HDD may be wreaking havoc on your other parts. It also helps you build a case toward point number . . .
2. I personally don't think that you deserve a replacement system at this point for the same reason dell gave you: this is your first issue. Again, how long have you owned this system?
3. If Dell did a buyback I would **** my pants. If any sales based company did I would for that matter. Not to mock you, but would you ever give a someone a credit for something they bought from you that they had been using for awhile??
The relevant part here is that, if you are unwilling to tolerate a repair process before possibly trying to get into something different, I would throw in the towel now and start looking for something else. Not for my money though. The new HDD could very well end up being larger and faster. If the heat issue has affected your other components, it is possible that you are going to need a motherboard also. If you do a repair, I would point out the other issues and have them addressed. That is what your warranty should be paying for anyway.

 

I would have to agree with the posted statements. I can't see any reason they would replace a system that hasn't even been sent in once for any kind of system repair or cleaning.

 

Thanks guys for your advice. I assumed it is normal to ask for a replacement. Maybe I was being too greedy

I plan to send it to them since they have agreed to check for the whole system not just the hard drive.

 

Dell has agreed to replace the mother board, hard drive, DVD, memory, heat sink and fans of my system.

I currently have 2 GB (2 X 1 GB) of RAM in my laptop. I asked for a single stick of 2 GB memory memory as a replacement and was advised that it is not advisable to leave one of the slots empty. I informed them that I plan to upgrade the memory to 4 GB. But after reading some of the threads in this forum I am not sure whether E1505 supports more than 2 GB of memory. If it doesn't, can I leave one of the slots empty? Has any one tried with a 3 GB or 4 GB in E1505? If not, I plan to ask for a re-replacement with 2 X 1 GB.

Thank you.

 

Sorry for the late response. My guess would be that if you ask them to put in 1x2GB, and they test it and it doesn't work correctly (i.e., 1505 can only detect 2 GB), then they'll put in 2x1GB anyways, which will be want you want in that case. I think the E1505 was stated as supporting up to 2 GB, but given the recent documentation that the 1720 that is stated as supporting up to 4 GB can actually handle 8 GB, the E1505 may be able to handle 4 GB. Search may turn up a thread that is able to confirm/deny the E1505 being able to use 4 GB.