New Dell Vostro Issue

I received my new Vostro 1500 last night and I have a few questions.

My unit had its casing opened at three places (the casing wasn't properly snapped together where the plastic pieces are joined). I was able to fix the front (between the IR port and the media controls) and the left side of the screen, but the right hinge assembly cover isn't snapping back into place at all

Sorry for the bad art, but it shows what I'm talking about - it's the corner of back part of the cover (which seems to hide the hinge assembly and LCD connection to the unit).
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Is this normal? Shouldn't this be sealed like the other side? I can see inside from that corner . The other side is very secure and well sealed.

TIA

 

I suggest you try doing a search for the Vostro 1500 and compare the pictures. Normally, you should not be able to see the "insides" of the system. Try securing the screws at the bottom and see if it gets fixed. If not, just call Dell technical support for other workarounds.

 

There doesn't seem to be any screws for that part - as far as I can tell, it just snaps into place. It feels like the little plastic tabs are missing on that side, so it's not closing properly...Thanks

 

I guess this could be the hinge cover you are referring to. Try the following steps here in removing and replacing the hinge cover and see if it works. If it could be something else, just check out the rest of the document.

 

I borrowed this picture from the review to show where the space is (don't have a camera).

If anyone with a Vostro 1500 could check if that part moves or not, I'd appreciate it - could save me hours on the phone with Dell support

 

Based on the picture, the gap might be between the LCD bezel and the back cover. You may want to check this out, and try to tighten the screws on the LCD.

I'm sure that part should not move when the LCD screen is closed.

 

No it does not move.
I would call Dell support right away, if I were you.
It seems they shipped you a badly assembled system.

 

I called Dell support and they say that they need to replace the hinges...

I checked your link and there is a screw behind that part near the corner (like the other side). But the corner itself must be held by small plastic tabs like elsewhere to keep it closed/sealed properly away from the screws.

Hopefully, the techs won't damage anything else - I've had very bad luck with repairs on notebooks (scratches, cracks, broken LCDs etc...). I didn't even use it yet...

 

Thank you