The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Should I Buy Refurb. Dell w/No Service Tag?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by pekoe1111, Feb 16, 2009.

  1. pekoe1111

    pekoe1111 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Is it a big deal to buy an EBay laptop that has no service tag number? The seller's rep is very good. Just not sure if it is a big deal to have no service tag.

    Thanks

    BB
     
    pekoe1111, Feb 16, 2009
    #1
  2. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

    Reputations:
    486
    Messages:
    2,596
    Likes Received:
    24
    Trophy Points:
    56
    if the seller's legit, u can install some software/driver from supprt.dell.com and it'll automatically retrieve the service tag from you...(or look at the BIOS page, should have the info)

    if not, i woudln't do it...
     
    paper_wastage, Feb 16, 2009
    #2
  3. pekoe1111

    pekoe1111 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    The service tag is not in the BIOS. The seller has like 2400 positive reviews...
     
    pekoe1111, Feb 16, 2009
    #3
  4. hodgeMN

    hodgeMN Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    49
    Messages:
    628
    Likes Received:
    207
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I would be leery of buying a Dell computer without a service tag. While there are many legit dealers on Ebay, their prices are often higher than what you can find at the Dell outlet.
     
    hodgeMN, Feb 16, 2009
    #4
  5. pekoe1111

    pekoe1111 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I guess I don't understand why Dell does this and other computer manufacturers just use a serial number...

    It certainly seems to make life difficult,,,
     
    pekoe1111, Feb 16, 2009
    #5
  6. millermagic

    millermagic Rockin the pinktop

    Reputations:
    330
    Messages:
    1,742
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Service Tag = serial number
     
    millermagic, Feb 16, 2009
    #6
  7. pekoe1111

    pekoe1111 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    The laptop has a small white barcode tag that says "WARRANTY VOID IF REMOVED" with the number 14854.

    I know the service tag is supposed to have a 7 digit alphanumeric number, but would the above be?

    Under the battery, there is another white sticker with a barcode number that says:
    CN 0XW631-12961-78G- 2620. It is set into an indented square the exact size of the white sticker.

    What are both of these stickers?

    Thanks

    BB
     
    pekoe1111, Feb 16, 2009
    #7
  8. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    2,557
    Messages:
    6,682
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    It is in the bios and burned into the memory. This can only be changed if you are a dell tech or someone who has the disk to do so. Ask him to fire it up and tell you it. Unless you dont care that its probably stolen, or has no warranty.
     
    nizzy1115, Feb 16, 2009
    #8
  9. pekoe1111

    pekoe1111 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    The field in the BIOS is blank.
     
    pekoe1111, Feb 16, 2009
    #9
  10. JTOverath

    JTOverath Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    83
    Messages:
    672
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    31
    If it's blank I believe it means the motherboard was replaced.
     
    JTOverath, Feb 16, 2009
    #10
  11. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

    Reputations:
    14,217
    Messages:
    15,406
    Likes Received:
    87
    Trophy Points:
    466
    Personally, I would just avoid this purchase.

    Why not check out Dell's Outlet for a nice refurb, that way you won't have to worry about these types of things?

    The Outlet has great pricing, and right now there are some 15% off coupons floating around. ;)

    Cin ;) :)
     
    Cin', Feb 16, 2009
    #11