Should I get a replacement or just a part?

Hello.

I bought an Inspiron E1405 laptop about two weeks ago, and I have been having two major problems.

The first problem is the DVD drive. I have a TSSTCorp TS-L532B DVD+-RW drive in my E1405, and this drive is incredibly noisy. It also vibrates like crazy and it is really bothering me whenever I watch movies or install programs from CDs. I used to own an E1505, and the drive in the laptop was Sony DW-Q58A DVD+-RW drive. Let me tell you this. The difference between the two drives are day and night. Sony drive was very quiet.

So, I chatted with a Dell CSR, and told him I had that problem. I asked him if I could get the same Sony drive for a replacement. He said yes. But after searching on this forum, it looks like NEC drive is the best DVDRW drive to go with. Should I get NEC over Sony?

The second problem is the infamous light leakage problem. This really bothers me when I watch movies or whenever I have a black background. I also chatted with a Dell CSR, and he told me he could send me a LCD panel for replacement. I'm afraid about replacing the LCD panel, because I don't think it's going to be that easy. I didn't ask for a specific brand of LCD panel, but I currently have Samsung WXGA+ panel. If I get the LCD panel replaced, which manufacture should I get?

Do you guys think I should get the laptop replaced or just get the parts that I have problems with and get them replaced by myself? I still have one more week 'til the 21-day return policy ends. In case I return my laptop, do they send you the brand new laptop in advance or do I have to send my laptop first? Other than the problems that I have, I'm pretty happy with this laptop.

Any inputs would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

NEC > Sony > TSS (Samsung)

My M170 had a TSS and I swapped it with the NEC out of my 9300 before I sent the 9300 back.

 

There is no guarantee that the new LCD is going to be any better than the old one. I would agree on the burner. Get a NEC if you can. Was impressed with a LG drive I saw recently as well. If you return if you will have to pay a 15% re-stocking fee.

 

Most likely, they will send a Bantec (contractor for Dell) out to replace the LCD. The drive, I would go with the NEC.

You should not have to pay the restocking fee if you decided to return it, due to the defects.

 

Thanks for the advice. Can anybody tell me what the specific model of NEC DVD+-RW should I get?

If I were to get the LCD replaced, what brand should I get? Nobody has answered this question yet. It seems like Dell uses 3 brands for LCD, Samsung, AUO and Quanta. I've heard Quanta(?) is good. Is that correct?

Thanks.

 

The 6750 is the newest NEC model.

 

I chatted with Dell again today, and guess what?

A brand NEW laptop is on the way! I complained that I wouldn't want to send the laptop back for LCD repair, because I need to use this laptop. I also complained about the quality of the brand new system. The CSR was reluctant about replacing the laptop, but after keep insisting a few times, he was nice enough to talk to his manager, and he said they would send me the new laptop for replacement.

I specifically asked him if I can get NEC DVD+-RW drive on my new replacement, but he said he has no control over it. But he did say that I could request a NEC drive if I don't like the new one.

I'm happy now. All I have to do is to decide which laptop or components to keep when it arrives.

 

Are they going to send you a new one, and you can keep your old one?? *GASP*..

Funny you're asking this question. I have the exact same question myself. I was offered to get all the dodgy parts replaced as well.

I might get mine replaced as well. Do you have to send back everything on the invoice or how does it work?

Edit: I have the NEC drive and I'm not entirely sure how you think it's quiet It sounds like a pedstal fan. The tech on the phone suggested that I take it and put it back in. I did that and thought it fixed the problem, but it obviously didnt

 

Of course not. Once it gets here, I have to send the old one back within 10 days. I think I have to send back everything on the invoice just like when I first got the laptop.

If you are within 21-day of return policy period, you can keep asking for the new replacement through online chat. If a CSR is not helpful, just try another CSR.

I hope this helps.

 

I forgot to say one thing. Always be nice to a CSR. You will definitely get a better result.

 

Is there a certain way to contact Customer Service? Would calling Dell be a better solution than going through Dell Chat? Or is chat more effective in getting things done. I have never had to call Dell CS or use their chat so I had no idea.

 

Will you have to pay to send your old one back?

I'm going to send mine as well. It's disgusting if I have to pay the shipping because here in England it will cost me the same price I would have paid for a bluetooth card when I ordered the laptop.

I could have bought the bluetooth with this money

 

Whatever method you feel comfortable. For me, I prefer the chat support, because you can say things after thinking some. If you speak, you tend to speak whatever the idea (which could be not a good one) is in your brain right away.

 

No, I don't have to pay a penny for this replacement. What Dell will do is they will send me the prepaid shipping label along with my laptop so that I can put the old one into the box, attach the shipping label onto the box, and just call the shipping carrier (whoever the prepaid shipping carrier is) to make an arrangement to pick it up.

In conclusion, everything is totally free, although I have to wait some.

For your case, I don't know for sure, because you are in England.

I hope this helps.

 

Helped a lot! Tomorrow I'm going to speak with the CS to arrange everything, I've got some nice arguments now!

Thanks

 

Looks like I might need to get my TSST DVD drive replaced too, it just keeps giving me error message when burning.

How easy is it to replace the DVD drive? Is it better to have a tech do the job for me instead of doing it myself? Thanks.

 

The DVD drive is very easy to replace. Just turn the laptop upside down and there is a small hole with a screw. Undo the screw, and push the black metal bit out.

 

What about the new drive? Do I need to configure any jumper setting or connect any audio cable like when installing a desktop DVD drive?

 

How can I check what brand of DVD burner and LCD I have on my E1505? I'm not sure I know what the 'leak' is, so I don't wanna find out and then instantly recognize it as a problem But my LCD is lighter on the bottom about 1.5" on a dark screen than the rest. My DVD burner is pretty slow and noisy also, so if they do this replacement thing, I'll have to contact them when I ask about getting my keyboard replaced (keys are losing their responsiveness).

 

The LCD being lighter on the bottom is what people refer to as "light leakage". It's where the light from the backlight leaks through the edges of the screen causing it to be lighter than it should be ideally. It bothers some people, but personally, unless it's really bad, I can live with it. You can find out your LCD brand multiple ways. You can go into the device manager, go to the properties of the plug and play monitor, and in the details tab, what is listed after "DISPLAY\" is the model number of your screen. I don't know the models of the E1505 screens, but I'm sure you could find out by asking on here. You can also download a program called powerstrip that will tell you, or check your packing slip.

To find your DVD burner brand you can simly go to device manager and look at the device listing for it. Your packing slip will also say that as well.