new or refurb - how to check?

dell just sent me a replacement intel 3945abg. the technician will come and replace it tomorrow. How do i check whether its a new part or refurb?

 

A single part like that should be new. It will say on the box whether or not it is refurbished.

 

Actually most part replacements are refurbs (it is stated in your warranty information).

 

There is no way to know without looking at the box its in. But why would it matter what you get?

 

If the box had a circular sticker of any type orange, green, yellow, etc on the outside of the box that the part was shipped to you in, its a refurb. If there is no such sticker, then its brand new.

 

Personally I would not care if the part is a refurb or not. As long as it worked.

 

It's stated Dell policy that they reserve the right to use new or refurbished parts. Typically most parts are new but as long as it works it shouldn't matter.

 

Can't you install it yourself? Saves you waiting for the tech to come in...

Don't really think its an issue whether if its a refurb or new... its just a wireless card.

 

Yes you can install it yourself. The wireless card is as easy to install as RAM. Personally I'd recommend installing it yourself just so you dont get some technician getting their hands all over your notebook. Considering it is not their notebook, they might handle your notebook a bit roughly, not care if they end up making slight scratches, etc.

It is certain that no one is more careful in installing a part than the owner him/herself. Service manuals are available on the Dell Support site. If you spill the model of your notebook, I would be happy to point you in the right direction.

 

I've seen brand new that are DOA. As long as it meets the performance baseline, that meets my standards.

 

I actually prefer refurb electronic boards because they usually have all the revisions up to date.

 

Would adding a card void the warranty

 

No unless you break something, which is really really hard to do. If your the bull in the china shop type then you might want to wait for a technician.

 

I probably voided the warranty on my 1520 when I used the hacksaw ...

I've always been kinda iffy on warranties. Sometimes they are easy to void and sometimes they aren't.

 

If you saw the service manual you would realize how easy it is. It literally takes 2 minutes to complete the job.

 

It is stated in Dell's warranty guidelines that hacksaw's are the recommended tool for service technicians, so if it is good for them I am sure you did not void your warranty.

Yes that is a JOKE.

 

thanks everyone for ur replies.. yes, i cudve changed it myself. the thing is that its mandatory here for dell to send a technician to complete the job and do the paper work (filling a form that the job has been complete which i have to sign). had i bought the card myself, i wudve done it myself.

i was in 2 minds whether to do it myself or not, but i wasnt in a hurry.

as far as it getting a refurb, its just that i wasnt sure whether there was anything actually wrong with my card.. i was getting slightly lower signals and it seemed that it was taking more time to connect. had the replacement part performed the same and had it been a refurb, i wudve kept mine.

it seems to connect faster now and the signal strengths are higher.. so irrespective of the fact that it might be a refurb, im gonna keep it.