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    warranty voided?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by az_blizard, Jul 21, 2007.

  1. az_blizard

    az_blizard Notebook Consultant

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    i have a 3 year complete care warranty that basically got thrown in for free...

    im pretty sure that i wont void the warranty but i just want to confirm...

    -if i open it up to change the ram
    -if i change the harddrive?
     
    az_blizard, Jul 21, 2007
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  2. blahdude84

    blahdude84 Notebook Deity

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    The warranty won't cover whatever you change/upgrade (RAM/HD)... but they will cover everything else :). So if you upgrade the RAM and change the HD, you can still get it fixed for a water spill on your keyboard. If it got into your HD though, they can't do anything for you for the HD.
     
    blahdude84, Jul 21, 2007
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  3. Znender

    Znender Notebook Evangelist

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    Changing Hard Drive, RAM or Wireless Cards do not Void the Warranty.
    So feel free to order aftermarket RAM or Hard Drives and upgrade them without any worries.

    Just make sure you use an Anti-Static Glove or other Protection to prevent any hardware damages.
     
    Znender, Jul 21, 2007
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  4. knightingmagic

    knightingmagic Notebook Deity

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    Has anyone really fried something with static electricity?
     
    knightingmagic, Jul 21, 2007
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  5. blahdude84

    blahdude84 Notebook Deity

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    I have.... the most terrifying experience ever.
     
    blahdude84, Jul 21, 2007
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  6. Znender

    Znender Notebook Evangelist

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    It's always best to be safe than sorry...especially with electronic components.
    Cause with the warranty, it will not cover the damages caused by Electro Static Discharges.

    It would really suck to spend $1000+ bucks on a notebook, only to have the entire notebook fried cause of carelessness.
     
    Znender, Jul 21, 2007
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  7. az_blizard

    az_blizard Notebook Consultant

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    btw if i get 4 gigs of ram (2x2g) my xpsm1330 wont be able to fully utilize it correct? would i be better off getting 4 gigs of ram anyways or 3 gigs(1g+2g)?

    would i be better off getting 2x2g or 1g+2g? 667 or 800?

    i'm planning to downgrade my ram to 1 gig instead of 2 and just add 3/4gigs of ram after... i doubt its going to slow my system any worse then it already has been...
     
    az_blizard, Jul 21, 2007
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  8. CMSUDave

    CMSUDave Notebook Consultant

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    Yes..but what if that notebook with the static discharge damage..... accidently had my shower spill on the keyboard?

    :nah:
     
    CMSUDave, Jul 21, 2007
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  9. blahdude84

    blahdude84 Notebook Deity

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    uhhhhhh.... whatever you just said did not go to my brain.
     
    blahdude84, Jul 21, 2007
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  10. CMSUDave

    CMSUDave Notebook Consultant

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    He said it wouldn't be covered by Dell's warranty....the static damage

    I suggest drowning it in the shower, using the verb spill as my verb of choice because it implies a sense of irony, because showers generally wouldnt be characterized by the verb spill.


    ... +1
     
    CMSUDave, Jul 21, 2007
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  11. blahdude84

    blahdude84 Notebook Deity

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    LOL... thanks for clearing that up.

    Better yet... I suggest giving the PC a bath... then tell the CSR that you thought it was filthy with bugs and viruses so you decided to give it a nice scrub down. :p
     
    blahdude84, Jul 21, 2007
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  12. Znender

    Znender Notebook Evangelist

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    Oh ya, he had the Complete Care warranty. (Forgot about that)
    Well if that's the case, it's covered by the warranty. Electro Static Discharge is considered as Electric Surge, so it shouldn't be a problem.

    If you check the warranty link here:
    http://www.dell.com/content/learnmo...&s=dhs&~id=complete_care&~lt=popup&~tab=other

    But in any case, it's still best to avoid any damages to the notebook, sending it back for repairs is often a pain since you'd be without a notebook for some time and the hassle of driving off to mail it, etc.

    Vista 32 bit would only recognize 3.2gb and not the full 4gb RAM yes.
    But, if you can get a good deal on the 4gb RAM, then by all means do so. RAM is dirt cheap nowadays anyway. Even if it doesn't recognize the full amount, it's still a good upgrade from the 2gb RAM and will offer a decent performance boost in some memory hefty applications.
     
    Znender, Jul 21, 2007
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  13. CMSUDave

    CMSUDave Notebook Consultant

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    I don't think being mentally handicapped ruins the warranty soo.....FAIR GAME!
     
    CMSUDave, Jul 21, 2007
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  14. d94

    d94 Notebook Evangelist

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    actually, as i understand it, even if you buy new ram/HD you can get it covered by your accidental care warrenty! just need to call in about it..
     
    d94, Jul 21, 2007
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  15. chuck232

    chuck232 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    It's not a limitation of the laptop but a limitation of 32-bit OSes. It will only be able to address ~ 3.1-3.2GB of RAM so unless you go for a 64 bit OS, you will get a little less than you paid for, if you get 2x2GB RAM.
     
    chuck232, Jul 21, 2007
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  16. boxcar_racer821

    boxcar_racer821 Notebook Consultant

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    Whats the difference between their "complete care" versus the "return to depot service". Both services fix or replace your laptop if it has hardware issues...is complete just covering the extra "accidental damages"? And is complete care even worth it? (unless you get it for free, then DEFINITELY yes!)
     
    boxcar_racer821, Jul 21, 2007
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  17. blahdude84

    blahdude84 Notebook Deity

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    Are you sure? Does that make sense though? You could easily buy a crap HD ... and when it craps out on you in a few months, you can get a much better HD replacement from Dell? I dunno...
     
    blahdude84, Jul 21, 2007
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  18. CMSUDave

    CMSUDave Notebook Consultant

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    I think its worth it, if for nothing more than piece of mind.
     
    CMSUDave, Jul 21, 2007
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  19. chuck232

    chuck232 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    The normal hardware warranty only covers defects and problems stemming directly from the hardware. CompleteCare covers accidental damage as well.
     
    chuck232, Jul 21, 2007
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