Gateway will not fix my p7808-u laptop

I had bought this Gateway p-7808-u laptop from newegg in May of 2009 and immediately noticed a video artifact problem once every 3 days or so. I had sent it in to Gateway for repair and they proceeded to reformat the drive and reinstall Vista and sent it back. After 15 seconds of it being on for the first time I had the same video artifact problem (lines on screen, checker board effect ect) again and sent it back the very next day. I got it back and they replaced the motherboard, memory, hard drive, CPU and the upper and lower case, basically the whole lower half. Now fast forward 6 months, 2 months out of warranty, and the motherboard failed again and it will not boot. I sent it in again and I just got a call from gateway that the motherboard has been discontinued and it will not be repaired. My only option was to get my 1800.00 broken laptop back to me and while I was at work and had no time to argue with them I had it shipped back.

Has anybody else had this happen to them, if so what was your outcome Does anybody know a good place to get a motherboard for this or get it repaired??

 

Hit up ebay, they usually have a couple for sale, no guarantee but better than nothing!

Z

 

Did you use Amex to pay for it? Some credit card companies and especially Amex will go to bat for you and get your money back if you have proved that you have worked with the retailer to resolve the issue. Plus Amex doubles the amount of warranty coverage. Just sayin'. Good luck.

 

Unfortunately not, I paid with my Visa debit card. They said there is a possibility of getting a new system at a reduced cost, but it was up to supervisor approval so I am going to press on to try to get one of those if the price is right.

 

I just sent in my P-171X FX for the second time, it needs a mother board replacement, the Bios keeps resetting. We will see what happens, 5 months left on my 3 years extended warranty.

 

Find a place that does gpu reballing. There are a few p-7908's on ebay for a good price. http://cgi.ebay.com/GATEWAY-P-7908U-FX-P-7915U-FX-MOTHERBOARD-MB-WEU01-001-/120619018272?pt=Motherboards&hash=item1c15742820

 

Would that accept the Q9000 core 2 quad????

 

Someone said the 7915 was supposed to.

 

So you can find a new MB on EBay but Gateway cannot?

Me smell big rat...

Me, myself, and I would rather put $400 toward new non Gateway computer. Dell fixed my old 1705 with 7900GS for $175 which included additional 1 year warranty.

 

That is what i'm thinking, a friend of mine said to try to reflow the solder on the GPU so I might have him try it. I mean it's already broke, so I can't hurt it any worse than it already is.

 

Well I finally got it back from Gateway after they sent it to the WRONG address. I open it up and find the keyboard is missing keys, the media bar no longer works. I used to be able to turn it on with the power button and all the lights lit up but none of it works like it did before I sent it in. Go figure!!

 

Wow, that bites. No update on mine, maybe today..

 

The 7808 was a quad core, the main board listed is a C2D adn I think both the P7908 and P7915 were both P8700 CPU's. Where I might swing for a Q9200 ES and OC it I would not at 400+ more for a new main board as well.

I would have loved a C2Q but in reality the x9100 is way more than ample. The P9600 was never really stressed out here at 2.66GHz now at 3.2 GHz and up to 3.7 GHz I have way more than enogh head room.

I also get way more out of the SSD than I would have out of a Quad Core. They just make a laptop an entirely different animal, no ifs ands or buts........

 

If anybody runs across a motherboard for 200 or less let me know but more than likely I will be parting this out.

 

I don't think that is going to happen. The graphics card alone is probably worth close to $200.

 

Especially a working GPU............

 

Well I wish it had a seperate graphics card if thats what you meant but, yeah, I am asking alot, but thats why I said I will probably part it out. I will put the money into a new hopefully longer lasting non gateway or HP laptop, probably asus or sager.

 

$400 for a working P-7808u seems like a good deal to me. How much would you get for the parts if you sold them?

 

I would be VERY lucky to get 400.00 parting it out, I don't know, I just don't really feel like paying 400.00 and have that motherboard crap out again 6 months down the road again. I fixed my HP DV9000T twice at 400.00 a pop and it failed each time 4 months later. Just don't feel like going down that road again. I already tried baking the motherboard and it made no difference.

 

Well if you end up selling it for scrap for the reason of getting a reliable computer, make sure you get a 3 year extended warranty at least.

 

Yes that will be a necessity, and with accidental protection as well.

 

Look at Asus, they have a great warrenty program...........

I am almost tempted to grab your system to try an find the differnece in my 7805. Even though I do not need a Quad, greed still exists in my heart...........

 

Let me know if your serious, I will let you know when I do decide what to do with it. Also what do you think it is worth??

 

OK guy's and gal's, here is the story. I filed a complaint with the BBB and finally got Gateway to talk to me. They gave me the list of suppliers that they supposedly use, Capital Data Laptop Repair Toshiba Compaq Sony IBM Fujitsu Dell Compaq HP Gateway Laptop Repair is the only one that got back to me that told me they could get the motherboard for $395.00. I originally thought I would be better off spending that money on a new laptop with a heck of alot longer warranty. But now I really don't know. I was thinking of ASUS, Sager, or Dell now the new XPS 17 is out. My price range would be around 2000.00 for a new one. Should I put the money into the Gateway and keep it?? If so would be your recommendations to help prevent this from happening so soon. I just basically don't want to spend the money and have this happen yet again a few months down the road like it did previously and shell out another 395.00 to get it working again. What would you do in this situation since I am right in the middle and don't know which way to go.

 

If you can afford it, sell out for parts, and go with Asus or Dell.

Dell would be my top pick as they offer @home repair and have come a long way now that India speaks English clearer. I rank Asus a "C". Three RMAs to end up with a used hard drive that uses twice the power, as to OEM drive, is a bit much. I no longer use Apple due to past service issues with my last B&W.

I got the 3 year with Gateway but the dang thing won't break on it's own, I lost that $150 bet The warranty in now out so I'm outta here if she goes.

If you go to any of the forums you will find both praise and damnation on service issues so take your pick?