MX7515 hinge: CRACK!

Hi, finally the "classic" cracking hinge problem came to my life...
I have a 1,5" crack on my 7515's right hinge....it started like a month ago, but I've not seen it growing lately.
I thought that this "fresh" line of GW7000 laptops were "crack free" since the design issue was somehow solved...WRONG!!!

Here to my question: Will GW replace the whole plastic cover of my LCD ???
Or they will just apply glue and some paint to fix it as a cosmetic issue? I just dont want to send it again for the same problem in a couple of months.

Should I wait until this becomes a broken hinge so they will be replacing the lid?

I still have the 1 year GW warranty AND the extended BB (3year).
Which one is better? Send it directly to GW or go through BB?

 

That's disappointing. I guess Arima was wrong.
Anyways, I would send it through Best Buy. I'm sure Gateway will replace the whole hinge.
I believe Gateway is going to put the 7000 to rest after the 7527. Some guy mentioned it on Notebookforums, but I don't know what he has to back it up. We'll see though.

 

Can you post a picture of the hinge?

Thanks
SyN

 

Will do tonight.
I just want to be sure that the week or two I will be w/o my laptop serves to a final solution, or at least to a new hinge that will last for other 8 months...
Thanks!

Here's the picture...

 

Thanks for the pic, I wonder if thats were most of the cracking occurs. Altough I have never seen a cracked hinge before, I was always under the impression that the cracks occured on the fixed bracket which connects the screen to the base (Right of the Picture).

Thanks again.

 

All cracked hinges I've seen are on that piece/part, either left or right hinge. On Notebookforums there is a sticky for pictures like this....there are plenty, some of them quite impressive. Most of them are on older models though (74XX), that is why I got a little surprised when I saw mine...and that's also why I really hope they change the whole thing instead of a "glue and paint" job.

 

I have this laptop too and both of my hinges have cracked. I was wondering what you were going to do. I think my warranty has run out so I'm also wondering if it is structural. It looks exactly like yours though.

 

It's only cosmetic, as I have heard. I don't have these issues with mine, which is odd, I am the one who normally has bad luck

 

Keep us posted on how gateway handels / repairs such defects.
I wonder is Futureshop / BestBuy warrenty cover this?

 

I have the M520CS, last summer my hinges cracked, so I sent it back to Gateway. When I sent it in, they replaced the whole cover.

 

I will probably wait a little (mid-august), but will keep you posted.
So really no big difference between sending it to GW instead of using BestBuy Performance Plan? Any experience with BB solving this?
Thanks!

 

All BestBuy does is send it to Gateway and have them take care of the problem. I like to try to get BestBuy to spend some money though. I can't stand BB and any money they spend satisfies

 

Do you have to send it through the store to document the problem for you warrenty?

I had the same problem. I think they changed the whole cover but it is hard to tell because I did not have that many scratches on it in the first place. That has been about three months ago I think and so far no problems.

 

I am not sure. I am thinking that Gateway will contact BestBuy even if you do not send through them.
I would still send through BestBuy. Gateway is pretty random. Some people are charged shipping fees, but for me, Gateway has paid them all. If Gateway decides to charge, BestBuy will take care of the fees.
Gateway replaced my whole lid too. I was very happy to see that (because I got the newer, better looking logo), but when I dropped it off at BestBuy later, GeekSquad scratched the crap out of it Now my lid is disgusting. When I take it up again, I'll request that they give me a new lid. I'm not paying though.

 

Hey guys!! Just for you to know that 2 days ago the second hinge (left one) started cracking...same shape and size as the right one.
Oh Gateway...some strange feelings arise inside!!!
Guess will be sending it to BB next month...

 

AHHH! another cracked hinge!
Is this problem also present on the current 14" gateways?

(here's the notebook I want:
http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Q106/Bishop/1009049nv.shtml
opinions plz?)

 

I am getting pretty angered at the hinge problem. I've had it less than a year, had both hinges crack, sent for repair, and now about a MONTH later the left hinge is cracked. All I do is leave it on a desk. I never take it anywhere or abuse it in any fashion. When they send it in for repair, it's not like they actually fix it. They just make it work for a short while.

It works if you don't use it. Is there a way to convince Gateway on replacing the computer for one that won't continually break? I bought this laptop at Best Buy, but without the extended warranty (what a mistake). It comes with the 1-year warranty from Gateway and my time is running out.

 

Heh, I'd read about these cracks, heard that they were only a problem with "old" models.

My 7510GX notebook stays on my desk except 1 day a week I take it to work (in a very padded bag). I do use it heavily though.

Lately I've been hearing a "tick" sound as I close the lid. Tonight I got curious about it and turned the laptop around and *gasp* omg, the Crack, exactly as described and just like in By_Tor's pic at the start of the thread.

I sure hope this is cosmetic... I cannot be without this laptop, and cannot send it in for repairs until I get my new notebook.

I was actually thinking of getting another Gateway because I've been pretty happy with this machine for the price I paid. Now I wouldn't consider it. This machine has been handled very carefully, there is no excuse for this to break.

I'm now looking at Thinkpads, (probably Z61p). With the hinges on those things I could crack walnuts!

But seriously, does anyone know if this will actually cause a structural failure? I've seen some pics of totally broken hinges but I'm not sure it's the same problem...

Thanks
Phys

 

From what I understand the actual hinge does not crack and that it is just the plastic covering that get's damaged.

 

Hi all,

I just got my MX7515 a year ago and just noticed the left side hinge crack.
I didn't go with the extended warranty so I'm kinda mad at myself.

but, don't you think this a design flaw and gateway should do a recall? I mean for a 1,500.00 machine I would think parts would not crack under normal use.

Also, I used to be a PC Tech and MCSE and think it could be that the hinge screw itself is somehow getting loose and causing the plastic to crack. I think the hinge can be tightned if your brave enough to take the bezel off.

Anyway take care and maybe we could start petition to gateway.

 

I completely agree...this units should have been recalled loooonnng time ago, sive the very begining of this chasis. Don´t think they would do it though, there are several eMachines and Gateway models based on this faulty chasis...would be a HUGE recall.
You ncan try using GW online support and see what they can offer you, since this is very common they might do it for free....asking is "gratis"
.
Good luck!!

 

I contacted Gateway about replacement and suggesting a recall. They ignored my comments on recalling a defective hinge system.

They said this about my request for exchanging the laptop:

Unfortunately I didn't get Best Buy's extended warranty. I don't think BB will do anything about it though (maybe I'll just ask). And Gateway will just replace the part and it will break again. So I need to waste more money and upgrade to a longer warranty from Gateway or convince Best Buy to do something. I am angry that Gateway could care less, and that I didn't get insured from BB (although when I purchased it through BB website it said I couldn't purchase the extended warranty online).