shorted XPS, motherboard dead (is CompleteCare appliable?)

hello all.

last night I connected my XPS 1530 to my TV through an S-video cable for the first time. I plugged the cable to the laptop first (working on AC), and when I touched the other end to the TV, it sparked and the laptop shutdown. Now it turns on, but the screen stays off and the system wont boot, I just hear the HDD spin, and thats all...

it seems like a burn-out motherboard to me... I have Complete Care, do you think it will cover this?

or will they say it's my fault for not using a Dell-branded S-video cable?

 

I do not think its yours or the cables fault. Standard warranty should cover it anyway.

Btw, try taking out the AC power and battery pack. Hold the power button for 30 seconds and try powering up again using AC power only.

 

Just tried that. Nothing happens. Motherboard is definitely dead.

I don't know if I should mention the s-video cable, or just report an electrical surge problem...

 

They cannot do this as an s-video lead is an s-video lead dell or some cheap one will do the same thing one might have better quality. The port shouldn't have done that therefore its dells fault.

They will replace it for you

 

ok, but what if I dont mention the s-video, and just say it shorted when plugging to AC power?

besides going to hell for lying, what could go wrong? can they tell where the short came through?

 

link

Examples of some of the un-intentional damage that are covered are:
Cause of Failure -> Resolution Description
Electrical surge -> Repaired or unit replaced

Damaged in a fire is not covered.. so don't say that.

 

yes, I've seen that. In this case it's not an "electrical surge" problem, technically, right?

my question is to whether report exactly as it happened, or say it was an electrical surge issue, and forget about the evil S-video cable.

 

But it was an electrical surge through S-Video. I wouldn't bother lying as you will be covered and i personally try not to lie anyway.

 

Thanks for your replies!

Just called Dell, and the tech guy made me remove the RAM to check the NumLock/CapsLock lights blinking, and determined the motherboard was dead.

They are sending a replacement motherboard! The only bummer is that there are no parts in stock where I live, so it will take about a month waiting...

just FYI, he told me they covered this through Limited Warranty, and not Complete Care...

 

Good luck with the new motherboard. It is always best to tell the truth.
Maybe next time, do not use your laptop and s-video with your TV, just to be safe

K-TRON

 

^I agree, truth is always better, and that cable is in the garbage already...

Anyway, I had the "tingling" issue with my XPS, because I do not have proper grounding at home. I guess my problem happened because the laptop and the TV grounded each other, or something like that.

when my baby gets fixed, I will use a surge protector, as I should have.

 

Exact same thing happened to my friend and his 1530. He was hooking his up to his TV via HDMI. I think it is the video card's fault, but the guys at Dell told him that they'd replace the motherboard. What a hassle. I think it is the fault of the 1530 itself. Who knows?

BTW, he was using a surge protector as well. It's the video card. He's buying a Mac, like me.

 

do you know if he had grounding where he plugged the laptop? was he getting the "tingling" thing?

because I might eventually install proper grounding at my home, and I don't know if I will dare to connect to the TV again (either via s-video or HDMI).