Warranty FAQ

Here's a little info on some issues that are covered under HP's warranty.
Any broken connector (as long as it does not damage the PCB) is covered under warranty.
If you send your laptop in, and specify that you want plastics damage fixed, it will be under warranty. If you send your laptop in, but do not specify that you want the plastics damage fixed, it probably won't be unless it hinders the laptop functionality.
If you spill something on your laptop (please don't). The technician needs to be able to visually prove that it got to your system board. If it didn't, or he cannot, then the system board has a high probability of being covered under warranty.
Don't crack your screen.

Also, outside of the issue of what is, and is not under warranty, a tip or two on some things you may want to do when you send your unit to hp for repair.

Backup your data. If you do not, or cannot, then make sure your system is clear of passwords, or type/write (legibly) it out it either on the paper provided or provide it on your own and make sure it's correct. Otherwise you'll have a 95% chance of having your data wiped. If you're sure the issue is not related to your Hard drive, you may want to remove it. But keep in mind that if you do and they cannot find the issue with the unit, then it will be sent back to you unrepaired.

Also, as mentioned below, you can specify in writing that you do not want your data erased. In this event, they cannot erase/re-image your hard drive without contacting you and recieving your permission. Though a new or less than thorough technician may sometimes miss reading your notice to not do it, and do it anyway, best to place a sticky inside the unit or taped to the unit to not erase your data.

Clear your CMOS passwords, your unit may be delayed longer for the technician will have to either attempt to clear it removing the CMOS, or in some cases replace the system board altogether. If the system is delayed past the first day, it is unlikely to be fixed until the weekend possibly (anything that is not repaired on the first day of arrival has it's priority drop like a rock).

Oh, and if your unit is covered under warranty, do not go inside the unit for any reason. Due to the priority reason above, your unit, if sent to HP for repair, will possibly take longer to repair to fix anything you may have messed up, and you may also be billed, depending upon what the problem with the unit is, and what you did with it.

Just an FYI.


UPDATE: HP has changed it's policy on third party memory, and hard drives.
If you send in a unit with third party memory or hard drive, and the memory or hard drive is bad, then HP will bill for the repair.

 

With my G/F having just bought a new HP dv5000 this information is extremely useful, thanks for taking the time to put it down!

 

No problem Oh, and one more thing, you can specify that you do not want your hard drive re-imaged. If you do, they will only be allowed to re-image it by contacting you (other than if a technician isn't thorough and doesn't see your message (might want to have a sticky inside the laptop stating that you do not want your data erased)

I'll add this to the F.AQ.

 

UPDATE. I've updated the FAQ.