Zepto 3215 W: Power issues

Hi there,

I own a Zepto 3215W, which has done me a lot of good, but unfortunately also given me several major headaches over the past few months. I bought the computer back in March 2008 from Zepto Denmark, to use it for my computer science class, this means that it is mainly used for Java and C# programming and then we use it at home simply for surfing the net and checking emails.

Already after 8 months it started having issues with being very noisy and overheating and shutting down, even when doing simple tasks as surfing the internet. I contacted Zepto Denmark and they told me to send it in for repair. Unfortunately as I was in the middle of a project I couldn't send it in before my exams was over in June. So I opened a RMA case and sent it to Infocare as advised by Zepto Denmark. It came back less than two weeks later working all good again. I later got a bill, stating that this was not covered by my warranty and had to pay DKK 800 for having it fixed. All they had done was clean the fan, but that is what it cost I guess.

However less than a month later I ended up having new issues with the computer. This time the computer wont start when it's completely powered down. Pressing the power button has no effect whatsoever, but you can still turn it on by pulling out the power plug and putting it back in again. If you try to turn it on with only the battery in, nothing happens. If you try to turn it on without the battery, but connected to the adapter, nothing happens.

This is annoying, but I can live with it. What makes it a lot worse is that if you pull out the power cord while in Windows, the computer shuts down. I am really confused on what is happening, so I called Zepto Denmark, who advised me to buy a new battery, which I did. Alas, this made no change and the computer still won't work if it's not plugged in and it still shuts down if you pull out the power plug, while in Windows. This was an expense of nearly DKK 600.

So now I'm wondering what I'm supposed to do. I suspect that the internal power supply might be at fault, but at the moment I'm not sure I dare to send it back to Infocare to get it fixed. Mainly, my concern is that if it's not covered by my warranty, I can end up with another bill, this time a lot bigger than before, which wile make the repair costs higher than the price of the computer itself.

Specs:
Zepto 3215W
Intel Celeron 540, 1.86 GHz
Bios Version: Compal 1.18, 18-06-2008
RAM: 2GB
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate RTM

The issues I mentioned I had already before I installed Windows 7 RTM, which I need as we're developing applications for that particular OS. Before I had Windows XP Pro SP3.

 

Well if you bought a new battery and it is still within 14 days of the purchase date (if bought online), you can return it and get a refund. Atleast in Denmark you can.
Getting you notebook dusted off inside is not within warranty as you can do things to prevent it from getting dusty inside. Some of these things is not using it on your lap and not using it in the bed.
The other issue about it shutting down when you pull the plug sounds like it's covered, but there's no garantee. Normally you will get a repairoffer from the repair shop before they begin anything that is not covered as they need your approval to continue actually starting the repair.