I bought a Vaio SZ on 17th April, and after 1 hour usage, I decided to download Firefox, unaware this may be incompatible with new Vista.
The laptop shut down on me and restarted itself - when it came back on, it said 'media driver incompatiblity, please go to windows update to fix problem' - so i did.
As I was downloading an Update, the laptop shut down on me AGAIN, but this time, the computer would not start up again properly, and the blue screen came up and then a black one telling me of a 'windows error' I took my laptop back to the store where the staff had a look and told me that the whole system had been completely wiped off and the only way this could've happened was someone doing it manually!
They've sent it off to Sony to have a look but they said I may be charged for it. How can I be charged for something I didn't do? I've owned two Vaios in the past and never had problems.
Who can I speak to, who can I contact???
Please help! Thank you.
2007-04-25 00:02:23 · 8 answers · asked by Julie C (little ninja) 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The fixing of the laptop must be free because it was only used for 1 hour when it malfunctioned and must be covered by warranty. You can file a complaint at the government office in charge of regulating trade and industry in your country.
2007-04-25 00:08:21 · answer #1 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is impossible to tell from the facts that you presented whose "fault" it was. You may have actually damaged the computer by downloading the wrong software or it may just be a horribly unfortunate coincidence. Right now, the aren't trying to charge you, so you should just wait until it comes back. If they try to charge you, you will probably need to pay to get it back. Then you can file a small claims lawsuit and let the judge decide if it is covered by the warranty.
2007-04-25 08:30:19 · answer #2 · answered by Carl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does sound a bit like a hard drive failure, in which case it would be covered under warranty. On the other hand if after testing it's NOT a fault with the machine, then you are indeed liable to pay.
I wouldn't pay to much attention to what the shop staff say, they usually don't have a clue, just wait for Sony's verdict.
2007-04-25 09:15:47 · answer #3 · answered by champer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That sounds more like a Hard Drive failure than anything you've done - Vista would have warned you of any compatibility issue - mine certainly did and I did not have the same problem.
Did you get it from PC World by any chance - ????
Watch them - they will do anything in their power to tell you it was your fault and try to get dosh out of you.
If it is the computer at fault - it will be repaired under warranty - don't part with any money until you have had a full report - secondly, if it was PC World - they will not send it back to SONY - they will send ot to their own service centre and to be honest, I would not believe a word they said either -
2007-04-25 07:09:52 · answer #4 · answered by jamand 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, it WAS you who tried to download the software so it WAS something you did. It is your responsibility to make sure the software you put on is compatable. I don't know anything about Vista or how the damage happened - it seems like the worst that should happen is the system tells you the software you are loading is incompatible with the operating system.
I would think that Sony customer service is your best bet.
2007-04-25 07:08:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can contact both sony and the store to see what whty will do..but you are at fault in this case...you downloaded a system that was uncompatible with the current software on your system. You would have to prove otherwise...and considering that you had to take it to the store to be looked at you are not sophisticated in computers enough to prove otherwise....as are most of us. Unfortunately you might just have to pay the service fee and learn from the experiance.
2007-04-25 09:19:33 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. Luv 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it wasn't their fault either then yes you have to pay. You were the one who did it. Nobody told you to download firefox.
Sorry it ain't the answer you wanted to hear but it looks like you are going to be getting a bill.
2007-04-25 07:49:14 · answer #7 · answered by Tall Chicky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, warrantees don't cover stuff that actually happens. Since you did the download, they can pin it on you.
2007-04-25 07:10:27 · answer #8 · answered by Kacky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋