Dell Laptop has died after just more than a year....what can I do ?

Question

I purchased a Dell Inspiron Laptop in May 2006, which had a 1 yr warranty with it. In August of this year, the laptop just died. Everything is black. I telephoned Dell who said that its likely that the processor or motherboard is faulty but because its outwith the 1 yr warranty, they cannot do anything. I am surprised that a £1300 laptop is in this state in such a short space of time and cannot believe that it is fit for purpose. Can anyone advise?

Answer 1

You're right, it isn't fit for purpose. Get in contact with trading standards, even though it is out of its one year warranty it means nothing, evey electrical item sold in the UK has a requirement to work for a "Reasonable amount of time" a year and a bit isn't a reasonable amount of time.

Contact your local trading standards, get all the information you can, then go back to Dell and put them in their place, they can't fob you off because it is out of it's one year warranty.

They know very few people actually realise this and get away with it far too easily.

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

"If the time limit has expired on the guarantee then you have no claim under the guarantee. However, if you can show that the goods were not of satisfactory quality at the time of sale i.e. ---they were not as durable as it is reasonable to expect--, then you may have a claim against the trader or finance company (if applicable) for compensation under the Sale of Goods Act."

Answer 2

You bought a laptop with a 1 year warranty, something that should only be done if you are comfortable with throwing the laptop out after 1 year.

You have learnt your lesson.

There's very likely nothing you can do about it (other than pay the cost of repair which might make a new laptop with a 3 year warranty seem like a nice upgrade for not much more money).

You'll probably find that only Dell can actually fix the laptop. They'll be the only ones with the parts anyway.

Answer 3

I use to work for dell tech support on laptops. Is there any lights coming on at all? The power light processor light or battery light. They come on in a blinking pattern to indicate what the problem is. You can go to support.dell.com and look through the KB which is the exact same thing that the dell techs that your calling is looking at. If you can find what the problem is then you can call them up and they can send you the part, you would still have to pay for it but at least your computer would be working. I know it sucks what there policy is. Do you have Complete Care on it? I know the 1 yr warranty is over, but if you have Complete care then you could essentially run over it with your car and get a new computer.

Answer 4

Well, that's what most manufacturer's intend, for their products to die just after the warranty is up, in hopes you'll buy a new one from them. There's not much you can do with a laptop. Replacing one part could cost just as much as a new laptop. A processor is normally easy to replace, but motherboard, no. I'd say keep bugging them, but it's close to six months past warranty. It is of course still possible to retrieve any data off the drive, if that matters most to you. I would also investigate and see if other users of the same model and same batch have had the same issue.

Answer 5

It is possible that it's not a motherboard, but a power supply. When it is plugged in, does the light indicate that it's charging? does it make a humming sound? It none of the above, 99% it's the power supply.

If you know how to change it, order one and replace it yourself. Otherwise, you can always bring it to a a brand store like Comp USA of Best Buy (provided you live in US), they will take a look at it and give you professional opinion on how much it would cost you to fix it.

Answer 6

I should call some sort of consumer organisation to see what your options are.

A factory warranty is a sort of guideline for how long a device should be able to work without "dying". I've heard of people who got there pc's fixed out of the warranty period, but still free of charge.. I don't know how the laws are in your country so...

Answer 7

Thats disgusting. For starters, I thought they offered a three year warranty, but I'd still go after them - 15 months is not an acceptable life for a laptop even used 12 hours a day.

Answer 8

Go to a Stock market site ( dow jones ) or whomever and research the COMPANY heads. All information for a corporation is Public knowledge in as far as the leaderships
Note the names and addresses of TOP company officers and start writing and calling . I have found in situations like yours , With enough push to the top brass you will find at least one willing to listen, and fix your problem.
Big companies make products now to last a year or two,
to sell more and more products. and count on everyone to simply accept this practice. I for one will seek CFO's CEO's
and all top brass till my faulty product is replaced.
It is not fair and bordering on criminal to take peoples money for a product they know will not last. Fight back Mate
Best of luck
Rob

Answer 9

My advice- Don't buy Dell anymore. I have a Dell laptop and it works great, but I know sooo many people who have had terrible experiences with Dell. I would take it to a local computer store and see what they can do for you. Dell would overcharge you. Good Luck!

Answer 10

Have you tried changing power supply...memory and hardrive replacements? Have you wiggle the power cable in the back of the lappy even? The screen could be knackered, anything...there's plenty of options other than motherboard and processor, I can't believe they would make things out to be so final.