Quote:
Originally Posted by MechEngVT
What model Inspiron did you have to replace? I have a nearly 5 year-old Inspiron 5150 and that whole model design is FUBAR from start to finish.
...
Only Dell can fail to service their crap in spectacular fashion.
|
What an experience! Good thing DHL stepped up to the plate. If I can prevent sending it out, I'll work on it at home if they let me.
So, I've spent most of the weekend trying to figure out how to back everything up properly, so I haven't been around the site (burnt out on computers). The 250GB/7500 Maxtor (thought it was Seagate earlier) 3.5" drive was made in the 2-month window that had a odd flaw: OS's only recognized 105GB of it during install. That took a morning's worth of getting a DOS boot CD together, flash the drive, etc + 24-hours of backing up over the network with the Vista "Not So Easy" backup (took a few tries). But now it's done, and this could go at any moment.
To answer the question, it was an Inspiron 1520. The AC adapter was just not being recognized and didn't charge the batt or run both cores. They sent 2 adapters and a board to install and instructions (they asked if I was comfortable replacing it myself -- better than the send-away, IMO). For those wanting to build one, it's pretty simple, step-by-step stuff -- more on that in a minute.
My Wife had a 5100 series that died last year. It merely disintegrated. First, the screen hinge mechanism broke away from the plastic, so I had to make my own solution with garage parts (out of warranty). Then, it began to just quit intermittently. I backed it up, used it for about a week until it just died. Replaced it with an E1505 (that one is running fine so far).
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackDeuceCoupe
Next time, I'm building my own lappy!  |
Yeah, it's all the same schtuff anymore with a few differences. Next time, I'll see if I can build my own. But since the parts are the same, I'm worried about warranties and replacement policies. With a brand name, I get some level of service (albeit crappy). It all depends.
To top it off, I got an e-mail that my 1-year service contract expires in 6-weeks. Freakin' yay. I thought a refurb model would be covered another year from delivery, but apparently not. With the history of this model, I feel that I have no choice but to buy into another warranty.
RH77