Refurbished PC

If you read the warranty you will see Dell has the option to repair or replace parts with either new or refurbished parts that are warranted as new. If they are offering to replace the system I would take them up on that.  All the posts on here about replacements have been positive. There is a good inventory of "refurbished" Studio 540"s in the Dell Outlet.  What you get will probably come from that stock.  HERE is the current 540 inventory list.  Dell sells "refurbished" computers. Some are new from cancelled orders, some are returns because the customer just didn't like it (nothing wrong) and some are returns that have been repaired and tested (refurbished).

Your 2 year old PC is not a "New" PC - it's a 2 year old "Used" PC.   They are not replacing all of them, just replacing yours as it's faster and less down time for the customer.  They could start sending out parts and eventually fix it but it could take several shipments of parts to the tech and several trips by the tech.  Replacing the system eliminates the downtime and hassle.

And if I may add my thoughts...

If you agree to accept the refurbished unit, you'll have to think about your personal files on the old system. It sounds like it won't boot so you won't be able to back  up your files and erase the hard drive.

If you have a geeky friend, you may want to install the old hard drive as a secondary drive in another PC (or in the replacement 540), so you can copy your files. Then erase the old hard drive and put it back in the old machine before you return it to Dell. You don't want your personal info floating around out there... :emotion-5:

And you will have to install any software you need on the replacement PC too.

Ron

I have decided not to take the replacement because I have too much invested in software, plus I use this PC for work and I have a lot of files.  There has to be a way they can fix this one.  The thing that gets me is the tech comes out with a new power supply, a new fan and a new motherboard and he insists it is the power supply so won't even try to find out if it's anything else.   I just wish I could talk to someone in the US.

Hi Jeaniemws,

I would suggest taking Dell's offer. You can easily install the software on the new machine. And your files can be moved. Of course, your files should already be backed up to a different location.

Good point, John.  An excellent example of why regular backups are required. 

However, if the replacement PC is the exact same model, all you have to do is swap the hard drives, put yours in the replacement PC and it should boot up and nothing is lost.

I have decided not to take the replacement because I have too much invested in software, plus I use this PC for work and I have a lot of files.  There has to be a way they can fix this one.  The thing that gets me is the tech comes out with a new power supply, a new fan and a new motherboard and he insists it is the power supply so won't even try to find out if it's anything else.   I just wish I could talk to someone in the US.

It can be fixed, and furthermore, the problem can easily be traced by swapping out certain parts with known good units.

True, ANY PC can be fixed. For someone that builds and modifies PC's it's not a big deal.  For the vast majority who know nothing other than to push the power button to turn it on it's a totally different situation. All they know is they want the PC fixed "Now".  Manufacturers will offer the replacements to avoid the potential long downtime until the problem is resolved (and avoid the cost of the tech making several service calls to finally resolve the problem).  Most customers like the PC replacement idea and it's a great "goodwill" move on the PC vendor's part.