Something I noticed: the transfer ownership request looks like it could be for used laptops as I had to enter the previous owner's name. I just entered the companies' name I bought it from. Also it said this process could take up to 15 days. Isn't there an simpler way to claim ownership of my brand new computer?
Chances are my seller won't help me initiate the transfer. I would be better off solving this through the licensed Dell service in Estonia, even though even they seemed ignorant to the problem. If everything goes well with them, they might be able to obtain the code directly. If not, however, I will be forced to wait for the ownership transfer, I just hope it won't take 15 days. I want to use my new computer :(.
Just as I expected - I called the seller and the official Dell service and guarantee in Estonia as well and neither knew anything about the process of transferring ownership of laptops. The seller told me to go to their guarantee provider who would manually reset the password for a cash fee (doesn't go under guarantee they say).
The Dell transfer request could potentially take up to 15 days and I'm not sure if the information I provided was even relevant. The only private data I enter was the service tag, I did not include the invoice.
It's quite clear this situation is becoming worse and worse for me. As the Dell suppliers in my country have no idea how to handle this situation and the official transfer could take up to 2 weeks I'm facing an extended period with a bricked computer.
I would be extremely thankful if any of the higher ranks here would help me speed up the process from Dell's side. It's evident the Dell support in my country is incompetent when it comes to actually contacting Dell and I am left on my own with this issue.
Since you've purchased a computer in a location where Dell has no corporate presence, you're in the hands of your reseller - if you're not happy with that, return the system for a refund.
Basically, you have a "gray market" system, imported outside of Dell channels - as with anything like that, it's the seller you have to go back to.
You're right. However this system would meet my needs perfectly if it wasn't bricked. I'm going to take the system to the guarantee and see what they come up with. The problem is weirdly unique in the sense that most if not all laptops are conveniently openable some way (either illegal or legal), but mine just isn't, in any way. I wouldn't be surprised if the service held the laptop for more than 2 weeks just to let me know it isn't openable and that it's my fault. Seems like Dell is going to take their time as well.
This situation is horrible and I'm desperate. I feel like I'm looking at a set ready to go to the garbage bin.
Your best bet is the advice that was given earlier - return the system to the reseller for a refund. You bought a gray-market system in a country where Dell has no presence. Since your reseller isn't helping you, return the system, get a refund, and buy a system that is fully supported by the manufacturer in your country.
After 3 days of mailing invoices and pictures to Dell UK support I managed to get a master password which DIDN'T WORK. After a whole day of waiting, I was called by the customer service rep, who told me the motherboard has very likely locked itself and needs to be replaced. He offered me to get the computer to the UK via a friend, where a technician would replace the motherboard. According to him the Dell support does not even have a mail box where I could send it to.
Right now I'm looking at 1-2 months without my computer. My advice to you, if you own a Vostro 3000 series or a newer Dell (3350, 3450, 3550, 3750 etc) would be to NEVER EVER EVER (EVER!) set a BIOS password for it! In the light of recent events, I am actually pretty sure the password I entered was correct and the system not recognizing it is yet another bug. I have used this password on every laptop I have owned and I have never had problems with it.
It clearly isn't normal that a system bricks itself to a point where the motherboard has to be replaced and even an official Dell master password won't unlock it, because of entering false system passwords. To make matters worse, I now have to bug my actual friends about my computer, because I can't mail it in to Dell. And to add to everything, I am looking towards months without my new computer, very likely without any compensation whatsoever.
I personally would like this fiasco addressed by a Dell rep, as you don't really even have a decent place to file complaints to. This is my first Dell system and you guys are seriously testing my willingness to EVER buy another one. I will bump this thread until i get an answer.
I will contact the reseller. However I predict they may try to pass the system off as disabled by me, not defective and therefore I may not be able to get the refund. Anyway, I will make the call.
I finally convinced the service to take it free of charge as now I'm dealing with a motherboard issue. I will receive the repaired system either at the end of this week or early next week.
Once again a reminder - do NOT set a system password for a Dell Vostro 3xxx series unless you want to have your motherboard replaced! You personally may remember the password, but there's always a chance of someone else trying to enter the password or getting it wrong in the dark or when tired. I would advise anyone using this Dell series AGAINST taking this risk and let the BIOS password be.
eermmm999
2 Intern
•
11 Posts
0
September 9th, 2011 06:00
Something I noticed: the transfer ownership request looks like it could be for used laptops as I had to enter the previous owner's name. I just entered the companies' name I bought it from. Also it said this process could take up to 15 days. Isn't there an simpler way to claim ownership of my brand new computer?
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
September 9th, 2011 06:00
Transfer ownership of the system and call Dell - if Dell doesn't have service in your country though, you'll be making an international phone call.
www.dell.com/.../IdentifySystem
eermmm999
2 Intern
•
11 Posts
0
September 9th, 2011 06:00
Thanks a lot for your answer! I'll get to the ownership issue right now and I also guess I will be buying some Skype credit.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
September 9th, 2011 07:00
Ask the seller. They should be able to immediately initiate a transfer through Dell.
eermmm999
2 Intern
•
11 Posts
0
September 9th, 2011 07:00
Chances are my seller won't help me initiate the transfer. I would be better off solving this through the licensed Dell service in Estonia, even though even they seemed ignorant to the problem. If everything goes well with them, they might be able to obtain the code directly. If not, however, I will be forced to wait for the ownership transfer, I just hope it won't take 15 days. I want to use my new computer :(.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
September 9th, 2011 07:00
I would just return the system to them for a refund. There is no need to put up with this from any reseller.
eermmm999
2 Intern
•
11 Posts
0
September 9th, 2011 09:00
Just as I expected - I called the seller and the official Dell service and guarantee in Estonia as well and neither knew anything about the process of transferring ownership of laptops. The seller told me to go to their guarantee provider who would manually reset the password for a cash fee (doesn't go under guarantee they say).
The Dell transfer request could potentially take up to 15 days and I'm not sure if the information I provided was even relevant. The only private data I enter was the service tag, I did not include the invoice.
It's quite clear this situation is becoming worse and worse for me. As the Dell suppliers in my country have no idea how to handle this situation and the official transfer could take up to 2 weeks I'm facing an extended period with a bricked computer.
I would be extremely thankful if any of the higher ranks here would help me speed up the process from Dell's side. It's evident the Dell support in my country is incompetent when it comes to actually contacting Dell and I am left on my own with this issue.
Best wishes,
ttarvi
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
September 9th, 2011 10:00
Since you've purchased a computer in a location where Dell has no corporate presence, you're in the hands of your reseller - if you're not happy with that, return the system for a refund.
Basically, you have a "gray market" system, imported outside of Dell channels - as with anything like that, it's the seller you have to go back to.
eermmm999
2 Intern
•
11 Posts
0
September 9th, 2011 13:00
You're right. However this system would meet my needs perfectly if it wasn't bricked. I'm going to take the system to the guarantee and see what they come up with. The problem is weirdly unique in the sense that most if not all laptops are conveniently openable some way (either illegal or legal), but mine just isn't, in any way. I wouldn't be surprised if the service held the laptop for more than 2 weeks just to let me know it isn't openable and that it's my fault. Seems like Dell is going to take their time as well.
This situation is horrible and I'm desperate. I feel like I'm looking at a set ready to go to the garbage bin.
I also thank you for your answers and concerns.
ttarvi
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
September 14th, 2011 10:00
Your best bet is the advice that was given earlier - return the system to the reseller for a refund. You bought a gray-market system in a country where Dell has no presence. Since your reseller isn't helping you, return the system, get a refund, and buy a system that is fully supported by the manufacturer in your country.
eermmm999
2 Intern
•
11 Posts
0
September 14th, 2011 10:00
After 3 days of mailing invoices and pictures to Dell UK support I managed to get a master password which DIDN'T WORK. After a whole day of waiting, I was called by the customer service rep, who told me the motherboard has very likely locked itself and needs to be replaced. He offered me to get the computer to the UK via a friend, where a technician would replace the motherboard. According to him the Dell support does not even have a mail box where I could send it to.
Right now I'm looking at 1-2 months without my computer. My advice to you, if you own a Vostro 3000 series or a newer Dell (3350, 3450, 3550, 3750 etc) would be to NEVER EVER EVER (EVER!) set a BIOS password for it! In the light of recent events, I am actually pretty sure the password I entered was correct and the system not recognizing it is yet another bug. I have used this password on every laptop I have owned and I have never had problems with it.
It clearly isn't normal that a system bricks itself to a point where the motherboard has to be replaced and even an official Dell master password won't unlock it, because of entering false system passwords. To make matters worse, I now have to bug my actual friends about my computer, because I can't mail it in to Dell. And to add to everything, I am looking towards months without my new computer, very likely without any compensation whatsoever.
I personally would like this fiasco addressed by a Dell rep, as you don't really even have a decent place to file complaints to. This is my first Dell system and you guys are seriously testing my willingness to EVER buy another one. I will bump this thread until i get an answer.
eermmm999
2 Intern
•
11 Posts
0
September 14th, 2011 11:00
ejn63,
I will contact the reseller. However I predict they may try to pass the system off as disabled by me, not defective and therefore I may not be able to get the refund. Anyway, I will make the call.
eermmm999
2 Intern
•
11 Posts
0
September 20th, 2011 07:00
I finally convinced the service to take it free of charge as now I'm dealing with a motherboard issue. I will receive the repaired system either at the end of this week or early next week.
Once again a reminder - do NOT set a system password for a Dell Vostro 3xxx series unless you want to have your motherboard replaced! You personally may remember the password, but there's always a chance of someone else trying to enter the password or getting it wrong in the dark or when tired. I would advise anyone using this Dell series AGAINST taking this risk and let the BIOS password be.