Went to a kiosk in Toronto, Canada the other day where a 300m was on display. WOW that LCD is thin. The whole unit is tiny. And lo and behold, I saw 4 white dots (dime size) on the LCD. I pointed it out to the rep who seemed surprised. I said he should wait for the big finishing smile, coming soon.
Wonder if Dell is going to replace it with a small tablet version, that would be nice.
I understand your frustration sid6581. I bet Dell is not to happy with Samsung, who I suspect is footing the cost for all the LCD replacements (at least that's being done). I've rarely seen any company fix a major design flaw, instead they stopp shipping in favour of a new design. Cheaper to do that.
I agree that Dell should stop selling these units until a new design in implemented.
Keep asking for a LCD replacement each time the problem starts to rear it's ugly face. They may end up sending you a whole new machine (600m) if you insist.
Hrrmm I'll keep that in mind. Maybe I can get them to switch it with something else. My major concern is that the problem will come back again after my warranty is expired and I'll be hosed. We'll see. I'm sending it in for another LCD replacement shortly.
You can extend the warranty before the current one expires. I know this is throwing good money after bad but it's cheaper than buying a new LCD after the warranty expires. What is the turnaround for the fix? Can they just ship you the LCD so you can replace it yourself? The 300m with the media base is almost the same size/wieght as the 600m.
You can extend the warranty before the current one expires. I know this is throwing good money after bad but it's cheaper than buying a new LCD after the warranty expires. What is the turnaround for the fix? Can they just ship you the LCD so you can replace it yourself? The 300m with the media base is almost the same size/wieght as the 600m.
Good Luck
They won't extend the warranty. I was told it has to be done within the first 30 days after purchase.
As far as the fix, it's pretty quick. Last time it took 1 day for the box to arrive and about 3 days for them to get it back to me. They won't ship the LCD to me and besides... why should I have to repair their mistake?
I just spoke to a Dell tech person and I sent them pictures with a link to this thread. Of course I asked her how I could get someone to actually look into this problem, who I could write a letter to, etc. She said "Oh I'll look into it... thank you for calling Dell" *click*.
Sounds like they want to keep a lid on this one for fear that the remaining stock of 300m units will sit and rot.
Yes they will extend the warranty. Click here for details, direct form the Dell site.
It's the Complete Coverage warranty that they will not sell you after 30 of purchase.
Thanks I'll keep that in mind. For now I am going to have a lawyer freind of mine write a letter to Dell corporate headquarters. We'll see what the result is :)
Please keep us posted as to the results of writing that letter Sid. I think that we would all like to see this resolved. It's just amazing that they keep ignoring this issue altogether.
Please keep us posted as to the results of writing that letter Sid. I think that we would all like to see this resolved. It's just amazing that they keep ignoring this issue altogether.
John
Definitely will. I just dropped the letter in the mailbox. Also sending my 300m back for another LCD replacement as soon as the box arrives. Let's see what happens during this iteration.
Oh my stars!! I was about thisclose to buying a 300m and now I'm running away like crazy!! This smiley LCD has been happening a lot it seems! Recent buyers (within the last 6 months) are experiencing it too, I'm assuming? Thanks for warning me. I won't be buying from Dell, that's for sure. I was comparing a 300m and a TabletPC because I need to purchase a lighter, slimmer notebook to carry back and forth to school every day. My Inspiron 8100 is great, but it weighs a ton and would break my back if I carried it for the next 3 years! I've had my 8100 for 3 years and have had my share of problems, and vowed never to buy another Dell notebook, but I was thinking of giving them a second chance--not anymore!! Sux0rs, though, the 300m looked like such an awesome little notebook.
My Inspiron 8100: XP Pro, 1.13 GHz, 512 RAM, 60 GB HD, CD-RW/DVD. Purchased August 2001. LCD replaced February 2002, there was a black streak across it that showed up after being on for about 30 minutes; hard drive fried and replaced August 2002; motherboard replaced February 2004!!!!! Not cool.
Ok good news 300m owners... Dell responded to my letter! They basically said that if the problem comes back again, they would "take care of it".
I spoke at length with a very nice guy at Dell corporate who actually understood the LCD problem well. He said that since my LCD was just replaced he really couldn't do anything but if it should happen again, Dell will make good (I assume that means replace my machine with another model or refund my money). In that case I'm supposed to just write another letter and mention this conversation.
Too bad I just had it repaired last week!!!
I get the idea that they know about the problem but don't want any noise because the 300m is EOL now. So I think eventually they will just send me a 600m or something to quiet me down.
We'll see if smiley comes back one last time for a farewell performance... the guy I talked to said that if it's the problem he thinks it is, Mr. Smiley will be back for sure very soon.
To all 300m owners with LCD problems: write a letter to Dell headquarters. They really do read them. I think it's your only hope of getting the issue resolved properly.
Ok good news 300m owners... Dell responded to my letter! They basically said that if the problem comes back again, they would "take care of it".
Was that response in writing? Did you get that nice guy's name and his position at Dell? My roofing contractor said he would "take care of it". That was over two years ago.
No it wasn't in writing (not yet anyway) but the call was certainly in response to my letter. Of course I took his name and telephone number down for future reference. The only reason something wasn't done for me today was because I just had an LCD replacement last week... and he said that we need to see if the repair did the trick.
Maybe they have finally found a way to fix this? I don't know (somehow I doubt it). Though I will say that the LCD looks slightly different this time... it has a somewhat more reflective coating rather than one that is flat in appearance. Could it be a new LCD assembly they are trying? Who knows. I do know that I'm going to work this thing hard because my warranty is up in October!!
I'm still not happy with the situation, but at least there appears to be hope for frustrated 300m owners with bad LCD problems. Write a letter and it will get to some actual english speaking corporate people in Texas.
Can you provide a copy of your letter to Dell (including who you sent it to) by copying and pasting it here? I'm sure other people with this problem would like to know how to best get their attention (i.e. what to say and any legal terms).
I just bought my Dell 300m in late April and it has worked fine so far though usage hasn't been heavy. I'm still wondering if mine is one of the newer ones that's fine or a lemon in waiting.
Just send it to the address in the "Contact Us" link on the main Dell page. After clicking that, click the "By Mail" tab... it's the "One Dell Way" address.
All I did was explain my problem in detail. No big legal stuff this time around. My lawyer suggested I try a more diplomatic approach before bringing any real threats to the table. It worked.
Dare I say that maybe they have finally fixed my 300m for good? I've been really working it and I haven't been able to make the smiley face come back. Hopefully :)
Ripper108
370 Posts
0
May 27th, 2004 14:00
Went to a kiosk in Toronto, Canada the other day where a 300m was on display. WOW that LCD is thin. The whole unit is tiny. And lo and behold, I saw 4 white dots (dime size) on the LCD. I pointed it out to the rep who seemed surprised. I said he should wait for the big finishing smile, coming soon.
Wonder if Dell is going to replace it with a small tablet version, that would be nice.
sid6581
46 Posts
0
May 27th, 2004 14:00
Hrrmm I'll keep that in mind. Maybe I can get them to switch it with something else. My major concern is that the problem will come back again after my warranty is expired and I'll be hosed. We'll see. I'm sending it in for another LCD replacement shortly.
thanks
Charles
Message Edited by sid6581 on 05-27-2004 10:54 AM
Ripper108
370 Posts
0
May 27th, 2004 15:00
Yes they will extend the warranty. Click here for details, direct form the Dell site.
It's the Complete Coverage warranty that they will not sell you after 30 of purchase.
Ripper108
370 Posts
0
May 27th, 2004 15:00
You can extend the warranty before the current one expires. I know this is throwing good money after bad but it's cheaper than buying a new LCD after the warranty expires. What is the turnaround for the fix? Can they just ship you the LCD so you can replace it yourself? The 300m with the media base is almost the same size/wieght as the 600m.
Good Luck
sid6581
46 Posts
0
May 27th, 2004 15:00
They won't extend the warranty. I was told it has to be done within the first 30 days after purchase.
As far as the fix, it's pretty quick. Last time it took 1 day for the box to arrive and about 3 days for them to get it back to me. They won't ship the LCD to me and besides... why should I have to repair their mistake?
I just spoke to a Dell tech person and I sent them pictures with a link to this thread. Of course I asked her how I could get someone to actually look into this problem, who I could write a letter to, etc. She said "Oh I'll look into it... thank you for calling Dell" *click*.
Sounds like they want to keep a lid on this one for fear that the remaining stock of 300m units will sit and rot.
sid6581
46 Posts
0
May 27th, 2004 15:00
Thanks I'll keep that in mind. For now I am going to have a lawyer freind of mine write a letter to Dell corporate headquarters. We'll see what the result is :)
bye
Charles
freeky1
1 Rookie
•
75 Posts
0
May 27th, 2004 17:00
Please keep us posted as to the results of writing that letter Sid. I think that we would all like to see this resolved. It's just amazing that they keep ignoring this issue altogether.
John
sid6581
46 Posts
0
May 27th, 2004 18:00
Definitely will. I just dropped the letter in the mailbox. Also sending my 300m back for another LCD replacement as soon as the box arrives. Let's see what happens during this iteration.
bye
Charles
wildcatnat07
1 Message
0
May 30th, 2004 06:00
Oh my stars!! I was about thisclose to buying a 300m and now I'm running away like crazy!! This smiley LCD has been happening a lot it seems! Recent buyers (within the last 6 months) are experiencing it too, I'm assuming? Thanks for warning me. I won't be buying from Dell, that's for sure. I was comparing a 300m and a TabletPC because I need to purchase a lighter, slimmer notebook to carry back and forth to school every day. My Inspiron 8100 is great, but it weighs a ton and would break my back if I carried it for the next 3 years! I've had my 8100 for 3 years and have had my share of problems, and vowed never to buy another Dell notebook, but I was thinking of giving them a second chance--not anymore!! Sux0rs, though, the 300m looked like such an awesome little notebook.
My Inspiron 8100: XP Pro, 1.13 GHz, 512 RAM, 60 GB HD, CD-RW/DVD. Purchased August 2001. LCD replaced February 2002, there was a black streak across it that showed up after being on for about 30 minutes; hard drive fried and replaced August 2002; motherboard replaced February 2004!!!!! Not cool.
sid6581
46 Posts
0
June 4th, 2004 14:00
Just got my second LCD replacement back... woohoo lucky me they updated the BIOS too! I bet that must have been causing the smiley face.
Still no response to my letter though. Will keep you posted.
bye
Charles
Message Edited by sid6581 on 06-04-2004 10:28 AM
sid6581
46 Posts
0
June 9th, 2004 20:00
Ok good news 300m owners... Dell responded to my letter! They basically said that if the problem comes back again, they would "take care of it".
I spoke at length with a very nice guy at Dell corporate who actually understood the LCD problem well. He said that since my LCD was just replaced he really couldn't do anything but if it should happen again, Dell will make good (I assume that means replace my machine with another model or refund my money). In that case I'm supposed to just write another letter and mention this conversation.
Too bad I just had it repaired last week!!!
I get the idea that they know about the problem but don't want any noise because the 300m is EOL now. So I think eventually they will just send me a 600m or something to quiet me down.
We'll see if smiley comes back one last time for a farewell performance... the guy I talked to said that if it's the problem he thinks it is, Mr. Smiley will be back for sure very soon.
To all 300m owners with LCD problems: write a letter to Dell headquarters. They really do read them. I think it's your only hope of getting the issue resolved properly.
Charles
Ripper108
370 Posts
0
June 10th, 2004 02:00
sid6581
46 Posts
0
June 10th, 2004 04:00
Maybe they have finally found a way to fix this? I don't know (somehow I doubt it). Though I will say that the LCD looks slightly different this time... it has a somewhat more reflective coating rather than one that is flat in appearance. Could it be a new LCD assembly they are trying? Who knows. I do know that I'm going to work this thing hard because my warranty is up in October!!
I'm still not happy with the situation, but at least there appears to be hope for frustrated 300m owners with bad LCD problems. Write a letter and it will get to some actual english speaking corporate people in Texas.
Charles
TimW_of_NY
92 Posts
0
June 18th, 2004 18:00
Can you provide a copy of your letter to Dell (including who you sent it to) by copying and pasting it here? I'm sure other people with this problem would like to know how to best get their attention (i.e. what to say and any legal terms).
I just bought my Dell 300m in late April and it has worked fine so far though usage hasn't been heavy. I'm still wondering if mine is one of the newer ones that's fine or a lemon in waiting.
Tim
sid6581
46 Posts
0
June 19th, 2004 02:00
Just send it to the address in the "Contact Us" link on the main Dell page. After clicking that, click the "By Mail" tab... it's the "One Dell Way" address.
All I did was explain my problem in detail. No big legal stuff this time around. My lawyer suggested I try a more diplomatic approach before bringing any real threats to the table. It worked.
Dare I say that maybe they have finally fixed my 300m for good? I've been really working it and I haven't been able to make the smiley face come back. Hopefully :)
bye
Charles