the replacement mobo costs $389 through dell spare parts. it is part number ff273. you may be able to find it somewhere online--who knows.
i have found that stuffing some sheets of cardstock (really heavy paper) on top of the cd drive (between the top of the drive and the plastic shell) helps for some reason. it allows me to at least turn my computer on and type, though i can only move it with very great care once it is running. i am currently waiting for a replacement mobo to arrive, and i am pretty glad that i can at least use my computer minimally thanks to the cd-drive-stuffing technique. be careful not to overstuff or else the drive will not be able to open.
do call dell and complain about your experience with this poorly manufactured product.
Cardstock? I'll have to try that. Maybe when I reassembled my computer, I tightened the screws to much around the cd bay. I don't know, a host of things could have happened. All I know is that now, even adjusting the screen will cause it go nuts. Something is touching something and I really don't know what. $389 from Dell spare parts? Let me know if that works 'cus it's a heck of a lot cheaper than what I found!
With all these posts, we might as well create our own website, like the one created for the heatsink problem (I went out and bought that Targus thing but it seems to have no effect on the computer. I think because the fans line up in such a way that they cancel out).
Same Problem. Purchased in the spring of 04. Problem started late September or Early October 04.
I did not install SP2 until after the problem started. I did not update the BIOS.
I first started calling and e-mailing at end of October. Long waits on hold and poor service from after work tech support (disconnected calls not returned, fouled up paper work, took 3 calls just to get the empty box sent to me.) Finally called early in the day during regular business hours. No wait, great service. Computer due back end of this week.
One fear, no one in tech support told me to remove my hard drive and I forgot to back up some of my downloaded (and registered) apps - I did back up the data. I hope they don't wipe my hard drive.
I hope that Dell recognizes this problem and finds a perminent solution before my warranty expires. Customers should not have to pay another $80US to extend warranty coverage for a problem that seems predictable. Technology becomes obsolete or eventually breaks down. I will someday be in the market for a computer to replace my Inspiron 5150 or to get a second machine for my kids. It will not be a Dell if this issue has not been resolved.
Got my computer back today. Wow for turn arround time. I shipped it on the 2nd and got it back on the 9th. My hardrive is how I left it. Unfortunately they kept my battery. I have been on hold for 40 minutes and counting trying to find out why. The note they left inside the shipping box was incredibly generic - Replaced motherboard and palmrest and claiming they did a bunch of System Diagnostics (if applicable). The "if applicable" is what gets me. No explaination of what caused the problem or how to prevent it.
Just got thru to tech support. On hold again. Back again. Have to wait unitl tomorrow to find out about the battery. We'll see if they remember to call/email.
By the way, the laptop is running great. Seems faster and quieter, mind you I have been using an old Toshiba for the past week.
I just got my 5150 back from Dell today also! So far things are working well. The note inside said that they replaced the board, CPU, and heatsink. When I booted it for the 1st time WinXP recognized a new type of CPU and motherboard. ACPI or something? It also mentioned multiprocessor? Anyone else seen this?
I called Dell this week, and they said regardless of how many people have had the same problem I am S.O.L. and must pay for the repairs. ($699+tax for motherboard replacement + other parts)
HOWEVER.... The tech I spoke with did suggest something I never would have even thought of otherwise...
He suggested that I call Mastercard (which I used to buy the system initally) because something like 85% of cards offer some kind of "buyer protection program" where if you buy an electronic device from a certified retailer (Dell is one), they will automatically extend your warranty for you for an additional year beyond the manufacturers warranty.
Low and behold, I called, and Mastercard said that I need to get the computer repaired, pay for it myself using the same card I bought the machine with, and then send them the repair bill along with a copy of the original reciept and they will credit my account for the total amount of the repairs - no deductible or anything.
Just some info that will hopefully help some out who wouldn't have thought of this before because I know if the tech hadn't suggested it to me I would have shelled out the $700+ and never thought to call the credit card company.
Interesting Dodge.. I still think thats a bunch of B.S.. This obviously is not our fault. It's a problem with Dell. They should do the right thing and recall fauly 5150's and repair them free of charge. if this was just a few isolated incidents then yes I would say it's our problem.. but look at this whole thread and count all the problem who are having this problem. Then think about the less tech savvy individuals out there who are having this problem who have no idea to post about it on Dell's forum.
Right on, Snake. M/C may or may not help out: you get the repair, file a claim, and hope. But if only a few units involved, Dell should just eat the minimal cost to preserve their reputation and avoid class action and bad word of mouth. That's what any reputable retailer would do.
Absolutely, don't get me wrong, i wasn't saying that ws an acceptable way out for Dell.... I agree that they should take care of it completely free of charge, but for those of us out of warranty, who need the repair done immediately, I was just suggesting an option.
Agreed, Dodge. We're on the same page. Thanks for passing along the M/C tip, I had completely forgotten about that benefit.
We still need to convince Dell to do the right thing here. Doubt if these boards cost Dell/Compal more than $50 OEM. Should be no problem to replace the few bad boards out there and let everyone rest easy.
I am new to this board due to my 5150 having exactly the same problems as all those here. I work and live in two diffent states, so i asked for my Laptop to be shipped from my work city not my home. Well they sent the box to my home and i had to wait a week to get there. So i sent it back. I just get home again a week later and have two messages on my home machine. I asked them to call my Cell phone if they needed me. They didn't. The message was that i had to call back and authorize the repairs. Authorize what? I bought the computer in March 04. It is now Nov 04. Could it not be under warrenty? I travel a lot and the computer gets shaken up a lot but it is always covered in my suitcase. So i still have yet to talk to someone about the Computer. It is friday night and i have called India to find out what is going on but their computers are down!
Has anyone had to pay to get repairs done while it is under warrenty?
The only 3rd party hardware i have installed is a 528mb memory clip.
Thanks to those who can help!!!! I will write when i find out more info.
Agreed, Dodge. We're on the same page. Thanks for passing along the M/C tip, I had completely forgotten about that benefit.
We still need to convince Dell to do the right thing here. Doubt if these boards cost Dell/Compal more than $50 OEM. Should be no problem to replace the few bad boards out there and let everyone rest easy.
Cordless_larry tipped me off to this forum. I have the same problem with my 5150. I'm mainly posting to show Dell another customer has the same faulty hardware. It seems ridiculous to buy a high-end $1600 laptop and then have to pay 700 a little over a year later to fix it. That's like buying a new laptop. I also used the 5150 as a desktop replacement, so I basically can't work without it and I can't afford to fix it. Good times....
After reading the 25 pages of posts, is the general consensus that out-of-warranty owners simply have to eat the $700 or hope that Dell divinely intervenes? Is there anyway to file an online complaint without dealing with India?
pbloom
11 Posts
0
November 8th, 2004 04:00
the replacement mobo costs $389 through dell spare parts. it is part number ff273. you may be able to find it somewhere online--who knows.
i have found that stuffing some sheets of cardstock (really heavy paper) on top of the cd drive (between the top of the drive and the plastic shell) helps for some reason. it allows me to at least turn my computer on and type, though i can only move it with very great care once it is running. i am currently waiting for a replacement mobo to arrive, and i am pretty glad that i can at least use my computer minimally thanks to the cd-drive-stuffing technique. be careful not to overstuff or else the drive will not be able to open.
do call dell and complain about your experience with this poorly manufactured product.
aznman43
62 Posts
0
November 8th, 2004 10:00
aznman43
62 Posts
0
November 8th, 2004 17:00
threepointonefo
39 Posts
0
November 8th, 2004 17:00
guyFromEdmonton
21 Posts
0
November 9th, 2004 04:00
Same Problem. Purchased in the spring of 04. Problem started late September or Early October 04.
I did not install SP2 until after the problem started. I did not update the BIOS.
I first started calling and e-mailing at end of October. Long waits on hold and poor service from after work tech support (disconnected calls not returned, fouled up paper work, took 3 calls just to get the empty box sent to me.) Finally called early in the day during regular business hours. No wait, great service. Computer due back end of this week.
One fear, no one in tech support told me to remove my hard drive and I forgot to back up some of my downloaded (and registered) apps - I did back up the data. I hope they don't wipe my hard drive.
guyFromEdmonton
21 Posts
0
November 10th, 2004 01:00
mnorri
5 Posts
0
November 10th, 2004 02:00
NewAgeJesus
18 Posts
0
November 10th, 2004 06:00
dodgedude39
6 Posts
0
November 11th, 2004 08:00
I called Dell this week, and they said regardless of how many people have had the same problem I am S.O.L. and must pay for the repairs. ($699+tax for motherboard replacement + other parts)
HOWEVER.... The tech I spoke with did suggest something I never would have even thought of otherwise...
He suggested that I call Mastercard (which I used to buy the system initally) because something like 85% of cards offer some kind of "buyer protection program" where if you buy an electronic device from a certified retailer (Dell is one), they will automatically extend your warranty for you for an additional year beyond the manufacturers warranty.
Low and behold, I called, and Mastercard said that I need to get the computer repaired, pay for it myself using the same card I bought the machine with, and then send them the repair bill along with a copy of the original reciept and they will credit my account for the total amount of the repairs - no deductible or anything.
Just some info that will hopefully help some out who wouldn't have thought of this before because I know if the tech hadn't suggested it to me I would have shelled out the $700+ and never thought to call the credit card company.
KingSnake1
2 Intern
•
193 Posts
0
November 11th, 2004 10:00
dspman
306 Posts
0
November 11th, 2004 13:00
dodgedude39
6 Posts
0
November 11th, 2004 18:00
dspman
306 Posts
0
November 11th, 2004 23:00
Agreed, Dodge. We're on the same page. Thanks for passing along the M/C tip, I had completely forgotten about that benefit.
We still need to convince Dell to do the right thing here. Doubt if these boards cost Dell/Compal more than $50 OEM. Should be no problem to replace the few bad boards out there and let everyone rest easy.
seafeye
4 Posts
0
November 13th, 2004 04:00
Hi
I am new to this board due to my 5150 having exactly the same problems as all those here. I work and live in two diffent states, so i asked for my Laptop to be shipped from my work city not my home. Well they sent the box to my home and i had to wait a week to get there. So i sent it back. I just get home again a week later and have two messages on my home machine. I asked them to call my Cell phone if they needed me. They didn't. The message was that i had to call back and authorize the repairs. Authorize what? I bought the computer in March 04. It is now Nov 04. Could it not be under warrenty? I travel a lot and the computer gets shaken up a lot but it is always covered in my suitcase. So i still have yet to talk to someone about the Computer. It is friday night and i have called India to find out what is going on but their computers are down!
Has anyone had to pay to get repairs done while it is under warrenty?
The only 3rd party hardware i have installed is a 528mb memory clip.
Thanks to those who can help!!!! I will write when i find out more info.
rothgar4
4 Posts
0
November 14th, 2004 20:00
Cordless_larry tipped me off to this forum. I have the same problem with my 5150. I'm mainly posting to show Dell another customer has the same faulty hardware. It seems ridiculous to buy a high-end $1600 laptop and then have to pay 700 a little over a year later to fix it. That's like buying a new laptop. I also used the 5150 as a desktop replacement, so I basically can't work without it and I can't afford to fix it. Good times....
After reading the 25 pages of posts, is the general consensus that out-of-warranty owners simply have to eat the $700 or hope that Dell divinely intervenes? Is there anyway to file an online complaint without dealing with India?