If they’re trying to say that this was caused by using the laptop on a poorly vented surface (bed, couch, cluttered surface, dog hair in the fan, etc.) that would have altered the airflow going into the machine, I could see their point I suppose.  But given how hot laptops tend to run these days, I would not be at all surprised that the machine could have burned itself up if a fan quit for some reason.  You could try playing up a problem with the fan and see if there’s anything they could do.

 

Jon Galbreath, MCSE

Systems Administrator

International Studies and Programs

Helpdesk: 517-884-2148

Ph: 517-884-2144

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From: Bill Park [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 1:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MSUNAG] Dell Problems

 

Yes, it melted from the inside out.  It does not appear to have complete care.

 

From: Nicholas Oas [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 1:43 PM
To: 'Bill Park'
Subject: RE: [MSUNAG] Dell Problems

 

So you’re saying that heat was applied to the laptop in a way that caused it to melt from the inside out?

 

NOT the outside in?

 

 

From: Bill Park [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 1:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MSUNAG] Dell Problems

 

Has anyone ever had any trouble getting Dell to honor warranties?  I’ve got a user who has an Inspiron N5110 that was brought to me because it wouldn’t boot.  Upon inspection I noticed on the bottom of the laptop on the plastic piece that covers the RAM slots appeared to be somewhat melted.  I removed the plastic piece covering the RAM bays and noticed even further evidence of burning/melting on the inside of the laptop (it’s worse on the inside).  I also noticed that some of the metal clips that help hold the plastic cover piece in place were burnt and/or falling off.  The laptop works with one of the 4GB memory modules removed but it appears one of the slots was damaged.  I’m guessing one of the metal clips fell off as a result of the overheating and melting the plastic that holds the clips on and shorted something out.  It seems pretty clear that the melting/burning originated on the inside of the laptop…  She has “Next Business Day Support” on this thing until 7/20/2014 so I advised her to just send the laptop into Dell.  Dell returned the laptop and said the damage was “induced” and that we needed to contact the “out of warranty” repair department.  I’m not sure how this could be “induced” but regardless it seems Dell isn’t prepared to honor the warranty and cover this. 

 

Has anyone had any similar problems with Dell and found a way to get them to actually do something about it?  I have pictures if anyone is interested…