anyone recently have a 9100 die and get replaced? - Page 6

Thanks for getting back to me. Would you be willing to post (or Message/Email me) the service tag of your 9100? I'm just trying to gather evidence to support my claim. I don't understand why you got such good service compared to the service I've received. It's like two different companies!

Cheers
Steve

I'm getting mine replaced too. Should be here in 2 days according to the guy I talked to. I see nothing in the my support. I may get in touch with them and see why not (he did say I wasn't supposed to though...). I'll let you guys know what I get...

i got a spec'd out e1705 today...ultra sharp display, 100 gb 7200 rpm drive, 1gb ram, 256mb video card, windows media center...im calling dell now to tell them to send me a new carrying case, as the one i bought with my system is too small for my new sweet system!

Mechismo, I've sent you a PM.

So Dell Chat is the way to go?

I couldn't get anything done. Over the phone, my first call, in 38 minutes I had a replacement and had already hung up.

Dell chat was where I started yeah but I had to try a few troubleshooting methods first and the engineer called me a few times before I got the replacement.

Kypen, were you still under warranty?

Yeah, with Complete Care.

I have the Inspiron XPS, bought in Nov '04. Started having heat issues about 3 months into owning it. A year ago, I decided to clean out the fans and found the familiar "laundry lint" lining the inside of the heat sinks. I clean it every now and then, but as of late, it idles at 65c and starts stepping back when it hits 70, whis is whenever I compile or do anything interesting. Sim City 4 causes it to step down to 400MHz!!! I really like the computer other than the heat issues.

I tried to use the Dell chat, but it doesn't work (I think because my warranty expired.) Also I moved to Germany, (from the US). Any ideas why chat doesn't work for me? I called XPS hardware support too, and the recording told me they were having technical difficulties, try again later. I have the same question as mechismo, have you guys had any luck getting replacements when the warranty is expired? I'm worried they are going to send me out into the land of paying for tech support.

I tend to just fix these kinds of things myself anyway. "If you want something done right..." So if I'm going to be w/o the laptop for long or they're going to charge me an arm/leg, I'll probably just follow one of the online guides to reapplying new heat transfer goo. Any suggestions if I go this route?

-Jeff

Yep, I clean also every 3 month the "laundry lint", and with Compressed Air, clean the 3 fans.
I think that changing the fans with new one and using Artic Silver for the paste would be a good idea also...
Also everytime I format, it gives a fresh breath feeling. I use now Image with Acronis so, all is set up very quick.
But Winter is coming. working next to the freezing window will help surely

Hi Jeff,

Mine was purchased in Nov '04 too. I'm pursuing a resolution through Dell because I'm not convinced applying fresh thermal grease will be a long term solution. I went through tech support (chat and phone) and without them asking me to run any diagnostics they simply said I had a faulty heat sink which needs replacing. Whether this translates as thermal grease or a broken heat sink they wouldn't say (i cant see how a heat sink could break or wear out!) but it would cost GBP 205.00. They also said that, when they got my machine in the workshop anything else that needed doing would be quoted for and I would need to pay as I was out of warranty

My argument with Dell is that based on the evidence of *lots* of other 9100 users fresh thermal grease or a new heat sink isn't going to fix this problem long term. Replacing the CPU with a Northwood is the obvious fix but it seems Dell isn't going down that route based on the number of users who've had their machines replaced with *different* models.

So, my stance is that I'm sticking to my guns and attempting to get the machine fixed without charge. In the UK the Sale of Goods act provides certain statutory(?) or implied(?) warranties on goods . So in addition to a 1 year Dell warranty there is an implied warranty that a GBP1350 machine should last longer than 18 months (i'm no lawyer - DYOR). Similarly a washing machine should last at least 6 years despite what the manufacturers warranty states.

What if I pay for the new heat sink and it still runs hot ? Or what if Dell get my machine and start saying "you need a new mobo, memory, video card ..." so that's why I want them to treat me the same way as other users and fix an obviously faulty machine at their cost. If they want to replace it then [sigh] I suppose that would be alright.

So, Jeff, I would recommend you call Dell Europe or go to Dell Europe site and start a chat session from there. See what they say. The more users who're complaining the more likely they're going to start to take notice and realise they sold some dud machines that are running dangerously hot. If you really want to get yourself fired up ('scuse the pun) then go to the Dell user forums and search for "Inspiron 9100 overheating" or "XPS Lag" or similar combinations - you'll turn up a whole pile of users in the same boat as you and I.

If you want to go down the route of self repair then maybe try fresh grease, if no good then replace the CPU with a Northwood (approx $150 + shipping from eBay US - still cheaper than buying in Europe).

Hope this helps and keep us updated with how you get on.

Dell number??

I have an Inspiron 9100 and it has caused me so many problems that as much as I like it, I'm starting to hate it. My ac adapter has failed and had to get a new one, it overheats so much that I can't even use it on my lap (ironic), had to reformat it many times because of problems it starts having (I get frustrated witht he fact that customer service for dell is so crap that I just reformat everything) and now the worst my hard drive crashed and have to get a new one (which I'm thinking is it even worth it?). I've been reading these forums and want to call dell to see if they'll replace me with something better or at least give me money back for what I had to spend to fix all the problems my laptop has had. Which numbers in the US have you guys been calling? Don't want to be on the phone again for 8 hours so they can tell me I called the wrong number..... Oh yes I also don't know if you guys knew this but you most likely do already, they discontinued making the inspiron 9100 like 4 months after starting to sell due to the inspiron 9100 having so many faults... I guess us with the inspiron 9100 were the unlucky ones. I'm just hoping they will either pay for the stuff I'm getting fixed on my laptop or replace it. If they don't do anything about it I'm going to complain to the BBB and if that doesn't do anything I'm not sure, just the customer service pisses me off.....grrr I get so annoyed just thinking about it!!!!!

Here's the skinny... I still can't get the chat thing to work in Europe nor America. I could try to proxy through a US host to see if it's doing weird behavior based on my German IP address. Also note that the error message was different in Europe than America.

Called 800-232-8544
Indian Guy Answered
At first they looked up my warranty and when it was no longer valid they were about to send me to the not-free tech support. But asked what the nature of the problem was. A: "It's overheating" ... was the magic word.
Q: "How long ha this been a problem?"
A: Since about 3 months after I got it.


Then he had to go read a bunch of stuff, and I was on hold for about 8 mins (based on skype log).

Q: What is overheating? The vents?
A: I think it's the processor, the whole bottom gets hot.
Q: Did you try spraying compressed gas on the vents?
A: Yeah, that worked for a while, but doesn't seem to any longer.
Q: Does it shut down from overheating.
A: Sometimes it will go to a blue screen and just sit there staying very hot. I don't remember what the error code was.
Q: Did you get an error M1004?
A: I don't know if that was the error.

After that, he said that there are only 2 things that can be done. I have to update the BIOS, then if that doesn't work I have to call this number 800-232-8544 to have them tell me where to bring send and how much it will cost to clean out the dust.

Ok, I'm off to update the bios, but we all know that won't help. I'll probably call the next number in an hour or so. .... I'll keep y'all posted. I think there is a very slim, but non-neglegable chance that they'll replace it. Esp when I tell them I can't afford to pay to have it fixed, and I'll just keep using it even though it's overheating.

-Jeff

PS, I'm sooo tempted just to clean it out myself, cause I just know that they are going to give me the run-around and if not cost me money then definitely cause me time. Unless they think it is dangerous, there's no way I'm getting a replacement for free. I already borrowed a tube of heat transfer paste from work, and have read everything I need to know to disassemble, clean, and reseat the cooler.

Holy cow! I upgraded the BIOS from A03 to A06 and it totally worked!!! The system's never been quieter. Now I run my benchmark, and the cpu doesn't backoff. Its idle tem is down to 45c and peaks at 55.

Not.

Time to call dell.

-Jeff

Try cleaning it yourself - if you've got a good 9100 and it's simply a case of clogged fans and fan inlets then you may get lucky. Removing the fans either side is easy - just a couple of screws - and wont void your warranty (not that you've got one).

Some people have reported clean fans solved their problem. You should try it as they do get very very clogged especially if you've used the machine on a carpet for example. You may just be suffering from a lack of fresh air!

Remove the fans, clean them and the grills. Also spray air into the grills of the heat sink accessible from inside the recess where the fans were.

Here's how to do it:

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...an.htm#1000550

Hope you have some luck.

LOL! You had me going there! Nice one

Lol at least you've still got your sense of humour! good luck!!

Well after much gnashing of teeth dell has replaced my XPS Gen 1 with an XPS 170. (specs in sig.) I'm happy that I have a working lappy now that isn't as likely to set the house on fire.

In all honesty, I'm a little disappointed that it wasn't a shiny new XPS 1710, but meh I can't complain. This was however, a one month saga.

Whe I brought up the processor difference (trying to weasle a 1710 in all honesty), they said that they would be happy to send me a refurbished XPS Gen 1. I said, thank you, but no. The escilation yech informed me that yes Virginia, they do have Gen 1's in depot. Uggg.

Happy overall with the 170, all's well that ends well.

Here's my recap of the call to 800-288-4410

Ah, this is the out of warranty repair department. Verified my identity.

Said I'll have to ship it in. So the way this works:
a) I pay $199+tax, this is non-refundable no matter what, but includes shipping.
b) they send me a box, and I put my computer in there
c) DHL comes to pick it up
d) they check/replace everything in the system except: motherboard, screen, battery. I get a 90 day warranty on everything. Will turn the computer around in 12 days. If the motherboard, screen, battery have to be replaced, it will cost an extra $329.

Q: Would you like me to take your credit card number so we can ship the box to you?
A: I don't think I can afford to do that right now.

So he gave me his direct number/ext so I can call him when I do have the money.

I guess he's not worried enough about it catching on fire and killing someone in the meantime.

Then I mentioned that I'm in Germany. He said to ship the computer to a friend or relative and they can ship it via DHL. Super.

I imagine I can try to bitch and whine more, but I think I can fix it myself, and I don't mind opening her up every now and then. So, since I'm not under warranty, I don't think I have anything to lose/void (cept my partially working computer) by taking it apart right? As long as I don't fry the motherboard/screen, they'll fix everything for $199.

Files backed up... Digital camera charged... Surgery time.

I'll let you know what I find. I'm hoping for a dead rat, deep fried.

-Jeff

P.S. I've been taking out the fans and cleaning that easy stuff bi-weekly for the last year. This time I'm completely tearing down the machine like this:
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...al.htm#1000001