T42 repair - To do or not to do

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Rod1105 · #1 Post by **Rod1105** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 11:54 am

I just discovered two button size bluish spots neat the top of my flexview LCD screen on my T42 SMB Centrino -1.7G5 XPP 15-SVGA 60GB DVD/CDRW 2379DXU. It's only 8 months old and has the 3-yr warranty but after scanning on-line through some of the horror stories about people getting their laptops back in worse shape than when it went out, I'm hesitant to send it out. I'd like to get it handled locally via an IBM Business partner but the numbers I've found are either voicemail recordings, out of service, or only fix laptops with existing clients.

Are these repair problems that prevalent or should I just bite the bullet, send it out and hope for the best?

TIA!

christopher_wolf · #2 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 3:47 pm

I would send it in; that is what the 3-year warranty is for. Generally, there have been a few horror stories about the service because this is forum and individual experiences and difficulties with service, etc, get discussed so a solution can be found. There are also good stories as well if you look around a bit.

In my experience, I have had no problems with IBM Service and Customer Support have been excellent up to this point; not one issue that didn't get resolved quickly and efficiently.

leegaard · #3 Post by **leegaard** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 6:58 pm

christopher_wolf wrote:I would send it in; that is what the 3-year warranty is for.

Ditto that. A screen replacement is a bigger issue, and better to have it made by people who are used to handling stuff like that.

Also easier to blame someone if is going bad - A flexview screen is a rather costly item to fiddle around with.

#4 Post by **Kyocera** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 9:26 pm

I believe the horror stories, but don't think they should be assumed to be the norm.

reltor · #5 Post by **reltor** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:34 pm

I think their warranty service is the best in the business.

own6volvos · #6 Post by **own6volvos** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 1:52 am

Send it in, but please do the following:

1. Take pictures of the unit at every possible angle with a high quality camera to pickup all the little details.

2. Save images to cdrom, email them to yourself, stick them on a buddies computer. You want to make sure you have these.

3. Send computer in, and upon return if the computer is messed up, you have proof and more truth on your side.

hoya · #7 Post by **hoya** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:56 am

I would also keep a log of every conversation, writing down the time of day, rep's name, synopsis of conversation, etc.

I have had TERRIBLE experiences with Solectron (they severely scratched the top cover on a T42, left fingerprints everywhere, etc, not to mention that the system board kept failing). they also replace the componet with used parts, but I assume that onsite & local repair shops do the same.

I plan to do onsite service if I have an issue in the future. you might want to look into that option.

#8 Post by **K. Eng** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:38 am

Ironically, the "used" system board in my T40 has been much more reliable than the previous two "new" ones that were installed.

I have to wonder though where these used parts come from.

hoya wrote:I would also keep a log of every conversation, writing down the time of day, rep's name, synopsis of conversation, etc.

I have had TERRIBLE experiences with Solectron (they severely scratched the top cover on a T42, left fingerprints everywhere, etc, not to mention that the system board kept failing). they also replace the componet with used parts, but I assume that onsite & local repair shops do the same.

I plan to do onsite service if I have an issue in the future. you might want to look into that option.

leegaard · #9 Post by **leegaard** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:47 am

They might be factory repaired according to lastest specs and knowledge. Might make a difference

#10 Post by **Kyocera** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 2:34 pm

Own6volvos: (must have a big garage

)

1. Take pictures of the unit at every possible angle with a high quality camera to pickup all the little details.

2. Save images to cdrom, email them to yourself, stick them on a buddies computer. You want to make sure you have these.

3. Send computer in, and upon return if the computer is messed up, you have proof and more truth on your side.

Great advice after reading a couple of the "bad"experiences posted.

Rod1105 · #11 Post by **Rod1105** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 5:41 pm

Thanks everybody for your responses. I definitely plan on taking pictures of the laptop to be sure that its "pristine" condition is documented. I may try to get it fixed locally through my company's IBM relationship (we use T42s throughout the company) - not sure if they'll handle personal PCs but they can at least point me in the right direction as far as potential service centers.

If not, then I'll get the shipping box and send it out to IBM. Odds should be on my side and I can always use the pictures to make my case if anything goes wrong.

Later!

dbrunone · #12 Post by **dbrunone** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:36 pm

Send it in. They pay for overnight shipping both ways, so it won't cost you anything. I had to send mine in twice and it even looked cosmetically a lot better when they gave it back, maybe they replaced my LCD cover or something, I'm not sure. Plus, it usually only takes about a week from the time you send it to the time you get it back.

Rod1105 · #13 Post by **Rod1105** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:21 pm

I am bummed out. I talked with the IBM guy I mentioned earlier in my thread and as soon as I told him about the blue spots he basically said I was out of luck. Apparently that's indicative of a cracked screen, which is considered accidental damage and not covered under the standard warranty. I have no clue how the screen got damaged since I'm very careful with it but he said I would have to pay for the LCD replacement, which can be in the $600-$700 range. Ouch!

For an 8 month old laptop which I handled with care, I'm disappointed with the vulnerability of this unit. It's one thing to drop it or slam the cover down on some foreign object but that never happened. The rep said it will most likely get worse over time so I'll just have to bear with it until it screams to be repaired.

djpharoah · #14 Post by **djpharoah** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:14 pm

dude you can easily find your LCD on ebay for ~$250
its defnitely cheaper than the proposed IBM LCD

-dj

nirvana0001 · #15 Post by **nirvana0001** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 2:06 am

if the situation go worse, send it back again, again and again, until you get a good one.
If you are gonna replace it by yourself, why you need 3 years warranty then?
last time i sent mine in on monday and got it back on thursday

T42 repair - To do or not to do

T42 repair - To do or not to do

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