So, lemon laws.

[indecks]

I bought an Alienware notebook last year.

From the get-go, it's had problems. In fact, it was replaced within a week of me receiving it because of some weird problem that it displayed. Dell/Alienware decided they needed to 'capture' it and give me another one because it was acting buggy. It's got two videocards in it, one is a GeForce MX675 (iirc) and the other is the Intel HD internal graphics POS card.

I've had to send it in to replace the motherboard twice. The 2nd time, the PC just stopped booting. It would give off a beep code which meant a mobo problem. When I got it back, I heard rattling.

I used to work at a notebook repair depot, and I knew what that sound meant. The tech dropped a screw and left it in there. It happened to me all the time. No big deal.

When I called AW to see if I could open it without voiding the warranty (this will come up later), the guy told me "no it wont void it. You can open it and try to get it out." It ended up being deeper in the system than I wanted to go with my tools so we sent it back yet again.

Before I shipped it out, I tried to play a game to test something and noticed that the PC "lost" the Nvidia card again. This has happened a couple of times. So I mentioned that in the work order when sending it back.

I got an email stating they couldn't reproduce the problem because they didn't have my password. Which was BS because I know I put it on the information sheet. When I called in to see what was up, the tech had no idea what I was talking about and said they "probably just need to wipe the hdd." I told them that clearly wasn't the issue. I wont lose anything super important if it was wiped, but I'd prefer they didn't.

I get the laptop back last Friday. I take it out of the box - and it's rattling. Also, there are 3 screws from the baseplate missing. I boot it, and it has no OS. *sigh* So I installed Windows, checked my mail, checked to see if they had fixed the problem - they did - and then powered it down since I was leaving town for the weekend.

I get back yesterday afternoon and try to power it on. Its been sitting quietly off for 3 days, btw. I get beep codes again. This time saying it's a bad CPU. Fine, that's sometimes an easy fix, just reseat the proc. No big deal. I open it up (remember from before?) reseat it, clean it off, apply some new thermal paste and try to boot. Beep codes.

So I just email the tech I've been working with and let him know whats up.

He calls me back late last night to 'warn me' that I might have voided my warranty because I opened the system. I told him WOAH WOAH, you said I wouldn't void my warranty if I opened the system. You used those exact words! He says that I reseated the proc, that's what voided my warranty. I reminded him that we reseated the video card one of the previous times, and he claimed it was ok because "he was with me."

So I suppose I could have smashed a turd between the videocard and mainboard if 'he was with me' and it would be covered. So the guy tells me he's just required to tell me that, and that it's POSSIBLE that I'll get that "you voided your warranty" call if they open it up and find that things are messed up. I used to work on laptops so I know i didn't mess anything up, but I also know how companies work. They're going to get the info sheet and see "owner opened computer..." and just claim "voided warranty" and send it back unrepaired.

What should I do if I'm told the warranty is voided? I've tried to look up a lemon policy for Alienware but I've only gotten horror stories on how some guy bought a 6K Alienware PC to have it shit out on him with AW refusing to do any more repairs, or how AW/Dell have just stopped responding.

[Retrodude]

If they refuse to help, I think you should talk to a lawyer and see if they could recommend any legal remedies. I hesitate to suggest it, because people are too lawsuit happy these days, but this might be a case where a lawsuit is warrented. If there are others who have had the same bad experiences with this company, it may even lead to a class-action.

[Hatta]

Don't bother with a lawyer, this is a case for small claims court. Make it clear to Alienware that you are willing to invest what is required to make them make this right. They know it will cost them less to honor their warranty than to send someone to small claims to fight your suit. They'll probably settle. If not, have fun in court. Even if you lose, you've done what you could to spite them under the law.

[prfsnl_gmr]

Don't bother with a lawyer, this is a case for small claims court. Make it clear to Alienware that you are willing to invest what is required to make them make this right. They know it will cost them less to honor their warranty than to send someone to small claims to fight your suit. They'll probably settle. If not, have fun in court. Even if you lose, you've done what you could to spite them under the law.

Agreed.

[Raiiban]

Don't bother with a lawyer, this is a case for small claims court. Make it clear to Alienware that you are willing to invest what is required to make them make this right. They know it will cost them less to honor their warranty than to send someone to small claims to fight your suit. They'll probably settle. If not, have fun in court. Even if you lose, you've done what you could to spite them under the law.

This, and failing a settlement or forcing them to act on their warranty you could try contacting the Better Business Bureau and filing a complaint with them.

[SpoonyBard]

try contacting the Better Business Bureau and filing a complaint with them.

Do people even use the BBB anymore?

[TheRev]

This is why I take things to local Techs they make SURE they get it done right. When I needed Windows installed I took my Laptop to my guys and they did a wonderful job fixing my laptop up.

[indecks]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I guess I play the waiting game for now.

[Flake]

Assuming you used a credit card, contact your issuer and see what protections they have. You may have to initiate a charge back but that's always the last option.

[indecks]

It was purchased with a CC, but a Dell CC.