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Thread ID: 22969	2002-08-04 10:20:00	PC Company.... HELP!?!?!!?	Craig Bellhouse (493)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
68091	2002-08-04 10:20:00	Last week I was with a friend and they wanted to show me a webpage they had found, so we turned on his computer, and the screen displayed "Check Signal Cable", so I reached behind the computer to reconnect it . It was screwed on tightly . As I had my hand behind the computer, I could smell that delightful smell of burning circuitry so I hit the mains switch off . I got a screwdriver and removed to cover . The computer is a PC Company computer, and is just over a year old . Upon removing the cover, I proceeded to reduce the case and computer to a pile of parts, in order to discover what had burned . As I went to remive the IDE cables, I noted that the AGP card had slid partly out of the socket as the plastic clip on the rear of the soket was not holding the card in properly . I removed the card and checked very carefully for damage, but I couldn't see any . The two of us then went over all the other parts of the motherboard, ram, HDD and other drives with a magnifying glass to check for damage . Neither of us could see anything of note . I spread the computer out over the desk, and reconnected everything, with the intention of turning it on to see where the smoke came from . Neither of us could see anything, but the screen would only say "Check Signal Cable", and the computer issued several long beeps, and that was it . Just as a test, I plugged the monitor into an old computer, that was NOT plugged in or anything, and the message disappeared, and the monitor went into standby . I turned the new computer off, and reconnected the screen . The message "Check Signal Cable" came back, and wouldn't go away . This lead me to believe that the AGP card was buggered . Unfortunately, the old computer's graphics card was ISA, and no ISA slot available on the new PC to test if everything else was fine . We took the PC back to the PC company, and told the service man that we turned it on, smelt smoke, turned it off and bought it in, we did not tell them that we had taken a good look ourselves, but nor did we tell them we hadn't looked . They said they would take a look . Friday night, they rang back, and said the fault was in a DSE RAM stick that was purchased last december, and it had blown up, and taked the mobo socket with it . In our detailed look over the mobo when searching for the fault, the RAM stick in question was FINE, as was the socket . Also, to my mind, the process on a PC startup is: initialise the display, Check the mobo Bios Check the RAM etc . . . . . It was not even doing this first step, so surely if RAM had been at fault, it would have got to the RAM test stage, and declared faulty RAM . I was not with my friend when the PC Comapny called him, but they gave him the RAM explanation, and said they would charge him $38 for removing the RAM . I intend to go in with him on Monday to talk to them about this . I want to see the RAM in question, and also documented test results that led them to believe this as the cause of the fault . Am I justified in asking for this? What sort of proof can I ask them to present that backs up their claims? Is there anything else I can do? I know in future I am going to get any computer independently tested by another shop before going anywhere for warranty claims, I know that much, but unfortuately it is too late for that in this case . . . The PC in question had its warranty extended out to 3 years, this was confirmed by the PC Comapny when we took it in . Is there any likelyhood of my friend getting a replacement video card, or do we have to agree with the findings of the PC Company, as we don't have any evidence to back up what I have posted in here about what we did before taking the PC in . Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated . Cheers, Craig .	Craig Bellhouse (493)
68092	2002-08-04 10:31:00	This will open a can of worms on this forum LOL As an aside, I know 3 people who have had their monitors replaced under warranty by PC Company in past 6 months	Baldy (26)
68093	2002-08-04 10:35:00	It seems to me that if the warranty is for 3 years, and it's only a year old, then they should hand the computer back in working order, or am I overlooking something? As long as it's working when you get it back are you all that concerned about the details, except for interests sake? What about all the hotmelt glue? Removing that would be a give away wouldnt it? :)	Terry Porritt (14)
68094	2002-08-04 10:41:00	Cheers Terry, I would have expected the same, however, they are blaming the fault on a component that is NOT covered by their warranty, a stick of DSE RAM, and not the AGP card as I believe. Craig.	Craig Bellhouse (493)
68095	2002-08-04 10:45:00	I think that if you have opened up the case they will not be wanting to honour the warranty.	-=JM=- (16)
68096	2002-08-04 10:54:00	To my understanding, the warranty applies to the parts in question, which should be covered under consumer law, not the whole case.	Craig Bellhouse (493)
68097	2002-08-04 10:54:00	If the dse ram was fitted by you, probably negates the warranty. But! if its a ruse (and they have replaced the graphics card) then the PC will be working when you get it back, and you are $38 worse off. Probably not a bad result. Ask for confirmation of the balance of the warranty, or a refund if they refuse (they cant have it both ways) You may recognise a new graphics card of course... Remember there is always a threat of the "Small Claims Court", Fair Trading Act and Consumer Guarantees Act. Useful only if someone is found to be telling porkies, make sure you admit checking it out under the hood if asked.	godfather (25)
68098	2002-08-04 11:01:00	cheers.	Craig Bellhouse (493)
68099	2002-08-04 11:46:00	About 15mnths ago I brought a Packard Bell computer (with 3 yr warranty) I wanted to add more RAM and rang Packard Bell to ask where I should take it to have extra RAM fitted - not wanting to negate warranty. They told me that I could go to the likes of DSE, buy extra RAM and fit it myself. If the computer crapped out the RAM would not be the cause, and the entire warranty would still be valid. I think where you will fail Chris is, because you completely stripped the computer (accross the desk) without asking the PC Companys permission. I think its pay up and grin it. Thats my opinion anyway	Baldy (26)
68100	2002-08-04 12:17:00	Read the fine print in the warranty. A lot of warranties state that you are allowed to open the computer for purposes of adding RAM or another hardrive, but NOT to do repairs. Chances are, you have voided the warranty, and your argument won't hold up in a claims court (where it matters). Having said that, you are entitled to access the faulty RAM, as it should be covered by a DSE warranty. You will need it to claim that won't you :D If they don't cough up, take it higher - get in contact with management or something.	Elwin Way (229)
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