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The Good Life. |
I took my laptop into a shop for repair. They thought it was a video card failure (so did I), and of course, the video card is integrated into the motherboard. So it looked like I would need a new motherboard, and since I bought the laptop around August of 2008, I was pretty sure the warranty was expired. It figures that the thing would die at fifteen months, just after the twelve-month warranty expires, right? So I asked how much a new motherboard would cost. Well, according to the shop, it would be almost as expensive to replace the motherboard as the whole computer. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() (My laptop was very expensive.) It turns out it's not that expensive, but he can sell me a laptop for just a little more than the motherboard would cost. So, I asked a few questions. Me: What software will be installed on the laptop you want to sell me? Shop Guy: Windows 7. Pause. Me: That's it? SG: Yeah, most of the business people we get don't want a bunch of stuff on their computers. Me: Most business people want MICROSOFT OFFICE. SG: Well, yeah, they can buy that. Me: But most people want it, so why isn't it installed? SG: Well, it is, if you buy it. Me: ![]() Suddenly, it's looking like the laptop and software might be a tad more expensive than a new motherboard. I know what you're thinking: It's a laptop! Who needs software?? (snicker) Me: No thanks, I'd rather replace the motherboard. SG: I'm not an authorized Dell dealer, so you need to contact Dell to get the mb. When you receive it, I can install it in a day (for like $120.) Me: Great, thanks, thumbs-up, see ya. Then I logged onto to my Dell account to get contact information, so I could get a price on a mb. While I'm online, I casually check my warranty information, just to be sure. OMG, I bought an extended warranty!?!?!?! Yeah, I never buy extended warranties. Because who ever actually uses extended warranties? But I seriously bought an extended warranty, somehow, and what the hell do ya know? I need it. After a long chat with a nice, helpful, English-speaking technical service rep, I have managed to get life out of my laptop again. I am to take two pills and call her in the morning. Pill #1: Back up your entire hard drive right now while you have access. Pill #2: Run hardware diagnostics and note any errors. Wheeee!! My faith in Dell is restored... for now. We'll see if the problem actually gets resolved. By the way, it's a good thing I have plenty of time for this stuff. ![]() |