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noddy2005
new user
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 14
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Wonder if anyone can give me some advise.
My is only 16 months old (4 months out of warranty)and I have been informed by a local repair shop that it needs a new motherboard. Apparantly, as it is a Dell Dimmension 5150 it has to be a Dell motherboard because of the way their case is designed. When they contacted Dell for a price on a new motherboard they were told it will be £200. Add to that the labour costs, this repair woud cost at least £250. My question is - how long is a reasonable life span for a motherboard? I feel like I have been ripped off. I didn't expect to pay £600 for a pc and then 16 months later have to shell out another £250 for it to work.
I am wondering if I would have any redress with Dell even though it is out of warranty.
Oh, and we have tried to contact Dell customer suport which was a total joke. Spent an hour on the phone and got completely nowhere. We were told that there is no-one we could complain to as we should have took out the extra warranty!!
Will be writing a letter of complaint to them but wanted some impartial advise as to the life span of a motherboard.
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The_DADDY
regular
Reg'd: Mon
Posts: 1141
Loc: Who gives a damn!
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If it were me id take my £250 and buy anew mobo, case and psu and say good riddance to Dell. Lots of people swear by em but i have no time for them at all. I know this dosent answer your problem but i think your just going to end up getting no where and end up forking out at some point so id save the stress and do it now. The_DADDY
-------------------- Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but its all ive got!
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noddy2005
new user
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 14
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Hi,
Thanks for your reply. The PC repair shop have offered to give us a new case and motherboard then move the rest components to the new case for £150. This is probably what we are going to do.
Just wondering if I can still complain to Dell. I thought a motherboard should last longer than this.
Have read on the internet about the "sale of goods act" which covers you for up to six years, that goods should be "fit for purpose" for a reasonable amount of time. Just feel so angry that they can get away with this and I am sure that I am not alone!! 
Thanks again for your advice.
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The_DADDY
regular
Reg'd: Mon
Posts: 1141
Loc: Who gives a damn!
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No prob . I myself had a mobo go bad after a few days of being out of warrenty. Mine was a 3 year warrenty and technology had moved on enough to warrent an upgrade so thats just what i did. Got a lovely system now but the problem is i cant get the lad off it after school cos (and this is a direct quote from the little darling) 'It makes his 360 look g*y' Bless em  anyway, glad your happy and i seeing as your upgrading id definatly try and get something out of Dell. You could turn it into a hobby . Let us know how you get one. The_DADDY
-------------------- Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but its all ive got!
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Nerval
regular
Reg'd: Wed
Posts: 212
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The law is quite clear on this that regardless of the "12 month warranty", the device should be expected to last a reasonable amount of time given its price. And 16 months is too short for a computer. You shouldn't really have to bother what bit goes wrong - it just doesn't work.
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau will tell you how to go about taking them to the small claims court - or it's easy to do yourself if you google it - for your money back, and you might contact your local Trading Standards Office about it as well.
Big companies rely on you not knowing what to do, or not being bothered, which is how they get away with this disgraceful behaviour.
And the moral if Don't buy Dell again.
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