Webuser Forums: Motherboard Query

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.

Post Extras