Technical support asked me to do this!!

loulou41

Does this make sense to somebody? I am a newbie and do not wish to attempt this, that's why I took a 3yrs warranty but Dell declined to send an engineer and asked me to fix it myself.

This is the instructions I got from TS.

Thank you for contacting Dell Hardware E-Support.

I will assist you with your Dell Dimension 5150, Service Tag 76M312J running
Windows XP Home.

I understand from your e-mail, that the Optical Drive Slot Cover is moved
exposing the inside of computer. In order to resolve the issue please follow the
steps listed below.

1. Turn off the computer, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect all
the AC power cables from their power sources.
2. If the system includes a keylock, turn the keylock to the horizontal
(unlocked) position, and remove the key.
3. Loosen the 2 thumbscrews on the back of the computer.
4. Slide the cover forward about 3 inches, and lift it straight up off the
chassis.
5. Remove the heat-sink assembly.
6. Remove the fan assembly.
7. Remove the screw that secures the front I/O panel to the front of the
computer.
8. Pull the I/O panel toward the back of the computer and lift the panel to
remove from the computer. 9. Disconnect any cables from the I/O panel.
10. Pull out the Drive Slot cover which is moved out and place it properly so
that it gets fit properly.

You can also follow the link below for the pictorial representation of how to
open the front pannel. As you visit the link click Front I/O Panel.
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim5150/en/sm/parts0.htm#wp1390265

It sound complicated to me. Does anybody know what will happen if I leave it as it is. Computer works, it's only exposing a little bit of the inside. I have tried to pull itout gently using a screw driver but it always go back. I have asked Dell and my e-mail has been ignored. I said I will write to Head Office and complain. Thanks

Quincy_3

To be quite frank with you,

You shouldnt even attempt it not because of warranties as ofcourse you have a e-mail from Dell, If you do this I would invoice Dell for the repairs you made I think thats the worst tech support email I have ever seen to date, they should send at an engineer or at least collect fix and return.

albertross_2

Steps 1-4 shouldn't be beyond you.. try it, have a look, and see if you can push it back in without following the rest of the instructions.

If you want to leave it as it is, it won't hurt.

Darksun

Doesn't it invalidate your warrenty to open up the case anyway?

odowdchr

Not with Dell.
They like you to buy hardware upgrades from them, so they can't really invalidate the warranty under those circumstances.

IvanOpinion

loulou
As AlbertRoss says try steps 1-4 - the rest is maybe a little bit complex for someone who has never seen how much air there is inside a computer case. People think there is a big mystery in building PC's ... there isn't ... they are about as difficult as a childs meccano (sp?) set or an airfix model .. all they consist of is stock parts lifted off a shelf and bolted together. The real skill is matching the parts (but that is another story and one that many home builders totally ignore).

The bit that concerns me the most is that they say to disconnect all AC power sources (normally I would recommend leaving it plugged in but turned off at the wall switch assuming that the socket has been checked to ensure that the live and neutral are wired the correct way around) nor do they mention using an earth strap.

Ivan

Quincy_3

If the OP was happy with doing this they wouldnt of posted it in the first place, also its a cop-out by Dell, blimey getting a customer to fix one of their faulty PCs.

Get real Dell.

loulou41

I might ask my friend's son to open it for me. There are so many cables, honestly if I try to follow Dell's instructions and removed them I might not be able to put them back together. As somebody pointed out, it will be OK, if I just disconnect from the main. It seems such a hassle if you do not know what you are doing, it might be something very basic for some of you but for somebody who has never seen the inside of a computer, it's somethig. Also just got broadband, will be terribly upset if computer does not work. For the time being I am leaving it as it is. Looking closely at it, I could see it only need to be clicked back. I am going to write to Dell and send them a copy of this e-mail. Thanks for all your help.

albertross_2

It's not really faulty, it's a bit of plastic that has come loose in transit, hardly rocket science to clip it back in.

Quincy_3

Get Dell to fix it, its their shabby work in the first place.

Albert the point is why fix someone elses crap?

albertross_2

Because it's easier and less hassle for everyone concerned, to take the cover off, and clip in a piece of plastic.

If it really does involve steps 5 onwards, then it is slightly more involved, but no harm in trying 1-4 and having a look.

If it was faulty, then fine, I would expect Dell to turn up without any argument, but it is a bit of casing that has got bashed about by the courier. The OP will have to wait in for someone to turn up etc.. Presumably they have also signed to say it was delivered undamaged.

A lot of people come here scared to take the case off, and when they try it, realise it's no big deal.