Dell Laptop - broken with known fault. Not fit for purpose?

bippetyboo

Bought a dell laptop just over 2 years ago and it had the standard 1 year warranty. It started playing up last month and the video card is faulty. I've done a bit of research and dell knew that there was a problem with this card so have given an extra 1 years warranty with laptops containing the card. this doesn't help me as i'm just outside the 2 years but I'm really fed up that I was sold a laptop with a known fault.
Have i got a case under trading standards on the laptop being fit for purpose?
Thanks

adam.mt

Maybe. Write to Dell outlining your case and presenting your 'evidence', see what their response is.

Try and be 100% certain it's definitely a model with the 'known fault' (some companies provide a list of affected models and even serial numbers). It's not unknown for people to misdiagnose their computer and think it's fault is due to the infamous 'nvidia' issue when it's actually not (I'm guessing that's what you're referring to).

If that doesn't work then you could send a Letter Before Action (recorded delivery) and pursue via the Small Claims Court with your evidence. You may also wish to commission an independent report to back you up, which you could claim the cost back of if it supports you and you win.

Just search this forum, there's 100s of similar cases and details of what to do.

neilmcl

What's the model of the laptop and the graphics card?

cyberbob

Most dell laptops aren't fit for purpose. They make great doorstops though.

Adam's given some good advice

bippetyboo

You're right adam. It's the nVidia 8400 in a vostro 1510. The fault is the characterised by vertical lines on the screen and when I reinstalled the card drivers I got a brief resumption of services, although this doesn't work now. It's in the list of laptops which appears in a dell blog giving the extra year warranty and surely by giving the extra year they realise there is a fault. However, I can't find details of anyone who has tested it in court.
If it were a car it'd be recalled. Thanks for the advice and I'll bang a few emails off.

Freddie_Snowbits

sirmarcus wrote: »

Good luck and hope this helps.

Thank goodness the Honourable Marc has shown us yet again his outstanding ability to use google to assist posters.

I wonder how he would respond to Mr Kringles dilema of times past.

MrKringle wrote: »

I was in Tescos stores newbury the other day Thursday this week at about 4pm to 6pm with a female partner,

Just like an old record, stuck in the grove.

Tough Luck and Hope this helps

Freddie_Snowbits

Sorry, on to the proper post, about the nvidia card fitted to some PCs. I think the problem is caused when windows are eitehr closed or other items are opened on the desktop. They leave 'lines' where the windo was placed. An update is available that allivates this problem, but I cannot find it this morning. Try posting on the techie bored and they may help.

adam.mt

This seems to be Dells blog post on the subject: http://en.community.dell.com/dell-blogs/Direct2Dell/b/direct2dell/archive/2008/09/12/nvidia-gpu-update-limited-warranty-enhancement-details.aspx

OP - does your laptop still work or is it now dead? If it still works have you tried the BIOS update?

If your computer was running with the newer BIOS and has still failed then it would seem Dell haven't admitted a 'fault' thus your will need to prove one (independent report).

If you didn't apply the new BIOS and your computer now no longer runs at all, then you indeed likely have a valid claim under SoGA, so pursue as advised (Letter -> Letter Before Action -> Small Claims).

bippetyboo

Adam, I can turn it on in safe mode but the screen is in a very poor state and to all intents and purposes unusable. I don't know what bios it uses but I did reinstall the OS and drivers when it all started going wrong.

Freddie_Snowbits

OP, Try the3 techie bored

vikingaero

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

Sorry, on to the proper post, about the nvidia card fitted to some PCs. I think the problem is caused when windows are eitehr closed or other items are opened on the desktop. They leave 'lines' where the windo was placed. An update is available that allivates this problem, but I cannot find it this morning. Try posting on the techie bored and they may help.

I think you've had too much ale at the Dog and Duck.

The nVidia problem relates to insufficient heatsink paste, poor design and overheating of the graphics chip. They set aside a big chunk of money to deal with warranty returns.

Some companies dealt with the problem reasonably, others did the good old head in the sand technique. The fact is that there is a latent defect. If Dell won't repair and you paid by Credit Card or a Visa Debit card then you could claim against the card company. Neither option will be easy. You'll get reps who will lie from both Dell and the card companies who will lie through their teeth and claim that nothing can be done. You need to tell the Dell or card company reps at the beginning of the call that you want the call recorded.

An easier option is to get the computer repaired. One of my friends paid a company around £100 to repair it with a 3 month warranty and return courier.