Samsung NC10 Netbook "white screen" problem

Pennywise

If you have a NC 10 which has a flickering screen or white screen intermittant problem, and it's outside it's 12 month manufacturer's warranty, don't be put off by some Samsung call centre staff who won't arrange for a repair under warranty.

As I've just found out from an authorised Samsung repairer, Samsung are accepting these back for repair even after the 12 month warranty period. For those who don't know, there is a manufacturing problem with the lead between screen and motherboard which causes the white/flickering screen. It's all over the Samsung forums and lots of other online computing forums, but what isn't made clear is that Samsung are repairing this fault and extending the warranty period for this fault only.

I've phoned four times to Samsung, the first three call handlers refused to arrange collection/repair because mine was over 12 months old. I stood my ground and told them it was a known manufacturing fault and that the warranty period was extended, but they refused to listen. On the fourth call, I was lucky to get a guy who knew the problem, knew the extended warranty issue, and arranged for a collection for repair - all within a very short phone call.

So, if you've got this problem, you need to persist with the Samsung call handlers. If you're not getting anywhere, give up and try again a bit later to speak to a different person.

Under the Sale of Goods Act, you're entitled to repair, even outside warranty periods, if the product was faulty at the time of purchase. Given the sheer number of NC10's with this fault, it's clear the leads were faulty from the outset, so you're entitled to repair even outside the 12 month warranty. Samsung say they're extending another year to 24 months, but even then, they don't have a leg to stand on for faults that become apparent after 24 months but of course, as the length of time passed increases, you've less chance of being successful in the courts if you try suing them for repairs, so if you have one, even if more than 1/2 years old, the sooner you notify Samsung and ask for repair, the more likelihood of you getting it done free of charge.

alibongo42

Thanks for that, very useful. You might also be interested to know that even once the problem has been fixed by Samsung (as mine was last year), it just happens again!!!!

aroundtuit

When the guarantee had run out on my sons samsung tv it broke down.Would'nt turn onand kept making a noise.After a lot of hassal with curry's they said they needed a note from a registered tv engineer to say it was'nt wear and tear, but a fault.
When I rang the local engineer he laughed and oh another clicking samsung. Apparently he's repairing a dozen a week.
The makers are putting a cheap part in that does'nt last.
My son had given up all hope of getting it fixed and ordered a new one from comet £850.
Our local engineer picked up the samsung the same evening, insalled the new part and brought it back the following day.
He charged £83 and my son cancelled the tv from comet.
Great result:beer:

wacko911

Had this white screen on my NC10 and just got it repaired inside warranty. I thought it was cus it was dropped once (cracked the case) but they repaired it anyhow.

Good to know, thanks OP!

alanjrobertson

I've had this issue too. Called them this afternoon - they were quick to admit the warranty had been extended to two years for this particular issue as it was a manufacturing fault. However as I had bought it at the end of April 2009 they were saying I was too late. I said that their provision of an extension shows that they admit there is a manufacturing fault and that there is no 24 month cut-off under the Sale of Goods Act. The tech support folk weren't willing to budge though so I asked for a supervisor - they said there wasn't one but they would put me through to Customer Services. They then listened to the story and consented to a free of charge repair as long as I could email in proof of purchase quite quickly (which was very easy thanks to being able to use the Amazon past orders list and doPDF ). Now awaiting their reply and the details of how to arrange the repair - looks like it shouldn't be an issue though! In fairness, was actually fairly impressed with their service at almost 6pm on a Saturday!

KTF

My NC10 has this problem as well (bought November 2008). What number did you call?

tiff

Ours has this problem too but not sure I want to put up a fight for this to happen again. Its not enough of a problem, well my son doesnt complain about it anyway.

alanjrobertson

Sorry didn't keep a note of it, was just the main tech support one on the Samsung UK website.

Bamber19

alanjrobertson wrote: »

I said that their provision of an extension shows that they admit there is a manufacturing fault and that there is no 24 month cut-off under the Sale of Goods Act.

Whilst I appreciate that Samsung have extended their manufacturer's warranty I fail to see why you would be mentioning the sale of goods act to the manufacturer rather than the retailer. You're telling them about an act that is wholly irrelevant to them in this situation.

alanjrobertson

Hehe, you have a very good point :-) I glossed over that bit though when speaking to them and it seemed to do the trick :-P

Given I've also recently bought a Samsung Galaxy S2 and a Galaxy Tab 10.1 I feel they've not done too badly out of me recently.

I also think they should have been more up front about admitting to this flaw initially.

kentguy07

My N130 is great