faulty sony laptop graphics card

Chrismet

I bought a sony vaio laptop about two and a half years ago for my son from Costco. Was not a cheap one (in my opinion), something along the lines of £7-800. a couple of weeks ago the graphics card went - fuzzy horizontal lines across whole screen any time that laptop is powered up. Independant advice told me that it was the graphics card.
Sony have admitted liability for a range of Sony Vaio's that have a "faulty" graphics card - the ranges that they have admitted this for now have an extended warranty period with reference to only the said graphics card. My vaio is not included within the model numbers covered by sony, although it does have (from what I can discern) one of the same geforce nvidia graphics cards.
[on a PC, I would have just bought a new graphics card and installed myself, but being a laptop, this graphics card is an integral part of the motherboard - hence a new motherboard would be the order of the day]

Costco have apologized but said there is nothing that they can do - tried their concierge service that deals with computers etc - same response.
Sony have said that it is out of their 2 year warranty, so can only refer me to a repair centre.

I do not know if I have any kind of comeback with it only having lasted for two and a half years - to me, that is not a long time for a laptop to last (please correct me if this is my naivety at fault).

I would personally just write it off - but have been pointedly told by several "helpful" people that I really ought to complain/make a fuss/get back to the retailer under the sales of goods act (must admit I am loathe to - as I would have assumed that as it was out of the 2 yr warranty I can do nothing) - hence my question regarding reasonable life of a laptop. Does the fact that I purchased the laptop from a wholesaler, albeit for home use, have any bearing on my rights?

Any other advice appreciated

neilmcl

You mention you purchased the laptop from Costco. How did you purchase it, eg, was it for yourself or did you buy via your company. In other words is this listed as a company asset? It'll make a difference as to whether you can use the SOGA or not.

halibut2209

It was for his son

EDIT: And for home use

neilmcl

halibut2209 wrote: »

It was for his son

EDIT: And for home use

The OP could have purchased it via their company and just allowing their son to use it on the sly, ie, it's a company asset and therefore a B2B purchase.

custardy

Chrismet wrote: »

I bought a sony vaio laptop about two and a half years ago for my son from Costco. Was not a cheap one (in my opinion), something along the lines of £7-800. a couple of weeks ago the graphics card went - fuzzy horizontal lines across whole screen any time that laptop is powered up. Independant advice told me that it was the graphics card.
Sony have admitted liability for a range of Sony Vaio's that have a "faulty" graphics card - the ranges that they have admitted this for now have an extended warranty period with reference to only the said graphics card. My vaio is not included within the model numbers covered by sony, although it does have (from what I can discern) one of the same geforce nvidia graphics cards.
[on a PC, I would have just bought a new graphics card and installed myself, but being a laptop, this graphics card is an integral part of the motherboard - hence a new motherboard would be the order of the day]

Costco have apologized but said there is nothing that they can do - tried their concierge service that deals with computers etc - same response.
Sony have said that it is out of their 2 year warranty, so can only refer me to a repair centre.

I do not know if I have any kind of comeback with it only having lasted for two and a half years - to me, that is not a long time for a laptop to last (please correct me if this is my naivety at fault).

I would personally just write it off - but have been pointedly told by several "helpful" people that I really ought to complain/make a fuss/get back to the retailer under the sales of goods act (must admit I am loathe to - as I would have assumed that as it was out of the 2 yr warranty I can do nothing) - hence my question regarding reasonable life of a laptop. Does the fact that I purchased the laptop from a wholesaler, albeit for home use, have any bearing on my rights?

Any other advice appreciated

what model is it
does it have the nvidia 8400 graphics?
my media centre vaio is in for repair right now
bought in 2008
Sony have stated the mobo will be replaced under warranty

http://www.nvidiadefect.com/i-won-my-case-maybe-this-will-help-someone-else-t170.html

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/news-item.pl?template=EN&news_id=349

foolowing the Sony USA warranty extention,I emailed Sony support UK and described the symptoms and asked if they were matching the 3 year warranty
got asked to supply some details
they agreed it may be the GFX
got packaging sent out
then collected by DHL
got an email telling me the mobo would be replacved under warranty(though it would be £90 to get it returned unfoxed has it not been a warranty repair!)

libra10

Similar happened to my 2.5 year old Sony VGN F21Z (I think that is model number).

Sony replaced the mainboard free of charge, stating that the graphics card was guaranteed for 4 years.

Hope you have success with your warranty claim.

custardy

well the OP hasnt been back but Sony have confirmed my Vaio will be repaired under warranty at no charge