Broken slot drive on my 1530...what would you do?

So I've had my 1530 less than 2 weeks and the drive is totally shot. The disc rubs against something inside there and gets stuck when I try to eject it. I literally have to push the eject button and turn the laptop sideways and try to shake the disc out.


So I called Dell and they gave me two options:

1)Return it and get a new system
2)Have the tech come and replace the slot drive


What would you do in my situation?

He said the replacement could take 5-16 days depending on the parts. I have an LED and I no longer see that listed on dell's site so this could be a problem as far as wait time. Just unsure what I should do.

I mean, I really don't want the tech ripping the entire computer apart but I guess that's what he does on a daily basis so I doubt he'll butcher it right?

 

Yeah I don't think the tech would do a good job and you wont have to miss your computer for more than 2 weeks.
However if there is something else your not satisfied with I'd ask for a replacement. I can still see the LED when speccing a 1530, but I think if you have the 250GB 7200 HD it's gonna take alot more than 2 weeks if you replace it.

 

I would get the technician to come to you. You can read the replacement manual and check that he does the work correctly.

Personally, I've developed a dislike to the slot loaders after having to remove one and open it to extract a disc.

John

 

I'm sorta thinking the same thing John. I'd be in big trouble if I needed the drive and had no other options. I definitely think reliability is a concern here.

 

Hmm? They maybe couldn't build it correct the 1st time (unless you accept total hardware failure) and you want another from those guys not repair from tech? You still have much time left on warranty, I would say let the onsite go for it. If you then have any concerns then send it back. Now a bit of common sense if you are tech savvy? And I in no way believe in fraud. But if you (I might) want to go back in and confirm they put it together correct (all screws there and tight). They can't tell who went in there. Their guy or me. Now you can have a ball with your notebook and nobody can say anything? I would really let the on site guy have a shot. DeLL is being very nice giving you the option, don't use your cards on this minor issue. If you go for replacement if a more serious problem later they do count the number of replacements. Even if completely legitimate you do get flagged why start on something so small.

 

Dell notebooks are designed and built for easy maintenance. One of the good aspects about Dell is that they publish the disassembly guides so it's easy for users to do some DIY. Just don't break anything and put the Dell supplied parts back in before calling Dell should you need service.

Sony notebooks, on the other hand, are usually well fixed together and not designed for easy maintenance.

John

 

Personally, I'd get them to send me the part so I can replace it myself.

 

I would just get a new system

 

I would do on-site repair, and would hope that would solve the problem.

Hope.

 

I would get a new system, but make sure you can keep the one you have now until the new one arrives

 

Thanks for the comments guys. I decided to give the Tech a shot...if he screws it up then it's definitely going back to Dell.


BTW, the second time I called in I had to talk to an idiot of a rep. He said XPS support was receiving a lot of calls and the wait time was shorter if they transferred some calls to the business division

This guy literally took a half hour to order a new drive and send me a new remote. I had to pressure him to end it at a half hour too! He would sit there for like 5 mins at a time not saying anything(I had him on speakerphone) then I would say something like "are we about finished" and he would always say he was having problems with this and that...very annoying.