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Bossnass · 12-04-2004, 10:32 AM

I have a dell inspiron 4100. I bought it when I was gainfully employed almost exactly three years ago, a P3-900.

I woke up yesterday morning to a computer that wouldn't turn on. I pulled out the battery so it was just on ac:
bad: I was hit by that sickening smell of ozone and burnt electronics.
worse: the smell wasn't coming from the battery
even worse: it was coming from the computer internals proper.

Perhaps I have a masochism streak I didn't know about, but I phoned Dell tech support and sales to confirm my fears:
bad: yes. my mobo is toast.
worse: no. I have been off warranty for two years.
even worse: $765.27 for a replacement (more then for a brand new 700m board)
even more worse?: thats for a refurbished item that comes with a whopping 30 days warranty.
worst: could very well be the processor too.

I took it apart this morning; I can't find a giant black scorch mark from arcing high voltage or anything exciting like that. The 'hot/burnt' smell seems to be focused around the pcmcia slots, which is on the oppsite side from the chip.

I have just returned from my local computer shop with a 2.5" to IDE cable, and am in the process of recovering my data onto this old desktop, which was my largest concern.

Other points:

I'm a student on a limited budget. I expected this laptop to last me when I made the decision to go back to school.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT although it seems risky even for ebay
I have a fully funcitonal screen, HD, modular cdrw, floppy, battery, 2x128 SD, wireless card and router (B) that I no longer have a use for.
I did use this computer on a regular basis for and at school, (MAPLE/matlab, excel and word, misd DEs)
I also used it (and will need a laptop) if and when I continue to run my small business in the summer. (Access, quickbooks)

So what would you do in my position? I was already anticipating the Christmas crunch before this added cost. I do have work lined up over the break, but that money was intended to make life easier until April, not to go towards a new (to me) laptop. Should I just cut my losses and try to get a couple bucks parting it out?

12-04-2004, 10:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bossnass Détente Location: AWOL in Edmonton	What to do with my dead lappy... I have a dell inspiron 4100. I bought it when I was gainfully employed almost exactly three years ago, a P3-900. I woke up yesterday morning to a computer that wouldn't turn on. I pulled out the battery so it was just on ac: bad: I was hit by that sickening smell of ozone and burnt electronics. worse: the smell wasn't coming from the battery even worse: it was coming from the computer internals proper. Perhaps I have a masochism streak I didn't know about, but I phoned Dell tech support and sales to confirm my fears: bad: yes. my mobo is toast. worse: no. I have been off warranty for two years. even worse: $765.27 for a replacement (more then for a brand new 700m board) even more worse?: thats for a refurbished item that comes with a whopping 30 days warranty. worst: could very well be the processor too. I took it apart this morning; I can't find a giant black scorch mark from arcing high voltage or anything exciting like that. The 'hot/burnt' smell seems to be focused around the pcmcia slots, which is on the oppsite side from the chip. I have just returned from my local computer shop with a 2.5" to IDE cable, and am in the process of recovering my data onto this old desktop, which was my largest concern. Other points: I'm a student on a limited budget. I expected this laptop to last me when I made the decision to go back to school. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT although it seems risky even for ebay I have a fully funcitonal screen, HD, modular cdrw, floppy, battery, 2x128 SD, wireless card and router (B) that I no longer have a use for. I did use this computer on a regular basis for and at school, (MAPLE/matlab, excel and word, misd DEs) I also used it (and will need a laptop) if and when I continue to run my small business in the summer. (Access, quickbooks) So what would you do in my position? I was already anticipating the Christmas crunch before this added cost. I do have work lined up over the break, but that money was intended to make life easier until April, not to go towards a new (to me) laptop. Should I just cut my losses and try to get a couple bucks parting it out?