Laptop having CONTINUED problems...question about Best Buy warranty

One of my laptops was purchased in Sept. 2006 with the 3yr full warranty from Best Buy where they claim they will replace your laptop even if you drop it by accident. Now, how often they actually replace under those situations I do not know.

Anywho...

1st problem:

About 10 months ago the computer's USB ports started working only part of the time and the DVD drive would not read discs. Take laptop to Best Buy, they send it off for service, three weeks later it comes back with a new DVD drive and a new Motherboard...a $500 repair I did not have to pay since I have the mammajamma warranty.

2nd Problem:

Whenever the laptop is plugged in I have it set to give full brightness on the screen. When unplugged it dims slightly. This way it is pretty simple to know if the laptop is plugged in properly. About 4 months ago I started having a problem where the A/C adapter would be connected to the unplugged laptop and I had to position the input properly for the charge to actually get to the computer. This was evidenced by the computer dimming, brightening, dimming, brightening, etc... until the cord was positioned in such a way that the charging commenced normally.

It got progressively worse to the point that the computer would not charge no matter what.

I take the laptop to Best Buy and they send it off for service. Computer comes back 3 weeks later with a new AC jack. This is a $50 repair that I did not have to pay. I take the computer home and all is well. Plug in adapter and the comp starts charging flawlessly...for 2 days.

After day 2 the problem resurfaced and slowly got worse over the next few days which is JUST like the previous time this happened.

Take laptop to Best Buy (this was 3 weeks ago) and they send it off for service after I tell them I am having the same problem. They send my laptop, the battery, and the AC adapter.

Laptop comes back yesterday with a brand new A/C Adapter, ANOTHER motherboard replacement, and, get this, a new LCD screen (wtf?)! Keep in mind there was never anything wrong with the screen. Total repair bill almost $700. Again, no charge to me since I have the super warranty.


Now, wake up today after laptop has been charging overnight, unplug from wall, and there is a full charge. I go about my business and then plug it in a few minutes ago only to see the stupid screen flashing (the perfect indication that the comp isnt getting a proper charge). I wiggle the new A/C Adapter and the problem goes away.

Here is the thing, this problem, since I have had it before, quickly goes downhill to the point where you can't charge the laptop. I know this is what is happening and by Wednesday it won't really be usable.

I already have the computer backed up on an external drive and I think it is time to declare this thing a lemon(if that is at all possible).


So, after all of this, what should my approach be when I bring this sucker into Best Buy again? Anyone have any experience with getting a replacement laptop at no cost using this type of warranty?

SO frustrating. I can just see them trying to stiff me on this one by somehow blaming me for all of this and denying coverage. PM me if necessary

 

Talk to a manager and show them all the repairs and tell them it would be cheaper to just replace it than keep sending it in for repairs on their dime.

 

It's obviously a user error.

Did you read the part of the manual where it tells you how to plug the A/C adapter into the computer?

 

Wait, what is this "user manual" you speak of?

 

Oh yeah, I forgot that nothing comes with a real user manual anymore. No wonder you don't know how to properly insert the charging device...

I've had this similar problem with my past few cell phones - where over time the plug doesn't seat properly. This is usually because it is full of some sort of dirt/flour (result of working in the pizza biz..). Hard to imagine that would be your case here.

Makes me wonder if this is some sort of thermal problem - where the outlet is getting hot and distorting in some way.

Have you searched the net for discussions of the same problem with your specific brand/model of laptop?

 

It's a Dell isn't it? They have problems with the AC ports.

 

No luck!

This is a Gateway, the other one is a Dell !!!

 

I feel so bad for you.

 

Yeah, well, I am still trying to work through the Dell's problem of continually rebooting but I believe I have a solution that was provided by DJUI5 in a different thread!

 

Are either of those laptops "Trail Rated"?

 

You need to cut down on all that surfing for midget porn anyway!

 

They really need to be considering how much I move them around!

But what else am I supposed to do when I think of you Dave???

 

One of the many reasons, why Apple's MagSafe power connector is the perfect idea. No connectors = no broken ports on motherboard

On to your issue, I think it is 3 repairs with the same thing wrong, and it's considered a lemon.

So basically if the power port breaks again, and the motherboard has to be replaced, start to b!tch to them, and under the super warranty, you should get a new computer, or store credit towards a new Computer. (might I suggest a new Dell XPS m1330, it's sold at best buy, and it's great; or Best Buy does sell Macs)

However, if you have a warranty with accidental damage [CHECK THIS BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT ANYTHING, ask them...], you could just "drop" it. Or just mess with the power plug again. It ensures a new computer

 

What?!? Hey, wait a minute....

 

Hope it works!
As for this one, I'd call it a lemon and make them give you a new laptop. Might be an issue with the power cord too. It might be frying the port for some reason.

 

I wish it were that easy but this is the 3rd OEM power cord and this one in particular was brand spankin new before 2 days ago.

 

Jeesh.