Should I send my laptop back?

Question

I will apologise first that this may be a little long winded and I don't know the correct terms...

I got a laptop last September, for my uni stuff, etc but I've been having problems with the USB ports and the power cable thing. When I plug in my iPod to the USB port, it often either doesn't recognise that anything's been plugged in, or it will "forget" and my iPod will disconnect itself if I move my laptop. Originally I thought it was a problem with my iPod, but recently, my mouse has been doing it, too.

Also, when I plug in the power cable, it doesn't seem to work, I have to fiddle with it to get it to be recognised, sometimes, having to sit holding it in one position to stop my laptop from turning off from low battery!

Also, (sorry!) when my laptop beeps because the battery is going, sometimes the screen goes black but the lights say that it's still on... however, try as I might, I cannot get the screen back on unless I either leave it to go off fully and restart or I turn it off and restart myself (by holding down the power button)

Sorry if I'm just gadget-thick!!

Answer 1

send it back, sounds like its been fuuucked from jump street. mighta got a defective one, they r supposed to last way longer than a yr

Answer 2

The more information you give, the better.

Send it back.

I like Dell.

Answer 3

I'm guessing you have a DELL, haha jk.

Answer 4

Hi, I think it would definitely be worth getting it repaired - quick - while it's in warranty.

A common problem with power supplies is that the cable constantly gets pulled, twisted, and bent around! Inside the cable are a few thinner wires and these gradually break at any point where the cable is regularly bent - usually at the point where the cable goes into the plug that goes into the laptop. It also happens if you're one of those very tidy people who always wrap the wire tightly around the power supply when you pack up and put it in your bag. Doing that several times a day, the cable soon breaks and the only cure is a replacement power supply (about £30-50, $50-80).

This same problem applies really to any cable - including iPod USB cables.

Another common problem is that the sockets inside the computer - either power socket or USB or anything else, is that when the cables get plugged in and out often, or the cable is pulled while connected (using it on your lap), the socket inside the computer starts working loose and its connections become intermittent.

It sounds as if you power cable either has a break occurring inside the cable - or that the socket is coming loose inside the laptop. Either of these can be expensive to repair.

If you bought the laptop from a shop rather than online, at least you can take it there and ask them to repair it. Having to send it away is more hassle. However, some of these manufacturers include a first year on-site collection in their warranty - it's worth checking.

Now, be aware that shops and computer manufacturers would rather tell you they can't find a problem until the warranty has expired, or tell you that it's your fault for bending the cables! If you're within Europe, there's a European law that basically says that products should be "fit for purpose" and should last a reasonable time. Even beyond the warranty year, you can get the computer repaired free IF you have reported a design or manufacturing fault WITHIN that first year. If you appear to know this, the shop or manufacturer are less likely to try and put you off.

Check your warranty, and report the fault to immediately. Try to sound confident about it, otherwise they may try to put you off. Try to get something in writing so that in future you can show you reported the problem in the first year.

It's all boring and tedious, but don't be on the losing end!

Rob.