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Laptop Warranty Problems - What's Covered
If you've got laptop warranty problems then you may want to clear up what your warranty does actually cover, you may be suprised to know what is covered and what's not.
The following items aren't covered:- Software issues.
- Virus and Spyware related issues.
- Configuration problems, including dialup or broadband issues.
- Data recovery (even if your HDD has been replaced under warranty).
- Data backup.
- Software reloading (after warranty HDD replacement).
- Damaged laptops can be voided of all warranty responsibility.
- Key replacement on keyboards.
- Spills of any kind or age.
- LCD scratches, blemishes and especially cracks due to misuse or damage.
- Problems arising from overheating due to dirt or dust in cooling systems.
- User ability issues (if you log a warranty call because something doesn’t work for you, but it works for everybody else, expect a bill...)
- Issues arising from blatant stupidity or misinformation. (Don’t take advice on issues from people who say they know what your problem is but don’t have any IT service experience).
Also, verify who is responsible for the laptop's warranty, problems can arise if you're chasing the vendor (IBM, Toshiba, HP/Compaq etc.) but an extended warranty was supplied by the retailer.
Laptop Serial Number Identification
Most manufacturers encode information required to determine the laptop's warranty into the serial number, here are some examples;
Toshiba
SN: X3601548J - The first two characters in Toshiba's serial number represent the month and year of manufacture.
| 1=Jan | 7=July | | 2=Feb | 8=Aug | | 3=Mar | 9=Sept | | 4=Apr | X=Oct | | 5=May | Y=Nov | | 6=Jun | Z=Dec |
| The number 3 in this laptop's serial number represents 2003, if it was a 5 it would be 2005.
So the date of manufacture of this laptop is October 2003. |
This is how BenQ do it;
Serial number from a Joybook – 98K1201V355350000DH7000
The 535 represents the year and week of manufacture, so 2005 week 35.
Hp/Compaq does it like this;
TWS2102368
Here the 210 represents the year and the week of manufacture 2002 week 10. The first 3 letters are the country and vendor codes, the last four digits are the unit build number so the 2368th laptop built during week 10 of 2002.
If you're having some laptop warranty problems this info should help you determine how old you machine is and if you might still have some warranty. Most manufacturers offer a standard 12 month warranty which they will honour from the date of purchase.
The laptop's serial numbers obviously won’t indicate extended or retail warranty if it was purchased.
For further info on clearing up any laptop warranty problems you might be having, click here
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