On December 7, 1998 I brought my laptop to Computer LINK. Before entering I photgraphed the sign on the window which explicitely says that they service NEC notebooks and that they have a 90 WARRANTY, contrary to what it says on the receipt they gave me when I brough my machine in on July 7 (pictures to appear on this web page later).
Today was at least the 5th time I've brought the notebook in. Each previous time they have attempted to repair the machine but it has FAILED AFTER A FEW DAYS USE.
Upon bringing the machine in I told the technician, Sonny Wong, that the cooling fan doesn't turn on after the machine boots. He responded that he had been told by the contractor, who had serviced my notebook, that the machine had been modified so that it would always be on. I was never told of this. Nevertheless, Mr. Wong refused to take my laptop into service or acknowledge any responsibility for the problem.
The following letter outlining my difficulties.
December 9, 1998 William A. Stein 2041 Francisco Street, Apt. 14 Berkeley, CA 94709 (510) 883-9938 [email protected] Pearson Huang President ComputerLINK 2324 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94709 Dear Pearson: On July 6, 1998 I brought in a broken NEC Versa 2730MT laptop for diagnostic and possible repair (receipt #000517). One month later I was informed that the laptop did not work because the cache on the motherboard was damaged. I agreed to pay $350 in order to have the cache replaced. After paying $350 I was able to pick up the laptop on August 12, 1998. Unfortunately, your company's service was inadequate because the original problem began to reappear shortly after I picked up the computer. I returned the laptop at the beginning of September, 1998 in order to have it fixed under the stated 30 day warranty. (Note, the sign on the window at that time clearly stated that there is a 90 day warranty.) I picked up the laptop again on September 28, 1998, only to find that the backlight no longer worked. This was quickly repaired (receipt # 000749) and on October 12, 1998, the laptop was again ready for me to pick up. I was disappointed because, within a few days, the laptop began to fail in the same way as before. I thus brought it back in again. I waited until it was ready and picked it up on November 18, 1998. By November 20, 1998 it had again begun to fail. I have waited until December 7 in the hopes that the problem would resolve itself. Instead the laptop has completely stopped working. After six months and $350, the laptop works no better today than it did on July 6, 1998 when I originally brought it in. I am not a technician and I do not know what is wrong with the laptop. When I paid $350 to have it repaired it was under the understanding that the problem with the laptop would be fixed. Clearly the technician to whom you contracted the problem has misdiagnosed it, perhaps noticing only a sympton (the motherboard cache problem) but not the real cause. Perhaps there is a problem with the cooling system? I never notice the cooling fan turn on after the system boots up, as I think it might once have done. This might also explain the screen backlight burning out. On December 7, 1998 I was told by Sonny Wong that the cooling fan was supposed to run at all times. To resolve the problem, I would appreciate either a charge card credit of $350, or the prompt repair of my laptop. I do not think I should have to pay the diagnostic fee because the diagnostic was clearly incorrect and of no value. I look forward to your reply and a resolution to my problem, and will wait until January 1, 1999 before seeking assistance from the Better Business Bureau. Sincerely, William A. Stein