LinuxQuestions.org - Dell warranty void for using Linux

Hi all,

I have been a regular reader of the forums and used Linux on and off for many years with the last two years exclusivly Linux at home, as I normally find the answer to my questions here I havent yet needed to post.

Anyway my success story in case it helps anyone else.

I bought a new Dell laptop last year, nice slim model with ssd and sata drives. when it arrived I duly wiped it, installed Ubuntu and lived happily ever after. 10 months later I started to get some lines down the side of the screen, not just on the desktop but on the boot/bios screen as well. I contacted Dell explainging the issue which I believed to be a hardware issue and jumping through the various hoops as requested. They then sent me a bios and graphic driver update for windows, I explained that I had Ubuntu running so couldnt use these which they then replied that due to chainging to OS my warranty was void. I argued that it was a hardware fault and not related to any OS or software.

Luckily for me I then remembered that prior to purchase I used their online chat service to talk to a sales rep where I explicitly stated that I would be wiping and using Ubuntu and made enquiries on any known issue or incompatabilities etc. I was told that all would work fine, they have no issues or problems with this etc. After the conversation Dell automatically email you the conversation for your records, I emailed them back and attached the original email from them, they imeadiatly responded agreeing to the warranty repair and arranged for an engineer to call this week to make the repair.

This may nopt help those who have already purchased one but certainly worth doing before you buy a new machine, I have read a lot of posts across the web from Linux users who have fallen out with Dell over this issue.

session log below in case this helps?

Jamie

03/21/2014 09:35:53PM

Session Started with Agent (Sudheer_A_R)

03/21/2014 09:35:53PM

jamie brittain: "Hi I am thinking about purchasing the Inspiron 14 7000 series, i am not a windows user and will be putting ubuntu 14.04 on it (when it is released next month) is this laptop compatible or are you aware of any issues with linux on this? Also is it possble to set ubuntu to load root drive on the 32gb ssd and home drive on the sata drive? Thanks

03/21/2014 09:36:03PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "Thank you for contacting Dell Sales Chat and Finance. My name is Sudheer , your Online Sales Advisor. Hope you are doing well! In order to serve you better, may I have your telephone number, in case of Chat disconnect I can atleast call you?"

03/21/2014 09:36:06PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "Hi Jamie"

03/21/2014 09:36:07PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "good evening"

03/21/2014 09:36:36PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "yes the laptop is compatible and you can install and use it and we have not received any complaints as such"

03/21/2014 09:36:37PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "and"

03/21/2014 09:36:55PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "the 32 gb SSD comes with Intel SRT smart response technology"

03/21/2014 09:37:02PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "which helps in faster boot up"

03/21/2014 09:37:23PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "from our end the Intel SRT is factory installed"

03/21/2014 09:39:13PM

jamie brittain: "so it can have ubuntu installed on to the ssd for speed and set my home drive on the sata drive? also do you know if the touch creen works ok in linux? sorry for all the questions just want to make sure i get the right laptop, my poor xps1340 is nearing end of life

03/21/2014 09:40:29PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "NO"

03/21/2014 09:40:50PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "OS is not installed in the 32 GB SSD"

03/21/2014 09:42:44PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "from your end if you have the Ubuntu OS discs"

03/21/2014 09:42:52PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "then you can install and use"

03/21/2014 09:44:42PM

Agent (Sudheer_A_R): "and yes even in other OS you can use the touch screen"

03/21/2014 09:47:48PM

Session Ended

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