Acer laptop computer - BEWARE!

[Dive-aholic]

Alright, so I got this really good deal on an Acer laptop Black Friday 2006 - less than $400. It came with CD/DVD-RW, 80GB hard drive, etc, etc. Speakers were less than optimal, but hey, for the price, I can't really complain. Well, about a week after the warranty expired, the thing just stops working. I turn it on and nothing but 3 loud tones. I e-mail tech support and get a form response to load my systems disks on it. They obviously didn't read my e-mail. I call them up and am told it will cost $449 to repair. That's more than the cost of the laptop!! I tell them where they can shove it and hang up. I've since researched this and found this to be a common problem with Acer computers - 13 months, out of warranty, now a paperweight, $449 to fix. So I'm putting this out for anyone who is considering buying a laptop to beware of Acer. Spend a little extra money and get something that will last.

BTW, does anyone know where I can get a motherboard cheap?

 

[Thalassamania]

Central Computer in San Jose has a flat fee laptop repair service, it's under $150 as I recall.

 

[Tom Smedley]

Don't go for another computer just yet. Take the battery out of it for a few minutes, then try to boot it again. May not work but it is just a try. The Gateway techs called this a technician reboot. For $449 you can get a heck of a nice replacement that includes current technological advancements.

In my dad's shop there is an Acer 386 that is still running strong. They were/are a good name in computers but any electronic device that is two years old is obsolete.

 

[DandyDon]

Don't go for another computer just yet. Take the battery out of it for a few minutes, then try to boot it again. May not work but it is just a try. The Gateway techs called this a technician reboot. For $449 you can get a heck of a nice replacement that includes current technological advancements.

Yep, and just in case you missed the obvious - make sure it's unplugged for that minute, too.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Already did all that - unplugged, battery out - nothing helps. For the Acer repair price, I can get another laptop that's the same or better and have parts to swap out.

Thal, I think I've already been in contact with them, someone in CA anyway. I'm not sure I want to spend that much plus shipping both ways. Like I said, the computer cost me less than $400 to begin with. I've seen motherboards online in the $60-80 range. I just don't know if they'll work in my laptop.

 

[chip104]

I have an acer 5630 that's been beaten up pretty bad. Going strong just under 2 years. (knock on wood).

My first computer was an acer 5000 that the keyboard clonked out just as the warranty expired (must have been something I split on it). I registered online for them to fix it and they paid for the fedex to pick it up at my lab and 1.5 weeks later I got it back not only with a new keyboard, but a NEW motherboard, screen and front cover. I had stickers on my original cover so they shipped it back to me as well. All on their dime.

I was impressed with their service, especially since they didn't make a big deal about the warranty just expiring, so I upgraded my laptop to another acer. This time with a webcam for all the voyuer porn I do. It's been pretty awesome.

I've had a completely opposite experience from you - it sucks to hear they haven't been as abiding.

and my story probably just made you more pissed....

 

[DivingPrincessE]

When I was looking at computers about a year ago, the Acers at Best Buy were all pretty cheap (compared to the other computers). The Best Buy guy told me they were less expensive for a reason and that I would be better off getting a more reliable brand.

 

[Dive-aholic]

I have an acer 5630 that's been beaten up pretty bad. Going strong just under 2 years. (knock on wood).

My first computer was an acer 5000 that the keyboard clonked out just as the warranty expired (must have been something I split on it). I registered online for them to fix it and they paid for the fedex to pick it up at my lab and 1.5 weeks later I got it back not only with a new keyboard, but a NEW motherboard, screen and front cover. I had stickers on my original cover so they shipped it back to me as well. All on their dime.

I was impressed with their service, especially since they didn't make a big deal about the warranty just expiring, so I upgraded my laptop to another acer. This time with a webcam for all the voyuer porn I do. It's been pretty awesome.

I've had a completely opposite experience from you - it sucks to hear they haven't been as abiding.

and my story probably just made you more pissed....

Actually, I'm happy for you. Unfortunately, yours is the only story like that I've heard/read. Every other account has been similar to mine. You just got lucky I guess.

 

[Peter Guy]

Rob, I must admit I like my Acer laptop and it has been all over with absolutely no problems. It will be 2 this coming March.

BTW, wasn't Acer the OEM for many different laptop brands and then they finally decided to market under their own name? I really wonder how many factories are actually building the components.

 

[Web Monkey]

Alright, so I got this really good deal on an Acer laptop Black Friday 2006 - less than $400. It came with CD/DVD-RW, 80GB hard drive, etc, etc. Speakers were less than optimal, but hey, for the price, I can't really complain. Well, about a week after the warranty expired, the thing just stops working. I turn it on and nothing but 3 loud tones.

Does it do anything at all? You can try removing the battery, hard disk and any pluggable RAM.

If the BIOS comes up and complains, it's not dead. Then you can add things back one at a time until it doesn't work again.

Terry