Advice me on how to talk to tech support?

[InGearX]

I have a serous problem with my Compaq X1000 laptop, the colors are all like red filtered...

OK mostly everyone is telling me that it's the "ribbon cable connecting the display to the motherboard coming loose from the ZIF socket"

So the laptop needs to be opened up and the cable fixed...
And I can't open it up my self and fix it because that will the warranty.

I hear that Compaq will take away my laptop for about 2 weeks, but I need it for work!

Preferably:
1) I would preferably get rid of this model all together and upgrade to a newer model and I would add $...

2) If that can not be done I'd rather have a new same model laptop sent to me...

3) Or at least have them do an express repair.

4) But sending it away for 2 weeks when I need it for work... just because of the cable is just unacceptable.

Can anyone give me advice on what I can tell the tech support? How I should talk to them? To essentially minimize the wait/incontinence time?

Thank you...

 

[Matthias99]

Unfortunately, your options are limited.

Option 1 is just not really feasable -- unless you want to buy a whole new laptop right now, and then you could send yours in for repair once you get it. Of course, then you have two laptops. But I doubt they have any sort of trade-up program -- especially when you're trading up from something used and half broken.

Option 2 *might* be doable, but you'd have a better chance if your laptop was completely broken. They would *not* send you a new one in any case, but you might get a refurbished laptop of the same model, or a newer one. This is probably not in your warranty, though, and so there's no obligation on their part.

Option 3 -- 2 weeks might *be* the express repair. It's going to take at least 3-4 days each way in the mail (unless you pay to overnight it both ways at your expense), and probably another 3-4 business days there for them to run diagnostics, etc., and repair/replace the broken parts. Even FedExing it both ways is unlikely to get under a week turnaround. You're not the only person with a broken laptop.

I would tell the tech support person the truth -- that you need this system, and want to get it fixed, but can't afford to have it taken away for that long. If you get high enough up in the chain of command, they may be able to do something above and beyond for you, but don't count on it.

Did you pay for an onsite warranty? Didn't think so, or you wouldn't be here. If you have absolutely critical equipment, get a warranty that offers terms you can live with. If sending the laptop away for repair is not an acceptable option for you, look into a warranty or insurance program that will get it fixed onsite or get you a replacement in a hurry.