Recieved DFI SLI.. verdict inside

[housecat]

Just wanted to let you guys know that I jumped on a DFI SLI board and when I got it (yesterday) there was a loose piece of solder on the board that was rolling around unattached.. and all of the front connector pins (power switches ect.) were all bent upwards.

Also, my buttons for the quick power on and reset (a DFI only feature) were not finished!

The springs to the buttons were loose in the motherboard slip.

Anyway, I didnt examine the board that closely until I'd torn apart my rig.. I figured if there was any damage it'd been done during shipping (which UPS did a fine job).

Its clearly a manufacturer issue as the springs and the rest of the buttons they are for arent even in the packaging.

I know most ppl have had great success with this board, and it does appear the superior overclocker.. but I'm saddened.

I'm going to put my main rig back together now with my original Asus.. but I'm very disappointed.

I dont know if DFI has a slight quality assurance issue or what.. but I hope this doesnt happen to anyone else who tries one of these.. AND MAKE SURE YOU EXAMINE THE BOARD CLOSELY BEFORE TEARING APART YOUR NEW ONE!

I tried the board anyway, since I'd torn apart my existing setup.. and the onboard LEDs lit up with the power connected, but when I hit the power button the diagnostic lights would flash.. but no boot.

I think this has something to do with that solder connection that was rolling around on the board. Either way, I'm not surprised it didnt work considering all the things busted on it.

I'm going to take pics of it.. and prob send it back for a refund and no exchange.

I'm just going to stick with the large manufacturers from now on like Asus.

NOTE: I'm not bashing the DFI board, this IS ONLY meant as a heads up to what COULD happen!

edit to add- btw if you are considering this board, my front audio connectors would not reach the karajan module (super lanboy) because the karajan module sits right where the usual onboard audio connectors do, and its a VERY long ways for front panel cables to go.
I thought this DFI would give me the perfect system.. :thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

 

[Tanclearas]

Ouch! That is so bizarre. I don't think I've ever received a board in such a bad state (and I used to purchase some really cheap-ass boards). I definitely would not have expected that from DFI.

...and you didn't even have to use exclamation points to get me to read... hehe... sorry... couldn't resist...

 

[housecat]

Yeah I'm really disappointed.
I wanted this so bad. Now I'm checking into the retailers RMA policy/return policy.

Since everything is still torn apart I might just RMA it and rebuild when I get the replacement.
Gotta check into the policys first, but if I put things back together in the Asus.. it is STAYING that way.. too much trouble for a damn motherboard that a little taiwanese Quality Assurance guy couldve EASILY seen without a microscope.. or even actually testing the board.

Hell, I shouldve seen it. But I expected better from DFI.

I'm taking photos of the broken parts I still have (the only thing tossed were the springs, and they were found in nooks and crannys on the board).

And I'm posting the pictures of the board and parts on DFI Street and here for everyone to examine.

I still think the DFI is a great board of course, but QA might be an issue for this small taiwanese manufacturer.

Certainly a lesson in a few different ways for me.. go with the Big Boys.. and check out the damn board before tearing apart the old one (DUH!)

 

[alkemyst]

why go DFI from ASUS? I had problems with my ASUS but if my SCSI card still worked with it, I'd wait out the BIOS update for working memory dividers. I hit 300x8.5 with a 3200+.

The FP lengths are the way it goes...can't fault them for that. Working with my full tower on many motherboards the power switch pinout is a little low as well.

It seems this board was a factory reject that somehow got packed.

It could also be someone else's RMA that they fuxored. Two different fly by nights I ordered from in the past (before I knew about resellerratings.com) sent me obviously returned and previously messed up parts.

 

[Tanclearas]

Nah... I would've done the same, and I think a good number of people here would've as well. Heck, I had my last system torn apart two weeks before my A8N-SLI even shipped! It was a little easier for me to take then, though. I still had use of my wife's computer and a laptop from work, and I had a lot of work to do so didn't have much time for gaming.

 

[emilyek]

Search around the forum for posts on the Ultra D, and you'll find that others have experienced the same thing. I'm assuming you haven't already.

Obviously DFI has a disgruntled worker, or a malfunctioning packagaing machine.

Send it back, get another one that's not busted.

 

[housecat]

Yeah I checked resellerratings on this place.. not a single bad review.

Oh well. Guess I'll just use my wifes P4 until I get my RMA back.

I'm going to make waves at DFI Street, not to be an arse.. but to get them to get into shape.. this is unacceptable.

If UPS did it.. fine, I've seen that. But from the manufacturer? It wasnt microscopic problems like a lead.. it was busted up crap all over rolling around in the anti-static bag.

The rest of the package was GREAT, I mean the UV/rolled UV cables are really cool, and the Karajan module is great (albeit, hard to reach with my onboard cables, but I have an empty case and some time to find out how to extend those now..)

I think if I was building PCs for a business I wouldnt use DFI after this experience.. but for a hobbyist like myself this isnt a huge deal.. just annoying as ****.

 

[Demo24]

I think you just got a bad board. It happens to all manufactorers. I doubt your next one would be similar

 

[slash196]

Where did you buy it from? I've heard some horror stories about ZipZoomFly.

Frankly, I think blaming DFI is the wrong thing to do. I would fault the place you bought it from. They're supposed to make sure their inventory isn't fubared and send back the broken crap.

 

[Tanclearas]

Uh. I'd rather be the first one opening the box. If everything has been opened up, how do you know for certain you're not getting one that was returned by someone else?

 

[housecat]

Originally posted by: Tanclearas
Uh. I'd rather be the first one opening the box. If everything has been opened up, how do you know for certain you're not getting one that was returned by someone else?

Mega Dittos.

I can tell everything was not used.. you can tell small details if something is opened or not. And this was fresh equipment.

I got the 2005FPW moved to the P4 so I am not hurting too bad until I get my RMA. The Asus is going on fleabay

 

[housecat]

I decided I am going to do the RMA for sure instead of just a return.

With everything still torn apart I might as well get the board I want.. albeit, the 2nd time around.

I'm sure DFI is having a hard time filling demand, and stuff like this happens during growing pains for companys. They are prob skimping on QA on some part of the line.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

DFI's engineering and design department is top notch (never mind the halloween color scheme), but their manufacturing, QA, and distribution are not up to snuff yet. IMHO

 

[housecat]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
DFI's engineering and design department is top notch (never mind the halloween color scheme), but their manufacturing, QA, and distribution are not up to snuff yet. IMHO

Doesnt sound like it, if others are experiencing the same issues I had.

BTW here are the pics I finally got together

the board

zoomed part of the board where the major damage that i could see was
note: here all those front panel pins were smashed almost down to parallel to the board. and those fuse looking things.. those are part to what is supposed to be onboard power and reset switches (you'll see the corrosponding parts in the pics below)

the parts that i could actually find (had at least another spring that I tossed away in frustration)

zoomed view of parts (little blurry)

DFI's boards rule IMO.. but they must be having growing pains feeding demand.. they'll only get better.

 

[Googer]

Where did you buy it from?

Take and Post some pictures to show us all what you are talking about.

You Can host them for free with Painted Over.
http://paintedover.com/

 

[Heinrich]

The customer service out of DFI-STREET is amazing, they might do an advance replacement for you.

 

[FastEddie]

It's your Karma, housecat

 

[ChineseDemocracyGNR]

Is your board a LANPARTY or LANPARTY UT?

 

[Bonesdad]

Originally posted by: Tanclearas
Ouch! That is so bizarre. I don't think I've ever received a board in such a bad state (and I used to purchase some really cheap-ass boards). I definitely would not have expected that from DFI.

...and you didn't even have to use exclamation points to get me to read... hehe... sorry... couldn't resist...

DFI has some quality control problems...at least in packaging. I got (along with MANY others) a bashed up Ultra-D board. Came packaged with the audio module mashed against the motherboard. Look at DFI-Street.com for my thread there. There is also a thread here on AT that I started...it was about a month ago.

 

[Bonesdad]

Originally posted by: slash196
Where did you buy it from? I've heard some horror stories about ZipZoomFly.

Frankly, I think blaming DFI is the wrong thing to do. I would fault the place you bought it from. They're supposed to make sure their inventory isn't fubared and send back the broken crap.

Most of these broken boards have NOTHING to do with the etailer. I got my messed up board from Monarch...several others got broken boards from Newegg.

This is totally DFI's fault...they have a thread on DFI-Street.com that pretty much admits it (without coming out and admitting it, if you know what i mean).

it is NOT ZZF's fault or any other etailer. If that were the case, there would be many other boards from other manufacturers getting messed up.

 

[Bonesdad]

Originally posted by: housecat

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
DFI's engineering and design department is top notch (never mind the halloween color scheme), but their manufacturing, QA, and distribution are not up to snuff yet. IMHO

Doesnt sound like it, if others are experiencing the same issues I had.

BTW here are the pics I finally got together

the board

zoomed part of the board where the major damage that i could see was
note: here all those front panel pins were smashed almost down to parallel to the board. and those fuse looking things.. those are part to what is supposed to be onboard power and reset switches (you'll see the corrosponding parts in the pics below)

the parts that i could actually find (had at least another spring that I tossed away in frustration)

zoomed view of parts (little blurry)

DFI's boards rule IMO.. but they must be having growing pains feeding demand.. they'll only get better.

Yep, that is the EXACT problem with my board. DFI did a sh!tty job of packaging their board. Make sure you get a new one...and don't let them make you pay shipping to send it back. If you put the board back into the box and repackage everything the way it came, you will see that the audio module mashes up against this area of the board. Don't back down...make them take responsibility for it.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: DEMO24
I think you just got a bad board. It happens to all manufactorers. I doubt your next one would be similar

I got 2 dead DFI Infinity Ultra NF2s in a row. DFI is on my DNB list.

 

[FastEddie]

There has been quite a few of these boards with broken connectors and it seems to be caused from the manufacturer packaging. All you can do is go for another and hope it arrives in one piece.

 

[housecat]

Originally posted by: FastEddie
It's your Karma, housecat

yeah cuz you couldnt handle me bashing your precious POS asus.

if you had the DFI you'd be bawling all over this thread too

 

[FastEddie]

LOL :roll: :laugh:
Let me know that you can't even take a joke.