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USPS destroyed my computer! (With Pics)

M

Mittens2184

Junior Member
I purchased a gaming system several weeks ago from someone in the US. After weeks of waiting and more than $80 of customs tax I finally received it. Just in time for the long weekend!

I haven't had a gaming rig for 2 years.

It came in two seperate boxes, the first with the periphials and cords. The other with the enclosure. I spent last night carefully unwrapping my presents with glee. When I got to the hardware box my glee evaporated.

The box had looked a little "traveled" but I hadn't thought much of it. When I slid the Antec 900 out and turned it around to lay it on it's side I heard what sounded like a broken bottle sliding around inside. Hoping it was drunken kids outside that I had heard I proceeded to open the case...

Here are the specs BTW:

-ANTEC 900 GAMING CASE

-CD-RW/DVD-RW WITH LIGHTSCRIBE PRIMARY DRIVE

-ASUS M2N-SLI MOBO

-AMD ATHLONX2 6400+ 3.2 GHZ 64- BIT PROCESSOR (BLACK EDITION)

-4GB CORSAIR XMS2 DDR2 800MHZ (4X1GB PER STICK)

-ZALMAN CNPS9700NT CPU COOLER (NVIDIA EDITION)

-ARTIC SILVER THERMAL COMPOUND

-2 WESTERN DIGITAL RAPTOR 150GB HDDS

-2 XFX 8800GT GRAPHICS CARDS 512MB PER CARD, RUNNING SLI MODE

-CREATIVE SOUND BLASTER XTREME GAMER FATALITY EDITION SOUND CARD

-ULTRA X3 1000WATT MODULAR PSU

-RAZER TARANTULA GAMING KEYBOARD

-RAZER LACHESIS GAMING MOUSE

-RAZER EXACT MAT GAMING MOUSE PAD

-PLARONICS 770 GAMING HEADSET WITH MIC



And here are the pics:

Just opened
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
8737d5c141.jpg
[/url]

Yes that is my cpu
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
ecc35ef9cd.jpg
[/url]

My heatsink is confused about how it should be mounted
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
d17a78903b.jpg
[/url]

One 8800GT managed to come out of the PCI port without unscrewing from the enclosure
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
61aa834da0.jpg
[/url]

The beaten down box
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
5e331736d9.jpg
[/url]

A sticker from CanPost that reads "We found this package damaged and/or open and have 'officially' repaired it"
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
cc58f98c68.jpg
[/url]

Two pictures of my processor
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
f943320415.jpg
[/url]

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
bebf1e4f8e.jpg
[/url]

Bent fins on the heatsink
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
88af96eb90.jpg
[/url]

They are bent to the point where the fan cannot move
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
6a96691f4a.jpg
[/url]

And my empty socket 🙁 (That almost sounds rude!)
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/]
ecd0a4eaf0.jpg
[/url]


ARGGH!!

Also I don't have a picture but the power cable on my master Raptor has torn out, splintering the back of the drive and the pins are still jammed inside the power cable. So I guess I will have to replace that as well. I'll need to get an OS now too as that was my boot disk.

So I contacted the seller and told him to file a claim with USPS (As I can't). Still waiting for a reply. This was Priority International Air, so it was the expensive shipping too.

I don't understand how it would get that banged up! I mean simply dropping it would break off the heatsink, bracket, and pop the cpu out? How did the HDD have its power cable torn out with enough force to break it unless someone actually had their hand in there, I mean the cable itself doesn't weigh enough for dropping it to do that.

The problem though is that I got a great deal on this system and insurance won't cover the replacement cost I would imagine.

Do you guys think it can be repaired? Obviously I can try popping the vidcard back in. Could I rebend the heatsink and cpu pins? I think the HDD is shot regardless.

If I have to replace I might like to get a intel cpu and run crossfire. What are good value options for this? Can I get a board that will run an intel processor and two 8800GT's in SLI until I get two ATI's? What it run both in 16x?

Any help would be appreciated guys, I am kinda in a rough place here,

Thanks
 
That sucks! I would wait to try fixing any thing until the claim is filed they may need to see the actual damage. Save all the packaging and do not change or through anything away They can use anything you change as a way to get out of paying by saying you "made the damage worse"

Amos
 
I don't know a ton about hardware but isn't the cooler bolted on?

I purchased through paypal, do you think Blain that shipping with the cooler attached is negligent enough for me to force a refund through paypal? The guy tried really hard to be helpful.
 
Originally posted by: Mittens2184
I don't know a ton about hardware but isn't the cooler bolted on?

I purchased through paypal, do you think Blain that shipping with the cooler attached is negligent enough for me to force a refund through paypal? The guy tried really hard to be helpful.
Click to expand...
IMO... Shipping the PC with that 1.68 lbs. cooler attached was negligent.


 
Change Title to "Seller destroyed my PC" as the dumbass left a almost 2 pound heatsink on to of a processor.

It seems your case is a little bent up near the PSU... so I'm guessing a USPS worker went to pick up the box, it opened due to pressure from the machine, and the case slid out and smacked into the ground (bending the case and tearing the heatsink+cpu form the socket), and the worker just put it back into the box with a "sorry" sticker. Then during travel time, the heatsink just rolled around in the case leaving a path of destruction. There is also no way to tell if how badly damaged this box was to begin with.

None of this seems to be the USPS's fault, just negligence of proper shipping by the seller.
 
has the Seller offered a solution yet? If it is anything short of a full refund I'd open a paypal dispute. What the seller did was not smart
 
The heatsink should have been removed prior to shipping, or at least properly secured. However, that box is a disaster, looks like it was run over by the truck. I would see what USPS will give you, and get the rest back from the seller.

My guess is the entire system is a write-off, you will never straighten those CPU pins. With the Zalman rolling around in there I'll bet it wrecked everything it came in contact with, I'm pretty certain the motherboard and the upper video card are probably broken as well.
 
Originally posted by: Mittens2184
I don't know a ton about hardware but isn't the cooler bolted on?

I purchased through paypal, do you think Blain that shipping with the cooler attached is negligent enough for me to force a refund through paypal? The guy tried really hard to be helpful.
Click to expand...

The motherboard isn't designed to stabilize a heatsink of that size regardless what mounting system is used. That's why processor companies specify maximum heatsink dimensions and weights. Shipping a system with the heatsink attached is not a smart idea. Heck, my UPS guy dropped a package right in front of my face. Fortunately it wasn't a fragile object or I'd have made him stand there while I opened it before I signed for it.

Any system builder worth his or her salt knows that, especially someone who runs a business shipping computers out.
 
Thanks to Blain for pointing me to this thread.

That is sad and I doubt whoever sold the system didn't repack it in one of those system boxes with thick foam either, probably shipped in the box the case came in. Heavy, double-wide vid cards need to be supported all around as well, but probably should be shipped separately as well to protect the mobo. Nor would I trust most toolless drive mounts to survive a long trip either - screws a must. I too would look more to the seller for responsibility in this fiasco. Insufficient packaging can void an insurance claim to the USPS. I have misgivings that our noob ATer will be made whole on this one...

.bh.
 
`
Originally posted by: dmw16
has the Seller offered a solution yet? If it is anything short of a full refund I'd open a paypal dispute. What the seller did was not smart
Click to expand...

I agree with this, a full refund plus return postage for the carcass if he wants it back. All those parts should have been dis-assembled and individually wrapped. It all could have been packed neatly in the case and secured in the original box and then double boxed. I would contact paypal immediately to report this "mishap" file a dispute only if needed.
 
Did he really ship it in the box the case came in? While a simple box is fine for a low-cost case, it's not OK for a whole PC. An assembled PC is much more fragile and heavy, and needs considerably more padding. A simple rule that a lot of shippers go by, is that electronics should have at least 6 inches of padding between the outer skin and the device in all directions; in other words, you should be able to take a 6" knife and stab any part of the packaging up the hilt, and not touch the item. For fragile items, a simple recommendation is that you should be able to drop the package 6 feet without damage to the contents - if you wouldn't feel confident dropping a package, it isn't packed well enough.

Additionally, it was reckless of the seller to use a heatsink that does not meet AMD's CPU cooler design specifications (it's too heavy, and cannot be adequately supported under expected handling conditions). While such heatsinks are good performers once the PC is installed, they are too heavy for safe transport when installed, unless additional mechanical support is installed.

Basically, your system is not repairable. It will require replacement of essentially all major components - HD, mobo, cards, CPU, heatsink, probably RAM modules and case. The only real option is to have the seller take it away and replace it, or refund. The seller is going to have an interesting time claiming on insurance (if any), as if the packaging is as shown, then you can pretty much guarantee that the claim will be rejected due to insufficient packaging. Not that that's the OP's problem.

Personally, I always find it easier to work with the other party to come to a resolultion - you tend to get a better result that way, and at the same time, if the other guy made a genuine mistake, then you may find out that he is in fact a good guy, that you might want to use again.

Failing that, you rather sensibly paid with paypal. It's virtually unheard of for paypal to side with the seller in any form of dispute - so you have got this to fall back on. I wouldn't put it first though.
 
Originally posted by: aphex
Can i nominate this thread for the worst linking ever? 😉
Click to expand...

Yes, but w/ mitigating circumstances,

Originally posted by: Mittens2184
And here are the pics:
Just opened
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/8737d5c141.jpg
Yes that is my cpu
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/ecc35ef9cd.jpg
My heatsink is confused about how it should be mounted
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/d17a78903b.jpg
One 8800GT managed to come out of the PCI port without unscrewing from the enclosure
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/61aa834da0.jpg
The beaten down box
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/5e331736d9.jpg
A sticker from CanPost that reads "We found this package damaged and/or open and have 'officially' repaired it"
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/cc58f98c68.jpg
Two pictures of my processor
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/f943320415.jpg
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/bebf1e4f8e.jpg
Bent fins on the heatsink
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/88af96eb90.jpg
They are bent to the point where the fan cannot move
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/6a96691f4a.jpg
And my empty socket 🙁 (That almost sounds rude!)
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/ecd0a4eaf0.jpg

ARGGH!!

Any help would be appreciated guys, I am kinda in a rough place here,

Thanks
Click to expand...

Ya gotta help the new guys once in a while and IMO our new friend mittens deserves a break today, My heart goes out to you man. I'm sure there is nothing I could do but if you need a friend in the states just send a PM. I'm at the post office 2-3 times a week so if there is any info I can gather you can't get online just yell.
 
Originally posted by: WoodButcher
Ya gotta help the new guys once in a while and IMO our new friend mittens deserves a break today, My heart goes out to you man. I'm sure there is nothing I could do but if you need a friend in the states just send a PM. I'm at the post office 2-3 times a week so if there is any info I can gather you can't get online just yell.
Click to expand...
Thanks
:thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

And for your kind words WoodButcher. Sorry about the links I was trying to do it fast.

The seller has offered to immediately file a claim with USPS, however he seems to be total oblivious to the fact that his terrible packing played a big part. If I make a claim through paypal I need to do it ASAP as it took him 4 weeks just to get it here. He is a nice guy with 100% feedback but I am thinking it may be my only option. Not that I can replace the components for the $670 I paid anyways. I least I would only be out for the $80 duty I paid.

What do you guys think?

PS: Does anyone have a decent gaming rig to sell me for under $650? 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Mittens2184

The seller has offered to immediately file a claim with USPS, however he seems to be total oblivious to the fact that his terrible packing played a big part. If I make a claim through paypal I need to do it ASAP as it took him 4 weeks just to get it here. He is a nice guy with 100% feedback but I am thinking it may be my only option. Not that I can replace the components for the $670 I paid anyways. I least I would only be out for the $80 duty I paid.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
For the 42nd time...
* The seller should refund you 100% of the cost of the PC NOW and the $80 you're out for the duty fees
* The seller should also pay 100% for return shipping IF he wants the parts back.
* The seller should admit that he was negligent in the manner that he shipped the PC and assume 100% responsibility.
* IF the seller does ALL of the above, he should get no more than a Neutral heatware evaluation.

>> Post information about the seller (username, forum, ebay, etc...) <<
 
Originally posted by: DSF
The motherboard isn't designed to stabilize a heatsink of that size regardless what mounting system is used. That's why processor companies specify maximum heatsink dimensions and weights.
Click to expand...
Heatsink mass and dimensions are only given as "guidance", not as specifications. AMD specifies things like maximum attachment and mating force at the clips/screws and the interface, minimum force required to strip the processor package from a mated socket, shock and vibration tolerance. AMD's qualification testing for Socket 940/AM2 allows heatsinks up to 900 grams. The Zalman cooler weighs 765 grams total.

AMD Functional Data Sheet, 940 Pin Package

8.1 Mechanical Loading for Lidded Parts

Table 38 provides the mechanical loading specification for lidded parts. These specifications should not be exceeded during heat sink installation, system testing, or system shipment.

Static = 100 lbs force (notes 1,2)
Dynamic = 200 lbs force (notes 1,3)

Notes:
1. Load specified for coplanar, uniform contact to lid surface.
2. The static specification specifies the allowable range to be applied by the heat sink to the processor package.
3. The dynamic specification assumes a dynamic load that includes the static load and is applied at 50G for 11ms
Click to expand...
AMD Socket 940 Qualification Plan

Table 1. Mechanical Qualification Test Descriptions

Mechanical Shock, EIA 364-27, Test Condition A

Tested with up to 900 grams heatsink (and fan), attached with assembly hardware to mated package and socket with the PCB retention mechanism. 50 G peak amplitude, 11 ms duration, half-sine waveform. 3 shocks per direction, 3 axis, 18 shocks total.

Random Vibration, EIA 364,-28, Test Condition VII

Tested with up to 900 grams heatsink (and fan), attached with assembly hardware to mated package and socket with the PCB retention mechanism. 3.1 G rms, 20 to 500 Hz. 45 minutes duration per axis, 3 axis total.
Click to expand...

However, Zalman's product page and user manual issues the following caution (even though it is actually incorrect about the maximum HSF weight):

Note(1) The maximum weight for a cooler is specified as 450g for Intel Socket 775 and AMD Sockets AM2/754/939/940. Special care should be taken when moving a computer equipped with a cooler that exceeds the specified weight limit. Zalman is not responsible for any damage that occurs when moving a computer.
Click to expand...
The one component in a PC that you would NEVER want a customer to attach due to level of difficulty and risk of damage is the CPU HSF, followed by memory modules. Everything else can be done by a monkey.

Although coolers like this Zalman are never a good choice for a computer that is going to be shipped, I disagree that this alone can be blamed on the system builder. The box looks like it fell down a flight of stairs for crying out loud. And customs attached a notice to the box stating "We found this package damaged and/or open and have 'officially' repaired it." A cooler banging around inside the chassis isn't going to cause damage to the outside of the box.

Now as to whether the box actually came open due to inadequate taping/sealing, or because it did a half-dozen cartwheels during some heavy air turbulence, I don't know. But it is obvious the box has been subjected to excessively rough handling. USPS is supposed to reject packages that are in such poor condition to begin with that a claim of damage during transit could be argued upon delivery, so we can reasonably assume it wasn't in that condition when it was picked up by USPS.

I've personally seen this before from USPS. I shipped a box of books from Michigan to California several years ago, using a pristine heavy duty corrugated box. I taped it around every axis, over every flap seam and corner, using good shipping tape. Because it was a fairly heavy box (32lbs), I could foresee it sliding or getting banged around a bit, so I double taped it around every axis, flap seam, and corner. I even used some foam so the books wouldn't slide around inside the box.

The only way that box could come open is from a blow-out or rupture of the box wall due to tumbling violently, having at least several hundred pounds of weight placed on it, or falling from a significant height. And guess what, that is exactly what happened. USPS tried to seal it up using the same Priority Mail tape seen in his photos. And the bastards lost our 41 year-old family bible, which contained dozens of irreplaceable family, geneological, and other records.

Good luck getting USPS to take any responsibility for it.
 
Wow, the inside looks like a total mess. You really have to apply quite a lot of pressure onto those cpu pins, and those heatsink fins to get them to bend like that. Something has gone terribly wrong and it looks like USPS has dropped the package over a dozen times. The seller should do a full refund, and then it's his problem to get the money back from USPS. But considering those pictures, I think it's been established beyond any doubt that the package had been handled very poorly.
 
Originally posted by: Mittens2184
Thanks for the replies guys.

And for your kind words WoodButcher. Sorry about the links I was trying to do it fast.

The seller has offered to immediately file a claim with USPS, however he seems to be total oblivious to the fact that his terrible packing played a big part. If I make a claim through paypal I need to do it ASAP as it took him 4 weeks just to get it here. He is a nice guy with 100% feedback but I am thinking it may be my only option. Not that I can replace the components for the $670 I paid anyways. I least I would only be out for the $80 duty I paid.

What do you guys think?

PS: Does anyone have a decent gaming rig to sell me for under $650? 🙂
Click to expand...

If the seller is able to collect the ins great, good for him, this is not your problem. He has $670 you paid. You should get that back in full now!
If you met the guy in a parking lot to do business and he let you look at the PC in the trunk of his car, you agreed to the price and pay him, he drops it while removing it from his car and does all this damage.
Do you take your money back then and there or do you say "O.K. your a nice guy, I'll loan you $670 until the ins pays you back?"
 
In the real world packages get dropped from time to time.
Any package should be able to withstand a drop of 2 feet and remain undamaged.
 
Originally posted by: Mittens2184
I don't know a ton about hardware but isn't the cooler bolted on?

I purchased through paypal, do you think Blain that shipping with the cooler attached is negligent enough for me to force a refund through paypal? The guy tried really hard to be helpful.
Click to expand...

a cantilevered load like that will deliver shock loads 100+
times the static load - to the base - in this case, the motherboard-
CPU assembly.

depending on resonances (like a tuning fork) and damping
(like if they filled the inside with styrofoam peanuts.)

can you take a close-up of that area, around the CPU ?

i know some of these details because it was part of my work
as an engineer. i never set out to work on shock & cantilevered
loads, they got assigned to me.

it's probably not reasonable to expect the general public
to know stuff like this.

i know it's a huge pain in the derriere. it would be 100
times worse if it was your data on the computer.
 
USPS did not destroy your PC - the shipper did by failing to disassemble key internals and prepare the machine for shipping.

Blain is correct as far as package sustainability goes.

Many years ago, when I was in 'Nam, lots of guys tried to ship porcelain elephant tables home. All sorts of packing methods were tried. None succeeded. Finally one bright GI simply tied the shipping tag to the elephant's trunk with no packing at all. It arrived back home in perfect condition.
 
Has anyone suggested yet in this thread how a bolt-through cooler could have come off without breaking the motherboard?

Or did the seller forget to tighten the screws?

Were the bolts and screws in the case when you opened it?
 
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