WTF....Artic Silver voids CPU/MB warranty with Monarch?? PLEASE READ UPDATE!!

[Ike0069]

Okay, I had a problem when removing my stock HSF off my brand new 3000+.
Link to my orignal thread
So I was able to get a hold of Monarch today and they said that since I added Artic Silver, that voids my warranty with them for the CPU and MB. Tech support explained that Artic Silver is conductive and will short out the components if it touches any of the pins or MB. Now I know how to add AS, as this was not my first time doing so. I've never had a problem before and I'm sure the AS is not the problem. They will not even allow me to send it back RMA to see what the exact problem is. At this point they have no way of knowing why the computer doesn't boot, but that doesn't matter to them. I should have just bought everything for Newegg.

Comments?

 

[Simplicity]

well thats just bullshit

 

[Budman]

Just clean it up & dont tell them you used AS. simple.

 

[CraigRT]

that is freaking ridiculous, unless they can prove that AS caused the fault, they should honour the warranty!

 

[DaveSimmons]

I have an A64 3000+ (stock HSF) on a MSI neo 2 Platinum MB. (Bought pre-installed as a combo). . . . So this morning I decided I should try some Artic Silver 3 I already had. When I wen to remove the HS, the CPU came with it. It was still attached to the HS. Problem is that the locking bar for the CPU was still down and locked. When inspecting the CPU, I noticed some pins were bent. . . .

So I was able to get a hold of Monarch today and they said that since I added Artic Silver, that voids my warranty with them for the CPU and MB. Tech support explained that Artic Silver is conductive and will short out the components if it touches any of the pins or MB.

Comments?

Sounds reasonable from their point of view. To keep your warranty you should have contacted them and (if they said to) RMA'd the combo. Which would be a long, annoying wait. It's understandable you wouldn't want to wait, but they did sell and warrant an assembled combo that you broke apart.

It's not great customer service for them to be unwilling to test the separate parts for you though.

 

[flamingelephant]

why would they make thermal paste thats conductive? that just doesn't make any sense.... I dont buy it

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Budman
Just clean it up & dont tell them you used AS. simple.

You know, some people call that "fraud"...

If it says in their warranty coverage that it is void if you remove the HSF, then your warranty is void and this whole discussion is moot (in fact, in your original thread, it sounds like you screwed up removing the CPU by yanking it out with the locking lever still down, so I'm not sure why they'd take it back anyway). OTOH, if they cover you removing/replacing the HSF, then they should still be covering it regardless of what kind of TIM you used! A warranty that covers replacing the heatsink -- but only if you don't use Arctic Silver -- is unfair, and bordering on deceptive.

I can't seem to find a link to their warranty policies on www.monarchcomputer.com, but I would email them and ask for a copy of it.

 

[flamingelephant]

uhhhh, its says right on the arctic silver website that it is not electrically conductive
"Not Electrically Conductive:
Arctic Silver 5 was formulated to conduct heat, not electricity.
(While much safer than electrically conductive silver and copper greases, Arctic Silver 5 should be kept away from electrical traces, pins, and leads. While it is not electrically conductive, the compound is very slightly capacitive and could potentially cause problems if it bridges two close-proximity electrical paths.)"


so if its on the chip and didn't get on any other part of the mb it is fine.... and monarch are cheap bastards

 

[RadiclDreamer]

I would void teh warranty too if I were them. Too many people dont know what they are doing and apply it wrong. Also, what need is there to use AS if you arent OC'ing to the max?

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: Budman
Just clean it up & dont tell them you used AS. simple.

I was calling to get an RMA when they told me this. I told them exactly what happened. He then asked, "so did you add Artic Silver"?. I said yes (I was thinking he was worried that I reconnected without adding anything and I burned it up). That was when he told me I voided the warranty. He at first said I could return it and they would see what the exact problem is. Then he said he need to talk with his supervisor. A minute later, he came back and said that I needed to contact the manufacturer, because the warranty is voided. Unfreakingbelievable.

Even if it wasn't a combo, and I bought just the CPU, they would still void the warranty. They had no problem with me removing the HSF, just the fact that I used AS.

This is complete bullshit.

 

[Ike0069]

You guys are not completely understanding this. The only reason the warranty is voided, is because I used AS. NO OTHER REASON!!

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
You guys are not completely understanding this. The only reason the warranty is voided, is because I used AS. NO OTHER REASON!!

I understand what you are saying entirely, and cant say that I blame them. Too many people feck things up by using thermal compound incorrectly. And while you may have done it right, there are many who dont and they just dont want to be responsible for eating the cost of someones stupidity

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
You guys are not completely understanding this. The only reason the warranty is voided, is because I used AS. NO OTHER REASON!!

If that is the case, then ask them to provide documentation of where they warned you of this restriction on their warranty. It's illegal to put caveats like this in a warranty/contract without telling people about them. If their warranty coverage says this, though, and they provided you with a copy of the warranty, then it's your fault for not reading it first.

 

[Jassi]

Will Monarch add thermal paste for you if you request and pay for it without voiding their warranty? I want to get a combo from them and even though I am not going to OC, I'd like my cpu to be as cool as possible.

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: RadiclDreamer

Originally posted by: Ike0069
You guys are not completely understanding this. The only reason the warranty is voided, is because I used AS. NO OTHER REASON!!

I understand what you are saying entirely, and cant say that I blame them. Too many people feck things up by using thermal compound incorrectly. And while you may have done it right, there are many who dont and they just dont want to be responsible for eating the cost of someones stupidity

True, but they won't even let me return it so they can find out what the problem is. If for some reason they actually determined AS was the cause (which is bascially impossible I belive), then Okay. But they won't even try.

 

[Ike0069]

Will Monarch add thermal paste for you if you request and pay for it without voiding their warranty? I want to get a combo from them and even though I am not going to OC, I'd like my cpu to be as cool as possible.



Yes, but it's $14. That's a bit high.

 

[ayman]

i'm wondering the same Jassi. If i buy some extra thermal compound from them is it safe to use and will it void the warranty? Because i do plan on changing the heatsink/fan once i get my combo to a better zalman unit.

 

[Ike0069]

Ok, I called Arctic Silver. They told me that Monarch has a problem with AS because they won't meet Monarch's demands to sell Arctic Silver.
Seems to me that this is Monarch being vindictive towards any AS use.

 

[ayman]

nvm i found it it doesnt void the warranty . To be honest now that i know this happened to you and i feel very sorry for you because that is honestly bullshit and i would be droppin F bombs left and right, but i would now rather spend 14$ to buy their silly compound to keep my warranty intact. I don't know how good it'll help with overclocking but it better do the job !! grr

 

[ayman]

Wow Ike0069, thats some messed up sh#t. I'm going to see if i can find any information on their warranty and see exactly where they could even get you for something this dumb

 

[Ike0069]

Where's MonarchJoe now??

 

[gamerj]

Dont ask them for a warrenty policy, you should have it, or it should be openly on their site,....!!!!!!!!


For the rest, if you have on writing (email) that the only reason of the warrenty void is the Arctic silver...Well that would be good, (Unless its in their warrenty policy > in written)...


good luck man....If it doesnt work out, (or a little at least)..Well i'll remember the name "monarch" and sh*t all over it wherever i can lol...

 

[ayman]

I dont even see anything where it shows the warranty guidelines. All i found was ...


All Monarch's products are assembled and tested by AMD and Intel Certified technicians, but we recommend that all customers protect their purchase with our low-cost 6 month 1, 2, and 3 year extended Warranties. Monarch offers a free 90 Day Monarch Warranty. Monarch's Warranty on Motherboard Combos and barebones covers the Mainboard, the Processor, the Heat Sink/Fan and power supply as long as they are used within the manufacturer's guidelines. Should a problem arise with your Motherboard combo we provide rapid replacement of the faulty product, usually within one week. This warranty does not cover physical damage or damage due to modification of components outside of the manufacturer's specifications.

URL: http://www.monarchcomputer.com...ategory_Code=MBWtyView

 

[gamerj]

hmm...as all warrenty policies, this one is also tricky...> modifications outside the manufacturer's specifications (mean overclocking by that)...

But do these manufacturer's specifications include changing cooling-compounds?

 

[ayman]

I posted here on their forums ... http://www.monarchcomputer.com...d.php?s=&threadid=3188 so if you want Ike check there to see if and when they respond. Also email them and ask for it. I'm also curious about this too, i never thought it would come out to a problem like this. Because I am buying my combo tommorow and I dont want the same mistake to happen to me =/