Dead system - warranty questions

[tfboy]

A PC I built for a friend has been returned to me, dead, as in won't even power up. He did change the graphics card after I built it and fitted it himself (Sapphire HD4870).

Now I've had a look at it, and after doing a few tests, the diagnosis is not good. I've found that the end of the graphics card (where the 6 pin power cables go, not the DVI backplate) has "warped"

Furthermore, on the underside, one surface mount component has started to "peel" off and is not making proper contact with the PCB.

As I didn't fit the board, I'm not sure if it was warped from factory and heat stress has made a failure permanent. The dual 6 pin power connectors were connected, and there was plenty of slack on the cables so it's not a tight cable that would have bent the PCB over time.

So I've swapped the card out for another spare one I had, and still no joy on the sysetm - still won't power up. I've checked the PSU and swapped with another known working one and still nothing. The green LED on the motherboard (Asus P5K-premium) lights up so it's getting standby voltage, but hit the power button and no change, no fans spin up, etc.

So my concern is that when the graphics card went, it took the motherboard out too.

I'm shortly to go back to the supplier with the lot and see what they say. My concern is they'll say the graphics card won't be covered because it's "physically damaged", and the mobo won't be covered because it was different component that took it out.

Does anyone have a similar experience and can reassure me?

Thanks

[staffsMike]

If the motherboard is under warranty and you are certain it doesn't work. Send it back, I wouldn't mention the graphics stuff. If they find their board is not at fault or damaged in a way that is not covered then that will be that..

Graphics card sounds like it has been abused on fitting and they probably wont do anything about it. If you can make your case that heat has done that damage then so be it but I doubt it did..

When you say you tested the PSU, have you tested his PSU with a working computer?

[tfboy]

Hi Mike. That's what I'm thinking. Maybe RMA the mobo first, get that sorted. At least he can then get his PC up and running with another graphics card until we figure out what to do with the 4870.

I tried another known working PSU on the Asus motherboard, and didn't get any response. Although I haven't tried the PC's PSU on another motherboard... I'll dig an old one out to do a cross check and be sure.

[GoNz0]

i have seen quite a few graphics cards warp over time, scan even tried to send me an rma replacement that was shaped like a banana so it does seem in some way normal.

i think its the weight of the card combined with heat and time that causes it to sag on its tail end.

either way just RMA the stuff. your friend should understand that you built them the PC and then warranty is now with them not you unless you stated you would cover the warranty.

[tfboy]

PCBs don't normally bend and stay bent following a 10 second pressure point. Either they snap or they flex a little and return back to the normal flat condition. Only over time could the bend be permanent, so I doubt it's a ham-fisted install job. The highest probability would have been the power cables stressing the board, but when I got it, they were fine and no pressure was exerted, so it really only leaves two possibilities - it was bent from factory and my friend didn't notice it, or, it has an inherent PCB layer pressing problem or something else that's been aggravated by heat to the point of failure.

[staffsMike]

All sounds like a decent case for RMA on all damaged components tbh.

Make sure that PSU is working though, sounds like it will.