Evesham warranty situation

[Noreen]

Does anyone know what the situation is regarding Evesham computers still under warranty? I'm interested because the fan in my laptop is getting noisier sometimes and I'm concerned that it may be about to fail, the three year warranty runs out in October. However I don't want to run the risk of it being stuck at Evesham if they suddenly go out of business entirely. I remember reading somewhere that the new owners said that they were going to "try" and honour warranties. I could buy a new laptop but don't really want to until it's really necessary.

[Rik]

Hi Noreen

As you say, the new Evesham is supposed to be honouring the warranties issued by the old one. If it were a desktop machine, I'd suggest ignoring the warranty and dealing with it yourself, though - I guess I'm just not trusting.

As it's a notebook, that's more difficult, so I think you will have to try dealing with Evesham. Their notebooks were re-badged Mitac units and the servicing was carried out by Mitac, so it may not be too much of a problem.

[cavillas]

Found this, any good Noreen?   

MiTAC Service Centre (Scotland)
Unit 105B
Fountain Crescent,
Ichinnan Industrial Estate
Paisley,
Scotland
PA4 9RE

TEL: 44-141-812-6168     FAX:  44-141-812-3792

[Rik]

Noreen, going back to basics for a moment, the noise might just be a fluff build-up. A quick bit of air blasting and vacuuming might resolve things.

[Noreen]

The fan is normally fairly quiet but recently it has occasionally become noisier after the laptop has been in use for some time, it fades in and out. Sorry that I can't describe it in a more technical fashion.

I'm actually coming round to the idea of buying a new laptop and am busy reading reviews. Thinking of doing this while my present three year old laptop is still working OK so that I can transfer all my own stuff fairly easily. The main thing that worries me is that some of my present XP programs might not work with Vista also my old but working printer.

[Rik]

Hi Noreen

It could just be a dust build-up which is causing some heat - it's well worth a good blow with a compressed air spray to see if it helps.

Replacing a laptop of that sort of age is always an option, as they tend to start costing money for things like batteries. If you look around, you may be able to pick up an XP-equipped machine still, Misco, for example, often have offers.

[Lance]

I can recommend HP laptops (I have recently brought a DV9500 series), but other than putting XP on yourself, you'll have to live with Vista.

[Inactive]

I believe you can specify XP on new Dell's due to popular demand.. 

[Noreen]

Rik, I've given the computer fan input grill a good blast with compressed air and will await developments. 

Regarding Vista and XP it seems that you can sometimes specify XP if you wish on new laptops. I've got mixed feelings about it. I'm an elderly person and don't relish having to learn how to use a new system and maybe lose some of my favourite old programs, the idea of reinstalling everything is bad enough. On the other hand I appreciate that XP has a limited life now (but it may last long enough for me) however maybe it's shortsighted not to get it when buying a new machine.   

[Rik]

It's a matter of personal judgement, Noreen, but I've bought two machines in the past year and specified XP rather than Vista. If you're not planning to update lots of hardware and XP does what you want, it shouldn't be a problem. In all likelihood, there will be support for XP for the life of a notebook. Many people are still using Windows 98, btw.

[Rik]

Noreen

Misco have an offer on an XP-equipped, HP notebook, £375 after cashback:

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=134905&sourceid=7638

Specifications
Product Description         HP 6715s Notebook PC
Processor                       AMD Mobile Sempron 3600+ / 2 GHz
Hard Drive                      80 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
Networking                     Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Telecom                         Fax / modem - 56 Kbps
RAM                              1 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR II SDRAM - 667 MHz
Graphics Controller          ATI Radeon Xpress 1250
Built-in Devices               Stereo speakers, wireless LAN aerial
Display                          15.4" TFT active matrix 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
Optical Storage              DVD±RW (+R double layer) / DVD-RAM
OS Provided                   Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer Warranty    1 Year

[Lance]

Doesn't look too bad for a budget notebook

[Noreen]

Thanks Rik, to be honest if I decide to buy a new laptop I'm not too bothered about the price, would rather get just what I want. At the moment I'm waiting to see if "the noise" comes back (hasn't so far) and also waiting to read the Desktop Replacements group review in the next issue of "What Laptop" due out at the end of the month. 

[Rik]

We could always spec you up a really powerful desktop machine, Noreen - though you can probably guess which monitor I'd recommend. 

[Noreen]

I'm only interested in a laptop due to space restrictions, however as things are I might not even buy a new one yet. I'll see if anything in the review tempts me when it comes out. 

[Rik]

Go on, Noreen, be tempted - I would.

[Noreen]

Well, you know what Oscar Wilde said. 

[Rik]

I know several things he said, which one did you have in mind?

[Noreen]

"I can resist anything but temptation." 

[Rik]

That sums me up.