Dead Dell Latitude C610

On the phone with Dell Technical support.

A dell laptop dead, latitude c610 never out of the dock, failed three times over the last few months, user working, in word etc, and it would loose video signal. When I got to the desk the unit would have LED's on the dock indicating power, but no signal to the CRT, and opening the LCD panel you could not switch mode with FN F8. A power down and reboot was required to get back to work.

Today he was in Notes. Same apparent symptoms.
But could not get unit to reboot.

I Called Dell they will be sending out a new motherboard and cpu.

This has to be the second or third unit this year with a defective CPU/Motherboard. I'd guess that 6-8% of the laptops I manage have to have a critical component replaced during their life (2 year lease). The CPiA's were real bad on the video cable connecting the motherboard to the lcd. I think I remember 8 machines required new panels. It was weird because it would seem normal but if you cranked the lid back too far, or opened it too much you would loose video signal, because of that intermitent cable.

I have a spare on hand so could swap the Hard Disk Drive so the user could get back to work, but I'm getting sort of sick of Dell's. For what these things cost, they should be a little more reliable. Like not dying in the Dock with absolutely no road wear.

The tech was pleasant enough but after removing all the components, battery, bay device, memory dimms (have to be reseated sometimes...) and hard drive, I still had a 4 second three LED signal, and then they would go out.

The tech then told me he was going to research what else we could do, he finally concluded hooking an external monitor up was a good test.

Still dead. I spent 25 minutes on the phone and can expect the part on Thursday. I was expecting next day service.
Lesson:
"If you have a Dell, have a spare.^TM"