Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Who doesn't void warranties/service plans if you open case?

Jul 24, 2005 1:31PM PDT

In the past, I have managed to add a DVD drive and a second hard drive to a computer and replaced a sound card, although it never went smoothly. I feel fairly confident that I can manage to upgrade memory.

I don't feel confident if my need/problem extends to replacing a motherboard, power supply, or several other parts that could go bad. Having the first year under warranty is a nice security blanket and I might be persuaded to get an extended service plan if cheap.

I really do need to replace my desktop and I would like to consider a system which I can upgrade later. It would give me a bit of financial flexibility and probably be more fun if I could upgrade later, plus I might have more interesting options. For example, in the short run, I don't need more than 512MB RAM, but I foresee the potential need for more in about 6 months if things work out. If it were cheaper to just upgrade the RAM when I need it, I would do that, but not when I need if it invalidates a warranty.

So, which computer manufacturers or retailers do not automatically invalidate a warranty or service plan if you open up the case for any reason?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
RE:
Jul 24, 2005 3:24PM PDT

HP/Compaq. I know for sure, gateway and emachine doesn't, you open and its over. As for sony, i dk. Dell, i believe you can, but if you break something intentionally, it's not their problem, though depending on the state you're in.
ROger

- Collapse -
Trouble understanding your langauge
Jul 24, 2005 3:42PM PDT

Are you saying that HP/Compaq for sure doesn't invalidate the warranty and that Gateway/emachines doesn't not invalidate the warranty (or, to correct for a double negative, do invalidate the warranty).

- Collapse -
re:
Jul 24, 2005 4:21PM PDT

hp and compaq do not void warranty if u open case
however gateway and emachines comes with a sticker on the case so that when u open it, the sticker is ruined voiding your warranty.

- Collapse -
RE:
Jul 24, 2005 4:36PM PDT

Your question was who doesn't void warranty... I answered, hp/compaq. Then i said i know for sure gateway/emachine doesn't, since the question also used doesn't, it is in fact doesn't doesn't which cancel each other out, which means that emachines/gateway does void their warranty. As for sony, like i said i dk. For dell, i think you can, but damage caused by you will not be covered depending on state you're living in. For example if i were to say i don't don't, it means i don't do not, so the opposite of do not is to do, understand?

Roger

- Collapse -
(NT) (NT) Sorry for the confusion
Jul 24, 2005 4:37PM PDT
- Collapse -
HP's good...
Aug 1, 2005 3:22AM PDT

HP used to state that opening the case voided your warrenty. However, they recently reversed that "practice," and now even aid in upgrading it yourself. For instance, they have added thumb-screws on the side cover (so you don't need a screwdriver) and provide detailed instructions (including diagrams) on how to upgrade basic components (such as RAM, optical drives, etc)!

I believe Dell also lets you upgrade, but if something goes wrong, even if you followed directions to a T, you have to pay for the damages/repairs. HP has a similar policy, but is a little more lenient. I'm not sure about the rest, though.

Hope this helps,
John

- Collapse -
Acer, Dell as well.
Jul 24, 2005 9:45PM PDT

My Acer's laptop CDRW expired in month 3. They gave me a choice of shipping the laptop back and forth or just sending me a new drive and letting me try it. My choice.

Dell still ships out parts to owners as well for them to replace.

-> Some will not want to open the box but it's a good skill to have since in year 2 or so all boxes need to be opened to remove the dust bunnies.

Bob

- Collapse -
Hmm...on emachine....
Jul 25, 2005 4:39AM PDT

Several years ago when I purchased a emachine for the wife at Best Buy, I had them install more RAM (free labor) at the same time. I also purchase their lowest cost extended warranty. They broke the gummed seal, and I also installed an additional fan soon afterwards. Perhaps Best Buy can break the seal without voiding the emachine warranty....I don't know..as I've never read the warranty to see if breaking the seal voids...as we have never had a problem with the machine...to even call the factory.

- Collapse -
Sony
Jul 29, 2005 1:00AM PDT

Sony won't void your warranty just for opening the case and upgrading parts, or adding them. If you scratch the motherboard while installing a card, that would not be covered under the warranty. I will warn you though, if you replace any original part with an upgraded one, if you call support for assistance, you may have to put the old part back in to verify where the problem lies.

- Collapse -
Upgrading Ram
Jul 31, 2005 1:24PM PDT

Just to make sure you know, if you do try upgrading ram (which is fairly simple), just makesure you match pin 1 on the ram modecule itself on pin 1 on the motherboard ram slot. dont want to try forcing the ram to go in the wrong way now do we..