Computers & Tablets

[XPS-User]

So i bought this new Core i5 8300 Dell desktop a few days ago (march 27), this model was affected by the sandy bridge recall. I asked in the store if it still had the issue or not and they couldn't tell. I took the risk and bought it, i called dell support and they said that all new models are unaffected, but when i opened the box there was a sticker that said "JAN 14, 11"... so now i don't know what to think, how can i be sure that my machine don't have this issue ? I appreciate your help. Thanks.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+Studio+XPS+Desktop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Proces...

[Entropy]

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XPS-User wrote:

So i bought this new Core i5 8300 Dell desktop a few days ago (march 27), this model was affected by the sandy bridge recall. I asked in the store if it still had the issue or not and they couldn't tell. I took the risk and bought it, i called dell support and they said that all new models are unaffected, but when i opened the box there was a sticker that said "JAN 14, 11"... so now i don't know what to think, how can i be sure that my machine don't have this issue ? I appreciate your help. Thanks.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+Studio+XPS+Desktop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Proces...

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That's a really good question.

Where was this sticker?  Most of the system may have been manufactured in Jan, and the motherboard replaced.

Many of the parts manufacturers have been clearly marking products that have B3 stepping chipsets - but I don't know about system manufacturers.  You may want to call Dell again and indicate that the system has labels pointing to a pre-failure manufacture date and ask for more details as to how to identify which chipset revision you have.

I haven't found anything yet that provides good info on how to automatically determine the stepping of an Intel 6-series chipset.  B3 = good, B2 = bad.

[XPS-User]

The sticker is inside the package box, not in the pc. I found out that some gigabyte motherboards show a B3 logo in the diagnostic screen when you turn on the pc, but i don't know if this mo.bo. has this feature. Dell support keeps telling me the same: "if you bought it 2 days ago, there is no problem at all" but they can't guarantee that, and we're not talking about a $20 buy. Maybe i should take it back to best buy and wait a few more weeks =(

[CrystalWoW Community Veteran · Accepted solution]

I can tell you that that one is fine. Best Buy changed sku numbers for the new products and recalled ones. They actually shipped with different upc's.

[XPS-User]

Then i'll keep it, thanks for your help guys.

[CamGram]

Please, don't assume that your computer is okay.  I bought a Dell XPS 8300 with an Intel Core i7 on March 20th.  My assumption was that it would be okay because Best Buy took this computer off their website once the Sandy Bridge problem was identified.  When it went back on their website I thought that they had the "fixed" computers.  I was wrong.  I checked with Dell today (my manufacturing date was December 28th) and they said that my machine was affected.  They offered to send out a technician to replace the motherboard.  I called Best Buy to express my extreme displeasure and was told that they would replace my computer.  The problem is that I have extensive Photography software downloaded on my machine...Photoshop, Lightroom, Topaz,Nik Efex, On One, etc. etc.   So....I asked if the Geek Squad could reinstall my programs for me.  The answer was an unequivacable "NO".  I was offered a 50% discount on some kind of Geek Squad service plan.  I do not understand why Best Buy still had the "affected" machines on their shelves.  They were well aware of the problem.  I am very angry that I bought an $1,100 machine and get this kind of service from them.  I will never ever buy another product from Best Buy.

My question now is....should I exchange this computer for a new one and go through the painful process of uninstalling and reinstalling all of my software or should I just accept Dell's offer to replace the motherboard?

[XPS-User]

Well i actually did return my PC a few weeks ago after a second call to Dell support, i got a full refund and now im just waiting for another model to come, i didnt even turn on the PC so any software issue was not a problem... If you can back up your software's license then i suggest you to do so and return the PC, if not, well then you should wait for the replacement and keep all your stuff. I agree, paying 1000+ dollars for a defective PC is annoying.

Regards.

[Entropy]

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CamGram wrote:

Please, don't assume that your computer is okay.  I bought a Dell XPS 8300 with an Intel Core i7 on March 20th.  My assumption was that it would be okay because Best Buy took this computer off their website once the Sandy Bridge problem was identified.  When it went back on their website I thought that they had the "fixed" computers.  I was wrong.  I checked with Dell today (my manufacturing date was December 28th) and they said that my machine was affected.  They offered to send out a technician to replace the motherboard.  I called Best Buy to express my extreme displeasure and was told that they would replace my computer.  The problem is that I have extensive Photography software downloaded on my machine...Photoshop, Lightroom, Topaz,Nik Efex, On One, etc. etc.   So....I asked if the Geek Squad could reinstall my programs for me.  The answer was an unequivacable "NO".  I was offered a 50% discount on some kind of Geek Squad service plan.  I do not understand why Best Buy still had the "affected" machines on their shelves.  They were well aware of the problem.  I am very angry that I bought an $1,100 machine and get this kind of service from them.  I will never ever buy another product from Best Buy.

My question now is....should I exchange this computer for a new one and go through the painful process of uninstalling and reinstalling all of my software or should I just accept Dell's offer to replace the motherboard?

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If I were in your position I'd go with the Dell offer.  That way you can keep your software with minimal hassle.  However, it's inexcusable that Best Buy sold an affective machine that late in the game.  I don't know why this happened.

Another option would be to image the drive to a backup drive then do a full machine exchange - but keep in mind the image will likely fail to work properly if restored to a different type of machine than an XPS 8300.

If you do not have any storage devices connected to one of the four SATA2 ports of the motherboard (Only to the two SATA3 ports), you won't be affected by the defect so can continue using the machine until Dell does the motherboard swap.

[irishsooner]

Just my two cents! I do work for BBY and would be impossible to get a pre-recall Dell. The item would scan as $10,000.00 so it couldn't be sold. Seems everyone is looking at the manufactor date on the top of the case or inside. Got to think that since it was only the motherboard that was effected that no way manufactor would throw away or scrap perfectly good cases that were held up with the process along with the other components. Can't always  take what a phone rep for manufactor will think is true or false unless that person is involved in the manufactoring process. Few are taking BBY to fault while it comes down to communication between the manufactors to the retailers. 

By the way i see this particular model has been highly rated as the best in it's class on PCMAG.com. As before i believe what i believe to be true.