Dell Warranty Voidance Question

[cheesehead]

Recently, I ordered a Dell Inspiron 9100 with an ATI radeon 9700/128mb graphics card. However, I did not get the mini-PCI Wi-Fi card I had ordered on the invoice, so I need to add one in myself. Would this void the warranty?
Also, because of Dell's ridiculous prices on RAM (200$ for 512mb? Yeah right!) I intend to upgrade the RAM myself, probbably with 1gb of Corsair Value Select. Would this void the warranty as well?
And lastly, can anyone reccomend a good Mini-PCI card or some good PC3200 SO-DIMMS?

 

[xcrunner51]

if it wasn't included but it was on the invoice why don't you call them and tell em to ship you it? also I believe if the ram slots and mini-pci slot are user accessible (ie not under the keyboard or anything like that) then the upgrades shouldn't void the warranty

 

[John]

Will upgrading the RAM or mini-PCI cards void the warranty?

No.

 

[vegetation]

What would be the point of having a warranty if you don't call in when something goes wrong? I'd say that not having them install something you paid for you is very wrong.

 

[cheesehead]

They have a reconfiguration option, but using it would remove any of the 750$ I saved on it. I do'nt care what you say-no Wi-Fi card is worth 750$
Also, remember that mini-PCI cards are different from PCMICA or Cardbus cards. They're fully internal, after all.

Thanks for the help, though!

EDIT: Can anyone reccomend a good mini-PCI Wi-Fi card for ~30$, or some inexpensive PC3200 laptop memory?

 

[cheesehead]

NewEgg has 512mb Corsair Value Select Pc3200 modules for 95$. I need a mini-PCI wi-fi module, though-I e-mailed dell, and they would'nt send me one.
Out of curiousity, should I just go with a CardBus (PCMICA? Something like that) Wi-Fi G card? The local Comp USSR is selling Belkin 54g cards for about 20$ AR, and they look like pretty good deals. Would these have a greater battery/processor draw? Or would the downside lay in the really small antenna?

 

[nealh]

WTF..did you pay for a wifi option on your laptop and they did not include it??

If so and you paid with a CC..call the CC and dispute entire purchase..I bet you will get your wifi card

 

[vegetation]

I don't understand what you need to reconfigure. If I heard you right, you already paid for a configuration that you did not receive. When one doesn't get what they receive and the party acknowledges but refuses to do anything about it, it's called fraud.

 

[cheesehead]

No, I did not pay for it. It was'nt in the invoice. I did, however, click the appropriate button.
Oh well...can anyone reccomend a good PCMICA WI-Fi card?

 

[nealh]

I have used a Netgear M401 which has worked great..this is a B protocol..so I would consider a Netgear card

 

[ai42]

Yea I agree if you clicked on a wireless card and were charged for it complain about it can call them up. Dell's salespeople are amazingly helpful in such things and if nothing else you can complain and maybe they'll knock off 5% (I've really had a rep do this for me before).

As for an add-in card. FYI if you buy the upgrades directly from Dell they will fully consider it under warranty (if you buy seperate upgrades outside of dell the upgraded components are not covered under warranty for obvious reasons). Anyway you can buy the Dell 1350 802.11g/b (or 1450 802.11a/b/g, but 802.11a is a dead technology) Mini-PCI card for $49 through dell software & peripherials. They often have % off coupons and promos so that can easily be had for cheaper.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I bought a Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 mini-PCI B/G chip for my Toshiba laptop and it works great. I'd stay with integrated as it's a pain in the ass to put in and remove a wireless PC card. This is also the same chip that Dell would have included (if you chose Intel wireless over Dell wireless)

 

[John]

I also agree that the intel 2200bg is a fine choice for an internal mini-pci card. You can pick one up from Newegg for $45 shipped

 

[VietDude]

No it won't void your warranty. All these parts are considered by Dell to be user upgradeable. They show you how to do it in the handbook that came with it.