Hp Warranty Repair

[mild7even]

My HP Pavilion laptop is experiencing problems with the power adapter where it plugs into the computer. I googled the issue and apparently this is a common problem with HP laptops, spanning several years and several models, where the connections on the motherboard get loose and need to be resoldered.

My HP is still under warranty, purchased in the US, and I was wondering if anybody had experience getting warranty repairs done here in Thailand.

I stopped by Chi Chang computer in Panthip Plaza (Chiang Mai) and they told me about an HP service center on Chang Klan road in Chiang Mai, but they don't open until Wednesday, of course. Will stop by then.

In the meantime, I just wanted to know if anybody had any war stories on getting warranty repairs done in Thailand for computers purchased in the US or elsewhere.

And yes, before anybody says it, I'm not using the computer--the loose connection may cause an arc that will fry the mother board, so I am writing this on my other computer.

Thanks, all.

[Guest Reimar]

Your warranty applies only if the warranty is International! Many of the HP products carries national warranty only!

[mild7even]

Your warranty applies only if the warranty is International! Many of the HP products carries national warranty only!

From the warranty pages on HP:

"Limited warranty transfer to another country

Under the HP Global Limited Warranty program, products may be purchased in one country/region and transferred to another country/region, where HP or its authorized service providers offer warranty service for the same product model number without voiding the warranty. Warranty terms, service availability, and service response times may vary from country to country or region to region. Standard warranty service response time is subject to change due to local parts availability. When the product has been transferred to another country it will be entitled to the same warranty as if the product had been purchased in the country to which it has been transferred."

Since I don't have my paperwork with me, I am hoping my computer falls in this category.

From another post at http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=147429:

"I have never had a problem with Chi Chang (Chiang Mai Land), I bought my last 2 computers there and they are always very helpful.

Parts for a Compaq or HP have never been an issue. I took my Compaq notebook to them because the screen went blank and they sent it to the Compaq centre (next to Central hospital - or at least it was) and they fixed it for free. Not bad considering I bought in England and had no receipts etc."

I went to Chi Chang and they didn't offer to send in the computer, but told me about the service center. I will bring it in on Wednesday when they reopen.

The quoted post gives me hope, but I was wondering if anybody else had any experiences here. I will update when it is done.

[mild7even]

Update:

I found a way to check my warranty information at HP here. It gave me the expiration date of the warranty, as well as the level of service, which included global coverage.

Armed with this info I visited the HP service center in Chiang Mai. As it turns out, the problem wasn't in the computer, but rather with the power adapter cord itself. They told me that it was damaged, and not covered by warranty. Oh well. They quoted me a price of 3,300 baht to order a new one and I said that that was pretty expensive. They made a phone call for me to Chi Chang at Panthip, and they quoted 2,500. I thought it was pretty nice of them to make the phone call.

I asked about the warranty coverage, just in case something else happened. They looked up my computer's info (not the same interface as above, but some kind of proprietary software) and told me that I was covered in Thailand as well. Good news.

Went to Panthip Plaza and found a used HP power adapter for 1,000 baht. Problem solved!

Edit: I also contacted HP USA support to ask about being covered in Thailand. They sent the following:

"Further I would like to inform you that since you have purchased the notebook from US and now you are living in Thailand, the parts and services can only be setup in the country where the product was purchased and marketed. You may get service in Thailand but it would be consider under chargeable basis.

For more details you may open the link given below and go through the document."

I did follow the link and go through the document, and found that the warranty <i>was</i> global, as the warranty check and the service center told me. Good thing I didn't listen to the USA tech support email shooting me down.

Edited January 2, 2008 by mild7even