Matching serial number with motherboard and the laptop itself on a sony vaio

[meanderer]

Is there a way to match up the serial number on a sony vaio against the serial number of the laptop itself?

I am looking at a laptop here that may have possibly a switched motherboard and the client is blaming it on me and wants me to fix it (read: scammed). I was a bit careless and did not make enough checks against these stuff.

 

[Computerpete]

What was the laptop in for and did it need a new motherboard.

 

[Computerpete]

Did you ask the client where he took it last to be repaired and whether he bought it new or refurbished you need ask the client these questions before going any further.

 

[meanderer]

well, without proofs I guess I don't have a choice but to take a loss, the long story goes:

a week ago, this person brought it in for a broken DC jack, I gave it a temporary fix and tell him to come back when I get the jack next week. At that time the computer was booting to windows just fine.

3 days ago he came back with the same laptop, I didn't recheck the computer to see if it boots into windows and just opened it up (big mistake). The DC jack was under the motherboard so I had to take it out and repaired the jack. Put the thing back together and it is stuck on BIOS screen. The person claims that the computer was working before. I told him I only worked on the DC jack and nothing else. He insisted that I broke the computer and demand that I get it fixed by "his friend's shop". I refused, if it had to be repaired, it would be under my terms.

Further checks finds that there was a short across a capacitor on the motherboard...

there are more details to this drama, but I would much rather save it to myself.

unless I have proof that the motherboard is switched, or otherwise had nothing to do with me, I don't have much choice in this but to caulk it up to experience.

 

[fixitdaz]

a week ago, this person brought it in for a broken DC jack, I gave it a temporary fix and tell him to come back when I get the jack next week. At that time the computer was booting to windows just fine.

What did you do as temp fix ? I all ways mark all components like hdd ram mb as i remove them TCR (tech computer repairs) and if I replace a part I give it a date and a id number so I no if it comes back with different ram or hdd and if i replace a power jack i date the mb near the power jack let me no what the temp fix was and if you can tell by the temp fix whether you being played

 

[DCGPX]

He insisted that I broke the computer and demand that I get it fixed by "his friend's shop". I refused, if it had to be repaired, it would be under my terms.

Personally, I'd stick to not my fault and if they want to take further feel free, its blackmail and very obvious trying it on. End of day you'd both have to prove ' who did what' so it would be middle ground and court would more thsn likely see it this way.

This of course depends on your 'temp fix'? Not sure what that was BUT I'd stand my ground and say no!

just my tuppence!

 

[DCGPX]

What did you do as temp fix ? I all ways mark all components like hdd ram mb as i remove them TCR (tech computer repairs) and if I replace a part I give it a date and a id number so I no if it comes back with different ram or hdd and if i replace a power jack i date the mb near the power jack let me no what the temp fix was and if you can tell by the temp fix whether you being played

I might have to do this, I havent before but either indelible pen or UV looking good right now!

It ridiculous what lengths we needs to goto now!

 

[fixitdaz]

I just use a cd marker pen and if its not on the item when it comes back in the warranty is void no point in hiding it if they see it is marked they may think twice about trying it on, What was was the temp fix
Good look

 

[meanderer]

the temp fix was a piece of cardboard that holds the broken DC jack against the frame so that one can successfully plug the DC plug into the jack, the plastic frame of the jack broke but the metal connections were ok.

I would make some marks on the components that I worked on from now on, possibly take some serial numbers and/or pictures, my cellphone would work great for that.

we concluded that, although I have a motherboard ready to replace. I will not replace to a scammer. He's getting it back the way it was, I was too lazy to remove the repaired jack tho. Should I break that first?

 

[Ccomp5950]

Don't do anything malicious, if you can solve the situation by walking away from it consider it a lesson learned and spend your time on paying customers.

 

[meanderer]

Don't do anything malicious, if you can solve the situation by walking away from it consider it a lesson learned and spend your time on paying customers.

it was indeed a broken DC jack the way it came in. I wouldn't consider that necessary malicious. However, I don't think I would do that. Why waste more energy on this BS?

 

[Ccomp5950]

"Do no harm"

How it came in is no concern compared to how it left. If you are going to let him pick it up without paying, don't break your fixes, if it can be proven that you did anything malicious your chances of being sued increase quite a bit.

If you show good will and the computer left better than it came in? Your chances of being successfully sued drop.

Good luck either way.

 

[meanderer]

thanks, I am sure as **** I won't get sued tho. These people (people in this area) rather get violent than to use the law, but that only means I should be more cautious.