Motherboard keeps failing (Optimus series)

[njz]

Hi all,

Just a quick query in regards to motherboards as I don't know much about technical stuff. My laptop (specs below) has now had its motherboard fail for a second time (I sent it for RMA and PCS have confirmed it) and wondered if this is 'normal' in a way for custom-built computers? The laptop is 3.5 years old but the first motherboard failure was when it was just over 1 year old. I've had desktops and laptops before, all of which have lasted 7+ years, so I was wondering if maybe I've just been lucky before to not get a motherboard failure? Or I'm just unlucky now?

The PCS technician I spoke to on the phone said motherboards can fail due to a variety of factors, including if it was jostled/bumped while travelling, but I've never actually travelled anywhere with it so it can't have been that. And I take extremely good care of all my belongings so I don't think it was something I did.

I realise components fail, but it just strikes me as odd to have 2 motherboards fail in a system over 3.5 years. And this doesn't include other issues I've had with the HDD dying and having to be replaced as well, and the fan not working properly and needing a replacement too.

Thoughts? I'm not really looking for an exact answer as to why my MB failed, just wondering if other people have had similar experiences.

System specs:
Optimus Series: 13.3" Matte Full HD LED IPS Widescreen (1920x1080)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-4700MQ (2.40GHz) 6MB
8GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (1 x 8GB)
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 765M - 2.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
1TB SERIAL ATA II 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (5,400rpm)
Was originally shipped with Win 8.1, but I upgraded to 10 when the free update came out.

 

[paul1224]

My experience was with a desktop with PCS and I had 2 Motherboard failures, 1 about 2 years in and the next one about 6 months after.

Was frustrating but luckily they were still in warranty via the manufacturer (Asus) and after the second failure they ungraded the motherboard free of charge to a better version. Touch wood since then has been fine for a good few years. Unfortunately you have probably been unlucky but would be interesting to see what other owners of your version of laptop have experienced.

 

[njz]

Yes, agreed, hopefully someone else with the same laptop can chime in with their experience.

When you say your motherboards were still in warranty from Asus, do you mean you purchased an extended warranty plan?

 

[ubuysa]

That is odd and if I were PCS I'd be looking for other causes, probably starting with your battery and your power brick. It would seem that some external factor is causing the motherboards to fail, although it is also possible that you have been extremely unlucky.

Regarding the ASUS warranty, several manufacturers, and not just of motherboards, offer extended warranties on their products. Where this is the case PCS usually replace the component free of charge to you (except for shipping costs) and claim on the manufacturer's warranty on your behalf. If PCS charged you for the replacement motherboard it will be because there was no manufacturer's extended warranty on it.

I would be talking to PCS about this issue to see whether they are able to tell you whether the two motherboards failed in the same way, if they did I would very strongly suspect an external factor. If they failed in unrelated ways then it's likely you have just drawn the short straw this time...

 

[paul1224]

Yes, agreed, hopefully someone else with the same laptop can chime in with their experience.

When you say your motherboards were still in warranty from Asus, do you mean you purchased an extended warranty plan?

As per ubuysa's comment my warranty with PCS had expired but certain components can have extended manufacturer warranties on them and the mobo was one of these, apparently it had 3 years warranty direct via Asus so I had to pay for postage to PCS and they then sent it to Holland to be checked and replaced.

Always a good consideration if the warranty with PCS is out is to check whether any manufacturer warranty still exists.

 

[njz]

Thanks both for your input.

In regards to warranty, PCS have said they asked the manufacturer and they said they wouldn't replace/repair the motherboard, so the only option I have is for PCS to do it themselves and to pay for the replacement MB out of my own pocket. So it seems like I don't have any extended warranty with the manufacturer unfortunately.

I also called PCS to ask if both motherboards failed in the same way and they were unable to give me an answer. It's odd because the other desktops/laptops I mentioned that have lasted years have been plugged into the exact same wall socket in the exact same house and on the exact same desk so I can't think of any factors on my end that could've possibly caused the failure and I suspect it might be something with the system itself or, as mentioned, the battery/power pack.

It'll have to remain a mystery though, because I've now asked PCS to just ship the laptop back. I can't justify paying for another MB that may fail in the near future and have opted to put that money towards a laptop from a different retailer instead.

Thanks again for your responses!