I got some computer parts as gifts!

Okay, good news and bad news.

Good news is that they gave me a new RMA number.

Bad news is that they didn't have a P5KPL-CM in stock, so I'll need to ship back my mainboard then wait for them to receive it, repair it, and return it.

:(
 
From the RMA e-mail:
P5 series motherboards must include the original CPU socket cover or covering to protect the pins during transit
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:(

EDIT: It's a longshot, but I posted over on Tom's Hardware to ask if anyone has a spare ASUS P5 series CPU socket cover. I offered to reimburse for shipping, of course.
 
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Update: Good news, everyone!

I called two local computer parts shops and was surprised when the guy who answered the phone at the first store knew what I was talking about when I asked for a CPU socket cover for a socket 775 mainboard. I was even more surprised when the guy at the second shop actually had one.

So I drove to the second store I called, picked up the CPU socket cover, drove home, installed the socket cover, drove to the local shipping store, shipped the package (for just under $11), and drove home again.

And now I can put this aside for a while, until ASUS (I hope) repairs the mainboard and sends it back.
 
So you have to wait until ASUS sends the board back before you can, um, play games on the new PC?
 
Bowser said:
So you have to wait until ASUS sends the board back before you can, um, play games on the new PC?
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Yep.

If and when ASUS repairs and ships back the mainboard, I'll install it and the other components, get the system up and running on Windows 7 Home Premium, and start installing Steam games (after I install MediaPortal and uTorrent so I can catch up on unlicensed fansubbed anime).

My laptop is still in working order, but it can't handle newer games (like Krater, which I won in a Youtube contest) very well.
 
Just be sure to hold a running vacuum cleaner in one hand and wear wool socks while you install the components. That should keep the components clean.
 
Tek7 said:
Update: Good news, everyone!
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I lol'd.

Edit.: If you don't understand the reference...

342-i-dont-want-to-live-on-this-planet-anymore.png
 
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FedEx tracking says mainboard should get to ASUS on Monday.

Then more waiting. :(
 
Just checked the RMA status on my mainboard and was very pleased to discover that the board has been repaired and shipped back to me. FedEx tracking estimates the board will be delivered to my house on Monday.

Huzzah!
 
So I got the mainboard back in today and...it's still not working. ;_; Same problem as before: The system won't boot with the heatsink fully installed (but will boot if the heatsink is just resting on top of the processor, which isn't a viable long-term option because the processor will fry).

I called ASUS and asked them to check the notes on the RMA and the rep I spoke with said the records state that a tech repaired the mainboard. I informed the rep that was not the case and my system still won't boot. I also mentioned that I spent $11 on shipping.

After the rep went to check to see if they could cross-ship a replacement, he came back a few minutes later and told me that their RMA system was down and I'd have to call back in the morning (which is especially frustrating since I probably won't have a chance to call back until during my lunch hour tomorrow).

/smh
 
CowRocket said:
Sounds like you need more John Waller.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7TSGptd3Y

I would have embedded it, but I don't know how.:confused:
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We don't allow video embedding on the forums. At least, I don't think we do. I never tried.

And yes, more waiting. :(

But I talked with ASUS again tonight and they're going to see if they can cross-ship me a replacement. I was told it usually takes 24-48 hours to get a reply following the cross-ship request, but I'm hoping I get word back sooner so I can just mail the mainboard back (on ASUS' dime, as I understood it) tomorrow after work.
 
Talked with ASUS again today. They said there's no stock of the same model of mainboard (again), but they sent me a prepaid FedEx shipping label by e-mail. I'll pack up the mainboard (again), tape the label to the box, and bring it to the nearest FedEx pickup location after work today.

This is getting to be an epic saga...
 
Bowser said:
Soo....

What happens now?
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I guess I'll find out when they get my board back. After spending 38 minutes on the phone today, I don't want to even think about ASUS for a while.

In other news, my new phone (a Galaxy Nexus) is capable of playing 720p MKVs at full frames, something my old PC (with an AMD Athlon XP 2700+, an ATI Radeon 9600, and 768MB RAM) couldn't do.

Technology, man.
 
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Well, I finally got word back from ASUS:

In order for us to continue with the RMA process the out of warranty fee of $120.00 (USD) would need to be paid. This out of warranty fee will cover the repair facility to repair or replace your product. If you would like to continue with the RMA process for your ASUS product, please return the completed and signed credit card form by one of the following methods:
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This was after they told me that they would do a final courtesy RMA on the board AND after I shipped them the board once before AND they returned it to me without repairing AND I shipped it to them a second time (on their dime the second time, though).

Unbelievable.

I won't be in any hurry to buy any ASUS products from here on.

On the phone with ASUS now to see what the deal is.

EDIT: Looks like new socket 775 boards cost about $50 on Newegg. Considering I've already dropped about $70 ($40 after rebate for a PSU; $15 each for 2 heatsinks, either of which would cost just as much to ship back for a refund as I originally spent on them) on the box, it may come down to dropping another $50 on a new mainboard to put everything together. It's good to know there's at least a reliable "worst case scenario" plan.

EDIT#2: The tech I spoke with is going to escalate the case and someone "should" call me back in 24-48 business hours, which means I'll probably be calling ASUS again Monday evening.
 
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