PC Service to Repair Dell Computers

Linda Lancaster

As of December 1, PC Service in W20-028 will be authorized as a Dell 
Premier Service Provider. PC Service will be able to provide warranty 
service if it is selected as the warranty service provider at the time 
the Dell computer is purchased.
 
Unlike Apple, Dell requires that the warranty service provider be chosen 
at the time of hardware purchase.Currently, the default warranty service 
provider is BancTec, U.S.A. Dell computers sold previously by the MIT 
Computer Connection have BancTec as the warranty service provider.

After the warranty expires, PC Service can repair any Dell computer.
 
Dell Warranties and Upgrades
Dell computers typically come with a 3-year hardware warranty. The 
first year is a full warranty covering parts and labor. (Not all repairs 
are covered by warranty - for example, repairs required due to accident 
or abuse are not covered.) In the second and third years, the warranty 
covers parts only.
 
Dell offers a warranty upgrade for the second and third years at an 
attractive price - currently $99 - if bought at the same time as the 
computer. With a warranty upgrade, parts and labor are covered for the 
full three years.
 
The MIT Computer Connection in W20-021 can sell Dell warranty 
upgrades at the time of hardware purchase. To buy a warranty upgrade 
afterwards, you need to contact Dell for a price quote and buy the 
upgrade directly from Dell.
 
Other PC Service Offerings
PC Service has provided computer hardware services to the MIT 
community since 1984. In addition to its new Dell offering, PC Service 
repairs Apple computers and printers, IBM PCs, and HP laser printers. 
It offers hardware maintenance contracts for Apple and IBM, with repairs 
done in-house, as well as maintenance contracts for DEC, Sun, and SGI, 
with repairs done by vendors under contract to MIT.

If you have a computer that needs repair, you can call PC Service to 
request pickup from an Institute office. You will need to provide the 
location of the equipment, a contact name and phone number, and a brief 
description of the problem. Pickup is typically done the next day.

There is no charge for repair estimates from PC Service. Their 
current labor rate for work not covered by warranty is $50 per hour. 
Payment may be made by MIT requisition or, for personally owned 
equipment, by check, MasterCard, or VISA.

PC Service is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. For information 
about Dell repair services or other PC Service offerings, send email 
to <pcservice@mit.edu> or call x3-0815.