[ltp] Re: is my usb controller dead?

[James Knott]

Ben Pfaff wrote:
> "Macskasi Csaba" <bitumen@tuxworld.homelinux.org> writes:
> 
>> That is one of the stupidest comments I've ever heard. Why waste money  
>> _and_ the pcmcia-slot if the built-in controller can be replaced (under  
>> warranty).
> 
> IBM refused to warranty the ones on my X40 motherboard when they
> got fried by device removal.  They called it an "accident" and
> told me that a new motherboard was $700.  I've been using a
> PCMCIA card since then.
> 
> I don't know if I'd buy another IBM laptop now.  I would think
> that hotplugging a hotpluggable port would be a warranty claim,
> but IBM didn't think so.

IBM and other manufacturers have no control over what's plugged into USB
ports.  Should they warrant something external to the computer?  The
same thing happens with cars, when you connect a trailer.  The car
manufacturer is not responsible, should the trailer cause problems.

Anyone who's worked in computer support knows that users will often
damage the hardware, sometimes intentionally, and then lie about it.  Is
it then a warranty claim, when something fails after that abuse?