Will upgrading the RAM in 4G models void my warranty?

[fredmontano]

All over the world there has been a lot of confusion regarding the topic of voiding your Asus warranty if you break that warranty seal when upgrading your Eee's RAM. I have compiled here inputs from Eee user forums regarding this matter.   

Benc4u of Eee user forums asked the Asus' support division and this is what he got...

Hello,

Yes, you can. Asus released a statement internally last week regarding the 'warranty void' label on the bottom of the unit. Opening up the unit and destroying the label will not alter your warranty at all.Here are the details:

ASUS Computer International (“ASUS”) recently received feedback from one of its valued customers with questions concerning the purpose of a seal stating, “Warranty Void If Removed” over the access door to the single SODIMM slot on some models of the ASUS Eee PC. ASUS wishes to assure its customers that merely breaking or removing this kind of seal will not void the ASUS Limited Warranty. Although ASUS recommends that customers use ASUS-approved service facilities and components, ASUS is committed to honoring the terms of its Limited Warranty and making sure that its customers are free to make appropriate hardware and software modifications and upgrades, regardless of whether the service is performed by an approved facility, a non-approved service provider, or by the customers themselves.

ASUS will replace the warranty label with a label to warn users that ASUS will not be responsible for the damage caused by improper hardware change.

ASUS is taking steps to make sure that the seals in question are no longer used in its products that are intended to be sold in any country where these stickers are not permitted.

ASUS has also modified its written Limited Warranty policies effective immediately to eliminate any provision stating that the ASUS Limited Warranty will be voided simply because the product is serviced by a non-ASUS-approved service facility, or if non-ASUS-approved components or software are installed or used.

Current Eee PC customers are advised that ASUS will honor all other terms of its Limited Warranty and that it will not refuse warranty service simply because a customer has either broken a warranty seal, installed non-ASUS components or software, or because the customer’s unit has been opened or serviced by a non-ASUS-approved service facility or by the user.


ASUS customers are reminded that ASUS computer systems, like all other computer systems, contain delicate and complex components that may be easily damaged if not handled correctly. Also, ASUS systems are tested and certified for compatibility and performance to product specifications based on their original configurations using ASUS-approved hardware, components, and approved, factory-installed software.

As with all computer systems, some added hardware, components and software may not be compatible with the product. Also, as with all computers, attempts by persons who lack sufficient knowledge or who are not properly trained to upgrade, repair, or maintain the product’s internal components or hardware configuration, or the installation and use of non-approved or untested hardware components or accessories, may result in damage to the product or severe degradation of the product’s performance and functionality that may not be covered under the ASUS Limited Warranty. Also, as with all computer software, attempts to change, alter, or modify the factory-installed software may result in damage to the product or a severe degradation in the product’s performance or functionality that may not be covered under the ASUS Limited Warranty.

ASUS customers may contact ASUS Customer Service at: 888-768-3688 option 3 regarding ASUS Limited Warranty.



Regards,

Chris Johnson
Asus Support Team

Please do not reply to this message. If you need further assistance please call our technical support line at (812) 282-2787 Monday-Friday from 8:30am-Midnight EST.

To help us better assist you, please take a moment to fill out this brief survey.

http://sip.asus.com/Survey/Questionnair … 20012.aspx

This is from the States though. There they have a consumer policy that you will not likely void your consumer warranty if you perform certain upgrades which do not need much of the technical skill from the manufacturer. 

It's official for the Canadians too!  http://ca.asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=9224

However, in the Philippines I'm not quite sure if this is already applicable. Hope that their policy for the Philippines will get updated soon.

[shinrai]

Say it ain't so!

Well, I'm guessing if you just insert a mini PCI card or a new RAM stick, you should not get a voided warranty but installing additional usb drives would.

I hope that just unscrewing the back panel doesn't void it here though. The distro I bought the eee from replaced it to 1GB so I'm guessing the warranty (1-year) should hold with them. Don't know about other retailers though.

[loko__loko]

you know here. they want you to buy the expensive 1gig ram from them...

[punkrocker]

I just sent an email to Asus Asia Pacific with regards the standing of Asus Philippines with regards the warranty policy change of upgrading the RAM yourselves. I'll keep everyone posted. 

[Earthcrosser]

I bought my eeePC yesterday and i had it upgraded to 2GB while i'm there. Then they put warranty stickers to both the new memory module and the back of the eeePC.

[elie]

Where did you upgrade it?

How much would it cost if I want to upgrade my asus eee pc?

[shinrai]

Where did you upgrade it?

How much would it cost if I want to upgrade my asus eee pc?

Naku, mga 4K pataas yan for 2G, separate purchase. ewan ko lng kung pwedeng swap.

[punkrocker]

Just got a reply from Asus.... read on folks 



Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for contacting ASUS Customer Service.

My name is Kitty and it's my pleasure to help you with your problem.

Sincerely sorry for bringing you any trouble and inconvenience!

For your question, I am sorry to tell you that it will void the warrany to upgrade RAM in Philippines at present.
Asus will promulgate it if there is any news, and please refer to the official website:
http://www.asus.com.tw/
You can select the country or area on the left.

Best regards and have a nice day!

If you have any other problems, please be free to let me know.

Thank you for using ASUS products and enjoying ASUS services!

Welcome to refer FAQ for ASUS products in ASUS website:

http://support.asus.com/faq/faq.aspx?SLanguage=en-us


Kitty

ASUS Customer Service Center (Shanghai , China)

If you have any suggestions or complaints about our technical support service, please e-mail your feedback to support@asus.com.cn

We will then arrange for a specialist to work on your issue.

Your suggestions and feedback are most appreciated and allow us to serve you better.


---------- Original Message ----------
From : **********
Sent : 12/12/2007 11:11:43 PM
To : "tsd@asus.com.tw"
Subject : <TSD> EeePC Eee PC 4G(701)

[CASEID=WTM200712122311432159]

Apply date : 12/12/2007 11:11:43 PM

[Contact Information]
*Name : *********
*Email Address :********@yahoo.com
Phone Number :
City : Manila
*Country : Philippines

[Product Information]
*Product Type : EeePC
*Product Model : Eee PC 4G(701)
*Product S/N : 7AOAA******
Place of Purchase : Manila
*Date of Purchase : 2007/12/7

*Operating System : Linux

[Problem Description]
Hi Asus,

I have a question with regards upgrading the RAM. I heard from the other Asus divisions worldwide
that the warranty is no longer void if owners decided to upgrade the RAM module themselves. Does
Asus Philippines also stand by that statement? I'm really aching to upgrade my RAM from 512mb to
1gig. Please advice on whats the best path to take. I'll await for your favorable response. Thanks!

Cholo

[Earthcrosser]

I bought my eeePC last night and had it upgraded to 2GB right there. I have one-year warranties for both the eeePC and the 2GB memory module. They were actually excited to find out if 2GB will work because all of the others who upgraded only chose the 1GB path.

Cost of eeePC = 16,500
Cost of 2GB module = 2,300
TOTAL = 18,800 :-!

Btw, my device has the 2nd mini PCI Express slot. W00t!

I also get to keep the stock 512MB which i will eventually sell.

[shinrai]

I bought my eeePC last night and had it upgraded to 2GB right there. I have one-year warranties for both the eeePC and the 2GB memory module. They were actually excited to find out if 2GB will work because all of the others who upgraded only chose the 1GB path.

Cost of eeePC = 16,500
Cost of 2GB module = 2,300
TOTAL = 18,800 :-!

Btw, my device has the 2nd mini PCI Express slot. W00t!

I also get to keep the stock 512MB which i will eventually sell.

EC,

pashare or pm naman yung source mo. that's one right on the money!

[Floyd Piedad]

I bought my eeePC last night and had it upgraded to 2GB right there. I have one-year warranties for both the eeePC and the 2GB memory module. They were actually excited to find out if 2GB will work because all of the others who upgraded only chose the 1GB path.

Cost of eeePC = 16,500
Cost of 2GB module = 2,300
TOTAL = 18,800 :-!

Btw, my device has the 2nd mini PCI Express slot. W00t!

I also get to keep the stock 512MB which i will eventually sell.

Wow, that is soooo cheap!
I rushed to get a black 4g EEE today from a store which had the 7Axxxx series.  We opened the place for the memory under and verified that it has the extra PCIe slot.  I then asked the store to put their warranty sticker on the Asus sticker - so at least I have the store to back me up that we only inspected inside and did not do any harm to it...in case Asus says upgrading by user is not allowed.  I spent P18k though.

[elie]

I bought my eeePC last night and had it upgraded to 2GB right there. I have one-year warranties for both the eeePC and the 2GB memory module. They were actually excited to find out if 2GB will work because all of the others who upgraded only chose the 1GB path.

Cost of eeePC = 16,500
Cost of 2GB module = 2,300
TOTAL = 18,800 :-!

Btw, my device has the 2nd mini PCI Express slot. W00t!

I also get to keep the stock 512MB which i will eventually sell.

Wow, that is soooo cheap!
I rushed to get a black 4g EEE today from a store which had the 7Axxxx series.  We opened the place for the memory under and verified that it has the extra PCIe slot.  I then asked the store to put their warranty sticker on the Asus sticker - so at least I have the store to back me up that we only inspected inside and did not do any harm to it...in case Asus says upgrading by user is not allowed.  I spent P18k though.

Where did you buy your unit... very cheap... hmmmm....

[loko__loko]

ot:

where did you get the 16,500 eee pc? is it the right specs? 4gig/512mb? not the surf model?

sir floyd.. which shop is that?

[Earthcrosser]

Bought it at Dynamic PC in Virra Mall Greenhills. It's not the Surf version.

Dami nang bumili run after kong makwento sa friends ko. ) When i mentioned it to them, i was surprised by their nonchalance. I'm not asking for anything though. Natawa lang ako. )

Anyway, the products there are okay. Bought most of my PC stuff there. No problems whatsoever.

[cnn]

I was at VMall early this evening and was doing some recon in the pc area for our 3EPC 4G... saw a shop... gigahertz ata yun and inspected a white 4G... 7B series and the yellow security tag on the bottom of the units have been tampered by the shops technicians... they say that they are authorized to open and upgrade the memory of the 4g units...

selling price for the 4g basic model is at 18k card / 17500 cash... if you want to upgrade to 1gig you have to add 1850 (plus they get to keep the "old/original" 512 ddr2 sodimm unit... )  I looked around and found a kingston 1gig sodimm ddr2 memory 667 ata yun... price was at 1800...

if the shop would keep the module dapa they should price the upgrade at a reasonable price... like 1k maybe...

just informing you guys...

am still going to go for a 2gig memory upgrade when i get my unit... i saw a memory module for about 2900... is this a good price? kingston brand... Thanks for those who will reply...