Field-replaceable vs. Customer-replaceable

[Suiram]

My laptop (Dell XPS M170) has been beginning to show indications of problems that my friends who know about computers say is likely due to a buildup of dust on my fans and heatsink. I spoke to someone at Dell who said that while I could try spraying the air vents with compressed air, I wouldn't be able to open up my computer and clean it because "the parts are field-replaceable and not customer-replaceable".

Is this a genuine distinction, and something that would at some point thwart my attempt to clean my laptop due to the lack of some kind of specialized tool? Or is this more of a fabricated distinction like, "we can't help you help yourself because we'd prefer you send it to us"? Also, even if it is the latter, am I inviting problems by trying to do this myself? I'm not the kind of guy who will eat a pizza on top of my computer's innards or anything, but at the same time I don't exactly have any experience doing this before.

[SephYuyX]

Use the can spray, that helps, if youre feeling lucky, you can open it, though probably Dell Laptops are wired/connected so that it wont open all the way.

Also, the Dell rep was telling the truth pretty much. Laptops are bitches, really theyre made to be never opened, thats why the things like ram and hdd that are normal things you replace are able to be replaced via the bottom without taking apart anything.

The only laptops that im aware of that have somewhat actual computer parts are Alien laptops, and for some reaosn they suck, mostly due to heating issues. Laptop video cards are connected to the mobo, so that if you ever have a video card prob, youre sol.

Laptops suck, and I always advise people to build their own desktops.

[megabyte]

I have a Dell XPS system and when my video card fried and I couldn't figure out why my computer just turned off for no reason...

They told me to open it, and pull the video card out =P

Not sure what your situation is, but unless there is a security sticker on the accessable side of your case, it's safe to open without voiding any warranty... just don't go dragging your feet across some carpet with some socks on and reach into your case while it's floating in the bathtub.

[Sigi]

FRU means you pretty much have to break open the chassis to get at the part. I don't know your specific model, but try using compressed air to clean the vents as best you can.

@ Megabyte
Dell XPS desktop or laptop? Dell has the desktop customers pull components like the video card, sound card, drives, and memory. They might have you reseat the processor, but generally if you feel you are not comfortable with doing that, they might send a tech out.