One thing that has my 'bs detector' up is that they had you replace the motherboard by yourself. In 19+ (20 on June 1) years of working on PC's, servers, laptops, and printers, I've never seen any other vendor require replacing the motherboard by the client. Where I work, we've gone to Dell laptops, and we're the ones that fix them.

What would likely happen if any legal challenge was pressed, is that Dell would come back and say the replacement was botched by the client, as they didn't use a safety (anti-static) strap, shorted something re-assembling, etc. Even experienced technicians take a while with the 1st new laptop model, replacing the motherboard, As laptop repairs go, it's about the most involved procedure there is (about even with replacing the LCD screen...;) 

It's not hard at all to ding a contact, misroute a wire, miss a grounding screw, snap something under that's supposed to go over, etc. And there's the 'breeding screws', when you get the thing together, and note that you still have an 'extra' screw..;)

I've had issues with Dell home machines (and I've been certified on and off for years..;)  Hope everything comes out healthwise, and you get a working unit.

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)