Back in December, Dell Computer replaced my hard drive under my parts warranty. That was the worst of my problems. I had been living with another deficiency in my computer for many months, so I decided to get it repaired also before the warranty expired.

This other "deficiency," as I have called it, seemed quite minor. The On/Off button on the front of the computer had ceased to function. I had removed the front plate to see if I could repair the problem and learned that a small plastic part had broken and a piece of it was missing. I thought if I could find the missing piece I could possibly glue it back together and be almost as good as new. I looked everywhere and the missing broken part could not be located. Lacking a proper switch I had removed the front panel so I could get to the On/Off button, which I activated with the rubber eraser of a number 2 pencil.

Frankly, I was tiring of this procedure, so Dell was again called, and the technician said he would have the replacement part sent me by Airborne. Days passed and no shipment. I called again and spoke to a different technician who found my reference number but could not find anything on the status of the shipment. This technician offered to put through a priority request to his parts department. Another week passed by, and, as I was about the put in another call to Dell, I heard a vehicle door shut in my drive, and there was the Airborne delivery truck.

In his hands he held two items. One was a letter sized sign off sheet for me to sign accepting delivery. The other was a box about two feet square. Now I wondered why was I getting such a large package. All was looking for was a small plastic switch about the size of a silver dollar. So I opened the box like a kid wondering what kind of Christmas present the box contained. Well, I was really surprised.

The box contained an entire replacement front panel. It appears that Dell has changed the appearance of the front panel or no longer has the one which originally came with my computer. Also, the little switch behind my old front panel was no longer used. Now the replacement front panel has a heavier duty switch built into the panel itself.

Anxiously, I attempted to install the new panel. Unfortunately, it fits too closely to my 3 ½" floppy drive which now makes that drive unusable. At this point I go back into the big box and find another smaller box and darned if it didn’t contain another floppy drive which I was to learn fit more deeply into the front slot meshing perfectly with the new front panel. All I have to do now is return my old 3 ½" floppy to Dell as credit for the replacement one they sent.

I certainly got more than I bargained for in this exchange and wanted to share this experience with everyone. u