Hi Shifty. Here are a few pics of the computer after delivery. Let me know if they are helpful. I can try to get some better ones if you can tell me what to
focus on. The packaging was more than adequate. Im going to try to goof with the video card as you suggested. Then I'll get a hold of you and let you know if I found anything.

The plastic tabs that the cpu fan clips on to are broken off, but the two top & two bottom ones are still there. Im not sure if its of to mount this off center? I have not run this more that 30 seconds at a time.

Couple more of the packaging...

you should never mount the metal part of it off-center on the CPU, a chip can smoke itself in a matter of 5 seconds. if the fan is off-center, that is not so much a problem.

i'm going to walk across the street from the UPS store and file a claim on this and point them to this site so they can get pictures as needed - please don't toss the packaging. i asked them to put "fragile" stickers on the box, but that clearly did not happen.

i'm going to try to get them to ship the computer back to me (eek?) with a return label, then charge them the cost for replacement parts.

*sigh*

i was so proud of how kickass that thing was when it left here. i swear, i just can't seem to find a good ground carrier for anything these days. last computer i shipped was OK, now this...

I just walked over to the UPS store. They are filing a claim. They will contact me with a claim number within 24 hours (probably before end of day). Because the UPS Store employee did not pack the box, a UPS rep will come to your place in the next 1-5 business days to inspect the package and packing to assess if this was a problem with packing (box exterior and padding), then the claim will be authorized. The package was insured for $400, which is the rough resale value of the parts inside the computer.

Here is what you need to do:
Do not toss the box or packing materials.
Don't attempt to boot up the computer again.
Wait for UPS to contact you to inspect the box.

When the claim is authorized, I am asking that UPS give it a tree round trip back to me so I can toss in (at least) a new power supply and I will be charging them for whatever additional parts are required. I will want you to remove the heatsink when you send it back to me and if UPS authorizes a check, I will need to get that amount from you to do any required repairs, which should not exceed $400 based on the age of the computer, assuming the CPU is not fried.

I griped at the couple at the store for not putting FRAGILE stickers on it like i asked them to and they said it "wasn't their responsibility". I've been doing business with these people for over a year now religiously, so once this is done, I guarantee I won't be using them again.

I realize this is not my fault, but I'm really sorry this has happened anyways. This is the first time I've ever had a problem shipping a computer back to someone and I typically use the same store. They normally put the fragile stickers all over the box.

Maybe they knew you used DHL last time around ;)

Well being in the business on VERY RARE occasion a fragile sticker could be the cause for a package to get dropped by somebody having a bad day. In their defense I would say that using ground service increases the possibility of damage because of the number of times the package is handled from one hub to the next. I think next time I do this I'll pay the extra for overnight shipping which puts it on a plane, then a single delivery truck.
Man, Im bummed too. I dont want you to feel bad about this.

Sent you a PM. UPS needs more info. They want you to re-pack the box and leave it on the porch again so they can pickup, bring it to their hub and inspect.

FYI:
UPS guidelines state that they do not have to follow any special care directions on the package (i.e. UP, fragile, glass, do not stack, etc.). I handle all the UPS for our work and deal with damages all the time.
The package must be able to survive a drop from shoulder height.
If it does not, then the packaging was insufficient and they are not responsible for the damages.
I have been told this by a number of UPS employees including; drivers, inspectors, and claims department personal and managers.

Just keep that in mind when shipping UPS. I'm sure FedEx isn't much different.

this box would have handled it just fine - and clearly did - it was the contents inside the box that wouldn't handle that. i don't care what you pack it with - if it was something glass, it would have arrived in shards if there was enough force to knock a cooling fan off a CPU.

Shoulder height drop? Thats ridiculous. Shifty, remember this when you send it back. Do the drop test and rebuild, do it again until you get it right.

Who's shoulder will they use? Yow Mings' or Gary Colemans?

I'll bet UPS does NOT use this guidline will Dell.

Shoulder height is about the highest shelf in the UPS delivery trucks.
When computers are shipped from manufacturers they have molded Styrofoam packing that holds it in place. Foam packing should do the same. The question is how would a force so strong knock the fan loose but not damage the box?
That's what I think UPS is going to ask or state.
Or maybe they will say:
You shipped a fragile item that fell apart during shipping. Obviously they didn't damage the box so how are they responsible for the damages?
I'm just saying you might have a hard time with this because the box is not damaged.

BTW glass should be packed with foam taped around it or with expanding foam that completely fills the inside of the box and none of the contents can shift at all.

UPS doesn't like to settle claims. Just make sure you document things, they have never settled a claim for us without a ton of phone calls, faxes and documents proving our case. Our time ended up costing more the damages. Only time they have given us a credit or refund without a call is when they lost a package or a NDA or SDA was late.

UPS doesn't like to settle claims.

I accept 500+ UPS packages daily and have never had a claim denied. Whenever I suspect a package is damaged I request the driver note that the package is 'open' or 'damaged' on their system before I sign for them/it. Doing so has served me well. :but: