Wireless router question

[MDLackey]

Hey everyone, got a question about a unique situation.

I got a Linksys/Cisco E3000 wireless router that stopped transmitting both wireless and direct ethernet connection after a lightning storm 1 morning (I know, I know, should've known better to leave thing plugged in..but it was like 5AM and barely registered it). Coincidentally it also blew out my LED TV since it was connected via ethernet.

I am still under the 1 year warrenty, my question is..would an attack from Zeus void my warrenty for a replacement??

I did call up customer support and report the problem...tho omitting the lightning part..ended up doing 3 hrs of troubleshoot on the phone before the guy gave up and told me to call senior tech support..never did call back tho. So I ask the many IT and call center reps out there for advice on what I can do.

[lordlundar]

Funny thing you mentioned "attack from Zeus" as acts of god usually aren't covered.

Lessie here... <goes to look up warranty info>

Ah here we go, 1 year limited to defects in workmanship and/or materials. Sorry, but "unable to withstand a lightning strike" is not a defect.

Put simply, they're going to notice that a power surge is what fried it and are not going to cover it.

In the future, might I suggest a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) unit? They are a LOT safer than most power bars and usually have an insurance where if the unit does not protect from a surge anything damaged by it is covered. (minimum amount I've seen is $5000)

[csquared]

Lightning damage is probably not covered under the warranty. However, they may replace it for you just for the customer retention. You won't know until you ask.

You may also find that the warranty process is more of a hassle than it is worth. You could be looking at a two week parts exchange. For that, I would go buy a new one, but that is just my opinion.

[MDLackey]

i figured as much..thought still wanted to make sure. I'm glad I got the router on discount so I didn't lose too much over it, but still..it was a good router. Already bought a new one as replacement.

[MDLackey]

No fault on the Customer support guys cause they are just doing their jobs, but i went thru 2 1 hr sessions of Live chat plus 3+ hour phone troubleshoot, just to bump me to senior tech is just annoying. AND i already mentioned that I went thru troubleshoot with the prior support guy yielding no results. Oh well....time to figure out where i can recycle the sucker.

[csquared]

Quoth MDLackey

Oh well....time to figure out where i can recycle the sucker.

Best Buy will take one electronic item per day, no charge. There is a fee for monitors and TVs.

[MDLackey]

As my good friend would say: My router got smot'ed! ...time to move on..

[PepperElf]

would an attack from Zeus void my warrenty for a replacement??

Unfortunately... yes.

Even at my last place with our accidental coverage plans, lighting strikes weren't covered. ... "power surges" however were covered.