I have a four-year-old, 36-inch Sony XBR set (KV-36XBR400) that
recently quit powering up. A Sony service tech troubleshot the problem
as the one widely reported around this forum and elsewhe a defective
D-board.

This set, which cost us a salty $2,500, has a stunning picture (when it
works!) and has had no previous problems, but we're concerned that
dropping the $500 for a rebuilt D-board (the only ones available) might
somehow be dollar-wise and pound-foolish, especially if the set is
prone to the problem.

Can you offer an opinion about the "permanency" of such a D-board
repair? Given your knowledge and expertise about Sony, this set and
such high-end sets in general, is it "worth fixing" from a cost-benefit
ratio, as they say.

Thanks, BILL L

Last I heard, if the set falls within a certain serial number range and
did not have the modified D board already installed, Sony is still
sending out the part no charge to an authorized Sony servicer, customer
to pay labor charges ~$200.


Bill wrote:
I have a four-year-old, 36-inch Sony XBR set (KV-36XBR400) that
recently quit powering up. A Sony service tech troubleshot the
problem
as the one widely reported around this forum and elsewhe a
defective
D-board.

This set, which cost us a salty $2,500, has a stunning picture (when
it
works!) and has had no previous problems, but we're concerned that
dropping the $500 for a rebuilt D-board (the only ones available)
might
somehow be dollar-wise and pound-foolish, especially if the set is
prone to the problem.

Can you offer an opinion about the "permanency" of such a D-board
repair? Given your knowledge and expertise about Sony, this set and
such high-end sets in general, is it "worth fixing" from a
cost-benefit
ratio, as they say.

Thanks, BILL L

Mmmm. Any idea where I might learn more about such as possibility? My
own Sony service tech didn't mention anything of the sort, though I've
read (through the Internet grapevine) of Sony making good on some XBRs
with the affliction, even at this late date.

Customer needs to call Sony, have serial number, date of purchase, date
unit first failed, and all prior repairs on the set in hand. They have
to ask Sony for repair assistance.

Warning, if they bought it at Sears, forget it. Sony won't help as the
tv did not have a Sony warranty. It was hard enough to get Sony to pay
for warranty repairs on the occasional item they bought at Sears and
brought in, even though Sony said they would reimburse the servicer.