[CamperBob2]

(Shrug) So send it back to the factory for reconditioning. Charge the customer a reasonable restocking fee to cover the associated costs, if it happens enough to be a problem.

What? The factory can't restore the firmware to as-new condition? That's a bit of a problem in itself, isn't it?

[oh_sigh]

It was just a guess - I have no real idea why Dell wouldn't allow returns on those items. And firmware was just an example. You could also solder in a completely separate computer if you really wanted to. Then you need to open the whole thing up and do visual inspections, reflash the firmware, test it, etc. It may not be worth it for $500, or cost close enough to $500 that they just don't allow returns.