Don't buy a Dell! (And I need help)

[Laura]

So, a few days after I booted a new machine up, a screeching noise hit my ear. And no thanks to the technical support, I opened up BIOS to shut down/slow/speed up every part in the computer. It originally tested the CPU fan at ~4,800 before the test. Whenever the CPU fan hit its low at ~1,800RPM, it stopped. The absolute max BIOS could turn the fan up to was ~4,500RPM, so it's almost as if the fan is overclocked to run at ~4,800. So, I told Dell and they took my word and sent a replacement fan. Now although it happens less frequently since I replaced the fan, I do still get the noise.

 

 

 

Another problem - display drivers. Randomly, my system will pull up and error box (and cause the monitor to go black and display vertical white lines across the screen), saying that the display drivers have failed and that they have been successfully recovered. Sometimes, it doesn't do this at all and I get BSOD'ed. So I took this to Dell again, and they told me to update my drivers. No problem, seems logical. I did that, and the drivers failed to install fully, and each CS agent I talk to tells me the same thing - to reinstall drivers. I've done so five times without luck, in safe mode, and this problem persists.

 

 

 

And finally, I got the fan noise again and contacted Dell. They told me to update BIOS, like three other CS agents had done before. But oddly enough, they have a new update for it. I downloaded and installed BIOS, and and error comes up [(flash!)somerandomnumbers]. So foolish me, I tried to restart. Now, the computer won't load POST and it won't load the OS -- it won't do anything. The only thing flashing on my screen is "No Signal." The guy who told me to update BIOS also told me that he would call within 30 minutes. To my surprise, the phone rang; a manager was on the other line. I told him what was wrong, and he hung up in less than 30 seconds. So I called them back just wanting a total refund (mind you this after at least six attempts with customer service technical fixes), and they told me that I can't send it back because 21 days had elapsed. So, I ended up trying to get another manager, but they told me that none were available (bull, really). At that point I was literally boiling with anger, and asked the agent when they will be in. He told me that they won't be in until Monday, because they don't work weekends. And on top of that, he told me that they'll call me within 48 hours, the latest being on Tuesday. I understand that he didn't have the authority to give me a refund, but it's infuriating that they don't have a manager on the weekends even when their service runs 24/7. I called my credit card company and they can't cancel payment despite the fact that it's a lemon -- it has to be out of warranty. :rolleyes:

 

 

 

Sorry for the rant, but is there anyway to get the computer working again before and if I get a call from the manager. I'd like to salvage at least a few files of data.

 

 

 

Does anybody also have any ideas on a company with better CS, that doesn't outsource? I don't want to build a new computer either.

[compfreak847]

http://www.theacsi.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=157&c=Dell+Inc.

 

Dell is the highest rated windows PC maker, below apple. You got a lemon, it happens with any company. And I've dealt with HPs support before, it's no fun at all. They're supposed to be rolling out a new support system early '09, but I haven't seen it yet -.-

[Laura]

http://www.theacsi.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=157&c=Dell+Inc.

 

Dell is the highest rated windows PC maker, below apple. You got a lemon, it happens with any company. And I've dealt with HPs support before, it's no fun at all. They're supposed to be rolling out a new support system early '09, but I haven't seen it yet -.-

 

Yeah, but I still think it's ridiculous that they won't let me get a refund. Just another replacement or send it back with a refund - 15%.

 

 

 

I guess I'll just go with a Mac then. Thanks. :

[compfreak847]

http://www.theacsi.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=157&c=Dell+Inc.

 

Dell is the highest rated windows PC maker, below apple. You got a lemon, it happens with any company. And I've dealt with HPs support before, it's no fun at all. They're supposed to be rolling out a new support system early '09, but I haven't seen it yet -.-

 

Yeah, but I still think it's ridiculous that they won't let me get a refund. Just another replacement or send it back with a refund - 15%.

 

 

 

I guess I'll just go with a Mac then. Thanks. :

 

Woah, don't be hasty there... You could buy two fault dells for the cost of one mac. Or build 3 :(

 

 

 

And were you the one with the ¥ in your description asking for the alt code like a year ago?

[Laura]

http://www.theacsi.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=157&c=Dell+Inc.

 

Dell is the highest rated windows PC maker, below apple. You got a lemon, it happens with any company. And I've dealt with HPs support before, it's no fun at all. They're supposed to be rolling out a new support system early '09, but I haven't seen it yet -.-

 

Yeah, but I still think it's ridiculous that they won't let me get a refund. Just another replacement or send it back with a refund - 15%.

 

 

 

I guess I'll just go with a Mac then. Thanks. <img src='http://forum.tip.it/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_upup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':<img src='http://forum.tip.it/ipbnew/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='^_^' />:' />

 

Woah, don't be hasty there... You could buy two fault dells for the cost of one mac. Or build 3 :(

 

 

 

And were you the one with the ¥ in your description asking for the alt code like a year ago?

 

The Dell cost me $950 dollars. A Refurb Mac would cost me $1050, with a 2.4Ghz Itel Core 2 Duo, 1GB of RAM, and a 256mb ATI 2600 PRO. I'm not going to be doing much in the lines of extreme, and I'd rather have good CS, because I don't like to solve major technical problems like this on a daily basis. Especially not at school when I have to e-mail a lot of my work. And no, I don't think it was. :?

[OldJoe]

Downloading a game from steam atm at 160kb/s lol... (annoying!!)... So i'm gonna try to give you a reply.

 

 

 

That dude that told you to update BIOS thru Windows is a COMPLETE NUT! He should have told you that you need to do this via booting (dos or something) (flashing bios is not something i know much about, so i can't say much about it, other than this guy shouldn't have told you this).

 

You could try resetting the CMOS on the motherboard (check motherboard manual on where's located), but i dunno if you'd want to do this on a pre-built computer... (and be grounded while doing it).

 

 

 

I'm using the latest 8.12 drivers for my card, but you could try using the 8.10 instead (when you get it booting).

 

 

 

There should also be a smart-fan option for the cpu fan, but i dunno if the Intel stock ones have it.

[Laura]

Downloading a game from steam atm at 160kb/s lol... (annoying!!)... So i'm gonna try to give you a reply.

 

 

 

That dude that told you to update BIOS thru Windows is a COMPLETE NUT! He should have told you that you need to do this via booting (dos or something) (flashing bios is not something i know much about, so i can't say much about it, other than this guy shouldn't have told you this).

 

You could try resetting the CMOS on the motherboard (check motherboard manual on where's located), but i dunno if you'd want to do this on a pre-built computer... (and be grounded while doing it).

 

 

 

I'm using the latest 8.12 drivers for my card, but you could try using the 8.10 instead (when you get it booting).

 

 

 

There should also be a smart-fan option for the cpu fan, but i dunno if the Intel stock ones have it.

 

Yeah, when I updated BIOS and it failed, the agent told me that it was my fault because I had a printer attached. No one told me to take out all other USB peripherals. I don't have any manuals on the motherboard. :? And I don't see anything on the fan.

[OldJoe]

Downloading a game from steam atm at 160kb/s lol... (annoying!!)... So i'm gonna try to give you a reply.

 

 

 

That dude that told you to update BIOS thru Windows is a COMPLETE NUT! He should have told you that you need to do this via booting (dos or something) (flashing bios is not something i know much about, so i can't say much about it, other than this guy shouldn't have told you this).

 

You could try resetting the CMOS on the motherboard (check motherboard manual on where's located), but i dunno if you'd want to do this on a pre-built computer... (and be grounded while doing it).

 

 

 

I'm using the latest 8.12 drivers for my card, but you could try using the 8.10 instead (when you get it booting).

 

 

 

There should also be a smart-fan option for the cpu fan, but i dunno if the Intel stock ones have it.

 

Yeah, when I updated BIOS and it failed, the agent told me that it was my fault, because I had a printer attached. No one told me to take out all other USB peripherals. I don't have any manuals on the motherboard. :? And I don't see anything on the fan.

 

 

 

Lol, it's not your fault. It's Dells fault. A customer shouldn't be needed to change the BIOS on a pre-built computer (never heard of it), and if they do, they should give you crystal clear information about it (how to do it properly (not thru windows), what to do before starting it.. etc).

 

Aha, i could tell you the jumper reset stuff... But i don't know if i should do it, because if you'd do something wrong it (maybe?) would fry the warranty or something...

[Laura]

Downloading a game from steam atm at 160kb/s lol... (annoying!!)... So i'm gonna try to give you a reply.

 

 

 

That dude that told you to update BIOS thru Windows is a COMPLETE NUT! He should have told you that you need to do this via booting (dos or something) (flashing bios is not something i know much about, so i can't say much about it, other than this guy shouldn't have told you this).

 

You could try resetting the CMOS on the motherboard (check motherboard manual on where's located), but i dunno if you'd want to do this on a pre-built computer... (and be grounded while doing it).

 

 

 

I'm using the latest 8.12 drivers for my card, but you could try using the 8.10 instead (when you get it booting).

 

 

 

There should also be a smart-fan option for the cpu fan, but i dunno if the Intel stock ones have it.

 

Yeah, when I updated BIOS and it failed, the agent told me that it was my fault, because I had a printer attached. No one told me to take out all other USB peripherals. I don't have any manuals on the motherboard. :? And I don't see anything on the fan.

 

 

 

Lol, it's not your fault. It's Dells fault. A customer shouldn't be needed to change the BIOS on a pre-built computer (never heard of it), and if they do, they should give you crystal clear information about it (how to do it properly (not thru windows), what to do before starting it.. etc).

 

Aha, i could tell you the jumper reset stuff... But i don't know if i should do it, because if you'd do something wrong it (maybe?) would fry the warranty or something...

 

Perhaps not then, I don't want them to link anything back to me. And if they won't refund it, I'll be taking up their time like they took up my time.

[Sbrideau]

Go for it, take up their time, make them pay ;).

 

 

 

As for compfreak, where did you get that link? It's not true and is very inacurrate.

 

 

 

Dell computers are the worst prebuilts you can get nowadays, they break easily and you don't have support. That is despite the fact that Dell was one of the best in the early 2000 years (if I said that correctly). The best brands you could get nowadays are HP and Asus. I've had very good costumer support with my broken HP screen, although I wont send it to a repair center, with the fact that it's out of warranty(a bit aged lcd screen) and would cost more than a new screen. I don't know if I was lucky though.

[compfreak847]

Go for it, take up their time, make them pay ;).

 

 

 

As for compfreak, where did you get that link? It's not true and is very inacurrate.

 

 

 

Dell computers are the worst prebuilts you can get nowadays, they break easily and you don't have support. That is despite the fact that Dell was one of the best in the early 2000 years (if I said that correctly). The best brands you could get nowadays are HP and Asus. I've had very good costumer support with my broken HP screen, although I wont send it to a repair center, with the fact that it's out of warranty(a bit aged lcd screen) and would cost more than a new screen. I don't know if I was lucky though.

 

A little Googling. I also have the latest magazine with PC World's Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey (60k+ participants) that ranks Dell above most of the other manufactures. Same with the PC Magazine survey.

[sloter]

Go for it, take up their time, make them pay ;).

 

 

 

As for compfreak, where did you get that link? It's not true and is very inacurrate.

 

 

 

Dell computers are the worst prebuilts you can get nowadays, they break easily and you don't have support. That is despite the fact that Dell was one of the best in the early 2000 years (if I said that correctly). The best brands you could get nowadays are HP and Asus. I've had very good costumer support with my broken HP screen, although I wont send it to a repair center, with the fact that it's out of warranty(a bit aged lcd screen) and would cost more than a new screen. I don't know if I was lucky though.

 

A little Googling. I also have the latest magazine with PC World's Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey (60k+ participants) that ranks Dell above most of the other manufactures. Same with the PC Magazine survey.

 

That's weird. Were these dated for 2 years ago? At the moment HP is kicking Dell in the [wagon].

[das1330]

Go for it, take up their time, make them pay ;).

 

 

 

As for compfreak, where did you get that link? It's not true and is very inacurrate.

 

 

 

Dell computers are the worst prebuilts you can get nowadays, they break easily and you don't have support. That is despite the fact that Dell was one of the best in the early 2000 years (if I said that correctly). The best brands you could get nowadays are HP and Asus. I've had very good costumer support with my broken HP screen, although I wont send it to a repair center, with the fact that it's out of warranty(a bit aged lcd screen) and would cost more than a new screen. I don't know if I was lucky though.

 

A little Googling. I also have the latest magazine with PC World's Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey (60k+ participants) that ranks Dell above most of the other manufactures. Same with the PC Magazine survey.

 

That's weird. Were these dated for 2 years ago? At the moment HP is kicking Dell in the [wagon].

 

 

 

It was two years ago that Dell was terrible. After Micheal Dell retired the new CEO outsourced all of the customer support to India, causing their ratings to tank. Just recently Dell took the company back over again and fixed the customer support problem as well as made some other changes. (Apparently he just walked in one day and fired the entire upper management of the company)

[compfreak847]

Go for it, take up their time, make them pay ;).

 

 

 

As for compfreak, where did you get that link? It's not true and is very inacurrate.

 

 

 

Dell computers are the worst prebuilts you can get nowadays, they break easily and you don't have support. That is despite the fact that Dell was one of the best in the early 2000 years (if I said that correctly). The best brands you could get nowadays are HP and Asus. I've had very good costumer support with my broken HP screen, although I wont send it to a repair center, with the fact that it's out of warranty(a bit aged lcd screen) and would cost more than a new screen. I don't know if I was lucky though.

 

A little Googling. I also have the latest magazine with PC World's Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey (60k+ participants) that ranks Dell above most of the other manufactures. Same with the PC Magazine survey.

 

That's weird. Were these dated for 2 years ago? At the moment HP is kicking Dell in the [wagon].

 

 

 

It was two years ago that Dell was terrible. After Micheal Dell retired the new CEO outsourced all of the customer support to India, causing their ratings to tank. Just recently Dell took the company back over again and fixed the customer support problem as well as made some other changes. (Apparently he just walked in one day and fired the entire upper management of the company)

 

About what I was going to say. All those figures were for 2008. Where are you getting your information about dell being terrible\HP being great?

[Sbrideau]

Go for it, take up their time, make them pay ;).

 

 

 

As for compfreak, where did you get that link? It's not true and is very inacurrate.

 

 

 

Dell computers are the worst prebuilts you can get nowadays, they break easily and you don't have support. That is despite the fact that Dell was one of the best in the early 2000 years (if I said that correctly). The best brands you could get nowadays are HP and Asus. I've had very good costumer support with my broken HP screen, although I wont send it to a repair center, with the fact that it's out of warranty(a bit aged lcd screen) and would cost more than a new screen. I don't know if I was lucky though.

 

A little Googling. I also have the latest magazine with PC World's Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey (60k+ participants) that ranks Dell above most of the other manufactures. Same with the PC Magazine survey.

 

That's weird. Were these dated for 2 years ago? At the moment HP is kicking Dell in the [wagon].

 

 

 

It was two years ago that Dell was terrible. After Micheal Dell retired the new CEO outsourced all of the customer support to India, causing their ratings to tank. Just recently Dell took the company back over again and fixed the customer support problem as well as made some other changes. (Apparently he just walked in one day and fired the entire upper management of the company)

 

About what I was going to say. All those figures were for 2008. Where are you getting your information about dell being terrible\HP being great?

 

College. And making us program in 2008 programs makes me think they're pretty damn updated.

[Laura]

Has anyone had any good experiences with HP then?

[Sbrideau]

Has anyone had any good experiences with HP then?

 

I did. I have had good experience with their costumer support as you can see in my previous post, but most computers we've had were HPs and lasted quite long, there's one that is now 8 years old almost 9 that never broke once, an HP. The one I have now is an HP as well and never had trouble with it in the 2 years and a half I've had it.

[compfreak847]

Go for it, take up their time, make them pay ;).

 

 

 

As for compfreak, where did you get that link? It's not true and is very inacurrate.

 

 

 

Dell computers are the worst prebuilts you can get nowadays, they break easily and you don't have support. That is despite the fact that Dell was one of the best in the early 2000 years (if I said that correctly). The best brands you could get nowadays are HP and Asus. I've had very good costumer support with my broken HP screen, although I wont send it to a repair center, with the fact that it's out of warranty(a bit aged lcd screen) and would cost more than a new screen. I don't know if I was lucky though.

 

A little Googling. I also have the latest magazine with PC World's Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey (60k+ participants) that ranks Dell above most of the other manufactures. Same with the PC Magazine survey.

 

That's weird. Were these dated for 2 years ago? At the moment HP is kicking Dell in the [wagon].

 

 

 

It was two years ago that Dell was terrible. After Micheal Dell retired the new CEO outsourced all of the customer support to India, causing their ratings to tank. Just recently Dell took the company back over again and fixed the customer support problem as well as made some other changes. (Apparently he just walked in one day and fired the entire upper management of the company)

 

About what I was going to say. All those figures were for 2008. Where are you getting your information about dell being terrible\HP being great?

 

College. And making us program in 2008 programs makes me think they're pretty damn updated.

 

Since when does the newness\components of computers have anything to do reliability and tech support? A few isolated experiences in your collage vs. hundreds of thousands of people across the US?

 

 

 

 

Has anyone had any good experiences with HP then?

 

 

 

I've personally had horrible experiences with them. I've had 3 laptops die premature deaths from them. I'm repairing a 4th one now, the motherboard completely failed a month out of warranty. I'm just hoping the hard drive is fine, as my client has 10gb+ of irreplaceable business documents and personal photos on it.

[sloter]

Has anyone had any good experiences with HP then?

 

I did. I have had good experience with their costumer support as you can see in my previous post, but most computers we've had were HPs and lasted quite long, there's one that is now 8 years old almost 9 that never broke once, an HP. The one I have now is an HP as well and never had trouble with it in the 2 years and a half I've had it.

 

++

[Laura]

So then I guess it's luck of the draw, and who all you get on the other line. :?

[thrash-boy]

Has anyone had any good experiences with HP then?

 

i have.

 

the hp i have at the moment has been going about 4 years without a single problem.

 

 

 

i can say though that it wasn't worth anything like what i payed. back when i bought it i didn't know much about computer specs, but i know now i got ripped of. this is the same for all prebuilt systems though, its always cheaper to buy the parts and spend a few hours putting it together.

[Laura]

Ok, I got a refund in order. But it was only after I got a friend, who happens to be one of the original stock owners of Dell got on the line with the "highest authority" at Dell. Geez.

[evil_mumm_ra]

wow, nice connections, lol.

 

 

 

about the whole HP thing, my current computer, and my old computer (both prebuilts my mom bought me and my sister) have for the most part been fine. no major problems other than high price for low specs. never really had to call the CS or anything though, and i do need a new tower only because this one is old and outdated. it's like 5 years old now. i was going to go with the dell tower building thing on their website for a fairly good deal on a tower, i don't know anything about building a computer so i can't do it myself. HP isn't bad though, and i've not really heard much bad about dell. i think you just kinda got caught in a bad place.

[Laura]

wow, nice connections, lol.

 

 

 

about the whole HP thing, my current computer, and my old computer (both prebuilts my mom bought me and my sister) have for the most part been fine. no major problems other than high price for low specs. never really had to call the CS or anything though, and i do need a new tower only because this one is old and outdated. it's like 5 years old now. i was going to go with the dell tower building thing on their website for a fairly good deal on a tower, i don't know anything about building a computer so i can't do it myself. HP isn't bad though, and i've not really heard much bad about dell. i think you just kinda got caught in a bad place.

 

Well, if you're going with a Dell, don't buy an ATI 3450 graphics card. Lot of problems there giving me BSOD, and the drivers supplied by either company doesn't fix it.

[OldJoe]

wow, nice connections, lol.

 

 

 

about the whole HP thing, my current computer, and my old computer (both prebuilts my mom bought me and my sister) have for the most part been fine. no major problems other than high price for low specs. never really had to call the CS or anything though, and i do need a new tower only because this one is old and outdated. it's like 5 years old now. i was going to go with the dell tower building thing on their website for a fairly good deal on a tower, i don't know anything about building a computer so i can't do it myself. HP isn't bad though, and i've not really heard much bad about dell. i think you just kinda got caught in a bad place.

 

Well, if you're going with a Dell, don't buy an ATI 3450 graphics card. Lot of problems there giving me BSOD, and the drivers supplied by either company doesn't fix it.

 

 

 

I know that alot of people who have bought it on different forums, and they don't have your problem. Just because you didn't get yours working doesn't mean it will be the same deal for someone else.

 

I'm using an ATI card while writing this, and it's working fine.

 

Sure, there were a couple of mishaps with the (was 8.11 or 8.12? i forget) driver for certain particular system setups, but that's been patched. You should always uninstall the drivers and then install the latests one or try an older driver (ok, in your case this was not possible).