No more Dells for me
 

I have had it. Now they don’t include a CD version of windows, and use Norton Ghost as a backup. The problem is that they only include a trial of the Nortons software. Now I am downloading the trial in hopes that it works to fix my main office computer.

Sorry just had to blow off a little steam.
:mad:

Re: No more Dells for me
 

They dont include a copy of windows? You are licensed for it, what do they expect you to do if the drive crashes?

Re: No more Dells for me
 

They make you burn your own copy when you buy the PC...and the license # should be on the PC itself.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

Send it to them for warranty repairs. You can get a copy of the CD/DVD, but it costs extra and you need to ask them to include it and pay extra for it - they default to not doing so.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

At this point I hope Nortons has a bootable disk I can use to reload off of the partition that is on the backup drive. Windows is toast on the main drive. If that dosen't work I have a disk somewhere I will just have to try and find it, and hope it has all the drivers I need on it.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

What's wrong with the comp?

BTW, if you have a CD of Norton Anti-virus sitting around, that should be bootable.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I am just having horrible luck with computers at the moment, and had to vent. I have had 4 computer go bad in the last 3 weeks. Two Dells and Two IBMs.

Dell 1 Bad video so no display
Dell 2 hard drive crashed
IBM 1 motherboard is toast due to my son dropping it
IBM 2 video display went bad in it as well.

I am going to tear apart the two IBMs to see if I can combine the two to get one to work.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

We don't use Nortons we have to use McAfee due to company requirements.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

Sounds like me. I recently had to give my Apple MacBook to Apple to fix a dent caused by TSA dropping it while I was going through security (not covered under warranty). So I decided, since I was working from home, to use my home computer (a Dell 5150). I ordered some extra memory yesterday and decided, in a fit of "upgrading" to do the BIOS. Well, apparently that fried the memory sticks.

I called Dell to see if the error I was getting (3+4 were lit green and the computer was "buzzing" -- although I'm told it's a beep) was limited to the memory and not the memory slots or motherboard. The technician kept re-iterating that they would send me replacement sticks (2GB) but I said it didn't matter since I have 4GB on the way. He goes on that he can't refund the amount, which is fine. I asked again whether the motherboard could be an issue and he goes on about the refund. I get the manager explain it 3 times before he clues in. Now, I've worked Global Support for a few years for a large software company (no not M$) and even I understand what a customer is looking for when asking a question like that or know enough to probe further as to what is going on (i.e., it's useless to send new sticks if the motherboard is fried anyways, no? :P )

Sigh.

The quality of the systems and the quality of support has gone way downhill. It's not the economy that's killing Dell; it's Dell that's killing Dell.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

Unfortunately that is the way a lot of things are going now.

I have the new hard drive in it now, and am loading the OS off of an old copy of it. Now I just have to find the other software to get loaded on it.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

If the disk is still usable, you should have another partition that has a copy of WinPE or WinRE on it that is bootable. Without an install or recovery CD (DVD) it may be a moot point, but some things are quite happily recoverable from Win/PE and RE.

You can also use that environment to snap an image of your main boot partition while it is not in use.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

They used Ghost on that partition. I use Tru Image, and will as soon as I get it all reloaded again.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

Well I think I have every thing running again. It only took changing out the hard drive, and reloading all the software again. It only took all afternoon, and part of this morning.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I found this trick a while back working on people's computers. As long as the partitions are in tact, you can boot with Grub (Yes a linux loader), on either a USB, CD, 3.5" disk, whatever.. and the image on the partition of the hard drive that is not normally seen will be a bootable image under the grub auto loader.

I've never tested this with Dell's, but I know it works with HP/Compaq. Might be worth a shot :tu


To to recap the issue. If you have a ghost image on a hidden partition that you didn't burn to a CD and the drive partitions are still in tact. Use grub to boot the recovery partition :D

But I see you fixed it... hopefully this can be of use to someone else.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I have used Knopix in the past to recover files from a hard drive, but will have to check out grub.

The new drive is in the process of a Tru Image back up as I type this. Maybe that will make this a much simpler process if I have to do it again.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

Make sure you test the back up. I use Acronis True Image but sometimes the backups look like they backed up fine then wont work.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I am now doing a mirror on a backup drive, unlike before.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

Junior,

So you tried using the restore that is default? I believe it is CTRL+F11 at boot. I have used that before with no problems. IF you do this, you will lose your data on the system.

As far as the trial Norton software, are you sure it isnt the anti-virus that is trial?

PM me if you need help.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

In the last year I have purchased two machines (XPS notebook and an Inspiron desktop), and both came with backup discs for Windows...

Are you looking for a disc that doesn't have their bloatware on it?

Re: No more Dells for me
 

Mine came with a CD but it is a standard Windows Vista install. It does not restore to original with the restore partition. I called Dell and they sent me the DVD with the image I needed. Not sure if they still do this though.

If you were to ask me today about support, I have always been happiest with HP support. So, I guess no more Dells for me either :r

Re: No more Dells for me
 

None of the big guys are going to give you an OEM CD, not just Dell. If the .cab files are on the PC, you could create your own CD.

I hear you... You paid for the license and should get a CD. I think the manufacturers get a deal on the OS when they don't give you CD. They offer these hooky burn your image software which is no good if you want to build the PC from scratch.

Dell as a manufacturer is no better or worse than HP or Lenovo; they are all hitting at every pricepoint.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

HP screwed me over pretty good. Long story, but in the end AMEX took care of me. HP are kings of the "not our fault...." despite evidence showing they tried to cover up the problems with that video card overheating and dying through a sneaky bios update....
oh, and even though you have the same video card in your machine, had the same problems, as everyone else... because it was a factory direct custom build from HP, they won't fix it without $700. Ya HP, smyd,.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

Sorry to hear that. I have not had these experiences personally.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

Because it was a known problem, I have a feeling their tech support were on guard. Throughout the conversation the guy was trying to bait me into saying it was my fault. I figured it out and ran around it. He continued, and eventually blamed me for the video card dying.

I was livid. I complained enough about this on notebookreview.com, but I was just plain pissed. It was a known issue. Just replace the stupid card and I'd be on my way. Rather I get accused of breaking the card, and the bastard on the phone threatened my warranty saying he had it recorded that I stated it was my fault. I said screw it and called AMEX.

I will NEVER buy HP again. Dell, I've had problems before, but they've been fair in the end. HP basically told me to piss off. Dell were upfront with the Nvidia issue, and took care of their customers. HP were sneaky little shats about it, and tried to con people. I give my money to Dell. SMYD HP.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I feel your pain on the Dell frustration.

Bought 3 laptops for Christmas a few years back for the girls and got "promotional" pricing. Long story short, every laptop died before the payments were all made and out of warranty. Repeated complaining, calls, emails got me know where. Finally quit paying for them. They turned it over to a collections dept. Once I got the first letter I called and explained the situation, pleaded for the best deal he had, we all know they will come down if settled on the spot, and he sympathized with me. Cut the amount to 1/4 what I owed and told me how to file a response with the credit bureaus.


Dell will never see another penny from me.

Chas

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I do not like Dell. Had 2 dell laptops and both of them crapped out. Now have a Toshiba that I bought 3 years ago and it runs like new!

Re: No more Dells for me
 

Sorry that it happened man, but really, how long were you paying for these? Notebooks from any manufacturer (and let's be real, they're all built in Malaysia/China no matter who you buy from) aren't built to last for the long haul. Is 1 year too early, sure, but you take that bet if you don't pay for the extended warranty. These are machines you carry around and beat the hell out of. These aren't desktop computers that just sit and work day in and day out.

Two rules to always know when purchasing your next laptop:

1. Always extend your warranty. Figure in the $200+ for the 3 year warranty (and possibly accident coverage) into your final costs.
2. Don't expect notebooks from Dell/HP/Apple/Toshiba to be Toughbooks. They just aren't.

I've owned Powerbooks, Inspirons, XPS, and HP, and all of them were saved by warranty. I don't care how much you say you baby your system and are super surprised there is a hardware issue. You carry around a freaking computer in a backpack, you will have issues.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

And I've had a Toshiba Satellite get handed to me that had the black screen of death!

Toshiba is one of the worst when owning up to their own hardware failure. Do a google search for "toshiba black screen of death" and let me know what you find. The best they have done is toss out a BIOS update, which is unusable to those who can't even see anything on their screen nor log into Windows. The black screen of death is basically that.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I must be the exception with a Compaq that's over 4 years old and until recently was still on it's 1st install of windows. I used it for school, at least 3 out of 5 weekdays and usually every weekend. Went in backbacks, in a case, but went everywhere. Not a hardware issue with it except that it's a slow pile of @(*&$ compared to new ones(God I want a macbook.......:r )

Re: No more Dells for me
 

My boss went two years with a Compaq (an HP machine) which was a headache from the start. I did my best to keep it running for him, but the wireless card and eventually the motherboard shat out on him. He destroyed it despite my wanting to purchase parts. :p

Compaq was never meant to be high end, and even more so after HP purchased them to be their dirt cheap introduction to their (HP's) machines.

Everything you find in this thread is anecdotal. No real answers beyond simple experiences. That's all you can really expect from these threads. My HP experience I hope was telling... the Nvidia 8400/8600 video card problem was near industry-wide (Apple, Dell, and HP addressed the issue), and made headlines on all technology news sites and blogs.

The only one who shat on the consumer and tried to pull a quick one? HP. They released a BIOS update that would help to keep the burnout from happening until AFTER the 1 year warranty was up. They sort of snuck that in, and hoped no one would notice. That doesn't work in today's world.

Spend your money any way you want to. Just do a little bit of research on this issue and see what I ran into. Dell added additional time to warranties, (I believe it was one year on top of current warranties on machines with those cards) and I haven't heard any complaints in getting them to honor it. HP did the same, but for only certain machines, discluding MANY machines that have that card. I was one of those. I was also not the only one, as I've talked to others with the same custom build who were denied coverage.

SMYD HP!

Re: No more Dells for me
 

You can download an ISO of the OEM windows version from bittorrent, the burn it to a disk. Your Lic will work on that. No biggie, HP doesnt give you a disk either unless you pay for it.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I am completely tired of Dell and Windows. If I can save enough money up by this fall I will be moving to the other side of the computer world.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I refuse to pay the AppleTax. My next purchase will be a Lenovo Thinkpad, it will have windows but I will mostly use RedHat

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I've got colleagues who use those and are actually ok with them. That said, if it was me, I'd slap on a copy of Ubuntu and VMware Workstation to run any WinBlows I need to. :)

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I have three Dells in the house now (mine, wifes, and sons). Had problems with my sons and called Dell and raised holy hell and they finally (after about three days and 20 phone calls) sent a tech to the house to repair it at no cost to me.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I have used IBM/Lenovo notebooks for the last 5 years with minimal problems. I had one motherboard have an issue, and it was my fault by picking it up by one corner when open. Other than that they are rock solid. The one I am using now is 2 1/2 years old, and I don't plan on replacing it any time soon. They are great with warranty as well. They had to replace a DVD burner, and they overnighted it to me. Just one thing make sure you find the tech number for Atlanta they are the best.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

Might be my next one as well. Although I love my Toshiba and have had no problems in 3 years (never formatted)!

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I only have Dell's right now. Typing on an Inspirion 6000 at the moment. It's old, has to be at least 5 years and still chugs along. I wish it was faster, but I think I have gotten my moneys worth out of it. Recently I have been kicking around the idea of buying another laptop. My wife really wants a Mac, but I don't know if it will work on my wireless system. I have to find out. Back on point is that I don't feel that Dell is necessarily the good deal they used to be. They really are not out pricing anyone anymore.

Don't really know the point of this post, just my :2. :r

Re: No more Dells for me
 

Lenovo / IBM ThinkPads are the best general laptops. They are the industry standard workhorse, and have been for over a decade. Yes, they look dull, but if you want 4+ years out of your laptop, ThinkPads are the way to go. Their history and peformance records speaks for itself.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I have had a couple of Apples, and they worked on any wireless system I was ever on with them.

My mom still has an old R40. I bought it before they came with DVD drives because it only has a CD drive in it.

Re: No more Dells for me
 

I bought a Dell laptop about 9 years ago and had so many problems that I would never buy another Dell. The modem, mouse, hard drive, and cd rom went out on it at different times.