Go Bottom Go Bottom

Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127143

I purchased a new Dell computer toward the end of January and am so frustrated, don't know how to deal with it.

My problems began when I purchased it in January and with my busy workload didn't get to set it up for about a month. (Your get about 28 days that it can be returned) I had my other engineer load my AutoCad and other office software and get my internet links for several business websites up and running. He had it all set and ready to go, all we needed to do was plug in the printers and engineering plotter.

Wouldn't have guessed that Dell decided that we don't need parallel printer outputs anymore. They have USB's but that is all. Every computer that I've ever seen has parallel outputs. I called and told them to send me one and they wouldn't. They have this automated answering service and you can talk to Tech Support from someplace in India I guess. If you hang up and call at various hours of the day and night you may get someone that can atleast speak some English. After a couple weeks of hassling with them I got one installed on my own. Some techs originally told me that my printers are outdated and should just buy new ones. Ya, right, a new engineering plotter printing color and 36" wide paper is several thousand dollars. Another Techie told me the mother board wouldn't accept a parallel card. Another Techie told me to just buy a USB to parallel conversion cord. Nobody stocks one of those in any of the computer box stores. Was also told that a USB signal is weaker and won't drive a signal 20 feet like I need. I share plotters and printers with my other engineer.

Now my e-mail don't work and it won't recognize my addresses and passwords. The McAfee Security Center can't be uninstalled nor will it turn off. If you reboot or turn off your computer at night, it turns everything back on. The security is so high it won't let me talk with my customers sending me drawing files, etc.

So then, I decide to reload my Outlook Express. Dell doesn't give you your CD's anymore either. If you need them you are supposed to go to "Support.dell.com/pcrt" How are you going to do that if everything on line is screwed up and you can't receive e-mails.

The only guy that is willing to help me (I've talked to dozens of people) works from 10am-7pm central time. So, I'm going to miss most of the day again. He wants to possibly send me a new hard drive. Do these guys ever get it that I may have a business to run and need my computer now! Do they understand that I've spent several days loading all that software and getting all my menus, drivers, files on this piece of crap!

The computer itself cost just under $800.00 and it looks like I need to throw it away and get one that works. I am told that I can dispute the charge on my charge card. Maybe that way I can finally get their attention.

I've always had Dell's without any trouble and generally purchase one every couple of years on my own charge card either for me or the business (for myself, my other engineer or my daughter).

I've heard that I'm not alone with problems lately with Dell's and their service is terrible since you can't get hold of anyone. I have on-site service for one year but they will never send anyone.

Today I'm going to tell them they have until tomorrow 11am to get me a service man at my doorstep or a new computer at my door. Will see how that works!


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
wingwiper
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 676
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-04-04          127145

Yooper

Parallel is fast becomeing a thing of the past, they are clow and cumbersome and everyone is making a change to USB.. Yup! you have been mowed under by progress.
Go to Staples and buy the adapter, it will buy you more time.



If this link don't work, go to staples.com and under technology there will be a white box at the top for searching, type Parallel board and it will appear. $39.99
Good Luck

....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
wingwiper
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 676
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-04-04          127146

Yooper

I went back and reread your post. You may buy the USB cable adapter at staples.
You also may uninstall McPhee but you best have an alternative in place if you are going to email..... Trojans, worms and viruses will put you out of business faster than your current problem.
You DO NOT need a new hard drive, what fool told you that? If you needed a hard drive you wouldn't be getting anywhere with the computer it wouldn't even boot up. Damn, some one has hired a moron.
Is the computer you replaced still working? if so you need to transfer some files from the other computer to this one and then your addresses, favorites etc will all be ok.
I go here and get alot of my answers http://support.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.aspx it is a Microsoft Newsgroup and I have posted many questions and there is bound to be someone who will answer you quickly and with the right info. Just be sure to pick a title that best fits your problem and post. Good luck.
To compare what you are trying to do and don't get me wrong, it can be done but with mods.. You are doing an old Johnny Cash routine, you have a new car and you want to replace the head lamps with ones from a 59 Buick and the tail lights from a 56 Caddy and the grill from a DeSoto, yes! you can do it and what I am saying is technology is changing, Industry standards are shifting and DB25s and Parallel ports are becoming obsolte with the newer Firewires and USBs etc etc. Sorry, don't shoot the messenger.
If you want to uninstall anything, go to START PROGRAMS and then find the folder for your program and see if there is an UNINSTALL UTILITY for it and then use it, if not go to START CONTROL PANEL ADD/REMOVE SOFTWARE after a moment or two the list of programs will appear in the white box, be awful careful here, you could easily uninstall something that is required by your comp, so if not sure, don't do it. Anyhow click on the program title and in the bottom right hand corner click on Uninstall/remove and then reboot and continue the process for as many programs as you want to uninstall.
You will need to copy your old Favorites folder over to the New Computer for all of your computer Website addies, and there is other data you can copy to regain your Passwords etc.
Good lUck
I am at work on win 98 but will try to help you the best I can. My XP system is at home.... Everyone has them jerks from India and most everyone gives you your Program recovery files on a different partion of Drive C it usually is Drive E (virtual)

....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127151

Wingwiper
1. Staples, OfficeMax, Best Buy, Circuit City and others do not carry that conversation adapter in any stores. You can special order it or get it from an on-line retailer. They recommend that you also buy a booster. I bought the actual card for about $39.99 and installed it. That part of it now works but at my cost of $39.99 that should have been on it to begin with.
2. If you go to uninstall as you stated, McAfee does not appear there. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127153

Wingwiper:
There are some free utilities that can be used. Right now, McAfee has control of my computer. There is no way to uninstall it unless you erase files. That is bad because as you have said it may take something important with it. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127155

I have only purchased one Dell and that was about a year before yours. It will be my last Dell also. For such reason as has been noted. My lap top will not allow you to change the size of the fonts on the screen and I bought their top of the line lap top. Same type service problems as you are saying with mine. A thought that might not work and yes I can not understand their support people either, buy their high price add on warranty that gives you support at your site. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127156

I'm told that USB ports are bad for massive data transmission as in hugh engineering files going to plot mode, especially if they are driven a distance.

I could have linked my computer to the other engineer's and we could share the printers and plotters through our network. I'd have to turn his on in his absence and also go without when the network drops out. All my cables are hung and have been for years.

If you look at any computer sold in the U.S. today, you will find all have a parallel port except Dell.

Dell asks you if you want a 3 1/2" drive or any other accessory. Why don't they ask if you want parallel? I'm sure they dropped it to cut costs like not giving you your CD's or force you into a new printer. They give you a power cord which I don't need since I've gone through lots of computer over the years. They give you a free "AOL" Cd and also load wordperfect and some other useless stuff. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
wingwiper
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 676
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-04-04          127157

KT

You said you went to uninstall and McAfee wasn't there. Did you go to START PROGRAMS and search there? It has to be on the computer, I got it with mine and uninstalled it and replaced it with Norton System Works. You may also try going to START PROGRAMS ACCESSORIES and then use WIndows Exploer or My Compurter to search the Directory tree and see if you can find it that way, when you locate the folder, there should be an uninstall utility for McAfee and then just click on it. I have given you three ways to get to it and I am 100% positive one of those ways will do it.
Nothing Bad happens aother than your system is no longer protected against Viruses, Worms and Torjans that can get into via Internet and destroy your files. I really don't know what you mean by control. You can also click on the McAfee icon in the bottom right of your screen, try right clicking and go to OPTIONs. Read the options and if there is anything about monitoring your programs while not connected uncheck that.
I know time is wasting money for you and I have no control over that. You may need to call a Computer geek to come over, pay him a few hundred to get you up and going and have him show you or one of your computer guys how and why he did what he is doing. I don't see any other way. You are henpecking thru the sytem and it sounds as if you have already been given some ill advice and that still hasn't solved your problem.... Go to the Yellow Pages and give a call to someone to come and do it for you. Some one will say right off the bat, that Yes it can be done. If they give you any negative impression, call someone else.
Good Luck ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
JasonR
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 142 Northern Indiana
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127158

Yikes. For my engineering business, I own nothing but dells. I have about a dozen of them in my office building, all purchased anywhere from 5 years ago to 6 months ago. I also plot to a 36" color plotter that has a standard paralell port. I used to use a usb/parallel port cable, but I switched to an EpsonNet external print server for $44. This plugs into your paralell port and all your PC can print to it via your ethernet network. I buy most of my misc. items at provantage.com - search for epsonnet at provantage and you'll see what I'm talking about. They also sell the usb to parallel cables for around $20 - $30. Theses work just fine for all my parallel needs. While having a parallel port is nice - 99% of business and home users don't need them anymore, so I can see why dell has ended installing them - afterall, there are 100's of aftermarket solutions to solve the issue.

Jason ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127163

YP,

Not a computer expert but have a thought and if it has been covered forgive me...network. Are your printers network ready? If so that might be your best option. If they are not and the type of machines they are, they probably have that option to buy.

I have a printer plugged in directly to my Dell on USB and the main printer is on network and it works very well. This is a very simple network with no server and each printer and computer plugged into the network router.

WW, it was YP who was wanting to remove McAlfee. I was able to cut it off on my Dell and did so and used Norton. Have since left Nortona and now use Zone Lab or some such name. YP, if your McAlfee is the trail version which my was it will take care of itself.

....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127166

I've gotten over the issue of the plotter/printers by purchasing the parallel output card. The point I was trying to make was that in my opinion it should have come on the computer like everyone elses product.

Yes I could use the ethernet connection to print but don't want to for my own reasons and maybe for my stubbornness.

I got something today from Dell via Airborne, don't have a clue what a roxio creator CD is. Also got a return label and a packing slip with no directions on what to do with the CD. They are expecting me to send something back but don't know what and it is supposed to go back in the same container as this CD. I think the entire computer is going back in a big box.

I think it is kinda cute that Dell sends out these packing slips with a canned program note telling you that these are licensed commodities and should only be used as intended and only to ship to the ultimate desination. They mispelled destination! Maybe I'm the only one that noticed since we must be stupid Americans.

More things are acting up on this computer now, don't think anyone will hear from me for a while until it gets repaired. I'm so happy today! ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
wingwiper
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 676
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-04-04          127175

Roxio CD Creator is for making DVDs or burning CDs, it may olso have Photo suite 4 on it for editing photos and capturing music from Tapes or CDs to your hard drive or for making copies. I think you really need it in your business enviroment. After all maybe a little AC?Dc will cheer everyone up. J/K it is really worthless to you. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 955 Central Iowa
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127177

Whew!! Glad I didn't buy a Dell. Course, I bought a Gateway. I talked to two different floor sales guys and egads, neither was right and their answers didn't match each other. I pretty pissed at them when I figured it out. But so far it's working ok. Much better than that old win98 system I bought 7 or 8 years ago.

Technology moves on. But it's changing so fast that it's hard to keep up and it costs you money to try to keep up! ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
wingwiper
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 676
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-04-04          127179

Iowa

I use my computer a lot and have been with them since 1977. I sold every level of computer from the Tandy Model One and then TRS-Dos to every level of Ms-dos and now every level of Windows. What is annoying is when you go from one version of windows to another many Software titles go by the wayside. Yes! It can cost money to keep up...... ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
SG8NUC
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 579 g
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127188

wingwiper

With taking the risk of making your marine head swell up. I need advice on the purchase of a computer? I have looked at the Dell 510 (I think) media unit. Does photos, movies and Bla, Bla, Bla. I want to cruse the net, save and print photos, burn cd's, and DVDs. After reading this post I am scared of Dell, did not know they out sourced their tech branch. So I bow to your wisdom and will eagerly entertain any guidance you wish to bestow upon me. Please be gentle. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
JasonR
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 142 Northern Indiana
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127189

For all of those folks who are now scared of Dell - I'd like to state that not only do I have a dozen + functioning Dells that I am happy with, I have also purchased and set up dozens more for clients. Only one had an issue out of the box - and tech support was not an issue. Yes, they due outsource tech supprt to India now - which I'd rather they didn't - but if other PC companies don't already - I'm sure they will soon.

While I understand yooperpete has some issues, I would think that every PC manufacturer is equally capable of screwing one up every now and then. I wouldn't know who to even recommend other than Dell... Gateway is less than 5 years away from going out of business (in my opinioin), IBM pc's are now made in China... Maybe HP?

And no, I don't currently own or promote Dell stock at this time. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
Billy
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 975 Southeast Oklahoma
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127190

I've had 2 Dells and my next one will be a Dell too. The power pack went out on this one and they sent a guy out to replace it. That's not bad service because I live in the middle of nowhere. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
wingwiper
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 676
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-04-04          127191

SG

I am on my thrid HP and have had excellent luck.
You can go to hpshopping.com and customize your own Computer. I did and I bought a New Media Center HP in July a M7050Y and I do all you want to do and I am in the process of taking my old VHS Home movies and prerecorded movies and moving them to DVD.
If you need any help, I would be more than happy to take this BIG Head of mine and help you out.
....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127195

I would not buy a DELL if it was the only one making them. We have dozens at work, last year 60+ bought to update all OS and Software. DELLS support for small consumers sucks. We have a gold service account for BIG BUCKS, at least they speak English and can troubleshoot issues over the phone. But it takes almost forever to get thru the automated answering stuff and transfers to get the tech.

I did go to the local shops that will build one of what I need. The prices are very close. I like dealing with the local vendors, some have gone and some new ones replace them. Bottomline is I gotten exactly what I need/want with all the hi end graphics. I did buy my laptop thru my son who buys direct from IBM thru his IT dept.

I like to be able to haul the box, 1 time in 10 years, right to the guy that built it and if I need to crawl across the counter and grab him by the throat I can. So my kid is easy. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
oneace
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1490 south central pa
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127198

That is why I build my own computers. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3034 Northern AL
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127205

Yooper; I set up a new computer in the fall. The McAfee firewall conflicts with the MS one. The e machine I bought had all three, Norton, MS and McAfee and all on. It acted like a bucking bronco for a while. I just shut off the firewalls and then the system straightened out. I only use the Norton one now. My advise is to check and shut them off. Sometimes it takes on or two attempts as I find they don't always seem to register. Incidently I found this bug on the Compact I bought the year before.
There are still bugs in the MS software. I have on on the old HP. If I use the internet it always tries to dial me in. I have everything shut off but in does not seem to register. My daughter uses it and her second account does not have the problem. Why? MS faulty logic I guess. I wish I had some money every time I have written a note to MS to debug their software. I would be a rich man.
Concerning the parallel port you had me guessing as I never used it on the E machine although I have two printers networked through that system. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-04          127225

I've bought five Dells, the last about 18 months ago. I was about ready to buy another until Michael Dell proudly stood at a podium and announced shipping 20k jobs to India. Now I don't know what to buy. HP sucks ever since Carly Fiorina ran them to ground. IBM sold out. Gateway's been having support problems longer than Dell. I'm amazed eMachines products even work as poorly made as they are. I really need a dual core laptop as a development machine for running vmware. I gave up on getting good answers to tech support requests from any company years ago. By the way, you can still get parallel ports from Dell but maybe not the base models. At least that's how it is with their laptops. If you order online you often have a choice of getting the product CDs for no extra cost but they don't ship them by default. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
wingwiper
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 676
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-04-05          127226

Yup! you can build your own or buy a locally built one and when you have a graphics card that conflicts with this or that and or this burns out or that does, and the local guy gets sick of trying to teach you about computers and that this is not under warranty because it was the other manufacturers component that created the problem so you will have to call them, and them won't help you because you have it in a hodge podge of this and thats. Nope! I would NEVER build my own or go to local chop shop to do it. I want the warranty.
With HP I have had a problem twice in the last 5 years, one was with a power supply, they shipped me an empty box, I had it in one day and I put my computer in it, less the hard drives and shipped it out, I had itback wiith a new and bigger power supply in three days. Yeah! they have ALL hired out contract support, due to their profit margins being so small. In order to be competive they need to have the price people want to pay.
I have had 3 HPs and each one was Custom built by me on their website and I have not paid less than $2100 for any of them. The last one I got the 19" LCD monitor FREE, a FREE upgrade to 1 gig ram, a FREE upgrade to a 160 GIG Hd which I replaced with a 200 GB. I was able to pick my processor, and all of my add ons, I have a single tuner and a Nividia Graphics card. I bought the warranty with it for 3 years. The first thig I do when I get them, I uninstall al software I will not be using and then I run system checks, defrags, CCleaner to clean it up.
For you guts that have the autodial prblem, that is a XP charteristic and not a Computer maufacturer one. Go to google and type in Computer autodials on start up and go to the system registry and make the edits as well as the advance dial up options. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-05          127232

I've built dozens of desktop machines all the way up to high end servers with quad processors, multiple NICs and RAID drive systems. It's not that hard but for me it doesn't make much economic sense anymore. If you have specific needs that can't be satisfied with an off the shelf machine I can see the need but at today's prices it doesn't seem to save much money. Then there's the warranty issue - drive manufacturers pointing to controller problems, video manufacturers pointing to MB problems, everyone pointing to config or assembly problems, etc. It's easier to source it all from one place. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
wingwiper
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 676
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-04-05          127233

KW

You have a above average computer knowledge and you are porbably capable to troubleshoot and diagnose your own problems, most people can not. I can not even begin to tell you how many hundreds of hours I have on the phone trying to solve problems with average people who wanted to save a buck and add this or that or change a mother board or whatever and then when it didn't work as the magazine said it would, ringy dingy Hello.....
It is best IMHO to go to a site where you can have a manufacturer custom build your system the way you want and get a warranty that will cover it all. The manufacturer will only install what is compatable with the other hardware being installed. I prefer that and I have had excellent luck and very little need to call the Dog Meat eating, lipstick in the middle of the forehead support lines.
I have gone to http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp.htm and you can find the auto dial solutions or go to http://support.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.aspx find a thread that best fits your request or thru General Discussion which has a lot of traffic and post your questions, your solutions are only moments away.
....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-05          127236

This thread mirrors the discussions we have here about cars and trucks and Yoopers computer/printer problem reminds me of my rants about how I can't buy a 4wd pick-up with a stick and manual hubs anymore.

Everyone gripes about the "big three" that are (pick one): trash, going bankrupt, over priced, under engineered, etc.

There must be a Toyota in the computer world.... perhaps Sony?

That said, I have had four Gateway units in recent years and the only real problem I had was the lap top I bought in '99, which survived a drop on a concrete floor and finally just wore out in 2004..... but 5 years on a laptop is not too bad.

And yes..... the Gateway laptop I am typing on right now was made in China and half the Gateway tech support people cannot speak a version of English that I can understand, but that seems to be our version of a brave new world.

Half the guys who built my new roof last year and all the guys who did the painting spoke no English at all.

Doesn't leave many choices. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
JasonR
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 142 Northern Indiana
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-05          127246

Maybe the alternative is a MAC. Apple announced today they're releasing some software that will allow their PC's to run windows XP. (Personally, I'll pass on that experiment.) ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
wingwiper
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 676
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-04-05          127247

I wonder how ram will be used to keep the program converter in place and then add the memory for XP and the application and what will the new minium be to operate without freeze ups?
They had a Mac to PC program convertor years ago, this one will be good until Vista comes out and is it compatible with all prior Windows pre XP???? I haven't read anything on it, have heard tidbits here and there. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3034 Northern AL
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-05          127251

Wingwiper, I have two HP computers and 3 printers at the moment. I know that the problem with the HP is XP. The only problem I have had with that 6 year old unit is trying to keep drives in the first bay. I have had no problem with the Compaq except. The initial fire wall conflict.
Ken, Emachines is now part of Gateway. The machine I bought is a gateway clone. I different colour switch in the center. I agree with you there is a cost disadvantage with building your own now, even with recycling many of the parts.
I bought and set up one Sony for my mom. The system has had few problems beyond software. One case is not a good base line for statistic though.
My experience level with computers tends to be cyclic with demand over my 28 years. I am sure many of you know more than I at this point. I have had reasonable success with Dell and HP at work over the years. I am too cheap to buy them for home/office as I can ussually find a better deal elsewhere.

The latest PCWORLD talked about extended warantees. They said 77% recommended them. Then in the fine print they said they only had enough respondant from Dell to be significant. No exactly sure how I need to read this. 77% of the time the extended warantee is necessary with a Dell? Dell and others are make a lot of $$ of the extended waranty. I normally don't have any problems beyond the burn in period.

Personally I was leaning toward an IBM laptop and then it was sold. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
wingwiper
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 676
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-04-05          127254

Peters

IBM hired 1200 programmers overseas. My experience with IBM was EVERYTHING was an EXTRA and you had to pay for what everybody got as included in theirs.
I knew you were referring to Software problems versus Hardware, I buy extended Service Contracts and have had good luck. Yes! the company makes a profit if you don't use it, but then again I paid $300 for a replacement no matter what warranty thru HP and if my Motherboard fried, that would be a bit more than $300, so muy investment as well as someone else's would be used to make mine good again.
I have gone to hpshopping.com and they have a refurbish section, you know where stuff was sent back and replaced and then HP woul dbringit back to New condition... I have bought a cou[ple of Photosmart printers, a Camera, a two scanners that way and they are still working flawlessly and I paid less than 1/3 of their orginial price. One of my Western Digitial 250 gig Hard Drives was purchased the same way thru WD for $89 and that was a year and half ago, it is only used for a backup to my second drive.
There are ways where people can save money and still get decent quality. Just need to take the time and look. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3034 Northern AL
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-05          127258

I have only purchase to refurb systems but have had mixed success. I bought a Compaq and it was supurb.

I bought an NEC laptop and had nothing but problems. There was an intermitten fault in the start switch which was wired onto the motherboard. I had the system less than a year and returned it once. They claimed it was just a loose board. I had to start it a dozen time until it would finally catch. It finally gave out and I could not get it to started. I had a couple of tech look at it. I had it open so many times I could do it in my sleep. A new mother board for it was more than a new system. Naturally NEC did not want to admit they had not found the problem after they warantee was out. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-05          127259

It seems this has grown to include my question now, any body had any experience with Vision Computers? I think that nameis correct.

I have only heard of them on talk radio. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-05          127260

It seems this has grown to include my question now, any body had any experience with Vision Computers? I think that nameis correct.

I have only heard of them on talk radio. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-05          127262

Well one guy at Dell, his name is Sean Alvarez (sp?) is good to his word. He did send me a disk for loading music for some reason, haven't figured out why (sent it next day via DHL).

He did send a new pre-loaded hard drive. It was supposed to take about 3 days. Well this morning(next day) a local guy called and picked it up from DHL at the airport and came to my office and replaced the hard drive. He works for an agency that has the Dell service contract for the Eastern half of Michigan. Turns out I knew him from a previous job about 15 years ago. He was a shop lead man on night shift at this company that we both worked for.

So, I got a new hard drive. I have to reload everything all over again. Still working on that, it will take a day or so. He took the old drive with him. This is the first time I've had a problem with a Dell and I've purchased atleast a dozen or more over the past few years. Remember, one awe shXt wipes out all atta-boys.

The conflicting firewall thing is a real problem. McAfee actually has two of them and one Microsoft. I turned off the Microsoft and dance around the McAfee thing that comes up every reboot to load itself. You can't get rid of the McAfee since it turned itself on all by it self. You can't remove it since it is embedded in the computer's security system. So what happens after 90 days? Do I crash and burn!!

I can access websites and write on TP but still can't receive or send e-mails. Dell thinks there is a problem with our host but the Dell 25 feet away with my web addresses, etc. is working (sending and receiving)fine.

I'm also interested in JasonR's comments of his engineering staff. Are you using AutoCad or some other software. We're thinking of going to either SolidWorks or SolidEdge for modeling purposes, particularly to read customer's files mostly Unigraphics files. For my work, 2D has always been enough. Some customers have SolidEdge and others Works. Don't know if they will read each others.

I've got several customers that use only modeling for their castings, etc. It is hard to come up with the tooling fixtures. Just got an aerospace job to fixture a large detail from a Unigraphics model. We're trying to get .dxf files readable in AutoCad.

If anyone out there in the TP world is familiar with either of the SolidWorks or SolidEdge programs I'd like your input.

Thanks for all your previous help and comments. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-05          127263

I also have a Sony Vaio notebook with 16" screen, 2.4Ghz, 30GbHD with 512MB SDRAM and Radeon 32MP graphics chip. I've had it several years now and it works great. I never get away from work so it goes everywhere with me.

I once had a locally made computer with all the latest stuff and it was a dog and always errored out. Something was conflicting and they could never get it right.

My Dell is a dimension 5150. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
oneace
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1490 south central pa
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-05          127266

"I would NEVER build my own or go to local chop shop to do it. I want the warranty." - wingwiper

A warranty is nice yes. I built my last desk top for less than $300. Where as if I would have bought one from Dell or HP would have been around $1200. And all name brand stuff. I went with an AMD processor instead of Intel but that is it.
....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-05          127287

You can't even buy a GOOD power supply for less than $75. Inexpensive motherboards often cause problems down the road. Many of the connectors are only rated for only one or two insertions - plug in and remove a card or connector a few times and you've worn the entire micron layer of gold off and introduced an intermittent problem. These days the entire system has be engineered for thermal performance too. Cooling and airflow are critical. Lack of cooling can cause all sorts of trouble - even ethernet chips can dissipate 600 mw and that heat has to be removed. Not doing so can cause strange lockups and more intermittent behavior. Let's not even talk about RF emissions. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-06          127289

Putting a PC together is not rocket science. NON skilled workers plug in parts all day that someone told them to plug in. Most of the time they work.

I would not build one because I do not have the time to research what will work with what. And I sure do not have the time to deal with a non english speaking check list reader that is gonna send me parts to install and hope that it was right and if not they'll send me more, SIGN HERE and RETURN...

SORRY WE MISSED YOU CAN YOU CALL AND RESCHEDULE YOUR DELIVERY? YES YOU DO HAVE TO BE PRESENT AND SIGN, WE'LL BE THERE SOMETIME BETWEEN 11am and 5pm. OH SORRY YOU HAVE TO STAY HOME FROM WORK TO RECEIVE THIS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE A AUTHORISED SIGNATURE. OH BY THE WAY THERE IS A REDELIVERY FEE.

Yup you can buy it cheaper from the lowest bidder and get what you get, software and all.

Or you can have it built locally exactly the way you want, with only the software you want, by someone who speaks English, lives and pays taxes in the community and barring a vacation is avaiable to trouble shoot any problem with the thing, anytime. Drive by, at break time, drop it off shoot the bull for a couple of minutes and pick it up on the way home.

Might as well get rid of our local tractor dealers and only have 1 or 2 brands and have parts shipped to us. SIGN HERE...



....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
oneace
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1490 south central pa
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-06          127326

My thoughts exactly. I buy all my parts from the local guy. As to power supply i have used the same one fro the last 4 that I built as well as the case CD/DVD burner drive and floppy, as well as the 160 gig hard drive for the last two. Only real new thins are the board, processor, ram , video and sound cards.

O.k. so I only really "built" it once but I "upgrade" every six months. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
kyvette
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 194 Central Kentucky
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-13          127669

kthompson, if you are using XP your problem maybe a rights issue. If you happen to be logged on as a user, you can't change your desktop. You need to log on as power user or administrator. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-13          127676

The latest is I got my computer running, office loaded and internet working. I haven't even bothered trying to load AutoCad yet. I can't even send an e-mail to anyone within my business since it thinks it is a worm. It shows as sent but it don't. It doesn't even raise a flag.

If I correspond by e-mail back and forth through the reply method after a couple of replys it thinks it is spam and blocks sending the message. However, it still lets a whole bunch of spam in and even brackets it as spam.

Have found that I can uninstall McAfee by going through all sorts of BS. Not going the usual MicroSoft uninstall method. This will be done soon.

Every now and then it stays in caps lock mode even though the light shows it as off. If I reboot several times it will work.

Kinda like last night I was watching TV via a cable channel. We have 2 TV's hooked up to cable in different rooms. On one TV about 3 channels were coming in, in Spanish except for commercials. The other room everything was fine. This is America, English is our ownly language. Where is the German language channel and where is the WET to mirror the BET? ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
SG8NUC
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 579 g
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-04-13          127678

Where is the Muslim channel, they are the reason you have puter problems ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
unit5alive
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 250 Latrobe Pa
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-10-11          135863

All of my Dell computers have been fairly trouble free, my Gateways haven't faired quite so well. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
wr5evk8jj
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 61 Haymarket, VA
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-10-11          135871

As far I am concerned, my first and last PC, is a Dell bought about 4 months ago. It was bought mainly for the kids doing homework and especially the oldest boy doing an online Japanese course through the Univ. of Alabama (we are in northern CO). I have also used it a bit. A side use was working with the boys on some entry-level programming and use with some PICs. Everything else now and in the past has been Macs. About a month after getting the new Dell, it crashed. I could not get the thing back up (having worked on them some at work, but mostly SUNs and VAXs). I called Dell support; thier only remedy was to rebuild the system. So, my son lost all of his first weeks' course work due to have to rebuilding the blasted thing. I'll stay with the Macs for any new ones. But, I have not been a big fan of the Redmond, WA source of OS and other software anyway even though I have multiple (legal) copies of Office in Mac (2) and now in PC (1) along with other application (Visio, Project). ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-10-11          135874

I originally started this post and had problems and was really,really ticked-off. Since then, I put my own parallel printer port on, got rid of McAfee (that was hell since it had control of my computer) and they installed a new Hard drive (lost days of work) after it crashed. That was a few months ago. I didn't even use it for several months in fear it would crash. It is ok now and am using it for CAD work. Got a free virus search and have had no trouble since. Hope your troubles iron out as they did for me. Will definitely rethink another Dell purchase before automatically going to them as done in the past. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
wingwiper
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 676
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-10-11          135875

Some added advice to you all, BACK UP, you NEVER back up too often only NOT ENOUGH.

I have three Hard Drives in my system, but most people should have a minium of two. Use the Primary for Programs and data and the second as backup of all data and Windows with Updates. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
1hillbilly
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 10 Chicora Pennsylvania Butler County
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2008-02-11          151235

My son in laws father is a computer dealer and service man he loves Dell they provide him with the most service work. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2008-02-11          151238

Since all of my bitching from several years ago, everything has been running smooth with the Dell. Don't plan on getting another computer in the near future, since I don't want to change from Windows XP. I hear VISTA is a nightmare!

My next problem coming up is that my AutoCad Release 2005 is being retired, so I'm upgrading to 2008. I'm told HP hasn't offered printer drivers for the older plotters like my 350C and 650C that are compatible with ACAD 2006 and newer. So, it looks like I gotta spend $4,500.00 on a new plotter along with my software upgrades.

Just have to keep spending money to keep current if I want to or not. Don't really see the benefits of the new software but compatibility with my customers is crucial. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2008-02-11          151242

Yooper, there are other ways to do it.

All you have to do is keep both versions of AutoCad running. Save the drawing as a A/C 2005 format *.dwg file, then open it with the older version and plot it.

It's a bit of a PITA, but it's $4,500 cheaper.

I've been doing that for years now.

Best of luck. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2008-02-11          151243

Yes that is true but such a PITA. Many times the switchback to an older version drops out stuff and is not 100% reliable. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2008-02-11          151245

yooperpete, do they still use plotters? I thought they had ink jets now that were less. I have a son in law who draws house plans and he was able to go with a large ink jet for less than plotter is my understanding. Have not seen his printer as it is not in his office so it may not handle large enough paper for you. He is using like 2 by 3 feet sheets I think for house plans. kt

A point on Dell I did not know and do not like: I had an extended warranty on a Dell with Dell. Called by Dell and was placed on my Dell charge account with all paperwork showing Dell. So the extended warranty was Dell right as that is who I called and they handled the claim and so forth. Turns out was not Dell's extended warranty. They sell the rights to others to call their purchasers using Dell's name and charge accounts and so forth. I did not like that at all. To me that is terrible misleading. Ended up causing a major problem for me as the warranty company who then contracted with a local tec (read not an employee) had no control over what he did or did not do. Allowed who I thought was a Dell employee to take on work he was not qualified for that cost me a lot. To which Dell said sorry and so did the warranty company. As I told them each of your present all of this as Dell to me which Dell told me they understood but it was not all Dell. What bull crap. No Dell for me. kt
....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Has anyone purchased a Dell computer lately

View my Photos
yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2008-02-11          151252

Yes, the proper term of the plotter is an inkjet printer. Mine inkjet printer plots from either 24" or 36" roll sheets. The term plotter which was used in the past is still frequently used to describe a wide format printing device used primarily to plot engineering drawings.

There is nothing wrong with the unit but no longer being software supported since this is a through away society were nothing should last nor be used beyond a couple of years. ....

Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo


  Go Top Go Top

Share This
Share This







Member Login