yeah..it was 10 years ago. I could have fixed it myself. The problem was a dip switch on the motherboard was set to the wrong voltage. I wasn't even getting a POST screen. Had I but known (but that's why they call them hard knocks). Which is why I have 150 CD's of downloads; I never take HD files for granted..;)

Attached Link: New System

Take a look at this link.  Lulu Lee is also looking at building a new system. 

Ok, I'm doing up my letter to Michael Dell, and I have it finished except for the ending.

Who here is good at writing letters that I can bounce what I've written so far off of, and to help me with a finalizing paragraph?

If you can help me, please send me a PM :)

I'm lucky got a Dell and in two months my computer is 3 years old. Today I got a new mother board I have a 3 year warranty so just on time. But have to say it's the second mother board in those 3 years.

But tomorrow I get a new computer not from Dell this time. The Dell computer goes to hubby :)

Ok, I finished my letter.  Hopefully it will get me some results.

I'm glad I took so long to write it up because I had time to think about the situation, and realized that while I bought it in October 2002, I only used it about 15 times between the date of purchase and mid 2004.  Mid 2004 I got Poser and my laptop being a newer and better machine, I started to use it as my primary computer instead of my desktop. So it was only used on a regular basis for less than 18 months before the motherboard went on it. 

Plus I had a chance to dig out the bill of sale.  I paid $4,500.00 (including taxes), and I sure expect it to last more than 3.5 years (for 20  months of that  it spent most of its time in the travel case)

Was searching for something and saw this thread. Decided to update it.

I sent 3 faxes and snail mails to Michael Dell and didn't get a single response back to even indicate my correspondence had been received.

Then my health was getting to me so I put this issue on the back burner for a while. In November I took up my cause again.

I called their tech support and explained my situation:

1. Computer purchased in November 2002;
2. Computer sat in case unused save for about 12 times for the first 20 months;
3. Computer was removed from case in August 2004 and used as a primary computer from that date to April 2006 when the motherboard failed;
4. I had a 3 year hardware warranty that expired in November 2005.
5. The motherboard failed after 18 months of use and only 5 months after the warranty expired.

In my quest to get to someone who could help me, I had to go through a bunch of really stupid people who basically laughed at me and changed their tone to condescending when they heard what my issue was.  I finally gave up being nice and literally steam rolled my way through people!

I spoke to people who kept insisting they didn't have a manager or supervisor and I told them that unless their name was "Michael  Dell", that they had a manager and that I would find out who that person was!

One girl said she would leave a message for some department to call me, and went on to add "but don't hold your breath".

I finally called the main office and spoke to someone who actually agreed with me and what I was saying. He connected me to the department that looked after issues such as mine.  He told me that there were a number of levels to go through, but he was bypassing others and putting me right to the top.

I left my information and problem and someone contacted me the next day.

After almost 2 weeks of correspondence between me and Dell, the guy contacts me and says that they won't cover the repair under warranty because the computer's warranty had expired!  Like DUH!!!! That's why I was contacting them to begin with!  I already knew that the warranty was expired!

Anyway,  he did indicate that Dell would cover 1/2 of the cost of replacing the motherboard after the repair invoice was paid. Meaning that after they fixed it and I paid the full price they would refund me 1/2 the cost. Offer expired December 25, 2006 at midnight.

I sunk $4,500.00 plus finance fees into that laptop. I sure wasn't going to sink another $600.00 (after refund)  of my own money into it.

I am now in the market to replace my desktop, and you can bet your booties it won't be a crappy Dell that I get.  I'll shop locally like I did when I got my computer upgraded in 2001 (I don't even want to think about the first computer purchase in 2000, which was a nightmare).

Dell can take their computers and stick them where the sun don't shine!! :cursing:

I think we have some discount computer stores here that sell computer parts. I'll have my nephew help me pick stuff out and either he or Powerland Computers where i live can put it together for me. I may just end up getting a larger hard drive and some more memory, but we'll see how much stuff costs and if my motherboard can support a larger hard drive and more memory.

Acadia! it's Ariana here....you know the Dell from Hell owner! LOL! Look...can you e-mail me and I will give you my personal mail or phone. I have a tech friend who is willing to trouble shoot this and it should work. You know I wouldn't steer you wrong. And the Dell tech's up in Canada are great, IF you have your warenty intact. You don't need a motherboard, it is most like massive log in error/ worm....suggestion, can you start in safe mode and go to Microsoft and do the deep virus scan? It takes Foreveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer. But it might find the problem, once identified the fix is usually quick and painless. Lesson. Have a back up Dinosaur Desk Top!  I run 2 puters for just this reason! 1 has windows 98, and Never ever had an issue....even now! But it does not support all programs XP does. Still you can run your XP on the Desk, and LT! Write.
HuggerZ!
Ariana

If it is a mother board check prices here and explain it has to be Dell compatable.
 http://www.newegg.com/
A.

Quote - Acadia! it's Ariana here....you know the Dell from Hell owner! LOL! Look...can you e-mail me and I will give you my personal mail or phone. I have a tech friend who is willing to trouble shoot this and it should work. You know I wouldn't steer you wrong. And the Dell tech's up in Canada are great, IF you have your warenty intact. You don't need a motherboard, it is most like massive log in error/ worm....suggestion, can you start in safe mode and go to Microsoft and do the deep virus scan? It takes Foreveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer. But it might find the problem, once identified the fix is usually quick and painless. Lesson. Have a back up Dinosaur Desk Top!  I run 2 puters for just this reason! 1 has windows 98, and Never ever had an issue....even now! But it does not support all programs XP does. Still you can run your XP on the Desk, and LT! Write.
HuggerZ!
Ariana

It is the motherboard. Dell had me go through hoops taking things apart and stuff.  There is no doubt. And there is no way to do a scan because the computer won't boot up.  It's all in the earlier posts in this thread.

I am using my old desktop since the laptop broke down. However, my desktop is also having problems now. I think the hard drive or something is failing. It might be something as simple as the power supply according to my friend, but I don't have the funds right now  to take it in to have it looked at.

So if I suddenly vanish from the net you'll know it's computer problems!

$4,500 for a *laptop?! * You could buy 2 for that, and name brands, too. Thanks for reminding me, I have to get recertified next month (Dell tech certs are only good for a year. Looks like they soak everyone in their own way)

I can't get over them having you take apart a laptop. Especially the system board. I have to tell you, that unless someone has remanufactured mobos (motherboads), the only place you'll get a motherboard for that is Dell.  Lots of tiny screws, tiny little snaps, ZIF cables (Zero Insertion Force, flat ribbon cables that are easy to tear or fray), and tiny little wires to here and there (well, on IBM/Lenovos, I've been inside those more recently)

It's also amazing they've taken this long. you have my sympathies. Good luck, and hopefully the next laptop won't be a Dell...;)

acadia,
sorry if i'm repeating something here, didn't read through all of the post's.

motherboards have a battery and a reset jumper thingy. i would encourage a trip to radio shack for the battery and try that first...you never know. might be the best $1.09 you ever spent.

Quote - acadia,
sorry if i'm repeating something here, didn't read through all of the post's.

motherboards have a battery and a reset jumper thingy. i would encourage a trip to radio shack for the battery and try that first...you never know. might be the best $1.09 you ever spent.

No one has suggested a battery replacement. I didn't know that it had a battery. The only battery that I know of is the large one that allowed me to use it when it was unplugged.

Where in a laptop do I find this battery, and is it easy to replace? Meaning do I have to have a tech do it or is it something I can do myself?

Quote - hopefully the next laptop won't be a Dell...;)

Nope!  No more laptops and no more crappy Dell stuff.  When I see them selling their wares on The Shopping Channel I get the incredible urge to call in with a "testimonial"!!!!  LMAO   If you are in Canada and suddenly hear a female drastically cut off you'll know it was me!!!!  haha

I am drafting up a letter to send into each Province's Better Business Bureau. 

And you're right about the price I paid.  Their prices are inflated big time!  I know my graphic card was a fortune by itself but I specifically designed that laptop for graphics. It was my primary goal of use.  I think I saw the bill of sale / contract while cleaning up my bedroom.  If I can dig it out I'll scan the relevant portion to show the price. That really is what I paid for it, plus financing costs, which I think brought it close to 6K!!!!!!!

That's another thing.  Don't finance with them either!!! Rip off city!

ahhh, my bad. 
a laptop.
don't know if a laptop motherboard would have a battery, don't know why it wouldn't. regular desktop motherboards have batteries. they look like a small nickle. it's nesteled in the motherboard.

i'm not encouraging you to open your rig up if you aren't comfortable with that. but with desktop's it is fairly obvious once you know what to look for.

how old is your sled? batterys should last 1-2 years but anything is possible. some say to replace it yearly. i've had mine go wonky before and replaced it. 
if you do go in there you need to make sure that the laptop is unplugged from outlet and that you are constantly grounding yourself (skin) to the metal case so as to not induce a static charge. static electricity is a killer for this stuff. not rocket science but just be aware. if you have a static charge built up within yourself (shuffeling your feet on carpet) then to discharge you need to touch some metal somewhere, and then go from there. also, no magnetic tools...harddrive failure.

I consider the laptop dumpster trash at this point.  I kept it in my closet pending a resolution with Dell, but since that hasn't happened,  I don't know what to do with it now.  Some of the stuff inside is still good, but it's not worth replacing the motherboard in, at least not for me.  And who wants to buy a laptop without a working motherboard?!

Anyway, here is an image of part of the sales form.  I knew I was paying an inflated price and while I financed it over 4 years, I only planned on paying over 2 years and then paying it off. But when I wanted to payout the contract I ended up getting seriously sick and went on long term disability which put a stop to that, so I had to continue with the monthly payments.  What really rubs me the wrong way is that when the motherboard failed, I still had  8 more payments to make!!!!

Sorry to hear about your laptop woes, Acadia.   I really wish I could come up with something that would magically fix it.  From someone who's had many computer melt downs, you have my sympathies.  Never fails when you can least afford it, thats when something major screws up.

To me though, it does sound like a virus of some sort, but i'm not a computer guru.

Attached Link: Laptop HDD - Desktop IDE adaptor

The optical drive could probably be used but the "shadyness" of it (unless you customise the case to hold the drive) isnt really worth possibly electrocuting yourself....  Laptop parts are largely specialist parts and wont work in a desktop unit, So the HDD is the only thing usable....

You could probably sell the battery and powerpack on ebay, someone might want them !

**Hello Acadia, Sorry to hear about the laptop.  The only advice i can give is just to stay away from Dell...lol, They have made alot of good stuff but alot of Crap aswell.  If you are planning on getting your Motherboard replaced and are happy to keep the Dell then go for it. They seem to be very Intel happy so try and get a PM chipset of you can and not a P4 chip. P4 in a laptop get's HOT!   PM does not get as hot and has a better battery life.  Last thing you want is added heat to your render's...lol, Check around Ebay for moutherboards you might be able to pick a new one up for less than retail and just had a PC tech put it in for you.

Well i hope that is of some help to you., Best of luck with it :)

Live Well.
**

Hello, Acadia and Happy Belated New Years to you.

First off, I'm so sorry to hear about your laptop.  I would've assume that Dell would be top-of-the-line computer products, for (unlike you) I got a Dell Dimension 4400 5 years ago (February 2002). 

This is very disheartening to hear that Dell can be a problem when it comes to computers (Desktops, Laptops or otherwise).

======================================================================

 I had been burned once with Packard Bell when they were the kings of the computer line (I had my first one from 1995-1999; upgraded what appear to be a bad one from 1999-2001), and it was floods of online petitions banning PB products around 6 years ago before they discontinued.  My Packard Bell cooked on me like nobody's business so I had to wait a year to get Dell.

I got the Dimension from the date and year aforementioned, and I had no problems from this point on (again, I could be wrong).  I just upgraded my memory and added 512MB with my 256MB, while previously installing my DVD-R drive and a CD-R drive.  My only worry is will my Dell last after reading all of this.

I have always shutter to update my computer systems for fear of un-forseen  problems.

========================================================================

Do follow the advice of the posters and get the motherboard that you need.

I hope you can work something out soon.

Cheers,

JB

I've gotten that blue screen with white lettering that says "If this has happened before..." several times, before.   Usually it does'nt casue a serious crash, but for the times it ahs, I've been able to contribute them to kernel errors in the file format of the disk.  In other words wither the  hard disk, or the formatt of the hard disk have gone.

Have you tried to insert the Windows Xp Setup disk and then boot the system?  If you get anything, you may be able to reinstall windows.

You could open the bay to the HDD, and check the connection.  You may try unplugging replugging it in. 

Otherwise I'd check with CompUSA, etc. and verifiy it's not just the HDD, becasue the cost of replacin the main board will be more than the laptop is worth...I had a friend lose a mainboard from her Compaq Laptop.  Hey wanted $500 to replace her mainboard.  Instead she gave me the $500, I bought a used, but identical, replacement for the computer that died and pocketed $100!  Then the day after she got the new laptop, the old one started working again!  Now if either goes, she'll have plenty of replacement parts!

meanwhile, the Leading Edge Model D I bought in 1985 is still working..;)
The battery they're talking about is the CMOS battery (or was back when I replaced them). They look like big watch batteries, or sometimes smaller watch batteries..;) What it does is keep your BIOS charged up, time and date, settings changes, etc. Usually there's a small plastic holder for it, and it pops out.

Definitely hold on to the hard drive if you junk it, as mentioned above. Also, any cards you might have put in (PCMCIA cards, slide in the side), if you have any. Memory will probably be a wash, since that's usually specific to the mobo as well. Standard accessories that use USB, video, etc., you can transfer, but the external power supply is probably also heading to that big crusher in the sky. And you can keep the bag it travels in..;)

Ok, well first of all I wouldn't assume that it's automatically the motherboard at fault here, regardless of what Dell tech support told you.  Normally if the motherboard goes fubar the machine won't boot up at all.

First thing I would do is reformat the hard drive and reinstall the operating system.  Odds are pretty good this will fix the problem.  You may run into a situation where the hard drive doesn't want to reformat, if such is the case then odds are pretty good is your hard drive that has gone belly up, not your motherboard.

If it turns out that Dell was indeed correct (which is unlikely, however remotely possible) and a new motherboard is necessary your best bet to find a replacement will be on Ebay.  You can't just buy any old motherboard, you need to get the correct motherboard for your make and model of laptop.  Odds are good that only a very small number of motherboards were made that will fit in your laptop correctly and have all the connections in the same place, so make certain whatever motherboard you buy is for the correct make and model for your laptop.

But like I said, odds are good dell was wrong and the motherboard is fine. 

Quote - Normally if the motherboard goes fubar the machine won't boot up at all.

Thanks for the suggestiongs :)

However, it doesn't boot at all. No sound of any kind whatsoever. Just a few green lights  below the screen lighting up for 1 or 2 seconds and then going out...then nothing but the slow flashing green light that indicates there is power.

Anyway, I'm considering that computer toast. One day I'll take out the hard drive and get that adaptor and maybe use it as an extra hard drive in a desktop.

I don't know if you have read the whole thread or not, but I've tried all kinds of things, including  dismantling parts of the computer while on the phone with Dell.  Based on the symptoms and everything I've tried, pretty much everyone is pretty sure it's the motherboard.

Acadia - in the states we have what's called the Uniform Commercial Code.  It covers all commercial transactions if one of the parties is/was a dealer and the goods cost over $500.00.  There are two warranty provisions, (i) warranty for fitness for particular purpose, and (ii) warranty of merechantability.  The former guarantees that the goods will do what they were bought to do.  It can last for a long time (lifetime).  Canada must have a similar law.  There are also options of rejecting non-conforming goods and costs of "cover" (getting a replacement) where there are latent (hidden) defects.  You really should see a lawyer.  "Never negotiate from a position of weakness."  *Testicles.

*Cheers, Frisketus

If the system won't boot up at all then the motherboard might indeed be fried, but if your looking to put together a good desktop system you'll find they are much cheaper and much easier to upgrade than laptops.

If your going to take the hard drive out of your laptop at some point for use with your desktop, I'd recommend purchasing an external USB drive box for it.  I've got an old 10 gig from a laptop that I put into an external USB drive box, and now I can just connect it to the USB port whenever I need a bit of space to transfer files.

The box itself cost me about $12 USD, and the drive was one I had laying around so the expense was negligible, and now I have the ability to transfer even lots of very large files easily, the box itself is small enough to fit in my shirt pocket.  Generally speaking desktop harddrives are dirt cheap by comparison to laptop harddrives, my current desktop system has 520 gigs of harddrive space so 10 gig extra by comparison is a waste of a perfectly good drive bay, but 10 gigs fo portable space can be a real godsend.  

One other thing you might want to consider would be putting the laptop you have up for sale for parts - if it's an expensive laptop you'd be surprised how much you can get for some of the various parts in the system.   Granted, you're not going to recoup all of your losses, but things like laptop screens sell fairly well on Ebay because they are hard to find elsewhere for most laptops and the manufacturers want an exhorbitant amount of money for replacement parts if you deal with them directly.   They know they have you over a barrel and price accordingly.

Quote - Acadia - in the states we have what's called the Uniform Commercial Code.  It covers all commercial transactions if one of the parties is/was a dealer and the goods cost over $500.00.  There are two warranty provisions, (i) warranty for fitness for particular purpose, and (ii) warranty of merechantability.  The former guarantees that the goods will do what they were bought to do.  It can last for a long time (lifetime).  Canada must have a similar law.  There are also options of rejecting non-conforming goods and costs of "cover" (getting a replacement) where there are latent (hidden) defects.  You really should see a lawyer.  "Never negotiate from a position of weakness."  *Testicles.

*Cheers, Frisketus

Thanks for the advice, and it is good advice.  Deep in my gut I still think I'm right about this issue and that the motherboard should be replaced under full warranty. The computer might have been 3  years and 5 months  old, but it was only used for 18 months!

However, I've been off work sick since summer of 2004 and have my hands full with  the stressors of doctors and tests and just the efforts of managing day-to-day.  I can't stomach the thought of lawsuits and courts right now, nor the expenses of it.  Granted my former boss would probably take on the case free, or at a discounted price, but it would still cost me money for filing fees etc that I can't really spare, not to mention the stress of it all.    Plus unless I was suing for the recovery of the full cost of what I paid, the matter falls into small claims court and that would require even more effort on my part from filing to serving to appearing etc.  I get stressed out just thinking about it.

Another time if I felt well enough I wouldn't have been defeated so easily or have allowed Dell to push me around like they did, but currently it's a whole different situation. I just don't feel physically well enough to take on a titan corporation.

I'm chaulking it up to one really bad and really, really expensive learning experience and am taking the knowledge of what I gained with me so that I don't get burned again. 

One thing that has my 'bs detector' up is that they had you replace the motherboard by yourself. In 19+ (20 on June 1) years of working on PC's, servers, laptops, and printers, I've never seen any other vendor require replacing the motherboard by the client. Where I work, we've gone to Dell laptops, and we're the ones that fix them.

What would likely happen if any legal challenge was pressed, is that Dell would come back and say the replacement was botched by the client, as they didn't use a safety (anti-static) strap, shorted something re-assembling, etc. Even experienced technicians take a while with the 1st new laptop model, replacing the motherboard, As laptop repairs go, it's about the most involved procedure there is (about even with replacing the LCD screen...;) 

It's not hard at all to ding a contact, misroute a wire, miss a grounding screw, snap something under that's supposed to go over, etc. And there's the 'breeding screws', when you get the thing together, and note that you still have an 'extra' screw..;)

I've had issues with Dell home machines (and I've been certified on and off for years..;)  Hope everything comes out healthwise, and you get a working unit.

I don't normally recommend a laptop unless you really need the portability, in you can get a lot more for your money with a desktop and  unless you really need the portability they really are your best bet.

I'm sorry to hear about your experiences with Dell, but you are quite correct about the lawsuit, it would most likely be an inordinate waste of time and money.  First thing Dell would most likely do is pay to have the case moved out of small claims court, and then they would most likely tie it up in litigation for years.   They have the legal staff that they can afford to do that sort of thing, and by the time it's all said and done you'll end up spending 10-12 times in legal fees any judgement you might be able to get against them.

However there is another route you might wish to consider, while companies like Dell generally don't respond well to legal pressure, often times they will respond to another form of pressure, namely bad publicity.  I would contact someone at Dell, not someone in their tech department but rather someone in their customer service area and ask to speak to a manager.

Explain your situation and tell them how dissapointed you are in their product.  They will begin with your average song and dance - but don't be dissauded.  Let them know that you expect them to do something about your laptop, and if they refuse you mention that one of the avenues open to you is to contact a local television station and having them do an investigative report.  Ask the person your speaking with for their full name so you can give it to the TV station, and let them know why your asking.

Be polite at all times and always use phrases like "I know you didn't do this" or "I realize this isn't your fault" - but be resolute.  Someone there at Dell has the authority to fix this situation, and you want to speak to that person, and your not going to give up until you do.   The key is not to make it personal, you know the person your speaking with is a good person and wants to help, and you understand that they may not have the authority, you just need them to get you to someone who does have the authority to help.

You'd be amazed at just how far through a bureaucracy this approach will take you.  The key is don't lose your temper and don't take no for an answer.  If the person your speaking with either cannot or will not help you thank them for their help and ask to speak to there boss and just keep going up the chain till someone says yes.  Dell spends millions of dollars a year on advertising, so the $2000 or so it will probably cost them to replace your laptop is chump change by comparision, They probably spend more than that just taking their ad guys out to lunch.

Odds are pretty good if you make a big enough annoyance of yourself that eventually you'll get to a guy who has the authority to send you a new laptop and is willing to do it just to settle the matter and get you off the phone. It's all about persistence.

Now, their going to quote rules and procedures and such to you over and over again, you simply restate your position calmly and tell them that despite their normal procedures that you expect more from a major company like Dell, and that other people do as well.   The second time they quote the same spiel, tell them that you understand their position but are unwilling to accept that as an answer and ask to speak to their boss.

Lol..  I know this all seems a bit much but you'd be amazed at just how well it works.  Spend a couple of afternoons hassling Dell tech support, maybe as much as a week, and eventually odds are very very good they will cave just to get rid of you.