I Really Need Help! Is it more than just individual part failure???? :(

[Jfur]

I have a Dell Inspiron 5000e running Win98SE. The problems it has are **intermittent**:

The HD has been replaced several times now and the DVD once. Most recently, I encountered a blue-screen ?cannot write to C:? error that was immediately followed by boot up scandisk warnings --?your HD may have developed bad sectors?. After the latest round of this, I ran the Dell complete diagnostic utility and it failed IDE-0 (HD) for both read/write. When I ran the utility again overnight, it came back with NO errors! This is similar to the last two times that I replaced the HD. Each time, the technicians have acknowledged that there may be something else wrong, but that it is just a strange situation and I should try to replace the individual component to see if that fixes it.

Previously, the diagnostic had reported errors with the A: and something about the motherboard (but I did not write down what it was testing at that time), and the errors then ?disappeared? when I retested. This problem is extremely frustrating because things appear to work well for a time and then suddenly **^*%(&%&$*&$


During one recent disaster, I tried to boot up using a bootable CD. In startup, my system was set appropriately (D: was first disk sought). However, upon restart, it would not go to D: (ONLY C), even after numerous restarts. Twice, I received a message saying that there was no OS and once there was no startup disk.

Also, intermittently, I get a strange video display error at boot up that says the video display drivers are incorrect. I see only a black screen, unless I boot up in safe mode. Reinstallation of the drivers does NOT help. Formatting of drive C: and reinstallation of OS/drivers also did not fix the problem! It just went away and returned a month later.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Rendus]

Sounds like possible failure of the IDE channel on the motherboard (or possibly power issues (low, incorrect, fluctuating voltage etc) causing detection problems).

How many parts have been replaced on this issue? If it's over 3, and the system is reasonably new, you can try to get a system exchange. (less than 3 months old is easy, less than 6 is fairly common, a year is pushing it, and over a year old is unlikely)

 

[Jfur]

the system is 9 months old now and this will be its 4th HD and 2nd DVD. there have been problems since the beginning. i have tried for six months to get replacement, but they always insist that I try a new part first, and then call back if that doesn't work. they often claim that i did not call before, even though i clearly did. i finally convinced them (after multiple calls this week) to "look at it". i worry that they will just look at it and say it is fine and send it back and then it will start all over again.

 

[bevancoleman]

You could trying using a system burnin test, hopfully it will and you can get a new one

 

[Jfur]

thanks you both for your comments -- what is a system burnin test ??

 

[bevancoleman]

Burn in, a test designed to make or brake your system.

www.tweakfiles.com has lots of this sort of stuff

 

[Jfur]

thanks, I'll try that!

 

[Kartajan]

Q: your location and power specifications at the wall outlet?

Q2: Exact power requirements as listed on the power brick for the laptop?

Q3: Are you useing any kind of UPS/ Surge supressor?

 

[Jfur]

yes, to all three!

edit: my husband is an electrician and triple-checked that, thanks

 

[Medea]

Concur with Rendus in that it sounds like a mobo-related problem.

One suggestion: Do not rely solely on phone calls. Start keeping a record of when you called Dell, reduce the phone conversation to writing, and start faxing them as a follow-up to each phone call. Add a back-track paragraph as to how many past calls were made and what parts have been replaced. You're getting the "let's see how this works" method of repair, and you need to push Dell to get up off of their a$$. Hard copies go a long way in documenting problems with a rig under warranty and will support a system exchange.

 

[bevancoleman]

<< Concur with Rendus in that it sounds like a mobo-related problem.

One suggestion: Do not rely solely on phone calls. Start keeping a record of when you called Dell, reduce the phone conversation to writing, and start faxing them as a follow-up to each phone call. Add a back-track paragraph as to how many past calls were made and what parts have been replaced. You're getting the &quot;let's see how this works&quot; method of repair, and you need to push Dell to get up off of their a$$. Hard copies go a long way in documenting problems with a rig under warranty and will support a system exchange. >>



You paid for a name brand PC, now make sure they give you the etxra support.

In Australia the merchant must replace the goods if they can't fix it, and it sounds like they can't fix it. Try contacting your Consummer Asccoation (ACCA in Aust.) if they give you any more trouble.

Oh and make sure they fix it before the waranty runs out, if they aren't keeping track of your phone calls you could have lots of costly problems after.

 

[Jfur]

I am sending back to them tomorrow for them to look at. Is there anything else I can say (at this point) to motivate them to do something. When I called last week, they refused to let me talk to a tech support manager then and SWORE one would call within 48 hours. 48 hours later, I called back and they claimed I had never called!!!!! i will definitely take Medea's advice in the future about logging complaints, but what can I do now? there is still about 27 months warranty, but it appears useless.

 

[bevancoleman]

Your phone bill could also be usefull if it lists all numbers called.

Threatning them with a Consumer Assoation may help.

Haowever if you can prove that they havn't been returning your phone calls or logging them you may put them on the back-foot. They may be a little more helpfull if they think they are in the wrong.

 

[Jfur]

I want to thank all of you have replied! You have provided excellent advice I am putting the Inspiron 5000e in the return box right now with a lengthy letter/history documenting its problems, and I have specifically asked for a replacement. If that doesn't work, I will certainly make noise until I have a working unit! And I will do everything possible to document prolems.

Aloha,

Jfur