Boba Fettuccini
User
Posts: 779 | Computer frustrations.
on Thursday, March, 24, 2011 12:41 PM
My laptop is buggy. About a month ago, I took advantage of my warranty to have it fixed, and the preplaced a bunch of components. Now my keyboard works right, my sounds work, etc, but I have even more system issues than before. I was kinda sitting on my hands with it because my customer service experience last time I had it fixed was so awful.
Yesterday, my band had a recording session. We finished the last song for our debut release, and recorded the ukulele, clarinet, vocals, and synths. I was sitting down to master everything for the final render... and the screen went glitchy, the whole screen was filled with the same 5x20 strip of pixels, the last 1 second of audio started looping, and the whole thing turned off.
Now, the laptop won't boot. All the lights go up, the fans whirr away, you can hear the harddrive doing its thing, but the screen never shows anything. About 5 minutes later, it powers itself off. So, geeks, is my band session toast?
-==[ www.boba-fettuccini.com ]==-
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Kona
User
Posts: 89 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Thursday, March, 24, 2011 12:57 PM
It seems like your programs don't like you 
   
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ctellis156
User
Posts: 241 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Thursday, March, 24, 2011 1:12 PM
they might have screwed up the monitor cable when they were working on it. i know some pcs will shut down or not start if one of the pieces of hardware isnt mounted correctly or has failed. a lot of times itll give a coded beep from the system speaker but its a possablity they knocked the montior cable loose when they had it opened up since everything is so close knit in a laptopwhere to buy abortion pill ordering abortion pills to be shipped to house buy abortion pill online
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ender9492alt
User
Posts: 39 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Thursday, March, 24, 2011 1:27 PM
First, what brand/model is your laptop?
When you say it was "buggy," what do you mean exactly? What was wrong, and what got fixed?
With a laptop, any number of things could be the cause of your problem. Since nothing displays on screen when you turn it on now, have you tried hooking up an external monitor to it?
If it shuts off consistently, and exactly after 5 minutes every time, it could be a hardware issue (like overheating), or it could be missing a crucial file (and so shuts down because it cannot continue without that file).
Do you visit any questionable websites that could contain malicious code (viruses, spyware, etc)? You'd be surprised at what can get in your system, and from where nowadays...
Do you have any system monitors, antivirus, or any other programs running that check your system? Have you verified that they are legit? (A lot of "legitimate" programs can turn out not to be...)
Like I said, anything could be the cause here, but we need more info from you...
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Boba Fettuccini
User
Posts: 779 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Friday, March, 25, 2011 12:00 PM
It's a Dell Inspiron 1450.
I tried the monitor thing almost as soon as it happened, nothing.
The bug it had before 'repair' was constant overheating, bluescreening, the keyboard wouldn't always work, my USB ports were slow, and my soundcard didn't function. They determined it was he motherboard and replaced that. They also replaced my hard drive, which I don't get, because their diagnostic sheet said nothing about hard drive problems.
My web routine doesn't involve anything suspicious. Here, Facebook, Blogger, Heavengames, Proboards, and occasionally Demonoid. I have Norton Internet Security 2010, and I was going to be switching over to 2011 in a couple days.
-==[ www.boba-fettuccini.com ]==-
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IsoLine
User
Posts: 1,025 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Friday, March, 25, 2011 12:43 PM
Boba Fettuccini Wrote:It's a Dell Inspiron 1450.
I tried the monitor thing almost as soon as it happened, nothing.
The bug it had before 'repair' was constant overheating, bluescreening, the keyboard wouldn't always work, my USB ports were slow, and my soundcard didn't function. They determined it was he motherboard and replaced that. They also replaced my hard drive, which I don't get, because their diagnostic sheet said nothing about hard drive problems.
My web routine doesn't involve anything suspicious. Here, Facebook, Blogger, Heavengames, Proboards, and occasionally Demonoid. I have Norton Internet Security 2010, and I was going to be switching over to 2011 in a couple days. |
Well they replaced the Hard Disk with the Mobo because the operating system is keyed to your Mobo and Processor's serial specs. The OS reads these at startup and locks these factors in so that you can't simply clone your hard disk with the precious OS on board and place it in a new computer and be up and running. Putting the old HD on a system with a new processor and mobo would cause a system error and lock the machine up. Thank Microsoft for that. It's like digital DNA that keeps you from cloning the OS like it was a "hot" cellphone. Once they install the new components all they need to do is transfer your files to the new harddisk.where to buy abortion pill abortion types buy abortion pill online
"Word to the Motherboard!" - IsoLine
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Boba Fettuccini
User
Posts: 779 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Friday, March, 25, 2011 12:48 PM
Which they didn't bother to do... Good thing I had done a total backup on my external before I sent it in.
I'm thinking about just cutting my losses with this one and demanding a new machine. Their policy says that if they can't fix it, they give you full replacement to buy something new, and I don't want to put up with their cruddy repairs people again. I had to do all the work to get it in, I had to spend a bunch of time on the phone re-doing all the conversations I'd already had in-store, and then I was out a computer for 3 weeks, which is most unacceptable when you're in English 102.order abortion pill http://unclejohnsprojects.com/template/default.aspx?morning-after-pill-price where to buy abortion pill
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IsoLine
User
Posts: 1,025 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Friday, March, 25, 2011 9:46 PM
Boba Fettuccini Wrote:Which they didn't bother to do... Good thing I had done a total backup on my external before I sent it in.
I'm thinking about just cutting my losses with this one and demanding a new machine. Their policy says that if they can't fix it, they give you full replacement to buy something new, and I don't want to put up with their cruddy repairs people again. I had to do all the work to get it in, I had to spend a bunch of time on the phone re-doing all the conversations I'd already had in-store, and then I was out a computer for 3 weeks, which is most unacceptable when you're in English 102. |
GASP!....They didn't even try to pull your files of the old hard drive? Shame on them....Personally I would do what you are thinking and see if they will not refund your money so you can get a better laptop or something. That is just rediculous. Please tell me you didn't have to deal with outsourced tech support too. And I thought Dell was running a class outfit, sheesh, I just hope nothing ever happens to my monitor, I just got it in January.
"Word to the Motherboard!" - IsoLine
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Boba Fettuccini
User
Posts: 779 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Friday, March, 25, 2011 11:22 PM
Outsourced, yes, but because it's through my Staples warranty. The manufacturers warranty ran out two years ago. No money was spent, because it was covered. But it still pisses me off.order abortion pill morning after pill price where to buy abortion pillabortion pills online abortion pill online purchase cytotec abortion
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ender9492alt
User
Posts: 39 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Friday, March, 25, 2011 11:26 PM
| IsoLine Wrote:Well they replaced the Hard Disk with the Mobo because the operating system is keyed to your Mobo and Processor's serial specs. The OS reads these at startup and locks these factors in so that you can't simply clone your hard disk with the precious OS on board and place it in a new computer and be up and running. Putting the old HD on a system with a new processor and mobo would cause a system error and lock the machine up. Thank Microsoft for that. It's like digital DNA that keeps you from cloning the OS like it was a "hot" cellphone. Once they install the new components all they need to do is transfer your files to the new harddisk. |
Not exactly true; If the replacement part specs are identical (which I assume Dell would make sure of in the laptop), the old hard drive/OS could be used with no discernible difference to the operator.
This is exactly what Ghosting a computer is... If you have 100 computers that are exactly identical, you can use a "master" hard drive and clone it to each subsequent "slave" hard drive, and they will all work exactly the same. All the specs for every hardware component in each computer have to be identical though.
I've done it a bunch.
Boba Fettuccini Wrote:Which they didn't bother to do... Good thing I had done a total backup on my external before I sent it in.
I'm thinking about just cutting my losses with this one and demanding a new machine. Their policy says that if they can't fix it, they give you full replacement to buy something new, and I don't want to put up with their cruddy repairs people again. I had to do all the work to get it in, I had to spend a bunch of time on the phone re-doing all the conversations I'd already had in-store, and then I was out a computer for 3 weeks, which is most unacceptable when you're in English 102. |
A quick google search shows that the 4150 is a pretty old laptop and I think maybe the best solution would be to just grab a new one (not the cheapest, but at least you wouldn't have to deal with a buggy laptop, or wait time for repairs anymore, and you'd have something up to date).
Seems that a lot of people have had HDD, motherboard, and keyboard problems similar to you. Again, it's probably just wearing out and probably on it's deathbed, or it could be faulty design; I know I had a dell inspiron where the speaker wire was routed through the hinges, and broke every year or so, as well as the keyboard keys losing their responsiveness (couldn't type on half the keyboard). After spending $100 or so to keep the thing running, I decided my wife needed better, and got her a $300 netbook.
Also, seems that people are also not too fond of Dell's customer service...
I say just get a new laptop.
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Boba Fettuccini
User
Posts: 779 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Friday, March, 25, 2011 11:51 PM
That's why I'm planning on demanding a new replacement. I can't afford anything new otherwise.
-==[ www.boba-fettuccini.com ]==-
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IsoLine
User
Posts: 1,025 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Saturday, March, 26, 2011 12:38 AM
ender9492alt Wrote:| IsoLine Wrote:Well they replaced the Hard Disk with the Mobo because the operating system is keyed to your Mobo and Processor's serial specs. The OS reads these at startup and locks these factors in so that you can't simply clone your hard disk with the precious OS on board and place it in a new computer and be up and running. Putting the old HD on a system with a new processor and mobo would cause a system error and lock the machine up. Thank Microsoft for that. It's like digital DNA that keeps you from cloning the OS like it was a "hot" cellphone. Once they install the new components all they need to do is transfer your files to the new harddisk. |
Not exactly true; If the replacement part specs are identical (which I assume Dell would make sure of in the laptop), the old hard drive/OS could be used with no discernible difference to the operator.
This is exactly what Ghosting a computer is... If you have 100 computers that are exactly identical, you can use a "master" hard drive and clone it to each subsequent "slave" hard drive, and they will all work exactly the same. All the specs for every hardware component in each computer have to be identical though.
I've done it a bunch.
Boba Fettuccini Wrote:Which they didn't bother to do... Good thing I had done a total backup on my external before I sent it in.
I'm thinking about just cutting my losses with this one and demanding a new machine. Their policy says that if they can't fix it, they give you full replacement to buy something new, and I don't want to put up with their cruddy repairs people again. I had to do all the work to get it in, I had to spend a bunch of time on the phone re-doing all the conversations I'd already had in-store, and then I was out a computer for 3 weeks, which is most unacceptable when you're in English 102. |
A quick google search shows that the 4150 is a pretty old laptop and I think maybe the best solution would be to just grab a new one (not the cheapest, but at least you wouldn't have to deal with a buggy laptop, or wait time for repairs anymore, and you'd have something up to date).
Seems that a lot of people have had HDD, motherboard, and keyboard problems similar to you. Again, it's probably just wearing out and probably on it's deathbed, or it could be faulty design; I know I had a dell inspiron where the speaker wire was routed through the hinges, and broke every year or so, as well as the keyboard keys losing their responsiveness (couldn't type on half the keyboard). After spending $100 or so to keep the thing running, I decided my wife needed better, and got her a $300 netbook.
Also, seems that people are also not too fond of Dell's customer service...
I say just get a new laptop.
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See that is the thing, your scenario is correct if a computer is 100 percent the same...Were talking down to minor differences in mobo manufacture, components even the processor build date. Dell has even got their own proprietary chips on board that key to their recovery and windows replacement discs so that you cannot even use them on a computer without the proprietary Dell chips. It's a big racket I tell ya, and it probably is that way because of Microsoft and Dell cutting corners and falling all over each other to do favors for one another.
"Word to the Motherboard!" - IsoLine
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overRIDE
User
Posts: 159 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Saturday, March, 26, 2011 1:00 AM
I already know your problem. You bought a Dell.
I work at Staples as an Easy Tech.
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Boba Fettuccini
User
Posts: 779 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Saturday, March, 26, 2011 10:18 PM
I'm currently using my mom's HP... and this thing is oodles better. The last HP we had, Win 98, never had any issues of any kind, but both my Dell desktops, and my last Dell laptop had issues. I'll probably be going with HP next time.
-==[ www.boba-fettuccini.com ]==-
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Errex
User
Posts: 168 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Tuesday, March, 29, 2011 6:00 PM
Are your antivirus and malware protection current?, sometimes that's the root of erratic behavior on computers.order abortion pill http://unclejohnsprojects.com/template/default.aspx?morning-after-pill-price where to buy abortion pillwhere to buy abortion pill http://blog.bitimpulse.com/template/default.aspx?abortion-types buy abortion pill online
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pullfocus.exe
User
Posts: 161 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Wednesday, March, 30, 2011 1:43 AM
Or get with the programs and go Mac?
I've been dual PC/Mac since 12, Mac only since 19. There is a world of difference in quality. Today I have 4 macs, and i wouldnt trade any of them away. Okay id trade one for a Castor core fig, really. For your usage i'd guess a MBP 13 to start with, small and light enough for class, but still enough beef to video edit or audio record. Or if you want to do it on trial basis, get yourself a nice used Macbook white. I recently got one for a friend locally for $400
Unless of course you like to mod, hack, and game on said computer. Mac's are bad for physical customization. Everyone will tell you that Apple warranty is outstanding. I've had almost every machine i own go into service, and all come out within days for free. Even had two machines replaced with newer (3 generations newer) models. Apple genius's are uppity sometimes but are generally sympathetic and generous when youre honest.
Just some food for thought.
nomnomnom
Open doors, like open minds
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Boba Fettuccini
User
Posts: 779 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Wednesday, March, 30, 2011 11:03 AM
In real life, I have a policy that I slap people who tell me to get a Mac. *whack* There is no sense in spending 2-3x more for a new laptop with the same specs that won't run any of the software I already own. I dislike Apple and everything it stands for. I never have, and never will own an Apple product.
This is not open to discussion.
 
I took it in Monday and demanded the monetary replacement. They say they can't do that until repair attempts have been unsatisfactory twice, so we're doing the repair thing again. However, this time, they're giving me free data retrieval (normally $70) so that I can have my recording sessions back, and they handled all the phone calls, which they made me do myself last time. Service-wise, I am appeased. Not happy with the company policies though.
-==[ www.boba-fettuccini.com ]==-
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overRIDE
User
Posts: 159 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Wednesday, March, 30, 2011 11:12 AM
Yeah, Staples has some really irritating corporate policies.
Before you buy a laptop, post here what you're thinking of getting. I'll tell you everything that a Staples Employee is going to try and sell you along with the benefits and cons of each thing.
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pullfocus.exe
User
Posts: 161 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Wednesday, March, 30, 2011 11:49 AM
Boba Fettuccini Wrote:In real life, I have a policy that I slap people who tell me to get a Mac. *whack* There is no sense in spending 2-3x more for a new laptop with the same specs that won't run any of the software I already own. I dislike Apple and everything it stands for. I never have, and never will own an Apple product.
This is not open to discussion.
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Thats a pretty defensive policy there friend. "only a sith thinks in absolutes"
Point taken, however i encourage you to broaden your horizon, perhaps entertain the idea of a different brand instead of being on the "No no no" warpath. Since 2006 Macs have been running Intel chipsets, they run windows and 99.9% of windows applications just fine. Yes, a mac costs 1.5-3x more than its PC equivalent in specs only.
Youre paying for a much more refined and reliable computing experience. You're paying for the quality of a machine that is not supposed to go thru the trials of a computer that was slapped together from 20 different companies. If Apple has done one thing right its streamlining the marketing and manufacturing of their products.
No offense, but price point is a moot point when your #1 priority is for your machine to function properly, beautifully, and reliably. I for one am lost without my machines, they are my life link and an extremely important tool in my career. I cannot afford for it to fail on me for these reasons, and spending the extra dough to save myself lost jobs, frustration, and trips to a retail chain with horrible customer service is well worth it.
If you are dead-set and determined to spend the bare minimum on something so integral to your life, dont get upset when it phails hardcore.
I cant really say to a client "sorry, i lost all your footage cause... best buy couldnt recover the data".
Hobby or career, young or old. if you care about the quality of your product, you should care about the quality of your tools. I hope you're able to recover all those band sessions, art is irreplaceable and invaluable baby.
What about Apple don't you like? Besides the pricetags?
As a former Gateway, HP, and Apple emp. I'm more than happy to hear your gripe with computer companies.
Open doors, like open minds
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TRON.dll
User
Posts: 4,349 | RE: Computer frustrations.
on Wednesday, March, 30, 2011 12:48 PM
| Boba Fettuccini Wrote:Now, the laptop won't boot. All the lights go up, the fans whirr away, you can hear the harddrive doing its thing, but the screen never shows anything. About 5 minutes later, it powers itself off. So, geeks, is my band session toast? |
When you say the fans are whirring away, is that what they did before? If not, then it could be that the motherboard is toast. Same thing happened to my desktop last year. Power surge fried the motherboard and I had to build a new computer. Fortunately, nothing else was damaged, so I was able to use most of my old components on the computer I built afterwards.abortion pills online abortion pill online purchase cytotec abortion
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