I don't have an 8200, I have a 4100, with an M991 monitor. My monitor works great. I know how you feel about being apprehensive after reading these forums, but remember most people come here for help with a particular problem. Thats why the forums are here.
I did the same thing you did and was so afraid I made a mistake. I didn't.. I love my Dell. I am a consultant and have helped ordered a Dell for one of my clients and he is very happy with his dell. So don't be swayed by what you read.
If you go to a forum for any other computer company you will read the same thing.
They don't make a I Love My Dell forum.

Remember that Dell Talk is some place that people come to when they are having problems. They don't come here and report that they are having no problems. So, you will get a distorted view if you think that this forum is representative of Dell Systems. For example, I have an 8100 at home and deal with about 10 other 8100s where I work. None of them have had any of the problems concerning 8100s that you read about here on Dell Talk. Yet, I don't come here every day to report that all 11 of the 8100s I deal with every day are working perfectly.

Remember also that Windows XP is a new operating system. Micorosoft has so far never released a perfect operating system, and the during the first few months of release of any new operating system, many new problems are discovered - this results in service packs being released at some later time to correct the problems.

Unfortunately (or may fortunately for them) Gateway and Compaq don't have message boards like this, so you can't go there and report problems for everyone in the world to read. That's maybe why one would have the impression that these vendors don't have problems with their systems. But, let me tell you that Compaq and Gateway owneres have as many, if not more problems with their computers as Dell owners have. But, only Dell has a forum like this where you can come to report problems and have hundreds of other users with similar experience, or just more experience, available to help get you through the problems.

Thanks for listening (or reading as the case may be).

Steve

Have had my 8200 for just over a month now, and the only problems I've had is the noisy Datech fan which I replaced with a nice, quiet NMG model, compliments of Dell, and the clock/'Net Sync time trouble.

I have tried many things to get WIN-XP to break so far, but haven't yet been able to catch it with its pantyhose down. I've loaded various hardware (DSL WAN/LAN router, scanner, printer, digital cam, web cam, external storage media, PDA thru serial port, etc.), software (over 15 work & home type apps that I use), and also networked my new Dell in with two other machines all sharing a DSL WAN. I've opened over 32 simultaneous windows of different programs while downloading three separate files from the 'Net at the same time. I couldn't get it to choke.

Just lucky? Maybe......but this is the fastest, most reliable (so far...) machine I have owned since I bought my Atari and TI-99 back when Bill Gates was dancing at his HS prom.

Now that I've chirped all that out.....I'm hoping that "The Big One" isn't lurking just around the corner.

I don't think you will be disappointed with your decision.


GMan

Dimension 8200/P4/2.0GHz (w/ new *silent* NMG fan!)
512MB RAM
60GB Maxtor 5T060H6
LG CD-ROM CRD-8482B
Samsung CDRW/DVD SM-308B
Iomega ZIP 250 (Inboard)
NVIDIA 64MB DDR GeForce3 Ti 200
HP ScanJet 5300C Flatbed Scanner (USB)
HP DeskJet 952C Color Printer
Conexent HSF V92 56K RTAD Speakerphone PCI Modem
Dell M991 19" Trinitron Monitor
Voyetra Turtle Beach Santa Cruz Sound Card
Harman/Kardon HK-395 Speakers
CNet PRO200WL PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
DSL WAN @ 1.5M/384K
Westell Wirespeed DSL Modem
Linksys EtherFast DSL Router (BEFSR41 V.2)
Windows XP - Home
ZoneAlarm 2.6.357
FilterGate 4.06

I surely agree with the above posts!!
I had never owned or even set down at a computer when I bought my first and only(Dell).
You may see a lot of complaints and problems discussed on the various forums here,but as mentioned above, about all you see here is the bad side. The people who are perfectly satisfied and/or who have not found this forum are seldom heard from.
Rest assured that you are getting what is probably the best value in a computer that is available today.

I agree with everything said in previous messages. I have had my 8200 2.0 mhz computer since 11/05. Had the fan replaced and several minor issues with XP. Dell has dealt with everything really well. I am completely happy with Dell. I have owned other makes of computers and I have to say Dell has been the best for me [Micron, IBM, Packard Bell]. This customer forum is outstanding for sharing info and knowledge. It has helped several times since my purchase reading the postings. My unit was scheduled to be shipped 12 November but it arrived 5 November, so you might get it ahead of schedule like I did.


Stan



Message Edited on 11/29/01 07:04PM by spz646

My first computer was a used Vic 20 (with real cassette tape drive), then I got an IBM Clone XT 86 with a monacrome monitor, I cant remember the brand of the 286 or the 386. My first 16 bit, VGA color card with 256k of memory brought a tear to my eye (would life get any better) I built a 486 from 2 PackardBell junkers and then an old Pentium Acer that I sup'd up with a over driven chip and a (ahem) borrow diamond 4 meg video card. All these computers eventually died or became obsolete. All of them I had scavenged parts and fixed varoius problems with them over time. All of them had software problems and hardware problems over time. Most of the time, I screwed them up, read alot of help files, phoned who ever would listen to me and eventually fixed the problems. Because of this, at my office, I always got whatever computer wasn't working stuck at my station. I think I have had every brand of computer ever made.

When I finally deceided to actually buy my first new computer, (ya, I was sick of fixing up old junkers) I looked around and asked the people who use machines for seroius crunching. People and companies who rely on their computers to make a living rather than for entertainment or to type a letter or two. I saw alot of Dell computers. Strangely enough, I had never even used a Dell or one had never hit my desk.

This is why I now own a Dell. You will not regret it

Dell customer service is still better than anybody else's, from what I see. It could be better.

And the hardware is the best, too. I have had my XPS-T600 since September 1999. I have had problems, but all of them were caused by software, viruses or user error. The hardware has been rock-solid. Absolutely no complaints.

It is a tribute to Dell that they allow people to post here how awful they think Dell is. Nobody else I've seen has a forum with so much participation, openness and expertise.





Message Edited on 12/02/01 02:57AM by nilo

Relax - you bought a great system. I had my previous Dell for 5 years (a Dimension XPS Pro 200) and never had any problems with it. I bought a new Dimension 8200 over a month ago, and had a fan noise problem. A technician came out several times to switch fans, but the noise level was only slightly reduced. Dell then agreed to send me a new tower and I received it yesterday. I have to admit, I was sceptical that the noise problem would be resolved, but it was. The "good" NMB fan was already installed. It is quieter than my 5 year old system and I just love it!
The point is, something was wrong with the system, but Dell came through and I am totally satisfied now. You have 30 days to decide whether you want to keep the system or get your money back. Oh, and both times, my system shipped within days (4-5 days between ordering and actual delivery). Both times I was told that it would take at least 2 weeks. You can actually check online what the status of your order is and whether it shipped or not (including a tracking number).

I got my Dimension 4300 about a month ago. I'm quite happy with this new computer, except for its M991 monitor.

I'm very, VERY disappointed with this monitor. It has very annoying humming noise, some kind of electric noise comming from the rear of it. The noise stays as long as the monitor is on and so it is terribly irritating. Especially when I have to work late at night. It is almost unbearable... And this monitor itself is of embarrasingly low quality. I hoped I just was unlucky enough to buy a "lemon" and so I called Dell's tech-support and I did receive a replacement (same M991 model)... Unfortunately, this one is also nothing better. It still makes that same annoying noise!

I don't know what to think... I don't know what to do...

VALDAS

kompiuter2001@yahoo.com


Dimension 4300
Pentium 4 at 1.6 GHz
256MB SDRAM
19" M991 Monitor
40GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive
32MB NVIDIA GeForce2 MX 4X AGP Graphics Card with TV-Out
SB Live! Digital Sound Card
16x/10x/40x CD-RW Drive
56K PCI Data Fax Modem for Windows
Harman Kardon Speakers

Bought 10/14/2001 for $1,018

I also ordered the 8200 and i recieved it yesterday. Like you i was skeptical bout the fan, but apparently Dell finally started putting the good fans in the latest ones built cause mine came with the new fans and have no problems with it whatsoever, so I dont think you made a mistake. hehe you should have new fan installed on yours already when u get it, and believe me, it is worth the wait tho you prob will get it sooner than 10 dec :) mine was est at 10 Dec too but i got it already and i ordered mine thanksgiving night :)
Enjoy :)