UNSOLVED
Closed
5150 won't start ... among other things
HI
Well, I still have problems with this computer.
Earlier this year...
Tech support said "there's no problem with the blinking yellow light" - "there's no problem with your battery not reading the ac adaptor and randomly not charging from it" and after arguing with him I gave up.
In three months roughly half the battery life of a new battery had been bled dry and now the computer will not even start.
It does not get beyond the dell page with the loading bar, sometimes it just stops and other times it just repeats the process over and over, on, no boot, stuck restart.
I called tech support AGAIN and to my horror - actually got the same tech guy (what are the odds?)
He said WinXP OS had to be reinstalled and that everything on my computer would be lost - software files, etc.
I told him I would need to think about it and having the files recovered and he suggested that I call him back when I decide.
Well, I called him back TWICE at his extension and he has not called back since my first call last thursday.
I am beyond frustrated at this point - and after 7 years of Dell computer I will never purchase another.
Anyone have an idea what is wrong with it?
Is it a paperweight?
I've complained about the battery, the ac adaptor - the overheating with occasion shut down - this laptop gets so hot you can't even touch the keys.
What do I have to do to be heard and understood by DELL about this computer?
I did try and start it this evening and it started - I was going to FTP all my files off but of course now half the keys on the keyboard do not work. So I restarted it and it's back to freezing during the dell screen and the loading bar.
I can't win.
Anyone have any advice before I junk it?
RayDiffraction
35 Posts
410
0
Posted August 30th, 2006 19:00
While not necessarily the best option, SAFE MODE may be an option because Velvett did indeed get the computer to boot into Windows. (This is if I understood him correctly.) Note that Velvett did write the following:
"I did try and start it this evening and it started - I was going to FTP all my files off but of course now half the keys on the keyboard do not work. So I restarted it and it's back to freezing during the dell screen and the loading bar."
My post was to give file saving options from the least amount of work and expense involved, and then escalate it. What is learned in the escalation helps in troubleshooting.
I do agree that the external enclosure is probably the best option.- Thanks for the responses. :smileywink:None of the F (2,8,12) functions work - well if may if I get lucky on the off chance it starts up which is not probable on command maybe.Sigh.Does anyone know what IS wrong with this computer? (Ideas?)Is it the OS?Motherboard?Any ideas?Think it's fixable? (beyong the hard drive data recovery)I ask because I have the complete care coverage and next business day service (never do that again either) so I wonder if I should just call tech support again or call warranty and ask that someone be sent to me or just take it to a computer person locally to look at?
RayDiffraction
35 Posts
410
0
Posted August 30th, 2006 23:00
This is a reposting of my original reply. It was the first reply to your question. Apparently it was removed because I used a word that described the intelligence of the tech support person to whom you had spoken. I guess I should have described his competence in terms of his troubleshooting and recommended solutions. He would have had you reinstall your OS and software BEFORE SAVING YOUR IMPORTANT FILES. This is terrible and possibly very costly advice.
* * * * *
The following is the original post with the offending (but not vulgar) word deleted:
* * * * *
That tech support person [ gave you terrible advice]. There are a lot of options to save files before a complete system software reinstallation. Here are a few:
Try booting into SAFE MODE so your computer may be stable enough to complete your backing up of all important files.
Try booting to a Knoppix CD and then transfer files off the HD.
Remove the HD and place it in a 2.5" external HD enclosure (about $10 online). Use a working computer to access it via USB.- Interesting tidbit.I have an apt on Friday for a tech to come out and "reload" the OS.1 - He was not told by Dell/Banctec what he was going to be doing to my machine, he asked me if I "got the parts" and I was like what parts? Then he said well, what am I doing to your machine? When I told him the entire story above he said he thought it was strange that tech support had not done any trouble shooting with me on the machine. I told him, don't even get me started on Dell's tech support.2 - Being that he was not told anything about why he was being dispatched to me I figured I had nothing to lose so I brought my computer to a computer repair shop and asked them to copy my hard drive onto a portable and try and diagnoise the problem.GUESS WHAT.It's not the OS, it's not the hard drive it's the MOTHERBOARDBig *sarcasm* surprise.I can't wait for the tech to try and reload the OS and it not "solve" the problem.
RayDiffraction
35 Posts
410
0
Posted September 16th, 2006 03:00
Thanks, velvett, for keeping us informed on what happened. I'm glad to hear that at least that last tech visit was quick and painless. Heh, heh, go figure!
You're not going to believe this, but my Ispiron 5150 just gave up the ghost. It won't even POST amymore. Time to start the process.
Good luck!
B_Coppins
565 Posts
410
0
Posted August 30th, 2006 18:00
These options will most likely not work, he said that it locks up at the POST screen which means he cant even get to the options to go into SAFE MODE.
As for the Knoppix CD, I'm highly doubtful that's going to work either for the same reason that it wont get past the POST screen.
This is if I understood him correctly.
However the 2.5" Enclosure is an excellent idea, and probably the best.