Hi Dannbingham56,

Welcome to the Community,

I would like to see if i can help you here.Since the system has been freezing up even after reinstalling the windows using the back up image,instead of  trying to reinstall the windows again,I would suggest, you can start by running the hardware diagnostics.Tap F12 at start up (Dell logo),select diagnostics and press Enter.

If the system freezing while running the diagnostics or if you see any error code/message post it back here.

To request for the back up disk use the link below: (For US customers only).

support.dell.com/.../backupcd_form

Hope this helps,

Thank You

Roshan.

Okay, so i went looking for the error code myself. And guess what I found it. The hard drive is toast on my computer. FOR REAL? Isnt it funny how when things are a piece of crap from the start basically they always eat it right after the warranty ends. So now I get to buy a new laptop. What is really frustrating is the one I had was only a little over a year old. It was definately not the most expensive laptop there is, but an $800 it should have lasted more than a year. The really sad thing, I was looking into Alienware laptops...guess when they are in with Dell! Not even gonna go there. They are on average around $2000. for a nice model. Can you imagine the problems associated with that? After the experience I've had with this laptop and Dell technical support I'm gonna have to pass on the Alienware also. :( I really wanted one of those.

Hi Roshan,

Here is the error code that came up during the diagnostic.

Error Code 0142.

Msg: Error Code 2000-0142.

Msg: Hard Drive 0 - self test unsuccessful. Status : 79.

What does this mean? Thanks for the suggestion and help.

Dannbingham

You don't need a new system - you need a new hard drive.  Since Dell uses the same drives as everyone else, no matter whose system you buy next, the odds of a hard drive failure will be identical.

For that matter, since the company that built this system for Dell supplies many of the other names (including HP, Sony, Lenovo, Toshiba and Acer) you may well find your next system has a different nameplate on the outside - but just as surely a Chevrolet uses many of the same parts as a Buick - is identical inside.

Don't believe it?  Wistron built your system for Dell:

http://www.apecdoc.org/site/chinesetaipei/2011/11/02/wistron-to-supply-8-m-nb-pcs-to-hp-in-2012/

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/403210-lenovo-outsources-more-thinkpad-order-wistron.html

Ok, well while you think you are being helpful your not. Its not everyone else whose equipment I purchased and its not everyone elses tech support that has been completely unhelpful. It is Dells! Yes according to testing I need a new hard drive, but that probably isnt going to solve the issue of the fan overheating either, therefore I am going to have to replace the hard drive again most likely in the future or another component such as the mother board. therefore just because as you put it they all use the same internal components doesnt make it a dell thing. Well im here to tell you it is a dell thing. Dell is the name on the laptop, Dell is the company who sold the laptop, Dell is the company giving completely inferior customer service. in my opinion that makes it a Dell problem.

You're entitled to your opinion of course - the truth however, is that your current system is no different than any other you'll buy.  The name on the outside is Dell - yes.  But your next one may have "Sony" on the outside - and be identical inside.

Hi Dannbingham56,

Since the diagnostics is conforming that the HDD has gone bad so it would need to be replaced. If you wish to get your system repaired ( HDD replaced and also get system heating issue fixed) you can call Dell Out of Warranty Repairs Dept at 1-800-288-4410.

Thank You

Roshan.

bwuahahhaaha gotta love that out of warranty repair. 350 bucks to replace a 60 dollar screen when it wasnt even the screen. yea, not happening. sorry, dell but my next laptop wont be a dell. i have already replaced several parts myself after having to google, youtube, and geekstogo my way through all of this. just in the next few days i am replacing parts and pieces, and in the next couple of weeks i will be replacing the motherboard. i feel it may be useless as i have severe overheating, and i think my efforts may be in vain. still i will be spending less than it would cost for me to buy a new one, and certainly less than that one screen from the out of warranty service department of support and customer service. i cannot afford to replace my laptop entirely, an i am pretty 

that i paid the 800 bucks for it, and the whole dang thing is falling apart. it isnt just me, either! ive seen idk how many people with the exact same problems as i am having. knock on wood, i still am beep free so far. although, kudos to dell for replacing my hard drive when it was around 10 months old for only 35 bucks and a tech who lost some screws, talked about tv shows while he did the work, and left me, who at the time was a total techtard, high and dry before his job was even really finished.