Dell computer problems

[Donnask8pro]

Is anyone having problems with their Dell computers? My MIL bought her and within 4 months the hard drive went. I am looking for The Presidents address or Regional company address to write them directly. Thanks if you have any info to help.

 

[ZebraStripes]

Don't have the address, but I can sympathize. Our Dell hard drive crashed after about 3 or 4 months. We took it to Best Buy to try to recover data from it an they didn't have a computer it was compatable with. Big lesson learned about backing up checkbook file.

 

[bicker]

Dell is one of the largest distributors of personal computers in the country. Of all the distributors, they probably have the largest number of dissatisfied customers and the largest number of satisfied customers. Overall, their quality is pretty high as compared to comparably-priced computers, as is their customer service. I'd try their regular channels for customer service first -- you may get satisfaction sooner than trying to rattle cages from the outset.

However, if you want to contact the CEO, here's the address:

Kevin Rollins, CEO
Dell Inc.
One Dell Way
Round Rock, Texas 78682
United States

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have/had quite a few Dells, curently and over the years. I did have one drive crash (data was backed up, no biggie). That said, hard drives crash, given enough time, they (the 'experts) say all will crash eventually. Some could in 4 days, 4 months, 4 years, some maybe not within the uselful life you use it. But overall, Dell, like really any of the big PC companies, do quite well with the volume of production they put out. And, again, that said, when OUR drive crashes, the failure rate to us is 100%.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

My 3 year old HP desktop crashed on me and I bought a Dell desktop. 3 years later the same thing happened. Thankfully I have another computer.

I bet if you look at the brand of hard drives and parts within the comptuer they are all made by the same company. Dell does not make the hard drives, they buy them from another company.

 

[Donnask8pro]

Thanks everyone. They are not replacing for free, they want to charge her 100. to fix it. I dont know about you but I think thats wrong. Thanlks for all the info. Oh and she bought it online.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

No, Dell does not make the parts, they just assemble them. I just bought a new 120 GB Seagate HD to replace the one that died in my old Dell (previous HD lasted 3 years). Guess what? The old one is a Seagate as well!

 

[bicker]

And Seagate is one of the best.

This is a good reason to get a one year warranty on computers. Lots of components have an infant mortality period of three or four months. After that, things do get stable. However, it happens so infrequently, and the warranty is so expensive, that you're probably better off paying $100 for such a repair, as infrequently as it occurs, than paying Dell more money up-front to cover the possibility of a failure.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

No, Dell does not make the parts, they just assemble them. I just bought a new 120 GB Seagate HD to replace the one that died in my old Dell (previous HD lasted 3 years). Guess what? The old one is a Seagate as well!

First, I must say I love your "new additions" are they labs or lab mixes?

Second, excuse my ignorance but what is a Seagate is it a computer company? I have never heard of them.

 

[Galahad]

Dell is one of the largest distributors of personal computers in the country. Of all the distributors, they probably have the largest number of dissatisfied customers and the largest number of satisfied customers. Overall, their quality is pretty high as compared to comparably-priced computers, as is their customer service.

We are some of those satisfied customers. We have several Dell notebooks. We bought them through the university at which DW teaches and got the on site service agreement. Best thing since sliced bread. DS's has had a couple of problems but they send someone to meet me at my office the same day I call and fix it right away.

Dan is right, all drives will crash eventually. It really isn't a "Dell" problem.

 

[Galahad]

Second, excuse my ignorance but what is a Seagate is it a computer company? I have never heard of them.

They make hard drives.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

They make hard drives.

Thanks of course being the non tech person that I am I had no idea that there were different brands of hard drives! I feel like I am living in the Stone Age and the rest of the world is in the 21st century.

 

[bicker]

Oh yes... I think that's critical to understand: I don't think Dell makes any of the components in their computers -- I don't think any of the major distributors do any longer. These companies assemble components made by other companies into working computers. So a probably with a component is generally a reflection of the quality of the component manufacturer. A problem with how the system is "wired up" and "screwed together" (speaking euphamistically here) is generally a reflection of the distributor. That's why it is so critical to check out the specs for whatever computer you're buying. The distributor sometimes even gives you a choice among various component manufacturers, so you can choose what level of quality you want.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Computers are like cars. 90% of the people could love theirs and you could buy the one (or 10%) that is a lemon.

 

[Donnask8pro]

Thats why there is a lemon law. Shouldnt they stand behind their products even if they only assemble it? They market it as theirs.

 

[mtblujeans]

What type of warranty did she get? I thought they offered the first year covered by warranty!?

 

[wdwgirl03]

I've had my Dell laptop for almost 3 years now, and I have yet to encounter a problem.

 

[What the Heck]

Dell is one of the largest distributors of personal computers in the country. Of all the distributors, they probably have the largest number of dissatisfied customers and the largest number of satisfied customers. Overall, their quality is pretty high as compared to comparably-priced computers, as is their customer service. I'd try their regular channels for customer service first -- you may get satisfaction sooner than trying to rattle cages from the outset.

However, if you want to contact the CEO, here's the address:

Kevin Rollins, CEO
Dell Inc.
One Dell Way
Round Rock, Texas 78682
United States

Thank you very much for the address. Our story is not a pretty one.

My dad got a laptop and purchased one for my son as a hs graduation gift at the same time in late July. Both of them, within a month of being used, went down. Each took more than 1 hour to repair with Dell's support, on 2 seperate occasions for my dad's and 3 seperate occasions for my sons. On the 4th time for my son they decided to take it back and repair it.

During this time my dad had triple bypass surgery. My dad was the primary on the account, and for some reason had thrown away all of the information with the account number on it. Since I wasn't on the account, Dell would not give me the account number to make a payment. However, after my dad came home from surgery (the day after), they did call him and tell him they were going to report him to the credit agencies and send the account to collections. I got home and tried (again) to get the account number, they wouldn't give it to me and my dad was asleep. I requested that they not call him, gave the reason and threaten him with this and to note our account that I had tried to make a payment (they don't accept credit cards). 2 days letter, same thing, they are threatening my dad again. This time I was able to come home before my dad went to sleep so I was able to arrange it for Dell to give my dad the account number and put me on the account. I hit the roof when they apologized for the inconvenience. I pointed out that an inconvience is when you run out of milk and have to go to the store - putting someones life in danger intenionally is more than an inconvience.

Back to my son's computer. Dell finally "fixed" it and sent it back. To Florida where we are (my son goes to school in Illinois) - even though the ticket said it was supposed to be returned to Illinois. I talked to 4 different divisions trying to find the first one. Last Thursday I'm promised it would be picked up on Friday by UPS. Monday morning I'm promised that it would be picked up later on Monday. Tuesday I'm promised it will be picked up on Thursday. Thursday I"m promised that it will be picked up on Friday - I declined that. They offered to pay whatever I spent mailing it - why do I have a problem believing that?

I will never again buy a Dell.

 

[Donnask8pro]

I'll have to ask her. I assume she did not have one if within 4 months they would not fix it without payment. I have to say I do not own a Dell and may never.

 

[OhMari]

I just bought a Dell and so did the other Bookkeeper in our office. Our's has 1 year parts and labor and we purchased the 5 yr parts and labor for $65. Small price to pay for piece of mine.

I had to put a diskette drive in mine and I noticed I was having trouble putting the diskette in the drive, it goes in now, but I don't understand why I am having a hard time getting it to go in. It pops out ok, just not in.