Instead of complaining, why not just have the system serviced under warranty?  It seems like you're looking for a problem - not trying to solve one.

Because first of of all, a lame, inadequate video card is not covered under warranty. And seriously, nearly a thousand dollars and the video card isn't able to handle and play videos?

Second, replacing the HDD -- indeed, opening the shell at all -- voided the warranty. And why should such a basic part fail within 6 months of purchase?

A HDD failure within four months, a video card so inadequate it can't play videos, AND an audio card that can't handle simple MP3s? And I'm just looking for trouble? Customers should understand that things like this are normal? Not in my world.

The Dell Inspiron 24-3455 is  Video Card is Integrated Graphics with AMD APU.  The audio codec is also integrated not a "card" as you have no expansion slots.

Because this is an All in one Like an Imac this unit would not be able to be upgraded as far as the GPU is concerned.

Integrated GPU on your cpu will always be 800 to 1500 percent slower than a good GPU like a GTX 950 or better.

Base unit is $499 and the top unit is $799.

AMD A6-7110 APU with Radeon™ R2 Graphics, 1.8Ghz  4 Core

AMD A6-7310 APU with Radeon™ R4 Graphics, 2.0Ghz, 4 Core

AMD A8-7410 APU with Radeon™ R5 Graphics, 2.2Ghz,  4 Core

Windows 10 Home 64-bit

8 Gigs ram with 2 gigs used by onboard Graphics.

Does not appear to have 802.11 AC 5Ghz wireless so pixelating is due to the bandwidth of your ISP.

DSL would be an issue

Direct wired via FIOS would not have any issues.

Changing the hard drive would void the warranty.

Malware would also cause slowdowns and this is not covered under the warranty.

Thanks, but could please speak English? I'm not a techie or I likely would have known what to look for in the first place. I shouldn't need a degree in IT to buy a decent home PC.

Pixelating is not due to bandwidth. Download speed consistently rates at 16 - 18 mbps, and most tellingly It happens offline with all the videos saved in my library. Ditto music.

Just an FYI, opening the computer and replacing the HDD does not void the warranty unless you damaged something in the process.  You are more then welcome to contact technical support  if its a hardware issue.  If it is software you will either have to pay or find other solutions.

Always include the version of Windows in your posts.

Reboot and immediately press F12. Look for Utilities or Diagnostics option and run all the tests, including RAM and extended hard drive. Copy down any error messages and post here.

Have you scanned thoroughly for malware?

Go to the Support page for this model and click the Detect Drivers button. Follow the prompts (You may have to let it install Dell's System Detect.) and let it search for updated hardware drivers.  Install any new drivers and then reboot. See if that helps.

What version of BIOS is on this system? Latest is v04.02.00.

Opening an All in one system is not like opening the side cover of a desktop. Replacing the hard drive does not void the system warranty, unless you break some other component while installing the hard drive. The replacement hard drive has its own warranty. The Preboot Diagnostics would need an error code and validation code. Any Drive that was not obtained from dell warranty service would not be covered.

The computer you purchased with integrated graphics will be slow and will not ever be upgradeable.   You would have been better off with an Inspiron 3847 or XPS 8900  especially if you spent $1000

http://www.microcenter.com/product/455372/Inspiron_3000_Desktop_Computer

http://www.microcenter.com/product/458778/XPS_8900_Desktop_Computer

I've started the process of implementing all of your diagnostic suggestions. Thus far a full malware and virus scan came up clean.

FYI, here's some basic info about the computer -- Windows 7 Serv Pack 1

Processor: AMD A8-7410 APU

AMD Radeon RS Graphics 2.2 GHz

RAM: 8 GB

64 Bit O/S

It might as well be ancient runes for all the sense it makes to me. I don't know where to find the BIOS version, but I'll figure it out.

As I noted previously, I'm well aware replacing the HDD voided the warranty, something that occurred to me only after the fact. There's no question the HDD failed. It wouldn't even boot up to Windows, nor would it run diagnostics. I tried doing a complete system restore to default settings -- wouldn't do it. Prior to it becoming totally non-functional, even something as simple as typing a sentence in Word took over a minute to complete.

I'm quite dismayed that "The computer you purchased with integrated graphics will be slow and will not ever be upgradeable." As I've said before, I am not tech savvy. I had no idea some machines are inherently slow and not upgradeable. It's certainly not what the Dell advertising suggested. A couple examples, emphasis mine:

"Immerse yourself: Take your movies and games to a whole new level with the latest AMD APU up to A8 Quad-Core processor. It’s engineered for uncompromising graphics and powerful performance that make your favorite media even more enjoyable.

"Available with an up to 1 TB hard drive and optional optical disk drive, the Inspiron 24 gives you plenty of space to store the whole family’s movies, memories, school projects and more while still providing a consistently smooth, lag-free performance."

For an ordinary consumer without detailed knowledge of the inner workings of a computer, searching for a decent home PC, the above makes it sound like a pretty darned good deal

Hello!  You are still under warranty as long as you did not damage anything when you replaced the HDD.  If you look here, you will find the service manual that shows you how to remove and replace almost everything. While your issue does sound like a software problem of some sort, I would contact Technical Support while you are still under warranty and have them check the hardware.  The AMD APU chipset you have installed should be more then enough for 1080 videos and light gaming.

A drive from dell would have the OS installed on it.

Dell-branded hardware products come with either a 90-day limited warranty, a one-year limited warranty, a two-year limited warranty, a three-year limited warranty, or a four-year limited warranty.

This limited warranty does not cover any items that are in one or more of the following categories: software; external devices (except as specifically noted); accessories or parts added to a Dell system after the system is shipped from Dell; accessories or parts added to a Dell system through Dell's system integration department; accessories or parts that are not installed in the Dell factory; or products purchased through the Software & Peripheral department. Monitors, keyboards, and mice that are Dell branded or that are included on Dell's standard price list are covered under this limited warranty; all other monitors, keyboards, and mice (including those products purchased through the Software & Peripherals department) are not covered.

A new drive would be slow and would not have video and network drivers by default as they are not native to windows.

You did not get an RMA(Return Material Authorization Number) for the "BAD" drive and therefore the warranty is not in effect. To return products, you must call Dell Customer Service and get an RMA.

As of now, it will not play any video or music file, and sites with even modest graphics will not run.

If you replaced the hard drive and did not install the chipset and graphics drives, that would explain the poor performance.

If this is the case, I suggest downloading the missing drivers from Dell's site. (You can look up the model's support page with the service code.)

And why should such a basic part fail within 6 months of purchase?

It happens.

I think I've found a solution to my problem.

I tried running the diagnostics suggested by RoHe and they came back clean. When I went to restart the machine, it once again refused to boot up. I got a blue screen. At that point, I had to decide whether or not I wanted to continue pouring money into the Inspiron. I finally knew how to solve the problem.

I removed the new HDD from the Inspiron, then dug out my old Toshiba laptop and replaced its HDD with the one pulled from the Inspiron. I took the Inspiron out to my garage, and using a sledgehammer, I smashed it into pieces, which I then took to my local waste facility for recycling. I powered up the Toshiba, et voila! It ran flawlessly. It plays videos and music files without any pixelating, staggering, skipping, or freezing up.

I've bought my last Dell product. I care about Dell as much as it cares about me, so a parting of ways is the best solution for all involved.

I do want to offer my sincere thanks for everyone who took time from their day to attempt to help me fix the problem. The suggestions and guidance were appreciated, even though the efforts were all in vain.

There's no way you could put the HDD from the Inspiron into an old Toshiba laptop and get it to boot without reinstalling Windows, so something doesn't sound right.  

Just saying...

It's a generic laptop HDD I got to replace the one that failed in the Inspiron. I wouldn't open a computer's shell for all of Donald Trump's money, so my son did it. Whatever he did, the Toshiba works, and it works very well.