Inspiron 15r multiple problems

Question

I got a Inspiron 15r laptop in 2014 and I have had nothing but problems with it from the start. I've just dealt with them up till now, because it was still functional, just mostly annoying. But now I can't get on the internet anymore and I'm pretty upset. I'm hoping I can get help with without having to take it to someone that can fix them.  Problem 1, right out of the box: Startup was ridiculously slow most times. Some times it turned right on with no explanation as to why. If I let it go to sleep, I wouldn't be able to wake it back up without turning it off by holding the power button. After these times it would take sometimes hours to start back up again. Problem 2 right out of the box: I tried to update Windows 8 to I think it was 8.1 but it would always say I needed to be an administrator, well I was the only user and as far as I could tell, I was the admin. Weird. This also kept me from getting any new apps. Problem 3. Awhile after upgrading to Windows 10 (it was the free upgrade when it first came out. I don't remember how that was able to upgrade, I didn't have the same problem as trying to upgrade from 8 to 8.1), all of a sudden one day the startup was weird. It wouldn't go to the normal screen to have me enter my password, it was just a small black screen. Still like that now, that was over 3 months ago.  And the desktop is smaller than normal, there's about an inch of black on each side. And most of the time I can't use and buttons at the bottom, sometimes I can open chrome or click on the ones over to the right, but they do nothing when clicked, but the start button never works/opens. So that means I can't shut it down properly which is probably making all these problems worse. 4: Also at the time 3 started, I got a blue screen after one of my multiple push and hold the power button restarts saying the problem was a driver power state failure. I tried to download something once form dell.com, but it wouldn't let me. 5:Also at this time I was unable to print. I used to be able to just fine. 6: and the reason I'm finally asking for help, Somehow I got put into Airplane mode, so now I can't connect to wifi. And when I click on airplane mode to turn it off, nothing happens. And when I click on got to network settings, it freezes and never gets there. With all these other problems, I was still able to use the internet, but now the computer is basically useless.  I doubt theres any way of fixing most of these things, but does anyone know a way to just reset the entire thing back to factory settings? I'm not too computer savvy, but I can figure things out if I'm pointed in the right direction. Thanks!

LSUFAN51 · Answer

:emotion-2:

Yes, indeed you have lot's of problems. The first thing should do is list your Dell model; Example Dell Inspiron 3543 laptop. Secondly, use the Diagnostic tool on your laptop to scan for any hardware problems, run the extended tests as well. Please follow steps below and watch video:

1.Turn off computer

2. Power on computer, quickly tap the F12 key continuously. You should see the Diagnostic screen. Please report any error code

3. Watch video below .....

Running Dell F12 Preboot Diagnostics:

www.youtube.com/watch;

mlk105 · Answer

Thanks for the response :)

The model is 5537 (I think that's the model, I looked back to the email when I ordered it and it says the item is Inspiron 15R (5537) BTX Base.) And I've run the diagnostics tests and it says all tests passed.

LSUFAN51 · Answer

' Somehow I got put into Airplane mode, so now I can't connect to wifi. And when I click on airplane mode to turn it off, nothing happens ' :emotion-2: To connect wifi and turn off Airplane mode, press the Fn key plus the F2 key.....

mlk105 · Answer

Oh my god! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

LSUFAN51 · Answer

Great News! Glad you back on the internet.......:emotion-2:

However, you still have software issues. I like to make a few suggestions on how to fix them.

1) Run the System File Checker on your system. It's a utility that checks for system file corruption and repairs them.

a. Right-click (or press and hold) the Start button, then select Command Prompt (Admin).

b. Type sfc /scannow and then Enter

2) Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware(Free) software. It's the best for getting rid of nasty Malwares. Please click on the link below and stroll down to Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free:

www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware

3) Update the System Setup(BIOS) and the drivers(installation order) on your laptop. Please enter the service tag number on the link below, then download the BIOS require onto the system and install it.

Drivers & Downloads:

www.dell.com/.../Products

Update System Setup (BIOS) for a Dell Computer:

www.youtube.com/watch

mlk105 · Answer

Nothing happens when I click  Command Prompt (Admin)....

LSUFAN51 · Answer

:emotion-2: You didn't see a black screen (Administration: Command Prompt) like the one below ?

mlk105 · Answer

Nope. I clicked it and nothing :( I'm guessing since when I left click (or touch) the start button and nothing happens, that probably has something to do with it. I was actually surprised the right click menu even opened. I really appreciate your help, but I'm probably out of luck now, huh?

LSUFAN51 · Answer

:emotion-2:

Method 1:

a) Press Windows key + X,

b) Select Command prompt (Admin)

Method 2:

a) Press the ‘Windows key + R’ key on the keyboard.

b) In the ‘Run’ windows type ’MSCONFIG’ and click ‘Ok’.

c) You're in System Configuration. Click "Tools"

d) Command Prompt

e) Launch

mlk105 · Answer

Method 1 did nothing either. Method 2 brought up an error message 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\MSCONFIG.exe A device attached to the system is not functioning.'

LSUFAN51 · Answer

:emotion-2:

You have way too many software problems to fix. I think it's much easier to reset windows 10 by using tool on your computer. Please click on the link below.

How to Perform a Reset in Windows 10:

www.youtube.com/watch

Recovery options in Windows 10:

windows.microsoft.com/.../windows-10-recovery-options

Locked Topics – Laptops General

Was this post helpful?