Wow... this is getting crazier by the minute. In the last hour, my computer has shut off every 5 minutes from the same issue listed above. I have it sitting now on top of a book so that the fan is completely free to whir and run which is does NON-STOP. I think the culprit is the BIOS update I just did last week as mentioned.
How do I roll it back to version A31? (now running A32). Just download it from the download section and apply it? Hope it doesn't need a floppy drive....
Well... I finally found two posts here that are quite lengthy describing the problems with the 5100 overheating problem. Imagine my dismay when I realized that this problem existed BEFORE I purchased my 5100. And here I thought I did my homework.
I've had one other Dell, a desktop, that ran like a charm for over 4 years, sold it to my sister two years ago and it's still humming away. What a huge disappointment this 5100 has turned out to be. No more Dells for me based solely on the poor response most people here have received from Dell who have had this same problem. I spent almost $3000.00 on this computer and now feel I'm just sitting near a ticking time bomb.
Right now, it's sitting on top of a book after taking the keyboard out and getting down to the fan unit and blowing NO dust out. It's clean as a whistle and normally is, I learned a long time ago that a clogged up fan area is NOT a good thing. I also do not believe that updating to the A32 BIOS version is the problem either as this overheating/shut off problem occured before I upgraded the BIOS last week.
So a can of compressed air is NOT the answer to this problem nor do I believe a BIOS upgrade is the solution/problem. It is more serious than that and Dell needs to step up to the plate on this one.
I'm stilling waiting to hear back from Dell - I would imagine they will either send me a new fan (my second one) to replace the one I have now which is working - in fact, probably overworking, it runs constantly - or want me to ship my unit back to them which I have no desire to do at all. Luckily, I have a three year extended warranty and a history of fan problems. I would assume they will not ship a better model so I don't know what I will do.
All I know is that, like many people here, I can't afford to be without my computer. I run my business with it as I'm sure many people here do.
This is truly a very serious issue, probably a design flaw that Dell has yet to acknowledge. I have a stack of paper almost 2" thick of all the posts regarding this issue - perhaps, if they do not give me a satisfactory solution I'll just drop it on Michael Dell's desk.
I don't have a 5100 (i have a 5160), but i think it is in your best interest to threaten Dell with legal action. I don't know what the law specifically says in your state (as i don't know what state your in and their specific laws), but it might very well be possible to sue Dell in at least small claims court. Because you can prove they were made aware of these design flaws prior to your purchase and arent making any attempt to fix the design flaw. In short they sold you a machine with problems that they didnt make you aware of, which is illegal ...
I would look into that as it probably would cost you ~$50 to take them to court.....
I hear ya! Especially, now that I've had a response from them. Their response was to tell me to UPGRADE my BIOS to A04. Can you believe that? It SHIPPED with version A06 and version A04 is from 2002, I bought the computer in June of '03. Not only that but I told them in my original request for support on this issue that I was running version A32 which is the most current version. They also told me not to push anything into the fan - DUH.
I'm pretty insulted at this point. I've been using computers of one kind or another since 1981, I'm not an idiot. I keep my system clean and dust free, updated, upgraded, you name it. I earn my livelihood with my computers developing web sites so I keep them in tip top shape. Today alone, with all the intermittant shut offs, I've lost over $600.00 worth of work I could have done and billed for.
I replied and told them there are plenty of documented issues with this model and the 5150 and that this issue existed before I purchased mine. 'Course I found that out after the fact... today, in fact.
I was told, that if "upgrading" to BIOS A04 (what a joke) doesn't work, they will have to replace the motherboard. That ain't gonna happen either. I've read too many postings on here where people sent their 5100s in for replacement of this, that and the other thing, including motherboards only to have the same issue crop up 2-3 months down the road again. I read that people have received whole new 5100s and still have the same problem, sometimes more than one new replacement. Dell just refuses to accept that this is a design flaw.
As long as I can keep this piece of junk running, even if it's only 20 minutes at a time, I'm gonna stay on them. I want a new computer and told them that and I don't want another 5100 or 5150 and I don't want a new one at some estimated value where it's going to cost me money. This system cost me almost $3000., I've had it for a year, had the port replicator replaced twice, the external flat screen monitor replaced twice, the fan/heat sink unit replaced once (a year ago) and now this. UNACCEPTABLE.
Day three with tech support. Between accents I am having a hard time understanding ( and, YES, I am polite at all times) and being disconnected and hung up (I think because they don't know what to do perhaps?) I'm just about my wits end so I have no good news to update with.
I actually am using my husband's HP today to get some work done - had to install numerous programs and backups on his that took 3 hours yesterday to get to the point where I could do the work I needed to. I'm losing money pretty fast here!
I did go out this morning and purchased a CoolPad but haven't even turned the 5100 on yet.- I'm afraid to. Having my heart race all day as I wait for it to keep shutting down is not healthy!
Gonna give tech support another go around later today if I feel I can handle it! Will report back if I get anywhere.
Update... well, I finally heard from someone at Dell via e-mail. I had originally submitted a support request about this issue via e-mail and didn't hear anything for 2.5 days. Heard back just now.
They want me to ship it to "depot" - figured that's what they'd say - so they can replace the motherboard. This advice from a tech support person who doesn't even really know what the problem is. All I said in my original e-mail was it seemed the unit was too hot, it was shutting down frequently and the fan ran high a lot. Does that mean the motherboard is bad?? Maybe, maybe not.
I truly don't want to ship this to them. Last time I did that wtih Dell (another system I didn't get it back for almost two weeks and nothing was done that I could tell, still had the same issue. It wasn't a big deal so I never pushed it, just kept using it, sold it to my sister and she's still using it, trouble free, and it's almost 6 years old!
I gave them some alternatives. Ship me a new fan/heat sink assembly I can install (did this already in 2/04)or send a tech to my business and advise me the cost of the labor beforehand so he/she can tell me if I need a motherboard or whatever (parts are free - extended warranty.) Rather than just box it up and be without for who knows how long. I know everybody relies on their computers for business, why does Dell think we can do without for days on end?
Got a new microporcessor thermal heat assembly unit today from Dell. This was suggested as a solution to my overheating problem. Not sure this will do it as the old fan works now and always has and is kept free of dust, but what the heck, give a try. Take out one, get ready to put in the new one, the chip is missing from the assembly..... can't use it. The old chip is glued to the old unit so can't pry that loose - at least afraid if I try I'll break something else. Back to tech support...
Also found this, some interesting comments on 1100 series Dell laptops (1100, 5100, etc.): http://www.ihatedell.net/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1868
Day 7..... After numerous e-mails back and forth to everchanging tech support people, I tried to send them a "before and after" photo. Here's what I got, here's what you sent me. Nobody could open the attached photo no matter what format I sent it in.
Finally got fed up and got on the phone to Dell. Got a very nice gentlemen after only about 2 minute wait - bout fell off my chair!
We finally figured out that the part they sent me as a replacement (the heatsink unit) was the right part. The microprocessor has adhered to the heatsink unit over time because of the intense heat generated inside the 5100. So when I took out the old heatsink unit to replace it with the replacement they shipped, the processor was stuck like glue to it, which shouldn't happen, obviously.
So Dell is sending me a new processor and a new heatsink unit. Should be here, hopefully, by Wednesday this week at the latest. So it was my own dumbness that made me think they sent me the wrong part or not all of the parts I needed. The last time I replaced the heatsink unit was over a year ago and, to be honest, I don't remember if the processor was stuck to the old heatsink unit then or not. I kinda doubt it because, like I said, this isn't supposed to happen.
But all in all, it was worth the call. The tech guy was very nice and helpful. He then turned me to over to another guy who had something to do with dispatch quality control (?) and he verified everything and said the parts I needed would be shipped.
Now, I'm going to be positive and believe it will be here on Wednesday or before, that it will all be what I need and that the processor will be exactly what I now have.
This was the first pleasant experience I have had with Dell ever. The whole time I was on the phone was over an hour but things kept moving along and I was kept informed.
Mrs TMCD
64 Posts
0
March 8th, 2005 16:00
How do I roll it back to version A31? (now running A32). Just download it from the download section and apply it? Hope it doesn't need a floppy drive....
Mrs TMCD
64 Posts
0
March 8th, 2005 18:00
I've had one other Dell, a desktop, that ran like a charm for over 4 years, sold it to my sister two years ago and it's still humming away. What a huge disappointment this 5100 has turned out to be. No more Dells for me based solely on the poor response most people here have received from Dell who have had this same problem. I spent almost $3000.00 on this computer and now feel I'm just sitting near a ticking time bomb.
Right now, it's sitting on top of a book after taking the keyboard out and getting down to the fan unit and blowing NO dust out. It's clean as a whistle and normally is, I learned a long time ago that a clogged up fan area is NOT a good thing. I also do not believe that updating to the A32 BIOS version is the problem either as this overheating/shut off problem occured before I upgraded the BIOS last week.
So a can of compressed air is NOT the answer to this problem nor do I believe a BIOS upgrade is the solution/problem. It is more serious than that and Dell needs to step up to the plate on this one.
I'm stilling waiting to hear back from Dell - I would imagine they will either send me a new fan (my second one) to replace the one I have now which is working - in fact, probably overworking, it runs constantly - or want me to ship my unit back to them which I have no desire to do at all. Luckily, I have a three year extended warranty and a history of fan problems. I would assume they will not ship a better model so I don't know what I will do.
All I know is that, like many people here, I can't afford to be without my computer. I run my business with it as I'm sure many people here do.
This is truly a very serious issue, probably a design flaw that Dell has yet to acknowledge. I have a stack of paper almost 2" thick of all the posts regarding this issue - perhaps, if they do not give me a satisfactory solution I'll just drop it on Michael Dell's desk.
Frazell
307 Posts
0
March 8th, 2005 19:00
Mrs TMCD
64 Posts
0
March 8th, 2005 20:00
I'm pretty insulted at this point. I've been using computers of one kind or another since 1981, I'm not an idiot. I keep my system clean and dust free, updated, upgraded, you name it. I earn my livelihood with my computers developing web sites so I keep them in tip top shape. Today alone, with all the intermittant shut offs, I've lost over $600.00 worth of work I could have done and billed for.
I replied and told them there are plenty of documented issues with this model and the 5150 and that this issue existed before I purchased mine. 'Course I found that out after the fact... today, in fact.
I was told, that if "upgrading" to BIOS A04 (what a joke) doesn't work, they will have to replace the motherboard. That ain't gonna happen either. I've read too many postings on here where people sent their 5100s in for replacement of this, that and the other thing, including motherboards only to have the same issue crop up 2-3 months down the road again. I read that people have received whole new 5100s and still have the same problem, sometimes more than one new replacement. Dell just refuses to accept that this is a design flaw.
As long as I can keep this piece of junk running, even if it's only 20 minutes at a time, I'm gonna stay on them. I want a new computer and told them that and I don't want another 5100 or 5150 and I don't want a new one at some estimated value where it's going to cost me money. This system cost me almost $3000., I've had it for a year, had the port replicator replaced twice, the external flat screen monitor replaced twice, the fan/heat sink unit replaced once (a year ago) and now this. UNACCEPTABLE.
Mrs TMCD
64 Posts
0
March 10th, 2005 14:00
I actually am using my husband's HP today to get some work done - had to install numerous programs and backups on his that took 3 hours yesterday to get to the point where I could do the work I needed to. I'm losing money pretty fast here!
I did go out this morning and purchased a CoolPad but haven't even turned the 5100 on yet.- I'm afraid to. Having my heart race all day as I wait for it to keep shutting down is not healthy!
Gonna give tech support another go around later today if I feel I can handle it! Will report back if I get anywhere.
Mrs TMCD
64 Posts
0
March 10th, 2005 17:00
They want me to ship it to "depot" - figured that's what they'd say - so they can replace the motherboard. This advice from a tech support person who doesn't even really know what the problem is. All I said in my original e-mail was it seemed the unit was too hot, it was shutting down frequently and the fan ran high a lot. Does that mean the motherboard is bad?? Maybe, maybe not.
I truly don't want to ship this to them. Last time I did that wtih Dell (another system I didn't get it back for almost two weeks and nothing was done that I could tell, still had the same issue. It wasn't a big deal so I never pushed it, just kept using it, sold it to my sister and she's still using it, trouble free, and it's almost 6 years old!
I gave them some alternatives. Ship me a new fan/heat sink assembly I can install (did this already in 2/04)or send a tech to my business and advise me the cost of the labor beforehand so he/she can tell me if I need a motherboard or whatever (parts are free - extended warranty.) Rather than just box it up and be without for who knows how long. I know everybody relies on their computers for business, why does Dell think we can do without for days on end?
Awaiting a reply back.
Mrs TMCD
64 Posts
0
March 12th, 2005 05:00
Also found this, some interesting comments on 1100 series Dell laptops (1100, 5100, etc.): http://www.ihatedell.net/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1868
Mrs TMCD
64 Posts
0
March 14th, 2005 20:00
Finally got fed up and got on the phone to Dell. Got a very nice gentlemen after only about 2 minute wait - bout fell off my chair!
We finally figured out that the part they sent me as a replacement (the heatsink unit) was the right part. The microprocessor has adhered to the heatsink unit over time because of the intense heat generated inside the 5100. So when I took out the old heatsink unit to replace it with the replacement they shipped, the processor was stuck like glue to it, which shouldn't happen, obviously.
So Dell is sending me a new processor and a new heatsink unit. Should be here, hopefully, by Wednesday this week at the latest. So it was my own dumbness that made me think they sent me the wrong part or not all of the parts I needed. The last time I replaced the heatsink unit was over a year ago and, to be honest, I don't remember if the processor was stuck to the old heatsink unit then or not. I kinda doubt it because, like I said, this isn't supposed to happen.
But all in all, it was worth the call. The tech guy was very nice and helpful. He then turned me to over to another guy who had something to do with dispatch quality control (?) and he verified everything and said the parts I needed would be shipped.
Now, I'm going to be positive and believe it will be here on Wednesday or before, that it will all be what I need and that the processor will be exactly what I now have.
This was the first pleasant experience I have had with Dell ever. The whole time I was on the phone was over an hour but things kept moving along and I was kept informed.
Frazell
307 Posts
0
March 14th, 2005 21:00
Mrs TMCD
64 Posts
0
March 15th, 2005 13:00
Mrs TMCD
64 Posts
0
March 17th, 2005 19:00
pjee
2 Posts
0
March 17th, 2005 19:00