I would go to the below Dell site and download and install all the drivers that apply to your system, including th BIOS that you advised the Dell representative did for you since It could have gotten corrupted. Look in the control panel, hardware, device manager to see what devices you have on your system and write them down since there may be more than one device in each catagory. If this does not correct the problems, I would do a fresh reinstall of the system as it came from Dell. Be sure to backup any data that you have added before you reinstall. Press F11 several times immediately when the system boots to enter the reinstall menu. Hope this helps
Speed yes. But it's crashing again. And, after waiting from 86 in line, the Dell tech clicked off session less than 15 seconds after it opened... while I was typing "hello." Sigh. I am just so tired of this mess.
Here's what I have... I'm not getting anywhere with Dell tech support, they just keep retracing the same steps over and over... It works fine, then 5-30 mins. later, it doesn't. I'm not sure if they're helping, or just making things worse... And, after waiting again through the line to get a tech... the system crashed while he was doing a remote -- no back back yet -- so I'm waiting through the list yet again, so I can start all over again with a different tech. :smileysad:
This problem was caused by ATI Graphics Driver. This program was created by ATI Technologies, Inc.. ATI Technologies, Inc. does not currently have a solution for the problem that you reported.
Firstly, I agree, McAfee has been bad since AntiVirus' were invented.
Norton went through many years of "bad" stuff, but in the least year, with NIS 2007, 2008 and Norton 360 have redeemed themselves.
That aside, Dell has had MASSIVE problems getting their Video Drivers updated from the manu's ... I had to download Intel's directly just to get a game as simple as 18 Wheels of Steel to run! Their drivers for my 6400 were over
one year old on the Dell site, and only a few days on Intels.
Repeated calls to Dell Business have the techs there saying "hm. Not our problem. That's the website div."
Anyway, go to
www.ATI.com and download the latest drivers (IGP) for your system.
If yo uneed more help, I'll try to respond here as soon as I can.
Guys, thanks much for your troubleshooting!:smileyhappy:
A long process, but had Dell tech do installation of new driver by remote assistance. And no, I do not miss McAfee. Amazing what it has done for the speed to have it gone as it definitely does not play well with Vista. Installed gov't version of Norton's antivirus, closed unused ports closed on laptop and router, everything password protected, etc. So I'm set.
And, drum roll please... I have had 48 hours without crashes, but with great speed.:smileyvery-happy:
Lessons learned over 10 days, if I can remember them all:
Use Dell Forum, before buying and if having issues with equipment.
Have a therapeutic vent here -- but BEFORE actually posting it, click "Options," click "Edit" & slim it down to just the facts, not the feelings. Then post!
Include system specs in full including both OS and all applications - especially antivirus software.
Be polite to other Users, even if they're not.
If one has Vista, 512 MB of RAM isn't enough. Get at least 2 GBs. (May also just want one stick of RAM, per one gent's experience.)
Regularly back up on an external hard drive, all files -- including copying your IE7 and Firefox favorites/bookmarks, in case the system needs a clean reinstall.
Post ATI graphics driver error messages here as someone will tell one where to go for current driver (Dell may not have latest version on its support site!).
Remember the black "blue screen of death" means it's software, not hardware that's the issue.
Not sure one can remember all of the error message? Options: (1) highlight text, copy and paste into a document for review with Dell or with Forum. (2) with error message still on screen, click "Print Screen" button, open "Paint" program, click paste and then save or take digital photograph of screen. Post file on desktop for review (Can help Dell tech when using remote assistance to diagnose system issues... also good proof one wasn't imagining it!)
Use Dell Chat. A lot to tell Dell? Open a Word document, type all the system information, one's name, call back number & pertinent facts -- include all previous "Incident" numbers. Save document, then once chat comes online, cut & paste information a chunk at a time into the chat. Give tech a couple minutes to read it all. It reduces misspellings and improves efficiency of the chat.
Techs are readily available at 10 PM, Pacific Time -- little or no wait!!!
Be willing to use "remote assistance" with tech, so they can see one's screen. It can cut out a lot of wasted words & time and one can learn a lot about what's where by watching the tech go!
Create a folder in one's email account and file all email and chat logs for reference.
If customer service is also an issue, such as with returns, etc., after a couple of chats go to Customer Service page and click on "Unresolved Issues." The manager / supervisor can escalate help requests.
Consider having a glass of Merlot when online chat, it does good for the blood pressure when things aren't going well:smileywink:
I'll say it again, if one has Vista -- get rid of McAfee.
I'm a convert to this Forum! Again, thanks for the help I got from several of y'all.
Dell replaced battery and adapter, as it continued to act up whenever I unplugged it. Didn't make sense, and wasn't the solution.
Then system just died this past week when it couldn't find its operating system. Dell sent new hard drive. Onsite tech watched the dead screen & listened to its weird noise. He said hard drive had died "a slow death" & then installed the replacement Had to come back today to replace the motherboard after some additional weird crashes every time I unplugged the laptop (this has been the running, unresolved issue that replacing the battery and adapter were to have solved, but didn't before drive went).
But all seems well now. Runs fine. :smileyhappy: Still not sure how I feel about buying future Dells after this adventure, but I'll never buy a refurbished again.
PudgyOne
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mombodog
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SeaPadre
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January 28th, 2008 00:00
mombodog
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January 28th, 2008 01:00
SeaPadre
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January 28th, 2008 01:00
Here's what I have... I'm not getting anywhere with Dell tech support, they just keep retracing the same steps over and over... It works fine, then 5-30 mins. later, it doesn't. I'm not sure if they're helping, or just making things worse... And, after waiting again through the line to get a tech... the system crashed while he was doing a remote -- no back back yet -- so I'm waiting through the list yet again, so I can start all over again with a different tech. :smileysad:
Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 116
BCP1: 86388510
BCP2: 8ACBCCFA
BCP3: C0000001
BCP4: 00000003
OS Version: 6_0_6000
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 768_1
Files that help describe the problem:
C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini012708-03.dmp
C:\Users\...\AppData\Local\Temp\WER-228687-0.sysdata.xml
C:\Users\...\AppData\Local\Temp\WER8137.tmp.version.txt
Then, there's this....
Problem caused by ATI Graphics Driver
This problem was caused by ATI Graphics Driver. This program was created by ATI Technologies, Inc.. ATI Technologies, Inc. does not currently have a solution for the problem that you reported.
Recommendation..... (deleted rest... )
Edited to remove my personal name.
Message Edited by SeaPadre on 01-29-2008 09:10 PM
mombodog
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January 28th, 2008 02:00
Message Edited by mombodog on 01-27-2008 10:24 PM
_Allan_
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January 28th, 2008 02:00
Norton went through many years of "bad" stuff, but in the least year, with NIS 2007, 2008 and Norton 360 have redeemed themselves.
That aside, Dell has had MASSIVE problems getting their Video Drivers updated from the manu's ... I had to download Intel's directly just to get a game as simple as 18 Wheels of Steel to run! Their drivers for my 6400 were over one year old on the Dell site, and only a few days on Intels.
Repeated calls to Dell Business have the techs there saying "hm. Not our problem. That's the website div."
SeaPadre
28 Posts
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January 28th, 2008 04:00
Message Edited by SeaPadre on 01-29-2008 06:27 PM
SeaPadre
28 Posts
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February 11th, 2008 01:00
Well, I spoke too soon.
Dell replaced battery and adapter, as it continued to act up whenever I unplugged it. Didn't make sense, and wasn't the solution.
Then system just died this past week when it couldn't find its operating system. Dell sent new hard drive. Onsite tech watched the dead screen & listened to its weird noise. He said hard drive had died "a slow death" & then installed the replacement Had to come back today to replace the motherboard after some additional weird crashes every time I unplugged the laptop (this has been the running, unresolved issue that replacing the battery and adapter were to have solved, but didn't before drive went).
But all seems well now. Runs fine. :smileyhappy: Still not sure how I feel about buying future Dells after this adventure, but I'll never buy a refurbished again.