I got this same model computer as a gift for Christmas. I have been experiencing the exact same problems as you. I am extremely confused considering it is a brand new computer and I have installed every possible update that I can find. When I run the diagnostic test, it comes up with absolutely no errors or part replacement notifications or anything. I have tried to change every audio setting that I can think of, with no luck. It seems to me, that if I have multiple applications going at all, audio quality is terrible regardless. I have also had several issues with the touch screen. Occasionally, it will not work consistently, and it has gone completely unresponsive 5-6 in the barely a month that I have had the computer. I do not know what to do! I am considering trying to get a different computer all together because I have never had any issues like this with any electronics or computers that I have ever gotten. It is so frustrating!
@SWEDISHFISHTACOS - Yesterday after running another system scan using the program "My Dell" which is the installed support application, told me I can update my bios for the 3043. I did and will check today to see if it performs any better. Fingers crossed. I'd suggest going to support.dell.com to get the site based application to analyse your system. If you enter in your service tag or tell it to analyze your system, it might identify the drivers that are available for you to download and to update. It should include a link to the bios update as well. The version I installed was found on support.dell.com.
DELL Inspiron 20 Model 3043 System BIOS View details
I have downloaded the BIOS update with no noticeable changes in audio quality so far, although I'm not sure what exactly it was supposed to be fixing. It has been approximately a week since I did the BIOS update and a couple of other ones it had suggested to me, and as of yet the touch screen has not become unresponsive. I used the dell support system analysis software from the website as well, and it found no issues. It suggested that I download and install a secondary system analysis tool (I think it was called "IOS"?). This program also found no issues with my system. The touch screen has still been working properly, so I hope that that issue has been solved. As far as the audio, the only thing that I could understand is that the better the audio quality, the more trouble the system had keeping up with it. When I had multiple applications open, the audio would be glitchy and sometimes the speed of the song would even slow way down. I messed around with the audio settings and I think I have it fixed. In the control panel, I opened the "Dell Audio" program and turned off EVERYTHING relating to MaxxAudioPro and changed the format of the speaker to run on 16 bits. I can tell a slight difference in the quality of the music, but I'm not exactly expecting the world of the built-in speaker either. So far, it at least lets me listen to music while I am doing other things on the computer. Hope this helps.
I played with the Maxxaudiopro settings a bit but have not given it enough time to figure out if any difference or not. I used the troubleshooting tool by IOLO on the support.dell.com website and let it correct all the issues it identified, then did a hare drive check and defrag, hoping for the best. I still get the odd error message that tells me a component needs to be replaced but is still does not identify the component.
Good Luck... I've owned my system for 6 months. Immediately had issues with video and audio playback. Called Dell numerous times and no satisfactory results. They say it's flash and java related. BS. They won't do anything to help. Oh well,, buy cheap, expect cheap. May use as a doorstop.
Thanks for taking the time to reply, and I can definitely understand your frustration.
I dont want to get too excited and jump the gun yet, but I think I may have found a way to resolve the problem (its now been 3 days of no issues which is by far the best i've seen to date.
Despite my optimism it appears that although I was able to improve the problem (happens less frequently) it still exists. My theory was that the problem occurred when the machine started paging to disk (slow disk). A faster disk and more RAM should have corrected it if that was the case.
My system had already had the speakers and mainboard replaced so I discounted them as potential causes. I then went and replaced all other components available thinking one of them must be the culprit - installed 8gb of 1600mhz RAM, changed the wireless card for an AC one and replaced the HDD with a SSD.
The only thing that made any noticeable difference was the SSD (though my wireless connection is also more stable now as well). Within 5 minutes of testing it I noticed sound issues again.
This leads me to believe that the problem is caused either by software (drivers / bios etc.) or, a fundamental hardware problem with the mainboard. Neither of which I can do much about.
For those interested though, if you are stuck with this machine, the SSD makes it almost usable and is a worthwhile upgrade. The RAM is quite challenging to install and unless you are experienced with building PC's, I wouldnt recommend it.
yo he tenido problemas con mi computadora en la cuestion del audio y el video la verdad que decepcion con dell pense que eran mejores computadoras que otras marcas y la verdad me arrepiento de haber comprado esta compu
Seems like an awful lot of reconfiguring for this 'cheap' system. ***, could have just built the system from the ground up. I too believe this is a on-board motherboard issue. Dell will do nothing but pass the buck. They certainly wanted me to pay them for the software fix (did not exist) so that didn't happen.
I'm just trashing this system and buying a new one with Windows 7 installed.
Unfortunately the Inspiron 3043 out of the box is slow. It's speed is due to too many darn services for Dell Support, Maxx Audio and a host of others that are a pita to deal with all the time. If you look at memory utilization with task manager the Inspiron is over 50% most of the time. Now load a browser, load a couple of pages and watch memory utilization go over 90+% with a couple of apps running. This causes the Inspiron to hit the swapfile and push contents of memory back and forth as the computer attempts to service active application.Two problems arise from this. The Inspiron has slow hard disk drive so reading and writing from the drive is like watching grass grow. The second is 4GB of memory with Windows 8.1 and all of it's overhead does not cut it.
2 Things can be done for a grand total of around $110 or so. One mustbe done and the second is harder to do because of disasembly of computers back cover and system board to install memory.
Number 1 for around $56 from Amazon is to upgrade that slow Western Digital or equiv 5400 rpm drive with small cache to a SSHD drive from Seagate. Seagate 1TB Laptop SSHD SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 2.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive (ST1000LM014) $59.95 an up on Amazon shop around. Read Sesgate reviews but bottom line this hybrid drive really improves program load time amd read/write speed. You will be amazed.
Number 2 is to upgrade memory to a max of 8GB. Download Maintenance Manual from Dell Site which will wlak you thru dissasembly of case and getiing to memory on sytem board. Cost for a Kngston 8GB SODIMM P/N KTD-L3CL/8G is around $60. It is equivelant to Dell P/N A7022339, ith IE, Chrome, Task Manager, Outlook 2013, Maxx Audio, Facebook, Kaspersky, Western Digital SMart Drive and other apps running I am at 49% of memory thus no more swap files every few minutes.
These two changes will make your doorstops actual make you smile. Dell support knows all this but won't admit the computer is built slow. My 2008 Laptops are faster with dual core AMD processors and 4GB running Windows 8.1.Of course it has a 7200 rpm drive in it. I uograde it whn original drive became unreliable.
SwedishFishTaco
2 Posts
0
January 22nd, 2015 13:00
I got this same model computer as a gift for Christmas. I have been experiencing the exact same problems as you. I am extremely confused considering it is a brand new computer and I have installed every possible update that I can find. When I run the diagnostic test, it comes up with absolutely no errors or part replacement notifications or anything. I have tried to change every audio setting that I can think of, with no luck. It seems to me, that if I have multiple applications going at all, audio quality is terrible regardless. I have also had several issues with the touch screen. Occasionally, it will not work consistently, and it has gone completely unresponsive 5-6 in the barely a month that I have had the computer. I do not know what to do! I am considering trying to get a different computer all together because I have never had any issues like this with any electronics or computers that I have ever gotten. It is so frustrating!
fairbank76
10 Posts
0
January 23rd, 2015 03:00
@SWEDISHFISHTACOS - Yesterday after running another system scan using the program "My Dell" which is the installed support application, told me I can update my bios for the 3043. I did and will check today to see if it performs any better. Fingers crossed. I'd suggest going to support.dell.com to get the site based application to analyse your system. If you enter in your service tag or tell it to analyze your system, it might identify the drivers that are available for you to download and to update. It should include a link to the bios update as well. The version I installed was found on support.dell.com.
DELL Inspiron 20 Model 3043 System BIOS View details
SwedishFishTaco
2 Posts
0
January 23rd, 2015 15:00
I have downloaded the BIOS update with no noticeable changes in audio quality so far, although I'm not sure what exactly it was supposed to be fixing. It has been approximately a week since I did the BIOS update and a couple of other ones it had suggested to me, and as of yet the touch screen has not become unresponsive. I used the dell support system analysis software from the website as well, and it found no issues. It suggested that I download and install a secondary system analysis tool (I think it was called "IOS"?). This program also found no issues with my system. The touch screen has still been working properly, so I hope that that issue has been solved. As far as the audio, the only thing that I could understand is that the better the audio quality, the more trouble the system had keeping up with it. When I had multiple applications open, the audio would be glitchy and sometimes the speed of the song would even slow way down. I messed around with the audio settings and I think I have it fixed. In the control panel, I opened the "Dell Audio" program and turned off EVERYTHING relating to MaxxAudioPro and changed the format of the speaker to run on 16 bits. I can tell a slight difference in the quality of the music, but I'm not exactly expecting the world of the built-in speaker either. So far, it at least lets me listen to music while I am doing other things on the computer. Hope this helps.
fairbank76
10 Posts
0
January 25th, 2015 04:00
Still no better results to report.
fairbank76
10 Posts
0
January 25th, 2015 04:00
I played with the Maxxaudiopro settings a bit but have not given it enough time to figure out if any difference or not. I used the troubleshooting tool by IOLO on the support.dell.com website and let it correct all the issues it identified, then did a hare drive check and defrag, hoping for the best. I still get the odd error message that tells me a component needs to be replaced but is still does not identify the component.
maraach
7 Posts
0
March 27th, 2015 03:00
4 days of owning my 3043 and ive started to have the same issue.. did you get any resolution on it/.
flt_rider
2 Posts
1
April 3rd, 2015 00:00
Good Luck... I've owned my system for 6 months. Immediately had issues with video and audio playback. Called Dell numerous times and no satisfactory results. They say it's flash and java related. BS. They won't do anything to help. Oh well,, buy cheap, expect cheap. May use as a doorstop.
JON
maraach
7 Posts
0
April 3rd, 2015 15:00
Hey Jon,
Thanks for taking the time to reply, and I can definitely understand your frustration.
I dont want to get too excited and jump the gun yet, but I think I may have found a way to resolve the problem (its now been 3 days of no issues which is by far the best i've seen to date.
Will keep you informed.
maraach
7 Posts
0
April 10th, 2015 00:00
Well,
Despite my optimism it appears that although I was able to improve the problem (happens less frequently) it still exists. My theory was that the problem occurred when the machine started paging to disk (slow disk). A faster disk and more RAM should have corrected it if that was the case.
My system had already had the speakers and mainboard replaced so I discounted them as potential causes. I then went and replaced all other components available thinking one of them must be the culprit - installed 8gb of 1600mhz RAM, changed the wireless card for an AC one and replaced the HDD with a SSD.
The only thing that made any noticeable difference was the SSD (though my wireless connection is also more stable now as well). Within 5 minutes of testing it I noticed sound issues again.
This leads me to believe that the problem is caused either by software (drivers / bios etc.) or, a fundamental hardware problem with the mainboard. Neither of which I can do much about.
For those interested though, if you are stuck with this machine, the SSD makes it almost usable and is a worthwhile upgrade. The RAM is quite challenging to install and unless you are experienced with building PC's, I wouldnt recommend it.
belagio
1 Message
0
May 28th, 2015 00:00
yo he tenido problemas con mi computadora en la cuestion del audio y el video la verdad que decepcion con dell pense que eran mejores computadoras que otras marcas y la verdad me arrepiento de haber comprado esta compu
flt_rider
2 Posts
0
May 30th, 2015 23:00
Maraach,
Seems like an awful lot of reconfiguring for this 'cheap' system. ***, could have just built the system from the ground up. I too believe this is a on-board motherboard issue. Dell will do nothing but pass the buck. They certainly wanted me to pay them for the software fix (did not exist) so that didn't happen.
I'm just trashing this system and buying a new one with Windows 7 installed.
Jon
justjarhead
2 Posts
2
August 5th, 2015 01:00
Unfortunately the Inspiron 3043 out of the box is slow. It's speed is due to too many darn services for Dell Support, Maxx Audio and a host of others that are a pita to deal with all the time. If you look at memory utilization with task manager the Inspiron is over 50% most of the time. Now load a browser, load a couple of pages and watch memory utilization go over 90+% with a couple of apps running. This causes the Inspiron to hit the swapfile and push contents of memory back and forth as the computer attempts to service active application.Two problems arise from this. The Inspiron has slow hard disk drive so reading and writing from the drive is like watching grass grow. The second is 4GB of memory with Windows 8.1 and all of it's overhead does not cut it.
2 Things can be done for a grand total of around $110 or so. One mustbe done and the second is harder to do because of disasembly of computers back cover and system board to install memory.
Number 1 for around $56 from Amazon is to upgrade that slow Western Digital or equiv 5400 rpm drive with small cache to a SSHD drive from Seagate. Seagate 1TB Laptop SSHD SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 2.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive (ST1000LM014) $59.95 an up on Amazon shop around. Read Sesgate reviews but bottom line this hybrid drive really improves program load time amd read/write speed. You will be amazed.
Number 2 is to upgrade memory to a max of 8GB. Download Maintenance Manual from Dell Site which will wlak you thru dissasembly of case and getiing to memory on sytem board. Cost for a Kngston 8GB SODIMM P/N KTD-L3CL/8G is around $60. It is equivelant to Dell P/N A7022339, ith IE, Chrome, Task Manager, Outlook 2013, Maxx Audio, Facebook, Kaspersky, Western Digital SMart Drive and other apps running I am at 49% of memory thus no more swap files every few minutes.
These two changes will make your doorstops actual make you smile. Dell support knows all this but won't admit the computer is built slow. My 2008 Laptops are faster with dual core AMD processors and 4GB running Windows 8.1.Of course it has a 7200 rpm drive in it. I uograde it whn original drive became unreliable.
Hope you try and enjoy.