XPS 13 Win 8.1 issues out of the box

I just got my 2015 XPS 13 and was going through the initial setup and the process locked up three times. Once cleared I was setting up my desktop/home screen and was selecting file preferences for document folders. Due to another lockup I am now running Backup and Recovery as my system will not launch Win 8.1. I have never had to do this for any laptop I have ever owned running Windows, including three other Win 8 machines. ARGGHHHHH!

 

I have 2 new ones : xps 13 QHD and xps 13 FHD
Setting up ok ..not a hitch ..
If yours is brand new ... You should not have those problems .
I would return it immediately .

 

Do a clean install of Windows before you return it . Something you should do with any new computer

 

You should not have to mess around if it's a brand new .
.sign of trouble ..

 

It appears that I have corrected the issues. The XPS is now pretty stable. Not sure what happened. I was in the process of installing some software that I need for work and the computer locked up a couple/three times. I went back to the out of the box configuration and attempted to reload. I think it was due to McAfee causing a conflict with Norton when I was loading Norton. After restarting the configuration from the fresh build (Windows 10 Pro) I uninstalled McAfee then installed Norton. No apparent issues now. Argh!

 

That's why it's best to do a clean install when you buy any new computer ! So that you remove all the bloat and possible spyware and other problems

 

All seemed to be going well with installing software I need for this to be my business machine. I was loading VM software and now the there is problems with the boot sector. The attempts to repair the problem has failed (per Dell utility). It seems that I will have to either find a way to format the ssd and install Win 10 fresh or I will get another ssd and load Win 10. I have to say this is by far the worst experience with a new computer I have ever had. Of course this could be issues with Win 10 and compatibility with software. Regardless, not good and I am not pleased.

 

I won't be returning this laptop. I did pay for 4 Years Accidental Damage Service so they will be meeting up with me this week and will fix this where I am at on business.

 

It's all up to you ..
The reason I advised you to return it because I did not know you MESSED it up .
Your titles was so confusing .

"XPS 13 Win 8.1 issues out of the box"

 

I would return it cause once a Dell tech touches your computer it's never quite the same again

 

The issues I had started when I had just powered on the computer. The startup application locked up on me three times during the initial configuration. The problem continued as I got through this and started installing software (MS Office, MS Streets and Trips, UltraEdit/UltraCompare, etc.). When I was installing VM workstation the system was done. I hardly think I did anything to the state of the OS. Maybe this had something to do with the upgrade to Win 10 Pro. This was prompted by the startup application. So I hardly think I MESSED it up. The software installation I did was not any different than I have performed on several of my work computers except this time the OS had issues out of the box.

 

I ended up purchasing my own copy of Windows 10 Pro and downloaded it to a USB drive. After several attempts I managed to install the OS on the computer. I have just updated all the drivers and it appears that my XPS 13 is running as first expected.

It appears that the corrupted boot file was due to an issue with the upgrade from Win 8.1 Pro to Win 10 Pro (from the startup utility). No issues now and Dell service didn't get to remedy this.

 

Update:

I ended up getting a Win 8.1 USB drive from Dell and went back to this version. All was good for a day and a half until lockups began. It was so bad today that the computer is now perpetual reboot mode going from the initial Dell start screen to the Preparing Automatic Repair screen to the Diagnosing your PC screen then goes to the next screen for a fraction of a second before the process starts all over. I have run internal diagnostics several times and the test indicates all hardware is operating normally. I am on the line with Dell technical support so we'll see where this leads me to. I said I did the complementary upgrade I am not pleased with my experience with the XPS 13 so far. The Dell tech rep is saying to me this is a Windows OS issue. I told her I disagree since I had problems with the initial Win8.1Pro build locking up. Apparently Dell will be dispatching a technician to meet me next week where I will be with a replacement SSD. I hope that is the root of my problems. When this computer is working it is a terrific platform but that has not been the norm from day 1.

 

This is why I d rather buy from rerail store than order online ..
In this case.i just bring it back and get a new one ..open. check it out before take it home ..
Any way.
Good luck fixing it .

 

That's a great suggestion Jimmy. I wish I had thought of that. Maybe next time I will. Oh well, live and learn, I guess.

 

Ok, the SSD was replaced today and a new issue is now happening. The screen is now flickering/jumping ... not steady. The computer still locks up, per Mrs. RobotDoctor. I am on a business trip and left the computer at home to schedule replacement of the SSD, per Dell Tech Support. I believe the issue is with the RAM on the motherboard but Dell Tech Support insisted that it was a Windows OS issue then relented that maybe it was the SSD. Dell wanted me to send in my XPS 13 and have them diagnose the issue then send it back. I told Dell I wasn't accepting this as a means of resolving the issues I have been having with the computer. I called Sales Support and got transferred to some other department (Dell's specialty) and the Tech Rep also suggested that I send in my computer for diagnosis and resolution. I said after the extended troubleshooting through Dell Technical Support and the service call today resolving nothing but adding a new issue the only acceptable resolution I could see is a replacement of my computer with a new unit (not refurb). I asked to speak to a supervisor or their manager, or even Michael Dell himself. After a couple of minutes "to discuss these issues and request" to a supervisor, the tech rep said Dell would agree to sending me a replacement computer (a new one) within 4-5 business days.

I can only hope the lockup issues I had been having is a thing of the past. Here's hoping.

 

New replacement XPS 13 came in today. Dell contracted tech came and replaced the SSD. After the initial setup performed (by my wife as I was out of town) and a screen glitch, it looks as if the issue was a faulty SSD and not RAM. Discussing this new issue with Dell, and a review of the history of support on a computer less than a month old, it was agreed that a new laptop would be sent as a replacement. As a precaution I purchased a Samsung M.2 512Gb SSD. I configured it with Win10Pro on the old laptop. That was actually working pretty well on the old laptop and now is working flawlessly on the new one. I have the SSD from the new one now in the box as a spare for use one day if needed.

 

Glad it all worked out ok for you ..