I think my Dell is dying!

Well my 8600 is coming to an end. Its been a great computer but its starting to act bad. I have had 2 of the "Blue screen of Death", which im using Windows XP which was designed not to happen. Anyway also, my screen goes really really dark were i can barely see it, and i have to restart it. My mouse is constantly jumping around and it messes up my typing. Its deleting programs on its own. I deleted google earth and some of my own files. My sound didnt work because somehow that driver just disappeared. I have no viruses and have done a reformat and really nothing has changed. I plan on leaving dell because there getting unrealiable and going to ASUS. I will keep my dell and sometime maybe get the asus soon. Any fixes to fix these problems now. Trust me, i have tried everything to fix these problems.

 

Hm...that's unfortunate. Are you still under waranty? If so, I'd call Dell and get that laptop fixed.

 

Yeah, i still am, but i cant be without a computer as this is my only one. Plus, they will do something to it some how to get me mad. I lost trust in dell...like others...

 

just curious, how old is that computer

 

I got the thing on March 29th, 2004

 

Well, have you thought about having Dell fix it - what warranty did you get?

 

2 year, i send the computer in, which is not an option.

 

that notebook should still have some life left in it. you paid for the warranty, maybe you should try to get your money's worth and get it fixed. maybe someone/friend/family member has a beat-up computer they can loan you for a couple weeks?

 

Yeah, thanks drumfu for the support. Im going to talk to dell, i want to get a replacemnt maybe but if it needs internal fixing, hen ill just leave it. I have to come up with an excuse anyway to tell my father, since he supplies me with this stuff. I do side jobs (a lot!) and i can come up with the money for a new one quick.

 

yeah, fyi, my friend has the 8500 which is a pre-8600 and she still uses it daily so your machine should be good to go for at least another year or 2 or 3.

 

Yeah, i know it can if it will, but i want to disect it once i get a new one and learn basically everything on it. But if i cant get a new one, it will be fine for another year.

 

Whoah... I guarentee you'll learn absolutely nothing (not much it least) apart from how Dell made that particular laptop. I've took apart a few laptops (well, 3...) from Dell & NCS and let me tell you... even with a year in between the Dells are set up completely different (maybe since it was a P2 & P3 which had big size differences). Anyway the point I'm making is it's not worth it, and if you don't decide to keep it it least get it fixed so you can make a decent amount of cash on ebay or harvest the HDD/ RAM or even give it to me . (also don't open it before sending it to Dell as they can usually tell and will charge you more/ won't fix it). To sum it up... Buy an old desktop/ notebook (I can get a 600mhz notebook in perfect condition for $20) and take it apart if you really want but the 8600 should still have decent cash value.

Also if you're planning on using the LCD for a projector don't even try... (unless the notebook actually works - seperately you'll need a $200 PCI controller card)

 

Woahhh....
This is my whole opinion, i asked if you know what i can do to fix it, not tell me what my future plans are.

 

Nick,
He was only try to point out that using your laptop to learn about the internal mechanics of PCs is not the best learning or economical choice. Laptops vary by manufacturer and by series. It is the nature of laptops. If you are really serious about learning the mechanics of PC, then get a cheap desktop. Desktops are more uniform in nature, and you will learn alot more than taking a part a notebook especially if you have no computer tech experience. Once you learn about desktops, then move to laptops. After you learn about the desktops, you will have a better knowledge about computers in general.

As for your problem, I'm going with everyone on this, and suggesting you should use your warranty coverage. Even if you have to send it in, at least they will fix it for free unless the damage was determined to be caused by the user. Most of the repairs only take a week (including shipping time). If you try to fix it yourself, you are risking several things. First, you will have to pay for the parts. Not to mention if what you think is wrong, turns out not to be the problem, then you have to spend more time and money trying to fix it. If the new part causes damage or you cause damage while trying to fix it, Dell won't fix it since it voids your warranty. In my opinion, letting dell fix it is the safest option.

SG

 

Yeah im sorry wild, but its always my opinion. I guess i will talk to dell and see what they say. Get back with you in a bit, Nick.

 

Well i talked to dell and i had only a one year warranty so thats up with. I really didnt want them to deal with this anyway as they werent a help when i still had my warranty. Well, at least its not a big deal and for the last time, sorry but maybe i want another laptop. Anyway i get these messages when i start up the dell. I get the windows cannot find nail.exe, which i know is spyare/adware and i cant get rid of it still. Countless things havent worked. Another one i have no clue about is: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and microsoft windowsa applications.
When i talked to dell also, i must say they were quite rhude. Anyway, again, thanks for your help, i appreciate it. I mean these problems are annoying, but i can live with them. So anyone now what i should do know in opinions? Thanks!

 

Well...those errors that you are encountering are software errors - not problems with the laptop itself. I suggest that, when you have time, that you reformat, then install the latest drivers from Dell's site.

You'll have to reinstall all your programs and transfer all your stuff, but the end result will be much better. The laptop will be a lot faster.

 

Ok chaz will do, just to let everyone else know, im still going to get a new one hopefully. Lol, plus my mother is new at computers and this will be hers. But i will do it this weekend or sometime.

 

Also a wierd thing, why does it that when i start up, it always changes the Pentium Picture on the screen. One day it is the pentium with the little m. Other days its the centrino pic with the two weird shapes.

 

That's because you took out the Wireless card - the internal Intel card. You need 3 parts to be Centrino - Intel Wireless card and chipset, and the Pentium M processor. If you don't have one...then you don't have Centrino. So, that's why.

:centrino: :centrino:

 

I think I only say one other person mention that the error you talk about appear to be software and not hardware, If you have a restore partition, use it, or re-install windows. Try a different mouse. As for the screen going dark and needing a reboot, many possible reasons.

But as for jumping up and down and saying it is dying, or get Dell to do this or that. Try fixing what looks like corrupt software and maybe even a dodgy mouse.

 

Yeah, i gotcha now, i took out the card and didnt know it would do that. But i added a different card and it didnt change but that was not a intel. Thanks for the quick responses chaz! Well other than that, the notebook is in ok condition.

 

k...this is what u do..it happened 2 my dell desktop a few years ago...u tell them that there is something wrong and that it won't start AT ALL...and say that u want a diff...newer laptop to KEEP and that you will send this one back once u get the other one....they will send you another laptop..well they did with my desktop...and you will get the laptop soon...and then you have to send your not working laptop within a week or so..and the good thing is that u will get an UPGRADED laptop since they don't make your model number anymore

 

LOL, yeah i tryed that and now you need to have a tech come out first. Anyway, im not like that.