My experiences with Dell (there is hope)

Hello, after reading so many posts about people having tons of problems with their new inspirons, and tech support, I'd just like to share my experiences with tech support here.
A little bit of history. I have an Inspiron E1705 that I ordered new just 6 months ago. Generally, it's been a solid notebook, reliable, but I have had a few issues; I'll get into that shortly. I know that it's nothing like the problems people have been having with the new inspiron line, but just want to say there is hope!
Since getting my laptop, I've had my dvd/rw drive fail (finally after so many problems with it since I got it), battery just recently crapping out already (can't use my laptop for more than 1 hour, with it in power saving mode, no wifi, just word processing! ), and finally my hard drive has been clicking really loudly lately, A LOT.
First time I called tech support, about 1 week after I got my lappy, I tried to explain that my dvd/rw drive (model TSSTCorp TS-L632D, which I've been reading so many have this same problem with this drive) wont recognize new blank disks. That the problem happens randomly, and I know it's not a software, but a hardware issue. After talking to her technician, she said it couldn't be replaced because it's a software problem not a hardware problem.
Which I knew better. Fast forward to just 1 month ago, problem still persisting, got MUCH worse, and I could read almost no disks at all, not even disks I already made, DVD's, games, etc.
So last thursday I got so fed up with it, I called dell support, and the tech support lady I talked with seemed very understanding, and promptly issued a replacement (which I recieved just the next day), and I'm happy to report the problem is finally solved.
The other issues I've had, lately my battery doesn't want to hold a charge any more, and I can't get more than 1 hour out of my laptop. My hard drive has been clicking really bad, and I don't know if it's related to this or not, about 1 month ago one day I turned on my computer, and windows reported that files were corrupted/missing and it couldn't boot. I ended up reinstalling, but have had that same clicking coming from it.
Just spoke to tech support today, told them everything that's happened and that I just want to get my laptop fixed to the way it was when I got it, and after doing a couple diagnostics that he told me to do, and it was determined they are faulty, he's issued a replacement for those parts as well.
My point is, to this whole thread, there is hope for those having problems with their new laptops. I'm really sorry all of you have to go through all that, and I hope Dell gets their act together and works out these production problems, but my experiences with their tech support has been nothing but positive.
If you're polite, to the point, and honest (tell them everything that's going on in detail), I've found them to be quite polite in return and willing to help.
This is my first premanufactured computer since 1997 and my first laptop ever, and I have to say Dell has done really good in my book.
So there is hope, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I wish you all the best and hope you can get your issues resolved.

 

awesome. i am hopeful dell will come through. on another topic, you don't live in minneapolis, do you?

 

Nope, the other side of the US.