Suggestions for Return / Repurchase

I'm returning my i9300. As some of you may have noticed, I had issues with certain parts of the unit. In speaking with the support people at Dell and readin every forum from here to timbuktu, I figured my problems with the unit will be solved by doing certain upgrades.

Bottom line is, I'm returning the one I have for credit to my dell account and will be ordering a different one, of the same model.

My question is :

Anyone know how to restore the one I have back to it's factory settings? I'd rather them not have the 'stored' info like any passwords I've entered and so on.

Any suggestions for saving a buck or two on the next purchase? I'm guessing they'll rec' the return in a week or so and have my account credited a few days after that, so around the 10th is my guess for when I'll be able to buy another one.


Interesting side note. I'm on 'CHAT" with them now. When I bought the unit, I also rec'd my 1gb stick of RAM from newegg.com on the same day. I placed the DELL memory into the MUSHKIN packaging for safe keeping and left it on my dresser. Well, seems now I lost the 256mb stick I removed to insert my 1gb stick of RAM. (women throw stuff away if it isn't theirs!!!... she's paying, I'll tell you that. lol). ---- Well, the person I'm chatting with from Dell thought I lost the Go6800 card lol. I asked how much I'd be billed for the 'missing' stick of memory and she said " Shilpa Ramdas : The 256MB n Vidia is around $150.04. " So, they're jerkin ya when they charge ya $199 for that upgrade.


Sorry to make this post so long : BUT--- MORE QUESTIONS below :base: :decision:

My current laptop is the i9300.

1.73Ghz P-M
1gb PC4200
80gig 5400
Go6800
17" wXGA
8x dvd
6 cell

_________________________________

I've noticed the i9300 base model went up $150 since they now make it standard to get the 1.86Ghz P-M cpu. The option for the 'free dvd burner upgrade' is gone. With current coupons and other incentives, I've made it to where I can get the same machine I'm returning with the wUXGA, MC2005 Remote, larger HD and 3 year Warranty (i currently have stock, 1 year) for under $100. more (with tax) than the unit I am returning.

I've also noticed that the XPS models now base out at $999 USD. They have a smaller screen and stock Intel Graphics (blech!). Being a gamer and someone who hates to wait for my pc to do something, does anyone know is the XPS a better machine? Can I upgrade the video on the XPS to a Geforce on my own? (been building desktop systems for 12 years now).???

Any suggestions would be wonderful and I thank all of the knowledgable people here at notebookreview.com forums for all the killer info they throw at us daily.

 

>Anyone know how to restore the one I have back to it's factory settings?

Unless you reformatted your HDD, have you tried the "PC Restore recovery system by Symantec"?

Other Qs I try to address later when I'm somewhat awake '

 

I'm with ya there... babysitting my father who's been ill the last couple days so I'm quite the worried insomniac myself.

I was hoping the cd that came with the unit might restore it back to factory fresh condition but being the lazy clutz I am, I'd rather hear it from someone who knows what they are talking about HAHA.

 

if you haven't reformatted or deleted the restore partition yet, you could use the restore partition. this will put the laptop back to factory condition (ctrl + f11 at the dell logo).

I really don't know when they'll do a credit. I've heard that it could take over a month, but that was just one story.

With the XPS, unless you get the 170, then i highly doubt you'll be able to upgrade to Nvidia. Dell has it where if its integrated graphics it will be a very slim chance to upgrading.

SG

 

Thanks SG. You're big contributor on this forum and I, for one, thank you and look forward to reading your posts.

I arranged for return today. $16 fee for return shipping (dell will bill my dell acct.). Unsure what they'll charge me for the lost stick of ram. Hopefully not more than $40 or so. That's double what they are worth. I have to pack it up still and all. I'm too tired to mess with it. Seems remodeling my home (it's gutted) and dealing with DELL has me beat.

I'll work on the dell restore option later and will post my results for those who care.

Thanks agian.