Dell - problems with laptops

PaulJM

Wonder if anyone can help.
I've bought a Dell studio laptop in the last 3 weeks, delivery really good and the price seems very competitive for the specification.
I'm a medium techy, and I researched it pretty well, and didn't think I could do better...leaving out ACER stuff, which I don't really like (personal choice) I've had a Tosh lappy for 6 years and it's been fine.
I need a reliable laptop because my wife does a maths degree with the OU, and she needs to use it on resi trips.
However, things are a bit...well..weird with it.
Spurious things happen, although I've got the full updates on Vista - you'll sign in on your ICON, and it'll go to the guest account. Or you'll sign in and not get a desktop..These are very intermittant, but never happened on the Tosh.
My wife tried to run a CD ROM, and it gives a really loud vibration from the disc....and won't load. DVD work great and silently.
On the Tosh, which just about works, the same disk is fine.
What are the rules here? I've worked in electrical type places and I know intermittant faults are a nightmare. I'm worried Dell will have the thing away for weeks proving the fault, and I can't have that - we need the Laptop for another OU resi - I wouldn't have bought it if we could have done without it for any amount of time.
Can I say it was a distance purchase and insist on money back or a replacement?

What do oyu think?

SimbaSimon

Depends on the type of warranty you have with it. But my experience with Dell has always been perfect. You'll need to ring them and raise a support call, they'll talk you through/take control of the pc and try and resolve any issues. Any issues that can't be resolved they've always sent an engineer out next day who has always fixed my issues without the laptop having to be sent away.

So don't be afraid to give them a call. It may take a bit of time on the phone but they will get it resolved. I previously had a Sony and they wanted me to send the laptop to France to get it fixed!

And that is why I recommend Dell to anyone that asks me, as I've yet to see another company offer support that good. I believe some business PC's may have a return to base warranty but you'll need to check on your order.

Money_Grabber13579

The disappearing desktop sounds like a software issue, while the DVD/CD will be a hardware problem. (Sorry for stating the obvious, if it is obvious!) I've found though that if the DVD/CD isn't properly clicked into the drive, it will make the noise you are describing.

PaulJM

Thanks for the reply. I fear I might have a return to base as I'm a bit tight with extended warranties - I used to sell them and see how much they made on them!
I'll call them though, thanks so much

PaulJM

Well on my work Dell, I can uncouple the bloody thing and put it back in..but my work dell seems better made than this Studio job.
The "Studio job" is a slide in CD..so there nowt to remove!
Thanks for the advice though!