Can I return faulty Dell laptop?

notanexpert1

Just trying to remember... The very first fault which occurred was when it turned itself off and started beeping a few days after it arrived. It was 4 beeps and then a short pause, repeating and only stopping when the machine was turned off. Then it would just randomly turn itself off but I didn't get any notifications of what was wrong. It gradually got worse and worse as I described initially. I did instal some software and I'm pretty sure the faults started after that although not immediately.

I should add I bought it directly from Dell.

unholyangel

notanexpert1 wrote: »

Just trying to remember... The very first fault which occurred was when it turned itself off and started beeping a few days after it arrived. It was 4 beeps and then a short pause, repeating and only stopping when the machine was turned off. Then it would just randomly turn itself off but I didn't get any notifications of what was wrong. It gradually got worse and worse as I described initially. I did instal some software and I'm pretty sure the faults started after that although not immediately.

I should add I bought it directly from Dell.

A quick google tells you that you are not alone. "4 beeps dell" was actually suggested by google by the time i had typed in "4 bee".

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19348729/19758657.aspx

That link might be worth a look for you OP. Someone listed the codes on there along with the corresponding cause! A few posts (on various sites) seem to suggest that the problem rectified itself after removing and replacing the RAM - a loose connection would explain why the fault had been intermittent imo.

notanexpert1

unholyangel wrote: »

A quick google tells you that you are not alone. "4 beeps dell" was actually suggested by google by the time i had typed in "4 bee".

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19348729/19758657.aspx

That link might be worth a look for you OP. Someone listed the codes on there along with the corresponding cause! A few posts (on various sites) seem to suggest that the problem rectified itself after removing and replacing the RAM - a loose connection would explain why the fault had been intermittent imo.

I did google 4 beeps when it first happened and took out the memory cards then (they didn't appear at all loose). I saw someone also mentioned a video card but I've no idea where that would be. Let me say that my user name describes me more than accurately!

notanexpert1

I've read that 4 beeps can mean RAM Read/Write failure, video card problem, System timer failure (that was an AMI BIOS beep code) - not much idea what any of them mean! The laptop's still sitting there working and hasn't turned itself off. I'm not using it though - perhaps I should? Yes, I think perhaps I should. At the moment I'm using my old desktop which I have to start by blowing hot air from a hairdryer into the back of it for about a minute or so every morning...

unholyangel

notanexpert1 wrote: »

I did google 4 beeps when it first happened and took out the memory cards then (they didn't appear at all loose). I saw someone also mentioned a video card but I've no idea where that would be. Let me say that my user name describes me more than accurately!

Well doesnt particularly help now but........in future if your computer ever starts acting weird......write down the code if it gives you one/write down whatevers appearing on the screen (like blue screen of death). If there is code of some sort, write it down. It could mean that a) you can google it and - if relatively simple - fix it yourself, or b)save any repair person/engineer potentially hours/days/weeks trying to wait on the fault happening again/finding out what it is.

As for dell......have you actually contacted them in writing yet? Sorry, bit busy multitasking so dont have the time to read back.

notanexpert1

unholyangel wrote: »

Well doesnt particularly help now but........in future if your computer ever starts acting weird......write down the code if it gives you one/write down whatevers appearing on the screen (like blue screen of death). If there is code of some sort, write it down. It could mean that a) you can google it and - if relatively simple - fix it yourself, or b)save any repair person/engineer potentially hours/days/weeks trying to wait on the fault happening again/finding out what it is.

As for dell......have you actually contacted them in writing yet? Sorry, bit busy multitasking so dont have the time to read back.

Yes - well emailed. Both Technical Support and Customer Complaints. I had so many problems it seemed as if there was nothing that could be done but now, so far today, it's been sitting here happily being a good laptop. I'm going to use it now to see if it will continue to be good - fingers crossed! I suppose if Dell reply I should tell them no action now needed?

notanexpert1

Well it seemed to be working perfectly and now has today shut itself down twice and the screen was covered with lines when I tried to turn it back on the 2nd time. There also seemed to be a bit of noise under the DVD drive when I turned it back on - like a very soft sort of crackling. The only things I did differently today were to transfer a lot of files from Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird and try and get i-Drive to back up files. No word from Dell since I emailed them.

unholyangel

What email address did you use for them? Or do you mean their webform?

Might be worth calling them instead (if you're trying to avoid ringing a 0844/0845/0871/0870, have a look on https://www.saynoto0870.com and see if they have a landline number registered for them).

It was Dell themselves that you purchased from?

notanexpert1

I emailed them here: UKI_Customer_Complaints@dell.com and also their Technical help webform. Yes, I bought it direct from Dell. I managed to get it going again yesterday and after it did a system restore, several self-repairs and again 17 Windows updates, it seems to be working normally again although needless to say I have no faith it will continue to do so. I am rubbish on the phone and will allow myself to be bullied/persuaded which is why I'd much rather stick to writing!

unholyangel

notanexpert1 wrote: »

I emailed them here: UKI_Customer_Complaints@dell.com and also their Technical help webform. Yes, I bought it direct from Dell. I managed to get it going again yesterday and after it did a system restore, several self-repairs and again 17 Windows updates, it seems to be working normally again although needless to say I have no faith it will continue to do so. I am rubbish on the phone and will allow myself to be bullied/persuaded which is why I'd much rather stick to writing!

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topics/topic.aspx/emea/shared/support/dellcare/en/contact_customer_service?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

has a link to their twitter, also a phone number for them: 0844 444 4712

If you cant/dont like dialing 0844 numbers, https://www.saynoto0870.com has a load of landline numbers for Dell, this is the one for the switchboard at the head office: 01344 860456