Brand new Acer aspire desktop problems

soolin

This is probably a long shot but I thought I’d ask . Just unpacked my new Acer Aspire TC 1660 desktop , it didn’t come with any manuals, start up guides instructions or anything, but it’s replacing an old Acer so I labelled all my cables , unplugged the old one and got the new box on the desk. I’ve plugged in the monitor cable from the old PC but had to use the new power cable as it was different to the last one.

As soon as you plug it in it emits a high pitched continuos screech and cannot be shut off. It also does not do anything to the monitor. 

have spent the best part of 3 hours trying to find any info to make sure I’ve not done something stupid and then trying to talk to Curry’s. Everyone I speak to at curry’s basically says no idea, send it back for a refund.

Before i repack it is there anything stupid I might have done , it has the power cable plugged into back of box and into the wall, the monitor has power and a cable between it and the box, it all seems to fit properly so I don’t think I’ve plugged it all in incorrectly. 

soolin

The alternative is I source a dirt cheap laptop so I can work - I have an urgent work event Thursday and must have a machine capable of running Teams . My current PC fails now running Teams and just keeps returning ‘cannot connect’ as it runs very very slowly , takes approx 4 minutes to even move to another web page and cannot maintain connection to the wi fi signal. 

If anyone can suggest a cheap laptop that I can buy immediately , so that’s probably looking at Curry’s or Argos, that can manage a decent image and sound control for Teams that would be helpful. 

EDIT: Just packing up the PC to send back and noticed a rattle, looking through the wire mesh in PC case and using a torch there appears to be a circuit board of some sort loose within the case . It's not connected to anything and I suspect that is the cause of the issue!

grumpycrab

soolin said: there appears to be a circuit board of some sort loose within the case . 

And I guess "high pitched continuous screech " could be the loose board could be rubbing against a fan.  You could have a look inside BUT there may be a warranty sticker/seal which will break when the case is opened. Send it back.

As for Argos/Currys.  When you find something (4GB memory 128GB SSD minimum)  double/triple check its available at a local store.  Then you can pick up now.  What they will try and get you do do is pick up Monday after its been delivered to store.
Also, be prepared to allow a couple of hours to download latest updates (also watch out for Windows10 wanting to go to Windows11 which may take a while too...)

soolin

grumpycrab said:

soolin said: there appears to be a circuit board of some sort loose within the case . 

And I guess "high pitched continuous screech " could be the loose board could be rubbing against a fan.  You could have a look inside BUT there may be a warranty sticker/seal which will break when the case is opened. Send it back.

As for Argos/Currys.  When you find something (4GB memory 128GB SSD minimum)  double/triple check its available at a local store.  Then you can pick up now.  What they will try and get you do do is pick up Monday after its been delivered to store.
Also, be prepared to allow a couple of hours to download latest updates (also watch out for Windows10 wanting to go to Windows11 which may take a while too...)

Thank you, as usual I’m prevaricating, but I’ve seen this is available locally tomorrow and it will fill a gap whilst I wait for news from Curry about my return . 

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/hp-14sdq2510na-14-laptop-intel-core-i3-256-gb-ssd-silver-10222234.html

debitcardmayhem

Couldn't you just return it to the local currys?

soolin

debitcardmayhem said:

Couldn't you just return it to the local currys?

It was bought online and it seems it has to go back the same way. However, I will have another look tomorrow to see if I can return to a store , and safely get a receipt, as it will save time. 

grumpycrab

soolin said

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/hp-14sdq2510na-14-laptop-intel-core-i3-256-gb-ssd-silver-10222234.html

Shame it's only got 4gb memory but guess that's why it's cheap(ish).  May be easy to add memory at a later date.

soolin

Update- I phoned Currys online again and they said I could try taking it into my local store rather than wait for it to be collected. Took it in, explained the problem, tech guy took back of PC and said that the card was not installed and it looks like part of the build was missed . He installed all unattached parts but agreed that they may have suffered some damage whilst rattling around- so got me a new identical PC. 

I'm now home, PC is up and running properly (apart from my Zebra printer) and all is well.

Well done Currys.

GDB2222

Yes, I think that is pretty good.