Dell complaints

MrsB73 · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 11:12 am Post subject: Dell Computer Problem

Hi everyone,
I just purchased a new 3100 series Dell computer. I've had it for approx 3 weeks and this is the problem I've had:

Internet Explorer does not work appropriately. When I try to open it, nothing happens. I figured out that i have to go into the processes, and "end process" on about five IEXPLORE.EXE processes that are running before explorer will open.

Someone told me it could be a Virus, but I have that McAfee program that has virus protection, spamkiller, personal firewall and privacy service always running.

I know this isn't necessarily a Dell problem, but I've contacted Dell (I purchased the warranty, so I thought they would help), but the refuse to help me unless I purchase some kind of software help thing.

If anyone knows what may be the problem, I would appreciate a response. Thanks!

as an aside: When I turned on the computer for the first time, all of the software it came with (purchased by me or trial versions) were outdated and I had to go online to download updates. I've had a tough time reconciling the money I spent with Dell.

Nebuchadnezzar · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 11:47 am Post subject:

Well, as i think you'll find elsewhere on this site, Dell makes it very clear that software isn't supported by them. Personally I think it should be. I mean, they hardly give you a choice of what software they put in there - if you want a word processor, you've gotta have a microsoft one whether you want it or not. Meaning, I think, that dell should support it. However, if you go around saying how dell doesn't support your software on this site, you'll probably get a VERY harsh reprimanding from certain former and current dell employees, cos they know how the system works.

If it is a virus then there's no gaurentee McAfee will get it - there are all kinds of new viruses popping up all the time - although i admit that its very likely it'd be detected by mcafee. I would love to suggest un-installing and re-installing internet explorer, but oh, i forgot, microsoft have supposedly built that so deeply into the system that you can't - that was to kill competition like netscape Very Happy

.

Have you tried another browser? You could always download something like firefox - works much better than IE in my opinion.

MrsB73 · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 11:52 am Post subject:

Thanks for the response. Very Happy

I'll take a look at Firefox!

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 12:38 pm Post subject:

Software is individually branded ("Microshaft") and support falls on the brand-name. Dell hardware is Dell-branded, or they wouldn't support that either.

Software support was free at one time, but so many people called literally wanting to be taught how to work it over the phone for free, it just wasn't practical to continue offering it for free. In a mass market, everybody gets burned by the sloth of a few.

Yes, it's disconcerting to turn on a 'new' product and have it tell you that everything on it is out-of-date. Antivirus products expect to be updated daily. Even that's not fast enough to 'really' protect you. Kinda like seatbelts in your car. They can improve your survivability, but won't keep you from getting hit. If you're alert, you don't need McAfee/Norton/whatever. Or seatbelts.

Now, your issue with IE--
Software operation is sequential. That is, what it's doing NOW is dependent on what it did LAST.

Do you mean, you turn the system on cold and it has 5 IE processes running before you ever ask it to open IE? OR, do you open several IEs, get one stuck, abandon it and try to open another?

I use Netscape 4.8. Yes it's antiquated, but nobody writes viruses for Netscape. It gets a lot of commands from current websites it doesn't know what to do with, locks up and won't open again until I go to Task Manager and manually shut it down, like you're having to do with IE. I haven't seen IE do precisely that, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. Any application that is still open but 'stuck' with an error it doesn't have a handler for, will be reluctant to open a new iteration.

So, fill in the details and we'll see what we can come up with. Can you determine what the stalled IEs are trying to accomplish? What website they're trying to access when they lock up? If so, obviously avoid that website.
_________________
Rocke T Sinetist
as in, 'it doesn't take a...'

Floppy_Drive · Regular Hater Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 31

Nebuchadnezzar · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 1:59 pm Post subject:

I refer you to my post in the "Sasser Clone..." thread.

NO WAY IS DELL PUTTING VIRUSES IN THEIR PCS.

you and your conspiracy theories...

Floppy_Drive · Regular Hater Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 31

Dude! I was kidding about Dell putting viruses in their systems.
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Yes i would buy another Dell. Its not the stupid machine. Its the tech support thats so bad. The only bad hardware is the cheap celerons.

Nebuchadnezzar · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 4:13 pm Post subject:

oh... erm... lol Embarassed

you all seemed kinda serious

Badger · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 6:32 pm Post subject:

MrsB73: Download Firefox and see if it works okay. If it does, it's an IE problem.

Check and see if you have the Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta installed. Sometimes it comes through as a reccomended download under automatic updates. I've noted it can botch up some of the windows services (especially if you're running IIS) and cause hang times and programs to not load.

Your best bet would be to format the drive and start fresh from your installation CD (you DID get a reinstall CD, didn't you? Wink

) and not have any of the extra's Dell puts in there for you bothering your system. I garuntee that, if this problem has been occuring since the day you purchased it, this will fix the problem.
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I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight for your right to say it.

Midget Tossing funds Terrorism

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:07 pm Post subject:

She might have gotten the WXP reinstall CD, but with Dimension you no longer get the driver CD, and you can't bloody go on the internet to download drivers without the NIC/Modem driver to begin with. You're lucky if your USB keyboard and mouse work.

But think of the millions they saved!
_________________
Rocke T Sinetist
as in, 'it doesn't take a...'

Nebuchadnezzar · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 1:29 am Post subject:

Well, she could always downlod the driver/s she needs to get online before re-installing, and then re install + install drivers offf of a CD or something. Trouble with re-installing windows anyway, is that if simply updating doesn't work you need to go through re-installing all your programs, which if you don't use your computer al the time anyway can seem to be tedious and a waste of time - not to mention tricky with some things like drivers.

MrsB73 · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 7:59 am Post subject:

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:20 am Post subject:

Nebuchadnezzar · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:41 am Post subject:

http://www.bash.org/?34255

A submit button could be html - you never know.

MrsB73 · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:25 am Post subject:

My home page is Yahoo.

Also, I have a child who plays an online game (runescape?) that require SunJava, so we did download that after we got the computer.

I'm at work now so I can't check the rest, I'll get back on when I get home.

Thanks!