HELP

[AlHayatZween 2]

Morning all,

Need some computer advice...

My laptop is freezing up every time i turn it on in Normal Mode. Called Dell as i just renewed the hardware warranty, and they say it's a software issue (which is not covered by warranty, i guess)...

They said if it's a minor problem it would cost me $70 to fix via remote assistance.

A more advanced problem $130...

But then they tell me that the above adjustments are only guaranteed for 72 hours. Meaning if they fix my computer for $130, and the problem returns (like the pesky wireless card malfunction, which occurs every couple of months), they charge me an additional amount.

Any advice? i'm not a computer wiz... Should i just pay the $$ and hope i have no problems after 72 hours? Should i take the computer to Best Buy and have them fix it?

This computer is exactly 13 months old... sucks....

Many thanks,

hz

[Otto 83]

So what happened between the time it last booted properly and when it began freezing up? (Please don't say 'Nothing' )

Win XP? Vista?

Edited November 28, 2009 by Otto und Karin

[NickD 203]

While I have other reasons for not liking Dell, can't hold them responsible for software problems. With conventional Windows commands, you can delete or load any kind of file or software you want to. Even change the operating parameters on your hard drive that stores all this data. What a virus does, is to use these Window commands in a very malicious way. And neither Dell nor any other computer manufacture has any control of what e-mail you open or what site you visit, that is up to you for knowing a tad more about computers. Essentially you are on a party line with millions of other computers and some have naughty users.

My wifes' computer problems ended when she met me, with her kids on her computer, constant, worm, malware, adware, and virus problems. Was able to cure those from 4,000 miles away remotely, but did give her her very own computer so we could chat. But when it came to hardware problems, I was dead.

Last night she said her keyboard wasn't working, some keys would fly a character across the screen, others didn't work at all on her beloved notebook slightly out of warranty. She watched me carefully take her baby apart, remove and disassemble the keyboard. Kine of panicked when I dipped the keyboard in the kitchen sink with soap and water, but assured her, I removed all the electronics and this is just plastic. But noted the care I used to clean her membrane switches with denatured alcohol, then very meticulously reassembled her baby. Everything worked great again, my reward was a big hug and kiss and something else.

Ha, marry a person that knows computers or earns enough money for someone else to repair it, or learn.

[aidan80 9]

  AlHayatZween said:

Morning all,

Need some computer advice...

My laptop is freezing up every time i turn it on in Normal Mode. Called Dell as i just renewed the hardware warranty, and they say it's a software issue (which is not covered by warranty, i guess)...

They said if it's a minor problem it would cost me $70 to fix via remote assistance.

A more advanced problem $130...

But then they tell me that the above adjustments are only guaranteed for 72 hours. Meaning if they fix my computer for $130, and the problem returns (like the pesky wireless card malfunction, which occurs every couple of months), they charge me an additional amount.

Any advice? i'm not a computer wiz... Should i just pay the $ and hope i have no problems after 72 hours? Should i take the computer to Best Buy and have them fix it?

This computer is exactly 13 months old... sucks....

Many thanks,

hz

Software going bad, something installed/uninstalled intentional or unintentional and do all kinds of things to your computer. My not charging you $70 advice, personally I'd recommend running a scan for virus' you can do a free scan over at housecall.trendmicro.com just start "safe mode with networking". If that fails you can download (from a known good computer) Kaspersky AV you can get instructions on how to use it here. It's very easy and designed for the average person to use. Once it's clean assuming you have some form of malware you should be able to start up again as normal. Before you start up again and once everything is clean copy out your profile or just grab all the files you'll need, secure them first. If it's still not starting up correctly you can always run a repair of windows if you have the windows disc. All else fails with your files secured and clean you could just use the recovery/restore CD/DVD to re image the machine.

Good luck!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

HZ, I'd recommend talking the laptop to one of the computer tech people at your university (talk to them about it first). I'm certain that someone would be willing to at least give you an accurate diagnosis of the problem and if it's minor, fix it for you without any cost.

Edited November 28, 2009 by Galt's gallstones

[AlHayatZween 2]

thanks, guys. it's not the $$ so much that bothers me, it's that they told me that they can only guarantee their work for 72 hours.

yes, Windows Vista, OuK. the last time it was working properly, i ran a virus scan, like a spyware scan, and it shut down midway and hasn't been working right since. i downloaded the Service Pack updates b/c i thought that was causing a glitch...and since then, it's been getting progressively worse all week.

i'm going to try to call over the school now, GG, but it is thanksgiving holiday so more than likely nobody is working... i could go a couple of days without it, but i have finals next week and about to have a baby any day now, so was hoping to finish all the semester's schoolwork this weekend. remember when professors would accept handwritten papers if you skipped a line between each sentence?

Aidan, i'm sure i have the Windows disk here somewhere, but where to find it...

Thanks guys!

[Heracles 417]

  AlHayatZween said:

thanks, guys. it's not the $$ so much that bothers me, it's that they told me that they can only guarantee their work for 72 hours.

yes, Windows Vista, OuK. the last time it was working properly, i ran a virus scan, like a spyware scan, and it shut down midway and hasn't been working right since. i downloaded the Service Pack updates b/c i thought that was causing a glitch...and since then, it's been getting progressively worse all week.

i'm going to try to call over the school now, GG, but it is thanksgiving holiday so more than likely nobody is working... i could go a couple of days without it, but i have finals next week and about to have a baby any day now, so was hoping to finish all the semester's schoolwork this weekend. remember when professors would accept handwritten papers if you skipped a line between each sentence?

Aidan, i'm sure i have the Windows disk here somewhere, but where to find it...

Thanks guys!

Are you in the education field?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Can you start it in safe mode and run a virus scan?

[AlHayatZween 2]

i'm running Webroot AntiVirus scan now... but it never seems to find anything... i can't run McAfee in safe mode...

yes, BY, please don't hold it against me.

[Heracles 417]

  AlHayatZween said:

i'm running Webroot AntiVirus scan now... but it never seems to find anything... i can't run McAfee in safe mode...

yes, BY, please don't hold it against me.

The reason I ask is because you can get a windows 7 pro upgrade for $29.95.

[AlHayatZween 2]

  Booyah! said:

  AlHayatZween said:

i'm running Webroot AntiVirus scan now... but it never seems to find anything... i can't run McAfee in safe mode...

yes, BY, please don't hold it against me.

The reason I ask is because you can get a windows 7 pro upgrade for $29.95.

Yes, it's true!

i can actually upgrade to Windows 7 for free at my school, but i'm afraid to try it myself, making the problem w/ my computer worse...? Can you download a new operating system in safe mode?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

  AlHayatZween said:

i'm running Webroot AntiVirus scan now... but it never seems to find anything... i can't run McAfee in safe mode...

yes, BY, please don't hold it against me.

Try something better. http://www.bitdefender.com/scanner/online/free.html or

http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

Both are free online scanners. You can also try this. http://www.malwarebytes.org/

[Heracles 417]

  AlHayatZween said:

  Booyah! said:

  AlHayatZween said:

i'm running Webroot AntiVirus scan now... but it never seems to find anything... i can't run McAfee in safe mode...

yes, BY, please don't hold it against me.

The reason I ask is because you can get a windows 7 pro upgrade for $29.95.

Yes, it's true!

i can actually upgrade to Windows 7 for free at my school, but i'm afraid to try it myself, making the problem w/ my computer worse...? Can you download a new operating system in safe mode?

Yes. However, I would recommend a clean install. Save all your documents in safe mode and then start from scratch (clean install).

While I have had no problem with Vista, windows 7 is much smoother.

Edited November 28, 2009 by Booyah!

[AlHayatZween 2]

Ok, thanks guys... will give it a shot.

By some miracle had the foresight to backup all my docs & pics two days ago when this started...

[Heracles 417]

  AlHayatZween said:

Ok, thanks guys... will give it a shot.

By some miracle had the foresight to backup all my docs & pics two days ago when this started...

Clean install of windows 7 is the way to go. Especially if you get it for free from school.