I'm back.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: I'm back.

Before I get too far with what you should do, how was the computer working, say, a week before you had the problem? What happened right before the computer went blank---was anything (hardware or software) installed or anything updated? What isn't working now that they restored it? Did they replace anything that you know of?

1. About 5 days before the mouse froze up.

2. Right before: nothing. Wife went to click on a game icon as it redirected, it just stayed blank.

3. About 2 weeks prior I installed a H&R block tax program. (Did tax return-never had a problem)

4. Power saving feature - we went to the feature and created a new program - restarted computer - No power saver.

5. Nothing was replaced. They claim all they did was a diagnostic check. It came back clean. Their only solution was to wipe out everything and restore it with the recovery disc.

But, when we got the CPU home, we hooked everything back up, it immediately recognized the wireless keyboard and mouse. How? There was no software as they wiped it all out. I also realize that most all monitors are plug and play, however, the computer recognized our specific monitor immediately. Again, how as everything is supposedly wiped out?

There you have it Tyler, that's as much as we know. So, tomorrow morning I will call Dell and tell them what's going on. I doubt if I will get through because as soon as they ask for the serial number, they know it's a BB Geek Squad fix. At least that's what happened when the problem originally surfaced. Thanks again.

[roushstage2]

Re: I'm back.

Sounds almost as if they just did a Windows repair, and not a full restore as the hardware drivers were still present. If you haven't got too much new information etc. on your hard drive and you have all of the disks for everything, I personally would perform a full restore myself so I know everything gets wiped clean and everything gets reinstalled fresh (drivers and the software that came with it). Did Dell let you talk to someone?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: I'm back.

No , I am still trying to get thru to someone at Dell to hear me out. I will talk it over with the wife. She is trying to get a hold of some of the tech people at a office next door to her work. They seem to think that everything the Geek squad did was unnecessary. So I will keep trying to get somewhere with Dell. If the wife can't get a hold of the tech people then a full restore is what I will try next.

Thanks for all the suggestions. It is greatly appreciated.

[roushstage2]

Re: I'm back.

One more thing I can think of is when they ask for the model number, give it to them but tell them you are unable to get the serial number at the time (you are not with the computer) so they can't look it up. "I'm at work and had some free time to call about my computer at home" kind of thing.

Other than that I suppose, just let me know if you need anything else.

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: I'm back.

The latest operating systems (atleast XP SP2) have a built in driver detection system. Plus, most of the drivers (wireless keyboards, etc) are the same. So, Windows can automatically detect and run the product without installing anything.

System Restore is an excellent program, most of the time. I suggest you try that and see what your options are there. Dell always loads their computers up with trial software, which is really annoying. At the end of the day, it might be a good idea just to reformat the drive and reinstall the operating system.

If you need to get the files off the hard drive, I would be more than happy to help. I run four hard drives, so it's no problem to pull any need files off the drive.

[CieraSL]

Re: I'm back.

All this talk about computers reminds me of a joke.

If Operating Systems Ran The Airlines

UNIX Airways
Everyone brings one piece of the plane along when they come to the airport. They all go out on the runway and put the plane together piece by piece, arguing non-stop about what kind of plane they are supposed to be building.


Air DOS
Everybody pushes the airplane until it glides, then they jump on and let the plane coast until it hits the ground again. Then they push again, jump on again, and so on ...


Mac Airlines
All the stewards, captains, baggage handlers, and ticket agents look and act exactly the same. Every time you ask questions about details, you are gently but firmly told that you don't need to know, don't want to know, and everything will be done for you without your ever having to know, so just shut up.


Windows Air
The terminal is pretty and colorful, with friendly stewards, easy baggage check and boarding, and a smooth take-off. After about 10 minutes in the air, the plane explodes with no warning whatsoever.


Windows NT Air
Just like Windows Air, but costs more, uses much bigger planes, and takes out all the other aircraft within a 40-mile radius when it explodes.

Linux Air
Disgruntled employees of all the other OS airlines decide to start their own airline. They build the planes, ticket counters, and pave the runways themselves. They charge a small fee to cover the cost of printing the ticket, but you can also download and print the ticket yourself. When you board the plane, you are given a seat, four bolts, a wrench and a copy of the seat-HOWTO.html. Once settled, the fully adjustable seat is very comfortable, the plan leaves and arrives on time without a single problem, the in-flight meal is wonderful. You try to tell customers of the other airlines about the great trip, but all they can say is, "You had to do what with the seat?"

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: I'm back.

Well I am going to give Dell a try on Monday. If no luck, I will be redoing the whole computer. Hopefully it will be smooth sailing. I appreciate the offer Chris. If I run into a snag, I will let you know. Thanks Tyler for the ideas. Here is hoping I can get somewhere with Dell.

[roushstage2]

Re: I'm back.

Cheers and GL, lol.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: I'm back.

Well I called Dell today. I would have had as much luck, opening the window and yelling DEll. I talked to one rep. He transferred me to the appropriate tech. Never got there. I was on hold for 39 minutes and I finally said that is it. I hung up.

While I was on hold, I was checking out the forums. As much as I gather, the conflict seems to be in the power saver mode. There were 3people experiencing the same problems as us. There was not a fix suggested by Dell.

I am going to give them another call tomorrow. Maybe they were backlogged being a Monday. If there is no getting threw to them on Tuesday, I will be doing the reformatting probably on Friday. First free Day that I have.
Also while I was on hold I found out that the "Geek Squad" installed about 15 Microsoft updates on the pc. That appears to be all that they did.


Well, that is about it from here for know.

[roushstage2]

Re: I'm back.

Well, best of luck! I am still waiting to get my laptop back. Amazing how long it is actually taking since they have to wait for the correct parts...

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: I'm back.

Sorry for the delay in reporting back. On Friday I started the reformatting. My oldest daughter was here also. We let the disk do it's thing and everything appears to be working again. The computer is faster all programs are working very well. There is no problems. Everything is great again.

So far so good. We hope this is all behind us and the reformatting did the trick.

Thanks again everyone for the very helpful suggestions. Tyler you were a big help. Thanks again everyone.

[Tuck91]

Re: I'm back.

glad you fixed everything, i do not know a thing about computers and would have been lost if i was in your shoes

[roushstage2]

Re: I'm back.

Sorry for the delay in reporting back. On Friday I started the reformatting. My oldest daughter was here also. We let the disk do it's thing and everything appears to be working again. The computer is faster all programs are working very well. There is no problems. Everything is great again.

So far so good. We hope this is all behind us and the reformatting did the trick.

Thanks again everyone for the very helpful suggestions. Tyler you were a big help. Thanks again everyone.

No problem. Glad I could help. I know how they work and what they say, etc. Only reason I suggested doing it yourself, to make sure it was done right to try and eliminate that. [rant]God they annoy me with their incompetence at their "specially trained, professional and knowledgeable jobs."[/rant]

OH, they still are not finished with my laptop. Over 3 weeks now for the correct motherboard...

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: I'm back.

I feel your pain. The Geek squad is really: Get Everyone Electronics Keep them. lol. They are a royal pain. JMHO.

[roushstage2]

Re: I'm back.

[vent]
A month later: I went to pick up my laptop today....

Spent, IDK, two hours in the store before leaving so the very nice (and pretty, hehe) girl could get back to other things.

All they did was apparently "restore my OS and update BIOS" for a month. I'm not sure why I was waiting for parts for a month? As for everything still not working, simply put, too bad so sad...
I'll end it here for fear of it not being family friendly.

I am livid and am on the phone as I'm typing this.

[/vent]

EDIT: Just got off of the phone with someone at Geek Squad Customer Service. Simply put, I'm expecting a phone call from the store manager within the hour. The guy on the phone was very understanding, courteous, polite and helpful and took care of everything for me.