Windows 7 or 8?

[sillygirl1]

Nothing wrong with my Dell, sometimes PCs get a 'bad name' because people don't understand them or try to play high end games with a basic spec.

 

Don't go by reviews, go by what you actually need a PC for.

[snowdragon]

I will SG, thank you, it is more for o/h then me lol,

[Guest]

all can se is what I posted so not sure about the graphics, anything that works better then this laptop I am using will be great!

 

those pics are only 'illustrative only' according to their website, so don't completely rely on those as what you will actually get.

no worries re graphics card. from what you say is intended use, onboard integrated graphics should be ok if its not too old?

so, for the 30 more you get a refurbished dell with dual core processor, 1 gb memory more, and 20 gb more on the hard drive capacity, and 1 year rtb warranty? seems ok?

do you need wi fi (eg wireless connection to your broadband router)?

see what others think

Edited September 27, 2013 by Ford

[snowdragon]

no I use ethernet for my BB, never had wireless, even this laptop is not wireless! not mine anyway thank goodness.

[snowdragon]

well took a chance and decided on getting one with a hd upgrade, it arrived Tuesday and the driver dropped the box,said to him it better work now, he said it is well padded! Did not set it up till today and it does not work, the push button on the tower is loose and does not seem to go on/off. Tried it several times and checked all connections but nothing, did hear it make a slight noise when connected to internet but it stopped as soon as it started so not happy as £136 is a lot to me, I have contacted the place it came from and am waiting for a reply or I will have to phone them

[renegadeimp]

You really should have refused to accept delivery.

[snowdragon]

I know at the time my mind was elsewhere as o/h is not well, they are giving me another one

[miket82]

8 is OK but download Classic Start Button software (it's free and no nags) to give you a proper start button until and if you get used to the Metro system. Windows 8.1, to be released on 17th October is a bit better but only available free if you have an existing license. Win 7 is reliable. If you don't like change stick with 7 otherwise go for 8 but it can be annoying and can insist on doing things its way. I use both, including the preview of 8.1 but prefer 7. If you decide to get a touch screen 8 is the best choice.

[Nystagmite]

I've got 7 and have had no problems with it.

 

May need a new laptop soon. No idea how much longer this one will last.

[Conniff]

I've got 7 and have had no problems with it.

 

May need a new laptop soon. No idea how much longer this one will last.

 

Just make sure it's not Lenovo. It really is a piece of cheap junk.

[renegadeimp]

With laptops, there is one golden rule. You get what you pay for. ( Unless its built by apple)

[Guest]

. ( Unless its built by apple)

 

but, at least then you'll get a half bitten apple motif on the cover

[snowdragon]

need help please, had the tower replaced and it arrived today, just gone to set it up and lo and behold nothing, for one thing there is something missing from where you put the blue connecting end in the tower, IE one screw hole is incomplete, another it does not even fire up and also the on/off button does not do anything, it is not my end as this laptop is on window 7 as well and connected by ethernet and works straight away, am I within my rights to say enough is enough and get a full refund? had enough now

[Conniff]

If the 'blue thing' means the graphic socket, then that means you have no onboard graphics and need a graphics card.

 

Booting up, is there an on/off switch on the power supply where you plugged in the mains (kettle) lead ?

[snowdragon]

sorry not good at explaining things, there is a a switch which I tried and nothing, it comes on and goes off, the blue thing I mean it at the end of a black cable it has 2 blue plug things that you screw to the tower and one to the monitor etc, it is the screw bit that is missing so not able to screw it in right, hope that makes sense? the on/off switch at the front just does no work,I could see the ethernet cable was working and the monitor works

[Guest]

sounds like the vga cable that goes into the vga port on the tower. it should work anyway without having to screw in the screws with it so long as it is plugged in to the port.

does the pc start booting up at all?

[snowdragon]

no Ford it does not, it make a sound like it wants to but nothing, tried everything, made sure all cables etc were in right but nothing

[Guest]

even without a monitor attached, or even with no graphics, a pc should begin to 'start' up when pressing the on button.

surely they would've tested it before sending out!

just to double check;

power cord to power supply is in and switched on at plug? also check the power supply unit switch at back of case is on, if there is one.

Edited October 5, 2013 by Ford

[miket82]

sorry not good at explaining things, there is a a switch which I tried and nothing, it comes on and goes off, the blue thing I mean it at the end of a black cable it has 2 blue plug things that you screw to the tower and one to the monitor etc, it is the screw bit that is missing so not able to screw it in right, hope that makes sense? the on/off switch at the front just does no work,I could see the ethernet cable was working and the monitor works

The graphic plug can be used without the screw holder provided the plug is plugged in so that the ends where the screws are entered straight in and once plugged in the plug doesn't wobble if you attempt to wobble it. However, if you move either the tower and/or the cable moves this may be enough for the connection to break and the display will go dark.

 

However, if the monitor works with the plug you describe you have entered it correctly bearing in my my proviso above about possible movement. Also, I assume you can see the Ethernet cable lights flashing when you say the ethernet cable is working. This means that the on/off switch is working otherwise nothing would work and I suggest the LED indicating the switch is working is the problem.

 

If this is a new machine I suggest you contact the supplier, report the faults and take it from there as there is a strong possibility that if you have these, albeit minor faults, there are probably other more major hidden faults just waiting to bite you. It does suggest sloppy building and a lack of post testing by the supplier before dispatching it you as neither would be a result of transportation damage.

 

Hope this helps.

 

It is possible that the missing screw was removed when the graphics plug was originally used and then removed for dispatch. This can happen if during the original build the internal connection was not securely fixed or the plug was overtightened meaning that on removal it took the connecting socket screw with it. The LED failing to light will almost certainly be down to a faulty solder joint. DO NOT attempt this repair unless you have small part soldering skills.

Edited October 5, 2013 by miket82
extra info

[snowdragon]

thanks, it is from a company called encore ( stone group) who specialise is refurbished/rebuilds of dell laptops and desktops.The ethernet light was lit up in the back of the tower but it will not come on at all, no noise etc.Really fed up now

[Guest]

no Ford it does not, it make a sound like it wants to but nothing, tried everything, made sure all cables etc were in right but nothing

 

ok, it makes a sound. could give em a call, if they can't troubleshoot fix over the phone insist on return at their expense and full refund if you want. or insist on a refund anyway. if they offer another one try get a free upgrade due to the inconvenience. up to you.

Edited October 5, 2013 by Ford

[snowdragon]

thanks, going to ask for full refund as this is second one now, thank you all for your help

[miket82]

Just make sure it's not Lenovo. It really is a piece of cheap junk.

I had a Lenovo laptop which I bought whilst working in Bali. It was used heavily, I made constant software alterations to, it experienced high temperatures and almost 100% humidity for most of its life with me. After 4 years I sold it on return to the UK as it is still in use today, 6 years after purchased. I never had a single problem with it and it was never cleaned, it just worked. It still does!

[snowdragon]

my step daughter has a lenovo laptop which has always worked fine

[Conniff]

Yes, they work ok. They are from IBM who probably knows more about computers than anyone.

 

They are built down to a price though. Usually just one speaker and very flimsy case, especially around the hinges.

 

As a starter they are ok, but I wouldn't recommend anyone go and buy one.