The Forestry Forum

Forum Help => Technical Support Topics => Topic started by: Magicman on May 19, 2018, 08:23:31 PM

Title: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on May 19, 2018, 08:23:31 PM
Yup, 'nother new laptop again....again. ::)

I finally had to send the "new" one back to Dell.  They did whatever is the easiest thing for them to do so now I am stuck will setting all of this mess up again....again.  ::)  The very first thing that I did was to add the FF to the Favorite bar and start to make this reply.  Yup, hit the backspace and it took me back to the index page.  I chunked it into the corner until I can install Firefox again....again.

I just want something that is dependable and works, which seems like a small and reasonable request.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Southside on May 19, 2018, 08:54:31 PM
Maybe petition Wood Mizer to create the "Info Mizer" series of laptops that come with the Accuset 2 operating system?  :D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on May 19, 2018, 09:16:22 PM
It will probably run all night getting updates....or either shut itself down again....again.  One would think that when Dell installed the operating system and whatever else that they would install the most updated one??  Naaa, too easy.  

I did install Firefox but MS/Edge did not go down without a fight.  There are some features that I really like with Edge, but taking me back a page when I backspace burns me up.

After it finishes updating I will have to do all of my bookmarks again....again.  :-\
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on May 19, 2018, 09:20:08 PM
I would rather take a beating with a 1.5" sweetgum limb than break in a new computer :). 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on May 19, 2018, 10:09:08 PM
This thing is churning away doing Win 10 updates.  If it does not finish I'll just let it sleep with the light on.

Well I would have waited forever because it was "awaiting a restart".  It's so stinking smart why didn't it do it itself??   If that is what it needs, then do it.  ::)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Ianab on May 19, 2018, 11:27:58 PM
Win10 updates are still a pain. 

The reason they now say "Waiting to restart" is to give you a heads up. If they just restarted they might spend an HOUR completing the updates. Want to check your emails or calendar before you head out for the day? Tough... At least this way you know to hit the restart button and let it do it's thing. 

I do prefer the way Linux does it's updates. You just click on the notification icon, enter your password, and it runs in the background. Very seldom it needs a reboot, and it it does, it's in the normal time.

Very frustrating when you go to set up and deliver a new system to a customer. We've learnt to unpack them the day before and let the updates run while you do other basic setup work. Otherwise you can get stuck on site with the "Installing updates... 1%" screen for an hour.    >:( 

Linux isn't for everyone, but current versions like Mint are user friendly enough for most people, and with so many things being web based now, as long as you have a current browser (Chrome and Firefox both run on Linux) 

If you have a rainy day and an old but still functioning PC, download a Linux Mint setup disk and give it a go. You might be pleasantly surprised. I'm running now on a 7 year old machine that used to be someone's email server. 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: clearcut on May 20, 2018, 01:42:34 AM
While I agree that Linux has a lot to offer, there are 2 issues to consider. One is choosing a distribution that suits your hardware and software needs can be confusing. The other is when you do have to tweak a setting especially to get a piece of hardware to run, a trip to the command line can be intimidating. 

For folks with relatively simple needs, email, web sites, simple spreadsheets, I've been recommending Chrome OS (Google's variant of Linux) on a Chromebook. Quick to start up, automatic updates, automatic cloud backup with Google. The machines are low cost but snappy. There is a version suitable for old laptops. Usable refurbished Chromebooks can be had for $100 or so. 

Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Ianab on May 20, 2018, 03:49:45 AM
Fair comment, a Chromebook is all a lot of folks actually need, and the stripped down version of Linux is both easy to use and pretty secure. The kid's school have a few in each classroom, and they are used as part of the lessons. They can save their work to Google Drive and call it up at home and work on things there, with whatever device they happen to have at home. 

But if that's all you need, a default install of Linux Mint will work just as well. There can be issues with the most modern (or total oddball) hardware not being supported, but if you are running reasonably standard hardware that's a couple of years old it seems to work fine. Never had it not run up on an Intel or Gigabyte system board, because they are pretty "standard" stuff. 

We have all sorts of stuff networked here at home. It's amazing how the kids will swap devices, and just carry on. We had 4 kids here today on a rainy Sunday afternoon, and they were swapping between Win10 (desktop, laptop and tablet) / Android / Ipad and logging into the same multiplayer games on all of them. 

And Lil has made peace with the computer lab look, cos if her machine goes down, there is always a spare or 3 ready to go.  :D Or the "can you fix..." or "can you get the files back off this" sort of thing. 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on May 20, 2018, 08:20:33 AM
It seems to be OK this morning and with only one notification which is a Mozilla feedback.  I'll load Malware Bytes & Libre Office this afternoon and check picture uploading and video viewing.  Oh yes, and connect to the printer and see how that goes.  I guess that I'll have to find Pop-block or whatever it is on Firefox and enable it.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on May 20, 2018, 03:26:39 PM
This thing has already crashed again....again, stopcode: faulty hardware, corrupted page.  I just hope that it was because I was feeding it too many Prunes and it crapped out.  :-\
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on May 20, 2018, 10:10:21 PM
Hopefully I am on a roll and more hopefully this thing doesn't crash again....again.  

I have gotten all of my Favorites/Bookmarks in both Firefox and Edge.  I intend to use both enough to be confident that there are not any surprises hiding/lurking. 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on May 23, 2018, 01:33:48 PM
Died again....again.  :-\
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on May 31, 2018, 05:06:03 PM
I am back communicating with Dell technical support again....again.  :-\  

I never know when this thing will conk out and have to be restarted.  I have about had it, but I don't think that I have any recourse except to do what they say to do.  The error messages say; "faulty hardware", and they keep wanting me to download stuff and I have but it has not done anything to correct the problem.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on May 31, 2018, 08:53:11 PM
Not Again.....again?
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on May 31, 2018, 10:48:49 PM
Yup, I just finished going through another batch of tests, all of which said that no problem was detected.  I am sure that the person (Tanzeel_Shaikh) that I am "communicating" with knows his/her stuff.  :P
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on June 19, 2018, 08:04:51 AM
For the past few weeks I have been communicating every couple of days with "Tanzeel".  I have been downloading and installing updates and chipsets.  One download this morning was for an older version of something so we shall see again....again.  :-X
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Texas Ranger on June 19, 2018, 09:22:57 AM
I stopped buying Dell years ago for the reasons you have posted.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on June 19, 2018, 09:38:41 AM
I agree but I am not convinced whether this is a Dell or an Intel problem??  It seems that the updates are Intel and Win 10.

I do know that the Dell technician has been very persistent and courteous trying to work with me.  Of course I have been on either cellular hotspot or campground internet service while traveling which has been an inconvenience.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: pineywoods on June 19, 2018, 10:49:05 AM
Just an fyi on late model dell stuff. I do a bit of pc repair for neighbors and friends. Neighbor brought me a fairly new (but waranty expired) low end dell desktop. Would not boot at all  Corrupted bootloader program in the pc bios, therefore can't load any kind of fixit program. The current trend is to store the pc bios in a programable non removable memory chip rather than a permanent burned-in chip. If you have auto-update enabled, dell will occasionally update that software, in addition to microsoft updating windows. Here's the catch.. If that bios update gets interrupted before it completes, you will probably have a new doorstop. In addition, at least one bios update requires a corresponding update to windows. Dell's solution is to replace the entire motherboard at a price that makes junking the unit attractive if the warranty is expired. . Dell's low end desktop computers use the same motherboard as their lap tops, just different keyboard and screen..so the problem applies to both..Beware of automatic updates....
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on June 19, 2018, 01:26:52 PM
Thanks Wayne, at least this one still has 6 more months of warranty.  

The next step this morning was to schedule a technician to make a home visit and replace the board.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on June 19, 2018, 08:12:21 PM
Again, again?
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Jim_Rogers on June 23, 2018, 09:01:55 AM
MM
How's your computer running now?

Jim Rogers
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on June 23, 2018, 02:07:45 PM
So far Jim, I am coasting along.  I did everything that "Tanzeel" told me to do, and he has already sent me 2 emails inquiring how it's doing.  At least I can't fault him. 

I want it to work because this is a nifty and lightweight 14" Laptop.  I also would like to use Edge but it has a habit of forgetting everything that I have typed occasionally when I backspace.  Grrrrr, so Firefox it is.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Jim_Rogers on June 23, 2018, 04:26:28 PM
Well, I guess no news is good news.....
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 02, 2018, 01:36:40 PM
I have not had any problems since June 24th so I gave Dell permission to close out my service number this morning.  Time will tell, but so far, so good.

I did get an "emergency" call this morning notifying me that my Microsoft Windows License had expired and that I needed to immediately call an 800 number and have my license renewed.  Wow, that was a close call!  :o  All that they needed was my credit card number and it would be renewed and thus prevent any disruption of my computer activities.  Wow, I love it when so many people are looking after my best interest.  ::)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: ronwood on July 02, 2018, 02:38:19 PM
Sounds like a scam for sure!!
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Texas Ranger on July 02, 2018, 03:16:25 PM
I received the same call, MM, simple, just give us money, no problem. ::)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: SwampDonkey on July 02, 2018, 03:56:52 PM
I am on my 3rd Toshiba laptop since 2000. None of them broke, just got slower as the next operating system consumed more bloat and ram. I threw away two working dinosaurs. :D

Hopefully, you will not go down for the 3rd count. ;D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 02, 2018, 04:41:01 PM
Yup, that is what was wrong with my last Laptop.  It's belly was not large enough to digest what it was being fed.  It kept asking that I delete some files so that Win10 could make the latest update.  :o  
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: SwampDonkey on July 02, 2018, 04:50:34 PM
I think I'll dig out an old Commodore 64. Laugh, but some folks have even connected to the internet on those 35 year old clunkers. Well, just because they can. They're not doing Facebook though. :D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 03, 2018, 08:30:19 AM
Well, I don't know.  Blue Screen Critical Failure, Stopcode: Memory Management.  I ran the Support Assist last night and it did a "file clean" and "performance tune".  I wonder if that caused the failure or if it is the same old, same old, again....again.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 03, 2018, 04:53:36 PM
Dell has reactivated the repair service number and are sending me a return box again....again.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 08, 2018, 08:27:30 PM
As per their instructions I removed the hard drive so that I would not loose my files, etc. and have the Laptop boxed and ready for it's return trip to Dell again....again.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 15, 2018, 09:31:41 AM
At least this is a well traveled Laptop.  It came back from Dell....again Friday so we shall see again....again....again.

The paperwork stated that they: plastics replaced, mechanical part replaced, main logic board replaced, memory replaced, clean system, tested for full functionality.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: lxskllr on July 15, 2018, 04:06:24 PM
I'm pretty skeptical of "tuning" software. Dunno if that caused your issue, but I doubt it helped. MS has decent engineers that are paid good money to develop operating systems. Random third parties don't add much to the bottom line outside of exceptional circumstances. If it were me, I'd unistall anything that doesn't come with vanilla Windows,  and let the system take care of itself. Windows is pretty good anymore about not requiring user intervention.

My computer finally died this morning. I've been having issues for awhile. The MB has swollen caps, and components have been slowly giving up. I think the GFX card is what finally quit. I built that machine in 06. Not a bad run, especially considering it spent ≈8 years with a 30% overclock. Not sure what I'm doing yet. I'm not into hardware like I once was. I'll see what the pawnshop has. Get something cheap, move my drive over, and call it a day :shrugs:
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Ianab on July 15, 2018, 08:58:38 PM
Quote from: lxskllr on July 15, 2018, 04:06:24 PM'm pretty skeptical of "tuning" software.


I'm 100% sceptical of that stuff. Best running systems are the clean ones, with the least unnecessary rubbish in the background. The big manufacturers are bad for loading machines down with bloatware, maybe to make people think they are getting something "extra" for their money?

A lot of the "Windows 10 upgrade problems" were due to the original bloatware being left on the machine during the upgrade, and some of it not being Win10 friendly, and some just being rubbish. Fixed a lot of those by wiping the disk and re-installing a clean Win10, with none of the bloatware. Machines ran fine after that.

Anyway, it sounds like MM basically has a "new" machine, just in the old case. A laptop really only has a system board, RAM and a hard disk that are the "computer" parts. The rest is screen and keyboard etc, which don't cause those problems. 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 15, 2018, 09:16:34 PM
They replaced the hard drive the first time that the Laptop went back to Dell.  This time they let me keep the hard drive so that none of my files would be lost.  

Malwarebytes is the only extra that I have installed and they told me that it was OK.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Ianab on July 15, 2018, 09:41:14 PM
Quote from: Magicman on July 15, 2018, 09:16:34 PMMalwarebytes is the only extra that I have installed and they told me that it was OK.


Yeah, that can be useful, and generally wont cause a problem. Probably better to not run it as a background task though, just as an "on demand" scanner to look for any crapware you may have picked up. 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 15, 2018, 09:47:21 PM
It's the "premium" version and is set up to run/scan ~3:00 every morning.  
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 18, 2018, 05:39:24 PM
Soooo. now on the 4th day it died again.....X4.   ::)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on July 18, 2018, 07:50:34 PM
I wonder how far that you could throw it?  Just think of all the pleasurable things that you could do to break it into tiny pieces.  There is a thread here on charring wood.  Maybe you could char it :). 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 18, 2018, 08:45:35 PM
As per Dell's instructions today I have; RAM check, SFC, & IMEI.  I am now working on "fast startup".  
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 18, 2018, 09:31:59 PM
I just got an email and Dell is escalating this to their " Resolution Experts", shall I say....again.  At least they are very prompt with there responses.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 19, 2018, 02:19:12 PM
After our latest exchange of email during which I was not so nice, well firm anyway, they are to schedule a home visit.   :P
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: ronwood on July 19, 2018, 03:02:30 PM
Magicman

Why don't Dell just give  you a new labtop?

Ron
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 19, 2018, 03:48:32 PM
I asked for either a new Laptop or a refund back in June which prompted them to have me send it back again....again.  Everything in it has been replaced so I guess that is why they wanted me to reload the OS this morning.  I said no that enough was enough, and they came back with the "home visit" thing.

Yesterday's bluescreen critical failure said, Stopcode: Faulty hardware corrupted page.  This is the same Stopcode that I have seen several times in the past.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: pineywoods on July 19, 2018, 08:22:31 PM
Lynn, you probably won't like what I'm gonna say, but here goes anyway. This sounds suspiciously like a dell problem I spent a lot of time on. This was a desktop, but same as a laptop except for case, screen and keyboard. It is my understanding that most everything has been changed out EXCEPT THE HARD DRIVE which holds all your personal files. There may be a copy of the cpu bios there also. If dell attempted to upgrade the cpu bios (supposedly to fix problems) and you got a corrupted copy, that corrupted copy would be written to the hard drive. Part of a recovery from a windows hiccup would be to reload the cpu bios from hard drive, with guess what, the corrupted copy. That's why changing the motherboard (which contains the cpu among other things) didn't fix the problem.

Therefore it might be advisable to save all your personal stuff if possible. The dell tech probably gonna change out the hard drive..
In theory, he could just download a good copy of bios and install it. I didn't have much luck doing that...
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 19, 2018, 09:05:34 PM
It was my understanding that they replaced the hard drive the first time that it went back to Dell, but it doesn't matter to me.  This morning they wanted me to "create a Windows Recovery & Installation media" and "perform a fresh OS reinstallation on the system". 

That is when I balked and told them if they wanted that done they would have to do it.  I don't care if they wipe it clean because there is nothing here but my bookmarks and I established them so I can do it again.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: IMERC on July 20, 2018, 04:27:17 AM
CCleaner (https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/download) can help tremendously w/ that ''bloat''...
the free version is all that is needed 99% of the time...
I've used it since '04 w/o issue..
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: thecfarm on July 20, 2018, 04:45:06 AM
You are not having any luck with that thing. :(    Maybe you should stick to sawing. :D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on July 20, 2018, 07:17:50 AM
Maybe you should saw it.  I would suggest a 4 degree blade.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Texas Ranger on July 20, 2018, 08:54:01 AM
Quote from: WDH on July 20, 2018, 07:17:50 AM
Maybe you should saw it.  I would suggest a 4 degree blade.

Or use it for a target base for the elk rifle.  ::)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 23, 2018, 05:15:47 PM
A Computer Geek is scheduled to make a home visit tomorrow.  We shall see.  
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: SwampDonkey on July 23, 2018, 05:20:28 PM
It sure is an interesting gauntlet. ::) :D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 24, 2018, 08:23:54 PM
I went to the Prom but I didn't dance.  Got stood up.  My date was a no show.   :-\
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on July 24, 2018, 08:26:26 PM
Again, again?
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: SwampDonkey on July 25, 2018, 03:37:36 AM
Reminds me of getting a Kubota backhoe fixed after 150 hrs on a new machine by the local dealer...........oh about 3 months and it still leaks oil. And Kubota has never owned up other than to send a mouth piece. Welcome to today's world. Don't mention quality and service to me. ;D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: YellowHammer on July 25, 2018, 07:46:03 AM
I finally got tired of all the Windows trials and tribulations about 2 years ago and went Apple.  Love it, never will go back.  Super fast startup, lots of storage, never crashes, everything works together including phones, iPads, wireless printers, networks, etc.

Maybe its time to punt?  
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: lxskllr on July 25, 2018, 08:30:25 AM
I switched to gnu/linux full time in 2009 after using it partially a couple years. I like not being beholden to a company, and having to ask permission to use my computer. My Dell Intel based workstation at work started life as an AMD based netbook. I swapped the drive over, and it booted no problem. I like debian when I have time to set it up, and xubuntu when I want something quick.

That said, it's a proprietary world, and you sometimes have issues when trying to run random hardware, or have to interact with organizations that haven't yet made it to the 21st century(not unironically due to proprietary software). The freedom is worth the extra work imo, and doesn't have the builtin spyware that comes with systems like Win10.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 25, 2018, 12:08:23 PM
I have no idea what is going on or why the miscommunication.  I only know what the Email that I got said.  Now they are saying: The part is shipped to the facility once a Tech is assigned he will call you to setup an appointment for service.   ::)   I have no idea what part or how they know which part??

For whatever reason the Laptop has not failed since Sunday when Windows did a BIOS upgrade.  Maybe that fixed it, but time will tell.  If it is fixed I don't want anyone doing anything.


Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 27, 2018, 04:35:21 PM
The traveling computer repairman showed up today with another "motherboard".  This one was replaced on the 10th at the Dell shop in Texas, so we are both thinking, "why another".  Anyway the Laptop has not failed since the BIOS update was done this past Sunday the 22nd, so the repair guy did nothing.  We shall wait and see again....again.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on July 27, 2018, 07:44:55 PM
You should have boiled him some peanuts. 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 27, 2018, 09:16:15 PM
Funny thing, while we were talking I realized that we grew up about 3 miles apart.  He was shocked when I told him where I was from.  Small world.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 30, 2018, 02:56:16 PM
And then after 8 days, it failed again.  Bluescreen and Stopcode: Faulty hardware, corrupted page.  I called the service guy.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on July 30, 2018, 07:43:53 PM
Again, again?
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Southside on July 30, 2018, 09:08:18 PM
Lynn, you do realize that WDH is actually a computer hacker and has been messing with you all this time creating mayheam. Something to do with the "Magic Oak"..  :D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: lxskllr on July 30, 2018, 09:27:19 PM
Sounds like bad ram to me. Also sounds like a new laptop. I'm willing to play games for awhile, but enough is enough. They should send you a whole new machine. Swapping parts on a new unit is nonsense. That's the hard way to do it. That should go in the parts bin, and you should get something new. Easy and cheap.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 30, 2018, 10:23:31 PM
The service guy is coming back but we have to work out a schedule 'cause we are headed to the PR Thursday.  

I've already said "new one" but they wanted to try this first which is OK but the warranty is for a year and the time is ticking even if I get a new one.

I think that pineywoods nailed the problem and the fix.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: IMERC on July 31, 2018, 02:54:03 AM
Quote from: lxskllr on July 30, 2018, 09:27:19 PMThat should go in the parts bin,


WTB that's where the parts are coming from for the repairs...
other basket cases..
I'd go for a full refund plus a T&T comp then go find a Toshiba unit...
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: pineywoods on July 31, 2018, 10:17:59 AM
similar problem I ran into on a different computer...Some hard drives are firmware driven, the disk bios is written on a reserved track, it is subject to getting clobbered just like the cpu bios. Only fix is replacement.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Texas Ranger on July 31, 2018, 03:24:32 PM
In  my experience, never Dell.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on July 31, 2018, 04:50:13 PM
The computer guy just called.  He will be here about 1:00 tomorrow....again.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 01, 2018, 09:19:40 PM
The computer guy came and spent about 3 hours inside of the Laptop. 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_4773.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1533172215)
 
First it had to be disassembled.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_4774.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1533172190)
 
Then new stuff put in.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_4775.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1533172162)
 
And then put back together.  Only had one screw leftover.  ;D

It got a new "motherboard" and a new "hard drive" and then Win10 had to be installed.  I will have to install Firefox plus gather all of my bookmarks so it will now wait until after the PR.  I was very pleased with the repair technician.

Thankfully I have two laptops
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: SwampDonkey on August 02, 2018, 05:11:44 AM
Might as well brought a new laptop along with him. :D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 07, 2018, 08:52:44 AM
 ::)  I wonder if this thing has been hacked because all of my spam is in Russian......

So now it's time to install Firefox and add all of my favorites.  Then the favorites can be imported to Edge.  This process can take hours but hopefully it will be fixed....finally....again....again.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 07, 2018, 03:31:40 PM
I have been using two Laptops this morning.  Google on one to tell me what to do on the other.  Anyway it looks like I have all of the basics working anyway.  Got all of my Favorites/Bookmarks installed in both Firefox and Edge plus LibreOffice and the other stuff that I regularly or irregularly use.  ;D  It's time to give it the "smoke test" and see what happens....again...again.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on August 07, 2018, 09:23:54 PM
Again.....again?
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 16, 2018, 08:12:13 AM
Failed this morning again....again.  smiley_dizzy
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: ronwood on August 16, 2018, 12:43:51 PM
Looks like it time to have them give you a new one or give you your money back.
Ron
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 16, 2018, 01:30:37 PM
Which is exactly what I said in my email to them this morning; "replace or refund".  I will have to wait and see how they respond.  I am not opposed to sending it back for the third time but my question to them was "how will they know that it is fixed"?

I may have to Google to find out to excalate it above the parts changer outers.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: ronwood on August 16, 2018, 02:44:09 PM
I am wondering with all they changed out is it possible that the issue is with the laptop case and associated connectors.

What is the model number of the laptop?  My son works for  a company that sells and repairs laptops (Dell, HP and IBM) he may have seen this in the past.

Ron
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 16, 2018, 03:44:29 PM
Yes, I am thinking connector/wiring, etc. because the Stopcode is usually: "Faulty hardware, corrupted page" which "to me" means something "solid" rather than a software/programming issue.  Of course in this instance "to me" doesn't carry much weight.  :-\

This is a Latitude 3460 which is probably the cheapest unit that they make.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on August 16, 2018, 08:04:01 PM
Again, again?
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Southside on August 16, 2018, 10:01:21 PM
Oh wouldn't a pound or two of tannerite feel good sitting on either side of that thing...  ;)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 16, 2018, 10:30:54 PM
After the last email exchange that we had I am thinking that it will be replaced.

The only thing that I do not look forward to again....again is establishing all of my Favorites/Bookmarks again....again.  It takes several hours but thankfully I have another Laptop with everything on it.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Southside on August 16, 2018, 11:28:01 PM
Maybe you could offer portable lap top set up services as a business venture! ;D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Ianab on August 17, 2018, 01:58:31 AM
If the machine is running, go into your browser and the bookmarks section. There will be an option to "Export" all your bookmarks to a file. Usually .eml or .html. Save this file to your USB stick.

When you get the new machine, install Firefox again, and go back into the bookmarks section, and find the "Import" function. Locate your file and zap, the bookmarks will be back. 

They may all be in a folder called "imported bookmarks", but you can sort them out from there. 

QuoteMaybe you could offer portable lap top set up services as a business venture! (https://forestryforum.com/board/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
One of my day jobs  ;D

Speaking of which, it not always easy. Brand new Acer laptop out of the box, and it decided it needed to do a Win10 update. Better to do this in the office before you go to site so that it doesn't hold you up there. 3 HOURS later it had updated itself. This is a brand new, medium spec (i5?) sort of machine, not some crusty old piece of junk. 

No wonder people get frustrated with Win10 and it's updates. 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 17, 2018, 07:50:06 AM
Thanks Ian, I have a "thumb" so I will do the export thing this morning.  The Laptop works fine between bluescreens, is very light, and runs cool with the fan seldom coming on.  I really like it.

Actually it went almost two weeks with no failure and then I got a notification saying that I needed to run Dell Support Assist.  It did all of the updates except one that Failed.  I tried it a couple more time with failures.  The next time that I used the Laptop I got a bluescreen Stopcode: Fault hardware, corrupted page.  Also now it doesn't remember my logins.

If/when I get whatever else I get I will be reluctant to do that Support Assist thing.  :-\
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 17, 2018, 08:38:48 AM
Success I think.  Anyway I exported my Firefox bookmarks to my thumb.  I can import the Firefox bookmarks to Edge, which won't be used but they will be there.  Actually I really like a few features on Edge but don't use it because backspace will take me back a page instead of a character and I loose everything that I have typed. 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 23, 2018, 05:00:59 PM
My latest email this afternoon states that they are processing the request and will be shipping me another unit.  Wonder if it will be a Kohler or a Yanmar ???  ::)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on August 23, 2018, 08:14:11 PM
Again...again?
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 23, 2018, 09:11:28 PM
Yup, according to the email, they are sending me a "reconditioned" Laptop to replace this one.  Actually the specs. on the replacement show more "whatevers" than this one has.  I guess that it will come and I will stuff this one in a return mailer....again....again.  ::)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 29, 2018, 06:21:39 PM
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_4901.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1535580625)
 
The "new" Laptop showed up today.  Well not exactly "new" but "refurbished".  Anyway at least it is a completely different Laptop.  My old one cost $300 and this one sells for $1000 for whatever that means.  I have Edge up and running with my Favorites and am now installing Firefox.  Edge didn't like it but it is what it is and I can use whichever one I choose.  I just hope that this new Laptop works without crashing again....again.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Ron Scott on August 29, 2018, 06:41:43 PM
We hope so to. 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on August 29, 2018, 07:54:10 PM
Hopefully not again.....again.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 29, 2018, 08:52:24 PM
So far, so good.  I have Firefox, all of my Bookmarks done, and have customized my Touchpad.  This thing even has a lighted keyboard.  :o  
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: lxskllr on August 29, 2018, 09:04:56 PM
Sounds like it's a nice upgrade. I like refurbs. Someone else takes the depreciation, and I get a good computer. I just bought a refurbed dell tower, but it wasn't refurbed by dell. It's a great upgrade over my old one. Only issue is swapping my drives over didn't work. Had grub errors. I probably could have figured it out, but the new install was nice. Got rid of accumulated cruft.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 29, 2018, 09:47:09 PM
I feel like I am moving along quite well with this one.  LibreOffice is downloading now which will take a while and I only have three other minor things and I should be done.

Yes, I was very pleased when they decided to replace the Laptop with a refurbished unit even though it had been sent back to the service center twice and had one "home visit".  I finally dug my heels in and said "no more".  Either replace it or refund.  My hope now is that this one will do OK.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: SwampDonkey on August 30, 2018, 04:48:14 PM
Well surely this one will hold together for a few years. No fun working with defective stuff over and over.  :-\
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on August 30, 2018, 09:35:20 PM
So far I am on a roll with this one without a glitch/hitch.  It has slowed me down a couple of times with updates which is normal.   I have everything loaded that I normally use and I have uploaded pictures.

The Malwarebytes folks are updating my "Key" because I have exceeded my license with all of the service replacements that was done on the other Laptop but that should not be a problem.

I have all of my bookmarks done on both Edge and Firefox.  I actually like Edge better but the Backspace "glitch" is a killer when it sometimes takes you back an entire page instead of a character.  For that reason I can't/won't use it but it is there.

It being thinner the outlet of the cooling fan is on the bottom instead of the side which makes the unit hotter on my legs than the other one so I will have to get a pad to go between it and me.  I googled and looked at several and have decided which one I will probably get.

I packaged and shipped the other one back to Dell this afternoon.  I pity whoever gets it next.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: thecfarm on August 30, 2018, 10:13:30 PM
I just dug a big rock out of The New Piece. That would of been a good place for it,in the bottom of the hole.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on September 03, 2018, 06:33:05 PM
I guess that I am clicking along quite well.  My Spreadsheets are in Excel on my other (backup) Laptop and even though they will open in Libreoffice that I installed on this new Laptop, I was not quite satisfied.  I did some searching and found MS Office Home 2016 for $37.50 so I took a chance and bought it.  The download went smoothly and the License Key turned it on.  I transferred my spreadsheets with a thumb drive and everything works perfectly so I guess that I can uninstall Libreoffice.

The Malwarebytes folks did their job and even showed me how to transfer my Key myself but I am hoping that this new/old unit will last me a looong time.  It's still less than a week old and I am feeling frisky.   ;D

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/IMG_4947.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1536013807)
 
This little 64GB SanDisk thumb is a lifesaver.   smiley_thumbsup 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Dave Shepard on September 03, 2018, 08:06:04 PM
DanG that's tiny. And it's only that big so you don't need tweezers and a microscope.  :D I think you can get a 256 gb microSD card now. :o edit: Nope, you can get a 1 tb microSD now.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on September 03, 2018, 09:26:57 PM
I went ahead and dumped Libreoffice.  My files seem happy with my new/old '16 model MS Office.  I have added, edited, and saved files so I think that it is OK.  My "backup" Laptop is an '07 model and the files transferred without a hitch.

Yes Dave, I believe that they added size so that you can get a grip on it.  It also has a tiny ring (seen in the picture) so that you could add a split ring and put it on a keychain I guess. 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: SwampDonkey on September 04, 2018, 05:51:27 PM
My USB Bluetooth radio is like your thumb drive, just a little bump on the end of a connector. :)

Good luck with your new machine. I have used Office 2013 since it came out. I use Excel sometimes to do stuff that won't render in weaving software, using color and conditional formatting. It's a slow process, but works. Of course graph paper would to. :D I have not programmed in Access for a few years, but I can still use some old databases I wrote in Access 2000.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on September 04, 2018, 08:26:17 PM
I "re-remembered" last night another reason that I do not like/trust Edge when I tried to highlight some text.  It would go part way and then top.  I tried dragging the highlight up from the bottom and again about half way it stopped highlighting.  That plus the backspace sometime taking me an entire page back instead of a character.  MS needs to re-lick their Edge cat....again.  Firefox is up and running.  :)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on September 10, 2018, 12:28:12 PM
I am going to pretend that it did not happen but this new "old" Laptop died last night but the stopcode message disappeared to quickly for me to read it.  After it recovered and regrouped it actually seems to be responding very well.  Again I shall wait and see again....again. 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: SwampDonkey on September 10, 2018, 05:23:45 PM
There must be some serious quality control issues in the chain. It could even be in the chip manufacture. Who knows. I'm sticking with Toshiba. ;D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: IMERC on September 10, 2018, 05:46:37 PM
Quote from: SwampDonkey on September 10, 2018, 05:23:45 PMI'm sticking with Toshiba.


me too..
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on September 10, 2018, 05:52:26 PM
It was waking up from sleep and was taking a loong time before it finally "bluescreened".  I'll keep a record of any future failures.  I'll also make a "PrtScr" of any failures but I do not know how to get them off of WordPad and into an email if I need to send them to Dell.  I'll have to do some Googling and reading.

Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: YellowHammer on September 10, 2018, 09:45:14 PM
Snap a picture with your phone and send it.  I do it all too often when my equipment throws dashboard error codes, numbers, error pictures, etc.  most cameras have more than enough resolution to read the text.  Just a thought.  
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on September 10, 2018, 10:21:32 PM
Taking a picture with my phone is exactly what I did with the last one to finally convince them that I was actually having a problem.  I was quick enough on the draw twice but failed on my other attempts. 

The failure Sunday night was also too quick for me reach my phone and get it ready, but I could have done the PrtScr.  I Googled and learned how to get the screen shot and how to view it but haven't figured out what to do with it yet but I could take a picture of the screen shot.

I am hoping that this latest failure was a fluke and not another ongoing situation.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: YellowHammer on September 11, 2018, 08:36:15 AM
The screen shot is captured as a low resolution bitmap graphic in the clipboard and can be pasted (or shortcut Cntrl V) in any program that will accept the graphics, such as their Paint program in Accessories, or any Office program such as Word or PowerPoint assuming the computer doesn't crash and subsequently dump the clipboard.  I've also put screen shots in the Notepad.  In Paint you can save the file in a graphics format.  Then save and email them the file.    
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on September 11, 2018, 12:12:06 PM
I can paste the screen shot to Word, WordPad, and NotePad.  Just don't know what to do with it then, but I can take a picture of the screen and capture it that way.  Just have not spent any time fooling with it yet.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on October 06, 2018, 09:28:10 AM
I have been almost afraid to exhale with this new Laptop but apparently I should not have been.  This one is everything that it should be!

There are some things that I don't quite understand about some Word and Excel files that I saved on a "thumb" from my other Laptop.  When I open/use/modify them here I don't find a way to save them except in Documents.  It would be more convenient to be able to save like the other Laptop does but this is OK.  The older Laptop has Word & Excel (09) and this one has Word & Excel (16).  

This of course is not a computer failure, but my failure to understand.  ::)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: SwampDonkey on October 06, 2018, 09:25:35 PM
Yeah, saving and printing takes you to a new screen. Not simple, like clicking File/Save or File/ Print from a  menu. No improvement there. :D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on November 30, 2018, 07:55:52 AM
Twice now this new Laptop has gotten a glitch, a couple of weeks ago and again last night.  This time the clock in the lower right quit "ticking" and I lost all of the icons in the lower toolbar.  I restarted as best it would do but nothing changed.  The battery is not external but 10 screws later I am able to slide the tab out and disconnect the battery.  Anyway both times after reconnecting, everything comes back up.  If this is the worse that it does I am happy. 

I went through the online operator's manual and found nothing.  There needs to be a "restart" button that temporarily disconnects the battery.  smiley_idea
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: lxskllr on November 30, 2018, 10:22:24 AM
To shut it down, did you hard stop it by long pushing the power button? If not, try that next time. Might be as good as pulling the battery.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on November 30, 2018, 11:04:41 AM
That makes sense.  I hope that there is no "next time" but if there is I will.  Thanks.   smiley_thumbsup
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: JJ on November 30, 2018, 11:54:46 AM
You have to hold on/off button down for about 15s, for hard reset.

I found this also works with cars with push button start.  My wife's car battery went too dead to start, and lost ability to control anything on dash (kept going through reset cycles).
The car literally sat there with dash lights and messages flashing like a disco, until I tried holding in the start button.  It shut down after 15s, like a PC.

       JJ
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on November 30, 2018, 07:02:08 PM
It is amazing what you can learn here on the Forestry Forum.  :)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: WDH on November 30, 2018, 08:12:40 PM
Again, again?
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on November 30, 2018, 08:49:54 PM
Yup, last night....again.  Actually with every laptop that I have ever had I have occasionally had to unplug and remove the battery.  I didn't know about the button thing so if it happens again I'll give that a try.  Heck my TV box went crazy last week and I had to unplug it. 
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Southside on November 30, 2018, 09:00:05 PM
Magicman - a bit off topic but your last sentence there reminds me of a time I was visiting my in-laws and was staying on the pull out couch.  We were watching TV and my MIL went off to bed so I stayed up and watched the rest of The Final Countdown again.  They have one of those on demand TV boxes that the kids also use to play video games on and at the end of the movie I could not figure out for the life of me how to shut the Dang thing off, so I just un plugged the whole thing and went to bed.  Forgot about that little fact the next morning when I got up and at some point when I came back into the living room everyone was there trying to figure out just what was wrong with the whole system as it would not turn on - I shepishly told them that it was unplugged....ooops.... ;D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: SwampDonkey on December 01, 2018, 04:28:47 AM
Quote from: Magicman on November 30, 2018, 07:02:08 PM
It is amazing what you can learn here on the Forestry Forum.  :)
But if you just hit it for a couple seconds it goes to sleep. ;D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on December 01, 2018, 07:45:03 AM
What are you doing up this early??   :)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: YellowHammer on December 01, 2018, 09:03:37 AM
Quote from: YellowHammer on July 25, 2018, 07:46:03 AM
I finally got tired of all the Windows trials and tribulations about 2 years ago and went Apple.  Love it, never will go back.  Super fast startup, lots of storage, never crashes, everything works together including phones, iPads, wireless printers, networks, etc.

Maybe its time to punt?  
Is it 4rth and long yet?
Recently, I set my MacBook Pro Notebook up as full time network server to share our inventory, invoicing and other business files with multiple clients and run a database real time from several nodes.  I never would have believed a laptop would have the capacity and reliability.
Never crashes and automatically backs up files to the cloud.  
There are much less stressful alternatives to Windows and PC's.  JMHO
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: maple flats on December 01, 2018, 10:55:47 AM
I'm just glad my IT guy eats supper here most nights. My son, lives next door and fixes computer issues all day long. Whenever I have a problem, he fixes it. About a year or 2 ago my hard drive went bad. He just bought some new fangled hardware and removed the hard drive, installed what ever it's called, loaded the programming I wanted and all was good. Whatever it's called, it is way faster, has loads more storage and was quite cheap (comparatively speaking).
I'm on a 12 yr old dell desktop, running Win 10 and Firefox. Many of my programs are 06 and 08.
My son asked a week or so if we wanted a new computer, I guess he is building a new one to replace his 3 yr old one, he wanted to know if we want it. I'm not sure, after reading all of MM's issues, but my son has had zero issues with what he has, he just "needs the best available", in his mind. Well, maybe not the best available, but at least a few steps up.
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: SwampDonkey on December 01, 2018, 04:14:10 PM
Quote from: Magicman on December 01, 2018, 07:45:03 AM
What are you doing up this early??   :)
That was 5:30 am local ;D. I was actually up at 4:00 am doing my monthly clean of the furnace and flu. :)
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: SwampDonkey on December 01, 2018, 04:19:52 PM

I must be an exception to some of the guys with so much PC troubles. I find a reliable brand and stick with it. I weeded out a lot of brands 20 years ago. Only reason I toss a laptop is it gets old, still works, but the software gets more and more bloated with new hardware that is faster and more memory. Years ago, they wrote good code because they had only so much horsepower and very little memory. I think they landed on the moon with a 47 kb computer. Goes to show ya what you can do with limited hardware. Oh, but it took 400,000 people to get them there in one capacity or another. :D
Title: Re: 'Nother New Laptop
Post by: Magicman on December 01, 2018, 04:54:23 PM
All of my previous woes were with one laptop that apparently had a hard wiring or connector problem somewhere in it's bowels. 

I was encouraged to see the bit about the "hard" stop which was something that I did not know.  I have used a MacBook before and I will say that it is "different".  :o