A few months ago I commented on how much I liked the Yahoo Complaint Feedback Loop.
Well, I think I’m going to revise that statement slightly.
Category Archives: Technology
Dell Chat Support Flub
In general, I’ve been quite pleased with the technical support I get from Dell’s Small & Medium sized Business division.
They usually adapt quickly to my level of technical expertise and take my word for it when I report a problem. Once the failing component has been identified, they quickly setup the appropriate dispatch to get the problem corrected.
Yesterday, however, was an exception.
Geeky Workout
Since both Ginny and I are trying to get to the health club more often now … we were thinking about how being a computer geek could be leveraged into a more healthy lifestyle.
Here’s a short list of geeky actions that could be transformed into something healthy …
They’re Dead Jim
After dealing with Ginny’s older computer, I took stock of the various bits & pieces of computer hardware that I have lying around.
I noticed that there were a fair number of unused hard drives. Some were defective and out of warranty others were so small as to be next to useless.
Gateway Recovery Manager error 205
A few days ago Ginny’s desktop machine (a home built system cobbled together from various parts I had on hand) finally gave up it’s ghost. It wouldn’t book up, just gave one long beep, waited a few seconds, gave another long beep, over and over.
Well, her laptop (Dell Inspiron 8600) is almost out of warranty … and she’s not going to be getting my Dell Latitude D630 (due to the Latitude E6400 being returned), so I figured it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get her a new computer.
So we went over to CompUSA (formerly Tiger Direct) and looked at the small form factor desktop systems. We chose a Gateway SX2800-01 system (Core 2 Quad, 4gb RAM, 640gb SATA disk, 64bit Vista Home). The only problem was that it had on-board Intel video and no DVI output (although it does have HDMI output). Cost about $500. FWIW: This is Ginny’s first new computer in quite a while. Most of her other computers were hand-me-downs (from me).
Returning the Latitude E6400
This will probably be the last post I write with the Dell Latitude E6400 I purchased recently.
Next week I’m going to call Dell and arrange to return the laptop for a refund.
This is the first Dell computer that I’m really dissatisfied with and, frankly, I’m surprised that Dell dropped the ball so badly. The E6400 is (at least in my opinion) a major step backwards from the D630.
Wake On LAN
There is apparently going to be a bit more getting used to this new laptop.
The other day, before I went to bed, I put my new Dell Latitude E6400 into standby mode … I’m 99% sure I did this.
The next morning, however, when I went down stairs I found my laptop powered on.
That evening, before I went to bed I hibernated the laptop.
Once again, the next morning, I found the laptop powered on.
Obviously this is pretty odd.
So last night I tried an experiment … I put the laptop into standby mode and, within seconds, it resumed from standby. I then put the laptop into hibernate mode … and 30 minutes later, it powered itself back up.
Dell Latitude E6400 Sales & Support
Note: Although my sales & support experience with the machine were generally positive, my experiences with the machine itself were not. I have since sent it back to Dell.
I just had some really good customer support experiences with Dell. I know, some of you are going to think this is impossible, but it really happened.
Ginny’s laptop is getting kind of old … it’s an Inspiron 8600, almost out of warranty, and the screen hinge is pretty loose. Plus she needs another computer, with more video capability, to play with Second Life.
I figured it was time for an upgrade. I was also thinking it was time for my laptop to upgrade also.
So I ordered a new Dell Latitude E6400 laptop for myself, from Dell’s Small Business division, and will give Ginny my Latitude D630 (which has more CPU power, memory, and better video than her Inspiron 8600).
S.M.A.R.T. (or not so smart)
I really get frustrated when it comes to hard drive diagnostics. Specifically: S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology).
The theory behind S.M.A.R.T. technology is that the hard drive is supposed to provide predictive failure information for hard drives.
The problem is, I’ve never had a S.M.A.R.T. technology accurately report a failure.
iPhone Complaint
Well, not so much a complaint about the iPhone … more a complaint about the manufacturers of iPhone accessories.
Specifically … I really wish they would design accessories that are supposed to hold and/or dock the iPhone so they are adjustable enough to accommodate a sleeve or case that the iPhone might be in.