New comp problems

[Mad5cout]

Okay, So I got a new comp and am having some crashing problems. (Please refrain from anti-Dell comments that really don't help the problem.)

Here are the specs:
Intel Pent 4 -- 3.4Ghz
Audigy 2 Sound Blaster
ATI Radeon X850 Plat. Ed.

Anyway, I have checked my BIOS and even unistalled my video drivers and went directly to the ATI website to install new ones for my graphics card and the dame thing is still giving me problems. Anywhere from screen flickers to and entire system crash. Its starting to get frustrating. Any hints/ideas?

The comp keeps telling me its a driver problem. And I'm almost postive its my video card.[/b]

[APOC]

Best thing I can say is call dell up. Make sure you know exactly what the error message is, and to speed up the process while on the phone with them tell them everything you have already tried to fix the problem. Dell is good at sending you parts quick. Its worth a shot.

APOC

[Mad5cout]

Yeah, I called Dell, and all they did was have me install the ATI drivers. I willl perhaps call them again and tell them that it didn't f'ing work. I am thinking it might be that their BIOS freaking sucks. This is their newest motherboard after all.

[Bonez]

open up event viewer (start -> run -> eventvwr.msc) and check under
Application
System

it should be under there as a "warning" and give you a discription of the error. then next time you contact DELL you can tell them what the problem is.

[Father Goose]

My totally random guess is that the video card may be overheating, or you may have a totally unrelated problem such as defective RAM.

I HATE problems like this because they're SO hard to diagnose!

[Merlinex]

Could be heat related, these newer gpu's have a tendency to over heat.

A. Run it with the case open and a fan blowing on the pc, see if that helps the stability.

B. Test your ram, always a good thing to do and not to hard do - http://www.memtest86.com/

C. Most new computers come with some sort of hardware temp monitoring program, or you could look at the temp in BIOS after a recent crash.

System - 28C - 38 C
CPU - (really depends on the CPU, but in generally) 30-52 C
Good Cooling it will sit 30 - 40. Alot of processors run okay 40-50 though so its not something to freak out about.
Here is an interesting link I found browsing - (I only have a 2.4 so I dont have experience with the latest processors). http://forums.invisionpower.com/lofiversion/index.php/t176427.html

I dont buy package systems, but Dell is highly reccommended amoung them, so always check with them as well, if you can tell them the temp they should know if its running above spec for that machine.

[Mad5cout]

Father Goose nailed it. Ran a full system diognostic and found faulty RAM so a Dell guys i coming in a coupe of days to install new stuff. On a unrelated subject in all of this bullcrap I am now experiencing mic troubles similar to that which Kemiks is describing in his other post. All of you tech savvy people should rea that and see if you have any ideas. Mine started giving me extra trouble when I reinstalled my audio drivers when dealing with all of this bull crap. I don't think its the drivers themselves but a setting it created to give me problems.

People can't hear me on TS and I can hear my voice coming back through my headset. Its way f'ed up.

[Nsane]

mad why dont you install the ram yourself? you know they might charge you for coming

[Bonez]

mad why dont you install the ram yourself? you know they might charge you for comingbecause if he installs it,it will void the warranty(which covers parts and labor)

[Nsane]

why would it void the warenty its a facking stick of ram even a kid could install ram

[Bonez]

why would it void the warenty its a facking stick of ram even a kid could install ram"Generally, adding software, external devices, accessories, or parts to your Dell system after the system is shipped from Dell will not void Dell's limited warranty. However, Dell's limited warranty does not cover damage due to external causes, such as problems caused by the use or parts and components not supplied or installed by Dell."

the easiest way to use that, is blame all further issues on whatever is added or removed by the user and after doing so they are no longer accountible for any damages.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1057010&c=us&l=en&cs=&s=gen

and might as well use the warranty since it WILL cover the cost of install and labour.

and this
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1055487&c=us&l=en&cs=&s=gen

and the kicker

What is not covered by this limited warranty?

This limited warranty does not cover:

* Software, including the operating system and software added to the Dell-branded hardware products through our factory-integration system, third-party software, or the reloading of software
* Non-Dell branded and Solution Provider Direct products and accessories
* Problems that result from:
External causes such as accident, abuse, misuse, or problems with electrical power
Servicing not authorized by Dell
Usage that is not in accordance with product instructions
Failure to follow the product instructions or failure to perform preventive maintenance
Problems caused by using accessories, parts, or components not supplied by Dell
* Products with missing or altered Service Tags or serial numbers
* Products for which Dell has not received payment
here
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/policy/en/policy?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~section=010

there done.

[APOC]

But the part is supplied by dell so it would be covered. Ive worked on 4 dells now and they have me opening the machine up and pulling stuff out and reseeding it all the time, they even ask if I need someone to install the new part or if I can do it myself.

APOC