Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

ellijo

Feb 6, 2008, 9:29 AM

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Computer Shopping Help

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The power supply for my Dell Inspiron notebook has crapped out. Any suggestions on replacing it here or in Guad? Thanks, E

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Oscar2

Feb 6, 2008, 10:44 AM

Post #2 of 10 (2843 views)

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Re: [ellijo] Computer Shopping Help

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Not knowing precisely what kind of a power supply problem you have, please know that “Universal AC power supplies” are available. Usually the wattage power ratings are embossed or tagged on the bottom of the laptop.

Call around for leads in your area and enquire where a Universal AC Power Supply can be found. Try the electronic dept. of Walmart or any other major discount store that have a electronic dept.

If possible, take the laptop with you, request (if possible) that a “knowledgeable” sales person first check its polarity, and then plug it into your laptop before purchase. If its the correct adapter, its a done deal. If it doesn’t turn on your laptop, sometimes your battery has to charge up to a certain level before it boots. If all of the above doesn’t work, its possible something more serious is wrong. In that case contact your manufacture tech support (email or otherwise) and follow their advice.

Try and find someone who has a good return policy.

Buena Suerte

Georgia

Feb 7, 2008, 1:05 PM

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Re: [Oscar2] Computer Shopping Help

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If you are going to talk to Dell's customer assistance online people, have a day's supply or beer or other beverage of your choice on hand. They do let you take bathroom breaks. Been there. Done that. Worst customer service I've ever experienced.

johanson

Feb 7, 2008, 1:18 PM

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Re: [Georgia] Computer Shopping Help

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Georgia: Another person on another forum mentioned the same thing, and I don't question that you or the other person had a bad time. I have had two Dells now, each purchased via telephone and delivered to a US address. Any time I have had to phone the English language tech support folks at DELL, I have had great luck. From my rather limited experience, I would highly recommend them.

Oscar2

Feb 7, 2008, 3:43 PM

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Re: [Georgia] Computer Shopping Help

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Georgia,

Tech support is not exactly foreign to me nor trying to get it. At times it’s been excruciating. Most of the time, I punch in with outsourced India who are the utmost in courtesy, short on “good” tech support and more important deciphering what they say requires an interpreter……... Laugh

Luckily, it’s not always this way but when in a bind, I’m quick to request upper level tech support or a supervisor. By the time they get to you, I never fail to mention that I’d appreciate it if they’d bare with me awhile while I get out of the tent I had to pitch waiting for them. Sometimes I get a knowing chuckle and just maybe good support.

Jerry@Ajijic

Feb 7, 2008, 9:31 PM

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Re: [Oscar2] Computer Shopping Help

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We have bought 2 Dell computer packages on the phone and had them delivered to us here by UPS. We had a serious problem on one after 11 months. We called and they decided the problem was a "broken: hard drive. A repairman came out the next day, replaced the HD and reloaded the programs that came with the computer.

Georgia

Feb 8, 2008, 4:18 AM

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Re: [johanson] Computer Shopping Help

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Well, Pete, my son in law is in management with Dell ... went to school with Michael Dell, as a matter of fact. So, when I hit a wall he took over. He was so frustrated (!!!!) that he wrote a lengthy letter to the powers that be. His observation was that you had to be a technician to deal with the technicians. It was really outrageous. He was incredulous. I think at first he thought his dotty old mother in law just didn't understand .... but the end of the ordeal he was scratching his head, too.

johanson

Feb 8, 2008, 5:54 AM

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Re: [Georgia] Computer Shopping Help

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YOU make a very good point Georgia. I guess I am a techie, and I was prepared for his techie quesitions which I think somewhat surprised the guy in India.

kygerc

Feb 8, 2008, 8:50 AM

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Re: [johanson] Computer Shopping Help

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Georgia, I agree with your assessment of Dell's service (or lack of service). It's normally a 30 to 45 minutes wait to get tech support then another wasted hour while they try to solve the problem. I usually wind up taking my Dell computer to the IT department at my work site for their advice.

Oscar2

Feb 8, 2008, 9:53 AM

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Re: [Oscar2] Computer Shopping Help

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Jerry,

The Dell packages/warranties and/or extended warranties of laptops is smart thinking. The small sizes of most laptops are a bear to repair when it comes to a motherboard or some other un-pluggable peripheral.

Honestly, I haven’t had to many experiences with Dell laptops because for one, they are proprietary (only Dell parts can be used, no generics) plus size of laptops make them much more difficult to repair. In addition, since I don’t own a Dell, I’ve had no real call to exclusively contact Dell tech support. I was talking in general since I’m all over the board with different computer tasks and software installation issues.

Before I retired, a branch of one of my businesses was building, updating, modifying, and selling computers to the general public, businesses, schools etc. When intense construction issues arose, manufactures tech support is imperative. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes not so good when you encounter newbie’s who just came onboard.

Four of my six computers in my home are custom made and updated regularly for speed and performance by yours truly but the 2 laptops are commercial brands. I do my own maintenance and repair for myself in addition to those in immediate family homes and offices and I must admit it keeps me quite busy. Since retirement, I’m trying hard to pull away from it all but my family’s personal and business needs inevitably have me at their beckon call …..

The upside of it all is it keeps me moving and thinking while eating blueberry’s to abate a fussy memory….. Laugh

Footnote: Because Dell and some other brands are proprietary and laptops are much more difficult to repair, purchase of an extended warranty can be a good idea.