Will changing/removing a factory (DELL) set RAID 5 configuration from a home desktop PC interfere with rebuilding the OS (XP Pro) from the factory restore discs? [more inside]
posted by lyam on Nov 19, 2009 - 4 answers

My Inspiron 1545 thinks I'm pressing ctrl and I don't know why. [more inside]
posted by Pope Guilty on Oct 27, 2009 - 5 answers

Is this computer hot? [more inside]
posted by ChurchHatesTucker on Oct 10, 2009 - 12 answers

How to fix laptop keyboard keys that fell off? [more inside]
posted by macsigler on May 20, 2009 - 7 answers

Dell has started to suck. I've owned several, both notebook and desktop, over the past 10 or so years. Now, after buying two power cords for my lemony Inspiron 1720 in less than 2 years, I'm going local. So what are some suggestions for beefing my machine up? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 26, 2009 - 11 answers

Why can't I install Windows XP Pro on my Dell laptop? I get an error message that says "acpi.sys is corrupted". I can install Ubuntu 8.04 just fine. [more inside]
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints on Mar 24, 2009 - 47 answers

Question: where can I find a valid coupon/discount code for a Dell XPS 730x. I've heard there's some out there for 20-25% off, but I can't seem to find anything online that's working. Failing that, how much of a difference is it really if I just build a really sweet XPS 630? [more inside]
posted by Bageena on Feb 10, 2009 - 4 answers

My laptop screen appears to be dying. Is there anything I can do? [more inside]
posted by googly on Feb 9, 2009 - 9 answers

Do I need to rebuy MS office if I'm replacing a computer? [more inside]
posted by GregX3 on Jan 17, 2009 - 12 answers

Should I fear the fingerprint scanner on a new Dell XPS M1330 as a feature that is going to lock out the computer in the future, or embrace it as a neat piece of technology that will make the computer more secure? And if I should fear it, what steps do I need to take to disable it? [more inside]
posted by Dasein on Jan 8, 2009 - 12 answers

Laptop Battel! Help me decide which manufacturer deserves my hard-earned money. I've narrowed it down to Dell vs. Toshiba vs. Lenovo. Also, RAM: 2gb or 3? [more inside]
posted by gnutron on Oct 22, 2008 - 26 answers

How do I set up my arrow keys to cycle forward/backward in firefox? [more inside]
posted by Juicylicious on Oct 17, 2008 - 8 answers

Sound card for a Dell PowerEdge SC440? [more inside]
posted by hokie409 on Oct 15, 2008 - 3 answers

I'm looking for a lagging edge (can be large, heavy, and have poor battery life) *new* notebook computer, for less than $500. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by WestCoaster on Sep 17, 2008 - 13 answers

What to do with my old Dell tower 8200? I have this Dell 8200 Pentium 4 2.80 GH 512mb 128GB hard drive that is in good working condition that I no longer need. Can it be used as a movie storage, data storage or what are your ideas?
posted by robbyrobs on Jul 28, 2008 - 11 answers

The left control key on my keyboard has suddenly started toggling the mute on my master volume. How do I make it stop? [more inside]
posted by EarBucket on Jul 23, 2008 - 5 answers

I am having a very unusual problem with my hard drive and CANNOT recover any data from it after trying numerous methods. Please help me with your technical expertise. [more inside]
posted by deafmute on Jun 29, 2008 - 7 answers

I have a Dell Latitude X300, which uses the same ac adapter that every other Dell I’ve seen lately uses. Is there anything that will work for my laptop that is smaller and easier for me to carry around? [more inside]
posted by SirNovember on Jun 26, 2008 - 2 answers

My computer gets extremely loud at random moments. [more inside]
posted by als129 on Apr 16, 2008 - 8 answers

I bought a high end Dell laptop for my business. When I purchased, I bought the 3 year OMG "complete care" warranty. Two days ago, the system bluescreened with a "memory parity 500 error". System won't reboot. In the last couple of days, I've spent over 6 hours on the phone with tech support, none of whom are native English speakers, to be told that my options are to either wait 3-6 weeks for a replacement system, or to accept a significant downgrade in components to have a tech come out and repair the system. Am I just screwed if I need to get my system up asap? [more inside]
posted by dejah420 on Apr 2, 2008 - 15 answers

Should I buy a new laptop or spend $400 to repair my 2004 Dell Inspiron 600m? [more inside]
posted by Amizu on Feb 2, 2008 - 14 answers

Can I configure and use an HP wp100 AirPort print server in an all PC environment? If so, how? [more inside]
posted by potch on Nov 13, 2007 - 5 answers

Succour for Aged Computers Filter: I've got an old computer that is having two problems. 1) When it boots up, it always asks to go into safemode. This is an old problem. 2) when it boots up, I can use the kb to select safemode (or not) or make selections in the bios, but when XP loads up, mouse and kb aren't working! [more inside]
posted by By The Grace of God on Jul 19, 2007 - 7 answers

Help me get past the BIOS password on a Dell Latitude. [more inside]
posted by EarBucket on Jul 6, 2007 - 12 answers

I need to buy a server for around $800 ($1000 as an absolute maximum). It will be hosting a website with a (PostGres) database that will start at around 4GB and grow slowly (so would like at least 2GB of RAM). It must be able run Linux, preferably Ubuntu or Debian. [more inside]
posted by phrontist on May 10, 2007 - 9 answers

I'm a power user, but I am NOT at all a gamer. Would I still benefit from buying a "gaming PC" (Dell XPS 710)? Or, would I just be an idiot who wasted money on something they didn't need/won't use? [more inside]
posted by creative on May 5, 2007 - 27 answers

My Dell Inspiron 8600 has been spontaneously powering down. Your advice: fix/replace/other? [more inside]
posted by timnyc on Dec 20, 2006 - 7 answers

My LCD screen on my laptop refuses to stay on. [more inside]
posted by chicobangs on Dec 3, 2006 - 9 answers

My laptop is going wonky. Sometimes when I jiggle it, it cuts to a full screen series of flashing colors (I think the order is black, white, red, blue, then green). Each color in the series holds for about a second before proceeding to the next one, then the sequence repeats. I have to then hard restart it. WTF? [more inside]
posted by Falconetti on Nov 10, 2006 - 5 answers

Buying a server for experimenting at home. [more inside]
posted by KirTakat on Sep 15, 2006 - 14 answers

Please help recommend a solid, mid-range laptop for a friend with excellent tech support options and good longevity. [more inside]
posted by hamster on Aug 15, 2006 - 26 answers

My CD-RW drive will not firmly attach to my Dell Inspiron 8000 laptop. If I push it with my thumbs, it will make a connection, but as soon as I remove firm pressure, it loses its connection. [more inside]
posted by UKnowForKids on Aug 10, 2006 - 3 answers

So I have this new Dell computer and I need to know what the hell I should do with it. (Much more inside.) [more inside]
posted by sperose on Aug 9, 2006 - 15 answers

Dell laptop died under warranty. Dell says, "it looks like something spilled on it," thus voiding the warranty. Nothing spilled on it. Now what? [more inside]
posted by unknowncommand on Feb 16, 2006 - 18 answers

I recently purchased a new Dell Dimension 9150, I plan to wipe the Dell partition and install a fresh copy of XP Pro (I already have a full copy). Any problems/hiccups I should know about before I destroy the Dell partition?
posted by mhaw on Feb 15, 2006 - 14 answers

My 2001 Dell Dimension 2100 desktop is making this incredibly scary and irregular grinding noise. This sounds way more serious than a fan having some issues, but I'm no expert. Help. [more inside]
posted by mdonley on Jan 1, 2006 - 9 answers

My computer is driving me crazy... and others around me I'd imagine. I work in a cubefarm... [more inside]
posted by Mark5four0 on Dec 20, 2005 - 5 answers

How do I get my external monitor to refresh faster than 60 hertz? [more inside]
posted by callmejay on Nov 28, 2005 - 5 answers

I will be wiping the hard drive of my Dell Inspiron 600m, which is currently running Windows XP with multiple profiles. What's the best way to make sure I back up everything? [more inside]
posted by MeetMegan on Sep 20, 2005 - 6 answers

What's up with the 30 day return period on laptops? Are there any fees that I'm going to lose by going that route? [more inside]
posted by KirTakat on Sep 7, 2005 - 11 answers

What LCD monitor should I buy? This thread 6 months ago recommends the Dell UltraSharp 1905FP, which is about $383 right now. Is that still the best bang for my monitor bucks? I'm not a gamer, do a little web work but nothing hugely critical, and look at my computer screen for most of the day. What do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by barnone on Sep 5, 2005 - 21 answers

Alienware vs. Dell: I humbly request personal experiences to aid in the resolution of my notebook-buying dilemma. [more inside]
posted by gramschmidt on Aug 11, 2005 - 30 answers

Please help my sister out with a huge customer service problem with Dell [MI]. [more inside]
posted by oflinkey on Jan 19, 2005 - 26 answers

My Dell monitor died. Advice needed on its current condition or possible alternatives for next purchase (considering a flat-panel). --> [more inside]
posted by eas98 on Nov 22, 2004 - 5 answers

Is there any way to make my laptop run faster? Two-year old Dell Inspiron 2500, Win XP, some Celeron craptastic processor, 256 meg RAM (max). My computer expertise: 3 o/o 10, which encompasses disc tools and Spybot, but not much more. Does it matter how full the drive is?
posted by gottabefunky on May 31, 2004 - 18 answers

My laptop, a somewhat rickety Dell C-series Latitude running Debian Linux, died. Can you help me choose or recommend a replacement? [Details of my requirements will be revealed when reading the comments.] [more inside]
posted by majick on Mar 12, 2004 - 21 answers

How do I connect a Compaq monitor to a Dell computer? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by kirkaracha on Feb 18, 2004 - 4 answers