Shuri's Classic Bestsellers: Dell Tech Support

Shurikane · Dim Panties As String Joined: 24 Sep 2002

This is old. Jurrassic old. But I found this in my old notepads and felt this was worthy to be another nail in Dell's coffin.

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I once had a Dell Dimension L. That computer was so fucking stupidly made that you couldn't just screw new drives in. You have to fit them on clips that slid into the respective slots.

Now, I want to add an extra HD. I crack open the case and find a pair of clips made for FDDs - which don't fit into the HD holes. But there are no HD clips... So I figured Dell might have some in stock, who knows. It's their cases.

So I phone India.

*wait-wait-wait-wait-wait*

Me: Hi, I'm calling about my Dimension computer.
TS #1: Yes, may I have the computer number, please?
Me: It's [xxxxx]
TS #1: Thank you, so, you have a Dimension L 933r, correct?
Me: That's right.
TS #1: All right, so, what is your question?
Me: I wish to install an extra hard drive. Now, the way the case is designed, I can't just screw it in, I need a pair of clips. The computer came with floppy drive clips, but I need hard drive clips.
TS #1: Oh, I wouldn't know about that... Here, let me transfer you to the proper department and they should know about it.
Me: Thanks.

*ring*

TS #2: Hello?
Me: Yes, I'm calling about [copypasta story here].
TS #2: Oh, I'm sorry, sir, I have no idea what you're talking about. Let me transfer you to someone I know, I'm sure he'll know how to deal with this.

*ring*

TS #1: Yes?
Me: I'm calling about [copypasta story again].
TS #1: Wait... didn't we speak to each other five minutes ago?
Me: ...Now that I hear you speaking, yeah, I recognize your voice.
TS #1: What happened?
Me: Well, the girl I talked to didn't have a clue so she said she'd transfer me to someone who would know.
TS #1: ...OK, hang on, let's try this again. I'll transfer you to a third section who should know better.

*ring*

TS #1: Hello?
Me: ...Hello?
TS #1: Yes, how can I help you?
Me: I'm calling about a pair of clips...
TS #1: ...Wait, didn't it transfer you?
Me: I thought it did!
TS #1: So did I! *sigh* OK, guess I just pressed the wrong button, let's try this again.

*ring*

TS #3: Yes, how can I help you?
Me: Yeah, I'm calling about [copypasta story again].
TS #3: I'm sorry sir, I cannot help you with this issue. You'll have to call the parts service department (whatever it's called) at 1-800-xxx-xxxx
Me: *sigh* Got it, thanks.

*dial*
*ring*

TS #4: Hi, how can I help you?
Me: Yes, I'm calling about [copypasta story yet again].
TS #4: All right, please hold while I transfer you.

*ring*

TS #5: Yes?
Me: I'm calling about [copypasta].
TS #5: Pardon me?
Me: Clips. I need clips for my hard drive so it can slide into place into its slot.
TS #5: Clips... Hold on a minute while I verify.
Me: ...Do these clips even exist?
TS #5: I'm looking at it right now... Hmm, I don't have any information about this. Let me transfer you upstairs, I'm sure they'll know something.
Me: Uh-huh.

*ring*

TS #6: Hello, how can I help you?
Me: Yes, I'm calling about [copypasta again].
TS #6: For a Dimension L?
Me: Correct.
TS #6: Hmmm... Sir, I'm sorry, that computer model was not designed to accept an extra hard drive.

I look at my open computer and the huge, gaping hole the size of a hallway that would have perfectly accepted an extra HD or CD-ROM drive. There was even a small plaque to cover it up if it was empty (and it was empty.)

Me: ............Thanks.

*click*

I used to be afraid of custom-building before that call. Not anymore.

In comparison, here's my one and only tech support call at ASUS:

*ring*
*15 seconds later*
Dude with American accent: Hello?
Me: GUH!... Uh-ah-OK, yes, I'm calling about my motherboard, the northbridge fan...
Dude: Ah, for an A8V-E Deluxe?
Me: Yes.
Dude: Yes, we know, we realized many of them are defective. Just bring your box to the shop where you bought it, we sent an advice and they'll fix you right up for free.
Me: Thanks!

The shop changed the fan for an Xbox-sized heatsink. Problem solved at the root. FOREVER.

Shino · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:46 am Post subject:

Dell = crap

'nuff said.

They used to have good deals, but now they are just a ripoff in most cases. All of their cheap pcs are exactly that... cheap pcs. The have NOTHING. Not even AGP slots. Let alone a PCI-E slot. You're stuck with the crappy ass on board video.

Then, if you don't spend enough to get their free shipping, they charge you $100 bucks to ship it.

I built a full computer... cost me $40 to ship everything from 2 different places!

I bought a Dell back in 2002. It's still running strong... but that's when they were good! Now...

Screw Dell. I'll build my own next time, thanks!

Al the DLOE · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:03 am Post subject:

well how about this...ole Side 3 (my homebuilt) is using win xp 64 bit and a 754 socket amd 64bit. total ancient and proprietary though only 2 years old...the os doesnt allow my msi boards to use the dynamic overclocking they were built with so despite it being a good machine it lags behind its intention. plus there are always the multi fans w/ LEDs. feign swears i riced out the thing with the glow coming from it (and the power supply glows blue @ 600 watts that randomly shuts off)

Kugyou · Katori Shintaro! Age: 44 Gender: Joined: 26 Sep 2005

Well, if anyone wants me to build them a desktop that doesn't suck, I'll be more than happy. Outside of physical damage that's been done to parts over the years (including a crappy VIA KT7 MoBo that fried my previous graphics card), the only problem I have with my desktop is the occasional reboot because stupid me didn't check to make sure he was buying the right model of tuned RAM, so it occasionally gets outside of tolerances and panics the system. Other than that, it never overheats or exhibit horrible data corruption. And all in all, not including the monitor (which is at least eight years old now), the whole rig cost me under $1200.

My luck with laptops, however...

FawkesFyre · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:38 am Post subject:

All my laptops at the office have been Dell...#1 was a POS..that startedto separate from its case...grated, I used to take it home a good bit, but still. #2, my current Dell, has been better but lacks the virtual memory to run wellenough to put up with my muti-tasking. Word LOVES to crash on me.

As far as personal use, I bought a laptop a couple years ago, and still love it! It has a few quirks and a broken cd-rom drive...but still works pretty darn well for me. If it wasn't for alll this Vista crap, I'd buy another while the prices are nice. My last computer b4 switching to a laptop was a custom desktop, but it just never worked right.

KiSin · Reality's Exiled Gender: Joined: 12 Oct 2004

I.. have no clue what you guys are talking about. Surprised

But I do think it would be pretty neat to build my own PC. Though, I have no knowledge of what to do.. and such. o.o

Shino · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:26 am Post subject:

FawkesFyre · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject:

Sadly, I don't even know how to crack open a laptop. But I couldn't do anything to it since its corporate-owned. At least the upside is the lease is up in September. But will that mean I get Vista?!

Kugyou · Katori Shintaro! Age: 44 Gender: Joined: 26 Sep 2005

BK · undefined Gender: Joined: 20 Oct 2006

Vista does indeed look wonderful and has some great features in it, I'm just waiting for a few patches before upgrading. Not to mention the fact that I'm about to get a new digital camera and a new car.