Sorry for not posting last night. We have been having laptop issues again. Please do not get me started on Dell. I'm never buying one again. We have had to have this computer reformatted twice, just had to have a replacement AC adapter sent (yesterday's issue), and now have an issue where when you are typing, the cursor will just randomly jump up to a different line and all of a sudden you are typing in a completely different paragraph. I have to look when I type. Grr.
We have been having issues with the AC adapter for a long time in that it was no longer charging the battery, so we had to keep it plugged in all the time. Then, yesterday, it wouldn't work at all, meaning it wasn't even registering as plugged in and the little green light on the adapter wouldn't come on. The battery was already mostly run down, so after about an hour, no more laptop power of any kind. (Oh man, the cursor has jumped about ten times writing this paragraph... I'm seriously about to throw this computer across the room).
Oh, did I mention we bought this computer in January??? Yeah, that's right. All of those problems, and it's only nine months old.
So, anyway I'm done with Dell. (And PLEASE don't even talk to me about having to get over-the-phone technical support and not being able to understand a word of what the tech is saying. And I'm a language person, people. I dig an accent. But if your job is helping English speaking people with technical problems that they don't really understand in the first place, you need to be able to speak English well enough that you can be understood. What is the deal with that???)
Take my advice. Win the lottery. Buy a Mac.
And have you seen that Wonderful Pistachios commercial with Levi Johnston? I'm not even going to post it here because I think it's in such bad taste. It makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little bit.
Okay, I've reached my rant quota for the day. I'm finished.
I must now restrain myself from throwing my computer over the deck railing. Into the driveway. And then going out to my car and backing over it. And then pulling the car forward and recrushing it. And then picking up all the pieces and running them through a paper shredder. And then taking the dust and flushing it down the toilet.
I haven't been out of the house since Monday.
66 comments:
:-) Sorry to laugh...I just love a good rant session! Also, I think that is first post in a long time with absolutely no mention of the most handsome little boy that lives at your house! What's he up to today? Hope he is having a good day and takes an extra long nap for you!
-Dana in MS!
I think that you should forward this to Dell. As a MAC convert, I say, eat peanut butter for a while & buy a Mac!
Because I HAVE to have Windows to operate my embroidery software, I have XP loaded on my IMAC, also. I am bi-lingual in Computerese.
Love watching J-boy growing & glowing!
Beckie in TN
I hate Dells. Mine did the same thing with the line skipping and such. We bought a HP notebook with our tax money this year. And then I took a hammer to the Dell. I felt soooooooooo much better!
I can't believe your computer is misbehaving and its only 9 months old! I hate dell too! My dd loves her MAC too!
Your Dell does that, too?!? I got mine the weekend of Jan 1 - straight from Dell outlet. My cursor jumps and my adapter doesn't charge the battery anymore (so it doesn't work unless it's plugged in). I thought it might have something to do with the kids dropping it, but maybe it doesn't?? My husband got a Dell a couple months after me, and his cursor jumps around, too. I thought it was the way I was holding my hands while typing, as he doesn't seem to have the problem. BLAH!
my FIL has trouble with his Dell, too. I just bought my first Laptop and ended up with an ASUS. I had never heard of them but so far this thing is awesome. Had it for 2 months and have nothing but praise for it! I am new to your blog...found it thru a friend. Your little Jonah is so precious. I pray for you all daily. Hugs to your little one and to you as well.
I hope your weekend only gets better from here. Take care of yourself. I am praying for you and yours.
I've had my MacBook for over two years and have yet to experience any problems with it. I'm in love. Stupid Dell.
My laptop is a Toshiba, occ. I have trouble with the cursor jumping, but usually I can attribute it to my hands touching the mouse area while I am typing. I am not very computer literate, but my son adjusted the sensitivity of the mouse area and I have fewer problems now. Just a thought. (but please don't ask ME how he did that!)
Love your open / honest blogs!
I have had trouble with my Dell doing the line skipping too...a simple reboot corrected the problem for me. But I know the feeling...sometimes the little things add up until you nearly explode :) Sending lots of love for your beautiful family your way!
Hi I have never commented on your blog before but just had to today. I hear ya. I hate our dell too. It always has issues. My husband recently bought me a Mac (which is what I said we should get when the dell was purchased). Anyway I don't think a day goes by that I don't say something like, "I love my Mac." Good Luck.
My heart is with you with not being able to get out of the house. That would make me rant about ANYTHING. Bless you and your beautiful baby. I pray for your family daily.
I won't say "I told you so"....
but come on. A dell?
I hope Jonah is being goooooooddddddd today..mommie is on the warpath (ha)
my son will be happy to see you a MAC..just head on down to the apple store at Southpointe in Durham..he lives & breathes for macs..
Hope your weekend gets better & that you & Matt & Jonut get out some.
Love & prayers
I was given a used Dell laptop for Christmas last year. Oh man, it's almost as bad as being computer-less. We have issues with a jumping cursor also. And issues with everything else, really. Hate!!
Hope you get out of the house soon, that's enough to drive anybody batty.
Hi - I don't think I've commented before but I wanted to let you know I am keeping Jonah in my prayers.
My stupid Dell does the same stupid cursor thing, and it's TWO months old.
And... I am making Jeannie's Lasagna for the SECOND time already, it is the new favorite at my house and of my four picky kids.
Have a good weekend, hope you get to get out!
Does it make you even angrier at Dell that they're leaving the Triad and taking 905 jobs with it? I was just about to buy a Dell laptop-- not anymore!
Also, have you heard that Levi Johnston is also going to pose in Playgirl? Double gross.
We got Jo a Dell when she went to UNCW. It still works great 6 years later. She had such good luck with hers so I bought one for me ... it had numerous problems. Talked to many "English" speaking techs in Taiwan and learned to replace several parts that they kept sending me. I finally got tired of it and got an HP. LOVE IT!
That was excellent. Especially the end. Much how I feel at the end of a long week with four little boys (even without computer problems).
And I'm putting two comments into one - I just read your post about your public speaking event. Great use of a cuss word. So well placed and could not be said better.
My parents have a Dell that we bought them for Christmas, so it is about 9 months old. They have had a ton of problems that not even my husband (a total computer geek) and his best friend (and IT business owner) could figure out. We really regret buying it for them. My husband and I both have Macs and have had them for 5 years now (a total of 5 different computers--not because they broke, but because my husband is a computer geek in business school). We've been nothing but pleased with everything about them, and I'll never buy another kind of computer!
P.S. We only bought my parents a Dell because they didn't feel comfortable switching from Windows, but I think we'll work on them before they get a new computer :-)
Sorry you've had such a rough go of it with the computer. Even more sorry that you haven't been able to get away from the house all week. Hope the weekend is better. Hugs and prayers - RLR
Your comments about running over your Dell with the car reminded me of that scene in Office Space where they beat up the copy machine....Love that movie!!
My husband uses a Dell laptop for work from home, and that thing is constantly doing stupid stuff--shutting down randomly for no reason etc. My laptop is an Hp Pavillion and it gives me no problems--just needs more memory right now--but I am upgrading to a Mac for Christmas from hubby. I hate to lose Windows, but I'm sure I'll adjust.
Glad I am not at your house today!
Speaking of language...when is our next spanish lesson??
And I totally get what you are saying about speaking english so that we can at least understand!
Lol! I understand your frustration! I had both problems with my old Dell. We bought an HP and have been very happy.
Oh Patrice!! You poor thing! I feel a little guilty for laughing so hard at your last paragraph, but it was awesome! Glad you can come here to rant when you need!
I know not of this commercial you speak of, but sounds like I'm glad not to know.
I purchased my first laptop in July. I got an HP and I love it. I couldn't afford a MAC, and this was what I was told by several of my friends that work in IT: "Dell is a great desktop PC in the workplace, but not so great for personal use unless you are able to purchase the extreme high-end." Of course, that doesn't make your current issues go away, so big help I was to you just now!
Anyway - hope the rest of your day goes better and that you can have some time out of the house tonight or tomorrow - even if just for a short trip to Target and Chick-Fil-A!
Sending prayers & blessings!
LOL you are so funny Patrice. I know it is not a laughing situation but you brighten my day. So sorry about your issues with Dell, I will have to agree about getting support, usually I talk with someone in India. We just purchased a Mac laptop and so far so good. I still have my Dell pc that I use mostly. Hoping Jonah is feeling better, continuing to pray for all of you.
That was kinda funny. Sorry to laugh at your misfortune. I just had to buy a new batter for my dell laptop. 150 bucks! But I have had mine for 2 years so thats better than you. Hope things look up for ya.
Oh the joys of Dell. We saved and bought one a few years ago, spent what we thought was a good amount for a computer. It was awful. The speakers lasted about 6 months total, the whole thing was a joke and after having it about 18 months we took in it for service, hard drive was shot. It now sits in a box underneath my desk. I refuse to look at it, it causes me to go into a rage.
I got a Mac for my birthday last year and love it, and hubby works on a $300 toshiba from BestBuy that's super compared to the Dell. Sorry you got sucked in too. I feel ya sister.
Girl, you are cracking me up! I know it's not funny, but I can so relate! My husband got someone to "fix" our computer and it's been driving me nuts ever since! =)
Signed,
"Mrs. Going through withdrawals from no Jonah pictures!" - completely understandable though given your computer issues!
I honestly did not appreciate the difference between a Mac and PC until a few months ago. I took for granted Cliff's expertise and knowledge - we've had Macs for a few years. We bought a laptop for me several months ago because of assistive technology software that wasn't mac compatible. Oh my goodness - I hated it! Despised it. Used it for a couple of months.
Thankfully we finally found some software that works with the Mac. I could not believe how happy that made me.
So I hope you do somehow, someway get a mac. and get to go somewhere soon :)
love you
Sorry for the dELL problems, but i must say I LOVED the rant.
prayers always,
2shoes
My gut feeling about the cursor skipping (my computer does it too, also a Dell) is that it's a problem between Vista and the Dell hardware, because a reboot fixes it. And my old Dell running XP never had such problems. Windows 7 is out in a few weeks; cheaper than buying a new computer!
I had a Dell and it did that cursor thing ALL the time. Made me want to say ugly words and sometimes, I did...NO! I can feel your pain through my laughter. Love to sweet Jonut.
Take your laptop back to where you bought it. It should have a 12 month warranty. Best Buy is teriffic about taking care of you if you got it there. We had a laptop (not a dell) that had issues and they got it replaced for us. Good luck!
I am SO with you, Patrice! As a former pc user, I always felt like such a dummy! We bit the bullet a few years ago, bought a MAC, and haven't looked back! I LOVE MY MAC and will NEVER EVER go back to a pc. My best friend's husband works for Mac, so I happen to know the head of THEIR tech support...and he and his whole team are all-American, English speaking, and will do whatever it takes to make sure their customers are happy! Trust me, it will be the best techno-decision you'll ever make!
I'm so glad to see Jonah doing so well. He is such a blessing to so many. I have a special place in my heart for EB babies... You are a fantastic Mommy, and you are in the prayers of many in Georgia DAILY.
Love,
Amy Reber
I love your great rant about dell. I had once also until almost 2 years ago . I bought a MacBook and LOVE it !! If you check out Apple, about twice a year they run interest free for 12 months. It is definitely better than a pc ! Do you have a Apple store where you live? They are so helpful and speak English well there.
Hope you and sweet Jonah can get out this week end. He is growing so much and gets cuter each time you post a new picture.
Hugs !
Linda G.
It is so funny to read all the comments... I am in the same boat... May 13th, 2003 I made the switch to mac. Yes I will NEVER forget that date some dude in India told me for the 3rd time that I was losing everything I had on my dumb Dell. I told my already mac loving hubby that I was ready for a mac and he ordered it then and there - just so I would be locked in. Now I would never EVER ever use anything else. I would rather not use a computer than have to use a windoze machine again!
Whew. Ranting feels goooood.
I had to laugh about the non-english speaking techs! I recently had to hang up on one out of frustration!! I literally must have said "What did you just say?" over 100 times! Ugh!
-Lindsey in FL :)
I totally agree with you. I used to have a Dell and it was a total pain! I ended up buying a Mac about a year ago and love it. I did have a problem with my power cord with my Mac Book but I went to the Geek Bar and the guy was so helpful and fixed my problem without any hassle. Too bad they are so expensive, because they are wonderful! Also I am so sorry you have such a hard time getting out of the house. It's so hard to be a stay at home mom and feel so isolated. Jonah is so blessed to have a mommy who is willing to make such huge sacrifices, because not leaving the house for that long is a really big sacrifice on your part.
~Amy
I could not do much without my MacBook. Previously I had a Mac PowerBook, and the only issue I ever had with it was that the battery eventually lost the ability to recharge, and the adaptor shorted out (sounds like one of your issues). Still, I used my first Mac for 6 years before I decided to upgrade to a new machine. Macs rock! It seems to me that the high initial cost is worth it for the relative lack of trouble down the road. Good luck!!!
--Kelley in GA
Aw, sad times! I do love that you have a label "Stuff I Hate" though. ;)
Hope I'm not being too much of a fixer, but my roommate had a Dell (with many of the same problems you just mentioned). I know it's going to sound silly, but have you tried rebooting as a solution for the cursor bouncing around? Hers would do that if she didn't reboot often enough.
Just a small thought from your cyberspace friend,
Amanda
P.S.
Then get a Mac. All of my Mac convert friends *love* theirs.
Had the same problem with Dell. Love my Toshiba. Nicole has bought a MAC and thinks it is the best thing since sliced bread.
Hang in there and get some fresh air.
Love to Jonah!
Rachelle
Sorry your having so many problems with your computer...I completey understand!! I bought a Dell Studio 15 laptop this summer and have already needed 2 AC adapters, my computer constantly makes an Eject sound and Ive tried to call for help and the person didnt speak english :( UGH!! I hope you are able to get yours fixed soon!
What kind of Dell do you have?
I hope are you able to get a good nights rest!
Always praying for Jonah :)
Blessings,
Kelly
Have you tried disabling the mouse pad? Or, do you have one of those little knobs in the middle of the keyboard that works as a mouse? That can be disabled too. I used to have a Dell, and the cursor would jump when I accidentally brushed the mice. So, I disabled both and got an external mouse that plugged into the USB port. Now, don't get me wrong, it sounds like the laptop you have is a real piece of work...just thought you might want to try (if you haven't already) before throwing it out the window of your moving car...or purposely opening it up in front of Jonah to catch his next gusher.
This post seriously made me LOL....and startle my cat and my snoozing 7 year old. Friday night = sleeping on the couch!
All I have to say...
Once you go Mac, you'll never go back. The End.
I am soooo tempted to print your blog post and send it to Dell ... only because ours does that same cursor hopping thing ALL the time and they think I am crazy. Live Chat or phone customer service ... they are both TERRIBLE.
We are saving for a Mac. Never another Dell.
oooh- I use DELL for work & I thought the line skipping thing was just me - glad to know I'm not going crazy!
Sorry. You.crack.me.up! That made my husband laught. Now that's good.
I converted to Mac 3 years ago, and haven't had a problem since. Good luck!
Bless your heart . . . you better get out of that house soon. You are one funny lady Patrice!
Love and Prayers,
Sandy Moore
I've never commented on your blog before but follow it regularly.
We have a cheap Toshiba, and it's not the fastest, but we haven't had any problems with it. I know Macs are great in general, but my sister has one and thankfully bought the extended warranty. She's had so many problems with it, and they refuse to just replace it. They keep trying to repair it instead, but one thing after the other goes wrong with it.
I guess you never really know what you're going to get...with anything.
You are one of MANY people I have heard complain about Dell - all over the world. A few people here in Australia told me of bad experiences with them - basically they are made to last a year and then die. When I lived in Sweden the family I was staying with bought a Dell - it lasted about 8 months. I was tempted by their low prices but after all the horror stories I bought a Compaq. It's still new so time will tell!!
And no we don't have the pistachio commercial in Oz so no idea what you are talking about. Is it on you tube yet?
Oh my dear.... buy a Mac already! It will be a new life.
I feel your pain! I too succumbed a few years back and bought a dell...oh the problems I had. So after months of phone calls and being called a liar (which I assure you was not well received on my end!) I ended up with a free laptop. They just shipped me a new one, didn't tell me they were going to do it, didn't ask for the old one. Just 'here you go'. I'm thinking it was a sort of peace offering! So 2 dell laptops later, I now own a GLORIOUS Mac! so worth the money!
And the problem with the cord, I think over 5 years and 2 laptops i had to buy 3 new cords...soo not worth the effort!
I'm through with Dell too. Same AC adapter issues bit this is the third (yes I'm a slow learner) Dell. My next will come from eBay and if I get two years out of it that's a bonus.
I agree- Dells are crap...our desktop was ok, but my sister bought one of their laptops and no joke- it was new and took 20 minutes to start up and then it froze all the time, etc. I cant afford a Mac, but I did buy a Toshiba and LOVE IT. I highly recommend it. It is our second one (had one for work) and it is not only less expensive but runs more quickly and the customer service is outstanding!
Oh my, I am so sorry! I loved the description, though. Sending big hugs to you today!
Soo... how's Jonah?
Blaaahahahaha!!!!!! I have had DELL issues too, which I won't get into, but I feel your pain. This post made me laugh out loud. :) Thanks!
Not sure if I've commented before? I found your blog through MckMama's and I have been following for about 6 months. Our boys were born a day apart. :) Little Jonah has stole a place in my heart! I love your beautiful family and pray for you guys!!
PS. Your sense of humor cracks. me. up. ;)
Amen and Amen!!!
I'm with you Patrice...especially after the Dell plan shutdown announcement here this week!
Mac is the way to go girl! I will use a PC, but I don't know if I will buy another one. I am sure you know from Sarah though that Macs are great. Sorry you are having issues with the 'puter. Hope it gets better for you. Love you!
Honestly, I gave up laptops of any kind a few years ago. I went through a Sony (it was a lemon) and an HP (had power issues and suck issues). They both lasted about a year each. Went with a desktop and haven't regretted it...yet. Though laptops are pretty nifty I was just tired of wanting to do exactly what you want to do with yours. I also thought of copying the scene out of Office Space where they destroyed a printer with some baseball bats. But maybe I just wasn't meant to have a laptop.
I just saw that commercial and I agree it's so distasteful!! That's actually the exact word I used when I explained it to my husband (he didn't know who Levi Johnston was).
I got a new Toshiba laptop in March or April and I really like it! I was scared away from Dell by my mom and sister, who have has issues very similar to yours. Since you've had so many problems, will they do a product exchange and give you a new one? Then you could try to sell it online and buy a Toshiba! (Or a Mac.)
Hey, my laptop pops my curser up to the top too randomly. Is there a fix?
I think I need to get my husband to read this post and the comments.
We have a Compaq and it's been WONDERFUL. I adore it. But it's almost 8 years old and is dying now. So we need to get a new one. My husband keeps trying to convince me to get a Dell and I am protesting. Enter your post... now I'm done protesting and if he's not ready to let me off the Dell hook after reading this I might just have to flat out refuse! Haha! I'm not entirely sure why he wants me to get a Dell in the first place? His has problems and it's only like 2 years old. I've never ever ever heard of anyone who owned a Dell being happy with it.
I wouldn't get a Mac though either. I know a few people who have Macs and they have alot of problems with them. Plus being a PC girl all my life I wouldn't know what to do with a Mac. I'm computer illiterate enough as it is, let alone having to relearn how to do the little I'm finally able to do now.
♫I'm dreaming of a new Compaq... Lalala...♫ I would say or an HP but my parents have had a few of those and nothing but problems. *sigh* Can't win...
Be careful with leaving your laptop on the charger. My computer (not a Dell) would not charge unless the cord was held in place just right. One night the cord exploded, while the laptop was in my lap. Luckily I pulled the plug and the tiny fire went out before anything was damaged.....but please be careful about keeping yours plugged in all the time. It might be nice to see a problem laptop erupt in flames, but I wouldn't want it to harm you! There have been several recalls over laptop batteries exploding while charging, so just be careful :-)
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