Those of you with DELLs, GOOD INFORMATION!
Well, As many of you readers know, I was having "severe" problems with my computer. Luckily, I have access to another computer and was able to get onto the dell website, create an account with my computer info/name (free), I have no warranty left BTW. I found an option to "chat" live with tech support. Its basically like an instant messaging program to talk to tech reps. They had me do many things including take out the HD and CD-ROM, battery, ram, modem etc etc. What all my problems ended up being was a bad stick of RAM! I was so extatic (sp) that they were able to in a sense help me fix my problem.. basically just trouble shooting components!
anyways, i HIGHLY recommend this live chat. Here is the link to it
http://www.support.dell.com/support...s=19&l=en&s=dhs * I dont know if it will work unless you create an account. Anyways, what you do is choose one of the 4 different techs, if there is no link to click, keep refreshing your page, when you are able to click a link, it means that a tech is available. Their responses are surprisingly fast! and its sure as hell beats calling tech support, waiting on hold FOREVER and then getting the foreign guy you cant understand.
Seriously, this is the best thing they have, i wish i would have known about it sooner.
BTW, thanks to all those that answered my questions and gave me tips on what to try!
-Nate