Another bad support experience!

[DavidB]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I spent over 2 ½ hours myself trying to resolve an asinine sound problem on
this supposedly 'splendid' Dimension 8200 and, of course, their Help and
Troubleshooting files are miserable. So not wanting to waste anymore of my
time I decided to call dell's magnificent support. The wait on the phone is
more than 20 minutes during which they try to get you to hang up and find
the answer yourself on the web. Finally an Indian answers the phone and
listens to me describe the problem for about 5 minutes and then says "So I
see you have no sound out of your sound card sir?" Well, hell no, that isn'
t what I said AT ALL! I said that one particular 'part' of the card, the
Line-In port, was not outputting any sound! He said, "Just a few minutes
sir while I research this." After about 5 minutes more he comes back on and
says, "Sir, this is an 'advanced' issue and I will have to transfer you to
the fee based support." I say, "What?!" I paid for an extended 3 yr
warranty, and I have to pay additional for a solution to this problem?!" He
said "yes sir, stand by while I transfer you to advanced technical support".
Well, of course you know what happened next. He hit his little buttons and
after about 2 more minutes I get the recording from the Bell System "If you
would like to make a call, please hang up and try again."

As far as I am concerned, it is the last time I call 'tech support' and the
last Dell I buy!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I thought the line in port was to pipe sound in and not to put sound out?


"DavidB" <padabe@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:xJcYc.40917$cx.25876@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> I spent over 2 ½ hours myself trying to resolve an asinine sound problem
on
> this supposedly 'splendid' Dimension 8200 and, of course, their Help and
> Troubleshooting files are miserable. So not wanting to waste anymore of
my
> time I decided to call dell's magnificent support. The wait on the phone
is
> more than 20 minutes during which they try to get you to hang up and find
> the answer yourself on the web. Finally an Indian answers the phone and
> listens to me describe the problem for about 5 minutes and then says "So I
> see you have no sound out of your sound card sir?" Well, hell no, that
isn'
> t what I said AT ALL! I said that one particular 'part' of the card, the
> Line-In port, was not outputting any sound! He said, "Just a few minutes
> sir while I research this." After about 5 minutes more he comes back on
and
> says, "Sir, this is an 'advanced' issue and I will have to transfer you to
> the fee based support." I say, "What?!" I paid for an extended 3 yr
> warranty, and I have to pay additional for a solution to this problem?!"
He
> said "yes sir, stand by while I transfer you to advanced technical
support".
> Well, of course you know what happened next. He hit his little buttons
and
> after about 2 more minutes I get the recording from the Bell System "If
you
> would like to make a call, please hang up and try again."
>
> As far as I am concerned, it is the last time I call 'tech support' and
the
> last Dell I buy!
>
>

 

[Tim]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"CaptainKrunch" <nobody@nothing.com> wrote in message
news:X-WdnbdNBpur8KzcRVn-qw@comcast.com...
> I thought the line in port was to pipe sound in and not to put sound out?
>

He probably means that the "Line In" signal never gets routed to the output.

 

[DavidB]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Yes, that is of course what I meant. I was so mad at the time that I just
wanted to get to the gripe part figuring anyone with a little bit of sense
would know what I meant about the Line-in.

CD and other connections work and sound plays back OK, but nothing when
hooked up to Line in. And all cable connections are correct. Finally late
last night I decided to just reinstall after I discovered that the driver
for the card can't be updated because installer program for the driver says
I have no sound card.

"Tim" <argybargy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:2pd94oFi6tkvU1@uni-berlin.de...
>
> "CaptainKrunch" <nobody@nothing.com> wrote in message
> news:X-WdnbdNBpur8KzcRVn-qw@comcast.com...
> > I thought the line in port was to pipe sound in and not to put sound
out?er
> >
>
> He probably means that the "Line In" signal never gets routed to the
output.
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 10:42:12 -0400, DavidB wrote:

> Yes, that is of course what I meant. I was so mad at the time that I just
> wanted to get to the gripe part figuring anyone with a little bit of sense
> would know what I meant about the Line-in.
>
> CD and other connections work and sound plays back OK, but nothing when
> hooked up to Line in. And all cable connections are correct. Finally late
> last night I decided to just reinstall after I discovered that the driver
> for the card can't be updated because installer program for the driver says
> I have no sound card.

Again, just making sure but the line-in is normally muted unless you
un-mute it in the audio advanced properties. Did you un-mute it? I know
anytime there are problems of no sound one of the best places to check it
the advanced audio properties to make sure it wasn't clicked off or
selected or whatever.

Start with the little things (does it have power? is it plugged in?) was
always the way to go in my experiences so far with stuff that wasn't
working.



Dave
--
You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us!
US Army Signal Corps!!

http://www.geocities.com/davidcasey98

Remove IH8SPAM to reply by email.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

The line-in port is not outputting any sound? This is a joke right? Or are
you a nincompoop?

"DavidB" <padabe@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:xJcYc.40917$cx.25876@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
>I spent over 2 ½ hours myself trying to resolve an asinine sound problem on
> this supposedly 'splendid' Dimension 8200 and, of course, their Help and
> Troubleshooting files are miserable. So not wanting to waste anymore of
> my
> time I decided to call dell's magnificent support. The wait on the phone
> is
> more than 20 minutes during which they try to get you to hang up and find
> the answer yourself on the web. Finally an Indian answers the phone and
> listens to me describe the problem for about 5 minutes and then says "So I
> see you have no sound out of your sound card sir?" Well, hell no, that
> isn'
> t what I said AT ALL! I said that one particular 'part' of the card, the
> Line-In port, was not outputting any sound! He said, "Just a few minutes
> sir while I research this." After about 5 minutes more he comes back on
> and
> says, "Sir, this is an 'advanced' issue and I will have to transfer you to
> the fee based support." I say, "What?!" I paid for an extended 3 yr
> warranty, and I have to pay additional for a solution to this problem?!"
> He
> said "yes sir, stand by while I transfer you to advanced technical
> support".
> Well, of course you know what happened next. He hit his little buttons
> and
> after about 2 more minutes I get the recording from the Bell System "If
> you
> would like to make a call, please hang up and try again."
>
> As far as I am concerned, it is the last time I call 'tech support' and
> the
> last Dell I buy!
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

lol


"DavidB" <padabe@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:xJcYc.40917$cx.25876@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
>I spent over 2 ½ hours myself trying to resolve an asinine sound problem on
> this supposedly 'splendid' Dimension 8200 and, of course, their Help and
> Troubleshooting files are miserable. So not wanting to waste anymore of
> my
> time I decided to call dell's magnificent support. The wait on the phone
> is
> more than 20 minutes during which they try to get you to hang up and find
> the answer yourself on the web. Finally an Indian answers the phone and
> listens to me describe the problem for about 5 minutes and then says "So I
> see you have no sound out of your sound card sir?" Well, hell no, that
> isn'
> t what I said AT ALL! I said that one particular 'part' of the card, the
> Line-In port, was not outputting any sound! He said, "Just a few minutes
> sir while I research this." After about 5 minutes more he comes back on
> and
> says, "Sir, this is an 'advanced' issue and I will have to transfer you to
> the fee based support." I say, "What?!" I paid for an extended 3 yr
> warranty, and I have to pay additional for a solution to this problem?!"
> He
> said "yes sir, stand by while I transfer you to advanced technical
> support".
> Well, of course you know what happened next. He hit his little buttons
> and
> after about 2 more minutes I get the recording from the Bell System "If
> you
> would like to make a call, please hang up and try again."
>
> As far as I am concerned, it is the last time I call 'tech support' and
> the
> last Dell I buy!
>
>

 

[DavidB]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

yes, I un-mutted it, and selected it. And as far as the 'little things', I
agree. I always figure the first place to look for the problem is at the
beginning with the most obvious.

thanks for your constructive input.

"David Casey" <sgtcasey@IH8SPAMcableone.net> wrote in message
news:47yvqst8uqyj$.dlg@sgtcaseycableone.net...
> On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 10:42:12 -0400, DavidB wrote:
>
> > Yes, that is of course what I meant. I was so mad at the time that I
just
> > wanted to get to the gripe part figuring anyone with a little bit of
sense
> > would know what I meant about the Line-in.
> >
> > CD and other connections work and sound plays back OK, but nothing when
> > hooked up to Line in. And all cable connections are correct. Finally
late
> > last night I decided to just reinstall after I discovered that the
driver
> > for the card can't be updated because installer program for the driver
says
> > I have no sound card.
>
> Again, just making sure but the line-in is normally muted unless you
> un-mute it in the audio advanced properties. Did you un-mute it? I know
> anytime there are problems of no sound one of the best places to check it
> the advanced audio properties to make sure it wasn't clicked off or
> selected or whatever.
>
> Start with the little things (does it have power? is it plugged in?) was
> always the way to go in my experiences so far with stuff that wasn't
> working.
>
>
>
> Dave
> --
> You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us!
> US Army Signal Corps!!
>
> http://www.geocities.com/davidcasey98
>
> Remove IH8SPAM to reply by email.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

What's the source that is plugged into Line In? That can make a huge
difference. I believe your sound card likely needs an amplified input. It
DEFINATELY won't like speaker or headphone levels, like from an MP3 player.

Also, the Creative drivers on their website require that the drivers that
came with the system be installed first. These would NOT install with the
OS. They would be on a separate silver CD. Which sound card is it?

The more specifics you can give us, the better we can help.

Tom
"DavidB" <padabe@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:WknYc.40219$%n4.25972@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> yes, I un-mutted it, and selected it. And as far as the 'little things',
> I
> agree. I always figure the first place to look for the problem is at the
> beginning with the most obvious.
>
> thanks for your constructive input.
>
> "David Casey" <sgtcasey@IH8SPAMcableone.net> wrote in message
> news:47yvqst8uqyj$.dlg@sgtcaseycableone.net...
>> On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 10:42:12 -0400, DavidB wrote:
>>
>> > Yes, that is of course what I meant. I was so mad at the time that I
> just
>> > wanted to get to the gripe part figuring anyone with a little bit of
> sense
>> > would know what I meant about the Line-in.
>> >
>> > CD and other connections work and sound plays back OK, but nothing when
>> > hooked up to Line in. And all cable connections are correct. Finally
> late
>> > last night I decided to just reinstall after I discovered that the
> driver
>> > for the card can't be updated because installer program for the driver
> says
>> > I have no sound card.
>>
>> Again, just making sure but the line-in is normally muted unless you
>> un-mute it in the audio advanced properties. Did you un-mute it? I know
>> anytime there are problems of no sound one of the best places to check it
>> the advanced audio properties to make sure it wasn't clicked off or
>> selected or whatever.
>>
>> Start with the little things (does it have power? is it plugged in?) was
>> always the way to go in my experiences so far with stuff that wasn't
>> working.
>>
>>
>>
>> Dave
>> --
>> You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us!
>> US Army Signal Corps!!
>>
>> http://www.geocities.com/davidcasey98
>>
>> Remove IH8SPAM to reply by email.
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

DavidB wrote:
>
> Yes, that is of course what I meant. I was so mad at the time that I just
> wanted to get to the gripe part figuring anyone with a little bit of sense
> would know what I meant about the Line-in.
>
> CD and other connections work and sound plays back OK, but nothing when
> hooked up to Line in. And all cable connections are correct. Finally late
> last night I decided to just reinstall after I discovered that the driver
> for the card can't be updated because installer program for the driver says
> I have no sound card.

And the outcome (of your reinstall) was?

Notan

 

[DavidB]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Sorry. I reinstalled hardware and software last night but then got some
weird results. The installer program for the driver update that I
downloaded from Creative finally recognized that I had a sound card, but
then it said that all the supporting software for the card wasn't installed,
therefore it could not proceed with driver update. But I had just
reinstalled everything!

So, now I think I will just wipe the hard drive clean, reformat and
reinstall the entire system. Besides, I have yet, through Dell or
Microsoft, found a solution to the other major problem I have that no one
can log on to the computer unless they are an administator.

I seem to spend most of my time having to troubleshoot problems instead of
doing productive work. It's depressing.

"Notan" <notan@ddress.com> wrote in message
news:4131F030.CDA58602@ddress.com...
> DavidB wrote:
> >
> > Yes, that is of course what I meant. I was so mad at the time that I
just
> > wanted to get to the gripe part figuring anyone with a little bit of
sense
> > would know what I meant about the Line-in.
> >
> > CD and other connections work and sound plays back OK, but nothing when
> > hooked up to Line in. And all cable connections are correct. Finally
late
> > last night I decided to just reinstall after I discovered that the
driver
> > for the card can't be updated because installer program for the driver
says
> > I have no sound card.
>
> And the outcome (of your reinstall) was?
>
> Notan

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 11:17:53 -0400, DavidB wrote:

[snip]

> So, now I think I will just wipe the hard drive clean, reformat and
> reinstall the entire system. Besides, I have yet, through Dell or
> Microsoft, found a solution to the other major problem I have that no one
> can log on to the computer unless they are an administator.

Just making sure, but did you create any non-administrator accounts?

> I seem to spend most of my time having to troubleshoot problems instead of
> doing productive work. It's depressing.

Hmmmm... this isn't your first computer... is it? ;-)

Dave
--
You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us!
US Army Signal Corps!!

http://www.geocities.com/davidcasey98

Remove IH8SPAM to reply by email.

 

[DavidB]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

After the last reinstall I created two 'User' accounts and one 'Power User'
account, and they worked fine for about a year. Then something happened
(still don't know what) that made the system unstable and kept getting the
'blue screen'. Then one day no one could sign on but the administrator.
Tried all sorts of things suggested and none worked.

Second question - no, this is about my 5th computer, but I guess I still get
frustrated by problems. :-(


"David Casey" <sgtcasey@IH8SPAMcableone.net> wrote in message
news:1h9vck9iv9il3.dlg@sgtcaseycableone.net...
> On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 11:17:53 -0400, DavidB wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
> > So, now I think I will just wipe the hard drive clean, reformat and
> > reinstall the entire system. Besides, I have yet, through Dell or
> > Microsoft, found a solution to the other major problem I have that no
one
> > can log on to the computer unless they are an administator.
>
> Just making sure, but did you create any non-administrator accounts?
>
> > I seem to spend most of my time having to troubleshoot problems instead
of
> > doing productive work. It's depressing.
>
> Hmmmm... this isn't your first computer... is it? ;-)
>
> Dave
> --
> You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us!
> US Army Signal Corps!!
>
> http://www.geocities.com/davidcasey98
>
> Remove IH8SPAM to reply by email.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

DavidB wrote:
>
> Sorry. I reinstalled hardware and software last night but then got some
> weird results. The installer program for the driver update that I
> downloaded from Creative finally recognized that I had a sound card, but
> then it said that all the supporting software for the card wasn't installed,
> therefore it could not proceed with driver update. But I had just
> reinstalled everything!
>
> So, now I think I will just wipe the hard drive clean, reformat and
> reinstall the entire system. Besides, I have yet, through Dell or
> Microsoft, found a solution to the other major problem I have that no one
> can log on to the computer unless they are an administator.
>
> I seem to spend most of my time having to troubleshoot problems instead of
> doing productive work. It's depressing.

Wiping the drive, installing a fresh OS, etc. is the first thing I do,
upon receiving a new system.

Pain in the ass, but worth it.

If you're going to do that, you might want to experiment, first, with
such things as installing all those programs/updates/whatever that you
were reluctant to install, for fear of corrupting your system.

Good luck!

Notan

 

[DavidB]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Some good suggestions. I'll give it a try. I should note though that this
is the THIRD time I will of had to reinstall Win2k because of some fault in
the system that I could not get a solution from tech support on and that I
could not figure out a solution for. I have had this computer a little over
2 years.

thanks again.
david


"Notan" <notan@ddress.com> wrote in message
news:4131F50E.AC37D668@ddress.com...
> DavidB wrote:
> >
> > Sorry. I reinstalled hardware and software last night but then got some
> > weird results. The installer program for the driver update that I
> > downloaded from Creative finally recognized that I had a sound card, but
> > then it said that all the supporting software for the card wasn't
installed,
> > therefore it could not proceed with driver update. But I had just
> > reinstalled everything!
> >
> > So, now I think I will just wipe the hard drive clean, reformat and
> > reinstall the entire system. Besides, I have yet, through Dell or
> > Microsoft, found a solution to the other major problem I have that no
one
> > can log on to the computer unless they are an administator.
> >
> > I seem to spend most of my time having to troubleshoot problems instead
of
> > doing productive work. It's depressing.
>
> Wiping the drive, installing a fresh OS, etc. is the first thing I do,
> upon receiving a new system.
>
> Pain in the ass, but worth it.
>
> If you're going to do that, you might want to experiment, first, with
> such things as installing all those programs/updates/whatever that you
> were reluctant to install, for fear of corrupting your system.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Notan

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 11:44:40 -0400, DavidB wrote:

> Some good suggestions. I'll give it a try. I should note though that this
> is the THIRD time I will of had to reinstall Win2k because of some fault in
> the system that I could not get a solution from tech support on and that I
> could not figure out a solution for. I have had this computer a little over
> 2 years.

Wow, three times in two years isn't bad at all.

Dave
Who goes about six months in between reinstalls, sometimes even more often.
--
You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us!
US Army Signal Corps!!

http://www.geocities.com/davidcasey98

Remove IH8SPAM to reply by email.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Molly" <ctalia4000@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:0dOdnSDYYem8qa_cRVn-og@comcast.com...
> It is a shame this is what it comes down to is poor customer service and
> tech support.
>

<snip>

What it's come down to is the commoditization of the personal computer.
Almost no one complains on the front end about how inexpensive even
upper-tier systems have become.

We, the consumers, are now choosing (most of us, anyway) to risk paying on
the backside


Stew

 

[DavidB]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

You gotta be kidding me. I thought that (3 times) was terrible, but it all
has been educational anyway.

"David Casey" <sgtcasey@IH8SPAMcableone.net> wrote in message
news:15r9zzq393ngw.dlg@sgtcaseycableone.net...
> On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 11:44:40 -0400, DavidB wrote:
>
> > Some good suggestions. I'll give it a try. I should note though that
this
> > is the THIRD time I will of had to reinstall Win2k because of some fault
in
> > the system that I could not get a solution from tech support on and that
I
> > could not figure out a solution for. I have had this computer a little
over
> > 2 years.
>
> Wow, three times in two years isn't bad at all.
>
> Dave
> Who goes about six months in between reinstalls, sometimes even more
often.
> --
> You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us!
> US Army Signal Corps!!
>
> http://www.geocities.com/davidcasey98
>
> Remove IH8SPAM to reply by email.

 

[DavidB]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:IJ6dnUU13rEAnq_cRVn-vg@comcast.com...
> What's the source that is plugged into Line In? That can make a huge
> difference. I believe your sound card likely needs an amplified input. It
> DEFINATELY won't like speaker or headphone levels, like from an MP3
player.
>
Tom, I thought about hooking up the cassette player (which has no built-in
amplification that I know of) to an amplifier and then the output of the amp
to the Line-In, but in the creative directions it shows the player directly
hooked to Line-In. But I will give that a try.
>
> Also, the Creative drivers on their website require that the drivers that
> came with the system be installed first. These would NOT install with the
> OS. They would be on a separate silver CD. Which sound card is it?
>
I have the soundblaster live! value card and what I reinstalled last night
was the Creative software after having gone through the process of having
Windows recognize the hardware. So the drivers should have installed when
you install everything. I am wondering if this whole thing isn't related to
some overall problem with the Win OS itself. That is why I thought to do a
clean install of the whole system - perhaps tonight.
>
> The more specifics you can give us, the better we can help.
>
> Tom
> "DavidB" <padabe@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:WknYc.40219$%n4.25972@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> > yes, I un-mutted it, and selected it. And as far as the 'little
things',
> > I
> > agree. I always figure the first place to look for the problem is at
the
> > beginning with the most obvious.
> >
> > thanks for your constructive input.
> >
> > "David Casey" <sgtcasey@IH8SPAMcableone.net> wrote in message
> > news:47yvqst8uqyj$.dlg@sgtcaseycableone.net...
> >> On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 10:42:12 -0400, DavidB wrote:
> >>
> >> > Yes, that is of course what I meant. I was so mad at the time that I
> > just
> >> > wanted to get to the gripe part figuring anyone with a little bit of
> > sense
> >> > would know what I meant about the Line-in.
> >> >
> >> > CD and other connections work and sound plays back OK, but nothing
when
> >> > hooked up to Line in. And all cable connections are correct.
Finally
> > late
> >> > last night I decided to just reinstall after I discovered that the
> > driver
> >> > for the card can't be updated because installer program for the
driver
> > says
> >> > I have no sound card.
> >>
> >> Again, just making sure but the line-in is normally muted unless you
> >> un-mute it in the audio advanced properties. Did you un-mute it? I
know
> >> anytime there are problems of no sound one of the best places to check
it
> >> the advanced audio properties to make sure it wasn't clicked off or
> >> selected or whatever.
> >>
> >> Start with the little things (does it have power? is it plugged in?)
was
> >> always the way to go in my experiences so far with stuff that wasn't
> >> working.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Dave
> >> --
> >> You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us!
> >> US Army Signal Corps!!
> >>
> >> http://www.geocities.com/davidcasey98
> >>
> >> Remove IH8SPAM to reply by email.
> >
> >
>
>

 

[DavidB]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I think there is alot of truth in what you are saying, generally, but I did
not try to come out cheap on my 8200. It cost well above the minimum
system. And I didn't even list all of the problems I have had with this
computer. The assembly of this unit (loose, rattling parts) left much to be
desired.

"S.Lewis" <stew1960@cover.bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news5vYc.63878$0o5.45842@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
>
> "Molly" <ctalia4000@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:0dOdnSDYYem8qa_cRVn-og@comcast.com...
> > It is a shame this is what it comes down to is poor customer service and
> > tech support.
> >
>
> <snip>
>
> What it's come down to is the commoditization of the personal computer.
> Almost no one complains on the front end about how inexpensive even
> upper-tier systems have become.
>
> We, the consumers, are now choosing (most of us, anyway) to risk paying on
> the backside
>
>
> Stew
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

David,

That particular card is likely an OEM version. Unfortunately, this was a
period when Dell installed "less than stellar" versions of Creative's cards.
I found that if I tried Creative's drivers, rather than Dell's, that the
sound card would either not function at all or would exhibit unusual
behavior. Before you go to the trouble of a full install, try downloading
the drivers from support.dell.com. Enter your system id and it will steer
you to the right drivers.

Tom
"DavidB" <padabe@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:E8wYc.64880$0o5.18168@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
>
> "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
> news:IJ6dnUU13rEAnq_cRVn-vg@comcast.com...
>> What's the source that is plugged into Line In? That can make a huge
>> difference. I believe your sound card likely needs an amplified input.
>> It
>> DEFINATELY won't like speaker or headphone levels, like from an MP3
> player.
>>
> Tom, I thought about hooking up the cassette player (which has no built-in
> amplification that I know of) to an amplifier and then the output of the
> amp
> to the Line-In, but in the creative directions it shows the player
> directly
> hooked to Line-In. But I will give that a try.
>>
>> Also, the Creative drivers on their website require that the drivers that
>> came with the system be installed first. These would NOT install with
>> the
>> OS. They would be on a separate silver CD. Which sound card is it?
>>
> I have the soundblaster live! value card and what I reinstalled last night
> was the Creative software after having gone through the process of having
> Windows recognize the hardware. So the drivers should have installed when
> you install everything. I am wondering if this whole thing isn't related
> to
> some overall problem with the Win OS itself. That is why I thought to do
> a
> clean install of the whole system - perhaps tonight.
>>
>> The more specifics you can give us, the better we can help.
>>
>> Tom
>> "DavidB" <padabe@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
>> news:WknYc.40219$%n4.25972@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
>> > yes, I un-mutted it, and selected it. And as far as the 'little
> things',
>> > I
>> > agree. I always figure the first place to look for the problem is at
> the
>> > beginning with the most obvious.
>> >
>> > thanks for your constructive input.
>> >
>> > "David Casey" <sgtcasey@IH8SPAMcableone.net> wrote in message
>> > news:47yvqst8uqyj$.dlg@sgtcaseycableone.net...
>> >> On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 10:42:12 -0400, DavidB wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > Yes, that is of course what I meant. I was so mad at the time that
>> >> > I
>> > just
>> >> > wanted to get to the gripe part figuring anyone with a little bit of
>> > sense
>> >> > would know what I meant about the Line-in.
>> >> >
>> >> > CD and other connections work and sound plays back OK, but nothing
> when
>> >> > hooked up to Line in. And all cable connections are correct.
> Finally
>> > late
>> >> > last night I decided to just reinstall after I discovered that the
>> > driver
>> >> > for the card can't be updated because installer program for the
> driver
>> > says
>> >> > I have no sound card.
>> >>
>> >> Again, just making sure but the line-in is normally muted unless you
>> >> un-mute it in the audio advanced properties. Did you un-mute it? I
> know
>> >> anytime there are problems of no sound one of the best places to check
> it
>> >> the advanced audio properties to make sure it wasn't clicked off or
>> >> selected or whatever.
>> >>
>> >> Start with the little things (does it have power? is it plugged in?)
> was
>> >> always the way to go in my experiences so far with stuff that wasn't
>> >> working.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Dave
>> >> --
>> >> You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us!
>> >> US Army Signal Corps!!
>> >>
>> >> http://www.geocities.com/davidcasey98
>> >>
>> >> Remove IH8SPAM to reply by email.
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

 

[DavidB]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Thanks! I'll give that a try. It is indeed an OEM card, and seems that I
read somewhere else what you were saying Tom that the Line-In on some of
those would not work properly, which seems completely unacceptable to me to
sell merchandise that way.

I'll let you know the outcome.

"Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:zYSdnYDy_dDPDK_cRVn-tA@comcast.com...
> David,
>
> That particular card is likely an OEM version. Unfortunately, this was a
> period when Dell installed "less than stellar" versions of Creative's
cards.
> I found that if I tried Creative's drivers, rather than Dell's, that the
> sound card would either not function at all or would exhibit unusual
> behavior. Before you go to the trouble of a full install, try downloading
> the drivers from support.dell.com. Enter your system id and it will steer
> you to the right drivers.
>
> Tom
> "DavidB" <padabe@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:E8wYc.64880$0o5.18168@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
> >
> > "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
> > news:IJ6dnUU13rEAnq_cRVn-vg@comcast.com...
> >> What's the source that is plugged into Line In? That can make a huge
> >> difference. I believe your sound card likely needs an amplified input.
> >> It
> >> DEFINATELY won't like speaker or headphone levels, like from an MP3
> > player.
> >>
> > Tom, I thought about hooking up the cassette player (which has no
built-in
> > amplification that I know of) to an amplifier and then the output of the
> > amp
> > to the Line-In, but in the creative directions it shows the player
> > directly
> > hooked to Line-In. But I will give that a try.
> >>
> >> Also, the Creative drivers on their website require that the drivers
that
> >> came with the system be installed first. These would NOT install with
> >> the
> >> OS. They would be on a separate silver CD. Which sound card is it?
> >>
> > I have the soundblaster live! value card and what I reinstalled last
night
> > was the Creative software after having gone through the process of
having
> > Windows recognize the hardware. So the drivers should have installed
when
> > you install everything. I am wondering if this whole thing isn't
related
> > to
> > some overall problem with the Win OS itself. That is why I thought to
do
> > a
> > clean install of the whole system - perhaps tonight.
> >>
> >> The more specifics you can give us, the better we can help.
> >>
> >> Tom
> >> "DavidB" <padabe@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> >> news:WknYc.40219$%n4.25972@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> >> > yes, I un-mutted it, and selected it. And as far as the 'little
> > things',
> >> > I
> >> > agree. I always figure the first place to look for the problem is at
> > the
> >> > beginning with the most obvious.
> >> >
> >> > thanks for your constructive input.
> >> >
> >> > "David Casey" <sgtcasey@IH8SPAMcableone.net> wrote in message
> >> > news:47yvqst8uqyj$.dlg@sgtcaseycableone.net...
> >> >> On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 10:42:12 -0400, DavidB wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> > Yes, that is of course what I meant. I was so mad at the time
that
> >> >> > I
> >> > just
> >> >> > wanted to get to the gripe part figuring anyone with a little bit
of
> >> > sense
> >> >> > would know what I meant about the Line-in.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > CD and other connections work and sound plays back OK, but nothing
> > when
> >> >> > hooked up to Line in. And all cable connections are correct.
> > Finally
> >> > late
> >> >> > last night I decided to just reinstall after I discovered that the
> >> > driver
> >> >> > for the card can't be updated because installer program for the
> > driver
> >> > says
> >> >> > I have no sound card.
> >> >>
> >> >> Again, just making sure but the line-in is normally muted unless you
> >> >> un-mute it in the audio advanced properties. Did you un-mute it? I
> > know
> >> >> anytime there are problems of no sound one of the best places to
check
> > it
> >> >> the advanced audio properties to make sure it wasn't clicked off or
> >> >> selected or whatever.
> >> >>
> >> >> Start with the little things (does it have power? is it plugged
in?)
> > was
> >> >> always the way to go in my experiences so far with stuff that wasn't
> >> >> working.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Dave
> >> >> --
> >> >> You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us!
> >> >> US Army Signal Corps!!
> >> >>
> >> >> http://www.geocities.com/davidcasey98
> >> >>
> >> >> Remove IH8SPAM to reply by email.
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Wake up. If the signal that goes in does not come back out, what use is
"Line In"? Obviously, he meant that inputs via "Line In" cannot be heard as
"outputs".




"CaptainKrunch" <nobody@nothing.com> wrote in message
news:X-WdnbdNBpur8KzcRVn-qw@comcast.com...
> I thought the line in port was to pipe sound in and not to put sound out?
>
>
> "DavidB" <padabe@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:xJcYc.40917$cx.25876@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> > I spent over 2 ½ hours myself trying to resolve an asinine sound problem
> on
> > this supposedly 'splendid' Dimension 8200 and, of course, their Help and
> > Troubleshooting files are miserable. So not wanting to waste anymore of
> my
> > time I decided to call dell's magnificent support. The wait on the
phone
> is
> > more than 20 minutes during which they try to get you to hang up and
find
> > the answer yourself on the web. Finally an Indian answers the phone and
> > listens to me describe the problem for about 5 minutes and then says "So
I
> > see you have no sound out of your sound card sir?" Well, hell no, that
> isn'
> > t what I said AT ALL! I said that one particular 'part' of the card,
the
> > Line-In port, was not outputting any sound! He said, "Just a few
minutes
> > sir while I research this." After about 5 minutes more he comes back on
> and
> > says, "Sir, this is an 'advanced' issue and I will have to transfer you
to
> > the fee based support." I say, "What?!" I paid for an extended 3 yr
> > warranty, and I have to pay additional for a solution to this problem?!"
> He
> > said "yes sir, stand by while I transfer you to advanced technical
> support".
> > Well, of course you know what happened next. He hit his little buttons
> and
> > after about 2 more minutes I get the recording from the Bell System "If
> you
> > would like to make a call, please hang up and try again."
> >
> > As far as I am concerned, it is the last time I call 'tech support' and
> the
> > last Dell I buy!
> >
> >
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Sadly, it matters not, how much you spend for your computer. If you are a
"Home/Home Business" buyer, you get the same sorry service whether you spend
$400 or $3000.

"DavidB" <padabe@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
newscwYc.64927$0o5.430@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
> I think there is alot of truth in what you are saying, generally, but I
did
> not try to come out cheap on my 8200. It cost well above the minimum
> system. And I didn't even list all of the problems I have had with this
> computer. The assembly of this unit (loose, rattling parts) left much to
be
> desired.
>
> "S.Lewis" <stew1960@cover.bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news5vYc.63878$0o5.45842@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
> >
> > "Molly" <ctalia4000@comcast.net> wrote in message
> > news:0dOdnSDYYem8qa_cRVn-og@comcast.com...
> > > It is a shame this is what it comes down to is poor customer service
and
> > > tech support.
> > >
> >
> > <snip>
> >
> > What it's come down to is the commoditization of the personal computer.
> > Almost no one complains on the front end about how inexpensive even
> > upper-tier systems have become.
> >
> > We, the consumers, are now choosing (most of us, anyway) to risk paying
on
> > the backside
> >
> >
> > Stew
> >
> >
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I wonder, just who the "nincompoop" is?


"WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
newsqiYc.7148$0x7.3964@newssvr23.news.prodigy.com...
> The line-in port is not outputting any sound? This is a joke right? Or
are
> you a nincompoop?
>
> "DavidB" <padabe@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> news:xJcYc.40917$cx.25876@bignews4.bellsouth.net...
> >I spent over 2 ½ hours myself trying to resolve an asinine sound problem
on
> > this supposedly 'splendid' Dimension 8200 and, of course, their Help and
> > Troubleshooting files are miserable. So not wanting to waste anymore of
> > my
> > time I decided to call dell's magnificent support. The wait on the
phone
> > is
> > more than 20 minutes during which they try to get you to hang up and
find
> > the answer yourself on the web. Finally an Indian answers the phone and
> > listens to me describe the problem for about 5 minutes and then says "So
I
> > see you have no sound out of your sound card sir?" Well, hell no, that
> > isn'
> > t what I said AT ALL! I said that one particular 'part' of the card,
the
> > Line-In port, was not outputting any sound! He said, "Just a few
minutes
> > sir while I research this." After about 5 minutes more he comes back on
> > and
> > says, "Sir, this is an 'advanced' issue and I will have to transfer you
to
> > the fee based support." I say, "What?!" I paid for an extended 3 yr
> > warranty, and I have to pay additional for a solution to this problem?!"
> > He
> > said "yes sir, stand by while I transfer you to advanced technical
> > support".
> > Well, of course you know what happened next. He hit his little buttons
> > and
> > after about 2 more minutes I get the recording from the Bell System "If
> > you
> > would like to make a call, please hang up and try again."
> >
> > As far as I am concerned, it is the last time I call 'tech support' and
> > the
> > last Dell I buy!
> >
> >
>
>