7/12/11 Update - The tech will be coming out tomorrow for the second time (the last time was 10/9/10 - the computer was purchased in March of 2010.) to replace my motherboard for a second time...I don't know as yet what other issues my computer has; but the support tech I spoke with in India said that my computer has symptoms akin to the motherboard being bad. I was on the fence about ever purchasing a Dell again during my last report; but this pretty much seals the deal for me. I will look elsewhere. Thank goodness I spent the money for an extended warranty. I purchased my last Dell Computer in 2004.  In February of 2010 I began to have major problems.  Dell ascertained that part of my RAM had crashed but they were able to get me up and running again.  I decided that I had better start looking for another computer.  I looked at several different brands online, compared prices and features and decided to buy another Dell.  My previous Dell had lasted 6 years; and that's quite acceptable and expected as far as I was concerned.  A new computer would run faster and have more advanced technology. I chose the Dell Inspiron 546MT.  I play a lot of video games; and I wanted to make sure that I had enough RAM.  Don't be misled by the really low prices that Dell advertises.  If you buy just a basic computer, you can stay near that price; but once you start adding more RAM, software, etc., the price quickly escalates.  Make your price comparisons including all the options you want and purchase with your eyes wide open.  I ordered my Dell in March of 2010. My computer has 640 gb of hard drive, 6 gb of RAM (yes!), an AMD Athlon II x4 Processor and a USB Optical Mouse.  I had it loaded with Microsoft Office 2007 Home & Student Edition, Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit (which I have since upgraded to Professional) and Office Outlook 2007. Since computers no longer come with an "a" (floppy) drive I purchased an External USB Floppy Drive.  I also purchased a 500 gb USB 2.0 External Hard Drive to back up my files. I have had nothing but problems since I purchased my new computer.  Between Dell and McAfee, McAfee and Windows 7, I have literally spent **weeks** on the phone with India.  My Indian friends and I are going to participate in a house exchange next summer. :-D  Seriously, though, I feel like I know my techs as well as family members.  I now believe that most of the problems  that I have had since March of this year were related to the motherboard being defective from the start. A Dell technician came out today, 10/9/10,  (Dell hires various computer repair companies in major metropolitan areas to cover all customers) and replaced the motherboard, power supply, heat sink and cpu fan.  The only part he had left over when he was done was a new hard drive -- Dell had sent that part as well...just in case.  Thank goodness for warranties!  I had purchased an extended warranty; and, as of this date, I still have over 700 days left. Well, my Dell is back up and running.  I realize that sometimes you just get a "lemon" and it doesn't really reflect on the product quality in general; but I wish Dell would have sent a tech out much sooner.  I could have avoided hours and hours and hours on the phone with them and much unnecessary stress.  In its last throes of computer death, my computer had been repeatedly freezing, so I also wasted hours and hours of productive computer time. I am tentatively giving this computer a thumbs-up.  Would I buy a Dell again?  I'll have to think about it.

LindaOH

Madison, OH