Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)

spoke to Dell yesterday. the same guy from corp resolution center who helped me with hard drive and win7 upgrade.

I admit I did not mention Lemon Law to him.  I also will only remind you these issues were present in the beginning (USB port was loose, but not bad - yet).  Monitor:  We are still working on fixing with a download that isn't installing.

3 options:
1) Current warranty is depot only.  - send system to depot to replace USP port.

2) Make an exception and issue a system replacement. - cannot guarantee that the replacement will have windows 7 installed, since original OS was Vista. May have to do a manual reinstall of Windows 7.

3) Send part for computer and you can have it replaced locally at your own cost.

4) Purchase warranty upgrade for onsite service - once purchased. I can setup a service to get the part replaced onsite.

What do you guys have to say?  Serious stuff here.
Thanks.

I'd get a system replacement but keep the hard disk with Windows 7.

This PC just seems to have lots of trouble.  I think you should replace it.  Don't send the hard disk when you send it back.  Or better yet, ask for them to ship the new machine and when you get it swap the hard disks.  You may have to give them a credit card number for this since they want to make sure they aren't giving you a machine. 

It's simple to swap hard disks but if you are afraid you can get your tech support guy to do it for you.

Anyway, it's likely you will get a Win7 system since that's what they are shipping now.  They would probably have to make a special effort to install Vista

Best Regards,
Manny Carvalho
MS-MVP Windows 

Your donation to this site is greatly appreciate

I agree with Manny. Get the replacement.

Dell XPS 8000 Win 7 64bit
 Dell Inspiron 530 Win 7 HP 32bit


But I don't ask you 'bout your business
Don't ask me about mine ------------- Lynyrd Skynyrd

Just to cover the obvious... make sure that you save any documents, pictures and such that you do not want to lose just in case of any problems.

Jay
I have a photographic memory but no film...
My.Jaylach
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The internal drive that I already swapped out December 9th, 2009 is called a hard disc?
Six screws or something.  Steady hand and a magnetized screwdriver...

It's an excellent idea.  Rob (Dell) didn't mention this particularly easy solution so  there may be a legal reason why it was not an option. Any thoughts on that???
He has to say I might get Vista, because I might.  My account at Dell has the original order w/Vista.  Replacements are returns or cancellations; that's why Vista is a possibility.

That is such a brilliant solution idea, Manny.  Thanks Jay and Chas for concurring.   
I started preparing for any special backups in addition to my normal backups.  Win7 does an image backup, which I've never had before.
That will be a new post, to make sure all bases are covered.

Because I can't afford any down time, they will ship out the replacement first.  It makes it easier to have the original packing box.
Thanks!

nancy3


The internal drive that I already swapped out December 9th, 2009 is called a hard disc?
Six screws or something.  Steady hand and a magnetized screwdriver...

Never, ever and at no time should you ever use a magnetized screwdriver on any computer component.  Why?  Computers use all kinds of magnetic fields to do their work.  Putting another magnet into those fields can screw up things and you never realize why.   You may get away with it at times but it's just darn BAD practive.  DON"T DO IT!!!!
 
If you have a hard time putting screws in with just your fingers then there are screwdrivers available that use other methods to grab a screw with use a magnetic field.
 
A friend once stuck a magnetic glip to hold papers to the side of his CRT monitor and then wondered why the screen was so distorted.  I pulled the magnetic off and the light bulb came on as to the cause of the problem.

Best Regards,
Manny Carvalho
MS-MVP Windows 

Your donation to this site is greatly appreciate

nancy3


It's an excellent idea.  Rob (Dell) didn't mention this particularly easy solution so  there may be a legal reason why it was not an option. Any thoughts on that???
He has to say I might get Vista, because I might.  My account at Dell has the original order w/Vista.  Replacements are returns or cancellations; that's why Vista is a possibility.

That is such a brilliant solution idea, Manny.  Thanks Jay and Chas for concurring.    

Didn't they provide you with a legal copy of Win 7?  I think so.  They are just replacing the hardware I see no legalities hindering anything here as long as they get back the old system.  Which they'll probably dump in the trash.

Best Regards,
Manny Carvalho
MS-MVP Windows 

Your donation to this site is greatly appreciate

Re: Screwdriver.  Thanks for the warning.

I did not explain as well as I should have.  I didn't know there was a category of "magnetized" screwdrivers.  I was actually surprised that they the screws were 1. as short as they are 2. sticking to the screwdriver in the first place.  If it hadn't been so easy, I would have used my fingers anyway.

This was the first time and ONLY time (that I can recall) a screw ever stuck to this screwdriver. I just tested it with any old screw it my toolbox and it does not attract; it only worked with the screws on the hard drive on this particular computer. 
....So, what IS this tool?

You remember correctly that I bought my Win7 upgrade from Dell. 
Thanks for assuring me about the legality and the place where my drive would end up anyway.  I rather not have my data out there.
Thanks.

There is such a thing as magnetic screwdrivers.  The tips are magnetized in order to grab onto the ferrous screws to make it easier to insert those little suckers.  Only ferrous screws which can be magnetized can be held.  Other, non-magnetic ways, to hold screws includes using a little bit of adhesive, like Blu-Tack, on the tip of the driver to hold the screw.  There are also drivers with clips on the side like this.     The one to the right has a sliding collar that holds the screw.

It's not to say that magnetic screwdrives can't be used successfully but it is true that strong magnets can erase a hard drive.  I'd just not rather see you take such a chance.

Best Regards,
Manny Carvalho
MS-MVP Windows 

Your donation to this site is greatly appreciate

"Don't send the hard disk when you send it back.  Or better yet, ask for them to ship the new machine and when you get it swap the hard disks."

Just to be clear, Manny:  Don't even mention keeping the disk, just ask for replacement computer?
Sounds good to me. 

Understand clearly about screwdriver now.  Ferrous is the key.  It is the only size Philips head that fits.  If I am not creating a new habit, is it still unsafe to use it JUST for this purpose?
Don't need anything fancy, just the right size, and thank you for the different options.  The screws are minuscule, meaning magnetic force doesn't penetrate far (unless I am missing the entire concept) and the contact is so brief; just seconds to do the job. 
I am trying to avoid another shopping spree, but if am still setting off red flags, I will buy a new one.
Thank you for teaching me so much!

That's right.  Ask for a system replacement.  Dell won't care what hard drive exactly they get back as long as they get an identical one back from you. 

There's always a possibility that you may have to reactivate Windows because of the change but you should be able to handle that without much problems if it does happen.  You have plenty of time to return the old stuff so that you can make sure that everything is working.  At worst, you'll have to reinstall Win 7 like you did with your current drive.  Hopefully, it'll come with Win 7 already and all this will be moot.

I don't want to make too big a deal about the screwdriver.  You're right that the magnetic field is relatively weak and doesn't penetrate far.  I just think that for you the right approach is to stay away from magnets while close to any computer hardware.  A set of precision [jeweler's] drivers like this work really nice and are inexpensive.  You can use a pair of tweezers put the screw in the hole and then drive it in reasonably well.  Small screws like these are always a little tough to handle.

Best Regards,
Manny Carvalho
MS-MVP Windows 

Your donation to this site is greatly appreciate

I can handle $5.00.  Thanks for showing me the kit - I have seen these.
Thanks for the tweezers suggestion.

At worst, you'll have to reinstall Win 7 like you did with your current drive.  Hopefully, it'll come with Win 7 already and all this will be moot.

What is the difference between 'reactivate' and 'reinstall'? 

I upgraded on my current drive and I am keeping my current drive (per your suggestion).  This leaves me a little confused.  Please explain, Manny. 
Thank you.

I do my best thinking in the shower.  Let me take a stab:
I will not have to Restore my data (via any Backup & Restore program) but I may have to reinstall or reactivate the "environment" from which that data is accessed- either Vista or Win7?

I think I do not fully understand what an O/S does.  (Another word is framework?)  In other words, it is far more than Outlook (Office) that is affected; it is all the other programs that are pre-installed by Dell when you purchase their machine?
Thank you.

The OS [operating system] is Windows.  The underlying structure in which all software runs.  Framework, which is very different from an OS, is a higher level of software, like .NET, which is a language used by other software.  Office is just another software package that runs on top of the OS.  It may also use .NET components.  Office is the combination of all programs [Word, Excel,etc.] whereas Outlook is the email component of Office.
 
Computer lingo can be a little bizarre at times.  It confuses me all the time.

My point was that the worst that could happen is that you'll have to reinstall Windows 7.  That is start from ground zero and install the operating system.  This differs from activation in that this is just checking in with Microsoft for it to recognize that your OS is legitimate.  You install [load] your OS and then activate [enable or turn on] it.  This was just a suggestion that if the worst happens it won't be so bad and you can handle it since you've already done so.  It probably won't since you should just easily swap your drive and be done with it, but just thinking ahead.

I like thinking in the shower as well.  Too bad you can't work in there.

Best Regards,
Manny Carvalho
MS-MVP Windows 

Your donation to this site is greatly appreciate

Laughing first is a good thing, Manny.  Thanks!

When I said framework, I didn't mean the technical term.  I was searching for a word similar to environment, kind of like the thing from which everything else is built (or emanates from).  That is Windows.

Now I remember the 60 second activation process.  That would be best case.
The installation process would be worst case.  Since I did it recently, it surely will be far simpler this time.  And since I did it recently, I know you mean a complete Restore.

Best/Worse means things can actually go quite well.  It would be nice to have that happen for a change.

I finally found the $5.00 screwdriver kit.  That feels like a major accomplishment.  I have to buy a new 4-port USB hub at Radio Shack today. 

Thank you, Manny.  You taught me a great deal.  My job is to make sure I understand it thoroughly - which means reading it until I have that AHA moment.

Do it in the shower. AHA moments are better there.

You'rewelcome.

Best Regards,
Manny Carvalho
MS-MVP Windows 

Your donation to this site is greatly appreciate

No kidding!

USB hub - check.
screwdriver kit - check.

A magnetic screwdriver is in no way strong enough to cause any issues with it being used to work on a PC.    

Liam, here's Manny's sentence: It's not to say that magnetic screwdrivers can't be used successfully but it is true that strong magnets can erase a hard drive.  I'd just not rather see you take such a chance.

I think we all agree.  More importantly, Manny is trying to teach me better all-around computer and computing habits, which I greatly appreciate.

$5.00 on a 6-piece screwdriver set, when I can always use tools, was a great purchase.

Thanks for your input, Liam.