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Pre-installed Windows 7 on a dead HDD

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Hi guys, I am wondering if anyone can help me with this issue.  
I have a laptop, Dell Inspiron 1545, and the HDD has died.  I have ordered a new one, but my OS, windows 7, came pre-installed.  I have the Product Key, located below the battery, but what I want to know is, is there anywhere I can download windows 7 and use the product key that came with the laptop when purchased.  There was no DVD supplied when this was purchased from a large supermarket chain some 3 or 4 years ago, and I had never had a problem until now.  
I would appreciate any help.

Many thanks in advance
Paul


Dell XPS 12 Touch screen stop working when flipping screen

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Hi,

So I bought the XPS 12 a month ago, and it is fantastic! However, I have been experiencing a problem: 

When I flip the screen to go into tablet mode, after a short while, the touch stops working. The screen still shows what it's supposed to, but it won't register my fingers (or anyone elses...) 

I have seen another post about a similar problem at the forum (http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/p/19477009/20235618.aspx), but the solutions given (update BIOS, update chipset and video drivers, calibrating the touch screen) didn't solve my problem.

Are there any other solutions available, or is this a problem only I am experiencing?  

Sincerely,

Ben

Digital Persona Software for Dell Vostro 3550 Win 7 X64

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I get the following error when I try to install the factory sofware for my fingerprint reader.

PLATFORM VERSION INFO
    Windows             : 6.1.7601.65536 (Win32NT)
    Common Language Runtime     : 4.0.30319.18444
    System.Deployment.dll         : 4.0.30319.18408 built by: FX451RTMGREL
    clr.dll             : 4.0.30319.18444 built by: FX451RTMGDR
    dfdll.dll             : 4.0.30319.18408 built by: FX451RTMGREL
    dfshim.dll             : 4.0.41209.0 (Main.041209-0000)

SOURCES
    Deployment url            : file:///C:/Users/Willem%20Strauss/Downloads/SmartSource.MediaManager.application

IDENTITIES
    Deployment Identity        : SmartSource.MediaManager.application, Version=1.1.0.201, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=936d643aa1f0ff60, processorArchitecture=msil

APPLICATION SUMMARY
    * Online only application.
    * Trust url parameter is set.
ERROR SUMMARY
    Below is a summary of the errors, details of these errors are listed later in the log.
    * Activation of C:\Users\Willem Strauss\Downloads\SmartSource.MediaManager.application resulted in exception. Following failure messages were detected:
        + Deployment and application do not have matching security zones.

COMPONENT STORE TRANSACTION FAILURE SUMMARY
    No transaction error was detected.

WARNINGS
    There were no warnings during this operation.

OPERATION PROGRESS STATUS
    * [26/03/2014 09:11:39 PM] : Activation of C:\Users\Willem Strauss\Downloads\SmartSource.MediaManager.application has started.
    * [26/03/2014 09:11:39 PM] : Processing of deployment manifest has successfully completed.
    * [26/03/2014 09:11:39 PM] : Installation of the application has started.

ERROR DETAILS
    Following errors were detected during this operation.
    * [26/03/2014 09:11:39 PM] System.Deployment.Application.InvalidDeploymentException (Zone)
        - Deployment and application do not have matching security zones.
        - Source: System.Deployment
        - Stack trace:
            at System.Deployment.Application.DownloadManager.DownloadApplicationManifest(AssemblyManifest deploymentManifest, String targetDir, Uri deploymentUri, IDownloadNotification notification, DownloadOptions options, Uri& appSourceUri, String& appManifestPath)
            at System.Deployment.Application.DownloadManager.DownloadApplicationManifest(AssemblyManifest deploymentManifest, String targetDir, Uri deploymentUri, Uri& appSourceUri, String& appManifestPath)
            at System.Deployment.Application.ApplicationActivator.DownloadApplication(SubscriptionState subState, ActivationDescription actDesc, Int64 transactionId, TempDirectory& downloadTemp)
            at System.Deployment.Application.ApplicationActivator.InstallApplication(SubscriptionState& subState, ActivationDescription actDesc)
            at System.Deployment.Application.ApplicationActivator.PerformDeploymentActivation(Uri activationUri, Boolean isShortcut, String textualSubId, String deploymentProviderUrlFromExtension, BrowserSettings browserSettings, String& errorPageUrl)
            at System.Deployment.Application.ApplicationActivator.ActivateDeploymentWorker(Object state)

COMPONENT STORE TRANSACTION DETAILS
    No transaction information is available.
It does not install the software

Willem Strauss

XPS13 9333 Wont Resume

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I just received my XPS13 9333.  I am having a problem where if I leave the machine asleep for more than 10 minutes or so then it wont resume.  The first attempt to press the power button will turn the machine on for a few seconds then it powers off.  If I open the lid after only a few minutes it will resume fine.

O2Micro Memory Card Reader on Latitude with Windows 8.1

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I have a Latitude E5520 and a Lattitude E5530, both have the O2Micro SD Memory Card Reader.  The reader worked fine in Windows 8, but after installing the 8.1 update, the SD card reader does not work at all when inserting a memory card.  There is no audible sound, no disk drive available in Windows Explorer, and in Device Manager, the O2 is not listed in "Storage Controllers" where it should be. 

There are two versions of the driver that I've found online on the Dell site, but neither one solves the issue.

I found this workaround, but it's not a very good one:

  • In Windows 8.1, press Start button and type fix devices, and click Find and fix problems with devices in the results list.
  • Click Next and allow it to check for problems.  It will come back with the option to enable the device Intel 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 6 - 1C1A or something similar
  • Click Apply this fix
  • When done, close the troubleshooter and open Windows Explorer, and you should see the card reader
  • In Device Manager, you should see O2Micro Integrated MMC/SD controller and O2Micro Integrated MS/MSPRO controller

Now, here's the bad news - after you reboot, or even go into sleep and come back out, the card reader is gone, and you have to do these steps over again.

If anyone has a permanent fix, I would love to know what it is!

-Dave

 

XPS 13 Wi-Fi

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Hi All; i need your help with this issue my friend got Dell XPS 13 (L321X) about a year ago, last week it starts something strange after it boots and windows 7 finish loading the wi-fi disconnect and we couldn't find the adapter in network adapters from device manager.

i tried to uninstall Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030/Advanced-N 6230 Driver and reinstall it and it works until we reboot the laptop then it start all over again.

 

Desktop PC Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller, missing driver

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I don't know for sure that a desktop uses this driver because when I searched with a search, engine only Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller drivers for laptops came up.  It is listed in the Device Manager, Other devices, as not installed.

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller, driver is not installed  I looked for it in Windows Updates but couldn't find this driver, also looked in Dell Drivers and Downloads and couldn't find it.

My Remove hardware safely icon is missing because the driver in not installed.  Can anyone give me a link for my Dell XPS 8500 desktop PC using Windows 7?

Stiff keyboard on Inspiron 17

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The keys on my new Inspiron are really stiff. I have to really press hard on the keys when typing especially the spacebar which often doesn't work at all. Makes for slow typing and many mistakes. Is there a solution?

is this normal?

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I purchased my first Dell laptop in Jan 2014 inspiron 15 windows 7 and every time I am done working in it, I have to shut it down completely. The sleep mode is only effective for less than 1 hour and then it crashes and I get fatal error screens. Is this normal or should I pursue a solution?

Temporary battery failure with AC adapter present

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Hi! Today the battery light for my Dell Vostro 3350 started alternately blinking amber light with steady white light, which indicates temporary battery failure with AC adapter present. Is there anything I can do to try to bring life back to my battery or is the only solution to by a new battery? Thanks!

My Dell Latitude e6410 does not power on

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Hi all, hope you are doing good this morning!

I have a Dell Latitude e6410 that until this last Saturday was working with no issues at all. I was doing some common tasks with it, then I ran windows update, checked for viruses and restarted, all with no issues. After this, I turned it off and went to bed.

The next morning, I tried to turn it on and nothing happened, and with nothing, I mean exactly that. The notebook just won't turn on any lights. At first I thought that maybe I forgot to turn it off, so I plugged the AC charger, same thing, no lights. So I checked the other AC charger, no difference. The computer does not show any difference, both AC power chargers turn on, and don't flicker when plugged into the computer.

There are no light errors nor anything at all, the machine is completely dead. I already tried to turn it on with no battery, removing hard drive, DVD drive, memories, all the same.

Given that there are no lights at all when trying to turn the computer on or while connecting the charger, I believe there may be a problem with the e6410 internal power circuit, but before taking it to reparations, I wanted to check with you guys, in case you ever found a situation like this and have any suggestion.

Any input will be greatly appreciated

PS: English is not my main language, so please excuse me if I use incorrect terminology for something and don't be afraid to correct me. Thanks!

M17x problems with external display

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  I have an M17x with Windows 7 64 bit. Until only a day or so ago, it was Windows Vista 64 bit. Since there are two drives, I have Vista 32 bit on the second drive as a test platform.

  I have 2xGTX280, 4GB RAM, 500GB total drive space, etc. and so on.

  I recently acquired an external display (Dell 2407WFPHC), which I so looked forward to using with my M17x to expand my desktop space and to have a viewing space for where I can use certain applications without having to squint my eyes because on the external display the pixels use 15 twips instead of 12 twips per pixel used by the laptop display. Don't get me wrong, I like and I want the 1920x1200 resolution of the laptop display, but for some purposes the external display would have let me ease my eyes.

  The problems using an external display are as follows, and these problems persist between Vista 32 and 64 bit, and Windows 7 64 bit.

  1) The primary GPU maxes out its clock speed even if all I'm doing is word processing, which causes the GPU fan to also max out. As soon as I unplug the external display, GPU clock speed goes down, the temperature drops, and the fans spin down to normal. I've owned and used laptops for a very long time, and I've never seen this behavior before. The GPU should only expend what resources are necessary to run the second display, not act like I'm playing graphics intensive games with all accelerations in use.

  2) The system steadily becomes slower and slower and more and more unstable the longer I leave the external display attached. The first resource I lose altogether is WiFi access. I haven't left the external display attached long enough to lose more resources because I'm afraid of somehow damaging the system. It can take anywhere from 1 to 10 minutes for my WiFi throughput to be reduced to nothing when the external display is attached. Soon as I remove the external display, the WiFi connectivity returns. If I boot the system with the external display attached, I logon with no WiFi access. And though I remove the external display in this case, a reboot is required to get WiFi connectivity back.

  I have thus far only connected to my external display using SVGA and the HDMI ports. The SVGA port was used to connect to the display through its native SVGA port. The HDMI port was used with a HDMI to DVI adapter to connect to the display's DVI port. If I use SVGA, I'm prevented from access to the option of using the display's native resolution. And even if I had access, I would be unable to use it because when the SVGA port is used, the external display is riddled with very obtrusive sync lines that never settle out. It's very much like looking at a monitor through a video camera--that bad.

  At this point, I'm not even sure why ports have been provided for using an external display. The M17x is clearly not capable of supporting external displays. I've discussed this matter on the Notebook Review's Alienware Forums (http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1018), and it is generally understood there that external displays cannot be used with the M17x for the reasons I've noted above. Not even with the Radon cards. This seems to be a problem with the fundamental architecture of the M17x.

  I'm posting this for three reasons.

  1) I would like to know if there is a solution to this problem. I'm only asking as a courtesy, because I have explored this thoroughly and discussed this matter with many knowledgeable people, and the general consensus is that there is no solution.

  2) I would like Dell to be aware of this problem and to work on resolving it.

  3) I would like other users of the M17x who have encountered this problem to "sign" this post by answering this topic so Dell will know that this problem affects multiple users.

  Thank you for your time.

 

Mouse pointer changes shape and starts scrolling automatically

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Hi, I have an annoying problem.

Sometimes my cursor changes into a shape that's not in the list of possible mouse pointers and I can't print screen it, because it's not in the image when I search it..

It looks like this: 2small white triangles with a white line in between. Sometimes they point left and right, and my pc starts scrolling sideways, and sometimes they point up and down and it starts scrolling downwards.

I updated a lot of drivers and restarted my pc. I scanned for virusses, but nothing could be found.

It happens with or without a mouse inserted. It's really annoying, because surfing on the internet becomes frustrating.

O yeah, that pc doctor from the dell site did not find anything either.


It's a relatively new inspiron laptop (less than a year) and I have this problem since the beginning.

Does anyone know how to solve this?

Thanks in advance

Dell Venue 11 Won't Charge/Turn-On (out of the box)

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I purchased a Dell Venue 11 on 12/24/13 and received it this past Saturday, the 28th.  I ordered the $499 version.  I was very satisfied with the item and found it comparable to the Windows Surface 2 Pro.  I took my time to install all my apps that I needed and to adjust my security settings so that I could log in remotely to my work servers.

Yesterday while I was doing work on my tablet, I noticed my battery was low.  So I plugged it in and continued to work.  However, the tablet turned off on me about 15 minutes later.  I thought maybe it didn't charge as fast as it pulls energy.  So I plugged it in to charge while it was off for almost 3 hours.  It still would not turn back on.  I was using the Dell charger that came with the tablet.  I tested the charge with other items that take the mini USB port and it charged them, fine.

I contacted Dell and after being transferred 5 times and dealing with a couple of representatives that clearly weren't familiar with this new product, I finally got someone from tech support to trouble shoot my tablet.  They first had me hold the power button for 10 seconds.  No luck.  Then they had me hold it for a minute.  Still nothing.  Then we did 2 minutes and tried to plug it in.  Needless to say, it still will not power on.

In addition to my tablet being a brick, I also ordered the Mobile Keyboard with it.  I received an email stating that I would not receive the keyboard until the end of January because it is'in production'.  Very bothersome because had I known this, I wouldn't have even bothered purchasing this item from Dell, altogether.  

I am very disappointed in Dell that they would send me out a defective unit.  Further disappointed that I wasn't properly informed of the wait time on the keyboard.  And even more annoyed at Dell's unwillingness to compensate me for my troubles and the hours of wasted time that I spent installing items onto my tablet, the files that were on the tablet which are now lost and the 3 hours that I had to spend on the phone with them.  They would not offer me even a small credit for my troubles.  Had this been a different company, I know that wouldn't be the case.  I have been a long time purchaser of Dell products but going forward, I will have to think twice.  Yes they offer affordable solutions that are practical, but the experience with customer service and the lack of quality of products almost isn't worth the hassle.

Has someone noticed ghost images (screen burn-in) on Dell XPS 12 Duo?

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I recently noticed ghost images on my Dell XPS 12 Duo. If a bright image on dark background stays on the screen for a couple of minutes and then I switch to somewhat dark background I can clearly see the previous image on the screen for some time before it fades away. Once I noticed it I started spotting even more subtle ghost images. I even managed to capture it in a picture with a low-end digital camera - http://imgur.com/a/RIYff (notice the tray icons clearly seen in the Win 8 start screen and even the facebook ad is visible). It is far more clear when you look at the actual screen and not on a picture. I already arranged replacement laptop (as I had other issues with this one) but yesterday I read news about mass defects in Apple's Retina MacBooks ( http://www.ibtimes.com/print/macbook-pro-retina-display-problems-apple-faces-class-action-suit-ghosting-issue-1129939 ) with practically the same issue. Now I wonder if it is possible that all Dell XPS 12 Duo screens have this problem.

So anyone else seeing this on his machine?


Cursor jumps back when typing

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I have Dell Latitude D510.  Recently the cursor has been jumping back when typing, so I find the last few letters appear earlier on in the document.  It's not a Word issue, as happens sometime when typing in Google.

Touchpad only has basic features activated.

Seems to relate to when I rest on the laptop, as if I hover it seems ok - but this is impractical & a bad typing posture!

Other non-Dell forums talk of several causes and several cures, none of which help!

Any ideas, or do I need a new laptop?

Thanks

Multiple hardware failures

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I have the Inspiron 14z ultrabook which I purchased more than a year ago. The bluetooth isn't working since a year but I didn't care much since I hardly use it. But since a month or two, the wifi and usb ports stop working at random times. This has become a serious issue when I am giving a presentation or while gaming online. 

It is sad that the 'ultrabook' that I bought is giving me a lot of trouble since day 1 and I regret buying this  after spending close to $1k...

I had too many repairs from Dell technicians and they seem to be temporary reliefs. If the solution to this is factory reset or driver splat issue, I'd suggest the tech support to come up with something better as I've had that tried by the Dell techs a lot of times.

No drivers are installed for this device. my usb ports are not working dell inspiron 1564 help please

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i tried updating, changing drivers but still doesnt change anything. the icon at the device manager doesnt have any exclamations. but when i click properties it shows -device status: No drivers are installed for this device.  updating doesnt change anything, the report always says that i already have the latest driver. i triend installing unninstalling but it keeps on going back to its state

the devices are:

 direct memory acess controller

high precision event timer

Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family SMBus Controller - 3B30

Intel(R) 82802 Firmware Hub Device

Numeric data processor

Programmable interrupt controller

System timer

.

.

i dont what they are for but i think that causes my usb ports to not to work... please help

Brand New Inspiron 15 7537 1TB SATA Hard Drive

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This laptop is less than a week old. Within 2 hours of it being booted, I started to get a Microsoft Windows popup stating Windows detected a hard disk problem and it goes on to tell me to back up my pc and shut it down.

So - online with Dell the decision was made to ship me a new harddrive which I installed yesterday.

Same message appearing with the new harddrive installed. 

There is also a message from Intel Rapid Storage Technology stating "Your system is reporting one or more events and data may be at risk.". It goes on to state " The Windows write-cache buffer flushing policy can be enalbed for all RAID array drives to ensure data integrity....yada yada yada.

Anyone seen or run into this issue before? I find it hard to believe two separate harddrives would have the same issue. Maybe an OS or driver software bug?

About ready to return the entire device rather than risk problems down the road.

Thanks for any feedback.

Serious Battery/AC adapter Issue on Dell inspiron N4050 after BIOS update to A08

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Hello all,
i bought my dell laptop about two years ago. Since the time of purchase, it had been on A06 BIOS ....few days ago i wanted to install windows 8.1 pro on this laptop so i did some searching and saw that it was recommended to update my bios version to A08 before installing windows 8.1. so i updated my bios to a08 and installed windows 8.1 after that. both went very well. and i noticed no problems until i pulled of the AC cord from my laptop and it suddenly blacked out without any warning. after that, when i tried to turn my laptop on ...it turned on with the "Ac adapter not recognized" message and the power indicator blinking red and white ......so i went into BIOS settings and saw  "no ac adapter" even after loading default bios settings.

after that ....i pulled the battery off and disconnected the ac for a while. after that i plugged in the ac and put the battery in the slot and the charging indicator  turned white ....so i booted into diagnosis test and the test showed everything was okay ......then i booted into windows 8.1 and the battery said it was 100% charged ....i pulled the ac cord and *poof* same blackout ...laptop turns off without any warning ....can u guys please provide any information on how to fix this ? :(

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