Owners of Dell 700m's - I need to do a small test to prove that Dell has basically ripped us off.

You need to plug in a microphone into the Mic socket in front, start Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Sound Recorder and hit the record button while speaking into the microphone. After you've recorded a few seconds, stop and play it back - you should hear a loud hum and several crackles and pops along with your voice.

700m's have a problem with their MIC input. Check out
http://www.recall700m.com if you want details.



[Edited on August 27, 2005 at 2:06 AM. Reason : Macho-ed it up ]

8/27/2005 1:37:03 AM

gay

8/27/2005 1:42:29 AM

goddamn could you be any more of a fag?

8/27/2005 1:44:38 AM

USE A USB HEADSET

LIFE GOES ON

8/27/2005 7:34:22 AM

yea this isnt anythin new. i knew about this b4 i bought mine back in Feb but i didnt care really cause i dont use a mic for anythin and everythin else is perfect for me.

8/27/2005 11:40:38 AM

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Dell recall an entire series of laptops for the mic jack?

8/27/2005 12:45:48 PM

Before clicking on the link, I will go ahead and say that

Quote :

"Dell sucks"

8/28/2005 1:44:57 AM

I don't know about a recall, but the mic jack (if this is typical: http://www.recall700m.com/sound_700m.wav ) is clearly defective to the point of being completely useless. If they advertised this is a feature, the purchasers of this laptop should get some kind of refund, or Dell should offer to fix the problem for free.

8/28/2005 1:50:06 AM

God Damnit.

Now I can't mix my Karoke on my laptop anymore.

8/28/2005 2:13:10 AM

maybe this is like the dead pixel thing. you only get money back if there are 7 or more crackles per second.

8/28/2005 10:24:32 AM

^^^ yea that crackling is a little too much. they should offer to fix it if desired by the customer, but not to a total recall. i bet a very few percentage of people actually use the mic jack

8/28/2005 11:06:34 AM

I could've sworn I posted in this thread....

8/28/2005 1:31:39 PM

I'd like to see mac fanboys vs dell fanboys fight to the death.

8/28/2005 1:44:10 PM

i don't get it... if dell is recalling a whole series for a trivial problem like this, doesn't that just show that dell is concerned about the quality of their products?

i don't see why everyone is OMFDELL=N00bZERS!!!!!!1 when they've recognized a problem and are trying to fix it..

financially for them a recall is very expensive, so it should have been caught earlier, but at least they're doing something about it

8/28/2005 2:09:13 PM

they aren't agreeing to a recall at all, that's the problem.

It's just kinda shitty that if you call them about this problem, they won't acknowledge the fact that this is a known problem with no known solution. They will attempt to put you through the ringer of replacing the mobo, the hard drive, etc... unless you tell them you've read up on it and know there is not a solution.

8/28/2005 3:16:33 PM

Well I went through the whole - chatting with a Dell representative (from India) online. Here's how the conversation went :-

Welcome to Dell Chat. Please wait for an available agent. You will be notified when your chat is accepted by an agent.
{CapnBoy 3:46:41 AM} Question about audio hardware
The session has been accepted.
{CapnBoy 3:47:24 AM} hello
{Harry 3:47:31 AM} Thank you for contacting Dell Hardware Chat Support.My name is Harry
How may i help you today?
{CapnBoy 3:47:39 AM} Hello Harry
{CapnBoy 3:47:48 AM} well
{Harry 3:47:53 AM} Hello CapnBoy
How you doing today
{CapnBoy 3:47:59 AM} I am fine thank you
{CapnBoy 3:48:10 AM} I needed to ask you about a problem I am facing
{CapnBoy 3:48:17 AM} does your system show you
{Harry 3:48:17 AM} Yes go ahead
{CapnBoy 3:48:21 AM} what computer I own ?
{CapnBoy 3:48:58 AM} I have a Dell 700m inspiron notebook
{CapnBoy 3:49:48 AM} now the problem is that whenever I try to record something through the microphone input theres a lot of disturbance and a continuous whining noise
{CapnBoy 3:50:23 AM} this makes it impossible to actually have a Voice conversation with Yahoo Messenger or Skype.
{CapnBoy 3:50:58 AM} well thats the problem
{CapnBoy 3:51:29 AM} are you there ?
<b><<< Here he actually tried to bump me off and disconnect me claiming server fluctuations - my ass ! >>></b>
{CapnBoy 3:52:03 AM} Harry ?
{CapnBoy 3:54:03 AM} hello ?
{Harry 3:54:24 AM} I am sorry,but due to a temporary server fluctuation my messages weren't displayed on your chat window
{Harry 3:54:26 AM} I apologize
{CapnBoy 3:54:33 AM} alright
{CapnBoy 3:54:39 AM} that's not a problem
{CapnBoy 3:54:45 AM} please go ahead
{Harry 3:54:51 AM} Thank You for understanding CapnBoy
{Harry 3:54:55 AM} Just give me 2 minutes to review your system configuration
{CapnBoy 3:54:59 AM} sure
{Harry 3:55:42 AM} CapnBoy this current response on your laptop is quite a normal & known issue with the audio driver
{Harry 3:56:05 AM} All we have to do to resolve this driver conflict is to install the latest version of the Audio driver for your laptop & everything will be taken care of
{Harry 3:56:13 AM} Do we have the affected laptop available to us now ?
{CapnBoy 3:56:16 AM} sure lets go ahead and do that
{CapnBoy 3:56:19 AM} yes we do
{CapnBoy 3:56:46 AM} However Harry
{CapnBoy 3:56:55 AM} I bought the laptop just a few days back
{CapnBoy 3:57:13 AM} dont you think the latest audio driver would already be on the system ?
{Harry 3:57:54 AM} I understand CapnBoy,but by installing the latest version we're not only looking at updating the driver but to also refresh the driver as well through the re-installation
{CapnBoy 3:58:11 AM} i see
{Harry 3:58:20 AM} Now since we're chattin on the same laptop,in the process of downloading the driver the laptop would restart & we'd get disconnected
{CapnBoy 3:58:29 AM} however if this driver does not resolve the problem
{CapnBoy 3:58:39 AM} I would like to return the laptop for a refund
{CapnBoy 3:58:42 AM} because
{Harry 3:58:45 AM} Not a problem CapnBoy
Let me give you the link with the steps to follow
{CapnBoy 3:59:13 AM} and I cannot afford to not have a mic input that does not work
{CapnBoy 3:59:37 AM} that should read - mic input that does not work
{Harry 3:59:55 AM} I totally understand & value your concern here CapnBoy.I assure you once the audio driver is installed ,everything will be taken care of
{Harry 3:59:57 AM} Alright
{CapnBoy 4:00:21 AM} sure go ahead
{CapnBoy 4:00:31 AM} please tell me what I should be doing
{CapnBoy 4:00:38 AM} and how I should get in touch with you
{CapnBoy 4:00:48 AM} after i disconnect adn reconnect
{Harry 4:01:08 AM} Please bear with me while i type in all the steps
{CapnBoy 4:01:19 AM} certainly
{Harry 4:01:47 AM} Thank You CapnBoy
{Harry 4:06:28 AM} Browse to this link to download & install the audio driver for your laptop
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R90698&SystemID=INS_PNT_PM_700M&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=2551&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=4&formatcnt=1&fileid=118248
Click Download now
The Export Compliance Agreement appears.
Read the Export Compliance Agreement.
If you agree, click to select I agree..
The File Download window appears.
Click the Save button.
The Save As window appears.
Select Desktop using the drop-down menu to the right of Save in.
Click the Save button.
A progress meter moves as the download is completed.
If necessary, click X in the upper right-hand corner of the Download Progress Window to close it upon completion
Once the file has been saved onto your desktop screen ,you'll find a new icon placed
Now ensure that the laptop is only connected to the Ac Adapter, battery & no other devices whatsoever are connected to the laptop
Double-click on the icon & follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process
{Harry 4:07:18 AM} If you want i can mail in this chat transcript to your E-mail ID: CapnBoy@gmail.com
If that's okay with you
{CapnBoy 4:07:35 AM} that would be fine thank you
{CapnBoy 4:08:02 AM} i am already installing it
{Harry 4:08:12 AM} Alright
{Harry 4:09:05 AM} Nothin to worry about CapnBoy,once the laptop is restarted after the driver is successfully installed,there will be no disturbance with the mic recording ,whatsoever
{CapnBoy 4:10:04 AM} is that so ?
{CapnBoy 4:10:08 AM} alright
{Harry 4:10:14 AM} Absolutely
{CapnBoy 4:10:26 AM} how do i get in touch with you incase there is any further issues
{CapnBoy 4:10:37 AM} and teh problem does not get resolved
{Harry 4:10:54 AM} I wish there was.It'd be great
{Harry 4:11:11 AM} However theres not a separate number or extension you could reach me at
{Harry 4:11:13 AM} I am sorry
{Harry 4:11:39 AM} Not a problem CapnBoy,any Dell technician is equally competent in resolving any issue on your laptop
{CapnBoy 4:11:43 AM} alright
{CapnBoy 4:11:59 AM} will you be updating my file to indicate that you have given me this information
{CapnBoy 4:12:18 AM} so that the next person
{Harry 4:12:26 AM} Most certainly CapnBoy
{CapnBoy 4:12:27 AM} will know
{CapnBoy 4:12:30 AM} alright
{CapnBoy 4:12:40 AM} thanks for your help
{CapnBoy 4:12:48 AM} will you be emailing this conversation to me
{CapnBoy 4:12:59 AM} I guess I will save it anyway
{Harry 4:13:03 AM} Yes CapnBoy,absolutely
{CapnBoy 4:13:08 AM} alright
{CapnBoy 4:13:13 AM} thank you and good night

[b]

8/28/2005 5:38:24 PM

I've made a copy of this conversation for my records - what Fanatik says is absolutely correct - they don't want to recall it - and they sell it as if there's no problem at all. I hate it when they treat you like a child and ask you to "hold the mouse and click the start button" - Yesterday they tried to make me install a "new" driver - and if you notice they admit "it is a known problem" - how the f**k they think a software driver take out clicks and pops(clearly a hardware issue) is beyond me. Its the usual - Dell is God and the customer is a dumbass.

Gawd ! Guys don't buy Dell without checking out their stuff THOROUGHLY.

8/28/2005 5:45:39 PM

Quote :

" how the f**k they think a software driver take out clicks and pops(clearly a hardware issue) is beyond me"

pci latency patch for sb live 5.1 about 3 years ago with a via chipset


use google if you dont believe me, i think its fucked up that your hardware is broke but you are wrong.

8/28/2005 5:47:49 PM

right, he is.

capn, did you ever get back to them to tell them it didn't work?

8/29/2005 8:47:06 AM

I called Dell on Monday and told them that if they were not going to give me $100 to buy a new soundcard, I would advise EVERYONE I knew at NC State never to touch Dell stuff. I scared him enough for him to raise the refund from $35 to $50 to $75 to finally a $100 coupon. I'm the proud owner of a Audigy 2 Notebook cardhttp://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=204&product=10769. I would recommend anyone who has similar problems with Dell to get onto their support chat and stand your ground until they give in and give you what you want. Don't get intimidated and you'll get your money. Of course it helps if you are still in the 21 day return period.

9/1/2005 9:21:09 PM