Dell Vostro V3750

[Graham J]

I have two of these Vostro V3750 which exhibit the same fault.

They crash at random, but usually within an hour of power up.

Installed software:

Windows 7 Professional 64-bit as provided by Dell
MS Office 2010 Plus (corporate version)
AVG 2011
UltraVNC 1.0.8.2

I have supplied several Vostro V3750 laptops to other clients but with
slightly different sofware: MS Office 2010 Home & Business (OEM), and
AVG 2011 now upgraded to AVG 2012. None of these other laptops crash in
this unexplained fashion

One machine is now in my workshop, and on Monday had a fresh factory
re-install. I reported the problem to Dell and yesterday on this
machine they replaced the motherboard (using the original CPU) and RAM.

Today (Friday) this machine crashed while I was typing in a password to
connect to another machine on the LAN. This was in preparation to
re-install MS Office 2010 Plus which I had removed as part of an
unrelated issue - so it's unlikely to be a problem with that version of
Office.

The other machine is with the customer, and after a month of use it
crashed this week - uses says he had just logged in, and it crashed
part-way through drawing all the icons on the screen.

I am aware that UltraVNC 1.0.8.2 is not the most modern version so have
now installed UltraVNC 10962_X64 - but the earlier version is working on
the other machines I've installed in the last 18 months.

Has anybody seen anything similar with these Vostro laptops?

Any other ideas?

-- Graham J

[Graham J]

Post by Graham J
I have two of these Vostro V3750 which exhibit the same fault.
They crash at random, but usually within an hour of power up.
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit as provided by Dell
MS Office 2010 Plus (corporate version)
AVG 2011
UltraVNC 1.0.8.2
I have supplied several Vostro V3750 laptops to other clients but with
slightly different sofware: MS Office 2010 Home & Business (OEM), and
AVG 2011 now upgraded to AVG 2012. None of these other laptops crash in
this unexplained fashion
One machine is now in my workshop, and on Monday had a fresh factory
re-install. I reported the problem to Dell and yesterday on this machine
they replaced the motherboard (using the original CPU) and RAM.
Today (Friday) this machine crashed while I was typing in a password to
connect to another machine on the LAN. This was in preparation to
re-install MS Office 2010 Plus which I had removed as part of an
unrelated issue - so it's unlikely to be a problem with that version of
Office.
The other machine is with the customer, and after a month of use it
crashed this week - uses says he had just logged in, and it crashed
part-way through drawing all the icons on the screen.
I am aware that UltraVNC 1.0.8.2 is not the most modern version so have
now installed UltraVNC 10962_X64 - but the earlier version is working on
the other machines I've installed in the last 18 months.
Has anybody seen anything similar with these Vostro laptops?
Any other ideas?

An update for you:

1) Machine bought September 2011

Crashes usually happen within a few minutes of power up; sometimes while
using trackpad.

Factory re-install 5 March 2012
Lockup 6 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty 8 March 2012 but faulty, coin
cell discharged
Lockup 9 March 2012
Factory re-install repeated 13 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty again 20 March 2012
Daily use since then
Lockup today within a minute of power up.

I have tried to replicate the original user's environment and working
practise, with: "Standard User" account, Taskbar and Outlook (with 2
busy email accounts configured) start automatically following login.

Generally the machine is started from cold (under 20 degrees C). All
unusual software removed, only things installed are MS Office
Professional Plus (corporate version) and AVG 2011.


2) Identical machine bought February 2012

First failure 5 March 2012
Locked up 3 times on 15 March 2012 - in quick succession, starting from
cold.

Same software installed - except that this also has Firefox.

Ideas?

[Graham J]

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J
I have two of these Vostro V3750 which exhibit the same fault.
They crash at random, but usually within an hour of power up.
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit as provided by Dell
MS Office 2010 Plus (corporate version)
AVG 2011
UltraVNC 1.0.8.2
I have supplied several Vostro V3750 laptops to other clients but with
slightly different sofware: MS Office 2010 Home & Business (OEM), and
AVG 2011 now upgraded to AVG 2012. None of these other laptops crash in
this unexplained fashion
One machine is now in my workshop, and on Monday had a fresh factory
re-install. I reported the problem to Dell and yesterday on this machine
they replaced the motherboard (using the original CPU) and RAM.
Today (Friday) this machine crashed while I was typing in a password to
connect to another machine on the LAN. This was in preparation to
re-install MS Office 2010 Plus which I had removed as part of an
unrelated issue - so it's unlikely to be a problem with that version of
Office.
The other machine is with the customer, and after a month of use it
crashed this week - uses says he had just logged in, and it crashed
part-way through drawing all the icons on the screen.
I am aware that UltraVNC 1.0.8.2 is not the most modern version so have
now installed UltraVNC 10962_X64 - but the earlier version is working on
the other machines I've installed in the last 18 months.
Has anybody seen anything similar with these Vostro laptops?
Any other ideas?

1) Machine bought September 2011
Crashes usually happen within a few minutes of power up; sometimes while
using trackpad.
Factory re-install 5 March 2012
Lockup 6 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty 8 March 2012 but faulty, coin
cell discharged
Lockup 9 March 2012
Factory re-install repeated 13 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty again 20 March 2012
Daily use since then
Lockup today within a minute of power up.
I have tried to replicate the original user's environment and working
practise, with: "Standard User" account, Taskbar and Outlook (with 2
busy email accounts configured) start automatically following login.
Generally the machine is started from cold (under 20 degrees C). All
unusual software removed, only things installed are MS Office
Professional Plus (corporate version) and AVG 2011.
2) Identical machine bought February 2012
First failure 5 March 2012
Locked up 3 times on 15 March 2012 - in quick succession, starting from
cold.
Same software installed - except that this also has Firefox.
Ideas?

Another update: Dell agreed to take the first machine back for repair in
their workshop. I sent full information on how to provoke the fault.

It came back a week later. The report with it says nothing about having
confirmed that the fault exists; and says only that the motherboard has
been replaced yet again.

I have asked specifically for a full technical report explaining the
cause of the problem and why two replacement motherboards did not cure
the fault. Dell only say that the replacement motherboard has been
"fully tested".

However, the agent did ring and suggest that the field service
replacement motherboards are not new and are taken from repaired stock.
If this is indeed the case then Dell need to get their repair and test
procedures fixed!

I have the returned machine on test and am waiting for it to fail again.
If it works OK for 6 weeks I will send back the other machine for repair.

Meanwhile, I have no confidence in Dell for any future purchases.

[Graham J]

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J
I have two of these Vostro V3750 which exhibit the same fault.
They crash at random, but usually within an hour of power up.
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit as provided by Dell
MS Office 2010 Plus (corporate version)
AVG 2011
UltraVNC 1.0.8.2
I have supplied several Vostro V3750 laptops to other clients but with
slightly different sofware: MS Office 2010 Home & Business (OEM), and
AVG 2011 now upgraded to AVG 2012. None of these other laptops crash in
this unexplained fashion
One machine is now in my workshop, and on Monday had a fresh factory
re-install. I reported the problem to Dell and yesterday on this machine
they replaced the motherboard (using the original CPU) and RAM.
Today (Friday) this machine crashed while I was typing in a password to
connect to another machine on the LAN. This was in preparation to
re-install MS Office 2010 Plus which I had removed as part of an
unrelated issue - so it's unlikely to be a problem with that version of
Office.
The other machine is with the customer, and after a month of use it
crashed this week - uses says he had just logged in, and it crashed
part-way through drawing all the icons on the screen.
I am aware that UltraVNC 1.0.8.2 is not the most modern version so have
now installed UltraVNC 10962_X64 - but the earlier version is working on
the other machines I've installed in the last 18 months.
Has anybody seen anything similar with these Vostro laptops?
Any other ideas?

1) Machine bought September 2011
Crashes usually happen within a few minutes of power up; sometimes while
using trackpad.
Factory re-install 5 March 2012
Lockup 6 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty 8 March 2012 but faulty, coin
cell discharged
Lockup 9 March 2012
Factory re-install repeated 13 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty again 20 March 2012
Daily use since then
Lockup today within a minute of power up.
I have tried to replicate the original user's environment and working
practise, with: "Standard User" account, Taskbar and Outlook (with 2
busy email accounts configured) start automatically following login.
Generally the machine is started from cold (under 20 degrees C). All
unusual software removed, only things installed are MS Office
Professional Plus (corporate version) and AVG 2011.
2) Identical machine bought February 2012
First failure 5 March 2012
Locked up 3 times on 15 March 2012 - in quick succession, starting from
cold.
Same software installed - except that this also has Firefox.
Ideas?

Another update: Dell agreed to take the first machine back for repair in
their workshop. I sent full information on how to provoke the fault.
It came back a week later. The report with it says nothing about having
confirmed that the fault exists; and says only that the motherboard has
been replaced yet again.
I have asked specifically for a full technical report explaining the
cause of the problem and why two replacement motherboards did not cure
the fault. Dell only say that the replacement motherboard has been
"fully tested".
However, the agent did ring and suggest that the field service
replacement motherboards are not new and are taken from repaired stock.
If this is indeed the case then Dell need to get their repair and test
procedures fixed!
I have the returned machine on test and am waiting for it to fail again.
If it works OK for 6 weeks I will send back the other machine for repair.
Meanwhile, I have no confidence in Dell for any future purchases.

The continuing saga:

The repaired laptop came back on 18 April. It has been in daily use
since, on mains power and with an Ethernet cable connecting it to the LAN.

Yesterday (6 May) I used it on battery power and with the wireless
connection to the LAN - and almost immediately it failed ..!!!

In the past it has failed when on mains power and using the Ethernet
connection, so I don't specifically blame the wireless connection.

I've asked Dell for my money back. Will let you all know what happens.

[Graham J]

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J
I have two of these Vostro V3750 which exhibit the same fault.
They crash at random, but usually within an hour of power up.
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit as provided by Dell
MS Office 2010 Plus (corporate version)
AVG 2011
UltraVNC 1.0.8.2
I have supplied several Vostro V3750 laptops to other clients but with
slightly different sofware: MS Office 2010 Home & Business (OEM), and
AVG 2011 now upgraded to AVG 2012. None of these other laptops crash in
this unexplained fashion
One machine is now in my workshop, and on Monday had a fresh factory
re-install. I reported the problem to Dell and yesterday on this machine
they replaced the motherboard (using the original CPU) and RAM.
Today (Friday) this machine crashed while I was typing in a password to
connect to another machine on the LAN. This was in preparation to
re-install MS Office 2010 Plus which I had removed as part of an
unrelated issue - so it's unlikely to be a problem with that version of
Office.
The other machine is with the customer, and after a month of use it
crashed this week - user says he had just logged in, and it crashed
part-way through drawing all the icons on the screen.
I am aware that UltraVNC 1.0.8.2 is not the most modern version so have
now installed UltraVNC 10962_X64 - but the earlier version is working on
the other machines I've installed in the last 18 months.
Has anybody seen anything similar with these Vostro laptops?
Any other ideas?

1) Machine bought September 2011
Crashes usually happen within a few minutes of power up; sometimes while
using trackpad.
Factory re-install 5 March 2012
Lockup 6 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty 8 March 2012 but faulty, coin
cell discharged
Lockup 9 March 2012
Factory re-install repeated 13 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty again 20 March 2012
Daily use since then
Lockup today within a minute of power up.
I have tried to replicate the original user's environment and working
practise, with: "Standard User" account, Taskbar and Outlook (with 2
busy email accounts configured) start automatically following login.
Generally the machine is started from cold (under 20 degrees C). All
unusual software removed, only things installed are MS Office
Professional Plus (corporate version) and AVG 2011.
2) Identical machine bought February 2012
First failure 5 March 2012
Locked up 3 times on 15 March 2012 - in quick succession, starting from
cold.
Same software installed - except that this also has Firefox.
Ideas?

Another update: Dell agreed to take the first machine back for repair in
their workshop. I sent full information on how to provoke the fault.
It came back a week later. The report with it says nothing about having
confirmed that the fault exists; and says only that the motherboard has
been replaced yet again.
I have asked specifically for a full technical report explaining the
cause of the problem and why two replacement motherboards did not cure
the fault. Dell only say that the replacement motherboard has been
"fully tested".
However, the agent did ring and suggest that the field service
replacement motherboards are not new and are taken from repaired stock.
If this is indeed the case then Dell need to get their repair and test
procedures fixed!
I have the returned machine on test and am waiting for it to fail again.
If it works OK for 6 weeks I will send back the other machine for repair.
Meanwhile, I have no confidence in Dell for any future purchases.

The repaired laptop came back on 18 April. It has been in daily use
since, on mains power and with an Ethernet cable connecting it to the LAN.
Yesterday (6 May) I used it on battery power and with the wireless
connection to the LAN - and almost immediately it failed ..!!!
In the past it has failed when on mains power and using the Ethernet
connection, so I don't specifically blame the wireless connection.
I've asked Dell for my money back. Will let you all know what happens.

Dell refuse to give me my money back. They have offered to supply an
alternative model (more expensive if I so choose and pay the
difference). Not useful since I have now bought a laptop from a
different manufacturer for that customer; so I have no immediate need
for a large-screen laptop at present.

They are offering to collect the second faulty laptop for repair in
their workshop; but since the first one has failed despite a workshop
repair I have no confidence that the second will be any more reliable.

Any ideas for a name of somebody senior in Dell that can authorise a
full refund?

[Graham J]

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J
I have two of these Vostro V3750 which exhibit the same fault.
They crash at random, but usually within an hour of power up.
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit as provided by Dell
MS Office 2010 Plus (corporate version)
AVG 2011
UltraVNC 1.0.8.2
I have supplied several Vostro V3750 laptops to other clients but with
slightly different sofware: MS Office 2010 Home & Business (OEM), and
AVG 2011 now upgraded to AVG 2012. None of these other laptops crash in
this unexplained fashion
One machine is now in my workshop, and on Monday had a fresh factory
re-install. I reported the problem to Dell and yesterday on this machine
they replaced the motherboard (using the original CPU) and RAM.
Today (Friday) this machine crashed while I was typing in a password to
connect to another machine on the LAN. This was in preparation to
re-install MS Office 2010 Plus which I had removed as part of an
unrelated issue - so it's unlikely to be a problem with that version of
Office.
The other machine is with the customer, and after a month of use it
crashed this week - user says he had just logged in, and it crashed
part-way through drawing all the icons on the screen.
I am aware that UltraVNC 1.0.8.2 is not the most modern version so have
now installed UltraVNC 10962_X64 - but the earlier version is working on
the other machines I've installed in the last 18 months.
Has anybody seen anything similar with these Vostro laptops?
Any other ideas?

1) Machine bought September 2011
Crashes usually happen within a few minutes of power up; sometimes while
using trackpad.
Factory re-install 5 March 2012
Lockup 6 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty 8 March 2012 but faulty, coin
cell discharged
Lockup 9 March 2012
Factory re-install repeated 13 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty again 20 March 2012
Daily use since then
Lockup today within a minute of power up.
I have tried to replicate the original user's environment and working
practise, with: "Standard User" account, Taskbar and Outlook (with 2
busy email accounts configured) start automatically following login.
Generally the machine is started from cold (under 20 degrees C). All
unusual software removed, only things installed are MS Office
Professional Plus (corporate version) and AVG 2011.
2) Identical machine bought February 2012
First failure 5 March 2012
Locked up 3 times on 15 March 2012 - in quick succession, starting from
cold.
Same software installed - except that this also has Firefox.
Ideas?

Another update: Dell agreed to take the first machine back for repair in
their workshop. I sent full information on how to provoke the fault.
It came back a week later. The report with it says nothing about having
confirmed that the fault exists; and says only that the motherboard has
been replaced yet again.
I have asked specifically for a full technical report explaining the
cause of the problem and why two replacement motherboards did not cure
the fault. Dell only say that the replacement motherboard has been
"fully tested".
However, the agent did ring and suggest that the field service
replacement motherboards are not new and are taken from repaired stock.
If this is indeed the case then Dell need to get their repair and test
procedures fixed!
I have the returned machine on test and am waiting for it to fail again.
If it works OK for 6 weeks I will send back the other machine for repair.
Meanwhile, I have no confidence in Dell for any future purchases.

The repaired laptop came back on 18 April. It has been in daily use
since, on mains power and with an Ethernet cable connecting it to the LAN.
Yesterday (6 May) I used it on battery power and with the wireless
connection to the LAN - and almost immediately it failed ..!!!
In the past it has failed when on mains power and using the Ethernet
connection, so I don't specifically blame the wireless connection.
I've asked Dell for my money back. Will let you all know what happens.

Dell refuse to give me my money back. They have offered to supply an
alternative model (more expensive if I so choose and pay the
difference). Not useful since I have now bought a laptop from a
different manufacturer for that customer; so I have no immediate need
for a large-screen laptop at present.
They are offering to collect the second faulty laptop for repair in
their workshop; but since the first one has failed despite a workshop
repair I have no confidence that the second will be any more reliable.
Any ideas for a name of somebody senior in Dell that can authorise a
full refund?

A further update:

The offer to collect the second faulty laptop turned out to be
conditional upon my re-installing the operating system and waiting until
the fault recurred.

So I factory re-installed its operating system at the begining of June,
and so far it has worked OK. But it hasn't had the everyday use that my
customer gave it; and the weather is somewhat warmer so it isn't as cold
when first started in the mornings.

[Graham J]

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J
I have two of these Vostro V3750 which exhibit the same fault.
They crash at random, but usually within an hour of power up.
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit as provided by Dell
MS Office 2010 Plus (corporate version)
AVG 2011
UltraVNC 1.0.8.2
I have supplied several Vostro V3750 laptops to other clients but with
slightly different sofware: MS Office 2010 Home & Business (OEM), and
AVG 2011 now upgraded to AVG 2012. None of these other laptops crash in
this unexplained fashion
One machine is now in my workshop, and on Monday had a fresh factory
re-install. I reported the problem to Dell and yesterday on this machine
they replaced the motherboard (using the original CPU) and RAM.
Today (Friday) this machine crashed while I was typing in a password to
connect to another machine on the LAN. This was in preparation to
re-install MS Office 2010 Plus which I had removed as part of an
unrelated issue - so it's unlikely to be a problem with that version of
Office.
The other machine is with the customer, and after a month of use it
crashed this week - user says he had just logged in, and it crashed
part-way through drawing all the icons on the screen.
I am aware that UltraVNC 1.0.8.2 is not the most modern version so have
now installed UltraVNC 10962_X64 - but the earlier version is working on
the other machines I've installed in the last 18 months.
Has anybody seen anything similar with these Vostro laptops?
Any other ideas?

1) Machine bought September 2011
Crashes usually happen within a few minutes of power up; sometimes while
using trackpad.
Factory re-install 5 March 2012
Lockup 6 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty 8 March 2012 but faulty, coin
cell discharged
Lockup 9 March 2012
Factory re-install repeated 13 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty again 20 March 2012
Daily use since then
Lockup today within a minute of power up.
I have tried to replicate the original user's environment and working
practise, with: "Standard User" account, Taskbar and Outlook (with 2
busy email accounts configured) start automatically following login.
Generally the machine is started from cold (under 20 degrees C). All
unusual software removed, only things installed are MS Office
Professional Plus (corporate version) and AVG 2011.
2) Identical machine bought February 2012
First failure 5 March 2012
Locked up 3 times on 15 March 2012 - in quick succession, starting from
cold.
Same software installed - except that this also has Firefox.
Ideas?

Another update: Dell agreed to take the first machine back for repair in
their workshop. I sent full information on how to provoke the fault.
It came back a week later. The report with it says nothing about having
confirmed that the fault exists; and says only that the motherboard has
been replaced yet again.
I have asked specifically for a full technical report explaining the
cause of the problem and why two replacement motherboards did not cure
the fault. Dell only say that the replacement motherboard has been
"fully tested".
However, the agent did ring and suggest that the field service
replacement motherboards are not new and are taken from repaired stock.
If this is indeed the case then Dell need to get their repair and test
procedures fixed!
I have the returned machine on test and am waiting for it to fail again.
If it works OK for 6 weeks I will send back the other machine for repair.
Meanwhile, I have no confidence in Dell for any future purchases.

The repaired laptop came back on 18 April. It has been in daily use
since, on mains power and with an Ethernet cable connecting it to the LAN.
Yesterday (6 May) I used it on battery power and with the wireless
connection to the LAN - and almost immediately it failed ..!!!
In the past it has failed when on mains power and using the Ethernet
connection, so I don't specifically blame the wireless connection.
I've asked Dell for my money back. Will let you all know what happens.

Dell refuse to give me my money back. They have offered to supply an
alternative model (more expensive if I so choose and pay the
difference). Not useful since I have now bought a laptop from a
different manufacturer for that customer; so I have no immediate need
for a large-screen laptop at present.
They are offering to collect the second faulty laptop for repair in
their workshop; but since the first one has failed despite a workshop
repair I have no confidence that the second will be any more reliable.
Any ideas for a name of somebody senior in Dell that can authorise a
full refund?

The offer to collect the second faulty laptop turned out to be
conditional upon my re-installing the operating system and waiting until
the fault recurred.
So I factory re-installed its operating system at the begining of June,
and so far it has worked OK. But it hasn't had the everyday use that my
customer gave it; and the weather is somewhat warmer so it isn't as cold
when first started in the mornings.

Another update:

The Vostro V3750 laptops are no longer available from Dell, yet the
smaller Vostro laptops are still available. Perhaps this is an
admission that there is a known problem!

The second faulty laptop has not yet failed.

Dell have collected the first faulty laptop, because I have bought some
other computers (not laptops) from them; and they have promised a credit
of the full purchase price. I will let you know when that comes through.

[Graham J]

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J

Post by Graham J
I have two of these Vostro V3750 which exhibit the same fault.
They crash at random, but usually within an hour of power up.
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit as provided by Dell
MS Office 2010 Plus (corporate version)
AVG 2011
UltraVNC 1.0.8.2
I have supplied several Vostro V3750 laptops to other clients but with
slightly different sofware: MS Office 2010 Home & Business (OEM), and
AVG 2011 now upgraded to AVG 2012. None of these other laptops crash in
this unexplained fashion
One machine is now in my workshop, and on Monday had a fresh factory
re-install. I reported the problem to Dell and yesterday on this machine
they replaced the motherboard (using the original CPU) and RAM.
Today (Friday) this machine crashed while I was typing in a password to
connect to another machine on the LAN. This was in preparation to
re-install MS Office 2010 Plus which I had removed as part of an
unrelated issue - so it's unlikely to be a problem with that version of
Office.
The other machine is with the customer, and after a month of use it
crashed this week - user says he had just logged in, and it crashed
part-way through drawing all the icons on the screen.
I am aware that UltraVNC 1.0.8.2 is not the most modern version so have
now installed UltraVNC 10962_X64 - but the earlier version is working on
the other machines I've installed in the last 18 months.
Has anybody seen anything similar with these Vostro laptops?
Any other ideas?

1) Machine bought September 2011
Crashes usually happen within a few minutes of power up; sometimes while
using trackpad.
Factory re-install 5 March 2012
Lockup 6 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty 8 March 2012 but faulty, coin
cell discharged
Lockup 9 March 2012
Factory re-install repeated 13 March 2012
Motherboard replaced under Dell warranty again 20 March 2012
Daily use since then
Lockup today within a minute of power up.
I have tried to replicate the original user's environment and working
practise, with: "Standard User" account, Taskbar and Outlook (with 2
busy email accounts configured) start automatically following login.
Generally the machine is started from cold (under 20 degrees C). All
unusual software removed, only things installed are MS Office
Professional Plus (corporate version) and AVG 2011.
2) Identical machine bought February 2012
First failure 5 March 2012
Locked up 3 times on 15 March 2012 - in quick succession, starting from
cold.
Same software installed - except that this also has Firefox.
Ideas?

Another update: Dell agreed to take the first machine back for repair in
their workshop. I sent full information on how to provoke the fault.
It came back a week later. The report with it says nothing about having
confirmed that the fault exists; and says only that the motherboard has
been replaced yet again.
I have asked specifically for a full technical report explaining the
cause of the problem and why two replacement motherboards did not cure
the fault. Dell only say that the replacement motherboard has been
"fully tested".
However, the agent did ring and suggest that the field service
replacement motherboards are not new and are taken from repaired stock.
If this is indeed the case then Dell need to get their repair and test
procedures fixed!
I have the returned machine on test and am waiting for it to fail again.
If it works OK for 6 weeks I will send back the other machine for repair.
Meanwhile, I have no confidence in Dell for any future purchases.

The repaired laptop came back on 18 April. It has been in daily use
since, on mains power and with an Ethernet cable connecting it to the LAN.
Yesterday (6 May) I used it on battery power and with the wireless
connection to the LAN - and almost immediately it failed ..!!!
In the past it has failed when on mains power and using the Ethernet
connection, so I don't specifically blame the wireless connection.
I've asked Dell for my money back. Will let you all know what happens.

Dell refuse to give me my money back. They have offered to supply an
alternative model (more expensive if I so choose and pay the
difference). Not useful since I have now bought a laptop from a
different manufacturer for that customer; so I have no immediate need
for a large-screen laptop at present.
They are offering to collect the second faulty laptop for repair in
their workshop; but since the first one has failed despite a workshop
repair I have no confidence that the second will be any more reliable.
Any ideas for a name of somebody senior in Dell that can authorise a
full refund?

The offer to collect the second faulty laptop turned out to be
conditional upon my re-installing the operating system and waiting until
the fault recurred.
So I factory re-installed its operating system at the begining of June,
and so far it has worked OK. But it hasn't had the everyday use that my
customer gave it; and the weather is somewhat warmer so it isn't as cold
when first started in the mornings.

The Vostro V3750 laptops are no longer available from Dell, yet the
smaller Vostro laptops are still available. Perhaps this is an
admission that there is a known problem!
The second faulty laptop has not yet failed.
Dell have collected the first faulty laptop, because I have bought some
other computers (not laptops) from them; and they have promised a credit
of the full purchase price. I will let you know when that comes through.

I now (at last) have a credit note from Dell for the purchase price of
the laptop bought in September 2011.

The second laptop bought February 2012 is still on test following a
complete re-install of the operating system in June 2012, and has not
yet failed.