Couple of questions

As a first time user of a home computer (Inspiron 1525 - 2 ghz intel core2duo, 2gb ram, 160 gb hdd, Vista Home Premium) I have some questions to ask.

They may be naive questions, but I've only just bought the computer.

I'm not into gaming or hi-end graphics. But I can see myself emailing, chatting, surfing, using skype, and downloading/streaming (what's that?) movies/advertising clips. I know that this is a high configuration for my needs, but I bought it on advice. I DO NOT HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF COMPUTER JARGON.

a) Why does the laptop hang when I'm watching DVDs? Suddenly, halfway
through a movie, it often seizes up and refuses to stop, rewind, forward-
wind, etc.
(So far I haven't used the laptop for anything else but watch DVDs, as I
haven't yet got a net connection.)

b) Can anyone tell me if I can the Dell Inspiron 1525 to the net thru wireless?
Will I need a wireless router in addition to an external modem?
(The catalog says that the laptop has wi-fi plus a built-in modem.)

c) The laptop gets very hot, very soon. Is this bad for the laptop? How many
hours can I use it continuously without damaging any internal parts?

d) I do not have microsoft office. But the laptop comes with it's own word
processing package. Is this enough or should I download microsoft office?

Really appreciate any help you can provide, guys.
It's almost impossible to get through to Dell support, or to their customer
assistance personnel on the phone.

Thanks,

Percy Gilder

Hello Percy Gilder and welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new laptop. The Dell Inspirion 1525 is a budget/entry level notebook for the first time buyer.

I will try and answer your questions to the best of my knowledge/abilities.

Your laptop could be hanging either because of lack of memory or because of driver problems. Did tour laptop come with Windows XP or Vista? Your memory of 2 GB is enough for XP but if you have Vista installed then you will need at least 4 GB RAM. Also try updating your Windows and get the latest drivers from DELL.

You can access the net through wireless using your laptop. All you need is a wireless router like Linksys WRT54GL to be attached to the cable modem.

It is normal for most laptops to get warm/hot with usage. Where are you fan vents in the laptop located? Is it at the bottom or the side?

You can purchase the Office Suite if you need it. There are many free options as alternative to MS Office like www: OpenOffice.org - The Free and Open Productivity Suite

DELL customer support has been bad lately because their current sole aim is to increase their sales. So the sales person will hound you like a dog until the sale is made. Unfortunately the customer support sucks because their limited support personnel cannot cope with the huge workload.

Thank you Raj,

That was a most comprehensive response to every single one of my questions.

I have the windows vista premium. But I've been told by some people that I should delete this Vista completely from my computer and install XP instead. Others are not so sure if the inspiron with my configuration (2 ghz core2duo, 2 gb ram, 160 gb hd) would accept the XP.
Still others recommend that I stick to the Vista, since it has security/safety features built-in.

As I said earlier, I'm new to laptops and have a lot to learn.
Eg when you said that a wireless router is to be attached to the cable modem, I didn't understand at all. I have a hathaway TV cable coming into the home. Would I need to connect that cable to a modem? And then connect the modem wirelessly to a router?

Is there any way I can do away with any additional cables (over and above the wires that plug in to my TV?)

I've never thought to look for where the fan vents are, but now I shall.

However, since I'm using the office computer at the moment, I shall only be able to check things at home over the weekend, and write back with details on Monday.

If you respond with the same simplicity and promptness, I'll be sincerely delighted.

Warm regards,

Percy Gilder

Windows Vista does seem to have issues with certain programs, but considering what you are going to be using it for I would suggest you stick with it. I would also suggest you to update your windows Vista once you get a net connection. This may help iron out the issues you may be facing currently.

Your Hathway internet connection will come with a Cable Modem. You will then need to connect the cable modem to your wireless router using a single cable. I don't think you can avoid having this cable.

Till Later.

Thanks Raj,

Again, you have been most helpful. I'll write to you again on Monday with a few more details about the laptop if that's alright with you.

Meanwhile, I know that I need to update my Vista Home Premium. ( Going by the way I've always done something like this, I'll key in the words "Windows Vista Update" in the google address bar.)

I guess my older version will be automatically deleted when this newer version downloads.

Thanks again,

Percy Gilder

Hi, I'm back.

However, with a couple more questions.

1) Raj, you mentioned open office since I don't have a Microsoft office on my
laptop. I only have Microsoft Works. But tell me, if I download open office
from the net, won't I be taking up additional space on my RAM/Hard Disc?

Whenever one downloads something, does it go into the (and take up
space) in the RAM or in the HDisc?
Thats one question that I've been asking people and no one can give me a
simple answer.

I know about streaming say on Utube. But if I don't download or save a
file, but just go to play, then is that called streaming?

Does streaming get downloaded on the HD?

If I stream something once, how can I access it again, after a few days?

How can I access the files that I have downloaded, after a few days?

I know about temp internet cache. But can I access them in any other
way?

Most people tell me to go to the place I have downloaded it in.
But very often you're not asked WHERE you want to download a particular
page. You're just asked "Do you want to save or download or play."

If you click on download, the file gets downloaded irrespective. Anywhere.
How do I know WHERE it has been downloaded?

Raj, you asked where the fans vents were located. I searched and
searched, but couldn't figure out.

Sometimes when I switch on the laptop, there's a whirring (fan) sound
which comes on and goes off from time to time.

But sometimes when I switch on the laptop, there is no fan sound at all,
even if I wait for a few minutes.

Can an overheated laptop burn any of the parts inside?

Thanks for reading,

Percy

Yes, any program you download and install on your PC will take up hard disk space. Everything that you download/install will ultimately be stored in the hard disk.

If you do not save a download it does not get saved in your hard disk. So watching streaming movies, etc is only temporarily stored in your HDD. Once you exit windows, windows deletes it from the HDD.

If your fan functions then you do not have to fear a overheated or damaged laptop. The fun functions to cool the interiors of the laptop.

Understood Raj. Thank God for you.

I'm getting mixed responses. Should I go in for a Reliance USB card? Or Hathaway with it's unlimited access? Or Reliance/MTNL broadnet ? My budget is around 500 bucks.

Reliance USB card is very slow. Anyway its only good if you travel a lot.

If you can get Hathway unlimited access then it is okay. If you already have an existing MTNL line then check out their combo plans at MTNL Broadband Internet Services Tariff Plans