Brand new computer, need help!

Before I start, let me tell you that I'm not a computer geek. I'm an old lady who has been using computers for 8 years now, but don't know much beyond basics

My husband bought me a new Dell inspiron 530S about a month ago. When it arrived I started to reload all of my preferred software and ended up with hangups and, eventually, the blue screen of death.

Microsoft says the problem is a driver. Upon looking the only drivers were put on the computer from the factory.

The unit went express back to dell and they replaced it.

OK, thought I had the problem taken care of. Within a couple of days I was again looking at the blue screen of death. I reset the computer with the factory install. Since then I haven't put anything on this computer that didn't come FROM Dell. I put on the office suite purchased with the computer and added dell game console. So far so good. . . until today.

It's been two weeks since I reset the computer. So far so good with the Dell only rule. Now that really peeves me because I believe I should be able to purchase my leisure activities from anyone I want and not have to pay full price with dell when I can purchase what I want for less with a membership.

I guess my question is; is Dell now putting some propriatory software in their units that prevent you from using someone else's software? Am I being paranoid?

I keep waiting for this thing to just go up in a puff of smoke. I'm on hold waiting for dell service now. I'm planning to ask them that question, but I'm not sure they would tell me the truth. I'm hoping people here will.

Now that I've written this entire tirade I'll go back and check out the other posts that are close to the same. Perhaps someone has already answered it.

I thank you all in advance and would really appreciate it if someone knows how to fix this so I can go back to life as usual!

Thanks!

 

It might be that the programs that you have don't work with Vista (I'm assuming that your using Vista). What programs where you trying to install?

 

i seriously doubt it. as mentioned what all are you trying to install, and how many programs? i have had issues with installing to many programs between reboot. although that could be related to older os, but i still try not to install too much between reboots. i typically won't install more than 2-3 programs before a reboot (although this is my own opinion). anyway, more info would be helpful. g/l, sos

 

Sorry, forgot to mention I had this thing made with XP. Programs? Mozilla firefox churned it up. Any games I put on make it flip.

 

Thanks, I'll try the reboot before I download anything. I'm a avid download gamer. Any games I've downloaded from bigfish have caused problems. So did Mozilla Firefox. The first time I downloaded IE7 it gave me trouble.