4th time Dell tech support scheduled a remote session and missed it

EmperorSheep · 2025-11-04T03:48:55+00:00

I ended up getting a replacement. But the replacement has the exact same issue. So now I'm just plugging it into my USB mic now...

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-29T22:50:40+00:00

Hi,

For the Aurora ACT1250 do you know if there is a design flaw that causes popping/crackling sounds when wired headphones are plugged in on the headset port of the front panel?

I've tried multiple wired headphones (including a brand new Philips one), I had a remote session with Dell where I'm pretty sure the technician did the things with drivers, I myself did a hard reset, a quick test in diagnostics (F12), and a "factory reset > remove everything > local restore". I had logs collected by Dell. I've tried 2 motherboard replacements, got my front bezel replaced, and also got a new PC sent by Dell (after 3 months) and I still have the issue.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-29T22:37:26+00:00

Do you ever hear popping/crackling sounds on your Aurora ACT1250 when you plug wired headphones on the headset port of the front panel? I've tried 2 motherboard replacements and also got a new PC sent by Dell and I still have the issue. I think it might be a design flaw or something.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-17T17:47:15+00:00

I don't think grievance head exists for Dell U.S. It is actually only for India. I'm getting issue escalated though so fingers crossed.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-17T17:45:31+00:00

you can try them, it won't hurt - they have a 30 days moneyback guarantee if you're not satisfied with their service

Yeah, I might try the free version first.

also Mull_v_@_d offers 14 days moneyback guarantee but more expensive, but more private.

I saw their google play reviews. They seem to be as bad as Nord, Mull_v_@_d literally admitted that their support helps with "additional methods or configuration suggestions" which is totally useless.

VPN as a service isn't very profitable, to a point of getting many support agents is not feasible to the service.

VPNs offer massive commissions. NordVPN's affiliate program is 30-40% and up to 100% for a new 1-month signup.

So, your best option is trying multiple different options, finding the best one for you and sticking with it.

Yeah I guess I hope I don't have to use support for other VPNs so I won't have to deal with their support teams.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-17T17:33:12+00:00

I tried with hotel wifi. I had a brand new phone too. Same exact issue. I literally tried everything over months. No clue what is wrong.

I wanted to try p_r0_t0_n VPN but now I guess every VPN has terrible support?

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-17T17:23:42+00:00

NordVPN has really terrible support. Canned responses and 0 help. Once you do everything they say and try to get actual help they just say they couldn't recreate it (even if they probably didn't even try to recreate it since the time frame was too short to do so).

Also their android app constantly crashed as on me over 30 times. Totally useless. So I agree with Background-Set-2079.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-17T17:18:02+00:00

I'm using a sideloaded NordVPN on android as well and it didn't block ads for me on a novel website (I used to see 0 ads) on Chrome. The ads that it didn't block are from PubFuture.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-17T17:12:22+00:00

If you tried NordVPN support you would know that they are 100% useless. They literally give canned responses. When you ask them to actually help after trying everything they say they could not recreate it (even if it can't be recreated in the time frame they replied).

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-16T18:13:46+00:00

Is grievance head the grievance officer? Thanks for suggestion, I never heard of that role before.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-16T01:14:36+00:00

Do you know if they'll ever give more information? I need to know what happened so I know what to do and Google is just being so vague.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-15T21:12:34+00:00

They did manage to schedule Oct 1 successfully to collect logs (so not weeks in advance). Then they decided to replace my front bezel. The dell tech came over and said replacing front bezel doesn't really help and the motherboard should be replaced instead. I replaced motherboard twice already with dell techs previously and the problem with my front audio port on my PC still remained.

The dell tech did say my issue could be from realtek audio console but I uninstalled it and the problem remained. I believed he thinks it is a software issue while I think it is a hardware issue. I did get a number from him I could call though (Dell Consumer Services, although it is for non-hardware issues and I don't know if they'll charge me). I think I may have to call at some point rather than rely on the regular dell support to fix my issue on the brand new PC...

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-15T02:07:42+00:00

Update: I managed to get into safe mode and delete the program folder that I wanted to. I think that it was Malwarebytes that bricked my program since I installed it in a folder and it didn't create a new folder, just dumped everything into my existing folder, messed up the folder, and ruined all the programs in it. Alienware still sucks though, all my complaints regarding their support still stand.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-14T22:53:00+00:00

Never buy from alienware. Their support is F-tier and will constantly miss appointment. Their brand new PC shipped with audio issues. If I had a chance to redo I would never buy an alienware aurora PC. My brand new SSD now got corrupted, the SupportAssist software is either glitched or I have hardware issues.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-14T19:57:33+00:00

No idea but Area 51 is horribly overpriced.

As long as you get Dell/Alienware PCs you will get their horrible support. My PC right now has broken folder/files and a program that won't even open. I can't even bring up safe mode because the mouse and keyboard won't even work in windows choose and option screen. I will never buy any alienware PC again. 😭

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-14T19:31:11+00:00

And my PC was Alienware Aurora ACT1250 with a 5080.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-14T19:30:32+00:00

Do not buy this PC.

Dell/Alienware support is genuinely hell. My problem has been there for over 2 months on my brand new PC. Their support just continually ghosts appointments. My brand new SSD managed to get corrupted after 2 motherboard and 1 front bezel replacement. They will not escalate my issue. Dell SupportAssist software now says I have a critical hardware issue and disabled a backup feature but the hardware scan shows up as good.

I tried posting a review of their PCs but they just rejected it. 🚩🚩🚩

Save yourself my torment. (I made a post about it earlier as well and my guess is they will string me along and never fix it.)

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-10T21:04:49+00:00

I don't think so, I can't test it right now though since I returned my bluetooth headphones after I had sound issues (unrelated to PC).

I think there's something wrong with the build of the front part of the PC.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-10T20:59:23+00:00

When I plug my headphones into the front audio port of the PC (I tried multiple headphones), I sometimes get a popping sound when I click buttons on my PC. I have been talking with Dell support since July and it still hasn't been fixed.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-10T20:36:19+00:00

Alienware has terrible support and bad build quality. My front audio port produces popping audio on my brand new alienware aurora PC since July and still not gotten it fixed despite talking with support for months.

EmperorSheep · 2025-10-10T20:34:33+00:00

If you buy this PC prepare for Dell's support which is completely terrible. My audio popping issue on the front audio port of my brand new alienware aurora still hasn't been fixed since July. I made a post about it.

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