Dell Computers
Rebate Check Expired Early and Windows XP Upgrade Denied

My headache with the Dell company began as soon as I got it out of the box. I entered the information that they wanted for the "free windows-XP upgrade" coupon in the spaces provided. Their server refused it, and refused it, again and again.

The same problem occurred with the $150 "rebate. You had to go to their web Rebate site, and print out the coupon. Luckily I had a printer already or I would have been in the same boat as trying to get the XP upgrade. When the check finally came I tried to cash it but the check had a "not good after" date on it. This was less than 30 days after I received the check.

Luck was on my side as I had kept the coupon copy I made. The "contract with the rebate center (not Dell) stated that I would have 60 days to cash the check. I had less than 30 before the check was invalid. The call center really had no choice but to reorder the check sent. It has "of course" not been received as of yet, and I have had the computer for 7 months. I've been of course been paying interest on this amount of money, since I've not been able to apply it to the special government purchase loan available through the State Employees' Credit union.

Dell says that after 2 reformats to see if we can get Explorer to work properly, and numerous "clean boots' of ME install disc, that there is nothing they can or will do about the windows problem, and they won't give me XP as that "program" has expired.

I am now stuck with going out to buy my own copy of XP, or continue to use the Earthlink software I don't like as my way to connect to the internet. Windows still doesn't function properly and Dell basically says "too bad".

Dave
Charlotte, North Carolina

Company: Dell Computers
Country: USA

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