Okay, here is the actual conversation...some of it is pretty funny...
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07/08/2006 08:28:05AM Agent (Nidhi_01105620): "There is a feature called hyperthreading, I will give you steps to turn it off as it helps in cooling down the system."
07/08/2006 08:28:54AM BECKY MCMULLEN: "I'm sorry, I don't understand...could you explain further?"
07/08/2006 08:29:07AM Agent (Nidhi_01105620): "Sure."
07/08/2006 08:29:53AM Agent (Nidhi_01105620): "Becky, the temperature will *** down if we turn off the hyperthreading."
07/08/2006 08:30:25AM BECKY MCMULLEN: "okay...why is the hyperthreading even there if it causes problems?"
07/08/2006 08:31:30AM BECKY MCMULLEN: "by the way, *** should be spelled come...*** is not a very nice word in English"
07/08/2006 08:32:03AM BECKY MCMULLEN: "just helping you out...no offense intended"
07/08/2006 08:32:06AM Agent (Nidhi_01105620): "I am sorry for the typo error."
07/08/2006 08:32:28AM BECKY MCMULLEN: "no prob"
07/08/2006 08:35:09AM Agent (Nidhi_01105620): "Becky, since the system is too hot to touch when it goes hot, I will consult to replace this system for you."
07/08/2006 08:36:27AM BECKY MCMULLEN: "what happened to turning off the hyperthreading? Is replacing absolutely necessary as my hard drive is too full of info to lose it"
07/08/2006 08:40:16AM Agent (Nidhi_01105620): "Becky, let me give you the steps to turn off the hyperthreading as if simple step can take care of this issue then I will not recommend you to backing up the data and it will take lot of time and efforts."
07/08/2006 08:41:15AM BECKY MCMULLEN: "okay...if that doesn't work, we can then talk about a new system."
07/08/2006 08:42:04AM BECKY MCMULLEN: "can I find info about hyperthreading on your site?"
07/08/2006 08:42:42AM Agent (Nidhi_01105620): "I will give you steps for the same."
07/08/2006 08:43:01AM BECKY MCMULLEN: "thank you"
07/08/2006 08:47:02AM Agent (Nidhi_01105620): "Restart the Computer and as soon as you see the Dell Logo Screen (The very first screen that comes up) start tapping "F2" Key."
07/08/2006 08:49:29AM Agent (Nidhi_01105620): "Click on performance on the left hand side and highlight hyperthreading and turn it off."
07/08/2006 08:50:17AM Agent (Nidhi_01105620): "Hit escape and save the changes and exit."
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I did all of the above, but the hyperthreading is off by default so no changes were necessary. I then went back in and turned the hyperthreading on to see if perhaps he made a typo and to see if it made a difference in the temperature. It raised the temp almost immediately.
He never did tell me the importance/definition of hyperthreading so don't know its function or whatever or a link on the Dell site to see what it is, so that's my next step.
Bottom line is it looks like they will be replacing the computer, but I'm assuming that it will be a refurbished one. Anybody know?