[LindaJean]

After several unsuccessful attempts with other Dell techs, the problems were resolved with the efforts of a senior Dell hardware tech. After listening to the recitation of my pc problems, he immediately knew what was wrong. (It turns out he had experienced the exact set of problems with his own home pc).

The problems listed were caused by a corrupt OS on a brand new pc. A CLEAN reinstallation was done, several drivers reinstalled, then a follow-up call was needed to reinstall a graphics driver.

During this experience, I learned that a reinstall, without the cd, as an earlier tech had me do, simply takes the mirror image of the OS, then reinstalls it again. Thus, it's simply reinstalling the corrupt OS.

The OS needed to be "wiped", then a clean reinstall from the cd needed to be done, instead.

* I never would have considered that I had a brand new pc with a corrupt OS installed.

I'm posting my experience in the hopes that it may help someone else who might experience these same problems. The people on this forum have been quite kind to me in the past (Toshiba Vista laptop, one year ago), and I appreciate the assistance.

Hopefully this info may help someone else. Thank you.