Im on my 3rd SmartStep250. Each Time its done the same thing shuts off for no reason. It seems to happen each time approx. 4 to 5 months into the ownership. They refuse to send an equivalent model which is what should be done. It looks as though I am forced to drop another 2000 on a computer because Dell is a great company...

Hi just wanted to know if youv had any luck with your 250n because iv been haveing the same damn problem and i keep sending it back and its the same thing every time

Just trying to find something on disecting mine, but saw this thread. I've suddenly been having problems after a year and a half of no issues with mine. I've found that this can be caused by overheating due to too much dust in the CPU area [reason why I want to crack mine open and give it a really good proper cleaning]

hope this helps

I will be filing a class action lawsuit with dell soon. The must fix this problem once and for all. Send a description of your problems, history, dell's lack of support, etc. to JBROKER123@aol.com, with "SMARTSTEP" in the subject line.

Thank you very much

I want in on anything to get rid of this piece of junk. Shuts down way too often. Can't play any games on this thing

Dell replaced my laptop with a smaller, less RAM, no rewritable CD ROM, smaller screen laptop. It's only advantage is that it does NOT over heat. Now they are hassling me to send back the Smart Step- which I won't do until they replace my machine with one of equal components. I couldn't believe they sent me this little Inspiron to replace my defective Smartstep. Now I have to deal with THAT! Be careful what you wish for!

I was suprised to stumble upon this website for the reason that i too had the same problems when i purchsed my smartstep last year. After having it for 2 weeks, I had to not only sit on the phone for over an hour talking to some illiterate customer service rep from another country trying to refresh my computer, but then after all the issues i had with it, Dell had to send me a new one. This was only done after demanding to speak with a supervisor, which i couldn't understand either, and then a new one was sent. I still have issues with the one I have now, which would probably explain why they don't sell smartsteps anymore.

I have the same overheating/shutdown problem with mine. I'm not very happy with it.

I'd just like to say that the Dell SmartStep 250N is an absolute piece of garbage....I've called Dell and tried to work some of these problems out but got nowhere... the only people I seem to get on the line are people who i cant understand! On top of that they tell me that all I need to do is run the diagnostics disk or upgrade my bios. the fact of the matter is we all paid alot of money for these computers and should NOT have these types of problems! Dell should stand behind their claims of excelent coustomer service and support! These machiens should have been recalled and the problem fixed!
thanks for listening good luck with your issues!

If you want your smartPC stop shutdown, change your firmware and take the latest version (A05) on the dell site. You surely have the A03 or A04 version (You can see the version number at startup : press "pause" and read the version.

I had the same problems as all of you. Over heating, constant turning off with out warning and no Dell support. To add to this the sales team assured me that my model would be covered in China and then they stiffed me on support. I would not recommend this model to anyone and I would really wonder about recommending Dell to anyone.

After 2 years of run around I finally went to the BBC in Canada and told them my problems. One week after Dell head office was emailing me wanting to change my smartstep. They sent me an Inspiron 5160, I am currently reviewing this model to se if it i worth the trade but right now I’m not sure. Any info would be appreciated.

Wow, I didn't realize these machines had such a bad rap until I did a search. I've owned one for 2 years and have had the overheat problem periodically but I just shoot some compressed air in the vents while it's running, a poof of dust flies out and it works fine. Now I'm nervous, but you sure can't beat the display and processor speed. After 2 years it's still faster than many brand new units although I was a little ticked when I found out it was only USB1.

TO KINGCHEF, Hi I would appreciate you letting me know what the BBC is in Canada and if I can contact them as well. We do our business on the laptop and I would be glad to have any working laptop than NONE at all Please let me know what you can tell me about this. WE ARE NOT BUYING FROM DELL AGAIN!!! We depend too heavily on our laptop and all that this implies to deal anymore, now it is not even letting me open browser pages. We did the whole blowing the air into it and all of that but it is on it's last leg for sure now!! [color=navy][/color]

OK...I posted a while ago about my smart step and all the bullshit Dell was putting me through. FINALLY i got them to let me send it back... after arguing with them on the phone countless times. They replaced just about everything except the board in it and sent it back...since then ive had NO problems at all...my best advice...argue your ass off until you cant argue anymore...
GOODLUCK GUYS!

Hi Everyone,
I have been having the same problem everyone seems to be having, shutting down. It started about a year ago. I will be looking into some the suggestions that I have read on the board. Thank you - will update you