Well my new network card arrived today. I had requested an alternative model to rule out driver / incompatibility issues but was told I'd have to have what was originally supplied with the machine. Unsurprisingly, it's no better.
I've had enough of this machine. It failed shortly after delivery and I've spent more time trying to get the issues sorted than using it. Below is my email to the guy who is dealing with my complaint :
"Hi Arn
I received the new wireless card yesterday and fitted it last night. Initially the machine refused to boot - it hung each time on booting into Windows.
I then went in through safe mode with networking and it did the same.
I then went into safe mode (no networking) and removed the drivers for the device. This allowed Windows to boot. I then reinstalled the latest drivers from the Dell website and power cycled the machine.
The issue is still there - exactly the same as before. In fact if anything it is slightly worse as even with the Bluetooth off, I'm now getting the odd network pause. With the Bluetooth on, it is very poor. I'm getting network burst traffic with long pauses of inactivity in-between. I also have frequent disconnects from the router and the only way to reconnect is to disable the wireless and re-enable it (sometimes works - sometimes needs a reboot).
I would like to return this laptop under my rights through UK Law as being unfit for purpose. The fault was inherent with the machine when purchased, it was present in the pre-installed Windows 8, it was present after wiping the machine and reinstalling Windows 7 and is present after installing the new network card. The machine also failed with a dead motherboard less than half an hour after being delivered. This doesn't instil me with confidence in the product. In the time I've had the machines (less than a month), I've spent more time trying to diagnose the issues than using it.
I'll need a few days notice before it is collected to back up my data and securely erase the hard drive as I also have customers data and confidential information stored on it.
Could you please advise on the next step.
Regards
Dominic"