>>>>>>You guys have all convinced me. I am going to just transfer data files, and even have the luxury of some time (three weeks) to do so. The only other thing I need to do to the new laptop as shipped is uninstall Microsoft Works and McAfee ;-) (And install AVG).
>>>>>
>>>>>We're still using an old Word97 copy I have. Still fulfils 99% of our domestic word processing needs. Really didn't like Word 2007. Now if only I could find my old copy of Wordstar :-)
>>>>
>>>>You are not alone... a copy of Office97 runs with a few hiccups even with no install from USB stick...
>>>
>>>I have one laptop that only runs the OS, dev tools, and open office/thunderbird (also AVAST and Comodo and Spybot). It's my emergency backup laptop and due to the limited apps and junk on it, it runs faster than all of the other laptops and pc's.....
>>
>>Excellent idea. Maybe if I can figure out the overheating issue on Allie's laptop I will put it to that use.
>>
>>BTW, I didn't really address the overheating in the original post. It periodically shuts itself down. When you reboot it displays Dell error M1004, which says it shut down in self-defense due to overheating. It says the primary causes are being in too hot an environment -- not! <g> -- or fan blockage. I went online and followed the suggestion of blasting compressed air into the vents over (under) the fan. No cure. Another suggestion was to remove the bottom panel and blast air around there as well. Still no cure. It's a refurbished machine so maybe it was just a lemon from the start. They refurbished it for a reason, after all ;-)
>
>Some Dell batteries and ac adapters were recalled a few years ago for overheating -- that isn't one of them is it?
>
>http://support.dell.com/support/batteryrecall/index.aspx/en/main?c=us&l=en&s=gen
>
>You could try a new battery or ac adapter (try running without the battery in and only on ac and see if it still happens). I remember a recall of some laptops too in the past but it's not listed on their site....
>
>There are TONS of posts about the same error you are getting but no good resolution that I could see...
>
>Assuming you've done all system updates and flash from Dell as necessary....
>
>Update** Here it is:
>http://www.techfever.net/2010/07/dell-to-recall-millions-of-faulty-laptops/

At this point I am sure it is either the battery or the motherboard. Probably the latter, because I didn't find anything online about the WU946 battery model other than ads for replacements. And I'm sure not going to pay parts and labor for a new motherboard on a unit that is past its fresh date to begin with.

You can count on one thing. The replacement will not be a Dell. And I say that having bought probably 10 of them.