[Dunhamzzz]

Good News Everyone! I have just got off the phone with Dell support trying to get to the bottom of the Mini 10 TV Tuner issues and the Mini 9's battery charging issues.

First off the Mini 9 and the whole Battery-stops-charging-at-100% issue. My initial technical support "agent" was unable to understand what was going on with my Mini 9 and repeatedly claimed that "laptops just do that", after some fruitless explaining I was forwarded to a Technical Support Supervisor. This guy was extremely helpful and managed to grasp what my problem was pretty quickly. Although he was unable to do anything straight away, he acknowledged the problem and I have been instructed to use the unit just off the battery until Monday where he will then give me a call. Not exactly a fix, but I am certainly happy with the progress / recognition.

Now for the Mini 10, this is where things get better. I made the initial mistake of going to technical support, I was quickly forwarded onto Customer Services. I explained that I had just received my Mini 10 with integrated TV Tuner, but I did not get the aerial lead that plugs into the side of the unit. Quickly the agent apologised then popped me on hold for a few minutes, when she came back she told me that I they were going to ship me a brand new external TV Tuner, and that I could simply use the aerial out of that package! This would obviously leave me with an EXTRA TV Tuner which I could use on my other Minis! I can only guess the reason for this is that they do not have a separate part number for the MCX aerial, and that the one they're sending me is the one that Engadget mentioned was coming for the Dell Mini family.

Of course this is great news for TV Tuner'd Dell Mini 10 owners, I'll keep everyone updated with the Dell Mini 9 charging issue
To get the ball rolling yourself, take the first steps at the Dell Support Site.

Please continue discussion in the relevant threads:

Charging Woes
Missing TV Tuner Aerial

[mdburkey]

Ah...so one WAS supposed to be included with it -- and just wasn't. That makes more sense.

The end result is a nice thing for you though.

I've had similar things happen in the past -- I got a Latitude laptop that was missing the little rubber "nub" on the pointing stick in the middle of the keyboard (which is a replaceable item that just pops off and on). However, Dell apparently doesn't have a separate part # for this piece. So the customer service agent simply sent me an entire new keyboard instead -- and didn't even want the old one back. So, I've got a spare keyboard for when the original one gets worn.

[AmandaGal]

They told me they were mailing the antenna separately and I should wait 5-7 days.

No free TV tuner for me!

[Dell-Bill B]

Thanks to all our Mini 10 customers and to ones who recently ordered units with a TV tuner. A small number of the orders were recently shipped without the corresponding external TV antenna and adapter accessories.

To affected customers, we apologize for any frustration this has caused. We’re currently working on a solution to correct this, and will share more information soon.

[uberbigun]

I took your advice and complained. I left the call angry that the support tech blew me off, and then I got the email below two days later:

Dear Dell Customer,

Thank you for your recent order for a Mini 10 Netbook order number 764258061.

Unfortunately, your Inspiron Mini 10 Netbook shipped without the corresponding external TV antenna and adapter accessories.

To resolve this issue, Dell will dispatch the external TV antenna and adapter accessories to the shipping address that was on your original order. We expect them to arrive within the next 17-21 business days.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Dell

[uberbigun]

Why did tech support rudely pass this off to sales? There is a serious lack of communications going on here. On a previous call, I was even told that my Dell 10 Mini was End-of-life and my original order cancelled.

Originally Posted by Dell-Bill B

Thanks to all our Mini 10 customers and to ones who recently ordered units with a TV tuner. A small number of the orders were recently shipped without the corresponding external TV antenna and adapter accessories.

To affected customers, we apologize for any frustration this has caused. We’re currently working on a solution to correct this, and will share more information soon.

[BobStrogg]

I'm having the same problem with my Mini 9 battery. Charges up to 100%, seems ok for a few minutes, then switches to battery power until the battery is dead again. Seems the best solution is to take the battery out when it hits 100%, then just use it as needed (sucks).

I'll keep watching here for updates

[somms]

Originally Posted by BobStrogg

I'm having the same problem with my Mini 9 battery. Charges up to 100%, seems ok for a few minutes, then switches to battery power until the battery is dead again. Seems the best solution is to take the battery out when it hits 100%, then just use it as needed (sucks).

I'll keep watching here for updates

MERGED AC power disables when battery hits 100% charge.

[Dell-Bill B]

Thanks again to all our Mini 10 customers who ordered systems with external TV tuner antennas. We have been able to proactively contact the majority of customers who are missing the antennas and have shipped the missing parts to most. We still have a few remaining customers to notify and provide parts for, but we are working to finish providing solutions as quickly as we can.

[avj73]

After being told to wait 17-21 days from my invoice date to get the antenna, waiting 21 days and not getting an antenna, I emailed Dell again. I Got an e-mail today that said

Thank you for contacting Dell Online Customer Care.

I apologize for the inconvenience caused by long delay in resolving your concern regarding the missing antenna.

I checked the details of the antenna that was to be sent to you, however, our records indicate that it is no longer available. Hence, we are unable to send it to you.

If you wish to return the system for refund, we can initiate a return request for full refund. We will also arrange for the return shipment.

This is absurd. The email doesn't make sense as they are still selling the mini 10 with the TV Tuner, so they have to have anntennae. I called customer service, and they are just giving me the run around. I love my Mini 10 and don't want to return it...I just want my antenae!!! Hey Bill from Dell....HELP!

Andrew