Sorry to hear of your experience Tony, but I am sure that you can find at least one similarly disgruntled punter with just about every manufacturer. For example, a colleague with a Compaq Armada, is on his third HD within 12 months!
My daughter has had a Dell desk-top for 2.5 yrs, which has been moved/re-connected several times, and has had no problems whatsoever. Maybe they have a problem with lap-tops.
Usually a good idea to keep an eye on reports in the PC magazines. But beware, some of them take paid editorial from PC manufacturers!
I do not work for Dell, or any associated company!