Tech question about computer ports

I got a brandy new Dell 2200 computer about 3 months ago to replace my older, beginning to lag Dell. From the get go, the computer didn’t seem to be performing to its promises (ie it’s about as slow as my older computer, lots of error messages, etc.) But I really started to get angry when my peripherals started having problems. My printer restarts itself when I try to print, I have been through four web cams and all of them start out clear then begin to get fuzzy (all difft brands, mind you), and on occasion my cable modem goes out for no reason.

Mr. Micknlu is a systems admin, and he says that it’s not a problem with the ports. I have called Dell and they have said it’s not a problem with the ports. Please tell me I’m not crazy, that this sounds like a problem with the ports, and if so, is my computer a lemon!?

Thanks!

This topic was accidentaly posted twice, so I’ll close this copy and direct comment to the other copy, http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=130964