Dell Support Center Upgrade

[carldaru]

Hello everyone,

As all of you with Dell Support Center installed, Dell is trying to get us to upgrade to a new version. I downloaded the install file and ran it. However, the first thing that popped up was "This is not a dell system. Support Center functionality may be limited" or something similar. However, I have an Inspiron 1520...does anyone know why it's doing this? I haven't installed the new upgrade yet in case it has less functionality. And yes, I do want Dell Support on my system. It doesn't take up that many resources and I just want to leave it on my system. But does anyone know what's going on with the message??

Thanks.

[carldaru]

This is a bump. Please Respond!!!

[Fuzzy]

But does anyone know what's going on with the message??

Sorry, I don't have an answer, but I have a question.

I am looking for a computer at Dell.ca, and Support Center 1 and Support Center 3.4 are non-mutually-exclusive options for Vostro laptops but the explanatory links are misdirected:
http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/...oc=N1500CV_R_E

I found this page of information:
http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topi...hs1&l=en&s=dhs
It says that Support Center 2 (no mention of 3) takes up 150 MB of hard drive space!

I also found this page, which says that the "New Enhanced Troubleshooting
Dell PC Checkup’s1 troubleshooting and diagnostic tool" is only available on Inspiron and XPS models, but in fact I have only found the Support Center option on Vostro laptops, not their Inspiron equivalents:
http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topi...=ca&l=en&s=bsd

What does Support Center do? Is it worth it, or is it a resource hog?

Fuzzy

[carldaru]

Does anyone have an answer to my question??? Anyone??? Anyone?? Bueller??? I feel like Ben Stein right now....

[bmnotpls]

I know you said you want Dell support center, but are you sure? This has to be a hoax.

[frazell]

A simple start would be to call Dell? Your machine is under warranty (as no i1520 is more than a year old yet) and they have the job of supporting their stuff...

This forum is where we respond on our own free time. We don't HAVE to answer you, Dell does!

[Samuel613]

2 options to try, first.

1. Uninstall the old one and reboot, Then try to Install the new version.
2. Install it anyways and see if it picks up your info - it's got to be in the BIOS, so there's no reason it can't pick it up.

[schleeb]

Does anyone even use it...? I don't.

[TuxDude]

I didnt really much like this Support Center tool and so didnt even install it after a fresh vista Install.... I've even removed the Quickset app as it hogs 2 to 3 MB of memory in the background always....

[Nalada]

I have XPS M1330 and recently was prompted to upgrade to Dell Support Center 2.0 (which I did).
It replaced both Dell Support Center 1.0 and also Dell Support.
(they are discontinuing the older Dell Support).

So I rationalised two pieces of software into one.

As to how useful it is - well they have a link to downloads and drivers but it take me to the Chinese version of their website and I have to edit the url to change cn to hk and zh to en to get english (from the Hong Kong site). That's no big problem as the HK site works for me (I am in China).

They have alerts suggesting various actions none of which I have felt the desire to do. e.g. currently:
Run Windows Update (should be happening automatically anyway)
Do you need technical assistance but your computer is out of warranty?
(I am still in warranty)
Did you know that Daylight Saving Time is Now Four Weeks Longer
(I am pretty sure Microsoft will be pushing me that update themselves if I haven't got it already - anyway there is no DST here)
Increase Microsoft Word Macros Security
Increase Microsoft Excel Macros Security
Increase Microsoft Powerpoint Macros Security
(All 3 are suggestions to change default level to Medium - guess I should do that)
Protect Your Computer During an Electrical Storm
(gives some obvious advice but I doubt I will follow it)
Worried About Your PC's Security?
(A link to a site where Dell give security advice and offer a free online virus scan - I have a suspicion it might lead on to attempts to persuade me to re-install McAffee - I am using AVG)
Install Java Run-Time
(Claims I don't have Sun Java installed - but I do)
Wireless Questions? Visit the Dell Wireless Support Center
(I don't have any questions at the moment)

There are various other self-help resources and ways to get customer support.

Overall it is probably more use to novice users than experts - an attempt to provide a one-stop-shop for maintaining one's PC.
[The old Dell Support was no better - it kept prompting me to install and update for the Roxio burning software for Windows compatibility but when I finally let it try it couldn't because it wanted to update the packet writing component that I had not installed in the first place]