IdeaStorm
Over 18,903 ideas submitted. 740,921+ votes. 97,840+ comments. 531+ ideas implemented.
Comments Page (1 of 2)
Windows 8 OEM .iso Download Link
This is a revisited idea: http://www.ideastorm.com/idea2ReadIdea?v=1359716928871&Id=087700000008lKJAAY However Microsoft have cleverly stepped up their game with regards to product activation of OEM media. The Windows COA is done away with and a product key is hidden within the systems BIOS. Reinstallation media will detect the product key, select the correct version of Windows 8 and activate online once installed. For systems that don't have a product key the media will ask for a product key or tell the user their system doesn't have a valid product key. The problem is that Microsoft are implementing insane OEM media policies. Dell and Microsoft are extremely reluctant to ship media out to customers. Reworded Dell because of Microsoft re extremely reluctant to ship media out to customers. The reinstallation DVD is mandatory to fix an an assortment of problems. These are all documented in my Windows Reinstallation Guide and Related Wikies: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/t/19480753.aspx The situation in Europe or outside the US is in particular bad and is mentioned in great detail here: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4677/t/19476992.aspx These insane OEM Media Reduction/Anti-Piracy/Green policies are completely insane and will only serve to increase piracy. If users cannot get media to install many will look to piracy, period. Dell DataSafe media must be created by the user and many users only look for media when they run into an issue. Often users have troubles making media and often the created media doesn't work. The media created by DataSafe cannot be used for clean installation or a StartUp repair. Even those customers that are successful in requesting reinstallation media must wait for a few days to have it shipped out meaning several days of wait and of unecessary system downtime. A service like My Dell Downloads cannot be used as the system must be registered and a valid OS must be installed in order to register. An infinite loop will occur for one with a broken hard drive.... A direct download option must be made available and one that must be available directly on another system alongside with an easy means of making a botoable USB stick or DVD. Users can be prompted to get it from Microsoft and to fill in a form with their email or alternatively from Dell. If its a blank image from Microsoft, it would be good if Dell included a System utility on the Drivers and Downloads page to restore the OEM customisation/branding/themes.
Categories: Operating Systems, Service and Support, Software,
More of Dell FTP/Dell Drivers and Downloads and less of "My Dell Downloads"
Many Dell branded applications are found on My Dell Downloads opposed to the Drivers and Downloads Page. In particular this includes.Dell Webcam Central.Dell Stage.Dell Digita Persona Fingerprint.Registering with My Dell Downloads is often problematic and there is an annoying download limit. These installers will not install on any system that is not a qualifying Dell system. i.e. they check what the model is before allowing installation. So there is no sense putting them on My Dell Downloads and should belong in the application category under Drivers and Downloads/Dell FTP Website.Total 3rd party i.e. non-Dell branded software which Dell haven't modified to install only on a qualiftying Dell Model such as Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, Roxio Creator Starter/Nero, Adobe Products should remain in My Dell Downloads for piracy reasons but installers that are locked to only qualifying systems should be found on Drivers and Downloads directly
Categories: Operating Systems, Service and Support, Software,
Digita Personna - Windows 8 Driver available from Drivers and Downloads
Many Windows 8 customers are having problems with Digita Personna – Fingerprint Softwarehttp://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/p/19473075/20275508.aspx#20275508http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4677/p/19473435/20265438.aspx#20265438http://en.community.dell.com/dell-groups/rockstars/f/4420/p/19483494/20263859.aspx#20263859The solution offered in this document is very inefficient: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?docid=575108ie to install the version from My Dell Downloads and then to download the patch which many have said doesn’t work and many have said does.A standalone installer which includes the latest patch should be provided and be locked to install only on Dell systems. Provide the patch on the Dell ftp website and Drivers and Downloads. This will make it much easier to install and prevent many problems.
Categories: Desktops and Laptops, Service and Support, Software,
Dell Touchpad Windows 8 Gestures Universal Driver
Dell Touchpad drivers and Windows 8 Gestures are a major issue. From what I gather there are 3 touchpad vendors use in their models:Alps Touchpad Driverhttp://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4677/t/19474448.aspxCyprus Touchpad – forum member made a convoluted workaround:http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/p/19473174/20260098.aspx#20260098http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/p/19473174/20244331.aspx#20244331Synaptics Touchpadhttp://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4677/p/19473316/20275670.aspx#20275670Please make a Windows 8 Dell Touchpad utility that detects if the Touchpad is Alps, Cyprus or Synaptics and downloads the correct Dell driver for it (latest driver with gestures).
Categories: Desktops and Laptops, Service and Support, Software,
Dell Wireless/Broadcom Universal Driver
Broadcom released a Universal Bluetooth Driver:http://www.broadcom.com/support/bluetooth/update.php They also have drivers for their NICs on their website but not their wireless card.Most "Dell Wireless cards" are rebranded Broadcom cards. Please have Broadcom create a universal wireless driver for all Dell wireless devices that they manufacturer for both Windows 7 and Windows 8.
Categories: Operating Systems, Service and Support, Software,
Increase Windows 8 BIOS Updates/Driver Availability on XPS and Alienware Systems
Many people are disappointed because Dell aren't providing drivers for their system for Windows 8. I understand that Dell must drop the line of support for systems somewhere but in cases when customers have paid alot of money for their system only a few years ago and the hardware is more than capable to run Windows 8 then Dell should support it. I have seen numerous posts comparing the support of other computer manufacturers with Windows 8 to Dell and it looks unfavourable. Anyway for most Desktop Systems all Dell needs to do is provide a BIOS Update. They already have the drivers for everything else just scattered about see for example: XPS 8300/Vostro 460 - take the Drivers from the XPS 8500 and a few from elsewhere. Dell needs to provide no to few other drivers. XPS 8100 - take the Drivers from the XPS 8500 and a few from elsewhere. Dell needs to provide no to few other drivers. For laptops there is generally two things required. The BIOS update and a compatable Dell Quickset Utility. Dell generally lock the Dell Quickset installer so it only installs on specific models. In the past I requested a universal Dell Quickset utility as it pretty much does the same thing on all systems. Many users only want the onscreen meters, caplocks icons, etc. etc. Windows 7 Quickset can be installed in compatability mode but the meters/notifications won't display when the metro interface is used. For example: XPS L501x - take the drivers from the XPS L502x and a few from elsewhere. Dell needs to provide no to few other drivers. XPS L401x - take the drivers from the XPS L502x and a few from elsewhere. Dell needs to provide no to few other drivers. I have been working on some unofficial sets for systems whiuich has kept many users moderately happy: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/4248.windows-8-drivers-direct-links.aspx However BIOS updates and Quickset utilities are needed.
Categories: Desktops and Laptops, Operating Systems, Service and Support,
Driver ID Database for all Dell Drivers and Operating Systems
Often during installation of an OS the driver needs reinstalled and if customers miss one or two they may have an (!) in the Device Manager. We often refer them to look at the hardware IDs and then look on the likes of Google for the correct driver. These sites that list the drivers are mostly unofficial, moreover they often link to Malware etc. so can be problematic if the customer looks directly. e.g. this thread here: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/p/19473458/20284789.aspx#20284789 Google Search of the hardware ID: BTHENUM\{cbecab40-a2c8-4ab3-adc1-de0fe95d8600}_LOCALMFG&0000 Note none of the searches lead to an official Dell Driver. I see mention of an atheros and bluetooth so I guessed the Dell Wireless 1702 Card. It would be great if Dell had on their ftp website or Drivers and Downloads website a Database where one could input the hardware ID and for it to list the latest driver for each OS and what the component is called e.g. the latest driver: XP - Dell Wireless 1702 Card Vista 32 bit - Dell Wireless 1702 Card Vista 64 bit - Dell Wireless 1702 Card Windows 7 32 bit - Dell Wireless 1702 Card Windows 7 64 bit - Dell Wireless 1702 Card Windows 8 32 bit - Dell Wireless 1702 Card Windows 8 64 bit - Dell Wireless 1702 Card There is the Microsoft Update Catalogue for this but it is often quite limited.
Categories: Dell Web Site, Operating Systems, Software,
Dell8 - Work Again with StarDock to Give Windows 8 a proper Start Menu
Many users are struggling with the new Windows 8 Start menu. In my opinion the Start Menu is overoptimised for Tablets and it is far less efficient than the Start Menu that came in Windows Vista or Windows 7 for Desktops and Laptops. Here are a numnber of examples of disgruntled users: Not liking this OS I hate Windows 8 Remove Windows 8 for another OS Make Windows 8 act like Windows 7 .... Stardock Start8 I hate Windows 8 So Very Much I want to downgrade to WINDOWS 7 PRO, please. XPS 8500 Special Edition will not boot newly installed windows 7 (user wanted to downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7) how to activate Windows * on new cpu What am I giving up by formatting the drive and installing Win7 Problems include it being less convienent to shut down the system, to get to the control panel or to devices and printers. In addition new items have to found on the all apps section of the Windows 8 Start Menu and this can take quite a while. In the past Dell worked with StarDock to make a Dell customised ObjectDock called DellDock. This program was preinstalled on many systems for Dell users. So the two companies should have good links. I suggest that they work together again to make a Dell customised Start8, "Dell8". Replace the Windows logo with a Dell Logo. Preinstallation on Desktops and most Laptops.* Free Download for all Dell users. * For the Inspiron Duo or XPS 12 form of models an optional setting could be made so the Dell8 Start button only appears when the system is set up as a laptop and not folded in tablet mode. Additional features not in Start8 I would like for multiple monitor users are: The ability to set the Start Menu on secondary taskbars aswell as the primary ones i.e. multiple Start Buttons. The ability to pin items on secondary taskbars. The ability to set programs launched from monitor x to open in monitor x and from monitor y in monitor y.
Categories: Desktops and Laptops, Operating Systems, Software,
Windows 8 Professional COA with Windows 7 Professional Preinstalled by Dell
Allow users to purchase all desktops (Home and Business) with downgrade rights. i.e. Factory install Windows 7 Professional and provide reinstallation DVDs for both OS on all desktops.
Categories: Desktops and Laptops, Operating Systems, Software,
Request Reinstalaltion DVD form [Rest of the World]
Dell are currently shipping out most of their systems without reinstallation DVDs. For US customers there is an online request form for Reinstallation Media. For those customers not in the US you will need to contact Dell technical support and ask for one. The customer numbers are available here. Many customers have contacted Dell via this form in the US and got the media for free or charged a small fee. For those outside the US e.g. customers in Europe (I am from the UK) we have to phone technical support which is in general a worse experience then filling in a form. We have got mixed results because we had to contact Dells Technical Support via phone and depending on the agents competence on the end of the line it is possible to get the most unhelpful situation: “Your system is out of warranty you cannot get a reinstallation DVD.” “It will cost $60 for a Reinstalaltion DVD despite purchasing your system last week and have no option of getting the reinstallation DVD with the system. i.e. European customers are getting ripped off.” $30 should be the maximum price but $10-$20 would be better. “We have sent you out a Reinstallation DVD it should arrive in a few days (2 weeks later) we are having problems sending one and want permission to cancel the order.” The Operating System DVD is necessary for many problems that can go wrong with Windows or for installation of a new hard drive. Dell DataSafe does not cover it and does not offer the ability to perform a clean install. Ideally we want a Windows .iso as mentioned here. The idea is simple; make this form available for the rest of the world. If pricing is involved put the price for systems in warranty and if there is a further charge for systems without warranty mention both prices. $60 is unacceptable for a DVD, $30 max but $free-$20 would be better. Also make reinstallation USBs (that are write protected) available as many systems are coming without DVD drives, you can charge slightly more for these. Make the reinstallation USBs identical to the DVDs. Finally Dell will only send out DVDs once or maybe twice, I think the quota should be rest if a Service Pack is released, its best to use the Reinstallation DVD/USB with the most up to date Service Pack (for the USBs they can make a special utility to update them when a Service Pack is released).
Categories: Operating Systems, Service and Support,