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    Dell software/driver that alerts me of updates?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by talkin73, Nov 21, 2005.

  1. talkin73

    talkin73 Notebook Guru

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    When I first started using my Dell I6000 a few weeks ago, there was a Dell message box that would popup in the bottom right periodically and let me know there were issues with my system or software to install. Since doing a clean XP install (per the instructions on this site) that Dell box is gone. I thought I reinstalled pretty much every driver from my CD then updated anything newer from Dell's driver listing for the I6000.

    How do I get that Dell message box back and, any advantage/disadvantages to installing it?
     
    talkin73, Nov 21, 2005
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  2. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    You can probably download it off their site, but really, I wouldn't worry about it. It's just another thing running in the background, which is what you wanted to get rid of in the first place.
     
    Brian, Nov 21, 2005
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  3. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    I don't think they have it on their site anymore. I can't think of the name but it is on the cds (if you order them from dell). Once I get home, I'll get the name for you, but in my opinion its not worth reinstalling it.

    SG
     
    Amber, Nov 21, 2005
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  4. talkin73

    talkin73 Notebook Guru

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    It seems like the trade off for having the convenience of applications that alert you and download updates for you is that it can slow things down in your system. Do most people just go to Dell's site periodically and check for updates? Is there something I can download to my Dell that will check for needed Dell updates specific to my computer that I can have downloaded as needed... rather than running in the background and slowing things down?
     
    talkin73, Nov 21, 2005
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  5. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    Unfortunately, dell doesn't have a program that will check for your driver updates. They use to have it where you can subscribe for an email to be sent whenever they updated a driver for a particular system. I'm not really sure what happened to that.

    The program is called Dell Support. I'm reinstalling it to see how much it slows down things.

    SG
     
    Amber, Nov 21, 2005
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  6. talkin73

    talkin73 Notebook Guru

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    I found the update site here:

    http://support.dell.com/support/notifications/technicalupdates.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

    If you sign up, you can get customized alerts for various drivers, etc. Very nice feature, actually, as they allow you to pick from all the different categories of drivers, type of email delivery, frequency of delivery, and if you want to be udated about critical/recommended/optional installs or any combination.

    I signed up for monthly alerts, the most infrequent option. Seems like a great way to ensure you have access to and are made aware of relevant system updates but don't have to hunting for them yourself.
     
    talkin73, Nov 21, 2005
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