Updates for Windows Vista problems DELL

cha-cha_2

Yes, this is disgraceful. Am currently talking to TESCO direct over this. They are helping me with one of their technicians - the system is being checked for errors - under F12 start up (no idea on this but its doing something!) It will take about 30 minutes to run through and have been advised once its gone through that they will support any techinical issues - otherwise I will have to refer back to Dell. In discussion I was told some manufacturers take their warranties to the bottom line i.e. they will support only hardware and after that software is usually chargeable irrespective of whether it is an operating system error. My concern is that the public are not advised of this when they are purchasing - though have been told it is somewhere in the terms and conditions. I haven't spotted it. If I had bought insurance from TESCO that still would not have covered software - something is wrong here as I am no techie and I am not aware of the issues around warranties to do with computers. AArrgghh! Shouldn't there be some kind of health warning around this?

cha-cha_2

I've no idea which update it is. With the help from tesco support I know I have windows vista version 6.0.

[Deleted User]

I assume that Tesco Tech Support are trying to get you to System Restore so you can roll back your computer to a date preceding the problem update?

cha-cha_2

No idea. I think they are just trying to identify if there are problems with the system. Once this is done I don't know whether that is the only remedy so far. But even with a system restore I'm back to whether I choose to update the operating system or not.

Airwolf1

Are you sure it was a windows update that has caused this to happen?

[Deleted User]

cha-cha wrote: »

No idea. I think they are just trying to identify if there are problems with the system. Once this is done I don't know whether that is the only remedy so far. But even with a system restore I'm back to whether I choose to update the operating system or not.

Yes, you do need to update the operating system, it's impreitive that you do. It's rare that single Windows Updates cause any errors, the exception to this being XP SP3 but that isn't relative in this case. When you've got the computer back to being usable, it'll be wise to install each update individually and not at the same time as any others, then we can isolate the problematic update and see if there is a known issue with it

robredz

Dell have been bundling an XP Pro Disk with some laptops, as many business users don't trust Vista. Worse case if you have a Vista rescue CD use that, you could try Dell for an XP disk if all else fails and install that. They will try to wriggle out of responsibility for software issues, as the user novice and pro, can seriously screw it up with a few mouse clicks. good luck

[Deleted User]

The downgrade route is only available for Vista Business and Vista Ultimate and I'm going to make an assumption that may well be corrected, but for a home use laptop it's going to have Vista Home Premium installed which is not eligible to be downgraded in that route.

In either case, suggesting installing XP doesn't really help the OP with their problem at all

Cha-cha, can you tell us what steps you have taken and where you are at the moment, otherwise it's going to be a trickier for us to offer you advice without making you repeat steps that you've already done. If you're not sure what Tesco have told you to do, just describe what's on the screen instead

cha-cha_2

Thanks to all for your help and perseverance. I have worked through a number of diagnostics on the computer and have finally restored back to factory settings with the help of tesco helpline. It's been a learning curve to say the least and I am really fed up with DELL's response. Let this be a warning for anyone reading this if they are contemplating a laptop purchase for Christmas. Had I been unable to restore this time, I could have taken the computer back but I feel I've sweated blood today! A big thank you to all and happy christmas!

[Deleted User]

It probably didn't need to be reset to factory default, but in any case you've got a working laptop again so things could be a lot worse.

I wouldn't be letting Dell shirk off that easily though, I'd be demanding answers from them because it could happen again to you in the near future.