Beware of SmartByte Continued...

Holy Mackerels, 

What kind of sale did (Not So) SmartByte make to Dell?  Everything, anything but to admit is poo-poo software.Here is what they suggest you do...  For crying out loud in a Inspiron....

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Egads!  I want to work with my new Inspiron, not work on it.

This article describes network and potential audio performance issues with Inspiron systems running SmartByte software.

Inspiron systems running the SmartByte application may encounter slow network performance or audio issues. To determine whether the issue is caused by SmartByte, and to correct the issue, the following debugging steps are recommended.

The SmartByte application is supported on most Inspiron, G3, G5 and G7 computers running Windows 10.

1. Test network performance and record the result for comparison during the following troubleshooting steps.
2. Update the system BIOS and Windows 10:
   1. Update the system BIOS to the latest revision available from dell.com/support/home. For more information refer to Dell Knowledge base article Dell BIOS Updates.
   2. Ensure your system is running Windows 10 version 14393.0 or higher.
   • To determine what version of Windows you are on, perform the following steps:
     1. Press and hold the Windows () key, and then press the q key.
     2. In the Search box, type winver.
     3. Touch or click winver (Run command).
     4. Locate the OS Build number in parentheses.
        Note: When the OS Build is lower than 14393.0, you can download the latest update for Windows 10 from the Microsoft website.
     5. Test network performance and record the result.

    

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3. Update system drivers:
   1. For more information refer to Dell Knowledge base article How to Download and Install a Driver
      NOTE: This article describes installing the Dell SupportAssist application that provides automated detection, download and installation of outdated drivers.
   2. Reboot the computer after each driver installation if prompted.
   3. Test network performance and record the result.

    

   ---

4. Update the SmartByte Application:
   1. Download updates at: support.rivetnetworks.com.
   2. Test network performance and record the result.

    

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5. Run the Dell SupportAssist Optimize Network application:
   1. Press and hold the Windows () key, and then press the q key.
   2. In the search box type, supportassist.
   3. Touch or click SupportAssist (Desktop app).
   4. Touch or click Optimize My System.
   5. Touch or click Optimize Network.
   6. Touch or click Run Now.
   7. After the Optimize Network is finished (the status bar will read 100%) touch or click the History tab.
   8. Touch or click the latest listing of Optimize Network (Manual) to review the results.
   9. Test network performance and record the result.

   Continued....

Here is what I wrote in my feedback response to  https://support.smartbytetechnology.com/knowledge-base/issues-with-smartbyte-connectivity-or-other/ 

You are obviously in complete denial about the disastrous impact your software has. It is simply delusional to attribute the massive reduction I experienced in my download speed (from a rock solid 50 Mbps to 11 Mbps and declining) to the need to update Intel drivers. This rotten experience was using a cable not Wi Fi and with all my drivers completely up to date. My problem was solved immediately I uninstalled your software. As far as I am concerned your beta testing process is wholly inadequate - I am, after all, running an Inspiron PC with default settings and hardware and Microsoft Office with very little else - and Dell has made a major commercial error in allowing you to treat its customers as unwitting experimental subjects.

I would simply add the likelihood of me buying another machine from Dell has declined as fast as my download speed did after they installed the latest and greatest version of SmartByte. 

I had exactly the same problem.  I bought 200 mps from an internet provider, but my Dell all-in-one was only getting about 40.  The tech rep could not figure out the problem and scheduled a service call.  Along the way, she mentioned that older computers have internet cards that cap speeds below 100 mps.  I have an older Dell laptop, which ironically, was getting higher download/upload speeds than my new desktop.  Researching my old laptop I stumbled across the SmartByte problem, with instructions how to disable it.  Having disabled SmartByte, my speeds tripled on the desktop.  My laptop did not have the service, so it stayed the same.  However, my download/upload speeds are still significantly lower than I should be getting, so I have to wonder what else Dell had put into its desktops that prevent fast internet speeds.  I have always had good luck with Dell as far as reliability and longevity, but this fiasco makes me wonder whether I want to stay with them.  

What is Smartbye supposed to be doing? It’s worse than an actual virus AND is a completely unnecessary piece of bloatware software.

It’s also somehow intercepting ssl connection data (or at least throttling them) - again for no good reason.  Dell should stop distributing this software immediately.  No software should be tinkering with ssl or its connectivity timeouts.

I’ve just worked on a dell 7000 laptop which took 2+ hours longer to setup because of this inbuilt cr*p software. When running, ssl connections (which are required to setup a laptop) they get blocked/reset throwing an “ssl reset” error.  Only once smartbyte and smartbyte drivers / services were un-installed - did ssl start behaving.  

Dell, do your due diligence and test your machine images!

I had similar issues.  It's a brand new Dell i5 8400 and the download (over hard-wired ethernet) is 20Mbps.  I thought it was the modem, and then the router.  I updated all firmware and then discovered that the problem was unique to just my Dell Inspiron desktop. 

I did update the SmartByte software to the latest version, and now I have the same download speeds as other hard-connected Windows 10 devices.

For me, it appears the latest version of the software solves the issue, but it's pretty frustrating because the Dell Support reps (that answer the phone) don't seem to know they have this problem. 

I thank those who created and updated these two threads on this topic.  I spent hours trying to check ever piece of networking equipment and then discovered it's an issue with some **bleep** software Dell has installed.

And another one with this issue. My brand new Inspiron 5477 AIO was getting a paltry 12Mbps max from my Virgin Media 100, videos would constantly stop and buffer, and occasional complete dropouts were common. Oddly enough, the Ookla speedtest app was reporting download speeds of ~110Mbps (which my Android devices were also getting) but the same test on speedtest.net via a web browser reported about 8Mbps. Thankfully, I found these posts and uninstalled Smartbyte, this immediately sorted the problem. How can Dell ship their otherwise excellent systems with this appalling software? It clearly doesn;t do what's intended, judging by the volume of complaints I'm seeing. P.s. uninstalling from the Apps section of settings seems to be the only way to get rid permanently.

On my Dell Inspiron 3650 I has getting about 9Mbs on a 300Mbs Internet service, connected via Ethernet. The HP laptop sitting on my desk connected to the same switch via Ethernet gets 115Mbs download.ubl

I spent a day troubleshooting the Dell and came to the conclusion that it was something on the Dell. I was comparing side by side the startup services, HP laptop to Dell desktop, and saw SmartByte on the Dell. I did a quick search and found the thread in this forum recommending removal of SmartByte.

I removed SmartByte, rebooted, and speeds on the Dell now match the HP which is OK for my LAN.

Now I'll keep my fingers crossed that SmartByte doesn't come back.

When I finally chased this down as the cause of my problems and removed it, my download speed went from 6.6Mbps to 320Mbps. If it reinstalls itself I'm going to quarantine it in my antivirus.

I was getting 10Mbps download speeds plugged into my router (and wireless) on an Inspiron 15-7586 2-in-1. When I plugged directly into the cable modem I got 100Mbps. Spent an hour troubleshooting the router, then started looking at the software installed on the Dell. The culprit was the pre-installed SmartByte software (by Rivet). Once disabled/uninstalled I got the expected 400Mbps download. This piece of pre-installed software wasted hours of my time!

Purchased 2 Inspiron 3761 systems.  Download speeds were terrible over wifi, my kids couldn't even get Roblox to load.  Watching the network traffic graphs on the system with Task Manager showed the system downloading bursts of data and then stopping. 

After some searches I came across one of the threads on the SmartByte software and decided to uninstall it.  The system works great now, this software doesn't belong on a system with even a moderately fast internet connection by today's standards.

Speed test results with SmartByte were around 14Mbps, after uninstall speeds were in the 40s-50s.  Watching the traffic graphs in Task Manager after uninstall showed traffic was downloading at steady speeds without any of the bursts I noted before removal.

Hours of frustration, thanks Dell.  I was very close to re-formating and re-installing.

Count me as another person who removed Smartbyte.  Had AT&T out to the house to find out why my hardwired PC could only download at a max 10Mbps when I had 50Mbps service.  The tech replaced the Ethernet cable (which may have had a small issue) and his test device registered nearly 50Mbps.  I rebooted my PC and it also measured 50Mbps.  After the tech left (about 5 min), I reran the test and speed dropped back to 10Mbps.  Spent at least two hours updating every driver and searching like mad trying to figure out what was wrong and came upon this thread.  Thanks to all for warning me.  I'm hopeful it won't reinstall, but, at this point, I don't trust Dell!

Thank you for all the feedback and input in this thread. We encourage updating to the latest version on our website. We also ask users that are reporting the issue to provide the following information to their post as it is required to help resolve any issues that occur. 

• Exact System Model
• Version of SmartByte that was loaded showing the issue.
• Feedback on if this is a issue with the latest version. (2.5.731)

Thank you again for your time and patience.

Nicholas.

It is nice to see that Rivet responded, but I have just taken delivery of a Dell Inspiron laptop, direct from manufacturer, onto work WIFI and had an issue with slow speed.

Knowing my network is fine, I checked the drivers on the laptop, latest installed... and happened to come across this thread .. uninstalled Smartbyte and no issue! So I would assume that a laptop built in the last 3 weeks would have the most up to date software, being as it shipped with Windows 10 V1909

So in response to Rivet, why do you cap speeds in this modern day world of high speed internet? haev you actually worked with Dell in testing?

Why does Dell still ship with this poorly designed software?

More so, why does this install upon activation of a WIFI network WITHOUT permission or activate a prompt for installing software? Surely this is a bypass of the UAC and means that any virus could also bypass?

Dell, this has also led me to delete all the Dell software that comes along with the device so that at no stage in the future, can any "Preinstalled" software install WITHOUT my express permission.

This has reduced my trust in Dell......

Dell Inspiron 17 5000series with Windows 10

Same  here. Slow Wifi since months. Tried everything.
Stumbled upon this thread and first tried stopping the SmartByte service. That stopped my Wifi completely.

At wits end decided to make the provider come and check. If the issue was due to them the visit was for free. If not I would have to pay.
They found no issues and with their computer the Wifi was an incredible 300Mbps (mine around 20)

Finaly today Uninstalled Smartbyte. Wifi up to 100Mbps.

This is my 5th Dell and it will be my last!!!!