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May 28th, 2011 20:00
Drivers & Downloads - updates
At the Drivers & Downloads - updates page its shows dozens of updates for my PC, how does anyone know which ones you need or dont already have ? Seems to me a scan feature here would be nice to check on what updates you have or dont have, I see some of these updates are several years old, and I have updated my software here before but I dont remember which ones. If I recall even after you download these updates it still shows them on the list of updates. Again... it would be nice if you could do a scan here to see what you need or dont need.
DBV1K1NG
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DBV1K1NG
7 Posts
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May 29th, 2011 12:00
Hello there & thanks for reply, I just found the Drivers & Download page a bit confusing, Using the Dell Support Center ( which is a great program by the way ) and clicking on Get Drivers & Downloads it takes me to ... ( http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=US&l=EN&s=dhs&os=WLH&osl=EN&servicetag= Service removed per privacy policy >&appIndex=dellspct ) where it shows no less than 93 files. I have tried 2 of the commercial programs you mentioned and their scans show me needing a whole host of updates, some critical... but naturally of coarse you have to pay to find out which ones. Meanwhile.... Windows Update says wimdows is up do date so there you have it. I also use FileHippo.com Update Checker that is free but the pay programs always show me needing updates, imagine that ! :emotion-43: My PC seems to running fine so as you said ... if it aint broke dont mess with it. When I saw the 93 files at the Dell page it accurred to me that a scan feature here would be nice, at least a scan of the updates they are listing. Anyway... thanks again for your time & help... all the best !
Regards,
Dale
PS. I see your in Nashville so hello neighbor ! I'm up here in Vette city... BGKY. I saw your background as well, awsome... Ive been a huge NASA fan since I was a pup & watching the first moonwalk on TV at school. Love to chat with you sometime about going back.
fireberd
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May 29th, 2011 04:00
The download page is only a listing of what is available. If you access it by your service tag number it lists what is applicable to your system as it was configured when shipped, NOT what it needs. You have to decide which ones you want or need to update. Best to check out what the update does as many updates are only to fix specific items and if that item does not apply to your system and use then there is no need to install the driver.
If you access the downloads by your PC Model then it will list all downloads available for that model, incuding downloads for optional hardware.
There are commercial programs (some you have to pay for the service) that will scan your system and then tell you which devices or software have updates, however as Dell uses a lot of proprietary hardware non-Dell drivers do not always work, especially with audio.
Finally, along with what I noted about checking to see what the update does or fixes keep in mind the old adage about updates (especially the BIOS since a failed BIOS update and the ONLY option is to replace the motherboard) "If it ain't broke don't fix it".
(We are users helping users on here, not Dell employees).