Dell Support 3.2 - New Version For Vista?

Question

I'm working on a brand new Dimension 9200 with Vista Business and I need to download and re-install the Dell Support application.   However, the only one I can find is the Dell Support 3.2.0 - A02 version dated 09/21/2006, file name R130222.exe, with the 'compatible operating system' listed as Windows XP, and not Vista.   I could swear that when I looked at the original Dell Support program which came pre-loaded on the system that the version was 3.2.2, but I could be wrong.   Could somebody please inform me if indeed there is an updated version of Dell Support which was created expressly for Vista, and if so where I can find and download it?   And before you ask 'what happened to the old one?', let's just say that it was necessary to do a clean install of Vista and leave it at that.   Thanks in advance.

cleggie · Answer

Looked at my Dell support on my new 9200 with vista ultimate and it is certainly version 3.2.2

Travis_Lloyd · Answer

Now that I've established that Dell Support 3.2.2 is indeed the new version for Vista machines, could somebody on this Forum (preferrably a Dell Technician) kindly point me toward where I can obtain it?   I have put ' Dell Support 3.2.2' (the exact wording you see on the application when you open it up) in the Dell Tech Support search engine repeatedly, but all it comes up with are the old versions for XP (3.2 and below), not the new one for Vista.   Now I know I'm not the only one out here of the thousands (soon to be millions) of Dell customers who need to download and install this new Vista-compatible version, for one reason or another, so how 'bout a little assistance please?   I've already done all the 'due dilligence' I can on my own, with the resources Dell has made available to me.   Accordingly, can some friendly, helpful Dell employee (or anybody else who happens to give a rip) please indicate (or link to) where this elusive file can be found?   I mean, it's not like it's Top Secret or anything, is it?

TopC · Answer

Just to add weight to Travis_Lloyd's request for the 3.2.2 version of Dell Support to be made available in the Drivers & Downloads web page (for Dimension 9200 with Vista).

I've just taken delivery of a new Dimension 9200 with Vista Home Premium. Out of curiosity I partitioned the disk and installed Vista from the supplied disk to see what it included. As a result I was able to do a side by side comparison of the installations. I noticed that the new installation didn't have a copy of the Dell Support software included. Further investigation revealed that there wasn't a copy on the supplied Drivers & Utilities disc and the version available from the web site is 3.2.1 and not intended for Vista. The pre installed version states that it is version 3.2.2 (as reported by Travis).

I was able to copy the pre installed 3.2.2 files from the Program Files folder to the new installation, and this did appear to work, although some files must be missing or in the wrong place as some of the documentation links don't work. Clearly not an ideal solution.

I also noticed that Dell's Welcome Center additions are missing along with the Customization Wizard and the documentation.

Please can Tech Support update the Drivers & Download pages.

luline62 · Answer

i am too having problem finding the correct dell support. I have the inspirion E1705 and have windows xp. The dell support version I have is the 3.2 which is not compatible with windows vista. Where do we find the updated version. I also went to the downloaddrivers area and they only have the older version which i have already. I got my computer may of last year.

condie1 · Answer

I found it hard to believe that Dell Suport 3.2.2 is not available in Downloads, so I wasted a few hours searching and got this from "support."

Mr. Condie, in order to resolve the issue, I would like to let you know that, as of now system shipping with vista installed has dell support preinstalled. There is no separate CD available to install in the Vista installed system. If you remove or delete the dell support program from the Vista installed system you would not be able to downlaod or install it in the system.

Uksvet · Answer

I'm in this same boat, and I find it totally ludicrous that Dell won't reveal the location of the Dell Support 3.2.2 for Vista application so it can be downloaded and installed, just like the 3.2.0 version for Windows XP.   Now you know d*mn good and well that if it's installed on all the new Vista computers which Dell sells (and it is) they have (or can very easily make) it available for download, exactly as they do all the other supplemental programs.   I (and all the others under this topic, I'm sure) simply insist that Dell quit jacking us around and make this crummy little download available to us immediately!   As one of the guys said above, it's not Top Secret or anything, so why the Devil are you treating it that way?   So, either cough it up or at least have the decency to tell us why you won't!   According to the date on the original post it's been over a quarter of a year now, and that's more than enough time to quit sticking it to us and do the right thing.

Travis_Lloyd · Answer

Dell Support 3.4 for Vista is here at last!   Why it's not listed as 3.2.2 as it comes (or at least came) on their new Vista units is still a mystery, but at this point who cares?   Also a mystery is why it took them d*mn near 6 months to post it in the Downloads Section, but that's a rumination for another time and place.   They apparently just snuck it up there a few days ago, without any fanfare (or letting anybody on this Forum know, from what I can see; if I'm wrong then I'll apologize).   The file name I found it under is R157977.EXE in the 'Notebook' (Inspiron) section, so it could be under a different one elsewhere for the Desktops, depending.   With this bunch you just never know.   I just installed it on an older Dimension 4600 running Vista Business Edition and it seems to be working fine.   Thanks Dell, for finally answering our repeated requests, after almost 1/2 a year...

Windows General

Dell Support 3.2 - New Version For Vista?

Was this post helpful?