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Tried the install for the last time.  Biggest waste of time.  I'm afraid the Apple commercials were right about Vista.  I would like to thank all of the people on the board who have given their advice regarding this install, but it is obvious that Dell's promise of selling a Vista ready or capable machine was misleading at least in my case. I've heard a myriad of soltions from unplugging my monitor at certain times during installation to creating a special partitions, etc ... So after the nonsense with the registration process to this terrible waste of time trying to install Vista, I have given up on this install and lost my hope in Dell, which I thought was great before this nightmare. Microsoft also shares the blame, but ultimately Dell should have understood what they could and could not do for their customers. This was a purely Dell event from the product registration fiasco to this. Instead of creating solutions for their customers they sought to create problems for them.  I'ld write a letter to Dell himself if I thought it would do any good or if their mailrooms are run like this operation he would probably never see it. Maybe a year from now I might revisit this whole thing again.

gdwrnch3 · Answer

Sorry to hear you had so much trouble. I love Vista on mine, all seven of them.

proimage1 · Answer

@dumasclub wrote:

Tried the install for the last time. Biggest waste of time. I'm afraid the Apple commercials were right about Vista. I would like to thank all of the people on the board who have given their advice regarding this install, but it is obvious that Dell's promise of selling a Vista ready or capable machine was misleading at least in my case. I've heard a myriad of soltions from unplugging my monitor at certain times during installation to creating a special partitions, etc ... So after the nonsense with the registration process to this terrible waste of time trying to install Vista, I have given up on this install and lost my hope in Dell, which I thought was great before this nightmare. Microsoft also shares the blame, but ultimately Dell should have understood what they could and could not do for their customers. This was a purely Dell event from the product registration fiasco to this. Instead of creating solutions for their customers they sought to create problems for them. I'ld write a letter to Dell himself if I thought it would do any good or if their mailrooms are run like this operation he would probably never see it. Maybe a year from now I might revisit this whole thing again.

I AM RIGHT THERE WITH YOU -- The very saddest thing about this - UNTIL This latest Dell purchase - I was Dell's biggest fan - no more - sure wish I had not even been dumber and purchased their silly and complete joke of a 3 year warranty.

flisk2 · Answer

My experience:   Two Discs, Install Disc 1 (Upgrade Assistant DVD).   I place the DVD into the drive and watch as the automations start to run.  It goes through the steps scanning to make sure my computer is compatible.  It's a brand new Dell, purchased less than 2 months ago.  No new hardware has been installed since it's purchase. The scan tells me that PCTrend Micro's software may have issues with Vista. Not a big deal, I have the install disc and checked out their website, that's an easy enough fix.  The scan complete and tells me that there are no other issues, software or hardware, that would prevent me from installing the Upgrade.  That the machine is compatible and ready.  It then goes on to tell me that there are some files it needs to delete but that they will be reinstalled when Vista is installed.  I continue, thinking to myself, Dell sold me the machine stating that it's Vista compatible, which is why I have this Vista Upgrade disc to begin with.   It then tells me to place the XP media center to vista express upgrade disc in.  I do so.   It goes thru a compatibility scan as well.  Odd I though we just did that. Low and behold there are 13 issues!   My sound card, 4 USB ports, etc.   It then tells me that I can continue with the upgrade, that these issues 'may' get fixed once Vista is installed.  I continue.   It then starts installing itself, but part of the way through I get a BLUE Screen that states there are compaitbility issues and the upgrade cannot continue.   At the bottom it tells me to restard the computer if this is the first time I've seen this BLUE Screen.   I do so.   when the computer restarts it takes me back into XP and a message pops up saying that there was an error with the windows upgrade and it could not be done.   Problem is: Remember back at the 1st disc when it deleted that files that it said Vista would re-install?  Yeah, they never got reinstalled.  They are all gone!   So in short, a product that Dell sold to me was sold under false pretenses.  It's not Vista compatible, otherwise Vista would have been a sucessful install right?  I could vertainly understand the issues if I had installed new hardware or software, but that has not happened.  I specifically avoided installing anything of the sort so that I COULD install Vista.  And now half of this computer no longer even works.   Of course I'll probably get flamed because on the Quick Card it states 'Be sure to backup your data.  Dell and Microsoft are not liable for any loss of data as a result of this upgrade.'   What a crock of .

dumasclub · Answer

It's frustrating. I'm sure there might eb a way to install Vista on my machine but I would have to have a computer science degree.  Customer service has as much understanding of the problem or even less than I do. The thing was that Dell's sales were dying because everybody was waiting for Vista in Febuary.  I took the bite on one of their Vista Capable machines.  Configurations are all different.  Nvidia video cards seem to be huge issue and that was known way before the release of Vista, apparently. The onboard video cards oddly enough are having very little issues. The advisor tells me that my computer is ready for Vista. No issues. The install says otherwise. I can't blame Microsoft because I know for a fact that the software works.

proimage1 · Answer

Here's is where I am right now -- I am NOT a computer pro - even though I feel I have a better than average knowledge and have been using pcs since doss and win 3.1 and have NEVER had these issues -- I ordered the so called express upgrade back in December - I still haven't received it - ( BIG SURPRISE - NOT ). I went ahead several weeks ago and purchased full version OEM Vista Home Premium - long story short - I crashed big time at least 3 times - IF and I mean IF I attempt to put Vista on this pc again - I will take it to a computer pro and let him work through the headaches - I have no doubt that it will install even when he also gets infamous BSOD - BUT - I have wasted way to much time dealing with it - so - it will cost me a few dollars to have someone else install it - but - at least I feel they can solve the issues of my so called Vista Compatible $2000+ new Dell -- !

Message Edited by proimage1 on 03-10-2007 09:51 PM

Infinite101 · Answer

Although Dell hasn't given us consistent advice with our Vista upgrades they are not the cause of the shipment delays. It is a 3rd party company called Moduslink. They also did it for HP. They both wen't terrible but give them some room to breathe guys!!!

gdwrnch3 · Answer

Most people here don't want to give anybody  any room to breathe, they just want someone to blame. Couldn't be their fault?

gdwrnch3 · Answer

I have no idea whats wrong. I have installed it in: XPS 700 w/raid 0--------Vista Ultimate XPS 400 w/raid 0--------Vista Ultimate Insperion E1705----------Vista Home Premium Insperion 9400-----------Vista Ultimate Insperion 9300-----------Vista Ultimate XPS Gen 2--------dual boot, XP Pro/Vista Business and even a sorry old Dimension 8200---Vista Buisness The only one that was a hassle, was the XPS 700, because of Nvidias lousy support.  They all run smooth now. I found hacked Nvidia drivers on http://guru3d.com Just be sure if you try them, you download Driver Cleaner Professional Edition, and totally remove your old drivers. The uninstall programs leave bits and pieces of old drivers in your system that usually cause conflicts. Very important if you use this utility, to follow the directions to the T.

flisk2 · Answer

Previously it was written: 'Most people here don't want to give anybody  any room to breathe, they just want someone to blame. Couldn't be their fault?'   I'd love to know how following directions and clicking next could be in any way shape or form my fault?   I'm leaning more towards these 13 errors that I got on this machine as being more of a non-compatibility issue with Vista.  I'm not sure how that even could be my fault, save for believeing that when Dell told me that the machine would be Vista compatible and I bought it thinking they told me the truth. Seems to me the fault is with Dell, considering they are the ones that advertised the machine was Vista compatible, when as it has been shown in fact, it's not.   Driver incompatibilites, hardware incompatibilities, etc.

dumasclub · Answer

I think what is making this so strange and bazaar is the randomness.  But then again the computer configurations are all different.   If Dell knew that Nvidia cards were not Vista ready or in some cases capable, they should not have sold them as such on systems. Oddly, people with lousy onboard Dell graphics are finding it easier to load up Vista than those with more higher powered video cards.

querry1 · Answer

Please go buy an apple. I have friend who just sent one back because the computer can't do anything unless it is apple related.   Vista loaded on my e1505 without flaw...I do have 2 gb of 667 mhz 5400 ddr2 memory though.   Vista is way better the XP and the only people your zooming are yourselves.   Vista is here and Vienna is coming. Xp is gone and so is Apple.

dumasclub · Answer

First off I'm not sure what 'zooming.' I agree Macs are only good if your running a Windows emulator. And then that seems defeatist.   Laptop installs of Vista from Dell are not having the same issues as desktops. It might be because of the different architecture of the PCs.  Dimension desktops, which mine is, are having a lot of problems.  Does e1505 come with an Nvidia video card?

querry1 · Answer

no no no..I have a friend that has xps 410 and Vista Premium ...all perfect. Vista is the only valid direction.

Seekerbeta · Answer

i didn't find any problem using vista on my Inspiron 6400 with Nvidia 7300 Go. it ran fine, i choose to go back to xp until such time as the support for third party software increases.

mike_dembski · Answer

I purchased a E1405 laptop with a Duo 1.83 processor, 1 gig of ram, integrated intel video, wifi and bluetooth. The upgrade took upwards of 12 hours. Some of the problems: 1. video drivers would not install until I found an installation utility that was not on Dell's web site or autoinstalled by the upgrade. 2. Even after isntalling the Roxio fix that is mentioned int he forums I still got consistent errors. They just stopped after about 4 or 5 reboots. 3. Had to install the new installshield upgrade, 4. license codes on AVG antivirus no longer worked and new ones had to be obtained, and the biggest problem was installing the updated drivers for the bluetooth. This took 2 chat sessions and 2 phone calls to Dell. The first three had me dealing with Dell techs that if the device manager said ti was installed and working correctly, considered the problem solved. They never listened to anything I said. The 4th Dell tech remoted in and spend almost an hour and 1/2 uninstalling all the old devices and drivers and reinstalling new ones. I am sorry I attempted the upgrade and should have know better. Sor far it 'appears' to be working. But it is also much slower that XP (I know, I need more Ram), especially during shutdown and bootup. VISTA looks much nice and it appears that it will be more secure. Most of the nice features were already available from other plugins.

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