It seems that deleting the Photo Album trial messes up the registry entry for Sonic Update Manager. Try going to "Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs/ Sonic Update Manager" and clicking on "Click here for support information". Click on the "Repair" button in the pop-up.
If that works, great. If it asks for the UM.msi file, you may have to get the install disc fom Dell. In that case, you will need to go through the above process again, since when the Update Manager tries to run and asks for that file on the install disc, it doesn't regognize it.

PS
Deleting AOL and Earthlink were definatly good ideas. Mke sure you uninstall them, don't just delete the shortcuts. even uninstalling AOL doesn't get rid of it fully. You would need to use something like SmartyUninstaller2006 (Free for 15 days)
( http://winnertweak.com/uninstaller/downloads/SmartyUninstaller2006.exe )
Or some kind of Registry cleaner like RegistryFix (Not Free to actually use, just free to inspect you registry) Or RegSupreme (http://www.macecraft.com/downloads/) (Note, I havent tried this one, but it has a free trial version)
if you have already uninstalled it.

What I don't understand for the life of me is why Dell doesn't ship the backup software cd's for all of the pre-loaded software????   Do we not pay for the software along with the computer. I want my cd's that I paid for.

Yes, you can select a Windows backup CD for 10 USD and they do provide a couple of CD's with your order, but not CDs for all of the software. Sonic is one of the programs without a CD provided. They sent it to me free upon request with no problem however, so I'm happy.

I understand the issue of shipping full programs, etc. but I see no reason why not to ship the backup software cd's with the system. I know they have this less the waste program going on but I just spend 45 minutes on the phone with tech support finally after getting transferred twice to different departments having him walk me through again the supposed isum hotfix for the Sonic problem and it didn't work AGAIN. So he finally stated that the will put in a request for them to ship me out the Sonic cd and I'm just hoping that will work. If not I am really going to be upset because I feel that it is not good business for you customers to have so much agony over something with a product.

"to have so much agony over something with a product", yes it is quite lame actually. Sonic update, just how important is that? I bought a new PC, mostly for the hardware, it came with windows and a few thingys... nice. We are making a fuss about Sonic & Corel Trial, offcourse we should, because it is simply enoying. But it seems quite silly to be stressing about something that is that unessential. Thats probably the reason why Dell hasn't come with a decent solution yet, or fixed it with new PC's. Overall I'm realy satisfied with the product and service. I put on a order from the Netherlands, to the US is suppose, within five days the put together machine traveled from Limerick Ireland to Eindhoven, Rotterdam & Delft, my doorstep.

The reason it was bothering me so much isn't because of what the program was but just the principle of the situation and that I can't stand for something on my computer to not be working. It drives me crazy and I will go stay up all night trying to fix it. It's just an OCD personality trait I guess but I have tried every solution that everyone has suggested with no resolve so I am not going to let it bother me anymore.

But with that said, I am still not satisfied with the level of customer service support that I have received from Dell about trying to resolve the situation. I am a business owner myself and I would not like my client's to feel that way about my business but I also know Mr. Dell doesn't care about my opinion.

Hi

Had the same problem. It is related to the Installshield. Try this.

http://saturn.installshield.com/isus/310/sdk/installshieldupdateservice.exe

Worked fine for me.

(Solution found in following posting: http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_other&message.id=46569 )

Regards

Franc

I'll try it after college, comments seem to be good. Thanks, this does look like a simple solution. Shouldn't be that hard.

Still haven't tried: other problems. There is however a hotfix released, so that should be the best option. I'll open a new topic about another Corel related problem.

I have tried to update Corel but I can't without the original cd which wasn't supplied by DELL.  Is there any way to do this?