Hi sinocelt,

I suggest you to download and install the Bluetooth drivers from the following link:
http://dell.to/QEZGnH

Please disable the driver update from Windows update and do not install it again. Let me know if you need further assistance.

Thank you, Rajath

Alas, it didn't work.

I downloaded the file, it unzipped itself, started to install the drivers, but then stopped with the following message:

This program has compatibility issues

When I click on Get help online, I land on a Microsoft page that states:

Solve a problem with Broadcom Bluetooth Software

Broadcom Bluetooth Software has been blocked from running because it might prevent your PC from starting correctly in the future.

Your version of Broadcom Bluetooth Software isn't compatible with this version of Windows.

I so regret "updating" to Windows 8. :emotion-12:

SEVEN hours. That's the time I spent today trying to make Bluetooth work, after sleeping only FOUR hours. I've also had problems with the video card (finally solved) and the fingerprint reader (which still doesn't allow me to log into Windows).

It seems the only solution I've got left is to have someone from Dell come and take this notebook away for repair. And to never, ever buy a Dell again. I had a Lenovo before, graciously provided by my university, and updating from XP to 7 went without a glitch. Apparently, I should have stuck with their products.

Hi sinocelt,

Thank you for your reply and it may be upsetting when the Bluetooth features fails to work. I have added you as a friend. Please accept my friend request by clicking on my name ‘DELL-Rajath N ’highlighted in blue and then click on “Friends” tab at the top and then click on “Request to Review” and finally click on “Accept” button.

I am sending you a private message as well. Click on “Inbox” to respond to the message and provide the system’s Service Tag and contact details(including the name on the account) so I may access your system records and check for further course of action. You could also click on Start Conversation to send a private message. Please let me know if this helps.

So finally, I had to spend SEVERAL MORE DAYS re-installing Windows 8 and all my programs. I also had to find two drivers that weren't available on Dell's website, and struggle to make the ATI driver work -- and it isn't even stable; from time to time, it just crashes, for no apparent reason.

Fortunately, Microsoft is now making its own computers, so that's what I'll buy, next time. That should make Windows upgrades a lot less painful. Ironically, with the money I lost from not being able to work for more than a week, I could already have bought another laptop.

Dell has really dropped the ball by saying the Vostro 3450 works with Windows 8. It doesn't. So either don't upgrade or buy a new computer. NOT a Dell!!!