I just thought it would be useful in identifying problems - but I guess you are probably right in that it will be a waste of time.

I got the version 2 from http://support.euro.dell.com/uk/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=R57848&sid=&st=

Put your service tag after the last "=" but if you are USA then your service tag will not be recognised on the European database just like mine wasn't recognised in the USA database when I tried to follow your link.

I am trying to get it resolved because I had many problems with my machine when it first came out of the box and actually had to do a complete reinstall of windows xp within 24 hours of purchase! (see the post "customer care does it's usual bang up job", in the customer care non tech room for gory details). The above link is specifically for the 8300 windows xp so I am curious as what "platform is not supported" means exactly

Hello My friend

I got a dimension 8300 in jan 2004, and i am having the same trouble as you with dell support software, did you ever resolve the issue, if you did could you let me know.

Cheers

Sideswivelhead