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Update or Uninstallation of WIDCOMM Bluetooth Software may delete all files on hard drive
Yesterday, I wanted to update the WIDCOMM Bluetooth Software for the Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Module for my E6410.
However, the update went havoc. It started uninstalling the previous version which took strangely long. At some point I have noticed that the programs in the start menu disappeared. I have checked the program files folder with explorer only to find empty directories. I killed the msiexec process but, of course, damage was done. The btwinlog.txt shows that it went through all folders in alphabetic order and was busy deleting my files when I interrupted it.
Lucky enough, I was finally able to restore everything with Windows 7 System Restore from the recovery tools of the advanced boot options. Still I have wasted most of my working day finding the best and fastest way to recover.
It seems I am not alone with that "problem". There is a thread in the microsoft forums on that: see here
Thus, be warned: updating your bluetooth driver may erase your hard drive!!
Does anyone know if those installers have a "dry run" option to see what it would do without actually doing it??
Gerald
runsondunkins
10 Posts
0
December 15th, 2010 14:00
It just happened to me on Thursday. I had to do a total reinstall. :emotion-37: I had multiple backups from earlier in the day, but I almost lost all my notes on a meeting I had in the afternoon. Luckily, Recuva (free) was able to recover the files.
My laptop is in this support limbo right now, but once I get it fixed, I'll be getting their Pro I.T. Support to immediately remove the download.
WonderingAloud
58 Posts
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December 20th, 2010 12:00
I feel a LOT BETTER NOW.
It's a small consolation, I know, but I'm glad it wasn't only just me who had this problem. I had to restore from a backup not once but twice (definition of insanity is doing things over and over expecting a different result).
I actually thought I'd done something wrong the first time, so I tried it again. That was two weeks ago.
I haven't checked to see if there is a newer update available that fixes the problem yet, but I am now naturally hesitant to try updating unless Dell support specifically states in the installation notes that the newer (newer than 6.2.1.2600) version has corrected the issue of WIPING OUT YOUR ENTIRE COMPUTER. Sorry about that, I had to get that out of my system.
Serves me right for trying to keep things up to date.
And on another note...it appears that Dell no longer supports the DVD burner that came installed in my E6410 anymore (I only got this thing two months ago). There is no sign on the Dell Drivers and Downloads site that the HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GU10N drive ever even existed! I was hoping for a firmware update.......but my drive is an orphan. And at such a young age too!
WA
cconnors56
14 Posts
0
July 28th, 2011 10:00
Old post, but I can confirm this as well. Trying to fix bluetooth problems on an E6410, and it wiped half the drive. Took a whole day to get it repaired and working again. What a waste. Unbelievable that a software install would do such a thing.
runsondunkins
10 Posts
0
July 28th, 2011 16:00
What's even more unbelievable is that Dell Support is fully aware of the problem and yet the driver is still available for downloading. Their stance is that because it affects other competitor brands that they are off the hook to respond. They won't even fully support the stuff that is in their own laptop, rather, they're shifting blame to the bluetooth chipset provider.
What they should be doing, is offering a recall to replace the chip with a different make and/or model.
kapkao
1 Message
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November 17th, 2011 14:00
I didnt see this until it was too late. I updated the driver and it wiped the entire C drive. Thanks Dell!
da2thoms
2 Posts
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September 5th, 2012 12:00
Same thing happened to me on my M6600. Dell's own Client System Update initiated the Bluetooth update as far as I can remember. Complete nightmare to dig out from. I can't believe this is still going on.
mariuscmr
1 Message
0
January 20th, 2013 17:00
I can confirm the above behavior today, in 21.01.2013! I just downloaded the bluetooth module driver and wiped out half of windows so all I maganed to get was a complete reinstallation with all my personal files (1.5 years of work) lost.
Tomorrow I'll call Dell and complain. Otherwise... it'll happen something bad in the social area.
kmjordan
1 Message
0
September 8th, 2013 09:00
Confirmed still unfixed - A Dell client update run on 4 Sep 2013 downloaded the Bluetooth driver for my Precision M4600 and it wiped out everything that wasn't running. When attempting to rebuild using the resource CD, the driver (earlier version) did exactly the same thing, so I am working on my second rebuild of the week. Social media has already seen the cursing!
Kim
gvde
18 Posts
0
September 11th, 2013 23:00
For the Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Module and Windows 7 x64 there is an update available through Windows Update:
Broadcom Corporation - Bluetooth Controller - Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Module
Installation date: 26.08.2013 09:20
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Optional
Broadcom Corporation Bluetooth Controller software update released in August, 2013
More information:
http://sysdev.microsoft.com/support/default.aspx
Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=hub
That update worked fine for me. It should be offered from the optional updates section in windows update.
More information at http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/ScopedViewInline.aspx?updateid=a06ac664-349a-4657-9e3c-4bef96912b8d
I would recommend to install the latest driver from Windows Update and ignore the one offered on the Dell website.
Bosskardo
5 Posts
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May 30th, 2014 01:00
I had the same problem on Inspiron 5010N with 365 Blutooth Module.
Widcomm bluetooth on Dell seems to be<ADMIN NOTE: Profanity removed as per TOU>, I've had so many problems with it and heard that others had problems too.
mtowery
10 Posts
0
August 4th, 2018 10:00
Additionally, this "blue tooth software" prevents Bluetooth service from starting up.
https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/Unable-to-start-the-bluetooth-stack-service/m-p/5764595#M4702
HOBIBUR RAHMAN
1 Message
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October 27th, 2018 08:00