Improving PC Performance

Bird · Jan 6, 2002

I'd appreciate it, Brandon, especially since I can't help with your current problem; never had a problem with my B7100 and don't know what could have happened to yours.

I called Dell back, and got a different kind of fellow this afternoon. He just insisted that the fact that the computer asks for that file and CD was just a mistake on Microsoft's part and that if I wanted the computer to accept faxes, I'd have to contact HP, then when I told him that was not the solution (the printer has nothing to do with it), he said I'd need to contact BVRP which provided the Phone Tools software, and when I told him it worked before under ME, he transferred me to another phone number that wanted a credit card number before you could talk to a person. So I called again and another guy also told me I'd have to call BVRP, but they're only open after 10 a.m. on weekdays. Needless to say, I'm pretty disgusted with Dell right now, since it appears that XP has a way to set up faxes. I checked BVRP's web site and I could buy Phone Tools for a little under $40 and may have to do that (or send this computer back to Dell).

TerryinMD · Jan 7, 2002

Bird,

Go to the HP site and check out if they've upgraded the G55 drivers and software for XP. I had to wait for HP to upgrade the software for our T45 (a multifunctional device). Once I got the updated software, the printer works as it did for ME.

To be honest, I wouldn't completely "trust" Dell to provide you with all of the lastest greatest. Probably best to hit each manufacturer site to get their latest and greatest software/drivers.

Terry

Bird · Jan 7, 2002

Thanks, Terry. I had done that and found that I had to uninstall the old HP software, and then XP has the necessary drivers for the printer built in. So it now prints, scans, and copies like it should. And this morning, I got through to BVRP and a nice lady there sent me an e-mail with all the instructions to download and install the latest version of Phone Tools for Dell (at no cost) for the fax function. So I did that, and it looks just like the older version. There's only one small problem; it doesn't work./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif I'm guessing there must be some settings that I haven't figure out yet and I'm bound to either figure it out or get her back on the phone eventually./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Devildog · Jan 8, 2002

Bird, which dell did you get. Jim

Bird · Jan 8, 2002

Jim, I have the Dell Dimension 8100, 1.3 GHz Pentium 4, 128 MB ram, CD-RW, 20 GB hard drive, and 250 MB Zip drive. And when I called BVRP back about the fax software not working, they told me it was because I didn't have the right driver for the modem. XP installed a "generic" modem driver that worked for the Internet, but not for the fax; said I needed to call Dell and get the driver for the particular modem installed in the computer. So, I called Dell again, and the fellow I got was adamant that there were no other drivers and the problem was BVRP software and it wasn't Dell's problem.

I eventually realized that I was getting nowhere, but fortunately, when I bought this computer, I took advantage of their financing (not a good deal and I've always paid cash up front in the past, but for some reason decided not to when I bought this one). So, when I couldn't get any help, I finally told him to go get his supervisor to tell me where to ship this junk because if it wouldn't work right, I wasn't paying for it. He put me on hold for 4 minutes and miraculously found a place for me to download the right driver./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

So, once again, I think I'm through with getting it set up. I'm still not happy with the fact that XP changed the drive letters so that the hard drive is now E instead of C (and Dell has no explanation for that one; just says it shouldn't have happened), but it works as long as you remember which is which. XP is pretty on the screen, and as expected, has some nice features and some not so nice. Only time will tell whether it's any better than prior versions.

MossRoad · Jan 8, 2002

Persistence at its finest! Good job.

TerryinMD · Jan 8, 2002

Bird,

I hope you got adamant with the fellow and his supervisor!! There is no reason for that kind of support. You did the right thing. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Terry

Devildog · Jan 8, 2002

Bird, Like you I opted for the finance this time, And you bought up a good point with being able to use that to your advantage/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I also 2nd what Terry said.
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Take care, Jim

MikePA · Jan 8, 2002

It baffles me how Dell can claim they are number 1 for support. I know that people tend to not share the good stories, but too many people I know have had very bad experiences from Dell support. Actually, not just Dell support, but Dell in general. Once person who works for me has not been able to get his $250 rebate from a system he bought early last winter. He gets run around their voicemail system, gets referred to web pages that don't exist, etc. No one at Dell will take ownership of his problem.