Dell Driver Download Manager is Optional

yonkiman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:18:28 GMT

Wow. That is an unbelievably complicated and painful experience. To think that everyone else in the world just lets you right click and save the file driver to disk. Who exactly is Dell trying to "help" here? And what exactly is their definition of "help"? I spent 15 minutes trying to get this contraption to work with Firefox, then I find this blog explaining how the "Dell Driver Download Manager is Optional", so I spend another 15 minutes looking for the "Or Download Via our Internet Browser" button. I finally realized that you only seem to have that option available if the Dell Driver Download Manager is installed and functioning! Or something. I punted and got it to work with IE.

Dell must hate their customers very, very much.

DANRZ — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:57:04 GMT

I too have become very frustrated with the changes Dell has made, I use to be able to easily download drivers needed, now when I try to down load I get a yellow triangle bottom left of my screen - saying error on page, the top portion of the driver download screen turns grey. have never gotten a download option screen - called Dell tech support - they new nothing about this - I don't know what I can do to initiate down loads ??????

Bigbluecanada — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:32:08 GMT

If Dell wants a download app, and wants to get it right, look at Lenovo and HP. HP has the Softpaq downloader. It's fanastic for admins. You select your OS and the hardware, it lists all of the current drivers for that piece of hardware, and allows you to tick the ones you want, and downloads it. The downloads contain all of the important info you would need (softpaq number, driver name and version, install instructions, SILENT INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS), it's great. Lenovo has the Update Retriever which is similar, but I like the HP one a little better in regards to getting all current drivers for a system.

notsignedup1 — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:13:15 GMT

You soooooooo right. I had to laugh at your comment. I feel the pain bro.

notsignedup1 — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:07:04 GMT

Yes, indeed register just to complain. At least I have an outlet to vent. 3 days trying, 1 call to cust serv and now venting!

Over 28+ years electronics experience & downloading from the net since it was new. Dell downloads used to work properly. Im at the point now, where I very much WANT the Download Manager but cant "download" even that. I'm using a fresh install of XP with all updates as of today. I created a DELL support account so I could download more than 1 driver in my basket.(geesh) I get an option to DOWNLOAD or download and create ISO. It dont matter which one I click- the browser loads up like its getting ready to accept and then nothing.... No response from either option. How dis-appointing.

I've never owned a DELL, I am constantly reminded why I dont want one. Being in the service industry today is a double edged sword. Sure I fix anything of mine and most of what you got thats misbehavin', but I cant download a darn driver from DELL.

To make matters worse, the drivers I'm after are for an antique Optiplex GX110, PIII 600MHZ. What I go through for my customers and friends. They will never know. :)

I called customer service, I was connected to the Phillipines. How about that? Did that surprise me? NO. (another reminder)

The CSR told me unless I can give him the number off the box he couldnt help. I had to tell him 3x its not here. Everytime I said that, he replied, OH! I could barely understand him through normal conversation, I bet he couldn't understand my OHIO slang either. "Wheres the "Download Manager"? "I want to download it." "Where is the "Download Manager" on the downloads page?" How about this- On the "DOWNLOAD MANAGER" FAQ page, there's NO link to download it. (?) I dont think even DELL knows where they put it. How difficult must DELL make it......

I downloaded the .net 1-3.5 a second time to be sure and still nothing. The only other option is to use a different browser to test functionality. I know this XP system with a fresh system works fine on competitor sites, I've download lots of drivers for it already, this is the first glitch.

I VOTE THUMBS DOWN.

I just cant fathom how DELL can put propaganda on their website- "The Dell Driver Download Manager is a tool that has been developed by Dell to speed up and enhance the process of downloading files on to your computer. " Thats an oxy *** if I ever heard one.

The fact is, DELL dont want us, you or anybody to fix your old computer, they want you to buy a new one with drivers included!

On with the challenge.

networkconsulting — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:51:53 GMT

I've just registered to complain. I have instructed my client that Dell no longer supports downloading of drivers for his laptop. We walked through buying a new HP laptop. Congrats to Dell for completely missing the point of customer service. You must realize that the average downloader is actually a technician that usually controls the buying decision of your end users. So to my fellow technicians and consultants, try to speak with you clients before they buy and direct them to a company that appreciates and responds to the field technicians instead of transferring every phone call to a non-english speaking script reader.

intel-inside — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:40:29 GMT

Here's Firefox info for disabling pluggins like Dell Download Manger

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting+plugins?style_mode=inproduct

koottummel — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:33:52 GMT

I too registered just to lodge my protest against the new Del Download Manager. Even after struggling with it for over six hours, a computer geek like me could not find a solution to these problems mentioned. I had briefly gone thru the blogs and could not find a single blog in favour of the Dell's new Avatar "Download Manager". My advice to Dell is Keep it Simple and Stupid for the majority community.I do not use IE. But I have tried both Crome and Firefox, it doesn't work

Dell must revert to the traditional web based down-loaders unless otherwise a popular demand otherwise

intel-inside — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:29:29 GMT

It's happening again on August 19. Dell Driver Download Manager has messed up with the downloads. Trying to get drivers for an XPS 400 desktop and in Mozilla the only file that will download is the stupid Dell Driver Download Manger. Really guys has all this headache and loss of credibility been worth it?

Orbiter — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:35:12 GMT

I HATE THIS DOWNLOAD MANAGER!! HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE!!!! GET RID OF IT NOW!!! I CAN'T DO ANY WORK AND I CAN'T GET THIS LAPTOP WORKING YOU'RE GOING TO GET ME FIRED BECAUSE OF THIS STUPID APP!! I DON'T GET AN OPTION TO "OPT OUT" IT JUST THROWS UP THE .application FILE OVER AND OVER.

WHOEVER THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY FIRED AND THEIR NAME POSTED ON EVERY MAJOR TECHNOLOGY BOARD SO WE DON'T HAVE TO SUFFER THE WRATH OF THEIR IDIOCY EXCEPT AT A REPAIR SHOP AT BEST BUY!!!!