Windows Vista

• Microsoft Releases Vista SP1

  Mon. Feb. 11, 2008
  by Mark Anderson, Client OS Development Mgr.

  Last week, Microsoft released Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) to manufacturing. Mike Nash from the Windows Vista Blog team shared the news last week, and followed up with a second post that explains a bit more how Microsoft plans to make it available to customers.

  SP1 introduces several improvements that customers will see, especially to battery life, performance, reliability and applications compatibility. In order to provide the best customer experience for our customers, Dell has already incorporated many of the most important fixes in our current OS load. Dell customers will begin seeing the entire service pack 1 on new systems ordered from Dell later in May this year. Additionally, customers should soon be able to download it from the Microsoft Windows Update. More information from Microsoft on testing and deploying Service Pack 1 is available here.

  Dell recommends that users of Vista migrate to SP1 as quickly as possible. More details on this topic to come in the future.

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• Dell improves Windows Vista notebook battery life

  Thu. Jan. 31, 2008
  by Daniel Judd, Product Group Strategist

  When I talk to customers, I get lots of questions about overall performance in Windows Vista—especially in the area of laptop battery life. I saw an idea called Make longer lasting batteries for better portability from IdeaStorm user winoffice on the topic. While Vista brings a number of improvements to the table like enhanced security and graphics, it's a new and sophisticated code stack. We've been working with Microsoft to address some of the factors that impact overall notebook battery life.

  Microsoft enabled a new set of power management tools that allow Dell to fine tune the operating system to the hardware. This is a great example of the unsung improvements Microsoft has made to the OS which will become more apparent over time.

  In November, Dell took advantage of these tools to make almost 40 configuration changes and updates. Some enhancements were straightforward, like making more intelligent use of hibernation sleep states, while others were more complex, like optimizing multi-core power management.

  If you are looking for optimal Windows Vista performance on a new system; consider a Dell. A good example is the Inspiron 1525 and you can read more about its strong battery performance in this recent review in Laptop Magazine.

  PS. If you are running Windows Vista on your Dell today and would like to utilize our optimizations, we'll post them to support.dell.com (and we'll update this post) in the coming weeks.

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• Dell Joins Microsoft and (PRODUCT) RED in the Fight Against AIDS in Africa

  Thu. Jan. 24, 2008
  by Lionel Menchaca, Chief Blogger

   

  You've probably seen some of the reaction about this in places like Gizmodo, and now I can confirm it. Today, we're making it easy for Dell customers who want to make a difference. Anyone who wants to join us to fight AIDS in Africa can do so by purchasing any of our (PRODUCT) RED-branded PCs. For Dell, this initiative represents an important step in our ongoing commitment to fight the spread of HIV around the globe.

  Dell (PRODUCT) RED products are all distinguished by bright red accents and (PRODUCT) RED branding. Each of these systems will come with a special version of Windows Vista Ultimate. Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT) RED includes six unique desktop wallpapers, a screen saver, and two Windows Sidebar gadgets and a (RED)-themed Windows DreamScene.

  Dell and Microsoft will make a combined contribution of $50 - 80 depending on the PC purchased to the Global Fund. Dell will contribute $5 for every (PRODUCT) RED printer sold. 100% of the contributed finds will go toward Global Fund-financed grants in Africa. To put it in perspective, the $80 contribution generated by the purchase of the (PRODUCT) RED XPS One with Vista Ultimate  is equivalent to more than six months of life-saving antiretroviral treatment for someone living with AIDS in Africa.

  Update 1/24, 10:30am—Here's a cool photo from Davos with Bill Gates, Bono and Michael Dell to celebrate the launch of these products. You can click on it for an enlarged version.

  

  Dell (PRODUCT) RED products are now available for order at www.dell.com/joinred. They will also be available in Best Buy stores throughout the United States by the end of the week. And beginning January 31, these products will be available through Dell in nearly 30 additional countries.

  Now for some details about the (PRODUCT) RED systems. Clicking on the images below will give you a larger picture.

  XPS One (PRODUCT) RED:

  • This is Dell's all-in-one product that I've blogged about before. Starting price is $1,599—every purchase results in an $80 contribution to The Global Fund.

   

  XPS M1330 (PRODUCT) RED:

  • This is our award-winning sub-four pound notebook that regular Direct2Dell readers are pretty familiar with. Starting price of $1,149—purchase results in a $50 contribution to the Global Fund.  

   

  XPS M1530 (PRODUCT) RED:

  • This is the larger 15" version of the XPS M1330. Lots of the same design and feature enhancements with a larger display. Starting price oof $1,149—purchase results in a $50 contribution to the Global Fund.  

   Dell 948 All-in-One Printer:

  • The 948 printer integrates fax, scan, copy, print and photo-printing capability together into an easy-to-use package without requiring a connection to a computer. Starting price of $149—purchase results in a $5 contribution to the Global Fund.

  

   

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• Blu-ray & Vista

  Wed. Nov. 21, 2007
  by Mark Anderson, Client OS Development Mgr.

  A while back, Peter Gutmann published a report discussing content protection under Vista; that report has led to some discussion in the blogosphere about Blu-ray playback. I wanted to take a few minutes to clarify some things.

  Much of the discussion has related to Vista's content protection methods, including HDCP. Much of the information currently floating around the blogosphere is outdated, especially that related to Blu-ray playback and HDCP.

  Most of the commercial content for Blu-ray (and HD-DVD for that matter) has protection policies that must be enforced by the playback device. Previous versions of Windows have contained similar content protection policies that have not adversely affected the use of the Windows platform as an excellent playback method, including Macrovision ACP on standard definition playback, Certified Output Protection Protocol (COPP) and S/PDIF.  None of these methods, including HDCP have made the windows platform a less reliable playback vehicle. Further, these requirements are the same on most commercial and consumer electronics devices that offer playback functionality. Dell systems provide a robust playback vehicle. Prior to offering Blu-ray for sale on any system, Dell validates the configuration for great playback on Vista. 

  Currently, with the exception of the XPS One, all Dell systems with Vista will playback Blu-ray correctly with any HDCP 1080p-capable monitor. The only exceptions are the XPS One (as Lionel pointed out) and configurations with the some entry-level versions of ATI cards which will have HDCP content protection but will not have the memory bandwidth to play back in full 1080p.  For additional information on Blu-ray playback in full 1080p with HDCP, please see this entry on the Microsoft Vista blog.

   

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• Vista Service Pack One

  Wed. Oct. 17, 2007
  by Mark Anderson, Client OS Development Mgr.
  You may have heard some of the early rumblings about Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) back in May. In August, Nick White on the Vista blog team officially announced it's existence, and late last month, Microsoft began a private beta of it.

  I wanted to share some basic details about SP1. It includes a number of fixes that will provide greater battery life for mobile systems and greater overall reliability and application compatibility. 

  Here are some basic questions that I wanted to provide some perspective on:

  What is a Service Pack?

  Once a major OS is released, issues will begin to crop up.  In the case of Microsoft, they will release a number of fixes until a critical mass is reached.  Once the requisite number of fixes is complete, Microsoft will test and deliver a Service Pack.  This is because it is necessary to test the fixes as a cohesive whole to ensure that they all work and play well together.  In the case of Vista the Beta level version of the 1st service pack has just been released for early testing. 

  What fixes are in Windows Vista Service Pack 1?

  In Vista Service Pack 1 has added 300+ fixes (approximately 50 Mb) many of which the casual user will not notice.  However, there are several fixes designed to improve Battery Life, Performance, Reliability and Application Compatibility.  The performance improvements that are most noticeable are around media and file copying.  There will also be changes to the way wireless connectivity works.  For the Business IT department, Vista SP1 makes a number of changes related to way Vista is administered on a network.  Overall, the service pack provides everyone with a better product.

  What will Dell do to ensure that Vista SP1 works best on Dell Systems?

  Dell has been working with Microsoft on Vista Service Pack 1 for several months now.  Much of our time, early on, has been around working with Microsoft to determine what fixes and design changes to the existing OS will be included in the final release of the Service Pack.  In addition we have been working with Microsoft on verifying individual fixes before they are included in the service pack.  We have also been busy working with Microsoft on the test plans for the service pack.  Now that we have Beta 1 in house we will begin our comprehensive testing of the OS.  In all by the time of release we will have tested the service pack with teams from all over the world to ensure Vista Service Pack 1 works well with Dell systems.  Much of our testing will not only be testing the Service Pack for factory installation, but also verifying the upgrade path to ensure that our customers who purchased Vista will be able to upgrade their Dell systems to Service Pack 1 with no problems. 

  Should I upgrade to Vista Service Pack 1?

  Remember that we are still in the Beta testing stage, but with the changes to battery life, reliability, and application compatibility that are in build and working the answer is an unqualified YES.   While there is much testing left to do and I am sure several changes to come, Vista SP1 resolves the vast majority of the issues and annoyances I have had with Vista Gold.  I would not recommend for the casual user to go out and join the beta program to get a copy now, when the beta is complete, Vista SP 1 will be available on Windows Update and all users should then strongly consider installing the update.  Windows Update provides an excellent and reliable mechanism to get SP1 once it is released and will allow all Windows Gold customers to get up to SP1 quickly and easily. 

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• Making Support Easier Through Dell Support Center

  Mon. Jun. 25, 2007
  by Julie Lary, Dell Client Services

  If you wanted to find the address for a restaurant in another city or locate the closest bookstore, you’d probably look online. For a lot of folks, the Internet is the first place they look for the name, address and telephone number of businesses and services. It's easy and it's quick.

  Update, 12-6: Some of you have reported errors with earlier versions of Dell Support Center. I just posted more details on how to uninstall and reinstall Dell Support Center. I hope this helps any of you who are still having problems with it. Sorry for the inconvenience.

  We're about to roll out a new tool called Dell Support Center, and our hope is that it makes getting online support easier. When you click on the desktop icon, the application opens and presents links to:

  • Self-help tools
  • Dell support contact information
  • Resources that are specific to your systems
  • Other support and service resources

  Dell Support Center makes it easier for you to find the service, support and system-specific information you need… when you need it. The Dell Support Center was designed by users for users. We started with a clean slate and asked customers to tell us what they look for on Dell.com. One clear message is that customers want to have information about their system at their fingertips.

  At the very top of the Dell Support Center, you’ll find the model number for your system along with its service tag, express service code and warranty expiration. When you give permission to Dell to use your service tag, we can provide additional details about your system, such as available memory, disk space, installed hardware, network addresses and modem, installed security software, and much more. In addition, using your service tag, we can link you to the most relevant Dell.com web pages for renewing your warranty, ordering accessories and installing recommended drivers and downloads.

  Having this system-specific information at your fingertips can save you time and effort when maintaining your system or working with a Dell support technician.

  We know how challenging it can be to quickly contact a support technician. That’s why the Assistance from Dell section of the Dell Support Center provides links to Dell Technical Support via email, chat or phone. You can also access online training materials and tutorials.

  Dell Support Center launches soon and it will be available in multiple languages. During its development, over 160,000 Dell customers tested the software. One of the most popular sections was Self-Help Tools. In two-clicks you can check the performance of your system, access a network assistance tool, or learn about security and backup solutions.

  We invite you to download this free application and try it for yourself. Visit www.dell.com/dellsupportcenter. If you're interested in seeing the kind of functionality Dell Support Center provides, take a look at this video. It joins tools like PC Tune-Up and the updated DellConnect remote service to provide new ways to help you prevent issues altogether or to make it easier to diagnose problems when they do occur.
  

  Format: flv Duration: 6:29

  Downloads WMV  MP4  OGG

   

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• More on Vista Application Compatibility

  Fri. Jun. 08, 2007
  by Mark Anderson, Client OS Development Mgr.

  Since my first post on Vista application compatibility, it's still a hot topic among many of a range of customers. Whether you're a home user or a business user, chances are good that you've invested in software that you want to continue to run after switching to Vista.

  That’s why Microsoft worked on the Program Compatibility Wizard in hopes that applications that did not natively work with Windows Vista would still have an opportunity. It works well with applications that do not require direct access to hardware or a special connection to a network or the internet.

  

                         How to Launch the Program Compatibility Wizard
  

  During the beta of Windows Vista, Microsoft collected the most popular applications in all the major categories from games to business (and hundreds of beta testers reporting more applications). Applications fail for a variety of reasons. Examples include:

  • Looking particular versions of Windows or Windows components and when they don’t find them they don’t install.
  • Trying to write to an area of the drive or the Registry that Windows Vista has locked down for security reasons.
  • Opening a port in the firewall and leaving it open while the applications runs.

  There are more, but you get the point. For many of these, Microsoft incorporates a “shim” or a small fix that allows the application to work as expected in Windows Vista; otherwise, things like “version lies” or virtualized files can be used. These shims are very similar to what happens when you use the Program Compatibility Wizard that I went through earlier. Microsoft worked on many of the most popular applications, but there are thousands and thousands of smaller applications that our users have come to depend on.

  More Help Troubleshooting Applications issues

  They also recently published a Knowledge Base Article that defines the different types of application problems a user can encounter and the best way to work through those issues. It is really a collection of four articles that take a user from installing Windows Vista to installing their application on to Windows Vista.

  Small Business and Microsoft Virtual PC 2007

  Beyond that, they released Virtual PC 2007 back in February. You can download it here and it’s something I’ve found pretty useful. It is designed for Windows Vista Business, Vista Enterprise and Vista Ultimate Edition. (I installed it on Vista Home Premium and while it is not on the system requirements list, it installed and ran fine).

  Now why do I bring this up? VPC2007 is another tool for businesses who want to upgrade their computers to Windows Vista, but have one or two legacy applications they cannot do without. VPC is a free download and is amazingly easy to set up and run. Take a look at the screen shot from my Windows Vista at home with two monitors.
   

  The left side is my primary monitor running Windows Vista Home Premium. I have 1GB of memory, so this machine is pretty typical. (VPC2007 runs better with more memory) On the right side is my secondary monitor running VCP2007 hosting Windows XP Professional. I can move my mouse between the two monitors and switch back and forth between operating systems.

  To demonstrate the versatility of this setup, I loaded Nero 6 Ultra onto the Windows XP Pro in VPC. I enabled Nero ImageDrive 2.29 which is not compatible with Windows Vista. This program allows you to copy a CD image and then load and play it without having to insert the CD. Until I go buy the latest version of Nero that is fully Vista Compatible, I can use VPC to use the one I have.

  I recommend walking through the Application Compatibility demo.

  And if you are interested in a test drive of Windows XP SP2, Microsoft has one for download with the stated purpose of testing Internet Explorer 7. This version of XP will expire on 8/17/2007.

  In the Long Run

  During any OS transition there are compatibility issues that must be overcome, especially for applications. It’s important that over time these work-arounds be set aside and you install and run software that is 100% Windows Vista certified. This is the best way to get the most out of your computer, your hardware and your operating system. It’s nice to be able to run the same accounting program that you bought in 1998, but you are also missing out on the great new features and new security available in today’s software.

  If you're planning on upgrading to Vista soon, here's some software compatibility tips to consider: 

  • Visit the web site of your favorite software vendors.
  • Look for patches that will make your old software run better in Vista
  • Check out what an upgrade might cost and see if they have a deal since you’ve bought from them before.
  • Spend time hunting around and talking with friends to see what other applications you might try.
  • Check out Microsoft's list of applications that have earned the Vista logo.
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• Update on Windows Vista Upgrade

  Thu. May. 03, 2007
  by Lionel Menchaca, Chief Blogger

  Bill B. just posted this on the Vista Dell Community Forum page and I wanted to get this on the blog as well.

  Thanks to all for posting regarding the status of Vista Upgrade orders. Apologize for the frustration that many of you have experienced. I wanted to make some more information available.

  As of April 30, we have shipped approximately 80% of the upgrades. We expect the bulk of the remaining orders to ship by May 15, and all scheduled orders to be shipped should be completed by the end of May, barring any unforeseen additional delays.

  We fully expect to be continuing to deal with "unresolved" orders for sometime after that. These types of orders would include undeliverable addresses, declined credit cards, address changes, and incomplete/erroneous shipments, to name a few. Most of the customers in this situation will or have already received email communication about their orders.

  Further information can be found in the FAQ section at the Dell Vista Upgrade site. Contact information can be found here for customers with problem orders. If order status and delay issues need to be addressed further, please use the Unresolved Issues link to submit a request for assistance from Dell case managers.

  Most of you are already familiar with the above links. Beyond those, the other option is to submit a comment to this post with a brief descrisption of the issue(s) you need resolved along with the following details:

  • Service tag
  • Ship to address
  • E-Mail address
  • Daytime contact phone number
  • Registration order number

  I will not publish your comments. I’ll get your information to people who can help. Thanks again for your patience.

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• Vista Version of Sound Blaster Audigy MB Software Now Available for Download

  Mon. Apr. 30, 2007
  by Lionel Menchaca, Chief Blogger

  Since there are lots of customers out there who have been waiting for this download, wanted to make sure you did not miss the update the Doug just published in his original post. The Vista software for the Sound Blaster Audigy Advanced HD audio is now available for download.

  Click here to download.

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• Home Users: Windows XP Returns

  Thu. Apr. 19, 2007
  by Lionel Menchaca, Chief Blogger

  Just after the IdeaStorm launch, a user called Javaprog07 posted an idea called "Don't eliminate XP just yet."  After Tom West's post that said Dell would offer Windows XP on systems for small business customers, many Direct2Dell readers like giosetti, JMXZ, Reid Stott, have commented or sent e-mails asking us to bring back Windows XP for home users as well.

  Today, we're doing that. 

  Starting now, consumers can now purchase Windows XP or XP Pro on Dimension E520 and E521 desktops, and on Inspiron 1501, E1405, E1505, and E1705 notebooks. Check out these links for notebooks and desktops with Windows XP (or XP Pro). 

  For more details, see the Ideas in Action section of IdeaStorm.

  Update:  At this point, this applies to U.S. customers only. My apologies for not clarifying this upfront. I will update this blog post with any new  developments for non-U.S. customers.
  

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