Dell - Software Support or Extortion?

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From: ECP Ringleader

Art Wolinsky <awolinsky@xxxxxxx>
http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Ringleaders/art.ht


Subject: Dell - Software Support or Extortion?

<SNIP>

[ ...
  I paid $49.95 plus
tax to have the tech tell me that the software is on a ghost
partition of the drive and the only way to get rid of it is to
reformat the drive. I would like someone from Dell to explain to me
why I am told to remove it through the Add or Remove Programs panel,
when it can't be done.  I it because people would be a tad bit upset
if the said, "If you do not want to receive the upgrade, you need
reformat your hard drive."

Personally, I feel this puts Dell right in the same category with the
spyware folks we all know and love.  The tech was quick to point out
at there are plenty of other utilities that report information back
to companies.  To that I replied, yes, and every one of them gives me
the option of not installing it or purchasing it.  Even the worst
spyware can be removed without reformatting a hard drive.  Dell's
software is going on my computer whether I like it or not and the
only way I can prevent it is to do a full data back up, reformat my
hard drive, and spend the next 3-4 day reinstalling all of my software.

I really don't think that's worth paying $50+ to find out.  At that
point, I asked him to put me in contact with someone who could refund
the $49.95 plus tax that I had just paid.  I was connected and
without a great deal of difficulty or undue time, I did get the refund.

As things stand, Dell will be losing me as a customer.

Art


Art Wolinsky
OEO 3DWriting, Inc.
awolinsky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.3dwriting.com

I am perfectly capable of learning from my mistakes.
I will surely learn a great deal today.

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