The email that was received on August 3 regarding Your service order from Dell,
became a reality yesterday afternoon when Bridgevine attempted to setup an installation time. I quickly informed them that I did not order this service!  Bridgevine stated that I had filled out a form online and that is why this service was being scheduled.  I told Bridgevine that I absolutely did not fill out a form and that I did not want their service since I already have cable service.  The phone call ended with an apology from Bridgevine for the inconvenience this had created for me.

WHO or WHAT filled out the Bridgevine order form with the information that I had just given to Dell chat?  At this point in time I am clueless.  Stay tuned.

Update 7:25 pm

E-Commerce Product Specialist
Bridgevine – Alpharetta, GA

ABOUT BRIDGEVINE: Bridgevine is the leading website and ecommerce platform promoting services online. Residential and business customers use Bridgevine’s cutting edge e-commerce web platform to search, evaluate, and purchase services from more than 500 service advertisers including Comcast, Time Warner, ATT, Verizon, Real Networks, Dlink, and Verizon. In addition, Bridgevine markets online and through key licensing relationships with companies such as Office Depot, Staples, and Dell. A privately held, venture-backed company, Bridgevine was formed in 2003 under the name Broadband National and offered a solution to a fragmented and confusing broadband marketplace. Since its inception, the company’s focus has broadened and millions have used its platform to buy digital services such as connectivity,…
ahemmmm –> Dell chat, an online form, and Bridgevine.

Last night I ran into a problem with software for a Dell desktop and needed a replacement CD for Windows XP Professional, SP3. I attempted to go to online chat via the Dell support site. Dell’s support site informed me that my warranty had run out! The computer was only 3 months old!

I then attempted to call Dell technical support via phone and was told that my computer was still under warranty.  I tried to explain to the support technician that Dell chat was normally how I chose to utilize technical support and that I was unable to get a chat window due to the warranty problem.  BTW, I do not like to use telephone support.  Eventually I was placed on hold and disconnected.

I went back online to Dell chat support and was able to file a request for my service tag.  The transaction did not take very long and I was a very happy end user until I looked at my email inbox…I received the Dell Chat Session Log at 7:24 pm EDT and also received Your service order from Dell at 7:33 pm EDT with McAfee approved links to https://cart.bridgevine.com .  The odd thing about Your service order from Dell is the fact that this email did not involve Dell at all!

The originating mx is from: 165.193.32.10 helo=at1mta1.usatln6.savvis.net
s601427at1ew02.usatln6.savvis.net [165.193.47.197]

The mx for bridgevine is: bridgevine.com.inbound15.mxlogicmx.net 208.65.144.12

The email from the falsified service order:

Thank you for your order! You are just one easy step away from enjoying your new service. <whisper from moi> What new service???

UPGRADE TO HD AND DIGITAL PHONE + INTL ONEPRICE    $59.90/mo.
Professional Installation    $19.95
Total Monthly Fees:    $59.90
Total One-Time Fees:    $19.95

I might surmise, based upon scanty evidence, that the contact information that was provided in this falsified email was the exact information that I had just provided to Dell technical support chat.  I currently do have an account with Time Warner Cable and this post is currently in research mode.

If you are wondering if my system is compromised, that does not appear to be the case!  I don’t know of any other tech who is as OCD with TCPView as moi…Until next time — Stay safe!

First rule of thumb for updating BIOS is:  any system that works correctly should only be updated for specific reasons. Flashing the BIOS will always change the hardware in some way.

WikiHow describes BIOS as “A computer’s Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) is embedded software on a motherboard that will control attached hardware. It provides an operating system with information about hardware, and is designed to support a specific range of components. The BIOS itself is typically an EEPROM, or Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory, that is programmed with “firmware”and has the ability to save small amounts of information specific to user configurations. BIOS components are often soldered to the motherboard and therefore not serviceable by the user. Still some of these can be inserted into a socket, allowing its replacement.”

If the BIOS is not current you may not be able to use certain features of hardware on your system.  This could cause your system to run inefficiently and may even stop running certain devices.  Sometimes upgrading BIOS will increase computer speed and compatibility with newer hardware.

Recently I had a Dell system that needed an urgent BIOS flash. I downloaded BIOS agent 3.61 in order to quickly identify computer BIOS information.  To install BIOS Agent unzip,  right-click on biosag.exe and select ‘run as administrator.  When BIOS Agent is installed click on GET BIOS (left lower section of screen.)

The original BIOS version for this Dell desktop is version 1.0.3 (08/14/2008.)  The updated BIOS version that is located in the Drivers and Downloads support section at Dell is version 1.0.8 (3/31/2009.)  BTW Dell listed this update as “urgent.”

Next download the BIOS flash file:

Be sure that you have closed out of all programs prior to installation of the BIOS flash file:

Before flashing the BIOS be sure to:

1- Have the computer connected to a UPS battery backup
2- Do not flash during inclement weather
3- Backup the computer
4- Read and understand all instructions.  If in doubt be sure to hire a computer professional.

You can begin here:

http://www.wimsbios.com/biosupdates.jsp

Questions?  Just leave a comment

Until next time, safe surfing!

Sometime just being overtired and working long hours can contribute to low brain function.  Maybe I should just tell you that this is an April Fool’s joke and leave it at that – but it is not a joke, and this happened to me during the wee hours of the morning of April 1, 2009.

Dell technical support chat (after waiting 40 minutes online) to *replace* a set of USB speakers:
Edited for brevity purposes

Agent (Dell_techid#): “Thank you for contacting Dell Technical Support. My name is Dell_techid# and my rep ID number is ######. How may I assist you today?”

Teksquisite: “my usb speakers are duds”
Teksquisite: “I have tried them on 4 different computers”
Agent (Dell_techid#): “I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to you because of this and I am really sorry that you had to wait so long to get connected to us. We are facing very high chat flow today. Please be assured I am here to assist you.”
Teksquisite: “the sound shows them as working but no sound”
Teksquisite: “i just want speakers that work”
Teksquisite: “device manager shows the driver as working”
Agent (Dell_techid#): “As per the records, you have Inspiron D530S with Windows Vista, am I correct?”
Teksquisite: “o errors”
Teksquisite: “yes”
Teksquisite: “volume is 66 and not grayed out”
Teksquisite: “no sound at all”
Agent (Dell_techid#): Teksquisite did you turn the speakers on?”
Agent (Dell_techid#): “Please be assured, I am here to assist you. There would be a round switch on top of one of the speakers , please turn the switch to turn the speakers on.”
Teksquisite: “LOLOL why didn’t you make it a slightly different color!”
Agent (Dell_techid#): Teksquisite are the speakers working now?”
Teksquisite: “yes”
Teksquisite: “hahahaha”
Teksquisite: “that is too funny”
Agent (Dell_techid#): “Great, is there anything else I can assist you with?”
Teksquisite: “and to think I do IT consulting”
Teksquisite: “no”
Teksquisite: “I am still cracking up here”
Teksquisite: “thanks”
Agent (Dell_techid#): “You are welcome. Please do not worry about any issues regarding your Dell system, it is our responsibility to make sure that your system works fine.”
Teksquisite: “ok so my advice to you is to make that button a gray color or something – because I did initally press it”
Teksquisite: “and did not know it turned”
Teksquisite: “hahahaha”
Teksquisite: “rofl”
Teksquisite: “omigawd I am dying here”
Teksquisite: “thanks”
Agent (Dell_techid#): “I understand, I will surely pass this feedback to the concerned department. It was really nice chatting with you, have a great time ahead.”
Agent (Dell_techid#): “Thank you for contacting Dell Technical Support and giving me the opportunity to assist you. I have included your Case # ######## with regards to the interaction we had today. Please keep this on file; it will assist you while contacting Dell in the fu”
ture.
Agent (Dell_techid#): “As there are no further messages or questions I will be disconnecting the chat now. Thank you for choosing Dell, we appreciate your business with Dell. Good bye.”
Session Ended

Sometimes product technology is just too simple!  I pressed the top of the speaker and monkey doodled with it but did not make a huge issue out of wondering where the volume button was located.  It all goes to show that even IT consultants are human!

Dell offers unpaid time off, voluntary separation -PC maker faces recession pressures.

Dell recently had to put a short-term hold on new hires and plans are underway to reduce contractors.  Having subcontracted for Dell I would also advise Dell to not allow their techs to send out a motherboard with every laptop warranty called in.

My experience with servicing Dell contracts is that techs from India tend to send out a motherboard with almost every laptop error.  Whether this is to appease the customer or just motherboard overkill by Dell techs – I think a reduction in motherboards shipped would save Dell massive amounts of money in such a troubled econmy.