Of just what use is a Dell Service Code?

[hobbit709]

Once again, I've had to reinstall Windows on somebody's crapped out Dell. The service code is supposed to help identify that configuration so that you can find the right drivers. RIGHT! I still have at least one driver each time that I have to download 3 or 4 to get the right one for that particular configuration. If the system is halfway working before I start, I check Device Manager to see what the hardware is, but sometimes you can't get that far. Yes, I could use the hidden system restore partition but then I have to spend two hours decrapifying it.

[canetoad]

1. On an elemental level

I share your pain. Only ever reloaded one Dell machine and I'll never get back the day I spent downloading the drivers.