Dell customer support chat

[kleinma]

My friend wanted to buy an XPS system, so he asked me to check the specs.

So the system had 3GB of ram, but no indication ANYWHERE I could see if the Vista OS was x86 or x64, which should be known before buying it, to know what is going to be compatible and what not. So I clicked the chat button to ask them. I was a bit surprised to find out that it was x86, and that is all dell offers, so while you can go out and get an HP system right now with 8 GB of ram and x64 vista, you can't get a dell like that.

However my discussion with the dell rep was quite odd...

Matt I am looking over an XPS system for a friend who wants to buy one, so they wanted me to check out the specs

Matt I could not find anywhere that Dell indicates if the Vista operating system is the x86 or x64 version, which actually does matter a pretty good deal. I am surprised Dell does not indicate this when customizing a system.

BE_Rep_Melinda Hi matt.

BE_Rep_Melinda Well all our system comes with 32 bit OS.
Matt with no option of x64?

BE_Rep_Melinda yes.

BE_Rep_Melinda We do not have any option for a 64 bit OS.

Matt So is the maximum amount of ram you offer in any system limited then to 3GB?

BE_Rep_Melinda The maximum memory all our system can handle is 4 Gb,


BE_Rep_Melinda However it is in binary code with 32 bit.

Matt Windows x86 versions can't allocate a full 4GB of ram though

BE_Rep_Melinda That is correct because it reads in binary code.

Matt the system can not use all 4GB of ram because it reads it in binary code?

BE_Rep_Melinda yes.

Matt so I guess then on the x64 based windows systems, it does not read the ram in binary code then? so that is why it can handle more ram?

BE_Rep_Melinda that is correct.

Matt so how does the x64 system read the ram then? does it use trinary code or something?

BE_Rep_Melinda It can allocate up to 16 Gb of memory.

Matt ok thanks, I think you answered all my questions

BE_Rep_Melinda You're welcome, Matt.

Matt thank you, I learned lots of new things about ram and binary code from you today.

BE_Rep_Melinda You're very much welcome. Is there anything else i can help you with?

Matt nope that was all, thanks

[penagate]

Odd.

[penagate]

The last time I bought from Dell it took several back-and-forward emails before they acknowledged that I'd even paid them.

[kleinma]

I was sooooo hoping they would tell me "yes, vista x64 reads the ram in trinary code"

[Kasracer]

.... can't say I'm surprised. It would be nice if Dell had x64 as an option though. That's just dumb.

Also, fyi, some Windows 32-bit operating systems can handle more than 4GB. Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2), Datacenter Edition can handle 128GB on a 32-bit system.

[kleinma]

You can not go to a bestbuy or circuit city (or similar retail outlet) anymore around here and even get an x86 system. They mostly sell HPs, some gateways I think, toshibas and a few other brands. All of them have vista home premium or vista ultimate x64 version.

People buying top of the line dells are going to be mad when they release they are maxed out at what will be considered not a lot of ram in the not to distant future...

[kregg]

My first ever PC was a Dell. That survived hell and back. No matter how much stupid things they do, I can't stay mad at them.

[MartinLiss]

Interesting

[kregg]

That is for large businesses, though.

[kleinma]

Marty,

Perhaps it is only their business line of computers that they offer 64 bit operating systems on.

[kleinma]

My first ever PC was a Dell. That survived hell and back. No matter how much stupid things they do, I can't stay mad at them.

I would say about 80% of the repairs that come in the door here are dells. I dont know if that is because there are more being sold, but that is a lot to me.

[kregg]

I would say about 80% of the repairs that come in the door here are dells. I dont know if that is because there are more being sold, but that is a lot to me.

Maybe 80% of the people who use them are incompetent on using a computer?

[kleinma]

only 50% of the 80% I would say. The other 50% had legit problems with hardware or just compatibility. I saw a fell XP to Vista upgrades from dell where they didn't even have working drivers for all the hardware in the system, yet they were telling the customers to upgrade to vista. Then they blame the OS.

[I_Love_My_Vans]

I repair dells in work, one of the most stupid annoying thing is the old models used to have a non standard PSU, a standard ATX just wouldnt fit inthere!

Every dell I have ever opened up is also full of smokey, sticky dust, apart from on the XPS, I nearly broke my back carrying that.

[kleinma]

Lucky (on unlucky) for me most of the dell's I have to repair are laptops. If it is just a system board replacement, they are usually not too hard, but depending on the model, it can be a real nightmare to take them all apart.

[Jenner]

Wow, you found a real winner Kleinma. I had no idea you could use 4gig RAM because of binary code...

I've had to deal with a 4gig Dell though. Surprisingly, Vista x86 says it has access to all 4gig. The IO and video RAM is being forwarded by the BIOS somehow and the whole thing is set up like a house of cards. Somehow I doubt if the OS crashes, you'd be able to reload it easily

[visualAd]

Damn that binary code, it proves quite restrictive.

I once phoned Dell enquiring about a new laptop. The advisor proceeded to tell me that the computer I was thinking of buying was certified to connect to a network of up to 10,000 computers. I turned down that laptop because I was going to use it on a much larger network, the Internet.

[Arrow_Raider]

Vista 32 bit SP1 will report all 4gb, but it won't use all 4. Run winver.exe to see how much ram it can actually use.

I've heard that 32 bit applications run slower in a 64 bit environment since they must run through the WOW layer. Also, I'd imagine that there is a lot of hardware that only has 32 bit drivers and no 64 bit ones.

[wossname]

I was sooooo hoping they would tell me "yes, vista x64 reads the ram in trinary code"

Only when there is a "r" in the month.

[kregg]

The "r" would be silent.