I have a brand new Aurora R4 that has been having problems since I first powered it up, but is unfortunately past the 21-day return period. The first problem was an intermittent "no bootable device" error on startup.
After many attempts to fix this over the phone, Dell/Alienware sent a tech to my house to replace the disk drive. Two days later, they reinstalled all the drivers over the Internet. At the end of that process, I tried to shut down the computer, and Windows Updates attempted to install a lot of "critical" updates. At the end of that installation, the screen went dark, but the computer wouldn't shut off (I could still hear a fan). And pushing the power button didn't turn the machine back on until I depressed it for 5 to 10 seconds to actually turn the computer off first.
Since this time, the computer has never shut down correctly from the software, but always has to be manually turned off.
I called my regular tech again this morning (disappointing to have a "regular tech" after only a few weeks with an expensive new computer), and she restored the computer to a point yesterday before the Windows Updates (and before the installation of the command center and Windows Office). When I shut the computer down, it shut down properly.
The tech then said to me, "You don't really need Windows Updates, they are optional, and obviously interfering with your drivers and causing them not to work properly. The computer will work with its drivers and antivirus software; you don't need to install Updates."
?!?!?
Really? Is it just me, or does this seem bizarre? I'm actually being counseled NEVER to install Windows Updates on a brand new computer that I expect to use for years?
I said, "But I thought Windows Updates were necessary to help fix security holes and vulnerabilities in the operating system. You're saying I should never install even 'critical updates'?"
And she said, "That's what your security software is for. Updates are purely optional."
I said, "But my other Alienware machine has never had any problems installing updates."
Answer: "All machines have different drivers."
So ... help? Has anyone else been told never to install windows updates as a "solution" to the computer not shutting down (or having some other problem)? Countless IT guys over the years have told me always to install critical Windows updates ... should I really not EVER install critical Updates as a "solution" to my hardware not behaving properly?
When I expressed concerns, she told me I could choose which updates to install ... but how am I supposed to know which "critical" Windows Update will cause my R4 not to run properly?