SP3 potential problem

Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question. Please
re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with SP3. Since that
time I started having intermittent problems with the hot keys on my laptop,
namely the Fnkey and the end key which toggles my speakers on and off. The
functionality is there but the display that would appear on the screen no
longer is. Dell uses an application called Quick Set that controls this
functionality. They say that they have had reports of problems with this
application after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any
work-around. They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to do.
Any suggestions?

Homer

Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any more than 48
hours ago.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double
click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a
button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event
Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of
the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from
Event Viewer.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Homer wrote:
Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question.
Please re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with
SP3. Since that time I started having intermittent problems with the
hot keys on my laptop, namely the Fnkey and the end key which
toggles my speakers on and off. The functionality is there but the
display that would appear on the screen no longer is. Dell uses an
application called Quick Set that controls this functionality. They
say that they have had reports of problems with this application
after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any work-around.
They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to do. Any
suggestions?

Homer

Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any more than 48
hours ago.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double
click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a
button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event
Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of
the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from
Event Viewer.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Homer wrote:
Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question.
Please re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with
SP3. Since that time I started having intermittent problems with the
hot keys on my laptop, namely the Fnkey and the end key which
toggles my speakers on and off. The functionality is there but the
display that would appear on the screen no longer is. Dell uses an
application called Quick Set that controls this functionality. They
say that they have had reports of problems with this application
after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any work-around.
They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to do. Any
suggestions?

The instruction to reformat sounds like the default response for when tech
has no clue
Look on Dell site, FAQ's or their user Forums, also check for any relevent
Dell updates

"Homer" wrote in message
...
Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question.
Please
re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with SP3. Since
that
time I started having intermittent problems with the hot keys on my
laptop,
namely the Fnkey and the end key which toggles my speakers on and off.
The
functionality is there but the display that would appear on the screen no
longer is. Dell uses an application called Quick Set that controls this
functionality. They say that they have had reports of problems with this
application after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any
work-around. They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to
do.
Any suggestions?

The instruction to reformat sounds like the default response for when tech
has no clue
Look on Dell site, FAQ's or their user Forums, also check for any relevent
Dell updates

"Homer" wrote in message
...
Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question.
Please
re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with SP3. Since
that
time I started having intermittent problems with the hot keys on my
laptop,
namely the Fnkey and the end key which toggles my speakers on and off.
The
functionality is there but the display that would appear on the screen no
longer is. Dell uses an application called Quick Set that controls this
functionality. They say that they have had reports of problems with this
application after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any
work-around. They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to
do.
Any suggestions?

Per your request I've pasted just a few of the errors and warnings from the
event viewer for the last day or so. There are quite a few of the same
system errors.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: MsiInstaller
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1013
Date: 5/24/2009
Time: 10:50:54 AM
User: TUBBYSLAPTOPII\Tubby
Computer: TUBBYSLAPTOPII
Description:
Product: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 -- Setup cannot continue because this
version of the .NET Framework is incompatible with a previously installed
one. For more information, see
http://support.microsoft.com/support.../q312/5/00.asp

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 7b 37 31 33 31 36 34 36 {7131646
0008: 44 2d 43 44 33 43 2d 34 D-CD3C-4
0010: 30 46 34 2d 39 37 42 39 0F4-97B9
0018: 2d 43 44 39 45 34 45 36 -CD9E4E6
0020: 32 36 32 45 46 7d 262EF}

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 5/25/2009
Time: 6:47:35 PM
User: N/A
Computer: TUBBYSLAPTOPII
Description:
Faulting application skype.exe, version 4.0.0.206, faulting module unknown,
version 0.0.0.0, fault address 0x00000000.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 73 6b 79 ure sky
0018: 70 65 2e 65 78 65 20 34 pe.exe 4
0020: 2e 30 2e 30 2e 32 30 36 .0.0.206
0028: 20 69 6e 20 75 6e 6b 6e in unkn
0030: 6f 77 6e 20 30 2e 30 2e own 0.0.
0038: 30 2e 30 20 61 74 20 6f 0.0 at o
0040: 66 66 73 65 74 20 30 30 ffset 00
0048: 30 30 30 30 30 30 0d 0a 000000..


Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1001
Date: 5/26/2009
Time: 5:24:03 AM
User: N/A
Computer: TUBBYSLAPTOPII
Description:
Fault bucket 1127907097.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 42 75 63 6b 65 74 3a 20 Bucket:
0008: 31 31 32 37 39 30 37 30 11279070
0010: 39 37 0d 0a 97..


Event Type: Warning
Event Source: Userenv
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1517
Date: 5/26/2009
Time: 7:02:06 AM
User: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
Computer: TUBBYSLAPTOPII
Description:
Windows saved user TUBBYSLAPTOPII\Tubby registry while an application or
service was still using the registry during log off. The memory used by the
user's registry has not been freed. The registry will be unloaded when it is
no longer in use.

This is often caused by services running as a user account, try configuring
the services to run in either the LocalService or NetworkService account.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


Event Type: Error
Event Source: DCOM
Event Category: None
Event ID: 10000
Date: 5/26/2009
Time: 7:57:16 AM
User: TUBBYSLAPTOPII\Tubby
Computer: TUBBYSLAPTOPII
Description:
Unable to start a DCOM Server: {9FC8AD10-2E1B-45BE-B57A-478803561E1F}. The
error:
"The system cannot find the path specified. "
Happened while starting this command:
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\browser\ycommon.exe -Embedding

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: DCOM
Event Category: None
Event ID: 10000
Date: 5/26/2009
Time: 8:16:14 AM
User: TUBBYSLAPTOPII\Tubby
Computer: TUBBYSLAPTOPII
Description:
Unable to start a DCOM Server: {9FC8AD10-2E1B-45BE-B57A-478803561E1F}. The
error:
"The system cannot find the path specified. "
Happened while starting this command:
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\browser\ycommon.exe -Embedding

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


"Gerry" wrote:

Homer

Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any more than 48
hours ago.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double
click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a
button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event
Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of
the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from
Event Viewer.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Homer wrote:
Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question.
Please re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with
SP3. Since that time I started having intermittent problems with the
hot keys on my laptop, namely the Fnkey and the end key which
toggles my speakers on and off. The functionality is there but the
display that would appear on the screen no longer is. Dell uses an
application called Quick Set that controls this functionality. They
say that they have had reports of problems with this application
after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any work-around.
They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to do. Any
suggestions?

Per your request I've pasted just a few of the errors and warnings from the
event viewer for the last day or so. There are quite a few of the same
system errors.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: MsiInstaller
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1013
Date: 5/24/2009
Time: 10:50:54 AM
User: TUBBYSLAPTOPII\Tubby
Computer: TUBBYSLAPTOPII
Description:
Product: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 -- Setup cannot continue because this
version of the .NET Framework is incompatible with a previously installed
one. For more information, see
http://support.microsoft.com/support.../q312/5/00.asp

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 7b 37 31 33 31 36 34 36 {7131646
0008: 44 2d 43 44 33 43 2d 34 D-CD3C-4
0010: 30 46 34 2d 39 37 42 39 0F4-97B9
0018: 2d 43 44 39 45 34 45 36 -CD9E4E6
0020: 32 36 32 45 46 7d 262EF}

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 5/25/2009
Time: 6:47:35 PM
User: N/A
Computer: TUBBYSLAPTOPII
Description:
Faulting application skype.exe, version 4.0.0.206, faulting module unknown,
version 0.0.0.0, fault address 0x00000000.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 73 6b 79 ure sky
0018: 70 65 2e 65 78 65 20 34 pe.exe 4
0020: 2e 30 2e 30 2e 32 30 36 .0.0.206
0028: 20 69 6e 20 75 6e 6b 6e in unkn
0030: 6f 77 6e 20 30 2e 30 2e own 0.0.
0038: 30 2e 30 20 61 74 20 6f 0.0 at o
0040: 66 66 73 65 74 20 30 30 ffset 00
0048: 30 30 30 30 30 30 0d 0a 000000..


Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1001
Date: 5/26/2009
Time: 5:24:03 AM
User: N/A
Computer: TUBBYSLAPTOPII
Description:
Fault bucket 1127907097.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 42 75 63 6b 65 74 3a 20 Bucket:
0008: 31 31 32 37 39 30 37 30 11279070
0010: 39 37 0d 0a 97..


Event Type: Warning
Event Source: Userenv
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1517
Date: 5/26/2009
Time: 7:02:06 AM
User: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
Computer: TUBBYSLAPTOPII
Description:
Windows saved user TUBBYSLAPTOPII\Tubby registry while an application or
service was still using the registry during log off. The memory used by the
user's registry has not been freed. The registry will be unloaded when it is
no longer in use.

This is often caused by services running as a user account, try configuring
the services to run in either the LocalService or NetworkService account.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


Event Type: Error
Event Source: DCOM
Event Category: None
Event ID: 10000
Date: 5/26/2009
Time: 7:57:16 AM
User: TUBBYSLAPTOPII\Tubby
Computer: TUBBYSLAPTOPII
Description:
Unable to start a DCOM Server: {9FC8AD10-2E1B-45BE-B57A-478803561E1F}. The
error:
"The system cannot find the path specified. "
Happened while starting this command:
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\browser\ycommon.exe -Embedding

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: DCOM
Event Category: None
Event ID: 10000
Date: 5/26/2009
Time: 8:16:14 AM
User: TUBBYSLAPTOPII\Tubby
Computer: TUBBYSLAPTOPII
Description:
Unable to start a DCOM Server: {9FC8AD10-2E1B-45BE-B57A-478803561E1F}. The
error:
"The system cannot find the path specified. "
Happened while starting this command:
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\browser\ycommon.exe -Embedding

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


"Gerry" wrote:

Homer

Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any more than 48
hours ago.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.Microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double
click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a
button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event
Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of
the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from
Event Viewer.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Homer wrote:
Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question.
Please re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with
SP3. Since that time I started having intermittent problems with the
hot keys on my laptop, namely the Fnkey and the end key which
toggles my speakers on and off. The functionality is there but the
display that would appear on the screen no longer is. Dell uses an
application called Quick Set that controls this functionality. They
say that they have had reports of problems with this application
after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any work-around.
They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to do. Any
suggestions?

Hi Homer, my knowledge of XP is limited, but I may be able to offer some
assistance. I myself have had trouble as well as many others after
installing the SP3 service patch in XP. There may be two simple options you
could try:
1. Unistall it, the SP3 service pack, at your own risk
2. Do a system restore to a date before you installed SP3.

These two things could potentially help.

Let me know if thaty is helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Kaja

"Homer" wrote:

Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question. Please
re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with SP3. Since that
time I started having intermittent problems with the hot keys on my laptop,
namely the Fnkey and the end key which toggles my speakers on and off. The
functionality is there but the display that would appear on the screen no
longer is. Dell uses an application called Quick Set that controls this
functionality. They say that they have had reports of problems with this
application after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any
work-around. They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to do.
Any suggestions?

Hi Homer, my knowledge of XP is limited, but I may be able to offer some
assistance. I myself have had trouble as well as many others after
installing the SP3 service patch in XP. There may be two simple options you
could try:
1. Unistall it, the SP3 service pack, at your own risk
2. Do a system restore to a date before you installed SP3.

These two things could potentially help.

Let me know if thaty is helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Kaja

"Homer" wrote:

Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question. Please
re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with SP3. Since that
time I started having intermittent problems with the hot keys on my laptop,
namely the Fnkey and the end key which toggles my speakers on and off. The
functionality is there but the display that would appear on the screen no
longer is. Dell uses an application called Quick Set that controls this
functionality. They say that they have had reports of problems with this
application after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any
work-around. They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to do.
Any suggestions?

I have tried system restore and for whatever reason, no matter which of the
available dates prior to the SP3 install, my machine will not do it. It
keeps telling me it can't do a system restore. The function is not turned
off. As far as uninstalling the SP, what are the risks?

"Kaja" wrote:

Hi Homer, my knowledge of XP is limited, but I may be able to offer some
assistance. I myself have had trouble as well as many others after
installing the SP3 service patch in XP. There may be two simple options you
could try:
1. Unistall it, the SP3 service pack, at your own risk
2. Do a system restore to a date before you installed SP3.

These two things could potentially help.

Let me know if thaty is helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Kaja

"Homer" wrote:

Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question. Please
re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with SP3. Since that
time I started having intermittent problems with the hot keys on my laptop,
namely the Fnkey and the end key which toggles my speakers on and off. The
functionality is there but the display that would appear on the screen no
longer is. Dell uses an application called Quick Set that controls this
functionality. They say that they have had reports of problems with this
application after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any
work-around. They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to do.
Any suggestions?

I have tried system restore and for whatever reason, no matter which of the
available dates prior to the SP3 install, my machine will not do it. It
keeps telling me it can't do a system restore. The function is not turned
off. As far as uninstalling the SP, what are the risks?

"Kaja" wrote:

Hi Homer, my knowledge of XP is limited, but I may be able to offer some
assistance. I myself have had trouble as well as many others after
installing the SP3 service patch in XP. There may be two simple options you
could try:
1. Unistall it, the SP3 service pack, at your own risk
2. Do a system restore to a date before you installed SP3.

These two things could potentially help.

Let me know if thaty is helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Kaja

"Homer" wrote:

Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question. Please
re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with SP3. Since that
time I started having intermittent problems with the hot keys on my laptop,
namely the Fnkey and the end key which toggles my speakers on and off. The
functionality is there but the display that would appear on the screen no
longer is. Dell uses an application called Quick Set that controls this
functionality. They say that they have had reports of problems with this
application after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any
work-around. They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to do.
Any suggestions?

On May 26, 8:24*am, Homer wrote:
Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question. *Please
re-direct me if not. *Recently, my computer was updated with SP3. *Since that
time I started having intermittent problems with the hot keys on my laptop,
namely the Fnkey and the end key which toggles my speakers on and off. *The
functionality is there but the display that would appear on the screen no
longer is. *Dell uses an application called Quick Set that controls this
functionality. *They say that they have had reports of problems with this
application after SP3 was installed. *If this is true, is there any
work-around. *They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to do.
*Any suggestions?

To Hades with Dell and their generic advice. This advice will get you
our of their hair for a while. To them and their support call
customer management software the issue (a support call) is resolved
successfully. You are gone.

Workarounds are not acceptable. You need a solution.

After you install SP3, lots of things get updated, but probably
nothing to do with your Quick Set software - which is an application
that runs on your system by choice when you install it. MS doesn't
know ir care about Dells QS software.

It is very likely that after SP3 came out, manufacturers also had to
come out with their own updates to be compatible with the change SP3
made. It happens.

I would go to the Dell WWW site and search for Quick Set updates which
could be drivers, a replacement installation, etc. I would not
spend a lot of time there though unless you get an immediate hit.
They have a forum, but why wait.

Which makes you the least nervous?

1. Unintalling SP3
2. Uninstalling the Quick Set software and reinstalling it

If you don't have the QS sofware, download it (it's there, I looked),
uninstall it, reboot, make sure it is gone, and reinstall it.

This is what they should have told you to do when you talked to them.

Jose

On May 26, 8:24*am, Homer wrote:
Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question. *Please
re-direct me if not. *Recently, my computer was updated with SP3. *Since that
time I started having intermittent problems with the hot keys on my laptop,
namely the Fnkey and the end key which toggles my speakers on and off. *The
functionality is there but the display that would appear on the screen no
longer is. *Dell uses an application called Quick Set that controls this
functionality. *They say that they have had reports of problems with this
application after SP3 was installed. *If this is true, is there any
work-around. *They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to do.
*Any suggestions?

To Hades with Dell and their generic advice. This advice will get you
our of their hair for a while. To them and their support call
customer management software the issue (a support call) is resolved
successfully. You are gone.

Workarounds are not acceptable. You need a solution.

After you install SP3, lots of things get updated, but probably
nothing to do with your Quick Set software - which is an application
that runs on your system by choice when you install it. MS doesn't
know ir care about Dells QS software.

It is very likely that after SP3 came out, manufacturers also had to
come out with their own updates to be compatible with the change SP3
made. It happens.

I would go to the Dell WWW site and search for Quick Set updates which
could be drivers, a replacement installation, etc. I would not
spend a lot of time there though unless you get an immediate hit.
They have a forum, but why wait.

Which makes you the least nervous?

1. Unintalling SP3
2. Uninstalling the Quick Set software and reinstalling it

If you don't have the QS sofware, download it (it's there, I looked),
uninstall it, reboot, make sure it is gone, and reinstall it.

This is what they should have told you to do when you talked to them.

Jose

"Homer" wrote in message
...
Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question.
Please
re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with SP3. Since
that
time I started having intermittent problems with the hot keys on my
laptop,
namely the Fnkey and the end key which toggles my speakers on and off.
The
functionality is there but the display that would appear on the screen no
longer is. Dell uses an application called Quick Set that controls this
functionality. They say that they have had reports of problems with this
application after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any
work-around. They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to
do.
Any suggestions?

Yes, get better advice than what you got from Dell, which would have the
minor side effect of deleting all your data. Were backups mentioned?

Try reinstalling QuickSet, or ask Dell for a newer version that works.

HTH
-pk

"Homer" wrote in message
...
Hello,
Not sure if this is the appropriate newgroup to post this question.
Please
re-direct me if not. Recently, my computer was updated with SP3. Since
that
time I started having intermittent problems with the hot keys on my
laptop,
namely the Fnkey and the end key which toggles my speakers on and off.
The
functionality is there but the display that would appear on the screen no
longer is. Dell uses an application called Quick Set that controls this
functionality. They say that they have had reports of problems with this
application after SP3 was installed. If this is true, is there any
work-around. They want me to reformat my HD which I really don't want to
do.
Any suggestions?

Yes, get better advice than what you got from Dell, which would have the
minor side effect of deleting all your data. Were backups mentioned?

Try reinstalling QuickSet, or ask Dell for a newer version that works.

HTH
-pk