Any ideas on this one?  If you call the 01344 number, they only put you through to hardware support - software apparently is not included in their support package and is a paid for service (as well as paid for telephone call!).

Interesting this; if they diagnose a problem with your computer that then relates back to the operating system, that's it, no further help, end of discussion, byeee!!!!

Found this randomly by searching google...

01344 373 716

I saw it as a main office number and a support number, but may be worth a try anyway...

You mention you are looking for the software support department...is the software acutally produced by Dell? If not, maybe try the software manufacturer.  

Also, I've heard about having to pay £20 upfront for them to even LISTEN to your problem, so a geographic number will not completely reduce the cost (I'm not completely sure of this though...there's usually some fee involved here in the US since the call is free to begin with)

Good luck in any case.

-Nick

Thanks Nick.  Yes, apparently they take your credit card details before they even hear your problem and then they listen to you - I was informed it's a minimum of £22 and can go up to £35.  AND the 0870 number is making them money out of you as you speak!

It's amazing - they are a reseller of the operating software, they make money on it, they use it to promote their hardware "Free XP blah blah", and you pay them in advance for support, but they won't cover it!!

I used one of the alternative numbers on this site to get through to Dell Technical Support - however this was for hardware problems only.  After running diagnostics they put me through to Software Support but said that if I needed to call it directly it would be 0844 3381600, but I can't find an alternative for this number.  As my call to Dell this morning lasted about an hour altogether, I'm glad I wasn't using the Hardware Support 0844 3381066 number.  An alternative for Software Support would be good if anyone has it.  Thanks.

Which number did you use (as an alternative)?

Your best bet would probably be to ring the Technical Switchboard on  +353 1279 5700 (this is an Irish number, so use 1899 or something like that) and see if they can put you through to Software Support.