Have tried running it in compatibility mode - problem still remains that the driver installer can't actually detect a bluetooth module.
the external wireless switch works in terms of turning on and off wifi so i dont think that's the problem.
windows 7 upgrade advisor mentioned nothing about the bluetooth adaptor i dont think.
i was wondering if maybe there was something along hte lines of the bluetooth module being able to be turned off doubly - by the external wireless switch and through the OS. thus, i need to figure out how to turn on the bluetooth for the second time (ie the OS part)?
[EDIT]
solved:
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19275876/19489780.aspx