is this only happening to me, or with the release of the new 3.0 and itunes 8.2, when I have my 3G 2.2.1 in DFU mode, the driver that comes up in Vista is no longer named Apple DFU mode or whatever it was before on 2.2.1 that had the word DFU in it, it just shows a regular apple mobile device driver whatever thing....

question: how do I know that I have succesfully entered DFU mode then if I don't see any difference in the drivers that I come in contact with?

if it's only a blank screen and it appears in itunes as a detected -in recovery mode- iphone, is that enough to assure me of DFU?

thanks!

Normal recovery mode can only be launched by iTunes, some other third party software or by the phone itself if something goes wrong during recovery process . Hence if you use hardware method(hold home + power button for 10 secs, than hold home button for remaining time) you are guaranteed to enter DFU mode(if your device isn't physically damaged). You shouldn't see anything on the screen(it may also be plain white). If you see Apple Boot logo , you probably didn't have proper timing for switching to DFU mode. If you see the picture with cable and message Plugin to iTunes this is normal recovery mode. If you see plugin to iTunes , with slide for emergancy call this is unactivated device [you should jailbreak]. Hope it clarifies a bit.

i know all of that stuff, but how do I REALLY know im in dfu mode in vista? because back on 2.2.1, the usb driver that would connect to my laptop would be a DFU mobile device thing, and, then id know im in dfu. Any thoughts?

It's not the effect of using particular operating system on your home computer. iPhone with it's new firmware probably does not longer notify the USB host with it's Apple (DFU) name but instead uses something less meaningful. You will have to rely on physical iphone condition [black screen etc.]. Besides if you THINK that you've put successfuly your phone in DFU ,it's screen is not showing anything and iTunes recognised your device as ready to restore then this logically implies you are in DFU.

There are some software tools to monitor communication between USB devices and the operating system, it might help you.