E6410 Owner's Thread

Hmm, CPU is reading 48/51 with the fan at 2900. GPU is hovering around 60 with fan at 100%, which may be part of the problem. I'm not running anything except firefox at the moment, but CPU speeds do seem to be running around 2.8ghz for no apparent reason.

EDIT: Setting power settings to "balanced" seems to have brought CPU speeds down to something a bit more reasonable. However the CPU fan is also showing 0 RPM now. Is there a way to manually control the fan speed?

 

The CPU should keep dropping down to 1.2GHz (the green zone on HWiNFO32's display). Did you install the Intel TurboBoost driver? Also make sure that you are balanced power profile that lets SpeedStep do its thing. The other place to check is Task Manager to see if any program has high CPU usage. [I use Flashblock and Adblock Plus with Firefox to prevent power-guzzling Flash adverts.]

PS: I see your edit - one on my list to check.

PPS:

Not that I know of - I8kFanGUI doesn't work with the newer Dells. You could check out Speedfan.

John

 

I have installed all the controlpoint drivers. I downloaded the ZTE TCM drivers but I am unsure what to do with them. The .exe just unzips a bunch of files to a directory. One of them is tcm.inf, but when I try to use the "install" option in the context menu I get a message that the file "does not support this method of installation."

You were right about the balanced power setting - the computer runs much cooler now.

 

You also need to install Dell Control Point Security Software (see Dell driver page website)

On battery, set it to extended battery life or power saver.
When plug-in leave it at Balance. You have 0 downsides from using it, other than reduce heat. Performance wise, (feel free to run benchmarks) you will get the same performance.

 

Yep, got that as well. I've downloaded and installed everything in the Controllpoint section of the driver page on the Dell Support, even the firmware update for the fingerprint scanner. It just won't let me enroll a fingerprint - it tells me to connect a fingerprint reader to my computer when I go to enroll a fingerprint.

 

Ok so it looks like either:
-> A manufacture error at the assembly stage, where the finger print reader was not connected
-> Or, the finger print reader has a manufacture error.

Contact Dell to get your finger print replaced under your warranty. If you have next buisness day on site, you can have it fixed the next buisness day where you want, at the time you want. If you don't have this service and feel like you can, you can verify the connection by following the service manual (few steps)
Documentation

 

Any relevant BIOS settings?

GK

 

That is also my next thought. There are numerous entries in the BIOS security section. Make sure that the hardware is enabled.

John

PS: I have just found this description of the BIOS setup options. It says that the TPM is disabled by default.

 

My outlet E6410 that I ordered with a 15% off coupon arrived on Thursday. The website description said that it would come with a "64BIT operating system" version of Vista. However, the computer I received had 32-bit Vista.

I submitted a trouble ticket about this problem through Dell's website Thu evening. After receiving no reply by Fri afternoon I initiated an online chat with the sales department. They transferred me to customer service and I spent several fruitless minutes waiting for an agent to come online. I finally gave up and called them and was ultimately transferred to a "Level 2" agent who told me that because of Microsoft licensing restrictions, he would not be able to send me a 64-bit DVD. He advised me to return the system if this was a problem I could not live with. I decided to do so because I was irritated that this entire ordeal had taken 1+ hours and also because there was a new 20% off outlet coupon.

I ordered a new E6410 that cost $70 more but had the WXGA+ screen, bluetooth, Win 7, a modem, and a better wireless card. I boxed up the old laptop (5.5lbs incidentally) and dropped it off at the local UPS Store. The old one should arrive in TN by Thu and the new one should arrive here by Fri or the following Mon.

I think I'll be getting a replacement backlit keyboard and a modular bay for a second hard drive from eBay.

 

vkfu.. lesson in communicating with ANY companies (including the best of the best).
> NEVER use e-mail unless it's aimed directly at someone really specific, like CEO/founder. The e-mails are usually not the manufacture that replies to them, but a hired firmed (usually in India), that answer it, and tries to solve cases. You get the worst service, and most of the time no reply.

> NEVER use online chat... these chat services, like e-mail, are not from the company. It's usually a contracted firm (usually in India) which tried to answer your problem. Your wasting your time, unless you have simple problems, like "how do I turn on my system, I can't find the power button" type of questions.

> Always use the phone to call for the best service possible.

> If they tell you, you will be called back. Never say "OK".. say "I'll wait". Why? Because, they will NEVER call you back. EVER!

> Play with your words. Don't say "I have 5 dead pixel on my screen", when you will be simply pointed at the policy that says you need 6 dead pixel or more (let's say). Say "my monitor is busted, I can't do my work with it. They are dots of different colors everywhere, I can't read on it". Did you lie or exaggerate? No. You just played with the words.


The work around to your problem:
Call Dell tech support "I can't access 4GB of RAM, but only 3.5GB. My system is broken. Please fix it, I am ready to anything to get it fixed." Now, Dell will send you the 64-bit disk, as it follows Microsoft term done with Dell, and provide confidence in the tech that you are ready to re-install your OS. Anyway, too late now.

Also, UPS has a service where they come and pick it up to your place. great if you need to stay home.

Well, your replacement laptop sounds MUCH better. The higher resolution is the ideal resolution for a 14inch system in my opinion, where you'll get nice sharp and crisp image, all by having a bigger work area.

You have Windows 7 which will end up being the 32-bit most likely (see above on how to get the 64-bit version), which is a better OS, and has very interesting features. Unless the system has like 8GB of RAM (well anything above 4GB), you will get the 32-bit OS version. I think Dell empties it's 32-bit licenses there (Dell Outlet), cause no one (ok fine.. very few) wants it.

And a better wireless card.. all for 70$ more, great deal in my opinion.