Latitude E6400 Owner's Lounge

Try these settings (using Vista 64-bit drivers under Win7 RC 64-bit)
- Open Windows sound panel. Then double click on the default speaker output to open it's configuration panel. Go under the "Enhancements" tab, and uncheck all boxes.
- Set laptop to output the sound from it's speakers.
- Go to the the "Levels" tab and mute the PC speaker and Mic. Click on "OK" to close the panel, and so the same for the sound panel.
- Open the IDT Control Panel from the Control panel. On it, under "Speaker/Headphones" section, click on Equalization, and remove if any sound modification.
- Now click "setup" on the left column (right above Equalization button), click on both pointing down arrow and pick "Large speakers"
- Go under "settings" on the left column, and remove Base Management
- Go under "SRS Premium", and set these settings:
Enabled: CHECK
Headphones: UNCHECK
Content: Music
SRS TruBass Speaker Size: Medium (M) speakers
SRS TruBass: 76%
SRS Definition: 60%
SRS Center: 50%
SRS Space: 40%
SRS Focus: 60%

 

Someone will explain the differences, but I think almost everyone would recommend the WXGA+ 1440x900.

Would anyone know the reasons why my audio has been disappearing on me lately? It's easily solved with a reboot, but it's happening a little more frequently than I'd like.

 

I reinstalled the driver for the speakers. It's worked better than when I first got them!

 

Well, I can just remove it by pushing on the port button (that pushes in then comes out) and replace the CDRW/DVD drive with another correct?

Does anyone recommend a good DVDRW drive to replace the stock CDRW/DVD drive?

I would need a slim one, right?

 

Check with Dell first, and see how much they ask for. There are 10% or 25% off coupons on accessories now and then, so keep that in mind. Look for Dell drives on eBay.

If you just get a slim drive, you have to remove the bezel from the old drive and put in on the new one. I have not done this on the E6400, but I did this on other Dell machines. It is not too difficult. Yes, you will need a slim drive.

 

Thanks, Chunglau.

since my last post, I've been scouring for a good deal for a replacement drive.

Unfortunately, I'm not paying to an overseas seller (too much risk) nor am I buying a used one (again, very risky) so I'm forced to go with a Dell drive.

The only % off I get is 10%.

 

Try calling Dell, maybe they can do something.. maybe a 15% or hey 20% off.
You got nothing to lose for trying.

 

Dell tech came today. Replaced the motherboard, LCD cover, hinges and palmrest. He broke the bezel for the LCD while trying to take it off and ordered a replacement. Other than that, everything is working great. Just need to wait for hard drives and memory to go on sale.

 

I got my new keyboard and LED panel today. I exchanged it, fast and smooth (have seen Dell technicians doing it too often probably )

Works great, LED panel not bend anymore, keyboard background lighting works, typing works. Only thing a bit annoying: when using the trackball it makes a clicking noise - because the whole keyboard seems to bit a bit bent up, so when I use the trackball I press it down.

Edit: I also noticed my backspace-button is a bit deformed. I thought I'd be really clever and remove the deformed one and put on the old backspace button. But after having removed both buttons I realised they must have changed the whole layout of the keyboard! The old button won't fit with the new one... nice. I bent the new button a bit so that it now isn't deformed as much. But unfortunately, I think the material has suffered. Some of the small hooks under the button went to a frightening "I'll crack soon"-white.

Right now I'm really annoyed. Why do I keep having these small and silly problems?? Should have gone with "never touch a running system".

But as I never use the trackball, I don't care.

I've haid another issue though since my last Dell technician (unfortunately, I didn't take it serious and didn't tell them, thought it was a one-time-thingy):

Whenever I have something connected via USB and turn on the notebook, it won't go past the black screen where it says which Intel Matrix Storage Manager currently is installed. (Meaning when I disconnect the devices and reboot everything works fine.)
Edit: After testing it a bit I realised the culprit seems to be my external USB-drive. As soon as it is disconnected, the notebook turns on in no time after reboot.

Is this something OS-related or hardware-related?

 

Yea, when I saw the thin plastic of the frame (probably to keep the screen as thin as possible and not block the wireless reception) I knew that it can easily break. In my case, when I got my LCD replaced the technician already had a screen frame "just in case". Even thus nothing happen, he still put me the new one. I guess the tech support guy over Dell, was experience enough to know that the screen frame is easy to break.

I think the keyboard it self bent during transportation, you should have had remove it, bent is down and put it in.

Now you are asking for trouble by removing a key. You should have just bug Dell some more, they would have sent you a a new keyboard (no tech, unless maybe you ask for one) as it's ultra easy to do. Say it's a manufacture problem and the backspace did not hold or something like that.

You are seeking perfection out of your machine, that is why you pass trough this. I think, as I am a bit like you, I say it is your right to have that. Personally, that is why I did not buy my laptop in store, as I knew I would have issues, and I won't be able to get it fix easily. I know that it's not just a Dell thing, but all big OEM's have these problems. I am not saying that everyone gets all these issues. I think you just got some bad luck.

Replace it.. If you contact them now, they might say "we will send you a new system". Yes, you can swamp the HDD's to prevent a re-install.

Yea, my guess it's an storage device. Some devices are -holes, and just go in front of the BIOS "HEY HEEEEEEYY LOOK AT ME! hihi!", for no reason, and the usually the BIOS has a list of device which to ignore, but it's not possible to supports such a list as they are so many badly design ones. I say, get a new one form a different brand.
You can try to to set SATA mode to AHCI instead of the Intel one (was it IRRT? or something like that). Or see that the first boot device is your internal HDD, maybe that will help.

If it blocks when Dell logo pops up or right after or before Windows loading screen (or pre-laoding one in XP), then it's BIOS related. The device tried to say to the BIOS 2 possible things. "Boot from me!" which confuses the BIOS, or goes "hang on I am not ready" and the BIOS just waits there until it is, which will never be.