Latitude E6510 Owner's Lounge

I have the Nvidia and the latest DCP, and my ambient light sensor doesn't work properly. It only work if I change the brightness (like it will jump to the ambient light sensor.. so it's like a battle). It works fine under the BIOS screen. So it's not a hardware porblem. I recall using the Dell Nvdia drivers and now it work fine, but the drivers from Dell provides me with crappy performance, like if I had a Geforce 9200, if that existed. So it's no go for me, using Nvidia latest beta drivers I get significant performance out of my GPU.

I want to yes Vista 64-bit DCP, but if I recall correctly it doesn't have integration to the power management of Windows 7, and it had other problem which I recall having, such as the DCP on screen notification steel focus of applications, minimize full screen games, and exit from full screen video's. When I was using Vista, I was using the original Dell DCP that came with my laptop A01 I think. These one were working beautifully.

Ah ok. Well you can use Windows Zoom feature. Win key + + to zoom in, Win key + = to zoom out, and Win + Esc to close. It's pretty cool. on my desktop I have it assigned to my Logitech mouse, which has a switch wheel on the side, where the thumb is (MX Revolution). I use it a lot when I don't sit close to my screen. The Zoom feature is new to Win7. It's obviously not the best full time usage, but if you just need to make things bigger temporary to check something small, it could be interesting solution.

I envy your screen though, I have sharp eyes, so I don't mind everything small. If only I could have 1600x900 or 1920x1200 on my 14inch screen (Latitude E6400), that would be fine by me. 1449x900 is a bit too small in term of work area.

 

I ran the diagnostic tools as you suggested and everything was fine. I ran the PPT and while I'm no expert with benchmarks, they seemed to fair well comparatively to a Lenovo with similar specs that I compared to. I do have a question regarding the BIT though: all the tests ran fine with the exception of "Network 1" because I didn't have permission to open the RAW socket or something like that. I looked it up and apparently I have to be an administrator to run the test, and since I have the only account on the computer, I'd assume that by default I am that, so I'm a bit confused.

I went ahead and uninstalled the PowerDVD and downloaded MSE.

I'm not too comfortable reinstalling Windows so if it's not really necessary at this point, I'd like to avoid it; unless there's some compelling reason why I still should.

Ran the WEI and besides the Graphics (and gaming) scores for obvious reasons, the scores were almost identical your E6410 so that's a good sign I assume.

Question: the "Y" key on the keyboard is pretty lose and feels if you put enough pressure on it, it'll come right off. Anything I can do to fix this?

EDIT: Second question: If I install Office '07 and at some point choose to reinstall Windows, will I be able to reuse that same license?

 

Y key... others have gently pried keys off, but I would just try pressing it fully on first.

Yes, no problem on the license. You can install it again.

GK

 

I see that you are new to Vista/Win7 (and well later Windows). So let me explain.
As XP has more security holes than Swiss cheese, Microsoft had to change it's core. In fact, When XP was out, Microsoft said that XP would be really inadequate for the future So, as XP is actually based on Windows 2000, which is based n NT 4 which is based on NT3, which dates back from 1993, well before the internet even started to be formed as we know today, with very few, and even exclusive, users. That is why Vista took so long to get out. Also XP had other problems large problems, like system with over 512MB of RAM, where the system RAM (memory) was not being managed properly, at all. It always considered as you were low in memory, you could have 4GB of RAM, and nothing open, XP still treated your system as low in memory, where it dump everything it can to the harddrive pagefile. Another porblem, is as multiple displays and larger screen resolutions are being used more and more, XP interface engine could no longer hold up. Not because XP sucked at it, but because it was using your CPU to draw everything instead of your GPU. CPU's suck at drawing, the last thing they were designed to do was to draw. When Apple introduce to the wide market the GUI, people were criticizing Apple for being an idiot.. on how they waist valuable CPU power (back in the days, every bit of performance was critical, even for those who type text in a simple program like notepad), on drawing fancy menchy interface. Today, or even when Windows 95 came along, CPU's where able to manage this much better., but still struggling. Today, even a core 2 Duo, running XP, can have a hard time providing a smooth experience to a triple screen user, even though they have very powerful GPU's (as the GPU's do nothing.. they just sit there). So this had to be changed, especially that GPU's today are far far far far more powerful, even your Intel integrated graphics, and far far far far cheaper than what they were when XP was release.

Microsoft was investing a huge amount of money on making a new operating system from the ground up (well not entirely per say, but 80% is pretty good), all by providing the best support they could for existent program. On their way, they decided to re-engineer many security parts of the new Windows. On of them, is doing exactly like what Linux and Unix operating systems do.. something that is very complex to implement. Account levels.
Like under Linux, Unix, and Mac OS, no one is really Administrator. You cannot be the true all mighty Administrator. You need to elevate a software that need administration right to allow this. While Linux and Unix involved using, most of the time (well now slowly ending with Ubuntu excellent work) the Terminal (Linux/Unix command line system), and entering your account user name and password every time., you have a simple dialogue box.

An normal administrator, such as yourself on your computer, has a nice "continue" or "Allow" button on the elevation dialog box (aka: User Account Control or UAC), while a limited users will be asked to enter the normal administrator user name and password to have the rights to elevate.

The advantage of this, is that you can prevent elevation (and killing the software before it even actually starts) by refusing the program to have elevation requirements by hitting the "Cancel" button on the UAC dialog box.
So what does that mean? Accidental executing or oa program can be prevented. Let's say you know it's a virus, you want to click on it, to delete it, and by reflex you double click.. you can block that. Also if you open a picture or video, and it asks you for admin privileges,, then you know something is wrong (virus!). This really provide a string level of security benefits to any users.

Some programs, require special elevation to do something. If you trust the program at 100%, you can right-click on it, and select "Run as Administrator", which will run the program as true administrator, and it will be able to have full access to your system.

For Windows to know if a program need Administration privileges or not, before Windows starts the program, it reads an embedded file that is called: The Manifest file. This file, you don't see it's part of the executable. It contains a simple script that says if needs true admin or not, and other special request linked to compatibility feature of Windows. No manifest file? Then no auto-request to the user for administrative privileges.

The manifest file looks like this:

Code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<assembly
   xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1"
   manifestVersion="1.0">
<assemblyIdentity
    processorArchitecture="x86"
    version="5.6.0.0"
    type="win32"
    name="elevcc.exe"/>
    <description>Control Center Elevation Launcher</description>
    <dependency>
    <dependentAssembly>
    <assemblyIdentity
         type="win32"
         name="Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls"
         version="6.0.0.0"
         publicKeyToken="6595b64144ccf1df"
         language="*"
         processorArchitecture="x86"/>
    </dependentAssembly>
    </dependency>
<trustInfo xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v3">
    <security>
      <requestedPrivileges>
        <requestedExecutionLevel
          level="requireAdministrator"
          uiAccess="false"/>
        </requestedPrivileges>
       </security>
  </trustInfo>
</assembly>

So, it's pretty cool system and easy to implement for developers, such as myself.

Very good.

Normally, laptop manufactures loves to put what we call trash. OEM's (these are HP, Acer, Lenovo and everyone else that assemble computers) calls it "Value added software". We call it trash, as it's useless software, mostly trial versions which is used as ads to cut down the price of the system so that the system is competitive with it's pricing (hence why they usually never include a printed manual, or even CD's.. everything to cut the price).
So that is why, people say to always re-install Windows, the day you get the system.

Business machines provides better after-sale service, as you usually don't have this stuff, as buisness don't look for lowest price more, but better product, overall. And few software companies want to advertise on buisness machines with their free trial software, because they know that most businesses just wipe everything out and put their pre-configured image, where it contains the company software, joined to the domain, and other configuration. If you see your system, when you build a new one, that it comes with such crap, you can request over the phone when ordering your system, to not have any of them. As it's a buisness machine, you pay more to not have it (and better service).

Some people here, still do it just to have everything extra clean and be sure3 to have the latest drivers everywhere. But if your system runs fine, and you have the latest drivers, or willing to update the few, new drivers, then it's fine.

If the key looks like it's about to fall off, or did fall off, contact Dell tech support and explain that you have the Y key that is about to fall off. They can send you a new replacement keyboard. If you don't have next buisness day onsite service, you may need to ship the laptop to them, but maybe you can push them in doing it yourself (it's really easy... you pull off the area of where you have the blue indicator lights above the keyboard, by sliding your finger under where the battery is, or just pull it put gently. You will see 2 screws and a pull out tab. remove the 2 screws and pull the tab.) Dell has a more detailed service manual with diagrams showing you every step. All you have to do is return the broken keyboard to them in the same box as you received the new one. Don't worry Dell will send you a pre-paid shipping label, so that shipping is entirely free. Also they are ready to help you over the phone for the process. That is IF you don't want to send it, and if you push them to send you the part. I already did on my system.. it's ridiculously easy.

 

As long as you follow the license you are good. For example, if your license says 1 computer only.. then as long as it is on 1 computer, your good! The number of computer is usually said on the box. If nothing is mentioned, assume 1 per computer (Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows, for example), and for some software it's 1 per user (most other inexpensive paying software)

 

I'm just wondering if the Return policy for Refurb Latitudes is 30 days as well?

Source

For those who missed my earlier posts, I bought a new Refurb E6510 from Dell Outlet on Sept 21, it shipped 22nd and reached me on the 23rd.

I found a problem with playing fullscreen youtube ( and some other flash based websites) videos. After a lot of troubleshooting, I was asked by Dell to send it in for repair. Instead of returning it for a replacement, I sent it in.

Today I was told by one Dell Customer Care representative that it will take 7-10 days from the time the notebook reaches the depot, as opposed to what I was originally told by another rep: 7-10 days from the time I sent it in.

This rep told me to have them not repair the notebook and just ask them for a replacement. I have decided to be a little patient about it, but I do want the option to return the notebook if the fix doesn't seem satisfactory. I called them up to ask for this and was told that I will be allowed to return the notebook past my return period only on the day it arrives?! Does anyone know what that means? How can you return it the same day if you don't have time to test it?

Secondly, if the return period is 30 days, life will be a lot better for me. Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks a lot.

 

Thanks for the info and advice GK/GoodBytes. I was able to fix the key also.

 

GK and GoodBytes,

How bad the quality of WUXGA (FHD native resolution) will be while running at 1366X768 VS. a WXGA running at native resolution of 1366X768?

Thanks!

 

does anyone know if there's a way to enable the laptop display while docked AND using 2 external monitors, to effectively give me 3 displays?

 

Image will be blurry. No mater what resolution you pick.. if you lower the resolution from the native one, the image will be blurry. This is limitation of LCD and the coming up OLED screen. The only monitor that humans made (and sold in stores) that doesn't have the problem is the old CRT monitors (the ones with the large tube on the back).

The reason for this is because LCD's uses a grid... so you can't have a pixel that take 1 pixel and half, or something like that.. it must be 1 or 2 pixels. So yea, I guess you can say the only other resolution that will be sharp is if you dive by 2 or multiple by 2 the native screen resolution.