M6600 Owners Thread

Read my previous posts. I run 1 msata 128 ssd (128GB MyDigitalSSD 50mm Bullet Proof mSATA) best value and great performance. 512 7200 Sata0 data drive (Dell) and a Samsung 1TB Sata1 Backup Drive.
Make sure you are running AHCI and put the pagefile 8-12GB 16GB DDR or 12 to 24 with 8GB DDR on the 512 Drive with no pagefile on SSD. Make sure you turn on or check that "TRIM" is on. Note 1 *8GB DDR is a darn sight faster than 2*4GB.

 

*Sigh... Another one of my babies gone... Glad you are enjoying it though

 

Run the N-Trig calibration.

 

I recently did a full reinstall of my machine and in the process decided to go a different route with the fingerprint reader which had always been very picky about the scan (refused at least 75% of my swipes) and was slow (15-20 seconds) to unlock the machine or reject the scan.

I updated the firmware with DELL_CONTROLVAULT_A23_R309311.exe. Next I installed DELL_CONTROLVAULT-WINDOWS-BI_A00_R308326.exe and didn't bother with the rest of the dell "Access" software. This file installs the "Biometric Devices" shortcut in the control panel as well as the Broadcom Fingerprint Management Application (FMA). The Broadcom FMA allows you to enroll your fingerprints and integrates the login process with windows.

With this setup I have only had 3 rejected login attempts out of a couple hundred and from swipe to desktop takes 3-5 seconds. I'm not sure if it was the firmware update or the different software but the fingerprint scanner is now worth using for me.

 

Sounds amazing, I'm about to fresh install and have these two in my drivers folder:
Dell_ControlVault_A08_R308494
DELL_CONTROLVAULT_A23_R309311

Should I avoid the A08?

Also can you post me a link to the other file?

 

I don't think you need the Dell_ControlVault_A08_R308494, I'm not 100% certain, but I think these are Dell drivers to go with the Dell Access software. It looks like DELL_CONTROLVAULT-WINDOWS-BI_A00_R308326 includes Broadcoms drivers. You can find it here Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States].

After you R308326 install you should have Control Vault WBF software in a Broadcom folder in your start menu. You'll need to open it once to enable the "Control Vault Windows Biometric Framework". Then you can enroll your fingerprints from Control Panel -> Biometric Devices -> Manage Fingerprint Data

 

Much thanks +rep

 

Morning Chaps,

Ok I'm pretty much sold on getting a M6600 and sending back the Lenovo W520, despite the size increase to 17" I feel the additional power, better graphics options and the fact the system runs much cooler - is better for my needs. Also it seems the CPU/GPU throttling is much less of an issue when running on battery...

That said, I'm a gamer and looking for the high end graphics card - but I don't do any CAD or anything that needs the Quadro card. If I could find a similar quality business machine (with TPM, fingerprint, smartcard, WWAN, etc) that had a Geforce GTX card I would be happier but this seems like the best option.

My question is should I just go for the ATI FirePro, I understand it is technically faster for games (pls confirm) and as it is essentially £600 cheaper than the Quadro 4000M it seems like a very sensible option - however I'm concerned there is no graphics switching (like Nvidia has with Optimus) - can anyone that has it please confirm:

1) FirePro card definately doesn't have any graphics switching. If it is manual that is ok, I don't mind pressing a button.... restarting and changing in the BIOS would suck, but I guess for £600 I could live with it.

2) Assuming it always uses the FirePro card, how much battery life are people getting when using to write word docs, browse web, etc.

3) One of the reasons I like this model is the cooling is excellent. Assuming it always uses the FirePro card and not the integrated graphics, does the case (I'm focused on the wrist pad) get cool/warm/very warm/hot/uncomforatable?

Cheers guys

Also - anyone got any of the 10% off vouchers valid in the UK atm?

Cheers

EDIT - btw, my gut feel is that I might just buy the 4000M just for the graphics switching as I'm a consultant and do a fair amount of travelling. Is the 4000M comparable for gaming to the FirePro card?

 

If you leave the card stock it will be slightly slower than the ati. For some reason nvidia have massively underclocked the card compared to the geforce equivalent.
The card is clocked at 475/1200 but will easily do 750/1500 and at that speed will match the ati or may even beat it. Also the overclock caused hardly any more heat and about an extra 10w power consumption.

I am now using the 3000m as the 4000m is overkill for me. The most demanding game I play is BF3 and the 3000m with overclock can easily play at 1080p with medium settings.

 

I have that too, I believe it's the Touchscreen driver thinking as if its activated by a stylus with paintbrush. Or the xmath software causing problems.

Good point. We should call up Dell Precision (at least level 2 support) on this. Get them to test it out on their system. Avoid a fresh install at all costs. Dell should simulate it first.

I have done this. It just appears randomly, not sure what triggered it.

It's not advisable to turn off the pagefile. It's how Windows is designed.

Control Vault is not needed. You only need Dell Data Protection App.

m6400 (1st generation) <-- no longer adopt the same case as Latitude
m6500 (2nd generation)
m6600 (3rd generation)

Refer page 5.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xlob/Re-image/Efamily-Reimage.pdf

Page 18-19, Dell Data Protection install sequence.
1. Driver Installer
2. Middleware Installer
3. Application Installer

Welcome to the Precision Club. I was a IBM no.1 fan on their workstations/thinkpads before Lenovo. Almost got a w710ds. Lucky I didn't. coz I know it's no longer IBM quality, and also the w710 series has been discontinued.

The speed of the latest hardware from Lenovo is also not as fast as well. Their website is also horrible. And the sales is left to retailers and distributors, which makes the support bad. Not much configurable service options since Lenovo.

One good thing with a Lenovo is the bundled apps and tools/utilities are pleasing to the eye, responsive, very well tested. They still hold the IBM legacy brandname and quality. Just unable to catch with the speed of higher capacity upgrades. e.g. w710 only supports 256GB SSD.

m6600 supports up to 512GB SATA3 SSD and HP Elitebook is way over priced (at least 2x more) and limited service options (unlike Dell with Accident Damange Protection). Dell also allows you to extend your warranty. IBM/Lenovo do allow it only with special permission. Had my 5 year old (after 1 year lapse) Lenovo (same IBM team) still allows me to extend my warranty (paid approx USD300 for a 2 year warranty-onsite) even though my T42p mobo was fried by lightning. Got a NEW motherboard immediately after that.

So I choose Dell and have 3 units of Precision now and happy with it, except with the software and below par quality parts at times (e.g. LiteOn SSD SATA3 instead of an Intel or Crucial M4)

1. Go for the firepro if you don't need cuda or don't do CAD/CAM/rendering. I don't recommend oc'ing your GPU on a machine like this. Do that after 3rd year.

2. You will only get approx 30 min - 1 hour extra if you use the Optimus.

3. Go for the 17.3 FHD LED 1920x1080 Screen without the touchscreen as it's a little thicker and heavier. Screen resolution on external display is 2560x1600 on a Dell U3011 Ultrasharp Series Monitor.

4. On my m6500 covet i7-840QM Quadro FX3800m, 85% brightness on batt will allow me approx 3 hours +/- 30 min. with normal office apps. No Virtual Machines.

5. m6600 is a perfect machine for virtualization.

6. Go for a i7-2860QM, wait for the price of the i7-2960XM to drop rock bottom then buy from retail after 1-2 years. Not much difference on the speed anyway but the price of the 2960XM is almost double.

7. Hussle dell sales at the end, to throw in a free 500GB 7200RPM HDD after you have concluded your order.

8. If you are on the move - Get the Accidental Damage Protection, Onsite NBD Support/Service.

9. You will need a trolley backpack, unless you want spine ache after carrying it 2 hours/walking.

10. Ask for a sleeve cover (for free). I got a free Timbuk2 sleeve for free for both of my m6500s. You will need it when placed vertically in a backpack. Helps support the weight of the machine pressing on the LCD latch to open up slightly. Over time the latch may break. Happened on my old m6500.

It's mostly a bluetooth modem when you pair it with a phone. Check your BT modem ports at "Network Connections".

Right click properties on your 3G Dial-up.