New M6500 Discussion Thread

I wonder whether the Quadro FX3800M offered with the M6500M will fit into a M6400.

 

Today I installed the Gobi 5600 WWAN card into my M6500. It took 5 hours. I am going to rant yet again about Dell and my dissatisfaction. But if you get this card and you want it to work, read on and I will save you the headache.

The card arrived via FedEx with the Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager Install Disk (not to be confused with the Dell ControlPoint Application - there is a separate Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager application and that is on the disk). I install the actual card no problem. I run the firmware update I downloaded from the Dell Support and Driver page. I install the 5600 driver from the Dell Support and Driver page. I install the Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager from the DVD. I reboot.

At reboot, I start the Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager and the 5600 card is not recognized. However, I look in the System Device Manager and the card indicates it is working properly. I immediately recognize this as a major problem.

The Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager software on the DVD is version 1.2 so I go back to the Dell Driver Download webpage and there is no updated Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager application. I call Dell Pro Support - for which I paid extra money I might add when I bought this computer.

The tech answers, and the FIRST question I ask him is whether there is updated Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager application software greater than version 1.2. He says "let me first ask you some questions..." He then keeps me on the phone for 1.5 hours. He makes me allow him to dial into my PC and since I have dual screen he asks me to reconfigure my monitor setup. He 'plays' for an hour, going into the drivers, the apps, etc. He cant find the problem. He says he will call me back shortly. He never does.

So I Google for a fix. In 20 minutes what do I find? There ABSOLUTELY is updated Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager software. Version 1.3 in fact. And only Version 1.3 is certified for Windows 7. And where do I find this software thanks to my Google search? On the E6500 Latitute computer Driver Download webpage. THIS APP IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE M6500 DRIVER DOWNLOAD PAGE and there is NO way the 5600 card works without it with Windows 7. I download and install it. The 5600 card is recognized.

[note: If you are going with Verizon, YOU MUST go into the Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager and drill down all the confusing menus to get to the config settings for the card and change the setting from "Verizon Wireless HSDA (global)" to "Verizon Wireless". This reprograms the card to get the correct EIN you will need when you call Verizon. That part took 1 hour of the install with Verizon tech support by the way].

So here are my two big issues with Dell yet again:

1. Why is ESSENTIAL updated software that is listed on OTHER DELL COMPUTER driver download pages that is necessary to operate this card with the M6500 MISSING from the M6500 Driver Download page? Why do they include the updated drivers and firmware for the card but fail to give you the final element needed to succeed?

2. Why is Dell Pro support so completely incompetent? I am a lawyer not a damn IT tech guy that works at Dell. The FIRST thing I asked the guy is whether there was updated software. He wasted my time, and yes I filed a written complaint with his manager.

Dell puts the Google toolbar on my PC. How about they start putting it on the Dell Pro tech support PCs so their techs can do some real work and research answers. They should be embarrased.

So thanks yet again for listening for my rant. But some member of this forum or passing internet surfer will google 5600 and M6500 when their card will not work, and now I have paid it forward with how to get it working.

I will remind everyone that we are talking about Dell's FLAGSHIP laptop. What a complete embarrassment of quality control and lame attempt at customer satisfaction.

Adam

 

Hi Adam,

I am sorry that you had to go throw all that.

Thank You, for this important update about the Gobi 5600 WWAN card.
everything is working now right?

this part is really good lol

 

the 1.3 driver was probably missing from the m6500's driver dwnld page because the web designer responsible for putting it up there forgot to look for it in the gobi 5600 packaging materials.


* just kidding

I'm glad you posted what you did because it does make it much easier for the next guy

 

Dell support (as a lot of other computing supports) has to follow the procedure : basically they troubleshoot the problem. (or they try to...)
I agree with you, it's stupid but IT tech guy has to stick with the procedure. Myself I experienced an issue with a bugged motherboard on my M90 and it was hard to diagnose. Remember : very often the best tech is you!
Nevertheless, M6500 is very new. A lot of users complain when a new version of a software is launched because they discover problems and they have the impression to be in a beta test. You must let the technology mature if you want to avoid problems.

 

short answer is the 1510 isnt supported as i have had some woes getting it to work, stupidly i assumed a redhat certified laptop would have support for stuff like networking out the box.

long answer is you likely can get it to work but go with the intel

 

The feature to disable Hyperthreading in the BIOS will be in a future release of the BIOS. This was idenified as a need and is being added. Once I know specifically which version I will post it.

 

hi havoctex,

Thanks for the reply. That is great news. Hopefully Steinberg will also fix Cubase at some point so it can fully utilize the benefits of hyperthreading, but having the ability to disable HT for certain tasks or troubleshooting is invaluable.

Thanks again and I'll keep an eye out for the future BIOS updates

 

I am referring to Bokeh discussing how the onboard display does not have RGB adjustments in the Dell software or drivers, or much if any software level control over the settings like a traditional display with an onboard OSD.

 

Ordered mine on December 28th, est delivery went from 1/15 to 2/1 now bumped up today to 2/28.
So they must have some major supply issues.

In all fairness the LatitudeZ was the same way.