Precision M6400 Owner's Lounge

the LaptopVideo2go drivers are mainly non WHQL and beta versions for desktop and there mobile equivalent cards (Not quadro).

They come with a modified inf file so that they will recognise the quadro And other normally unsupported cards!

Although in the case of the NVIDIA Forceware 186.81 WHQL Mobile drivers i'm using, they are official nvidia certified laptop drivers ,just not for mobile quadro's
(hence the need to use the modified inf file to be able use them)

 

As I wrote, I know that. My problem is that when I try to download them a small installer comes up instead and when I install that it tells me it can't open the damn driver download file! I thought I made it pretty clear. Specifically I said;
[ I go to the Dell download page and no matter what I try to download it first downloads some kind of download manager which it then informs me it can't open. I've considered downloading the driver on my XP drive but before I try shoving it down the throat of the Win 7 install thought I'd try asking here first. Any help or suggestions appreciated.]

I thought my question sounds pretty clear. Thanks for trying, but no cigar.
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Precison Covet, QX9300, 4GB, 64GB Samsung SLC SSD & 320GB Seagate, and the usual Covet specs.

 

Sounds like you are using the download manager option - whenever I download from the dell support area it always gives me the option of using either their download manager or a web download (or somesuch), I always choose the later and have had no problems with various downloads.

HTH, Paul.

 

I have my M6400/fx3700m running nicely under windows 7 x64 now - with just a few minor nits left. I wonder if anyone knows of solutions - these are probably mostly a wait for fixed/appropriate drivers variety issues.

1) The displayport output to an external monitor causes posterization of images as if it is running at 16bit or less colours. If I use the old VGA output it works perfectly (if a little soft) on a Dell 2709W monitor. Likely a driver issue (186.21).

2) The windows biometrics don't appear - seems Broadcom hasn't released appropriate drivers yet, and I have no wish to install the dell controlpoint cruftyness. So no fingerprint logon.

3) Aero peek and other win7 aero features (translucent window borders, etc) are usually disabled when the machine comes out of hibernation - and the option to re-enable is greyed out. Oddly enough swapping to 16bit and then back to 32bit in the nvidia control panel fixes the issue... I'm guessing it's a video driver issue.

4) No OSD display of volume control when the vol keys are used - win7 has some indication in the tiny speaker graphic, but I am used to OSD from my old M1700 - is this available via some dell utility such as quickset, or simply not available on this machine?

5) Trackpad sometimes doesn't work when coming out of hibernation - rehibernate with Fn-F1, and then come back out usually fixes though.

6) Sound output soon or later simply stops working. Hibernating or rebooting fixes the issue. I suspect a driver issue though it could be my specific h/w. Now fixed by Dell finally providing an IDT win7 x64 driver download.

Hibernation - Not sure what to expect from Win7, but when the machine is hibernated on my M6400 the screen goes immediately blank, but it then takes many seconds before the system powers itself down. This is different from XP where you get a display with progress bar indicator to show the memory being written to disk. May be a "feature" of win7 not a "bug"? In any event hibernation work fine so it's not an issue.

Cheers, Paul.

 

No need for cigars but don't get testy with people who are trying to help. Just because you can't figure out the simplicity of just downloading it without a download manager then its "ON" you. But due to my "kind" nature I can overlook your faults.

ftp.dell.com
Video Folder
Look for date and file:

08/21/2009 04:41AM 90,969,880 R227968.exe

Download it from there. I hope that it was "CLEAR" enough for you.

"Absit invidia"

 

Chill! Didn't know you'd be so touchy. Been here awhile and it's a tough crowd too play to. Sorry it you were miffed by what was just meant as a throw away (apparently a failed one if you took umbrage) attempt at ending a rather droll request with a bit of zing. If asked I might have sent a cigar if you didn't tell me what I already knew. The new address you just included may be what I was looking for and thanks for that (but still no cigar, but just because they're bad for you) It couldn't have been aimed at you personally since I don't know you, right? But seriously, take a few deep breaths or something and don't take all this so seriously. I know plenty of download managers, am not fond of most of them and this is the first time I've had a problem with what seems like a simple matter. So don't imply I'm an idiot because you think so. You think I'm an idiot because you don't understand what I said. I haven't had any time since the post to bother with it but hopefully ftp.dell.com will give me what I want. I guess I better lay off any attempt at humor with you so I'll have to close with a sincere, but sort of boring, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

PS: Please don't get in a twist over the all capitol letter ending. I swear on all that is holy that it's just so you can't miss it, in case you're too ticked to read small print.

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Precision 6400 Covet - QX9300 - 4GB (2x2) - 64GB Samsung SLC SSD & 320GB Seagate - XP Pro - and all the standard Covet upgrades

 

I think item 1 and 3 has to do with video driver, and item 4: Dell ControlPoint System Manager (default location if installed: C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell\Dell ControlPoint\System Manager\DCPSysMgr.exe) is what shows your OSD.

 

I agree with your thinking on the video driver. Ouside chance that it is a h/w problem with the displayport on the monitor (one of the first implementations) - has anyone else seen this issue?
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/downloadable_2/test-ramp_2.zip
The smooth grey band on the above test image shows a series of steps or banding over display port, but is smooth on the VGA output and built-in LCD.

I'm also having fun trying to get Win7 to recognize ICC profiles for both monitors simultaneously. Needs more investigation. Seems that win7 should be able to do this, but maybe another driver related issue (above banding issue was found before I calibrated the monitors in case anyone is wondering

Erk, I was hoping to avoid the dell software. I guess I can live without the OSD if the only option is to install controlpoint to get that feature.

Thanks, Paul.

 

Hi,

I have the same problem if using Firefox - to get round this I revert to IE for Dell Downloads this works as explained in other posts and gives you the download option without using download manager.

Hope this sorts your problem : )

 

Sorry you have the same problem but I must admit I'm so happy to see that it's not my brain deteriorating or something else semi-serious. It just so happens that I've been using Opera so long that it never occured to me to try it on IE. I usually only see IE once a month when I go to Windows Update to check on what they may have. I must have skipped over any other posts on the same subject. I've been following this forum since page 150 or so and sort of forgot about the search box. I have a feeling it will probably work. Thanks