-->*OFFICIAL: Dell XPS M1730 Owner's Lounge*<--

ok, here you go. I took this with my cellphone. It's an mp4, so you can use quicktime. The sharing site appears to have a control to view, but it's not working for me, so just download it.

By the way, don't use the big Download link at the top... that's just an ad... Use the download file link toward the bottom right.

When you load the page at the link, you'll see some text 3/4 of the way to the bottom that says "Loading file info. Please wait... Don't like waiting? ". Just wait a few seconds and that will be replaced by the download link... apparently they just want you to click on ads...


http://www.4shared.com/file/27473494/3cda5de2/xpsM1730.html

 

Well thats no longer entirely true. People have had huge performance differences with the new 167.26 (for the better) driver for a lot of nVidia GPU's. Ppl with the m1730 should really look into that! And remember folks, it is now possible to OC the two 8700m GT's with the new Forceware 167.26 driver.

 

Yeah, I'd heard about the 167.26's drivers but I've not got my laptop so I've not tried... didn't want to comment

 

Anyone help me?
Can someone with a m1730 check their lcd manager and tell me where the programs for the lcd are stored? I screwed it up and i've reinstalled like 10 times but i stilll cant get it to work because it automatically launches a program i put in the folder and crashes. And to top it off I can't remember the default folder where they are stored.

Sorry for my impatience I wanna fix this ASAP

Thanks

 

i see a gen_logitechlcd.dll in C:\Program Files\Logitech\Gaming LCD Software\WinampPlugin

Is that what you're looking for?

 

Right I follow you



Great vid man!! looks beautiful! I'm still not crazy about the design on the back. You know, the smokey theme they've got going on, but saphire blue looks great though. I LOVE the lit keyboard, it's amazing. Looks very sharp and futuristic. They could've but a line on the spacebar that would light up as well so it wasn't the only thing on the keyboard not lit up, but apart from that, I love it How dos the keyboard feel? Any flexing? Did you turn the LightFX off? Would love to see a LightFX show with some music, but I appreciate the work you did for this vid! Keep 'em coming for all those still in doubt!

 

thanks a million zergworld for the vid that keybord looks amazing and thats a cool looking hub you have matches the overall look you have made my day only 6weeks till i can post my own vid lol

 

Thanks but I don't thinks that's it, where are the clock files located?

I can't get these drivers to install. Anyone here know how to install them? I used the modded inf that was in the forum where the drivers were posted

 

Guys where do i get the modded inf file to get the 167.26 drivers to work on the laptop??

 

zergworld, thanks. I have found the folder now so don't worry about checking the location of the other file.

Thanks

 

Hmm I'm not sure PsychD. But should be at laptopvideo2go.com.... I hope!

 

just checked and the drivers are on laptopvideo2go

 

How do I check what driver version I have because I managed to install the 167.26 drivers but the NVIDIA website reports that I have 167.25. Overclocking seems to work as well. With the nTune softwaer and Rivatuner I will download 3dmark 06 tomorrow to test it

 

Guys perhaps i am just stooopid but i cannot find 167.26 or their inf. on the laptopvideo2go site...got the driver from the link posted on p60 of this thread..but no moded inf.

 

Here you go! http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=15587

The 8700m GT isn't listed (don't know why) but people with the GPU have installed and used the driver, and it worked fine.

 

Thx guys...yup i must be stoooooopid

 

What is a good program to read the graphics card temp, overclocking is working pretty good, i just dont know how hot the card is. Getting close to 30fps in GRAW2 without sli lol.

 

Just crashed in call of duty 4 was getting over 30 fps mostly. with core at 800 shader at 1750 memory at 1000 defaults are core 625 shader 1250 memory 800
I haven't tried overclocking with SLi on yet, will do it tomorrow

 

help, guys i just d/loaded the driver file to desktop and extracted it and the desktop filled with hundreds of little files

 

Yeh, i made that mistake too lol, dont run the install file it wont work. You can delete all of the files and then just extract the file again but add /Drivers/ or somthing similar so it creates a folder
follow the instructions here
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=11997
If you need anything just ask.
BTW the drivers are buggy and when you turn the screen off by closing the lid it wont turn back on if you leave it off for a while

 

My machine has arrived!!!

I'm currently in Holland and it was shipped to my work in UK but I'll grab it later. Pics, details and videos to follow

 

Congrats HardTimes!!!
Hope you'll be happy with your new system. And please do upload loads of things about your XPS m1730!
Mine will be arriving in 4 days

 

Thanks sva988

Did anyone get the 1730 backpack and if so is it any good?

If not, do you recommend a good backpack that it fits in?

 

I have ordered the Targus Campus XL 17" backpack, and have read a lot of good reviews about it. It has a lot of xtra storage for files and a mouse compartment.

 

Guys I have a question regarding the modded INF at the 167.26 driver download site. I can't seem to find out where the modded INF for the 8700m GT is, or if there is any at all. For the people who have downloaded and installed the 167.26 driver, what did you do?

 

Cool!

I was going to go for that but I saw that the max laptop dimensions weren't big enough for the 1730!?

I hope this is not the case.

 

The modded inf is at the very top of the first post...

here http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=15587

People seem to be commenting on the drivers causing machine crashes etc. so they do seem very 'BETA'

 

Oh! Yeah, boy, I really hope so too. It just said 17" so I figured it was no problem. Well I'll let you know how it fits when I get mine, so you don't have to buy it and find out for yourself.

And thanks for the modded INF thing HardTimes. I hope all of the bugs will be repaired as soon as possible!

 

So does that mean your gonna carry around that rig?
That bag will definately be a tough dude.

Anyways, do you guys most recommend Targus for pc bags?

 

Yup. It's heavy (the m1730), but now that heavy. And the Targus comes with a belt to take the load of your shoulders.

 

Have done a little researching on the size (dimensions) of the M1730 and the Targus Campus XL 17" backpack, and fitting the m1730 shouldn't be a problem

http://www.eu-computer.dk/shop/targus-xl-notebook-7192p.html <-- backpack

http://review.zdnet.com/laptops/dell-xps-m1730/4505-3121_16-32687269.html
m1730 review with dimensions

SORRY READ THIS!!
I've ordered the wrong backpack I've now discovered. The Targus Campus Backpack I have ordered does NOT have enough space for the m1730, so I will be returning it to Dell for this instead:
http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=dk&l=da&s=dhs&cs=dkdhs1&sku=IM-433Z144-DK

 

My system has been running great with no problems, except, yeah there was one really big hiccup last night.

I was just about to sit down and continue playing a game when there was a flash of blue light and a pop from my power supply. Totally fried.
I am now waiting for my new power pack to arrive from Dell in Sydney so my poor 1730 is parked in the waiting bay for the weekend.

Anyone else had any problems with theirs?

 

I have the Pegasus and I used to carry my 1710 (plus a 15 inch) to work every day. I took the 1730 to work in it yesteday, and it's a good fit.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&sku=A0657734

Plus, this backpack as nice padding, great design and it is strong. I recommend it.

 

I like the design of the Targus better, but thats just a difference of oppinion
I've just had contact with a guy I know from Dell that says that the Targus Campus Backpack I've ordered will house the m1730. So maybe i'll just stick to it.

 

In terms of a backpack, mine came with the old M1710 backpack, wondering if they were just clearing out stock or something but anyway it does fit the 1730, although its a snug fit it works with no problems.

 

Oh thank God! I bought this backpack CircuitCity for $50 and it's REALLY nice! I was worried that it wouldn't fit my M1730 because the laptop compartment (the slip thingy) looked kinda small, but now that you say that, I'm VERY glad to hear!

Update!

My XPS M1730 shipped today! I should be getting it Monday if I am guessing right since UPS/FedEx usually don't deliver on weekends. But I'm so glad it shipped!

 

Right guys, this is my first post from the 1730... Amazing laptop, love it!

Some interesting news too, I have the Samsung screen and it's perfect! - Rich colours, no light bleed, bright, crisp, clear!

I'll need to go out and try and find a good carrycase over the weekend... couldn't order the 1730 backpack as it was not in stock

BTW: Anyone who ordered the Sound blaster Advanced MB sound card, does your sound card show up as creative or Sigma? - Mine is showing up as Sigma but the Creative software and EAX work fine?

 

Congrats Hardtimes!!
Have you tried any games yet?
Well if things work fine with Sigma, be happy about it, because if your wanting to get Vista x64, the Audigy software won't work. Sigma will.

 

Not tried any games yet, will do in a little while.

Yeah, I thought the Creative might just show up as a Sigma card, just wanted to make sure I didn't pay for creative and it's not enabled.

You can't disable the onboard sound anywhere in the bios so I presume it's done automatically

 

Thanks for the great response people!

KEV1290 - Great description of RAID 0/1, made perfect sense and has swayed me towards RAID 0 for the performance gain. Thank you!

SWIFTWILLY - thanks for your comments. Regarding the 8800 issue, my inclination is still to sit tight for a while longer. I'm suprised they're not out in time for Crysis, particularly as they were touted for a summer release. The 700 is a bit of an oddball, given as it doesn't provide any gain on last generation 7 series cards - just comes with the promise of being DX10 compliant. Given that there's no quality DX10 software out yet to test that theory I'm gonna hold tight for just a little bit longer! Cautious maybe - but this machine doesn't come cheap!

I agree with you about the storage points on a standard hd, but as KEV pointed out in his post, there's quite a performance gain to be had with RAID 0 - hence you get less capacity for more money...

Am definitely going with the Extreme chip - because it's just so damn sexy!

As to the RAM, are you sure Crysis recommends 3 gig? I keep reading 1.5 to 2 as recommended. (I have 2.5 in my desktop and feel is more than enough currently) The way I see it is, NOTHING will take truly advantage of more than 2 gig for a little while yet, and I really think DELL are extortionate over their upgrade cost here. I'll change my 1024 sticks for 2048 in 12 months or so I think!! Understand you wanting bragging rights though - it's very tempting!!

HARDTIMESUK - Thanks also mate - nice to see a fellow Brit in the room!

 

Just read my post - when did I become such a nerd?????????? lol (Damn - did it again)

 

Heh, HARDTIMES, I'd heard about DELL offering an upgrade option when the next Gpu's are out. Has there been any indication what the cost might be?

 

Thanks for welcome mrbuk1

I've just done a little digging and the SB Advanced HD is not a physical sound card it's a sofware solution that improves and adds EAX support etc.

 

Not 100% sure how much the cost would be but I'm sure it'll be the cost of a new video card or something

 

Thought this was the case, on Dell's order specs it's listed under software mate, not hardware...

Glad to hear you've got your machine btw - and that the samsung screen is cool too! Guess that might be the generic screen for dear ol' Blighty

 

*groan* that's what I'm afraid of and steers me towards waiting a little while. I know they're going to include it in the m17 once it's available and I'm thinking it should be cheaper to purchase with initial order. Who knows - it might be standard card (still in sli) at today's price. Then again...

 

I'm not 100% sure though, they did offer a cheap and free upgrade solution for those who bought the XPS700 and 710 desktop. I just got the new 680/690 motherboard fitted for free

 

Oh right - that's pretty fair then I guess! Hmmm, somehow I feel I'm going to crack in the next week or two and just order one anyway...

On the other hand I might just wait untill Crysis is out and then harass you guys for benchmarks! If I knew the 8700's were good with that I'd go with it

 

hi,
i got my m1730 monday. its great but it sort of running slow and freezing on me now and again. i reformat the the hdd and installed vista but it still freezes sometimes.
anyone know what i can do?

 

Umm ick.. I thought it was actual hardware, I guess its my own fault for not fully checking but "Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio" does make it sound like its a physical thing.... so what is it exactly? Please dont tell me i paid £20+ for some bloatware that takes CPU power to do buggy and poor quality "emulations" of Creatives EAX and so forth.

I noted DELL have a NO next to the part of the specs that says "Hardware acceleration for maximum game performance with improved Frame Rates on selected titles." Kinda sucks since the Audio solution was one of the reasons the Alienware M9750 appealed to me more, integrated Audio solutions tend to suck badly. So when i saw that as an option on the 1730 it made it look even better value.

EDIT:

They seriously need to change what it says. "Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio". Its just a driver package from what ive read on the web.... and a package you can get for FREE by download anyway.... all i can say is WTF? It's in no way "Integrated". I was having "second thought" pangs about this laptop already and this isnt helping XD