--->The Official Studio XPS 1340 Owner's Thread<---

1. sometimes, yes happens
2. 5400 for mobility/less sound and power, 7200 for performance
3. no, just makes it run a bit cooler

 

1. I haven't had this problem for a while (a.k.a. quite a few months) whereas I used to have this problem very frequently (every 3-5 days). I'm not quite sure what fixed this issue (Possibly one of the BIOS updates?) but in either case it seems to be resolved.

2. If you want performance then probably a 7200 RPM hard drive.... The only reason I could think you may want a 5400 RPM hard drive would be to conserve battery life under heavy load. It's like choosing the WLED monitor over the RGBLED monitor if both costed the same price on the SXPS 16.

3. I'm not quite sure what you mean here. In the months I've had my computer I haven't opened it up for any reason whatsoever. Applying new thermal grease will help lower internal temperatures if you are uncomfortable with them but this is true for most new laptops.

 

has anyone the red or white one? how is the leather?

 

I have the white one on order. Should have in by the end of the month. Will post pics ASAP!

D

 

Thanks Pinger and Sephoroth for the answers. I just ordered it. Hope it comes fast!

 

do i need to mod the nvidia driver?
edit
nm theres mobility drivers

 

I just ordered the signature event dell xps 13 from dell.ca. I don't want all that dell bloatware. Should I just reinstall the OS once I get it?

 

Yes, all the necessary discs for re-installing windows vista will be included.

 

What about re-applying thermal paste? I'm also thinking about installing the RC build of windows 7. Are all of the drivers supported? Is it a good idea to install the RC build?

 

I can gladly inform you that atleast my swedish 1340 was bloaty-free.
Of course you get the mix of dell programs, but no wierd games, testversions, office or antivirus.

 

It would be a good idea to replace the thermal paste

Windows 7 works great on the sxps 1340, all the drivers will work.
I am running windows 7 RC1 and it runs much better than vista.

Dell doesn't include nearly as much bloatware as HP, but still Dell has some bloatware like lousy antivirus software, maybe some sonic apps, picture software, just stuff that most intermediate or advanced users don't care for.

 

Is there still any way to get the windows 7 RC build?

 

"Sorry, the Windows 7 RC is no longer available for download. If you’ve got the download and need a product key, they’ll be available until October 21, 2009."

If you have a friend who downloaded Windows 7 RC, he/she can let you use his/her disc, you can still get a product key here

Good luck.

 

Yeah, that was what i were saying about mien, that it didnt come with any of those. And no need to reinstall for that reason.

But go for win 7 as quickly as you is an good idea.

 

Is there any difference in battery life between the two screens? I would think a higher resolution would reduce battery life, but, RGBLED is more power efficient to offeset, I think ... thoughts ?? Also how is the scaling on the RGBLED? If I go to 1024x600 is everything fuzzy or does it still scale really well? Not seen an LCD yet that scales well to different resolutions.

 

bytecollektr. I followed your guide to the letter and everything works fine, except for the wireless. I downloaded the atheros wireless drivers from the link http://files.laptopvideo2go.com/wlan/atheros_v7.6.1.221.exe and unzipped it. I went to the Device manager, right clicked, select install from a Specific location, clicked Don't search I will choose the driver to install, and then clicked Have Disk then Browsed.

I have tried both the files in the x32 and x64 folders, but when I try to load to .inf file, it gives me an error that says:

"The specified location does not contain information about your hardware."

I have even tried to download other newer versions of the driver but the same "The specified location does not contain information about your hardware." error message appears.

In the Device Manager, It is still in the "Other devices" section simply named "Network Controller" with a yellow question mark.

Is there something I am overlooking, or forgetting to do? Is there a setting I am forgetting to set? Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hello, a long time lurker here, recently joined and first post here..!

Had a good read on this thread and decided to pull the trigger, just got a refurb Studio XPS 1340 last week and loving it so far! Thanks for all the info guys!!

Sorry if this question has been asked before but by any chance does anyone know if Dell will eventually offer a replacement vent cover?

The enterprise edition is still available to download from MS if you want to trial it although that only lasts 90 days but, I think the reset trick will work though... I think!

 

It's not possible, because LCDs have a fixed native resolution. If you want true different resolutions you still have to use a CRT unfortunately. You're in the wrong thread if you're asking about the RGBLED - that's only available on the 1640 - but since it's 1920x1080 you could scale perfectly to e.g. 960x540, since that's exactly half, so each pixel will just use a four-pixel block. Otherwise, it's just trying to use the (full-resolution) pixels it has to approximate a lower resolution, so there'll always be a bit of blurryness, even with an RGBLED.

You might have meant the WLED. Same problem.

 

BIOS A11 has been posted

Only thing listed under fixes is "Enhanced System Stability"

ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/1340_A11.exe

 

This BIOS all but fixes the DPC latency issue (atleast on my machine).

 

Others have posted it does fix the latency issue.

 

Here is a prove that the DPC Latency has been fixed ... partially, there are still some yellow spikes, but at least there are no reds anymore.

 

Atleast myself still got some red ones after the new BIOS, and i have actually not seen this pattern before.

 

Latency seems to be fixed for me also. I get similar readings to don_diablo91.

 

I have updated the bios to A11 but it is saying it is for B02 chipset, I think I have B01 do you think that will be a problem?

 

Had the same pattern that you had after the bios update.
I uninstalled the HD Audio drivers that came with nVidia's display drivers. I reinstalled the IDT Drivers from dell and now I have no red bars, even tho most of them are yellow. Try it, maybe it will work for you as well...

 

The HD Audio Drivers from Nvidia are not Dell's official drivers. You should install like everything from the Drivers &Support site from Dell, except the video card driver (DOX or M17x). The HD Audio Driver you tried to install (Nvidia's newest) hasn't been approved by Dell yet. It is on a small note i think on the site: "refer to OEM's drivers first, eg. Dell

 

It shouldn't be a problem. The same thing occurred with A08. I can't remember if any of us even confirmed the release of the B02 chipset.

 

Having installed A11, besides that Latency has been fixed, I also notice a better GPU in SLI mode. During COD 4 I noticed a significant better amount of FPS, however I have not captured it, therefore no numbers, but I do see a significant better performance !

 

Wow, I'll definitely update my bios then

 

what video driver are you using?

 

Where do you get the A11 BIOS from? I've only seen A07 and A08. Also, where do you dig up the DOX driver from? Is there any way the first post could have an "important links" section that includes these items?

Found A11:
ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/1340_A11.exe

Is this where all the Dox drivers are?

http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/122-doxs-customized-forceware-releases/

 

yes, that's the exact problem I have.

I'm running Vista 64 bit, have the A11 bios update, nVidia's 67.8.6.2 ethernet driver... I don't know what else to try.
What drivers are you using?

 

To those who are running Windows 7, did you install Dell recommended power setting for Vista or are you just using the default power profile in W7?

 

Windows 7 64-bit, A11 Bios Update as well, and 73.0.6.0 Ethernet drivers (From Nvidia.com).

Since you don't have Windows 7, you won't be able to get those Ethernet drivers, but I just checked the site and they're offering:

Ethernet Driver (v67.89) WHQL.. which is a bit newer than yours?

You can get the nForce package here (Vista; 64-bit): http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_vista64_15.26.html

or if you want to give the v73.06 a try (Which might work), you can get it here (Win7; 64-bit): http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_win7_64bit_15.37.html

Hope you find something that works!

 

Looks like white is on indefinite backorder.

 

I used the A11 BIOS, and the 15.35 nForce driver, and found that my ethernet port works perfectly fine. This is with Windows 7 x64. Also, I didn't bother installing the Dell power settings this time (second Windows 7 install after Avira freaked out due to system restore). I've found the laptop has much, much lower DPC latency (audio sounds great), eSATA port picks up external drive perfectly, and no BSODs for a whole day (yeah, it's that amazing). Temps seem fine even without active cooling (got super hot before), and I get the "dim display after XX min" option in power plan settings.

 

A11 has been the best update ever !!! Even in game, the heat is not a big issue anymore, and the temperature goes down like hella ! My media buttons don't freeze anymore, so it made my day =D + the fact I can finally try to use it for audio production.

 

Thanks for the information!

I've installed the vista 64 drivers you linked to, but it made no difference.
The Win 7 ones won't install (funny, it says the ones I have are already more up to date.. but that must be a bad error message).

I suppose I could try to just copy the files, but I don't have much confidence that is all that's needed. I guess I'll have to wait till I get Win 7, then...

Again, thanks!

 

Alright, I'll post my problem here.

I own a SXPS 13 and it is very nice, apart from some minor build issues (border of the display does not match up with the frame on the left side). I removed the recovery partition and shifted the OS partition left, now I can't log in properly, keeps on showing me the first-start-up Dell setup screen which doesn't work.

Anyway, that is not my problem now, I have just installed Windows 7 RTM and works great. However, I do remember clearly that the XPS automatically switches to saving power graphics when I unplug the AC. This is not the case for Windows 7.

Changing all kinds of power settings does not affect how and when it should change graphic modes. In balanced mode, I changed it so that power-saving graphics is enabled only when on battery, and disabled when running on AC. But nothing happens. It just stays on the mode it was on even if I unplug it.

The only way to change between two graphic modes is to switch it from high performance to balanced/power saving. However, this is not convenient at all and I do not want to do that everytime. Also, I cannot change graphic modes while maintaining in one power plan (e.g. balanced).

So, does anyone have this problem?

 

AFAIK, that totally depends on what drivers you are using. Some add the option to change sli mode in power plan, and some just the option to change by clicking the icon on the taskbar (my preferd way).

I would like to know if you can change in the registry how it should behave?

 

If I could reach through the phone and strangle Dell Customer Care right now I would. They are arguing with me that I paid for the LCD screen and that an LED screen isn't available. They don't understand that there are two different LCDs available and that one is LED backlit. How the hell do I make them understand their own product? I'm just wondering if I should send this damn laptop back and be done with it...would be a shame to because it's fantastic but I'm not paying for something I didn't receive.

 

I have a weird problem with my xps 1340, was wondering if you guys might have some advice. I recently installed Windows 7 x64 on it, can't get audio to play out of the internal speakers for the life of me, they play through hdmi, and the 2 headphone jacks fine, but the internal speakers, no dice. Now here's the strange part, when I run the Dell Diagnostics to test the speakers, I get sound out the speaks from both left and right channels. I have also updated to the most current audio drivers off Dell's website, specifically the most current IDT audio codec that is listed. Any help would be great!

 

Go into control panel, sound device and make sure your internal speakers are on default.

 

Hi

I cant' find Advanced Boot Options selections on the boot
(F8) menu. I used to see it, but now I cant. RECOVERY partition is OK. I can see it on Windows.

What is the problem? How can I get it back? I'd like to restore to factory settings.

THanks

 

Hey guys I'm back with benchmarks from the A11 bios and fixed Dox drivers. I have a 3dmark '06 of 3707, which is the highest I have ever gotten, but in reality there isn't any difference in framerates. A11 also fixed the problems I was having with my media buttons freaking out every once and a while.

 

Though unrelated to the upper part of your request. To control the GPU regardless of the power management plans you may update your drivers to Dell's beta 186.12 (on the M17x page) or Nvidia's 186.81.

 

@Razmaniac:

I've already installed the 185.85 dox's and the A11 bios, and i can't even get 3dmark 2006 to run (devicelost error).

Any advice u can give me??

will try with the 179.xx that dell provides and will look into the alienware 186.82 sli drivers.

using win7 rtm x86

thanks!

 

Quick 2 questions.
1.Why did dell remove option for ssd on their site?
2. what are the best drivers for 9400mg alone? did anyone notice difference in benchmarking 9400mg on a11 bios?

 

1. AFAIK, if they have a shortage of the component in stock or that they cant order enough they remove it as a option to not delay orders.