1640 Throttling - post here

My new adapter didn't work >.>

I'm really gonna be complaining big time now.

I just called and the guy I talked to yesterday is busy at the moment, but I told some woman that the adapter did not work and that the cord was all bent and tangled too. I told her that I've dealt with enough and that I've done extensive research into this problem and that I know all about it. I said I expect a brand new computer, an upgraded one actually. I made it clear to her that I think the 1640 is a poor system and that I will demand an upgrade free of charge.

Just in case this guy says he wants to replace the motherboard (even though we know it won't change anything), what do you think I should say?

I will definitely make it clear that I'm not an idiot and that I'm fed up with Dell.

 

I got a call today after sending [email protected] and an email, someone called me and told me they would call me back in a few days with a solution. Although i doubt they are going to tell me anything productive.

Sean I guess you should just argue the fact that the mobo wont change anything and it will be a waste of time. Are you talking to the higher ups? And just tell them this whole waste of time is getting on your nerves i guess.

 

have you tried the new adapter and running throttlestop? worked for me

 

yea but you have to run throttlestop in order to get its potential. You have to rely on throttlestop as the solution along with the adapter. Where is dells solution?

 

Exactly. And if Dell doesn't give their solution, then I have the right to demand a new laptop.

Mkelliny, don't settle for less than what you paid for. You shouldn't need Throttlestop to fix the throttling. This is Dell's failure, and I myself am definitely going to make sure they replace my computer with an upgraded model. In the end, if they dare refuse that, then I want a full refund with no questions asked, because I did NOT get what I paid for at all.

 

Just an update, I got an email from Dell/UPS giving me a return label. Label is valid for 10 days so I'm guessing it'll be here within than time span. UPS is about 40minutes aways and the Dell office/warehouse is about 30minutes away from where I live so I'm expecting to get it by friday.

 

Are you getting the same specs or an upgrade?

 

I complained on the phone after setting up an appointment to do so. Now I'm sending back my M1530 and my 1640 lol. I got an 80% refund which was good enough, I just bought a new M11x with the refund (the only bad part is a don't know when this will arrive).

If anyone else wishes to go this route, just keep asking to talk to managers (online works for this part) etc. until you can set up a time for them to call you. This all went smoothly (I just kept explaining that it was throttling and that even though they knew nothing about it, that the problem did exist) except them not calling according to Eastern time, but their own Central time.

 

No word yet, but if it's anything less than an i5 I'm sending it back and requesting a full refund for my purchase, I purchased the laptop on Jan 18th of this year, it's still damn new. I'll let everyone know when I receive the laptop.

 

Good luck, i bought mine end of june. So how long did this whole processs take you since you emailed michael? I got a call today after emailing michael last night, and they said they would call me in 2 days with a solution and update. heh wonder what there gonna tell me.

 

I contacted Dell XPS on the 4th of March, the 5th they came by. That evening (Friday) I got fed up trying to play a couple of pretty simple 3d games that my M1530 played smoothly without any sort of hiccup. I emailed Dell late that evening, on Monday I received a call. They told me they'd call in 3 days with what I would be getting but I haven't received anything yet.

I tried using Throttlestop to help my problems. It actually crashed the system 3 times I tried to play with it enabled. I may have an old version? or I don't have the proper settings ticked off. Do you know how to get peak performance out of the system with throttlestop?

 

Yea they obviously have nothing to tell us thats why. So yea in the mean time im waiting for that call...

 

You have to show them you mean business. Tell them you're not a fool and that they've wasted enough of your time. Don't be scared to be demanding, it's their responsibility to replace your product. It's literally fraud to sell a machine that's proven to be underpowered when it was advertised to run at full performance. With this you can take even legal measures, or at least try to intimidate them into doing what's right.

We're the customers, we have the power. The customer is always right. Without us they have no business.

 

hopefully they come with a real solution soon =.= I bought my 1640, then found out it had throttle issues =/ unfortunately it was past the return date =.=

 

Doesnt matter if you are an idiot or not, Dell like most company need to follow their process, let them do their process and you will have your results without having to argue.

cheers.

 

Even so, they're technically paid to cheat you in anyway possible as proven by their customer service.

Why should a customer play by their rules? If you do then you will never get anywhere.

And it's not like I'm saying to swear at them, I'm only saying that we should all demand what we paid for and nothing less.

 

the result i got was constructive, i followed their process.

 

Agreed just go by with them. And you will find your best solution.

 

I have a feeling that the laptop I'll be sent won't solve the problem, if that's the case are there any stylish, yet powerful laptops out there that do not throttle?

 

If they send you an updated 1645/1647 with the updated bios and adapter then i guess that would be a solution dunno., Good luck.

 

Even if they say they want to try replacing my motherboard, I'll just say I could play games on Vista so it can't be that.

They're going to have no choice but to give me a brand new laptop or a refund.

 

Just on that Vista and throttling, this is that Vista test performed earlier.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5969389&postcount=126

Though the specs are WLED, 3670 and P8600 with furmark 1.7.0, the above throttling looks quite different when compared to other sets from 1640s.

To me it looks like it only drops the multi when the CPU temps reach 89-90 degrees and then it goes back up after it's cooled down and it does this in cycles.

If someone has these specs running Win7, does the log look the same...?

 

Just did a little digging, I found that the service order has some info about what I'll be getting it's definitely a 164x series laptop, comes with a 9cell battery so most likely a i5/i7.

I have the part number, I've tried to google the part number of the laptop but couldn't find out anything. Any help anyone "224-7728"

 

EGM92, you are one lucky fellow... I mailed [email protected] last night.. still waiting for any calls...Anyways, i will be posting my results tonight...
Congrats and best of luck. C

 

Ok, I got a call... And this link leads to the entire story.

Would be great if anyone can pitch in to help...

C

 

I just sat on dell chat for 1.5 hours. Let the tech do a remote control session and the end result. Sending me the 130watt adapter.

I have severe CPU throttling when gaming and screen flickering when less than 100% brightness. How is an adapter going to cure a problem that happens on battery as well!!!?

 

Exactly. And my new adapter didn't even work at all. It seems their goal is to waste everybody's time.

 

I am about ready to move back to the Lenovo camp.

 

Probably Asus camp for me.

 

Yea I can't wait 3 weeks for an answer to the problem...I'd wait 3 weeks for a new system but not an answer...Man I was hoping to avoid that. I pretty much got what I want to say all formulated out in my head. I have yet to contact anyone prior..Im just going strait for Michael Dell. The more and more I think about this the more upset I get. This was my first laptop purchase. Ive always built my own computers. This should have been a good experience not a sour one...Wish me luck!

 

I took what you said Sean to heart and Chatted with dell Tech support after all I paid $2,889 for this thing and they offered me a system exchange. They did not say what it was just that it would be the same or upgraded, so hopefully this one works better.

 

Ok all ,

Got the tech round yesterday to install the new Mother-board and they sent the wrong one they sent the older 3670, how can they do this when they have all my information on file??However mistakes do happen, were all human at the end of they day.So the tech left and said he'll be back tommorow with the new mother board leaving me and my computer in pieces!! Why they are replacing part with the same part I do not know.
they know as well as I do this is not the fix.And when I rang up to begin with they said they were unaware of such issues even when theres a forum on the dell website addressing such issues! and to top it off when the guy finished installing the new mother board he left 4 screws over which should of gone back in the machine. I have written to dell and shell let you know the out come

 

I just got off the phone with Dell, system does not appear to be shipped even though I already got the return label for the package. I got some of the specs though, it seems to be an i5 540m with 9cell battery, 16" WLED 1080p. I'm going to test it out, if it doesn't work or still throttles a lot I'm going to call Dell back and ask for an upgrade to another system and the only ones that seem to have proper cooling are the Alienware series as there are a bunch of vents.

I'm hoping that the system has already shipped. None of the other parts and whatnot listed on any of the service calls to Dell that I had replaced have a shipping date listed on them, though they've already arrived and been installed.

 

The same tech called me today and said he'd have to speak to other people to find out what they can do for me.

I explained my adapter didn't fix the throttling and that it also came with the cord bent up, which was a joke.

So I guess I have to wait for his next call whenever that will be. I hope they don't try and waste more of my time.

 

Just got a call again, said there is no fix at all now, he doesn't know if dell is even working on a bios update, and the only thing he can do now is send me a new ac adapter. So i agreed to that. But obviously this not being a fix, at the moment of which i need, ill have to take it up even higher when i receive it, and explain as it not being a solution. Grrr

He also told me i shouldn't be throttling on the battery, but i am at the same time. Stating that may be another problem, but it definitely is not.

 

My friend suggested that someone record the throttling and then post the video on a site like Digg. If enough people support it then Dell may be forced into a recall.

Worth a try I think.

Someone who did a lot of testing on the throttling would be better suited to record the video and post both that and the data.

Could even post the video on Youtube as well and have other people reply with their own video. Evidence displayed this clearly couldn't be ignored.

 

How did you find this information?
the service number they gave me is to a dell workstation!

 

You're typing that number into a field that it doesn't belong to yet it still gives you a result to a null system with no actual date. When you're at the support history and status screen type in your service tag and select the "Service Call Status" that'll show you any ongoing cases. Mine shows mine but didn't give me any detailed info, just a notebook 16 xps was ordered and a 9cell battery was listed. Also if you call Dell with your notebook part number, give that to them tell them to research it, it helps if you have the Service Call Number that has the notebook listed.

Called them a little while ago. I talked to an idiot CSR telling me that it was removed that because the factory was "updating" and that it would take 2 to 3 business weeks for it to show up, he was clearly reading off a sheet. I told him to transfer me to his supervisor and everything just went silent, he didn't want to talk, I asked him to transfer me once more I'd be calling back and talking to someone above him. I ended up talking to a supervisor whom helped me out and got me the codes working again.

Code:

1	224-7728	Studio XPS 16 Notebook
1	312-0950	9-cell Battery
1	313-7054	8X DVD+/-RW SLOT DRV, XPS1640
1	313-8545	HD AUDIO 2.0 with SRS
1	317-2364	4GB,DDR3,1333MHZ,2 DIMM
1	317-2825	Intel CoreTM i5 540M processor (2.53-3.
1	320-1208	ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4670 1GB
1	320-8339	15.6 1080P FULL HD WLED LCD, W/2.0 MP,IN
1	320-8354	Arctic White LTHR,INSP
1	330-6222	Windows 7 OS Label,CNB
1	330-6468	DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP,XPS 1647
1	341-8989	500GB HARD DRIVE,7200RPM,M1640
1	410-1883	ADOBE READER 9.0,MLANG,I/S/X NB
1	410-2090	MCAFEE SAPPHIRE MUI,15MTH,XNB
1	420-6436	PC-RESTORE, DIM/INSP
1	420-6576	DELL WELCOME,SW,DIM/INSP
1	420-7938	DELL CONNECT 2.1,DIM/INSP/XPS
1	420-8051	MS WORKS 9.0,ENGLISH,INSP
1	420-9100	DELL DOCK CONSUMER,INB/XNB
1	420-9691	DATASAFE LOCAL BACKUP 2.0 BASIC
1	421-0092	DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
1	421-0187	DELL SPRT-CTR SW,64BIT,2.0
1	421-0188	FACIAL RECOGNITION
1	421-0323	WINDOWS LIVE SEARCH,MUI,CSMR NB/DT
1	421-1010	Dell Webcam Central v1.4
1	421-1361	MOD,SW,RXO,EZCD,10.3,DE,FI
1	421-1695	MOD,SW,PDVD,8.3,DVD,TT,FI
1	421-1737	WIN 7 HOME PREM, 64, ENG,S/XNB
1	421-2086	EBAY-WEBSLICE, CNB
1	430-0700	DW 370 (USB module)
1	430-0762	MOD,CRD,NTWK,6200,CNB
1	430-3605	INTEGRATED NIC

 

Wait what the hell? Are they sending you an XPS 1640 again?

 

yes and no, yes as it's a 164x, no as it's an i5 setup so a 1645/47 don't know which exactly, I think 1647 cause of the 6200 intel wifi. If this one doesn't turn on I'll be contacting them and demanding an exchange for a better system.

 

Yea just when i saw the line,

It made me wonder if it was an 1640

 

It's a sxps 1647

 

EGM92 what cpu did you have before a t9600 right? So the i5 is comparable. I maxed out the cpu at the time (t9800) and paid the premium for it. I wonder if I would get a i7 620 since its comparable, I'd hope..If I got less then I wouldn't accept it..

 

I just want a refund, this has been to much of a hassle for me...

 

Stock came with a P8600 which is 2.4ghz but I purchased a T9600 from a friend who had a broken Lenovo that was damaged and not covered by warranty. Are there benchmarks comparing the T9600 to the i5? How does the integrated video on the chip work?

Thanks

 

Here lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZH5WeiICBQ

 

I'm Going to make a video showing real life effects of the throttling with and without throttlestop running showing the difference in game

 

Personally I'd say the i5 is way better then what you previously had but its in the same price range so thats why its comparable. I dunno what dell did with the integrated graphics as in if they made it switchable or not but as far as I know you're still using the 4670 like everyone else and the integrated gpu just sits idle? I remember reading the i5's come with a different chipset which supports switchable graphics, just dunno if dell enabled..The i7 620 however ships with the higher end chipset and doesnt support it. I will dig through the 1647 posts to see whats up..

 

It is my understanding that the throttling issues on the XPS1645 were caused by the system bios limiting the amount of power that could be drawn from the 90W wall adapter while the system was under heavy load. It is also my understanding that the situation was improved with a higher wattage adapter and a revised system bios.

The cause of the throttling situation seems similar on the XPS1640. But, my question is this: Has anyone determined that both a higher wattage adapter and a revised system bios would be necessary to improve the throttling on the XPS1640, or could we get by with just a revised system bios?

 

You would need both a 130w adapter and a BIOS revision to allow the system to draw more power, that's already been pretty much confirmed both the 1645 and 1647 had the same power restrictions in their BIOS and that the revision allowing it to suck more power helped with the situation but definitely did not solve it completely, throttling still happens in some cases but a lot of minor throttling seems to have been remedied.