===> The Official Studio XPS 1640 Owner's Thread<===

Maybe they realized that the vent was blocked by the screen and "fixed" it? We'll see if other new 1640s being shipped now have this larger gap as well.

Does anyone know how long it will take before a blu-ray burner becomes available? I'm basically waiting for a blu-ray burner, 9-cell battery (not as an additional battery) & 1600x900 WLED to become available before I pull the trigger. I'm hoping those options become available next month.

 

I went through many pages. I couldn't find definitive confirmation. However, I do see that Samsung has only 256GB SSD and I've seen that Dell supposedly uses Samsung SSDs. I'm going to call Dell tomorrow and see if I can get some more confirmation. If you're conservative and consider the base drive in a notebook worth $200 then the upgrade to the 256GB Samsung SSD is a total cost of $600. That's a steal for the performance and reliability compared to any other drive currently available or announced for near release.

 

I know! Well maybe it makes a difference how the order was placed. Did you place yours over the internet or via telephone? I placed my order via telephone - via the french line of course!

I would complain if I thought it would make a difference and expediate things but I doubt it would - especially since I have been told so many differing stories, am I really going to believe someone now at Dell if I were told it was going to ship next day? I am at a point now where I will believe it when it is in my hands!

However, my complaint more so is the discrepancy but especially deception, that is my biggest pet peeve! I think I will save my energy for now but I am telling you, if it's not shipped by Wed as expected, I will freak right out!

 

It's a $300 upgrade on a SXPS. Here's the first reference from the SSD Thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=4491042&postcount=2856

Second reference (impressive benchies!): http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=4491307&postcount=2858

You can read a few more pages after this post to see what else was said.

 

Ha ha, somehow I missed that even though one of them is a quoted reply to one of my posts. I'm going to order one just as soon as Dell finishes updating their site or whatever it is their doing that's preventing ordering at the moment.

 

I ordered over the french line as well, actually I called the english line first, tried to squeeze a discount off of the rep (only got a 100$) Called the french line the next day and told the rep if he does better than that I'll buy it off of him. Didn't really work... but at least he explained to me that the other guy just took out the virus scan that's how he saved me 100$ Which to me is a steal, I don't see why they charge you a 100$ for a mcafee license without giving you the option to choose whether you want it or not.

*Edit*
as for the concierge thing, yeah I know the purolator rep basically told me that Dell have strict rules and they won't leave the package with anyone else but me. I talked to my concierge and he said that there's only 1 driver that doesn't leave a package if I'm not there, the other drivers do leave the packages... I'll be home at 11am so hopefully they wouldn't have delivered it by then!! Don't want to wait another day to get it!

 

Yikes, no kidding! I use Avira after the big bloated ones started messing up my system (though Avira is so good I'd consider the pay version).

 

I actually don't use virus scanners and I've never been infected, and I know for a fact because I use an online scanner once a month just to be on the safe side... I do scan for malware/spyware almost every day though.

 

Wow, if that is the 256GB Samsung SSD it's rated 220 MB/s seq. read, 200 MB/s seq. write.

The 128MB Samsung was weak but the 256, if this is the Sammy, is excellent.

 

I think it's pretty much confirmed in the posts I referenced that it is indeed a Sammy. It's a great upgrade for the SXPS units.

 

Dell Singapore sucks! They are denying me installation software for PowerDVD for BluRay, the facial recognition software, and Creative Labs webcam software.

May I ask 1640 users from other regions like US and UK to please post how large are the installation/setup files for these three software? And if it's possible for anyone to host them somewhere (if it is legal to do so and not tied to any serial number or whatsoever)?

It will be greatly appreciated.

 

I think my honeymoon with this thing is over. This is probably the best laptop I've used, but I can't even use windows update without crashing right on start up. I'll call dell today and see if this can be worked through, but an exchange is mighty tempting now that it looks like the P8600 is the base model instead of the P8400.

 

Try to install just a few Windows updates at a time. Don't install all of them at the same time. It worked for me.

 

i only got 3 discs.
vista 64bit
drivers+utilities
and microsoft works

the WLED screen is bright, but the colours seem a bit faded on it. maybe its because of the white LED light
but the viewing angles are great.

The laptop itself looks nice, but gets hot quick, iv had it on for 15min and the touchpad is quite warm, and the metal under the touchpad is uncomfortably warm.

im still deciding weather i should get a Vaio FW or not......

 

I think you being a female could have been used to your advantage, they're generally nicer...

As for the anti-virus that's what the rep told me but I'm getting the laptop today and I'll be able to confirm whether or not it's installed. I suspect that they don't make custom restore cds for every customer so even if the virus scan isn't installed than it's probably still available on the disc.

Mind you I did tell them that if they can't offer a discount I'll have to go with a Macbook Pro since Apple offer student discounts for my university

 

That's the thing, I just tried installing one update.

 

Have you run Dell's diagnostics and run Memtest on it overnight?

I don't care what some people keep claiming-there is something wrong if Windows Update is causing crashes on a fresh install of Windows. As I've said, I haven't seen Windows Update cause an issue in YEARS on updating dozens of computers. And even then it was some obscure server stuff, not desktops.

 

Obviously windows update is triggering something for some people while not for others.
So the first update you tried did that?
You've done this several times now without success?
Does it crash on each reboot after an update?

If it is a BSOD, I would really like to see the mini.dmp to see what is actually happening on reboot. If someone could upload one.

It is an unfortunate bug or hardware issue but one I'm sure will get rectified before long. If I see a mini.dmp I may help things along.

 

Wolfpup: No, haven't run it overnight, I'll do that tonight. Diagnostics show that it's fine though.

Madboris: Where would I find it? Would it show up in the logs after a system restore?

 

Bluetooth? Seems like that causes issues

Well, honestly it seems like something's got to be wrong, or all have some same piece of hardware with really bad drivers...or something

 

I'm assuming you are getting a BSOD.
By default it should be in "C:\Windows\Minidump\..."

If you have several, then several can help more than one of you zip the most recent up together and upload them anywhere.

Personally, I prefer to see my blue screens and read what they say, which would also include the path to the mini dump on your machine. You can disable the auto reboot behaviour for crashes if you like in System Properties (Windows Key and Break key).

For your memtest, I recommend memtest86+.
http://www.memtest.org
http://www.memtest86.com - is another, the original.

Both are good, really I don't know if there is a best, they are a bit different.

It's possible a problem may exist they don't find but they are good at finding common issues. You may have to run a couple different types of tests in the application, if you just read up a bit it's good information to know at one time or another with a computer you will likely need it someday.

 

nope, the screen is great, its just the light is so bright is makes some colours look dull

nice laptop.
the build quality is very nice.

 

just got mine now!
Can't turn it on though since it's still frozen from the cold....

Once I turn it on and remove the bloatware I'll try installing updates and report back whether or not I get a BSOD

By the way smcb, I think he removed the entire software package (ie Microsoft Works, Mcafee, MS Office, etc) not just the anti-virus

 

Good to hear.
Condensation can be a bummer.

Looking forward to you're feedback. Also let us know what specs you got when you do. You already know it's going to be little hot. I just wonder if that front metal piece is going to be ouch uncomfortable burn hot for me, with gaming stress etc.

 

So my specs are

Cpu: P8400
Memory: 4GB
Monitor: RGBLED
Video: ATI HD 3670
HDD: 320GB 7200RPM
Bluetooth module
Blu-ray

I'll probably install Dead Space on it tonight, that will probably add enough stress on it to see just how hot it gets while gaming. I let you know if the BSOD is caused by the bluetooth module.

I'll also run memtest overnight and report back in tomorrow.

Oh and it says that it comes with PowerDVD 8.2 with Blu-Ray disk playback already installed (cd is not included.. guess I'll have to call them) so we'll see if it's actually installed or not

 

You don't have to run memtest unless you have a problem that may be memory related, but it's up to you. I'd have a hard time waiting for it to finish.

I would really like to see Dell start sending out these discs. There is no reason atleast a PowerDVD OEM disc can't be sent. PowerDVD discs have always come in the past and with new hardware, etc. Complain if they don't provide them, they should be able to add it as a download atleast after confirming your HW online. No doubt it's Cyberlink that isn't supplying the discs but Dell should have forced them to, or it should be included on the Dell image disc at the very least.

Also, where are you located?

 

I'm located in Montreal,Canada

I've already sent them an email about the missing discs. Trust me I have a hard time waiting for the thing to warm up! I'm keeping it on my lap until it does lol I'll only run memtest just before going to bed.

 

Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't.

I am happy for you that yours arrived today.

 

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=b70c449e471e8d367432d3c9683f450ae04e75f6e8ebb871

These are the two recent logs, though the earlier BSOD was (at least I think) an unrelated incident.

Somehow I managed to boot up properly with the update installed by putting it into sleep just after windows booted, though I really don't think this is a viable solution.

 

Thanks, hopefully you'll get yours soon enough!

Ok so I've installed all of the updates (in 1 shot) 2 of them failed but installed properly after a restart and I got no BSOD

The RGB WLED is a bit dissapointing, I don't know maybe it's because I do a lot of photography in my spare time, it's really obvious that the colors are oversaturated, you don't need professional equipment to tell you that. It's really noticeable when watching a Blu-ray movie...

For instance if a woman is wearing red lipstick it looks like she's wearing red glow in the dark fluorescent lipstick... it's that obvious.

After playing the movie for a short time, the palm got a little warm, but it's not even close to being uncomfortable.

So far it's a great laptop and it's gorgeous! The screen bothers me a little bit but I'm sure I'll get over it seeing I won't be doing photo editing on it, I will however develop websites on it so we'll see.... I'm sure I'll get over it though

Does anyone need me to run some tests for them? I could also try taking a picture of the red lipstick for whomever is interested

 

Yes, it can work both ways. One time my ex called the cable company about an issue, and they kept arguing, and the second I got on the line it was resolved in like two minutes.

 

Are you using the out of the box settings.. or have you adjusted / calibrated ...etc?

 

Out of the box, before even updating windows, all I did was pop a blu-ray disc in and played it (an update was required by powerdvd)

 

lol.. at least you seem to have the right software to be able to play blurays.. but, you might want to play around with the LCD settings

 

I will play with the settings but I've read puremind's posts and I don't think that there's much we can do about it. I'll still try to calibrate it as much as I can though so we'll see

 

I'll take a look when I get a sec., might be a couple hours.

 

Alright, I'm seriously considering getting this laptop (16in version), but can anyone tell me if the radeon 3670 is any good for gaming?? I need to know quickly as i might get it today or tomorrow, if its good can someone tell me what nvidia card its comparable to? like is it better than the 8600gt or 9600gt? its either this or the m1530...

 

It's comparible to a GeForce 8700 GT and a little worse than the 9600 GT and sometimes it's even better!

 

First off, the one minidump is dated 1-28-09 and suffers from the same issue - Was that in your possession already or was it at the factory?
The other is todays, so any more that are there would be good for me to see.

OK, I actually have preliminary results, just from 5 minutes, hopefully I will have more info when I can devote more time, but the page moves fast so I wanted to respond.

This is the common IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error:
"An attempt was made to access a pageable (or completely invalid) address at an
interrupt request level (IRQL) that is too high. This is usually
caused by drivers using improper addresses."

This points to a driver, the actual driver is OA001Vid.sys.
Timestamp of driver - September 09, 2008.
That is a creative video driver which is the webcam.
This webcam is particular to this screen, so it maybe only a problem with this screen, we will have to see for sure.

My guess thus far, that's all it is after 5 minutes, is that we are dealing with an issue with the webcam driver and maybe the facial recognition software, initiated buy what windows update is doing at startup.

As a quick proposed test solution I suggest you try and find updated webcam drivers.
I see a driver on the dell site...
Release Date: 11/11/2008
Version: 1.03.2.919

So the one on the notebook may be outdated, or it's the same one.

Either way, I would attempt an uninstall and reinstall of the webcam driver, reboot after uninstall but make sure you can bypass the facial recognition software.
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...ID=STUDIOXPS16&hidos=WLH&hidlang=en&TabIndex=
Make sure that is the right one or use the one on your disk.

Possible workarounds:
You also may be able to workaround the issue by turning facial recognition off, if you can do that, and if that is related. I'm currently only guessing that recognition software is involved.
Also possibly disabling the webcam in device manager should workaround the crash I'd imagine.

Let me know, try and give me more valid dump files if you have them, and I will report more if learn something new.
If the driver reinstall doesn't work, try the workarounds I proposed and let me know.

What screen do you have? WLED or RGBLED?

 

hmmmm so should i get:

dell studio xps 16
hp dv5t
dell xps m1530

Which one has the best graphics performance...

 

Alright I was playing a bit with the hdmi and was wondering if anyone else had this problem. When I clone or even extend the desktop for that matter, the image doesn't fit my entire tv, at first it didn't even want to set the resolution of the tv to anything more than 720p even though CCC was reporting that my tv can go up to 1080....

So I got the resolution to change but it still doesn't fit the tv, any way I can fix this?

Also another problem, maybe it's related to vista but I don't really know since I've never wanted to use vista (kind of forced to now...) but if I clone my display I can't play a blu-ray. Is that vista's DRM or is it related to something else?

 

I can't see why you're considering the HP. It only has integrated graphics, plus no gigabit ethernet or LED screen. It does have a glowing logo, though. So nice!

I'd go with the Dell Studio, myself, it's the newer technology. In fact I did go with the SXPS. I had a 1530 last year. 1530s are so last year.

 

I would go with the Dell Studio XPS 16, graphics performance would be a little less than the dv5t (it has a 9600gt i believe) but to configure everything up to a studio xps 16 would cost more and hp isn't as reliable as dell. Also the xps 16 has a bigger screen, everything is nicer

Best "graphics" would be the dv5t (if it has GeForce 9600 GT) and XPS m1530 has the worst of these. But cpu, ram, etc. All play part in performance, and i've seen benchmarks where the xps 16 has beaten the dv5t

 

Bad news everyone. I was planning on getting an Studio XPS 1640 with the rest of you but my car crapped out on me earlier this week. Repairs would cost over 2000 but I blue booked the value of my car and its worth barely 1500. Its time to upgrade my car instead of my laptop. Thinking a Toyota Scion xB.

I will be back on the thread as soon as I get more money to upgrade my laptop as well.

 

ummm no actually the dv5t has the 9600gt...

 

sooo how much worser is the xps 16 than the dv5t...comparing 3670 to 9600gt...and also is the 3670 better than the 8600gt?

 

o yeah i forgot to mention this, doesn't anyone think the silver hinges on the front look ugly?? i mean when u look at the side and top profile they look nice but when u open up the laptop and see a black rim on the screen suddenly go to silver, isnt that ugly?

 

Wow, dude that sucks... hope you get enough money soon (but the longer you wait the more customizable options you'll get, unlike us as we are stuck with the same gpu and black laptop

I just looked at HP's site and sadly, they do not offer the dv5t any more, intead it's the dv5t "special edition" that only has integraded graphics. But since you are looking at this laptop i configured some of their others with the same specs as a base Studio XPS 16 and here are the prices

HDX 16T (in the same "class" of laptops as the Studio XPS 16)
Price: $1,533.98
This laptop is configured to the same specifications (i had to upgrade the software, warrenty, cpu, ram, etc.) as the Studio XPS 16 and it cost $333 more! Only for a small performance boost in a gpu. For that price you could almost buy an Alienware Laptop!

dv7t: (laptop would be in the same "class" of laptops as the XPS m1330-m1530)
Price: Strangly the dv7t came to the exact same price $1,533.98
With both laptops the ram uses DDR2 intead of GDDR3 which is newer btw.

The Dell Studio XPS is a nicer laptop in general, and you won't see a preformance gain worth $1,533.98 ($333 more). The Radeon HD 3670 is equivelent to a GeForce 8700, so it came play alot of game, even crysis with playable fps on an okay res.

Also when i was looking at benchmarks of the 9600 GT and HD 3670, the 3670 out performed the 9600 GT in a couple of games!

EDIT: I found something that might be a bit useful to you! If you look at this article, it compares the gpu's and you will notice about 1 fps difference! The laptops with the 9600M GT had a better cpu (it says at the bottom of the article) so if you did NOT upgrade the HP what would it be like? It'd run worse like i said? But here's the article! http://optimitza.cat/news/2009/01/1...gaming-benchmarks-vs-nvidia-geforce-9600m-gt/

EDIT: In case you wanted to compare that ACTUAL specs of the cards here are some links to that!
GeForce 9600M GT: http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9600M-GT.9449.0.html
Mobility Radeon HD 3670: http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-3670.9595.0.html

 

thanks for the link...so basically the webiste says the 3670 and the 9600gt are almost the same because the 3670 has gddr3 memory...ok but where it says crysis high detail (second row) its only 1.8 fps??? is that even playable?