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

I don't see how such a thing is possible. What were the symptoms? Did the notebook report that there was no harddrive? Or would it say there was no operating system?

I'm just asking because my SXPS stopped recognizing harddrives. I tried 3 different hard drive and it would just say there was no hard drive installed. the drives all work in other systems.

 

I'm sure the Macbook at $2048 has lower performance and a lower resolution screen. There is also are unresolved issues with the sound and the touch pad in boot camp with the macbooks. In general they don't run Windows as well. (Before the fanboyz jump in, yes I know you can "install" Windows, but there are all kinds of issues that occur and the hardware support from Apple for Windows is horrible, I can install Mac on a Delltop, too.)

 

The Jist:

The first time I tried to update PowerDVD, the program itself crapped out. I didn't have the disk and called Tech Support. They wanted me to pay $69 for them to fix the problem because they said the software wasn't preloaded. I assured them that it was and I wasn't paying anything to fix a 3 day old laptop and the woman hung up on me. I called the "North American" tech support number that they were pimping while I was on hold and talked to someone there. I told him I wasn't paying for the service but I wanted someone that understood me to tell me that I was supposed to pay for this, he assured me I wasn't, they sent out the disk. Reinstalled PowerDVD 4 days later when the disk arrived, inserted a BluRay, it recognized the disk and went to the root menu but I couldn't click anything to play the movie. I then updated, which I denied upon initial startup, and the computer locked up. I couldn't even get to the task manager. After about 10 minutes I did a cold shut down. After that it only asked me once to boot to safe mode after several boot ups, but it hung on a file that I should have written down but didn't. After 2 hours on the phone with XPS Tech in Canada, they determined the HDD was dead. The only time it would even boot to the CD was if I went in the BIOS and disabled the HDD. I know, long and drawn out, but that's how my entire first Dell experience has been.

 

Any1 know of a nice looking sleeve? (other than the timbuk2)

 

Yikes...that's not a good start.

And what they hey, how can tech support not have at least SOME idea what's included with systems? Dell's been including some versision of Power DVD since at least 2004. Granted it's a stripped down version, but still.

 

Hope you're within your return period. Get a full refund back, than *maybe* order another and hope for the best (if you still like the 1640 overall.....)

 

I am, I have until Friday to return it. What stinks is I love the hardware in the machine. You cannot get anything near it for the money. Just not sure what I'm going to do.

 

I'm beginning to think there are issues with the Seagate Momentus series of drives. I've been through 4 laptops in the past few months, and 2 drives out of 4 have failed. I highly doubt that I was just the unlucky guy that got hit with a 50% failure rate.

 

Yikes, Seagate's typically the best there is. I've never had an issue (nor heard of any for that matter)

 

No, that hasn't been the case for a while. Seagate have been involved in lots of crap lately.

 

The 700.11 are failing left and right dude.... it even made the news lmao

 

Is the Freeagent Go 500gb affected?

 

Well, they tried to tell me it was some type of conflict with the version of PowerDVD and Vista 64. I don't know what to believe anymore, no one, and I mean no one will reply to me.

 

These have all been the 7200.3 320GB 7200PM.

 

so does anyone else with this laptop have an issue with the AC Power Adapter getting extremely hot, almost as if you will get burnt if you handle it?

- Dan

 

I have had no probs with PowerDVD and if you do you can always get another DVD Player, it's just software...

 

Yeah it sucked that bestbuy pulled it's deal. . .I re-ordered through the dell epp website www.dell.com/epp and got the 7% discount (I ordered the 2.53ghz version with 500g hard drive and blueray) and ended up being about $100 off. ($1580)

also called customer service today and they confirmed that the ship date is 3/3, they waived the shipping charge and upgraded to next day shipping free.

Not exactly as good as the best buy deal, but better than nothing. Now just hope that the new laptop is as good as I'm hoping based on the specs

 

My HDD is bad, I can't do anything. And I couldn't get just any software, it's got the BluRay decoder in it. I'm not paying for extra software for a computer that's supposed to work the way it's advertised and doesn't.

I finally heard from two people today, the first being the "Customer_Advocate". What a joke, he told me to run the diagnostics on the computer and tell him what code it said and that he couldn't help me with my money issue.

Enrique at the Sales Resolution team is another story. He emailed me back today and said that my check was on the way for my overage, I should receive it in 7-10 days. He also gave me the option of having this computer fixed, or having a new one built. At this point I'm opting for the latter. The sales resolution team is Dell's only hope of resurrecting their customer service.
Hopefully I get my computer in a timely manner now.

 

From personal experience with other 90-watt AC adapters, I have to say it's normal. I wish they would stay cooler, but as long as they don't catch on fire or explode, it's all good I suppose.

 

I ordered the 500gb 7200 rpm version is this one of the 7200.3 versions? I have had one Hd brake in my 1330 already it would suck for another HD to go on me

 

After only 10 days of usage my first major problem arose yesterday with my SXPS 1640. Apparently my wireless card is not being detected by Windows Vista and is so stubborn that it refuese to be enabled.

I was on the phone with a Dell XPS representative, which I have to say is hands down the BEST considering their helpfulness and convenience, for aproximatly 1 hour 35 minutes. He used DellConnect to check everything out, reinstall the driver, and ultimately reinstall Windows back to its original state when it arrived 10 days ago, but still no luck.

He offered two options, either have a technical representative come out or have the system replaced, so as it seems I will be expecting a brand new system this time next week.

 

Aaa.. At least they tried with you..That's a long time to be on the phone with a Rep Wait, one hour minimum is fairly normal!

I'm glad they tried to get it repaired...And, I'm happy to hear you are getting a *new* replacement. A *new* replacement is due to you anyways, as you fall w/in the 21 day return period.

Next week will be here before you know it!

Cin

 

Anybody know if the newer models are 'revised' or?

 

Hey im just throwing it out there for anyone that cares lol,after all the delay and squabble with dell (and the redoing of my laptops production because they wanted to make sure it had blu ray software ...?....lol),Them Purolator boys just called and its coming tommorrow(aka later today),clap for me baby!

 

The Purolator guy called for me at 5 pm and said today aswell. Where do you live if i may ask. Im from Richmond Hill a place just north of Toronto, Ontario

 

Wow that was around the same time 5 in the evening lol.Im in brampton,you can say west of toronto,so i guess they're gonna disperse and get the shippments to us.what was funny was i called purolator at around 6 (from on the road)and they said that there was no record of it even leaving the states yet and that it may come next week,but then when i got home i was told they called at 5,and i checked online and it corresponded...weird the lady didnt even sound like she knew wat she was talking about.....

 

Haha thats pretty funny. Where not that far from eachother only 40 mins.

 

True, true. So you got the 1640 or the 13?

 

1640 i need more power i currently have the M1330 its great it plays games but i want more

 

yea i hear you,the main use im using it is music production but i cant help it, i play games alot too ! lol When did you place your order

 

Ordered the 15th during the weekend sale.
Confirmed the 17th.
Shipped the 20th.
Hopefully Delivered the 25th
HBY?

 

LOL *SIGHS* ordered on the 30th of January,and somwhere near the 15th....i typed in my order number and it said that one is no longer in use,and routed me to a new number,lol messed up.But apparently the reason was for a backorder on parts....(which ended up being the software for the Blu-Ray).Now im not sure if that happened because i asked my rep if alot of those problems floating around would happen to me(including the incorrect power dvd)and maybe he made sure and they fixed it up,either way it took wayyyy tooo long so it had better be the bomb laptop ! lol

 

lol that sucks im getting mine in 10 days 25 days for you that sucks hard

 

Im telling you it does,but hey i got 3 years warranty and low jack for free...so LOL

 

You lucky son of a _______ lol. Whats your config?

 

Hell Yeah.... Finally got my SXPS 16 today ^^. It's the sexiest thing since me on bread. For all those anal about heat it gets warm from general internet usage and some light gaming. Also those asking about facial recognition ... it works great. finds my face as soon i open the lid

 

I'm also waiting for my 1640 lappy It is really hard time for me :-D

 

And my config going to be: C2D T9400, LCD 1080p, 4GB DDR3, 500GB 7200RPM, DVD+/-RW, DVB-T TV tuner, warranty 3yr NBD and 3yr accidental damage.
Dell already sent it so ... see you soon lappy

 

Could someone the has formatted there XPS 16 make a quick guide on how to do it please. I have read the one on the forumn but i didnt receive any mediadirect cd

 

Hey! The waiting is the hardest part!

If, you can find some unboxing videos on youtube, those are always fun to watch!!!!


Cin

 

LOL that's why I do when I'm waiting for a laptop to arrive

 

They have a 7200 RPM 500 GB option now? When I ordered my first one I went with the 320 because the 500 was 5400 RPM.

 

Yes it is new option now. And as I am lookin at XPS 16 custom configuration right now, there is also available C2D T9550 and BluRay for better price. Maybe I should wait for a week :-(

 

Can someone update me on what the deal is with the 5.1 sound? Can you get the HDMI to deliver 5.1 sound, or is it a bad choice to get this one if you want 5.1?

 

Yup! I did it for both my 1530 and Netbook, and if I order the 1640, I would so be doing that.

It passes the time, and lets you see what you shall be receiving, also!

Someone elses excitement in unboxing vid's is always fun to watch!


Cin

 

Too bad I can't change my config. I'm getting the same computer I have right now remade and shipped to me.

 

So I stuck my Core 2 extreme x9100 in my SXPS last night. This is the fastest computer I've ever had with the SSD and this processor. Not too hot yet, we'll see how it goes.

 

That's one drive model, out of 30 years of great drives, and it has nothing to do with their laptop drives. And anyway, they've acknowledged it and are/will release firmware updates for it.

No.

Yes it is that model, which is a good thing-it's never had any widespread issues. You're better off with a Seagate than probably anything else.

 

Lets not turn this too much into a Seagate discussion, but they've even released firmware updates that made even more hard drives crash which probably is the biggest failure in modern computer hardware industry. I'd say you're better off with pretty much anything but Seagate. I've had drives from most big brands (including Seagate) and I'd take a Samsung or a Western Digital drive over a Seagate drive without doubt.

Either way, I've now ordered one of these... Is the 320gb 7200rpm drive also 7200.3?

 

With the dicussion brought up here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=354481

About the newer ATI 4xxx series going into the older Studio 1555 models, I raise the point, as I did in the above topic that: