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

regarding your first machine, just because you exhausted your knowledge on how to fix it doesnt mean it wasnt fixable; however, as far as what one should 'need' to know, these problems shouldnt be happening at all, regardless if it is out of the box or a week later.

if you want advice on troubleshooting then that is why you are on here.

 

You're right, and obviously my frustration is boiling over. I promise, the hard drive was not salvageable. I could not install windows even after getting to it because it said there were no good sectors on the disk. I tried to format it and partition it, but to no avail. I agree that I don't know everything, but there was no saving the HDD as far as I'm concerned. Forgive me if I seem a little terse, but it's been a long 3 weeks and a 2nd computer hasn't fixed the problems. I understand some aren't having issues, but there are others that are having them, I'm not an isolated event.

Well, off to play with my kids at the park and forget about this thing for a bit.

 

Regarding the facial recognition, I got an update for the FastAccess software and now seems to be working OK. Hopefully its fixed.

For the past day or so, I get a quick static noise; only lasts for a split second but can be very annoying. Anyone else had this?

I ordered mine online from Best Buy on 2/4, right before they sold out.

 

Update:

So I let Windows do all it's updates while I was gone, came back and restarted and Blue Screen. Here is what came up.

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: a
BCP1: 0000000000000088
BCP2: 000000000000000C
BCP3: 0000000000000001
BCP4: FFFFF80001C6E989
OS Version: 6_0_6001
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 768_1


Can anyone tell me what it means? I'm going to try one update at a time and see which one bombs it, but this is starting to bother me. :/

 

I'm not sure if i got the same error, but i got a BSOD too after i installed updates so just run recovery then re-do them and it will work. But do your updates in segments rather than 1 big pile.

 

I don't understand how people are getting BSOD's, I mean I have never experienced one with my system.

 

I do live in Canada, but am studying in the States right now. So I can order the battery from Dell USA's site.

 

Did them both didn't work. I just did one update by itself and it still bsod'd. Sigh.

 

Maybe the Vista that ships with the 1640 is bad? Has anyone tried a different copy?

 

go to the control panel > performance information and tools > advanced > reliability monitor and scroll back to when you saw the bsod

compare the times to the minidump, what programs or updates were installed at those times

 

I'd also try totally reinstalling the OS from the recovery disc and then NOT INSTALLING OR MODIFYING ANYTHING. Try all the updates and if it BSODs, somethings wrong with the hardware.

Also, have you tried memtest overnight?

 

Yay, I got 2 BSODs in a day, but I think it is understandable because the first time was because of the facial recognition before the update. And the second one I got after I tried to disable wireless N mode (driver conflict, maybe). Otherwise, I updated vista right after I turned it on the first time and installed win7 on it without any glitch.
and by the way, can you guys please confirm to me if this is the problem of my wireless card or about the OS.
I have a Linksys WRT310N router, it supports draft N wireless and has a really good review. Before buying this xps 16, I have been using 2 laptops with intel wireless g card without any problems (Speedtest ~15000Kbps, and actual download speed is about ~800KB/s) but then when I hooked my xps 16 to the network, the speed on this system is extremely slow, ~3000 Kbps. And when I try to download something from reputable servers like from Microsoft or from HP (for drivers ) and many other sources, the speed is disappointingly slow, result just about 50KB/s or sometimes it can even be 15KB/s and keep going like that.
I've read about the problem with intel wifi link 5100 not being able to use as 40Mhz, and have done all the thing I could like configuring the setting to enable the wireless N mode, setting up the max speed on the router, updating driver from dell and from intel but still the speed just cannot be increased. While I tried to test my speed of the router on other systems, they still run fine.
I chat with dell tech support and he told me that I had to turn of all the startup programs and don't run anything besides antivirus software to increase the speed. wth, i bought this laptop I can't have it running the way I want just because of the wireless card. T_T
really need help here, if this is not resolved, I might have to return this laptop. Please help me out here.
Thank you so much

 

Nice Config...

A few things:
After you initially place your order...your payment method has a authorization (hold) on your account..to verify you have the funds to pay for the lappy. It will drop off. Once comfirmed, you move into the production stage.

Your order is a go..if you are in production. If there was a problem with your order, you would have received an e-mail. Once your lappy' is ready to ship & when you are about to be invoiced, is when you will actually be charged.

So you really have nothing to worry about at this point.

Right now, try and relax..and realize that soon..you will have your lappy' in your hands!

Cin

 

vishank,

I noticed in your sig that you are using the 128GB SSD. I am considering a 1640 with the 256GB SSD. How do you like the SSD? How much do you think it helps noise and heat? I am trying to decide between a 1640 and a Sony AW (18"). The 1640 was what I originally was waiting for, but all of the heat and BSOD horror stories are making me take a more wait-and-see approach.

Thanks.

 

I restored the factory image. I'm going to leave it like this, which not having chrome is killing me, and let you guys tell me what I should update first. I'm really starting to think there is some type of confliction with this configuration. I mean what are the odds of the same person having two computers with the identical issues?

 

I have the 256GB SSD in mine. It's BLAZING fast. As for heat/noise, the laptop gets warm, but not uncomfortably so. The fan isn't on that often while doing normal day-to-day stuff and when it is on, I don't hear it over music I'm listening to or shows on TV I'm watching, etc...In other words, the machine isn't loud.

 

Chimera1982,

Thanks for the feedback. I am so tempted to pull the trigger right now and get one. I just got a Dell catalog in the mail that said I could get a $150 gift card with a 1640 purchase. That would pay for a 9-cell battery and maybe a case too. So the temptations are everywhere!

 

I *think* I did..though I can't remember if I entered the system or not.

The startup program thing wouldn't affect your wireless speed...I mean not unless you had some really bad programs starting up!

I don't think I ever used that card's wifi, but others have reported on here that it works fine. If you can, maybe try using it real close to the base station, and see if it still has issues, as well as making sure the station and the computer are both in g or n mode, that sort of thing. I mean theoretically I guess it could have a bad antenna in it or something (or not even be hooked up).

 

yea, I was wondering the same thing. But that dell tech kept insisting me on turning off all the startup programs (messengers, itunes, mouse driver etc.) I was so frustrated that dell techs don't have any ideas what they are doing. 2 days ago, when I told them my ac adapter made static noise, they insisted on upgrading the BIOS which I let them do it through remote diagnosis and I couldn't log on to windows after that.
I have tried all the possible ways of fixing the wireless issue. Updating driver, enable N mode on the card and on router itself. Tested the network with g devices and one other N devices but my laptop is always the slowest. Looks like I'm gonna have to return this lappy and talk to dell rep to see if they can have any explanations for this.
After all, I really like the design, the screen and all :cry:

 

I'm just throwing this out there. But when i configured my notebook online there was an incompalability between 64 bit OS and the sound cards, Perhaps this could be the issue?

On another note i'm new to vista and was wondering about DirectX 10, does it work on this laptop, how do i know if it's installed? should it have come pre installed? could it be when i was playing left 4 dead it was a bit sluggish becuase i don't have it?

Thanks, Jonny Bravo

 

Well, after installing the original image last night, my computer automatically downloaded and installed 20 Windows updates with no faults. I'm starting to think I know what I may have done. The only other thing besides Chrome and Steam that were on the old Image was I updated the Video drivers with Catalyst drivers from ATI. When I tried to register the product, I couldn't find the card in their lists. Maybe I had a bad video driver? I don't know but I'll keep making restore points before I change anything and see what happens.

 

Your problems sound a lot like the ones I had with my first system. We decided it was a bad video card but it didn't show in any tests. The second system is exactly the same with all the same drivers and it runs fine. It has had a couple of BSODs but they weren't serious. The system restarted without having to be restored. The first one would BSOD and you couldn't boot it up again without restoring. I still shudder thinking of how many times I had to reset and reinstall everything before I gave up.

Download 3dMark06 and see if you can run it. My first system couldn't do it.

 

I'm at work, but I'll give 3dMark a whirl when I get home.

That's the thing, even with this PC I had to restore every time I BSOD'd. I'm hoping that driver is all it is. I can't help it, the gamer in me comes out and always wants to update my video driver as soon as I get a PC. I'm just going to leave well enough alone if that in fact is what caused the issue. The thing is, I'm pretty sure it blue screened on the Fast Access update before I installed the video driver.

 

I wonder if it is because you are running Windows 7 x86 instead of Vista 64? I really didn't like Vista 64.

I've got my 1720 dual booted with Vista 32 and Windows 7 x64. Haven't had any problems with it.

Oh.. and my second 1640 I installed every windows update at once with no errors. I wanted to compare it to the first system so I did everything the same.

 

CONFIG: T-9600, 2.80 ghz. 8-GB DDR3 RAM. 256 GB SSD. BD/DVD/CD. RGB BLED Screen. ATI 3670 video card. AT&T HSPA Broadband 1/2 card. Intel 5300 wireless card. Vista64 Home Premium OS.

Two weeks and running strong!! I use my 1640 at least 4-6 hours a day both on-the-go and at home as a desktop replacement. I have a 3+ hour-a-day commute via the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) into DC and home. Battery life is a bit disappointing. Need to recharge before my return trip.

I'm still debating the benefit of the AT&T Broadband card at $60/mo. No problems connecting, but the upload/download speeds are slow and there is a 5GB cap per month before additional charges.

Not the greatest gamer while on battery power. Can play COD4 but not Rainbow 6 Vegas II while unplugged. Can play most anything while plugged-in. Process photo images from my D-300 using Nikon NX Software. Had to create a 32-bit virtual machine running XP Pro SP3 to use these applications, but they work flawlessly.

The 1640 can clone/export a VMWare server image in 6 minutes. With 8GB of RAM, no problem running 7-03EE SP2 servers and a XP Pro workstation within a virtual environment successfully. Great for resolving some of those tougher network integration problems as homework.

Blew away the Dell image on my drive after the 1st week. Easy rebuild except for finding an appropriate copy of Dell ControlPoint. Online support helped me find a good set of files.

The weight of the 1640 is not bad for daily carry. Bought a TimBuk2 Messenger Bag and am impressed. Would like to buy a 9-cell battery soon. All-and-all, very happy with my purchase. Got a 25% discount on the purchase but still spent $3k for the notebook. At these prices, I'm very demanding and expect a high level of performance. This is the 4th Dell notebook and 6th laptop overall that I have purchased for personnel use in as many years. I have two kids in college and one in High School w/notebooks. My most demanding customers ;-)

 

If its that Creative software soundcard.. then its only 32bit version, so its not even offered for 64bit.

 

Wow. That sounds like a beast of a system. Awesome that its working out well for you.

Im thinking of configuring one in a similar way, minus the mobile internet and only 4gb ram. How do you find the heat with the t9600?

 

The heat on the keyboard surface is negligible. The underside gets warm. On the train I set the laptop on top of my messenger bag for insulation.

 

I am also looking at a similar config (but only 4GB). How did you manage the 25% discount? Was it a coupon, or did you just haggle with a phone rep?

 

When are they going to start discounting this thing?

 

I think, some peeps received coupons for 25% off a purchase of $2K +
I'm not sure how it was received. Edit: from searching it was received thru a email offer.

You won't prob's see any significant coupon code discounts for several months, at least.


Cin

 

Darn...I would buy this thing in a second with a 25% of code...

 

I am a member of Employee Purchase Program and I phone haggled for the 25% discount.

 

N20D5OH, it looks like I am having similar problems to you. I keep getting random blue screens (about once every 4-6 hrs of use for the past 10 days). This started right out of the box. Just to be sure it wasn't a problem I created, I reloaded the factory image and installed nothing except Windows updates. Didn't help. I did a memeory scan and no problems there. If you figure anything out please post back. Oh, I also tried disabling the webcam. That was a day ago and I've gotten one BSOD since then. Usually I get 2-3 per day, so maybe this is an improvement. Still unacceptable though. Please let me know if you figure anything out. I'm on the verge of shipping this thing back to Dell.

 

Do you have EPP access?

Well, then if you were able to do that..Kudo's to you!


Cin

 

Why did the price of the 9 cell battery drop so much?? I think I paid almost double what it is now. Do they have any price match within the return period or would I just have to return it and reorder?

 

You can call and advise your going to return..and see if they will match.
Or, return and reorder. I believe you are still w/in your 21 days, yes?



Cin

 

Yes 3/3/09 is 21 days. It was $189.99 when I ordered it. That's even more than double! And why is the 9 cell even less that the 6 cell now? Guess cause no one wants a 6 cell.

 

So far so good. I've installed all Windows updates with no issues. I actually loaded Steam and I'm playing CSS but it just crashed to the desktop with no error. Still have to figure that one out. I'm not sure but I think when I updated the video driver, it caused the problems I was having.

What are the specs of your computer? 720p or 1080p?

 

Also thank you to whoever posted that the nine cell was now 79.99. I probably wouldn't have checked it on my own.

 

Yeah, then you need call Dell ASAP..regarding returning and reordering, or negotiating.

I wonder if the price of the $79.99 for the 9 cell is part of alacarte, when you are ordering the 1640?


Cin

 

No Prob. Be sure to use the coupon when ordering a 9-cell because it drop the price to $59.99. I am going to buy the 9-cell w/ my $150 gift card as soon as it arrives.

 

Intel P8600, 4GB memory, Blu Ray drive, 256GB SSD, and the 1080p screen.

 

Here is a mediocre video of a 1640.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXCj4q1Qs2k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbIIdcT93uo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUKAD410_x4

Second one shows GTA and looks likes like it is quite playable [but no idea on quality].

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eih6FetzP9A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe5gNEiUxMk

 

WOW 9cell dropped major time.. hmm might pull the trigger now


here is a coupon B0FP12N2JW5L2L for 20% off the 9-cell which brings the price down to $59.99 for a 9-cell battery!

CANT BEAT IT!

Total Discounts -$20.00
Sub Total $59.99
Shipping & Handling $4.99
Shipping Discount --
Tax $4.22
State Environmental Fee
More Info --
Total $69.20

 

I especially like the last movie

 

yeah i reported this deal a few pages back, I hope everyone picks it up because 60$ for a 9cell is a steal.

 

hmm after thinking about this purchase how much longer life will 9cell actually have over the 6cell? is it worth the $70.00 for only 35mins of extra time? or is it longer?

 

I've managed to test my 6-cell and I found I was getting about 2.5hrs web surfing/listening to music/chatting. And it was just barely 2hrs when watching a movie.

From what I've heard about the 9-cell is that it'll give you an extra hr of web surfing, and about 40 minuts watching a movie, which isn't that bad.

Ultimately it comes down to value, is $70 worth an extra 1hr of web surfing or 40mins of movie watching.

But I look at it this way, now I can have a 6-cell + a 9-cell backup which means a total of well over 6hrs of juice, and for that, it kicks for long drives/travel. (im a student)

 

well with my m1330 i had for a few days on that 9cell i was getting 5hrs+ so.. im wondering if we'd get the same on the xps1340..

hmm how in the world do you use dell epp i found a epp code im going to try and use then stack a 20% ontop of that :x