Checklist for a proper XPS M1530

Hi, i just ordered my first laptop DELL XPS M1530. Expecting it in 5 days.

My configurations are,

Code:

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T5750 2.0 GHz, 2MB Cache, 667 MHz FSB
250GB SATA Hard Drive
4GB ( 2 X 2048MB ) 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) 8600M GT

1. After reading few threads here about bad builds, bad hardware, bad graphic card etc, i am pretty much scared about my laptop.. Are there any checklist (softwares or games that i could possibly run), that i can do to make sure that my laptop is in the perfect condition?

2. Are there any tweaks to do to get the most out of my laptop?

3. I am a web designer and will be using photoshop cs3, dreamweaver cs3, flash, ftp softwares all at the same time. Is mine a good configuration for that?

4. Is it advisable to downgrade to windows xp as i am really comfortable with it and don really like vista or is it possible to dual boot them?

5. Is it possible to upgrade the processor to a higher one?

Thanks in advance.

 

4. Yes and no. Yes - you can downgrade. No - that won't be officialy supported by Dell. More info here.

5. I think, yes. If you wish to keep your warranty, though, it is recommended to do it through Dell technical support. Although some people at this forum said that changing the processor yourself doesn't void the warranty, it only voids the processor warranty. Read more

 

For tips and tweaks to vista, be sure to checkout the NBR/Les Tokar Vista Tips and Tweaks thread. It should be a sticky in the Windows OS forum, but if not, you can just search for it in the search toolbar.

 

I reckon that CPU will easily last you for 2-3 years (the average time most users keep a laptop), if you are doing website design you have more than enough power in that spec above.

Try a burn in test for the Ram perhaps? Im not sure what the software is called though.

If you get some PCMarks software and run all the graphics benchmarks etc at their most intensive you should be able to see if there are any hardware errors.

 

memtest86+ is really nice (and free) to check the ram. let it run for 2-3h. if the screen doesn't show any red line, then the memory is fine.

 

hey I tried this on a faulty system I was fixing for somebody just to see if it was the RAM and I ran it with standard default settings, is that the correct test to run for future reference?

 

Thanks for your reply guys... What about that graphic card issue?? How to check if the card is a proper one?

 

The card should be fine. I spoke to DELL UK today and they told me the 8600M GT in all new 1530's is 100% definitely the GDDR3 version.

If you run the PC benchmarking software then any hardware defects should be instantly noticeable. You get a 1yr warranty as standard any way so if anything gets wrong they will come out to you and repair it at your home (XPS Premium On-site warranty)

 

Phew that was a great relief..
Thanks..

 

You could have gone in for a faster processor. It's not that costly an upgrade... would only have helped you in the long run

 

1. Check the build quality & screen with your eyes, and have a temperature manger hardware to see if it's overheat (hopefully no )

2. a clean install.

3. definitely.

4. yes, there is a ton of thread about XP driver for XPS1530 & install, you may get rid of Vista like I did. XP rock

5.yes, but the cost is expensive and the T9300 is good enough, you wont see no difference when upgrading.

 

Hi guys, i got my xps.. it was pretty fast... my expected delivery date was on 21st but got on 17the itself.. Its pretty good and no noise with the dvd rom while reading...
So should i do a fresh install of vista to get the best performance or go to xp??

 

1 and 2. follow Lez's guide, it helps out a lot. u can do a daily/weekly maintenance... so i personally defragment my computer and use CCleaner to make sure my HDD is spaced out and running smoothly... you should also do a weekly virus scan too. I'm going to get a temp montior in RivaTuner or PCwizard2008... you can also check chrisyano's battery guide too if needed

3.i think it'll be fine. i read a ton of tests and turns out XPS M1530 isnt the greatest laptop out there for those programs, but relatively speaking, the difference is marginal, so ure good to go

4. dual boot is always possible as far as i know, just install XP first, THEN vista. of course, that means ull havta format it entirely

5. and yes it is possible to upgrade

 

well I personally formatted my XPS 2 weeks after i purchased it; the pros and cons:

Pros:
-the overall computer performance is faster, HDD, access, everything ,feels a lot faster. now i did some tweaks in between here and there, so maybe thats why?
-u get rid of a lot of bloatwhere, no offence, i dont think id ever need mediadirect or Dell PC Tune up... and stuff like that. i just got Quickset 'caues it has a good battery checkup program and thats about it. and it saves up your boot time by a ridiculous amount

Cons:
-the GPU seems to run slower. i still dont know why, my drivers are updated, but it just doesnt feel the same. if i had 3DMark06 scores from before and after, this would be proven, but i just have scores after install...
-you have to reinstall everything again... just the hassle of having to get everything back is a ***** of its own

solution:
instead of formatting it,
identify ur bloatwhere, get rid of it
and then using startup manager and lez's guide, it shud speed ur XPS up. or at least, i did that after fomatting and it's a loot better now