Dell XPS 13 2015 Skylake Infinity Display Owners Thread

I just made a clean install after upgrading SSD to bigger one. I was wondering what Dell apps i need to install - i used only Dell's WiFi driver and everything else was installed by Windows Update.
The only issue i noticed so far is that i need to press Ctrl instead of Fn to use secondary functions of keys.

Edit
Is this Dell guide still relevant?

 

That's a BIOS setting. You can also set it to allow for fn+esc to switch between the two modes.

 

I believe it has a separate driver, did you install it? I'm sure you know this but just in case you must shut the pc off completely and then back on whenever changing any bluetooth driver, a simple reboot won't work. There should also be a device manager error code associated with that exclamation point that you can look up here, see if it's a 14.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/tp/device_manager_error_codes.htm

If the error is a 43 make sure you have uninstalled the old WIDCOMM driver.

 

Thanks, pressing Fn + Esc was enough to fix it.

 

...boot question

when i've received the xps13 the boot was very fast...

now, after a new windows 10 installation , the boot isn't fast..maibe because i leave legacy mode on secure boot off ?

to have it faster like before, what i need to set in the bios ?

 

Could you put some numbers on "very fast" and "isn't fast" just so we know?

In any case, for (fast) UEFI boot you'll need to reinstall Windows this time from a properly prepared USB (use Rufus). Unless you have a specific need for legacy boot mode, of course. Secure boot should be left on unless you have a specific reason to switch it off.

 

Does the System and Compressed Memory process bother anyone else? Its consistently the second highest process and right now its sitting at 246.1 MB. I read somewhere else that this process is meant to help the SSD and load things quicker?

 

Hey thanks.

Yeah I did install the individual bluetooth driver. I've also tried shutting down the pc normally and then booting it up again. The code I'm getting is indeed 43, I assumed the old drivers would be deleted as soon as I upgraded to the new card? I can no longer see the old Broadcom chip in the device manager so I'm not sure how to access any relevant drivers in order to delete them, could you help?

 

Is UEFI and secure boot only available when using an M.2 PCIE drive, as I had to use legacy boot mode and turn off secure boot as I removed the 32GB cache & 1TB mechanical drive and installed a 240GB SDD in the 2.5" SATA tray? If there is a massive performance benefit I could reinstall or even invest in a M.2 and move the OS onto there and use the other SSD as storage.

 

No, UEFI/GPT and Secure Boot should be supported regardless (even works on USB). You'd have to tell us why exactly you had problems to figure it out. As for performance: you're certainly wasting a good deal of the laptop's value by not using an M.2 PCIe drive, but SATA is still plenty fast.

To be honest, unless the "slow" speed (whatever it is on your end) bothers you or you don't have the patience to reinstall things properly, I'd just stick with what you have and enjoy your laptop.

 

Following from my post a few minutes ago, I managed to find and uninstall the old broadcom drivers. Once I did this I still had the same hazard sign next to my Intel bluetooth. I uninstalled the latest drivers and miraculously it started working. I then rebooted my system and it reverted back to the previous error with the hazard sign. I've now uninstalled the device and when I try download the latest drivers once again from Intel I'm getting the same message I got at the very start of all of this yesterday: Intel Bluetooth Service ibtsiva.exe could not be installed, verify you have sufficient privileges

This message was the same I got yesterday, but then I went and downloaded it from Dell and it worked, but I tried that again just now and I'm still getting this message. No idea wtf is happening!

 

Thanks for replying, I appreciate it. I did a Win 10 clean install after removing the 32GB cache & 1TB drive that came with the machine for 1 x 240GB Sandisk Ultra II SSD. It does work well but the boot times are slower and I have the BIOS set to ACHI - Legacy and Secure Boot off as that's the information I got from reading posts of other users with a similar setup. I'm happy to reinstall if I can get UEFI and secure boot to work. I'm learning as I get to grips with this machine, there is a lot of new technology to understand!

Thanks

 

Look for something with the name widcom and remove it. No doubt there is an old driver with some name that didn't get uninstalled..when I put in my 8260 it was widcom.

 

I had something similar but mine got fixed when I uninstalled the old driver. I'm sure your issue is software and not hardware, hopefully you can find it without doing a clean install. Mine is working but I'm still thinking of doing a clean install anyway as I upgraded from home to pro as well. Before I get to far along with this I might just do it to have a clean reference point. Oh, and I think the antennas on these are as much a cause of the problem as the card was. I have a couple opf other machines with either 7260 or 8260 cards and they always show 867M. This after the upgrade fluctuates between 550 and 650 and bounces. All of them are sitting within a foot of each other and the router is about 25-30 feet away. Before the upgrade I never got more than 175 so I'm ok with this.

One last thing, after you reboot you have to back into bluetooth setting and check the two boxes to make your pc discoverable and turn on the icon in the tray..don't know why but they get turned off the first time you boot.

 

I'm considering buying the XPS 13 with Intel Iris graphics on Amazon right now, with 8gb of RAM and 256 gb SSD. I know the SSD is most likely uprgadeable, but can I upgrade the RAM at all?

 

Does anyone know of a shop that does international shipping to get the new XPS 13 from? Waiting on b&h to get it in stock.

 

Sadly no...

 

Is that available or only a place holder for some future unknown release date? Last time I saw it that was all it was.

Oh nm, I see it is available now.

 

Hi everyone, I would like to buy the Xps 13 9350. Can anyone tell how the automated CABC (content adaptive backlight control) behave when you use an app with a dark blackground, Spotify for example? Does it become less readable? If you switch from a white page (a white Word page) to Spotify, is the change evident? Is it annoying?

 

If you have it on lowest brightness, you just see a slight fading of the light. Think of it as it lowers/raises the light with 1-2%. It is noticeable, but I'm not bothered by it and I'm VERY picky. You will only notice it while you switch from light/dark backgrounds, once you're in the program you will not see it. With brightness @50% it will be difficult to even notice it, and it brings a few min to the battery life so I'm quite happy with it.

 

Dark background: reduced brightness. Light background: increased brightness. reduce/increase is within a reasonable range.

The change is evident. Annoying? Not enough for me to return the laptop.

Also, I just noticed that the XPS 13 is $200 off at the microsoft store. Maybe they're trying to move inventory for the new iris pro models.

 

So I have no idea what happened, I haven't changed anything voluntarily, but in the last few days the screen flickering has become much more frequent in addition to the randomly shutting off and the sleep/shutdown problem. The screen flickering only seems to occur when firefox is open. I also get random heating issues

I don't want to return this laptop, its not a deal breaker because I really think all these issues will be solved through updates. But just to reaffirm I don't think anyone has any solutions to any of my issues yet correct?

 

I'm experiencing a weird noise every min or so when listening to Youtube. I get the same noise when i brighten/lower the screen (it cracks for a split second). It must be a software problem because i hear it using my headset as well - very annoying! I've tried disabling Maxxaudio and updated all the drivers. Anyone know of a solution?

 

are you plugged in when this sound occurs? what power scheme are you using?

 

It crackles with/without A/C and tried all power schemes, oh btw - the sound only happens if im using the speakers whilst adjusting brightness

 

Experiencing the same thing lately. Typically happens when I'm watching video in Chrome. Installed monthly Windows updates today (don't know if it will help any). Also, new Intel beta display drivers came out but haven't installed it yet.

Many have been experiencing the crackling issue, including myself. No fixes as far as I know besides turning off MaxxAudio (which hasn't worked for you). I only experience it when wathcing video (typically Youtube).

 

I also experienced a lot of screen flickering late last week. Manually updated the intel display driver to the latest version via the control panel and it seems to be good now.

i5, FHD

 

https://dbrand.com/shop/dell-xps-13
Looks interesting.

 

I can't seem to find a thunderbolt to hdmi and to vga,. I'm based in the uk, someone found one to connects screens to your dell xps 13 skylake?

 

I have this VGA one and it works nicely, very quick to connect and decent image quality: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00X4S58LQ

 

Hey guys I just bought a HDMI to USB-c adapter, do I have to do anything once I plug it in? Doesn't seem to be showing up on my TV. Only boughtthis to check if my usbc port is working tbh and it's not looking great.

 

Win key + P?

 

still doesn't seem to be showing up on the tv, only my sky tv box :/

Edit: only my sky tv box is showing up on the tv.

 

Eh? Are you sure you're on the right TV input? Selected Duplicate or Extend?

 

tried all, duplicate, extend, pc screen and tv screen. Also once I close them and open the win + p again it's gone back to pc screen only. Also when its plugged it there is some input lag on the kayboard on my laptop which is usually what happens when you display a screen somewhere else right ???

 

Just rebooted laptop and unplugged HDMI from tv and put it back it and it's now working

thanks for your help

 

Hooray! Glad it's working. Windows 10 can be a pain sometimes ...

 

Hey guys. How hot do your stock ac adapters get while using. Mine gets very hot while using. Also wondering is it safe to use it while the cable is wrapped around the brick. Cheers

 

Mine gets warm but not hot, if it did I would return it. And no, I wouldn't use it with the cable coiled, not worth any potential risk IMO, not matter how minor.

 

In my opinion mine gets pretty hot but is it dangerous ? I'm not sure it will be worth the ( knowing Dell very very long wait )/for a new one to arrive :/ as for being coilled up I kinda thought so but is there any actual danger to the part if its done ?

 

Can you actually measure the surface temp? Then give Dell a call and ask whether it's within operating params.

As for coil: probably not (otherwise they would have to warn against it explicitly), but why take the risk, especially when charging unattended? I'd rather have the 2 seconds inconvenience than a burned down house

 

Cheers for the help. I would never leave it charging unattended anyway. I mainy notice the high heat while using and charging it in college and I usually leave it coilled up then. To be clear too it seems to be the same temperature coilled up as not coiled

 

Okay after living with the Broadcom wireless chipset I've decided to replace it with an Intel AC8260. Some guys have already done that on here. I can't understand why these cards are in such short supply. My regular parts dealer hasn't got them. Only a couple of Chinese guys on Amazon have them. This is in London, England. But I can't understand why Dell would use Broadcom instead of Intel other than to save a couple of dollars.

 

I have 2 chargers (bought an extra to bring to school) and they never get hot. The one i have at home is always plugged in - and it is wrapped up as well. It's not even close to hot, just slightly warmer than the surrounding. I would call dell and ask what's up.

 

I bought it from Amazon for £33 I think. Intel was the retailer I think so take a look.

 

any noticeable improvements?

 

I also got the Intel 8260 and it seems to work better with better range, speed and stability. I have had two times bluetooth disappear on me when resuming from sleep though - icon gone and no settings for it. But it could have been drivers or random glitches. Its Intels best card.

I did have an issue that the wifi card got very hot when I had the PC plugged in, the fan kicked in and it got hot in the upper left corner area of the keyboard. What I did was setting the power saving mode in the wireless adapter settings to "Medium Power Saving" when plugged in (as it is on battery) and that "fixed it". Not sure if it should be like that though, works okay on max on other PCs here.

I did use the latest driver from Intel and not the one found on Dells site - I might try that one and see if I can the use "Maximum Performance" again without overheating :|

 

Yesterday where my xps 13 did not want to get out of sleep.
The power button and keyboards lighting were active but the screen stayed black.
The only solution was to force a shutdown of the laptop by pressing the power button for several seconds.
Anybody already encountered this problem ?
Any fix possible ?

 

Yes, once or twice.

 

Look on Control Panel Programs installed and uninstall any Broadcom program, if any still there.