Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook Review & Owner's Thread

It's a blue bar; it says "healthy". Thanks!

 

If you open a command prompt as administrator and run diskpart; then select drive 0, then list partitions, they should look like this:

DISKPART> select disk 0

Disk 0 is now the selected disk.

DISKPART> list partition

Partition ### Type Size Offset
------------- ---------------- ------- -------
Partition 1 Primary 100 MB 1024 KB
Partition 2 Primary 230 GB 101 MB
Partition 3 OEM 8 GB 230 GB

If the last 8gb partition is not OEM then you will not have hibernate/fast start

 

Another update on the noise eminating from the laptop that I'm experiancing. Can others try this and let me know if they have the issue aswell?

With the AC adaptor plugged in and the laptop in sleep (not S3 sleep) a noise comes from the back of the computer (put your ear to the middle of the vent) and from the AC adaptor that sweeps in frequency with the brightness of the LED. I've noticed that the noise is still there without the AC adaptor connected but is much quieter. I can hear this without putting my ear to the back the unit and it's starting to drive me up the wall!


Also any more info on the Caps Lock light? I've now installed quickset (a fairly useless program IMHO) and the light does not come on to let me know that Caps Lock is on.... Anyone else got this problems?

For the user who asked about the trackpad icon in the notification area, it doesn't go away for me either no matter what I do.

 

It has the blue bar over it. It also has the "Healthy" moniker attached to it as well.

 

Here is My DiskPart output:

DISKPART> select disk 0

Disk 0 is now the selected disk.

DISKPART> list partition

Partition ### Type Size Offset
------------- ---------------- ------- -------
Partition 1 Primary 100 MB 1024 KB
Partition 2 Primary 111 GB 101 MB
Partition 3 OEM 8 GB 111 GB

DISKPART>

I was reading something about Advanced format drives which are essentially just using 4K disk Pages over 512 Byte. Could it be that rapid Start is looking for 4096 logical sectors per physical sector?

 

Yikes, that's not very reassuring. Hopefully everything goes smoothly this time for you.

Is this from a cold boot? Warm boot?

Edit: They have to remove almost everything to replace the keyboard, check it out:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsL321x/en/om/html/keyboard.htm#wp1109861

At this point I am thinking of returning the laptop and asking for a new one.
It doesn't really seem right that I get sent a defective unit then have to suffer
the laptop being gutted (not to mention sitting/waiting/watching the tech/do
his/her job) just to replace the keyboard. If am not not happy with the job
I will have to return the laptop anyways but what about the time wasted
with going through the keyboard replacement hassle? It's not my fault the
keyboard needs replacing, why should I have to suffer? More I think about it
the more it doesn't make sense.

 

I will try to reproduce this scenario when I get back to the office Monday.

 

For those of you who can not install Rapid Start (As well as those of you who can install rapid start), could you look in your installer log and see what the error was? The Installer logs to C:\Intel\Logs\irstrtsv_Install.

This is the relevant error that I am getting:
<code>
[Scanning drivers]
Scanning drivers
Found INF = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x32\irstrtdv.inf
Found INF = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x64\irstrtdv.inf
[INF Info]
INF = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x32\irstrtdv.inf
* Section <PackageInfo> Key <Name> not found in INF
* Section <PackageInfo> Key <Sequence> not found in INF
Date = 06/15/2011
Version = 1.0.0.1006
ClassGUID = {4D36E97D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
PackageInfo.Name =
PackageInfo.Sequence = 0
Manufacturer = Intel,NTx86
Resolved Manufacturer = Intel
! Error locating a device section. Skipping inf
[INF Info]
INF = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x64\irstrtdv.inf
* Section <PackageInfo> Key <Name> not found in INF
* Section <PackageInfo> Key <Sequence> not found in INF
Date = 06/15/2011
Version = 1.0.0.1006
ClassGUID = {4D36E97D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
PackageInfo.Name =
PackageInfo.Sequence = 0
Manufacturer = Intel,NTamd64
Resolved Manufacturer = Intel.NTamd64
Inf supports 64 bit.
Description: Intel(R) Rapid Start Technology Device
HardwareID = GenericIrstrt_Inst,ACPI\INT3392
Removed INF = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x32\irstrtdv.inf
Removed C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x64\irstrtdv.inf
! Didn't find any INF's that match active hardware
IIF will NOT initiate reboot
Exit code = 0xA005
ResultCode = 40965
<<< 4/07/2012 13:58:46:023
</code>

I'm wondering if we're all hitting the same issue, or if there are different issues going on. Still working on trying to figure out what it is trying to find here, hopefully the logs from successful installs will be more fruitful.

 

Great, thank you very much. Please let me know what you find.

Cheers,
tak!

 

Great, thank you very much. Please let me know what you find.

Cheers,
tak!

 

Logical sectors should not be an issue as there is no filesystem created on this partition.

One thing i do see different regarding your partitioning schema from mine, is that your partition 3 is technically the 2nd partition on the drive, not the 3rd and this could be your problem. Not sure how this happened. Maybe you reinstalled windows without deleting ALL the partitions first.

Partition 3 - the 8gb hibernation partition has an offset of 111 - which makes it "physically"(yeah i know, SSD and not true, but as windows sees it) the second partition. It starts right after the 100mb primary windows 7 uses.

Many apps do use partition offsets to identify the correct partition.

I don't know if windows 7 will let you... but maybe you can delete the 8gb partition, expand the windows 7 partition to take up all space, then create a new 8gb partition as the last partition with the 230gb offset so it is at the end?

 

This is what i have from a successful install. Note, i did a clean install of windows 7 Ultimate - deleted all existing partitions in the process, so i did NOT pick the "upgrade" option. I deleted ALL partitions at the beginning of the install and let windows repartition the drive. Then i went back in later and shrunk the windows partition and created the 8gb OEM partition.

My error codes are the same as yours when i didn't have an 8GB partition.
<code>
[Scanning drivers]
Scanning drivers
Found INF = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x32\irstrtdv.inf
Found INF = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x64\irstrtdv.inf
[INF Info]
INF = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x32\irstrtdv.inf
* Section <PackageInfo> Key <Name> not found in INF
* Section <PackageInfo> Key <Sequence> not found in INF
Date = 06/15/2011
Version = 1.0.0.1006
ClassGUID = {4D36E97D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
PackageInfo.Name =
PackageInfo.Sequence = 0
Manufacturer = Intel,NTx86
Resolved Manufacturer = Intel
! Error locating a device section. Skipping inf
[INF Info]
INF = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x64\irstrtdv.inf
* Section <PackageInfo> Key <Name> not found in INF
* Section <PackageInfo> Key <Sequence> not found in INF
Date = 06/15/2011
Version = 1.0.0.1006
ClassGUID = {4D36E97D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
PackageInfo.Name =
PackageInfo.Sequence = 0
Manufacturer = Intel,NTamd64
Resolved Manufacturer = Intel.NTamd64
Inf supports 64 bit.
Description: Intel(R) Rapid Start Technology Device
HardwareID = GenericIrstrt_Inst,ACPI\INT3392
Matched HardwareID = ACPI\INT3392
Installed Driver = {4d36e97d-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}\0043
* Section <PackageInfo> Key <Name> not found in INF
Removed INF = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x32\irstrtdv.inf
Adding INF to install queue. INF=C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x64\irstrtdv.inf Sequence=0
Checking for downgrading
[Checking INF versions]
C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x64\irstrtdv.inf
Installed INF is machine.inf, skipping version check
[Install]
Reading action list from resource: DEFAULT
Groups: ARP=1
Reading action file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\setup.if2
Groups: ARP=1
Showing install wizard
[Filtering components per group]
[Filter conditions]
'File' at line 32. Condition = NOT Is64 AND IsVar(HASDRIVER,1)
Sorting action list for installation
[INF - 0]
Installing C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x64\irstrtdv.inf
INF = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x64\irstrtdv.inf
Execute command: C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\x64\Drv64.exe -driverinf "C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x64\irstrtdv.inf" -flags 20 -keypath "Software\Intel\Difx64"
Installed Package = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Drivers\x64\irstrtdv.inf
Package Requires Reboot = no
Checking for previously installed driver package
Previous INF = C:\Windows\inf\machine.inf
Uninstalling previous driver package, if any
Execute command: C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\x64\Drv64.exe -driverinf "C:\Windows\inf\machine.inf" -flags 0 -keypath "Software\Intel\Difx64" -uninstall
* Error occured while uninstalling driver package (0x5EFFB8)
[Folder - 0]
Marking folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\irstrtsv\uninstall\x64 for delete on uninstall
[Service - 0]
Name = irstrtsv
Marking service irstrtsv for stop on uninstall
[Service - 0]
Name = irstrtsv
[Service - 50]
Name = irstrtsv
Stopping service irstrtsv
[File - 100]
Operation = copy
Destination = C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\irstrtsv\irstrtsv.exe
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Service\irstrtsv.exe
[File - 110]
Operation = copy
Destination = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\irstrtsv.exe
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Service\irstrtsv.exe
[Service - 200]
Name = irstrtsv
Installing service irstrtsv
[Registry - 300]
Adding registry value = HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\irstrtsv\Parameters
[Registry - 310]
Adding registry value = HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\irstrtsv\Parameters\FlushActivePagesEnabled=0,dw
[Registry - 311]
Adding registry value = HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\irstrtsv\Parameters\FlushStandbyPagesEnabled=1,dw
[Registry - 312]
Adding registry value = HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\irstrtsv\Parameters\FlushModifiedPagesEnabled=1,dw
[Registry - 313]
Adding registry value = HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\irstrtsv\Parameters\FlushOnS3Enabled=1,dw
[Registry - 314]
Adding registry value = HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\irstrtsv\Parameters\FlushPeriod=0,dw
[Service - 400]
Name = irstrtsv
Starting service irstrtsv
[File - 500]
Operation = copyonly
Destination = C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\irstrtsv\uninstall\Setup.exe
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\setup.exe
[Folder - 505]
Source = C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang
Destination = C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\irstrtsv\Uninstall
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\ar-SA\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\ar-SA\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\cs-CZ\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\cs-CZ\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\da-DK\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\da-DK\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\de-DE\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\de-DE\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\el-GR\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\el-GR\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\en-US\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\en-US\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\es-ES\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\es-ES\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\fi-FI\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\fi-FI\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\fr-FR\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\fr-FR\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\he-IL\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\he-IL\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\hr-HR\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\hr-HR\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\hu-HU\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\hu-HU\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\it-IT\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\it-IT\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\ja-JP\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\ja-JP\Setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\ko-KR\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\ko-KR\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\nb-NO\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\nb-NO\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\nl-NL\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\nl-NL\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\pl-PL\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\pl-PL\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\pt-BR\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\pt-BR\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\pt-PT\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\pt-PT\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\ro-RO\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\ro-RO\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\ru-RU\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\ru-RU\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\sk-SK\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\sk-SK\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\sl-SI\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\sl-SI\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\sv-SE\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\sv-SE\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\th-TH\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\th-TH\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\tr-TR\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\tr-TR\setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\zh-CN\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\zh-CN\Setup.exe.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\zh-TW\license.txt
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\Lang\zh-TW\Setup.exe.dll
[File - 510]
Operation = copy
Destination = C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\irstrtsv\uninstall\Setup.cfg
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\setup.cfg
[File - 510]
Operation = copy
Destination = C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\irstrtsv\uninstall\x64\Drv64.exe
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\x64\Drv64.exe
[File - 515]
Operation = copyonly
Destination = C:\Windows\system32\difxapi.dll
Copying file C:\Dell\Drivers\7NXR2\x64\difxapi.dll
Source version: 2.1.0.0
Dest version: 2.1.0.0
File skipped, destination file is same or newer
[Configuring uninstallation - 520]
Uninstall key: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\3D073343-CEEB-4ce7-85AC-A69A7631B5D6
IIF will NOT initiate reboot
Exit code = 0x0
ResultCode = 0
<<< 3/02/2012 21:40:33:132
</code>

 

There is actually 12 MB of unallocated space between the end of partition 2 and the start of partition 3. It seems that Diskpart rounds up to the nearest GB in this case, so it always shows as 1 GB, but if I look in Disk Management I can see 12MB of Unallocated space between partitions 2 and partitions 3, so when it comes down to cylinders there is actually an offset between where 2 ends and 3 begins, its just a function of DiskPart rounding up.

 

Just to make sure there wasn't any weirdness possibly going on here, I actually shrunk my Win7 Partition by 1.01 GB to make it show up in DiskPart as having an offset; I know that normally there would be another partition there when the machine was imaged at the factory, and it still didn't make a difference. Here is what the DiskPart output looked like:
<code>
DISKPART> list partition

Partition ### Type Size Offset
------------- ---------------- ------- -------
Partition 1 Primary 100 MB 1024 KB
Partition 2 Primary 110 GB 101 MB
* Partition 3 OEM 8 GB 111 GB

DISKPART>
</code>

 

Sorry, i read it wrong. I see now that your offset is 111GB (not mb) and your 3rd partition starts after the Primary - and you have the smaller SSD so that is why your numbers are different. Got my GB and MB confused and misread the 101 for 110. Again, sorry about that.

I only have the 3 partitions.... and i followed the directions

If i select disk 0 and then select partition 3 and use the detail command i get this... see if yours look similar...

<code>
DISKPART> detail partition

Partition 3
Type : 84
Hidden: Yes
Active: No
Offset in Bytes: 247469178880

There is no volume associated with this partition.

</code>

 

When will BIOS A04 be released and what improvements can we expect?

 

Here is what mine looks like:
<code>
DISKPART> detail partition

Partition 3
Type : 84
Hidden: Yes
Active: No
Offset in Bytes: 119443292160

There is no volume associated with this partition.

DISKPART>
</code>
I've tried playing around with the offset a bit to see if the Intel drivers were perhaps counting bytes and the cylinders are rounded off to the nearest 512 bytes, but no luck there either.

In doing some googling I saw that a similar installer log error happened for people on the ICH8 Chipset after they stopped supporting it or their storage drivers were not installed correctly, however, after uninstalling and reinstalling rapid storage, the service is still operating without error, and with the same outcome.

 

what version of windows? 64 bit?

 

Yes, Windows 7 home Premium 64 Bit. I've kept the version of windows the same as the default OS that ships with the laptop (And that you get an OEM key for)

 

Glad to see a positive post. I've been sifting through this thread and had to go back quite a few pages just to see something positive! Sooooooo much SSD posts I was getting disconcerted with what I'm going to unwrap tomorrow when mine arrives!

 

I am officially stumped... I do IT for a living, and I have not idea why you are having problems.... unless it is a permissions problem. Have you tried to right click the EXE (the install after it is extracted that is in the Dell drivers folder) and run as Administrator?

For me it was very easy - as soon as I figured out what was going on with the partition type. I just followed the steps mentioned before.

 

Many of us love our XPS 13 - even with some minor glitches left, Dell is being very responsive and addressing the issues. A great little machine that I am very happy with.

 

I'll add to that. I love mine! Only issue I had was the trackpad, which the newest drivers resolved. I've almost migrated off my XPS 15, and will just use this and my desktop exclusively.

 

Yeah, you have to keep in mind people having issues are far more likely to post than those who have none.

 

Have to say I love mine too. Also I get so many compliments on it from random people.

 

Finally getting around to repartioning and starting from scratch, but I'm having a strange error. If I boot off of an Win7 Ultrimate image on a USB key, or off an external DVD (ASUS SBC-06D1S-U) I keep getting a windows error that there is a missing driver, but I can't figure out what driver is missing - it already has the USB or DVD spun up... ?

 

I don't remember this, and installed 64 bit ultimate off a USB stick. But there definitely are missing drivers that you will have to install from the Dell site.

 

But this at the very start of the install - I haven't even gotten to the partitioning part of the install yet. Weird...

 

As long as you can get past that and do the install, you should be able to install all drivers after the fact.... It really only needs to see the video card and SSD.

 

The problem is the Windows image, not drivers or anything. I had this with the disk that Dell sent and have had it in the past. Get a different image.

hth.

 

I also love mine. I was using an Alienware M11x, but would get harassed in meetings about its looks, so I needed something more professional looking and lighter for lugging around airports. I am 100% happy with my purchase.

 

Dell-Bill_B is there any chance you could let @DellCares know that I do not want a service dispatch? I only want an exchange or a full refund at this point in time.

After looking at the manual I really do not have the patience or the time to sit with a tech while he guts the laptop in order to replace the keyboard.

 

+1. After updating the trackpad drivers, this thing is everything I wanted.

 

I am having an annoying issue now.

I have two windows that come up when you boot into windows that cannot be closed.

1. CyHidWin
2. Cypress TouchMon

These are both related to the Cypress Touchpad

They are only visible when I plug into an external monitor, but are always there. This is an issue because I always use two monitors at the office, and are also present when I plug into a projector for presentations.

I spent two hours on the phone with tech support and they could not resolve the problem. They tried reinstalling the touchpad drivers, and the display driver with no effect.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Bill: I would appreciate some help here

 

What mode is your SATA controller set to?

They should be able to facilitate your request easily as long as you are still inside 21 days. Even if you aren't, if you reported the issue to tech support within 21, they will probably consider you inside 21. I can't speak for them, but I'm pretty sure they can accommodate. All you have to do is send them a DM on Twitter, and let them know you changed your mind. They will probably offer a whole unit exchange first, but if you just really don't want it, let them know.

Are you saying, essentially, that these 2 windows are always open, and the only time you see them is when you are on dual monitors (2 external or one external + laptop screen) on extended desktop?

 

Hey, just wanted to let you know that the Tech took about 30 minutes to do a keyboard swap.

Also, I wanted to post my experience and timeline for those that might experience a problem similar to mine.

XPS 13 Keyboard Issue (http://youtu.be/r9mtxA_VEIE)

• April 3 (9:30pm): sent tweet to @DellCares
• April 4 (1:45am): received response
• April 4 (7:20am): sent Service Tag and information
• April 4 (9:20am): @DellCares informs me that, "If any part damage occurs during the removal of keyboard,it would not be covered."
• April 4 (9:25am): I take the option to have a tech sent to my home.
• April 4 (9:30am): notified that I would receive a call from a tech in 2-3 business days.
• April 5 (9:30am & 11:30am): missed a call from Tech then called Tech back, but due to scheduling conflicts set date for install for Monday, April 9
• April 9 (11:40am): Tech came. Was surprised that everything needed to be removed for the keyboard to be installed. said it wouldn't be a problem. He finished and left after 30 minutes.

I'm very impressed with the turn around in service. There seems to be some type of communication gap between Dell Customer Support and Dell Tech. But, the Tech was very friendly. @DellCares responds super quick. Now I've got a great keyboard.

-edit-: Quick note that boot time is much slower for some reason. About a consistent 1 minute and 20 seconds vs. 30 second boot time prior to repair. Weird.

-edit2-: To reflect Bill's note. Also discovered another problem. It seems there is a "bright" pixel now on the monitor.

 

Just spoke to Scott. He already set up the dispatch based on your conversations last week. Please go ahead and accept the service call. If you are not happy with the swap after it's done, just let Scott know. He'll be happy to replace the system, or process a return with the restocking fee waived- whichever you decide. We just need to go ahead with the service since the parts are dispatched, and the field tech already has the work order in hand.

Is that tweet public? If so, can you post back the link, please? If it was a DM, can you get me the initials at the end of the DM or from a previous tweet. I need to make sure we're all on the same page and provide that person a link to the online warranty documentation and the internal warranty policy documentation.

Let me say this again (it seems I have to overcome incorrect tribal knowledge that 10,000 Dell techs have):

Opening your case does not void your warranty in and of itself. It's your hardware. You can do whatever you want with it, as long as you don't damage it. You can take it apart right down to un-soldering capacitors off the motherboard if you want to, as long as you don't damage it. If you do anything, and we can demonstrate through failure analysis that you caused the problem, then the warranty is suspended until you pay us for out of warranty service and re-certification of the warranty.

The only time I've ever voided a warranty in my 9 years at Dell was when customers are obviously trying to defraud us or are overly abusive to tech and care agents. Even then, we give a pro-rated refund for the balance of the warranty, but I digress.

Again, replacing your own parts, upgrading parts, or just curiously tinkering around the innards will not void the warranty.

Edit:
I found the case notes. She didn't say the warranty can be voided. All she said was basically what I said: any damage you do in replacing your own parts is not covered. She also provided a link to the service manual. If I have my information wrong, please let me know.

"Reply: Removing the keyboard is a very complicated step. Click link for instructions: http://dell.to/HfUsHo Cont. If any part damage occurs during the removal of keyboard,it would not be covered.Let us know how u would like to proceed.SS"

 

Exactly. They cannot be closed, and always pop back up on top of whatever windows you want to maximize after hitting the show desktop button to minimize them (which is the only way to make them minimize) I will post a desktop screen shot shortly



Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

 

As Dell-Bill_B mentioned - check your SATA settings in BIOS - Advanced tab, halfway down... should be on AHCI....

Further down, Rapid Start should be enabled (have to enter into it for sub menu)

 

Just found out we are already working this issue with Cypress. We have been unable to replicate so far, but I sent over your description for them to try to replicate from. Hopefully that is the key, and we see a fix soon. We want to roll up some updates into one driver so we don't come out with the touchpad "driver of the month," but we don't want to overload one update with so many fixes we break something else. I will update as I hear news.

 

alphadog00 is famous now.

Multi-finger gestures on the XPS 13 Ultrabook trackpad #XPS13 - Direct2Dell - Direct2Dell - Dell Community

 

My only complaint right now is the outrageous, extortion level cost of wanting to buy an extra power supply for the thing.

Seriously $50 at Dell and $78 if you buy from Dell through Amazon, for a low level power supply? These should be $20-$25 at most. Having worked in the industry I know exactly how much these cost for Dell. That price is shameful.

 

I know... i say "uh" like 50 times... Not sure why I do that on a video, but not when doing customer presentations.... oh well.

 

I just tried to replicate this issue but could not. I was using an updated system with a customer shipping image, the latest web posted touch pad drivers, Dell branded MiniDisplayPort-to-VGA dongle, Dell 3008 panel. We tried 3 different resolutions and could not see the windows. We verified those 2 processes were running.

Can you tell me what driver revision, BIOS, display type, and dongle you are using. Did you do a clean Windows install, or is this on the stock image?

 

I am inside of 7 days, I just received the laptop last week, I reported the problem the day after I received the unit.

You guys send out a defective unit and I am the one that has to be accommodating and now have to find time off from work etc.

Yeah one would think for a system that is ONE day old they would go with an immediate swap/exchange, but ofc it can't be that easy.

I guess I will go through with service call to be more "accommodating"

 

Edit- too wordy and snarky. Apologies.

If you do not want the service call, let Scott know if you want a refund or an exchange. He's standing by to place either into action.

 

Can someone who's been following this thread provide a quick and objective overview? There's a lot to like about this machine but I've seen a few issues mentioned, though the major one with the fan sounds like it was fixed?

Also, are there any owners who would NOT recommend buying this machine?

Thanks!

 

Called a couple Best Buy's around me, and none of them are getting them in anytime soon. I guess I got unlucky on which stores carried it. Any updates on Amazon? Are we talking about weeks or months or?

 

To sum up i think there will always be some small issues that people are unhappy about especially with a new launch. Dell seem to be committed to sorting these issues out which you can witness just by viewing a few pages of this thread.

Mostly the fan noise has been addressed with version A03 and i believe there is also a new bios in the works as well.

There was some issues with the trackpad drivers initially but most of these have also been resolved with the latest driver as well.

It is a superbly built machine and it is certainly one of the best laptops i have used over the past few years. I sold my mac book pro for one of these and have not regretted the decision so far.

 

My initial impression is it looks great, build quality is nice, other than that I haven't touched it.

I am sure you will mostly be happy if you receive a unit minus the obvious hardware defects like a noisy psu, bad keyboard etc.

Has anyone received one with dead/stuck pixels on the screen? That will be another thing I need to check.