Dell XPS 14 L401x Thread

There's a new one? I went to geforce.com and it says I have the latest version.

March 1st?? That's such a long time for such a simple item, when did you place your order?

I placed my order early Monday morning and the order has yet to be processed. I highly doubt they could make the estimated delivery of Feb 25.

5 to 6 hours is pretty amazing. My battery goes really quick, like 3hrs max. Music open at 40% volume, wifi on, surfing the web and a little video HD video watching.

Also have core temp on 24/7, just like having exact control of my cpu temp, not sure if that has any impact on the battery life.

 

Anyone having this trouble?

I installed de SP1 for mi Windows 7 x64 Home Premium and now my OS detects the 4GB RAM installed, but only 2.62GB are available!!!!

I tried searching in the BIOS some feature to Enable the use my entire RAM.. but I can't find anything like it

Please help!.. and forgive for my english.. I'm from Chile!

 

Where do you see 2.62gb?

 

On my System Properties

the BIOS reports the 4GB of RAM

CPU-Z shows 4GB of RAM

Windows Task Manager shows 2.62GB

 

I ordered mine on Sunday and they just told me that my laptop will be delayed to 3/1 and my keyboard will be delayed to 3/1 also. They just sent my
Laptop today, but my keyboard is still processing. I will get the L401X on 2/24, sucks I won't have the freaking keyboard until the first. Like I said post pics!

 

Task manager shows the RAM usage. The other 1.4gb is being used. It's perfectly normal.

 

oh my!

y uncheck the "max memmory" option in msconfig->boot->advanced and restarted

now i have 3.74GB RAM available for use.. something is still stealing me 256MB of my RAM

 

It's normal. RAM is there to be used. Unused RAM is worthless. As long as your system detects the 4gb RAM, you're fine. It's same for everyone.

 

It's probably your OS

 

Browsing the web on my new XPS 14 from Microsoft and wishing I had backlit keyboard. Oh well. Still love this laptop.

BTW, if you have a hardware monitor calibrator, it really does wonders for the color of the LCD. It doesn't improve the viewing angles but the screen definitely looks much better after calibration.

 

Chatted with support with Dell, asking if XPS 14 L401X will take 0KMP3 keyboard.

Their response was "yes Dell Part# 0KMP3 is compatible for your laptop."

I placed an order for one, the total + shipping is $56.91, I just did the monitor upgrade, guess time to do the keyboard now

 

Mine does this strange dim and contrast thing too at times. Also it seems the saturation goes up to max setting for a few minutes and then will come back down on it's own. (though it's not actually changed in the settings when i look). However, this has happened to be on battery and even plugged in, and using an external monitor. Seems to be a random occurrence, however I am using the Dell recommended setting.

Also, sometimes my audio will go funny, like make bad almost skipping sounds. Like weird morph sound, like if a sound is playing it will make a *errr* sound and then return to normal. A restart fixes it, but has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks

 

If you have the model with the Geforce GT 420M, the missing 256 MB of RAM is set aside for the integrated graphics.

 

I noticed that too. I had a 14 inch toshiba (Which i returned) before i got my xps. on that if you moved it even slightly the hard drive protection would kick in amd stop the HD, which would make whatever i was listening to make the same sound. but on this laptop it happens when its standing still..

 

Mine got delayed to March 2nd also...guess there should be a supply problem or something like that.

 

I have read through most of this thread and tried to search for it, but I can't seem to find anything about replacing the stock thermal paste. Has anyone done it and did it help more than a degree or two? I know it usually doesn't make a big difference, but I thought I would ask before trying it myself. I have the i7-740qm, and the temps are fine, but it puts out a fair share of heat just browsing the web.

Just so people know, I'm not saying it is running abnormally hot, I am just asking if changing the thermal paste lowers temperatures from normal.

 

I've only seen threads about the 15 and 17. People say it brings down the temps.

XPS 15 Repasting Guide by sprtnbsblplya

XPS 17 Repasting Guide by ironnerd

P.S. The search function on these forums stinks.

 

Really, I have changed the thermal paste on all of the laptops I have had, makes a great bit of difference, only if you are using the Arctic Silver 5 or something higher. It is quite simple with this laptop. Just pop off the top cover and you should have full access the the processor and heatsink. Type in l701x service manual for your laptop. Good luck man!

 

Hey just wondering whether you ended up opening the laptop to look at the pll. If you have the code then maybe we can give it to the author of SetFSB to support it, and then it's CPU overclocking heaven

 

So is there any kind of fix to this sound issue besides restarting which seems to work for me? So can I be sure it is not an audio driver problem and it is related to the freefall protection?

 

Uninstall the free-fall sensor driver. That is the quickest, most simple solution. Afterall, why would you need the driver installed, I am sure that you do well to take care of your laptop, preventing it from falling too hard on surfaces.

 

Some stuff will not work without quickset. Try to ask Dell for a solution. I have my music play fine when I move the lappy from one place to another. I'm pretty sure it'd still play fine even if I grab it and lightly shake it.

Edit: Yep, just tried it, perfectly fine.

 

yeah, i tried moving it too. I probably should have explained that.

at the time I was thinking it could be related to the hardrive (I.e. when the HD shuts off in automatically after 10 mins of not being used [windows default, mines set to 3].

or maybe it has something to do with the audio enhancement software. turning that off might do the trick.

 

Has anyone pay much attention to the webcam quality? Since it's 2.0MP Hi Def I'd expect more, but I did a comparison to my logitech Pro 9000 (also 2MP, but not HD) and the Logitech has better quality.

Just want to know if others are getting the same quality. (I know the room was dim, but even in daylight the quality seems poor for an HD webcam)

 

That's about the same quality I get.

 

In regards tithe webcam I find it to be good quality when there is a good amount of light. However I'm not really comparing to anything. I wanted to add that since I've gotten this laptop, playing with the Dell Webcam Central software causes me to blue screen saying "reference point" or something along those lines. It happened once when I was trying the different effects and once when I was changing the resolution that the cam was showing "tried changing it to **x720 and I ended up blue screening. However it is random because then upon restart I can use the program fine, just being wary that I might bluescreen. Anyone else experience a blue screen when using the webcam software?

 

I never got the blue screen. I just get a message telling me to lower my resolution when using effects.

 

Is the software available for download from Dell site? I did a clean install as soon as I got my rig. Can't find it on the site nor the driver disk.

 

Read the bottom post from this link

http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/531042-dell-xps-14-l401x-thread-27.html

 

Thanks for the link.

And apparently it onlys works in IE 32bit, chrome failed, IE64bit failed, IE32bit finally worked.

And it looks like I can download the roxio burn even though I didn't order it, is it any good?

 

I think the roxio burn is just the stock version(Roxio Burn 1.0) that comes along with all the xps' . It just burns cds. Nothing special

 

Just received an email this morning. Dell has extended my delivery date of my backlit keyboard (OKMP3) to 3/4/11. I hope that I can get it soon. I just received the L401x yesterday, it is slick, even greater than my M11X. I have no issues with the screen, the viewing angles suck, but I look directly at my computer screen. I will be taking off the front cover of the computer once the keyboard is confirmed to have shipped. Neubeehunhun, did your keyboard get delayed further?

 

No mail yet since last delay. I will let you know when I get back tonight.

 

Hello everyone, I've bought a Dell xps 14 recently, and I was wondering which SSD drive on Dell's website (Or otherwise) will fit with my Dell. I don't think my laptop's specs is necessary, but if it is I'll post them.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

Any 2.5" ssd will work. Almost all ssd's are that size, but there are the occasional 1.8" or 3.5" drives.

 

Received the AS5 and still no notification of backlit KB being delayed or shipped.

Edit: Actually, estimated delivery date was delayed to March 7(previously 2nd X_X) in my dell account, with no new mail notification...

Now I don't know if I should just cancel the order and apply my AS5, or keep waiting,

 

What's a safe temp for the GPU? I've been overclocking this GPU to 740mhz on the Core, 900mhz on the memory and 1480mhz on the shader. I'm hitting a max temp of 73C on the GPU, 69C|71C on the CPU, when playing Crysis. I'm just considering lifetime of the GPU when overclocking. I'll probably have this laptop for a few years so I want to OC it but also keep it so that it'll last.
I also have a custom U2 Cooling pad from cooler master. Converted it to wall outlet instead of USB, so that helps. Alot more air into the memory and wifi port. I also have a 40mm fan coming for the CPU inlet...

 

Hey Everyone,
Just an update for the blocky flash video. I upgraded using Dell's NVIDIA drivers that were released Feb. 22, 2011. It seems to have fixed the problem. However, the Nvidia GPU no longer cuts in for HD/Flash video according to the task tray icon. Does anyone know how to make it be used? I tried changing the settings for flash within the Nvidia settings but it still doesn't cut in. Maybe Dell did this as a work around to the blocky video?
What does everyone else think?

Note: I also have "hardware acceleration" turned on.

 

Ok, so earlier I stated that I didn't think I had a temp problem...well I'm pretty sure it turns out I'm wrong. I installed Fallout 3 on it to try it out, and the fan was working pretty hard (expected), but after less than 5 min, I check on my temps and the CPU was in the low 80s and the GPU was at 90C (i7-740qm & 425m). Seems too hot for my liking. So I thought I would tear it apart and replace the thermal paste with the right amount of AS5. Well, after pulling off the heatsink, I am met with this unfortunate news...





Now I'm pretty sure if the GPU isn't even touching the heatpipe I am going to have problems. Is this similar to the problem when people had to add a copper shim? Has anyone else had this issue? I don't think replacing with AS5 will help the GPU. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Hey there,
While you're opening up your laptop, would you mind looking for the PLL chip on the motherboard and look up its model number? With this number we can send the info to the maker of SetFSB, who can add support for CPU overclocking to our XPS 14, and greatly help prolong its usefulness. The format of the PLL model is something like this: ICS9LPRS475BGLF
Thanks!

 

I'm looking, but I'm not seeing anything. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for though, is this something that should be printed on the mobo itself, or a sticker, or a component on the mobo? I only have the bottom side exposed as well. If you can give me any more advice of where to find it I can keep looking.

 

Thanks for your effort! These are pictures of the PLL chips on the Alienware M11x (two different models were used in it). It should look similar to this for the XPS 14:
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
http://forum.notebookreview.com/att...es-inspiron-1720-pll-cy28547-pin-mod-diag.jpg

 

Maybe they just didn't tight the screw well? Try to clean the paste and put a paper there, and tighten it to see if it's easy to move the paper.

I'm about to do this soon, as soon as I get a working screwdriver, the one I have right now gets warped after a few screws ;<

And a question, how many stuffs you had to remove to get to the point you are at?

 

I'm not sure if I "had" to remove everything that I did, but I followed the instructions on Dell's website. So I basically removed everything. Tried to re-tighten, still not touching. I will probably try to find a small piece of copper to use as a shim.

 

Can't find anything on the bottom side of the mobo and I don't really want to take it off of the top cover since I already have more screws than I know what to do with. Sorry I can't help.

 

Oh that sucks, gonna be a lot of work. And good luck with the mod.

 

That's alright, thanks. At least now we know it must be on the top side of the board, in case anybody wants to check it out.

 

Holy crap. So I was having random stuttering every once in awhile while playing games. Uninstalled the free-fall sensor on a whim and like magic, it's fixed. Either my drive is slightly faulty (SMART said it was fine) or that thing is so sensitive it can't even stay spinning with the vibrations of itself. Either way, it's gone and I'm happy now. Thanks for the fix on an unrelated issue, lol.

 

So here's some info on the Optimus switching.
Here's what happens on the Dell battery saver.

I underclocked the GPU for battery life. It seems that the switching isn't exactly the best. Sometimes it'll turn on and off. I'll have Chrome running or word. Even with the setting on integrated graphics for default setting it seems the GPU is still on.

Eventually the core turns off for some time. It just doesn't exactly make sense. The Intel GPU shouldn't get overloaded and switch over to the Nvidia GPU.

My only other option that I see to make sure everything is running off the integrated graphics would be to go into the selected programs and individually choose each program loaded in the current running processes under task manager...

Question on Overclocking, does OC'ing the memory only increase temps?

So I did some OC testing today...
800MHz Core
950MHz Memory
1600MHz Shader

No problems, max temp hit 71C while playing crysis... Seems like the GPU doesn't have a top shelf... Anyone above 800MHz on the core? I did notice some flickering at 960MHz on the memory, it clocked it a little above 960MHz, more like 961.5MHz and I wasn't getting artifacts but it would flicker some. I would say 950MHz is tops for the memory.

Battery life:

Core i5-460m
Geforce 420m (Underclocked to 400MHz-Core, 600MHz-Memory)
Wifi: on
Programs: MS Word, nothing else

 

Hey Bill71, love the info you gave, i just got my XPS 14 as well and compared to my old 1680x1050 monitor in my old vostro 1500, this screen is appalling. Out of curiosity, would you consider doing a video and youtubing it for us. Seeing someone do it would make it a lot easier for the rest of us. I don't wanna take my lid apart just to see what the cables look like to know IF i can do it. Much thanks for the help.