Dell XPS 14 L401x Thread

The sync problem that I am experiencing with my iPhone is this:

When I plug it in it will backup, install apps, sync contacts, calendars and notes fine. It will allow me to put music on when I drag it to the iPhone (I manually manage my music). However, if I want to remove something from my iPhone that is when I start having problems. If I go to the music take and look for a few songs I want to take off my iPhone, as soon as I start selecting a song, iTunes freezes. If I unplug the iPhone, iTunes returns to a working state. If I allow iTunes to unfreeze itself I start getting multiple error messages. "Unknown error", "folder specified instead of a file", "internal device error" etc. I also get these errors if I try to put any photos on my iPhone.

I have these problems with my iPhone and my iPod Touch. However, I experience no issues like this when using my old iPod Video 30 GB. I can put music on, edit, delete stuff off of it with no errors or freezing. I can use external USB harddrivers, jumpdrivers, no read or write problems.

I have tried uninstalling everything pertaining to Apple and iTunes. I have made a new user on the computer etc. None of this has worked!

It's like the computer doesn't like iOS devices.

I found a thread on the Apple discussion board about this issue and these multiple errors:
Apple - Support - Discussions - iTunes 9 on Windows 7 x64 Has Problems ...
This thread started about iTunes 9, but people are still replying with these issues.

A Fix that has been found is to update to your computer suppliers ie. Dell, most recent BIOS. I have done this and still no luck as of A05. The temporary fix they say is to enable C-State in the BIOS, however Dell does not allow this to be changed in their BIOS as it seems they have the BIOS crippled for different settings.

So I am currently able to put stuff on my iPhone with this computer, but if I want to edit anything I have to use my desktop or my old laptop.

So my question is, does this seem to be an Apple issue? A Dell issue? Or my iPhone?

Should I contact Dell or wait it out for a BIOS update/Fix from Apple?

Thanks for any replies, opinions or help.

 

I apologize if the answer to this is in this thread, but since I don't see it:

Has anyone posted the battery life with the 9 cell?

Thanks.

 

I have the core i5 460m and when I'm on battery I use the Dell battery mode and with wireless on I get close to 7-8 hours. With wireless off I get 11-12 hours. I use with screen brightness at the lowest brightness settings. It will give you great battery life.

 

Thanks so much. Just the info I wanted.

 

Update - Fresh Windows 7 install on SSD. Still having issues with LG matte finish monitor. I will try taking apart again and messing with the connection, but screen works perfectly well in safe mode or with Nvidia driver uninstalled.

Tried downloading newest driver direct from Nvidia - program says it cannot find compatible hardware. Stuck with generic monitor driver. Not sure what the issue is.

What a pain in the butt. Will keep you posted.

What are the specs on that new screen you've found?

 

im having trouble installing the dell webcam central on my laptop. i did a reformat and wiped the recovery partition and other partition clean. here's the message i get:

 

Just to be sure, you're using the nvidia drivers off dell's support site right? the nvidia hosted nvida drivers dont support optimus last time i checked.

 

yes I am. Just had Dell support go through this and they have no answer for me.

 

Will be taking apart again and checking connections now.

 

Ok beware the matte finish version of the LG replacement screen. I still cannot get mine to work. I put in the old screen again and it works fine. I tried reconnecting the cable a couple of times. I had Dell premium support look at it. No luck. I bought this from ScreenCountry.com. Will keep you posted.

Any word on the new matte monitor candidate?

It does work 100% when the Nvidia driver is not installed. The screen is not playing nicely with the video card for some reason?

 

A couple quick questions if anybody knows the answers to them:

1-does anybody know the battery life of the i7-740/425m model?
2-how are the temperatures? I know some of the xps line in the past has had overheating issues
3-anybody have any real life gaming benchmarks in games?
4-does anybody know yet if the components(cpu, gpu) are an on motherboard type or are they user upgradeable?

 

That's quite unfortunate. I'[m not quite sure why it would not work either. Does the store you bought it from offer an exchange? Hopefully they can get you a different screen; I'll help you if you need it.

Battery life and temperatures: http://forum.notebookreview.com/6868744-post31.html

CPU is upgradeable, GPU is integrated to the mainboard.

 

im still having trouble with installing the dell webcam central software. anyone have the same issues?

 

Your previous error image did not show up in the post. But when I tried to quote it back to you it did.

Based on the error "setup could not detect any Dell WebCam Central on your device" it leads me to wonder if you installed the driver after your OS re-install. Dell WebCam Central does not install the driver.

Also, are you installing the WebCam CEntral off of the "Software that came with your system" from Dell Support?

 

yeah i installed the driver right after installing the OS again. I checked the device manager and the webcam listed is installed properly.

Also the webcam central wasnt on the CD of "software that came with your system" I had to google it and found the direct download page. Also that software isnt even offered when i went to dell.com

 

Hey this was asked before in the thread but never answered. Can the xps 14 simultaneously output to TWO external monitors?

 

Hello, I am hoping someone here might be able to help me. my new xps 14 was delivered one week ago and I think I got a dud. Something has to be wrong, I have tried playing 1080p mkv files with vlc and it stutters and skips. I tried windows media player classic as well and the same thing happens. The comp has frozen on me 4 times in a total of 4 hours of use performing regular web surfing, typing email etc...
I ran the 3dmark06 benchmark test and got a 5200 and my windows performance index is a 4.7. So far i'm very disappointed.
I tried updating the gt420m drivers but I get an error stating " no matching video card has been found"
What tests can I perform to test the computer??
Is there anything specific that will tell me if the computer is not switching video card modes???
Any help would be welcomed and appreciated.
I have chatted with dell tech support but haven't gotten anyone competent yet. The last person I spoke to told me my computer will not handle 1080p files.
I'm upgrading from an xps1330 because I want to play dual 1080p files (stream to 3d tv) but it won't even play a regular 1080p movie without skipping and freezing.
Sorry for the rant.

 

I changed the screen out today and it's a HUGE difference...I tried taking photos, but it's hard to see the difference in the photos..I have two xps14's side by side. Also, I broke the bezel around the screen when popping it off...does anyone have a contact at dell parts so I can get another one?

 

I had a bad hard drive in one of my laptops...It didn't run correctly and the windows score was wrong on the first try...It also gave me the blue screen of death...You may want to check the drive or listen for any sounds coming from it

 

Were you just going to the Drivers and Download section? It is not there. It took me awhile to find it.

Look for My Software on the My Account page. And go to Download Factory Installed Software (My Dell Downloads). See attachment 1

From that link it does some system registration thing and then gives you a list of software like the attached picture #2

 

Was that battery life after re-install and without running much other than standard WIN7 services?

I get about 2-2.5 and have the same specks. That is with birghtness all the way down, sidebar off and bluetooth off.

I do have all the other crap running in the background. I just have not taken time to cleanup msconfig or services.msc.

 

You may want to send Snapdragon a PM.

...

I'm off to one fantastic start for this week. I tried turning on my XPS 14 and it will not power on at all. The battery's level indicator showed a full charge, I tried moving to different wall sockets, and nothing. Guess I'll get to chat with a technical representative in a few hours.

 

Sorry to hear that Inferno... On the bright side, I installed the LG screen yesterday. What a difference it made. Watching my movies at a much better angle. Thanks again for the heads up on the screen.

 

He stated that he's using a 9 cell..im guessing you probably have a 6 cell

 

Curious if anyone has tried using the LED screen that was originally in the Studio 14z, the CMO 1447?

It exists in both glossy and matte finishes:

CHI MEI N140O6-L02 LAPTOP LCD SCREEN 14.0" WXGA++ MATTE LED $75

Chi Mei N140O6-L02 Screen | Chi Mei N140O6-L02 LCD Screen

 

For what I understand, you need to check the connectors

 

That is correct sir!

 

Bought from ScreenCountry.com after a lengthy questioning... this is their answer:

Dec 14, 2010 13:03:28
Slava Kaganov wrote:
Your original screen is WXGA (1366X768) while the one ordered (1600x900) which is why you are having the issues, as your laptop was not configured to run with this resolution of screen.

This is even after I explained there have been at least 5-6 people on this thread who have installed successfully.

Do you know where to find the exact specifications for the models?

I asked for the matte finish version of the LP140WD1 (TL)(A1) and I was given the:

LP140WD1 (TL)(D2)

I think maybe I was supposed to get the LP140WD1 (TP)(D1) ?

(that is supposed to be a "TP" above not TL)

Do you know what the differences between the 3? Thank you!

 

It's a 40-pin, and it's on the right, like Inferno mentioned. I'm curious since I have the 14z and was looking to upgrade.

I also found both of them on Screen Country as well:

N140O6-L02 LAPTOP LCD SCREEN

 

I think the connector needs to be on the back not at the right.

 

Yes, the back, right-side of the panel. There are no panels with connectors on the side of the actual panel frame.

The N140O6 will work with the XPS 14 as well.

 

The fact that the seller states the screen wasn't compatible with the laptop just because the resolution is different is load of bullocks. They're just scrapping the bottom of the barrel in attempt to not be held liable for exchanges.

As far as the specifications for the panels, I just hunt endlessly on Google. Some of the manufacturers are nice enough to distribute PDFs containing the panel's pin diagram and its specifications. Sometimes you'll run into conflicting information, so it's best to call the company that carries the part and verify with them first before ordering.

 

The Dell Technician just left my place after replacing the mainboard. The laptop works now, but the fan keeps on turning on and off, and it's quite annoying. Temperatures are okay, so I have no idea why it's doing this. If it doesn't stop in the next four hours, I'm going to have to chat with them again. Sigh...

 

So I got mine today and the insert key is crooked compared to all the other keys 0.o It's hard to explain but all the other keys are straight across aside from that one I'm assuming this isn't normal? I can't seem to twist it back into position or anything.

 

I really hope this is not going to be a trend with the new XPS series. I have a M1330 for 2 years and had to replace the Motherboard twice.

 

God I hope not. I had mine for 3 and went through 5 motherboard replacement. Exactly the reason I took delivery of this XPS 14 today

Couple questions:

No more middle click when I press the two mouse buttons together? Anyone know of a fix for this? Any alternate drivers or something?

Also, tried to update the drivers from Nvidia and it said it didn't find any compatible hardware. What gives? How do I update them? Rather not be forced to use Dell as theirs are always way behind.

 

The most recent Verde drivers on Nvidia's website came out before the XPS 14 hit the market so the ID strings for the 420/425 are not in it. You can either use a modded .inf file with the 260.99 drivers or wait for the 265 drivers.

 

Pop it off and put it back on right.

 

Hey guys, I have been reading through the thread and decided to get a new screen for the xps 14 I will be getting in a week or so. What is the best screen to get? Will this work?
http://www.123gadget.com/incEngine/...ED-Backlight&product=1030210875&affiliate=605

I think I may prefer a matte screen to get rid of glare but I don't want to buy one that won't be compatible with my new computer. What do you all think??

 

This one will work:

CHI MEI N140O6-L02 LAPTOP LCD SCREEN 14.0" WXGA++ MATTE LED $75

As someone mentioned, it's the same screen that was on the Studio 14z so you should get really crisp colors. The one in your link would work, but the data connector is offset to the left side of the panel, so it would put some tension on the data connector.

...So, my XPS 14's fan is still spooling up and down even when there are no programs running, much less any background activity. I called Dell's customer support back (It speaks a great volume for the company when you have their technical support on speed dial and you're a home user...). I got a lady who made no attempt to help me find out why my computer's fan is running rampant, and merely stated that since the mainboard has been replaced and the laptop works, there is nothing else they can do.

I understand these customer support representatives lack the technical expertise to troubleshoot some of the more rigorous issues, but she did not even offered to connect me with technical support. Trying to circumvent the issue by merely stating "That's how it is supposed to be" when I spent nearly $1400 on your product and am having issues with it just doesn't sit right with me. I simply hung up and am in the process of returning the XPS 14 back to its factory configuration; I'm getting rid of it, and I will never purchase another Dell product.

 

If you get the custom back design thing, can you still replace the screen?

Does anyone have any pictures of the back design? It costs no extra for us Australians..

 

Did you speak to the XPS Premium department? Maybe we can help ya troubleshoot it and if for some reason you didn't speak to XPS Premium try again but with that department. Does the new mobo have the newest bios or what bios does it have on it? Is the fan spooling up low then stopping or is it spooling up real loud and fast then stopping? Sorry to hear about the bad support, honestly Dell needs to reconsider what they're doing in their customer service/tech support departments I can't tell you how many times I've had horrible support even when I owned my $3k M17xR2 lol.

 

I wasn't even aware that a department exist just for the XPS line. No one even mentioned it.

It's got A05, which I think is the latest on the website. The fan will spool up to the level that you get when you start up a 3D application, stay that way for about 10-15 seconds, and then stop. Rinse and repeat every five or ten minutes.

The thing that irks me the most is that I've given the company multiple chances. The first time was back in 2003, with a Latitude L400. My fan stopped working, and they attempted to charge me $120 to fix it even though it was well under its 2 year warranty. That was the first burn.

Fast forward to three months ago, when the M101z was released. I tried to install a SSD in it, and the BIOS wouldn't detect it even though the Windows 7 installation did see it, albeit it will not install since the drive was detected as a removable drive. I called tech support, who simply said that it's Intel's fault and they cannot do anything about it. That was the second strike.

Here we are, third strike. I'm done with them. This isn't some cheap $20 kid's toy that is defective and the store refuses to take it back; this is an expensive laptop and that kind of customer service is not good enough. It's a crying shame that they make decent products, but the customer support singlehandedly destroys the overall experience.

 

Ask to speak to premium support in the XPS department, if you have the Advanced/Premium/Complete Care warranty you get it for the life of the warranty, if you got the NBD warranty then you get it for at least 60 days with XPS products if someone denies you speaking to the premium department then ask for a manager which is usually just as good Has anyone determined if the bios A05 has caused any issues at all? I know on a lot of other products fan issues can sometime be related to new revisions of the bios. If I were to stop buying Dell/Alienware due to 3 strikes I would have stopped with my m17x at the end of last year lol, fast forward 12 months and I've owned every single Alienware made since then Stupid me! Face<-PALM!

 

I'm glad I cancelled my order now.. I found an ASUS that I quite like that is affordable!

I knew if I bought this DELL I'd have to replace the screen.. eugh

 

Fixed.

Goto the run command and enter "regedit" without quotes. Then browse to the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Synaptics\SynTP\Defaults\ -- create the key as a DWORD 'HasBothButtonFeature' and set the value to 1.

 

TRF-Inferno,

I just got my Dell XPS L401x today:
I7 (Q740)
8Gigs of RAM
256 SSD HD
GeForce GT 425M

The only thing that is bugging me is the LCD display.. It's HORRIBLE!!

If you could send us screenshots on how to replace the current screen panel with the LG LP140WD1-TLA1 panel that would be awesome!

I can't believe Dell would put a piece of scrap LCD panel with a high-end notebook. Other then the pixel problems on the display, this notebook is smoking FAST!

 

Hi, I recently bought an XPS 14 and have looked into the screen exchange considering all the information on this forum (thank you all). However, I am also trying to upgrade my RAM to an 8gb, but was told by dell that there are no compatible ones just yet. Is this true? Are there no aftermarket RAM that is compatible with these new XPS L401x? thank you

 

Agreed. You will also get different answers by talking to different people. I always will call right back and talk to someone else. Sometimes you get them to help more, but sometimes you have to ask for a supervisor. But the XPS Premium department is a good thing to know exists. (which I did not)

 

The screenshots are there. Everyone keeps asking, but you have to look in this thread. They are around page 2-6.