Dell XPS 15 (Skylake) 9550 Owner's Lounge

Thanks SP on that, good to know as I plan to keep this for 4 years and then tentatively pickup a XPS 9580 as a CR (only if they still use glossy panels.) I love my still working M4400 (which has the perfect lightest AG coating I've ever seen with my favorite resolution of 1440x900) I got as a CR back in 2009 for around $900 (upgraded RAM and HDD to SSD afterwards), still works perfectly, just need to replace the fan as that finally went after almost 9 years last week. I also didn't know until recently that it's not a BGA, so I could swap the CPU for a Q9100, but at this point, it's a file server so it's not worth it.

 

Thanks Pressing and Custom, good to know that on the battery, have to check if they have a 56wh battery for the 9560 for sale -- but I think you're both right, keep the large battery I have now (since it will be wasted by not being used compared to the NVMe drive being put to use in the X99 board and replacing it with a m2.sata version. I think the EVO's go for around $250, I'll probably get it from NE to save on tax.

And specifically for Custom
"I am not entirely sure what you are talking about with the PCH temps. Are you saying that on a fresh restart and using the laptop the temps get hotter than if you put the computer to sleep then wake it up and use it for a while? What are your CPU clocks like when waking it up?"

That is correct, same thing happened on my previous XPS 9550 Scratch/Dent I order and returned, but that one got into the 70's -- oddly enough, it would drop to ~37C when unplugged, but plugged in, it would skyrocket that high and if I remember correctly, hover in the 60's. Now, on the current XPS I got, I haven't unplugged it for use yet, but I will tonight to test the temps plugged in/unplugged, but just the act of putting the machine to sleep and waking it up reduces the chipset temp by ~20C

I set the max clock in the balanced profile to 60% min / 99% max and use XTU to set the voltage -120mv so the clocks are ~1GHz - 2.58GHz; the PCH goes up slightly after sleep when pushing my vm hard with postgres queries, but not past ~41-42C, but on a cold boot and doing the same thing, I can hit the 60's.

 

I guess I am at a loss then. It would have to be putting stuff into power save mode or something like that. If you listen to music or use any usb devices after putting it to sleep, does it get hotter than 41? Perhaps you can benchmark your drive before putting it to sleep and then after? Maybe it is running at a lower power state or something.

 

Thanks Custom, I'm work at the moment, but I'll test that tonight, I haven't played any music yet, just a couple of youtube videos from Gamers Nexus, but didn't check the chipset temp during that. I'll also try copying files off my usb stick tonight too, before and after.

 

I originally got me two 9550's with just a 256 GB NVME and then went through hell getting the parts to hook them up. What I found out was that besides the SATA connector, Dell uses two plastic sleeves for either side of the HDD to keep from banging around. Also, while a 2.5" SSD fits nicely, a standard 2.5" HDD is just a bit too tall and fits too snugly.

 

The drive regardless of type has to be 7mm thick. Many 2.5" HDDs are 9mm thick I believe.

 

Thinking about it, the HDD is one of those combo SSHD so is probably 9mm like you pointed out. I was worried that the case wouldn't close up properly to let that damn thermal pad on the NVME rest flush against the underside of the bottom panel but so far so good as my temps even under load usually don't go higher than 50-60 C.

 

Hey all. So recently i got this message on my dell computer. It basically is like a small blue screen that has this message and ask if you want to do it now, remind me later, or pick a certain time etc. Everytime i had this, i just clicked on remind me later. Issue would be everyday i have this message show up.


First off, i need to do this update right no matter what?


Has there been any issues with updating and then computer having issues etc?

 

A message about what, what is it for?
What's the exact message?
Do you have the Dell Update utility installed on your computer?

 

That's probably a Windows "feature" update. Check windows installed update history.
Here and there folks have driver issues when updating so I don't think one should rush.

I've had the 1803 nagging for a while and once accidentally clicked to install (which the nagging is probably intended for). It sort-of installed but got stuck at "Requires a restart to finish installing".

 

Member: Drew1 does this ALL THE STINKING TIME he asks his question(s) in numerous forums and when he gets his answer(s) he doesn't even have the common decency to thank or let someone know and this will be the very LAST time I answer his posts.

 

There are 3 new updates for Today @ Dell's site in case anyone is interested or has the need. (See attached below)

Edit: *FORGET IT as they are OLD UPDATES pointed out to me by member: GoNz0

 

They are all nearly 3 months old.

 

Wow Really!!!
My BAD as here I thought them being under Last Updated June 08, 2018 meant it's a new release.
Well I definitely learned something as I will now click on the Name section and check the Release Date from now on.
Thanks & Sorry!!!

 

Pisses me off, you used to be able to select by original release date until they updated the site.

 

I definitely hear you LOUD & CLEAR as it truly doesn't make any sense yet truthfully what does any longer???
Thanks again.

 

As Arte Johnson's character always said, "Very Interesting" This morning on the Dell support site the only driver available is the latest BIOS 1.7.0 as everything else has been removed. So either they're doing a revamp because of generated reported issues or they're getting ready to close out and consolidate the 9550 due to the newer releases and refreshes?

I'd like to go with the prior yet who really knows!!!

EDIT: All of them are now back and they look the same so I guess it was just so-called maintenance.

 

OK, I was away for a week and noticed no new posts since my last one on Jun10, so especially for you GoNz0, there is a new update on Dell's Support site (See Link Below) for the nVIDIA GeForce GTX /Quadro graphic Driver and YES I checked and it's Release Date is, 13 Jun 2018.

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/drivers/driversdetails?driverId=T31HW

 

I generally allow the GeForce Experience app download and install new Nvidia drivers rather than trust Dell.

If its news you want, already on this keyboard that Dell installed at their repair depot (Dell Hell) the escape key keeps hanging up, slipping out of its slot and having to be carefully nudged back in place. So, with my warranty expiring in October the machine seems destined to go back----again.

 

Yeah I hear you yet I don't know about you & others but the GeForce Experience app didn't alert me of a new driver update being available?

I think you are definitely at the point where you unfortunately NEED TO LOUDLY & STERNLY SCREAM and demand a Resolution "SUPERVISOR" ASAP and get either a replacement unit or FULL refund and tell them you bought your extended warranty for Peace-of-Mind and not a BOARDING HOME for your high dollar purchase..

 

Since we're no hardcore gamers or CAD users we can afford to wait for the latest updates even if they're a little late.

The next time I contact them will be different for sure.

 

Well, How are you enjoying your new 9560 or 9570 swap?

 

I know this is a little off subject here and I don't say the following to discourage anyone as well, yet this weekend I finally decided to install the Win 10 Pro full install upgrade, which I purchased off eBay awhile ago, as my unit came with Win 10 Home, and after just seeing the first benefit of being able to thankfully defer pushed updates, I truly didn't know what I was missing and I honestly don't know how anyone wouldn't want this great feature especially with the usual bugs & needed fixes and TERRIBLE timing delivering them.

I never used BitLocker before yet something just tells me that after I properly learn it I will be glad I now have this feature as well as whatever other tweaks and etc come with Win10 Pro.

 

Not yet. Still marking time just in case something else pops up and then I can further strengthen my case.

 

Yeah I figured that you didn't send it in yet as otherwise you would've updated us.

Well Best of Luck and I hope you ultimately get everything rightfully sorted out.

 

For me, that is the #1 advantage of Windows 10 Pro and the main reason why I won't buy a computer with just Windows 10 Home. I consider the ability to defer installation of updates or to skip them entirely to be a must feature. Further, being able to have access to the Group Policy Editor, which is not available in Windows 10 home, allows for a few other very nice customizations.

 

I hear you LOUD & CLEAR now, as I unfortunately had no other option at the time of my thankful Resolution to swap my 9530 for a 9550 as it was a 9550 with Win 10 Home or Nothing and I think I wisely choose the prior.

My 9530 had Win 8.1 Pro so the free upgrade to Win 10 was of course to Pro yet to be totally honest with you, I Stupidly never knew that Pro had the update deferring feature and now after being able to use it I will never go back. When I got my replacement upgrade 9550 I bought a Win 10 Pro license yet I never installed it, as I hoping Dell's new refresh was going to offer a non-carbon fiber option, as I just don't like it and I know I'm definitely the very opposite of the majority. I was going to include the license & CD in my sale but now that the refresh is still unfortunately only carbon fiber i decided to just keep the 9550 and installed Win 10 Pro, which I'm real glad I did.

Unfortunately I'm not familiar with group policy editor yet I will definitely read up on it and it's features and see if it's for me.

 

Has anyone experienced a glitch with the screen not turning on when the lid is opened? I've got System Settings set to "Do Nothing" when lid is closed, but when I open the lid, the screen will stay black whilst the device is still powered. Sometimes I can get it working again by closing and re-opening the lid, but most times I need to hard restart the system...

 

What BIOS, Intel graphics, and NVIDIA graphics versions do you have installed?

JohnD

 

Set it to Sleep and then see if you have the same issue.

 

Dell need to update the BIOS to let bitlocker and e-drive work together with the NVMe drives

 

I flashed the BIOS from 1.5.1 to 1.7.0 and it seems to have fixed the black screen issue

 

I've already had 1.7.0 BIOS version installed, when the problem with screen turned off and unable to wake up occurred. i've used the update tool again, but haven't checked if it works. with Support Assisst and Dell Update app - I have everything up to date.
My problem was, when i would plug the computer in at the desk. Walk over to make a cup of tea, which would take up the time needed for power saving screen shutdown. When i would come back, the input would not turn the screen back on. Only putting it to sleep and waking up with power button would work. I've changed power options, to have never screen shutdown, but i sometimes would leave the logon screen, which wouldn't inherit the specific user options (haven't checked how to change it too).
Meanwhile there have been new discrete GPU drivers update (I doubt it has to do with power options, but would be nice)

 

Yeah that's also a strange one. Maybe you can try turning of Fast Startup?

 

Hey all. . Windows 10 desktop, dell xps 15 9550. I previously had the message everyday where it ask me to install important updates.


The message was important updates are pending


the newest windows updattes feature update is ready to install. WE need you to kick it off. With new features and apps, this one could take a little longer than other updates. REady? REstart now . NOt ready? Pick a time that works for you.

I had clicked on pick a time by accident instead of remind me later. So i think i clicked on 1 hour later but couldn't i undo this.


I would everyday click on remind me later. Earlier i think by accident i clicked on not now but later. It then said it would do it 1 hour later i believe. After an hour or so, my computer had the restarting message. I had forgot it was going to do the update. It has been going on with the update and i got the message it will take a while.


Now i heard a sound and then a HI showing on my screen. I cannot move my arrow with my mouse. It has a Hi word on the screen but its faded Hi


What am i suppose to do now? Its been like this for 30 minutes at least and it doesn't seem like the screen is doing anything. Do i restart my laptop by pressing the power button and then turn it back on?

 

The issue is would there be issues when it restarts like everything is there? But that is the only option i have?

 

2 New updates on Dell's Support site (See Below)

 

Now that's strange, the audio driver update doesn't show up under my service tag.

 

I don't know what to say as I just checked it again and both drivers are available to download whether I use my service tag or just the standard default search. (See Link Below)

https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/xps-15-9550-laptop/drivers

 

Now that is strange. Following your link I found it----but loging under either of my service tags its not there.

Hmmm....mabye I pissed them off with my service claims and their unfriending me!

 

FWIW It doesn't show up for my tag either - but it is only a driver for the external dock and not the machine itself?

 

I don't think anyone Pisses Dell off it's Always the other way around!!!

 

The USB audio driver is indeed only intended for those that use a TB16 or WD15.

 

Ok-----but I still like the conspiracy thing----its so very DELL!

 

Hey everyone. You may remember some months ago I was having issues where my laptop would lose power anytime it was on battery power while asleep, and reflashing the BIOS fixed it.

Well I noticed today that this issue randomly started occurring again, no firmware updates or anything to prompt it. Reflashed the BIOS again and it solved it again immediately. Looks like this issue can creep up unexpectedly without changing anything.

 

Does anyone have any idea why there are so many people ending up with a bricked PC after applying a BIOS update? There are several posts a month in the regular Dell Support Forum of this happening.

JohnD

 

Always a risk flashing BIOS so I rarely do it.

Some say it is more risky to do that from Windows vs. doing it from the BIOS interface. You would have to research that on your own.

That said, there are thousands of posts here and bricking from BIOS update is not a popular problem for the 9550.

 

Thanks for your reply. I have done it several times on my XPS 9550 as there were a lot of problems with the 9550 within the first year it came out. But it seems like in the past year these BIOS flashing issues have been escalating. I would like to bring it up to date. I am on 1.2.21 which is very old. I have always done it from within Windows. I will check out doing it from within the BIOS.

JohnD

 

Odd question.
Suppose an Core i7 9550 + UHD + 960M has MB issue, like for like MB replacement is beyond economic repair. If the i3+ Intel integrated MB option is only about $180 - would it work in the system? (obviously a bit of a waste of a good system, just curious though.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/BIN...N-04TKNN-4TKNN-LA-C361P-W-I3/32886111359.html

 

Weird question but is anyone else with a Samsung PM951 able to read SMART data for their drive?

Asking because I've been running GSmartControl on a few laptops in my house just to check drive health and it runs fine on all of them, but on my own laptop it says unable to read SMART data. It does this with SMART reporting enabled in BIOS, and drive mode set to both RAID and AHCI.

Just wondered if anyone else's PM951 has the same issue. Thanks!