Dell XPS 15 L501 *Owner's Lounge*

Also update the usb3.0 driver from dell pages.

 

The keys are losing the fine texture on them and becoming shiny smooth.

 

Thanks a lot kizwan. Will try this out and let you know. Any idea about how do I check if the USB 3.0 speed is currently operational or not?

 

Hey everyone,

I am wondering whether my L501X with i7 Q740 with GPU GT 435M uses the Optimus technology. I'm getting a lot of mixed answers.
Second part of the question is if I do NOT have the Optimus technology, are the drivers off the Nvidia site for my 435M compatible with my system?

P.S. I am reinstalling a fresh operating system on my computer. Anyone had any troubles with it so far?

Thanks again everyone!

 

You do not have Optimus.

Use the latest drivers for your chip from Dell, not nVidia's own site.

 

Thank you sprtnbsblplya for your fast response.
Is there a particular reason why the Nvidia drivers just for my graphics card (GT 435M) are incompatible? The Dell drivers are not as often and quickly updated as those on the Nvidia site. All the other drivers (chipset, wireless, touchpad...) I will download from the Dell drivers download page.

 

It should be operational. You can test it by transferring one big file. Usually you'll get 50% from maximum speed.

 

Your notebook doesn't have Optimus because you have i7-740QM processor which don't have built-in Intel HD Graphics.

The driver from Nvidia website should be compatible with your notebook.

 

Just ordered mine, looking forward to receiving it!

 

If anyone is having trouble with USB 3.0 (i.e. drive constantly disconnecting) then try disabling the USB 3.0 power management functions. You can do this using the application in the start menu. Look for Renesas <something> in the start menu. My Sans Digital external raid enclosure was dropping it's connection constantly after the update but disabling power management resolved the issue.

The enclosure did not work on 2.0.4.0. It connected but stalled all data transfers.

 

Does anybody know where I can buy a backlit keyboard from?

 

Could someone please tell me the default advanced settings of the microphone. I somehow messed it up!

 

Just ordered one. I hope it arrives soon!

 

Thanks Shinji, I have done this, let me check if it solves the video dropping issues...

 

Does this have USB 3.0? I thought only the sandybridge laptops have it?

 

The L501x has 2 usb3.0 and one usb 2.0/e-sata connector. I guess the sandybridge ones should too.

 

Friends,

How comfortable is the screen in means of reflectiveness? Is it annoyingly reflective?

Also, would the performance difference be noticable between i7 2630qm and i7 2720qm? I mean why is there 200 $ difference between them?

Also, would there be a noticable perfromance difference between these two:

Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1030 & Bluetooth 3.0

Intel© Centrino© Advanced-N 6230 & Bluetooth 3.0

Is it possible to upgrade the former to the latter? (Asking because in Turkey L502X will be sold with the former option.)

 

I think you're in the wrong thread - this is for the non Sandy Bridge version...

The glossy screen is sometimes annoying. My upstairs sofa has a skylight behind/above it - if the blind isn't shut in the day it can be bad.

The 1030 has fewer antennae so you might get a poorer signal from your basestation - slower speed, reduced range etc.

Processors - depends what you're doing! Base speed is 200Mhz slower, max turbo is 400Mhz slower.

 

Hey DK , Have you ordered this yet?
It may have been posted but do you have the part #?

Thanks,
M

 

OK, I just received my first gen I5 (480) with 420m, backlit keyboard, 9 cell battery. Most would think i'm crazy and should have waited a few weeks for the sandy bridge, but I am real happy with this system, I like the FAST base clock of 2.66ghz, I easily OC'ed the 420m to above 435 levels, rock solid and no errors on benchmark, oh and the best part PRICE, for system as listed, I paid $737 tax included, dell missed their shipping and I wrangled a $50 credit back to me. i only tried the Laptop with Fallout 3, but it plays GREAT on high settings. I do only have the 720P display, but side by side with a 2008 HP, it looks MUCH better and richer.All and all very happy.

 

hay , i need help please about my xps l501x (i7 q740 /6GB RAM/NVIDIA 435) i am worried about the cpu temperature while browsing or doing anything it is about 58>68
while playing PES 2011 temp reaches 80+
i ran everest stability test

this screenshot is after i contacted the agent and they replaced my heat-sink but there is no difference, the previous tests is the same as this



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

While it is a 'bit' hot, I wouldn't worry, first you hit those numbers with a stress test, so they are going to be high, second as long as you stay below around 90 you should be fine, the CPU itself is fine till over 100

 

Thanks to work I've been given an XPS 15 i3 with the lower res screen and DVD burner. I like the laptop a lot but having just been handed it obviously I didn't get to choose the spec I wanted. Fingers crossed I can do something about the two biggest gripes I have...

I'm hoping to add the higher res display with the help of another thread on here but haven't seen anything authoritative about the optical drive. I understand that it can be replaced with a caddy for an additional HDD but I was wondering if it's possible to put in an aftermarket BluRay drive? I've seen plenty of laptop bluray drives online but have no idea exactly which type to buy. Any pointers gratefully received.

 

Nice, I hadn't even noticed the eSata USB combo port :0)

That's an absolute god-send really as the USB3 ports aren't recognised by a blank windows installation, USB2 port should be fine for loading drivers via USB drive.

 

It also works well to boot from it. There are splitter unit that split the powered esata port so that it can be a separate usb 2.0 and non-powered esata port. Nice if the esata drive you have provides it's own power anyways.

 

Has anyone installed the new A07 update on their laptop? I just noticed it today. It says it updates computrace but I don't know if it changes anything else. Notice any issues?

 

I'm using A07 but haven't noticed any differences in the bios screens at all since the last version

And on the BluRay drive question I've added a generic 12.7mm tray loading drive (made by LiteOn) and it works a treat. Perfect BD playback, reads and burns all the right formats, and is recognised in BIOS making it bootable too. The drive fascia was easy to swap for the xps15 front too so it looks like it was always there.

 

Hi guys

Sorry to sound thick but what are the 2 touch button on the right top corner of the XPS? Got mine yesterday, the far left button opens the sound and other options...

What do the other 2 do?

Thanks

EDIT: Nevermind found the write driver

 

Having dell for so long..I miss having driver update notification. Anyone here knows any ways to get automatic driver update notifications when new drivers are posted on DELL site?
Or some software that can scan system for updated STOCK drivers?

 

Also, I had posted this at the 'http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/538665-xps-15-repaste-step-step-temps.html' but failed to get responses

I haven't been able to get the Liquid metal Ultra pro... The best I am able to do is this - Tuniq TX-4.

Can anyone advise if this is OK?

 

Hi,

I have just ordered one here in the UK - XPS 15 L501.

As mentioned here, without the backlit keyboard!

My question is, is it possible to swap the keyboard over to a backlit version, from what I have read so far, the laptop has the connections to do so? Has anyone fitted a US keyboard to a UK version?

What is the part number for a US backlit keyboard for a XPS 15 L501

Tried searching, but could not find any info?

Ta

 

Uggh! I am too tired now with the heat issues.. My XPS 15 has started shutting off randomly! Moreover, I am touching 65C on idle (CPU) and 58C GPU on idle...

Should I be getting worried?? I haven't had time to play any games to stress test this machine, I think I should...

 

You have the system MAXXED out with the hottest components in a 15" case, but those idle temps aren't that bad at all, I think you might be drawing too much current rather than heat. Do you have the upgraded AC adapter?

 

I re pasted with AS5 and it dropped my temps 5 degrees .. I don't know what people are complaining about it .. Anything is better than the crap and crappy job from the factory ..

M

 

Here is the Part # off my build sheet for the US Backlit Keyboard .

1 CVNYD Module, Keyboard, 86, US-INTL, Backlit, NC/NM

Not sure on the part # from the keyboard it self thou.. if it's different or not.

M

 

My Idle temp atm is
54-53c on the four cores.
27 c on the motherboard
48c on the HD
50c on GT 435m vid .

These temps are from CPUID Hardware Monitor.

After the re paste I don't notice the fan running as much .. while serving the web and email and such ..

M

 

Yeah. The 135W one right?

 

Noticing that we share the exact same configuration, what kind of battery backup do you get with the 9 cell??
Also, what method did u use for spreading the TIM?

 

I have an XPS 15, see sig. I just had the TV tuner card installed but had to remove my Verizon Wireless broadband card, if I were to get a XPS 1702X would this still be an issue or does it have more slots for both cards and the WiFi card?


Thanks

 

Followed AS's surface spread instructions as suggested for mobile processors off the website Arctic Silver Incorporated - Home

http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appmeth/int/ss/intel_app_method_surface_spread_v1.1.pdf

Used a Popsicle stick to spread it evenly , and a microfiber cloth , q tips and 98% rubbing alcohol to clean the caked on old paste. I should have taken a pic 90% of the paste was not where it was suppose to be on the surface of the chips.

I run off battery most evenings surfing and what not on the couch and get about 3 - 4 hours doing surfing , email and music after the re paste. I use heavy Power Saver profile on battery with the screen set to 1/2 to 3/4 brightness depending how dark it is . On power High i use the Performance profile .

Before re paste I would say battery was 2 - 3 hours . More heat = more fan usage = more power = less battery .

m

 

Hey Wertty ,
Tried to send you a pm , but because your are new on the board your post count hasn't hit the limit to allow more site options.

I'll be trying to order the Backlit Island keyboard on Monday from dell , any interest in buying my current US Backlit? I'm sure we can work out a fair price and arrange shipping.

m

 

New A07 BIOS update available...

According to the site, it's been available for 10 days... don't know why it took that long for the Dell System Software to notify me though.

 

Hi Mecne. Thanks for the method tip. Can you explain how exactly did u use the popsicle stick to spread the TIM? Edge to Edge or center to out etc..

Also, if this repasting does not help, should I be going in for Heatsink/ fan replacement?

 

Just wandered in here from the 502 threads, so maybe you've talked about this. But have you seen that the keyboards aren't the same for the 501x as the 502x? The 501x has 2 screws to hold it in, the 502x has only clips. Suggests that they're not quite the same shape and size so you might not be able to fit the island one into your machine?

 

Deleted Post

 

Ok, so I posted here a while back about my computer constantly freezing/hanging. That problem went away for a while, but popped back up again. I updated the BIOS and video card drivers, and that seemed to help for about a week or so. But, it's started acting up again. Random freezing, occasionally the screen cutting out and going black. Every time I have to do the hard reset with the power button.

I read somewhere that it could stem from the AC Adapter and how it's not powerful enough to handle the laptop? Something about getting a 130W adapter. Is that true?

 

Deleted
*wrong thread*

 

Ok, now I'm having a completely different problem. The past two days, I have experienced random crash dumps. The blue screen comes up with a whole bunch of writing which I can't read in time before it restarts. Then, on restart, the computer hangs on the "Starting Windows" screen. Someone help please!

 

i'd strongly consider backing everything up, reformatting and a clean install.

 

@SGS

If you are interested in looking the blue screen, try press f8 before windows start-up and choose
"Disable Automatic Restart after System Failure"
you may be able to see the blue screen error

CMIIW