Dell XPS 15 R2 - L502x - Owners Lounge

Nice! Can't wait for mine to arrive.

 

guys - i reinstalled windows 7. where can i get the MS Office Starter 2010 again? I checked dell's drivers and downloads and mydell downloads but couldnt find it. thanks

 

NewEgg has 8GB modules on sale for $59.99 if anyone is interested


GeIL 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333
Newegg.com - GeIL 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10660) Laptop Memory Model GS38GB1333C9SC

 

Base on Newegg reviews on Geil memory, they are not too positive. I wouldn't touch them.

 

i've a little question with Intel HD Graphics 3000 driver

there's a directory on the original HDD with A09 version

but if i download manually A09 on dell site it say it's only compatible with L511z

and if i ask recommanded driver, it give me the A06 version 8.15.10.2342...

any idea ?

(maybe someone who have recently buyed&keeped the original windows from dell can say witch version he see in /Intel control panel/options/information center/driver version/)

 

today when i switched on my laptop there came a blue screen error stating something like memory dump crash .....i noticed it even on my desktop
but my laptop is just 1month old whats the problem with.memory or any thing else
how can i avoid this error again ?
also i have posted it earlier too but didnt get any reply regarding external protection of laptop screen from scratches dust...

 

On the intel graphics driver:
I downloaded the one from intel's website, and it said my system had vendor-specific driver. I downloaded dell's driver to have it handy and then booted into safe mode so I could delete the driver without...you know, the inability to see anything. then, still in safe mode, I installed the intel driver, and it worked like a charm.
It might be "ain't broke so don't fix it" because I didn't see any kind of glorious improvement, but I do feel better having the latest driver.

 

question: when is a good time to replace the battery? I have the 6 cell and it is at 15% wear level. The battery life was never phenomenal but I have things like batterycare and other measures to squeeze life out of the battery, so I can't really speak on reduced times. Also, when I do decide to replace it, what is the most cost-effective way to do so? I'd kind of like a 9 cell but I don't like dell's price for it.
Edit: if anyone knows of any post-holiday deals, I'd rather snatch up a battery and have two now than wait for this one to die.

 

If you're in Toronto, I can sell you a brand new Dell 6-cell, never used, not even removed from the sealed box yet. They sent me a spare and I haven't even opened it.

 

When the battery has about 60-80% wear, that is when you will notice the drop in battery life. Definitely replace it then. Normally, batteries have a lifespan of two years, but I have heard of people having to replace batteries after one year.
90WH Genuine Battery Dell XPS 14 15 17 R795X 312-1127 XPS L501x | eBay

 

So you're saying no need to worry right now? Works for me, thanks.

 

I'm currently on page 162, slowly making my way through.

Can someone tell me if I got a good screen? I'm not particular bothered just curious.

Details from HWmonitor

Monitor Name: Samsung LTN156AT02P01
Monitor Name (Manuf): 156AT [DELL P/N: 8MN61]

 

I ran into a problem last night. I was trying to play a Blu-ray disc last night, and PowerDVD recognized the disc and the movie information, but when I tried to play it, it said it was an unsupported file format. I downloaded another free DVD/Bluray player and it did the same thing. What is really weird is I played the exact same disc on the laptop previously with no problems. Also, I immediately afterward tried playing a DVD and there were no problems.

Any ideas? The firmware is up-to-date, and the optical drive is set to Region 1.

 

I had that screen before... It is the 720p one which really suck. The color is dull. contrast is low. And, brightness is low as well.

 

Hi guys, been a while since I've posted. Previously active in the M1530 Threads.

Running short on time so apologies for not going through the whole thread. About to order a new XPS 15, pretty much highest spec one. Which screen should I go for 720p or 1080p? I will be gaming on it now and again.

Thanks in advance. Need to order in next day or two before heading offshore.

 

From what I have been reading in this thread mate, there is only one realistic option - the FHD 1080P.

I have read this thread almost in its entirety, and it really helped me decide how to spec the XPS 15 that I ordered last week, especially with regard to the screen.

 

Exactly. I would even go as far as to say that if you're not going to get the 1080p screen, don't even bother getting the xps. I've read that the 720p screen is actually one of the WORST screens out there...

 

I agree - the xps really shines as a multimedia laptop, if you want more power with lesser multimedia features, I don't suggest a dell.
As my friend told me when we were doing a repaste, "that screen is pure s*x "

 

I had one of these about 6 months ago. Loved everything about it, except the fan noise issue. In the end I had to send it back within the cooling off period as I needed it for in the office, and it was just far too loud and annoying.

I notice these are on special at the moment. Did the fan issue ever get properly solved by dell (I dont just mean the various underclocking workarounds as these never worked for me) - was there ever a proper fix by Dell?

 

iv never had a problem with fan noise on mine although i only bought mine around 2 months ago and have since done 2 bios updates but the fan is definately not noisy on mine

 

Why can I not get the search to work?

Can some tell me what page the pictures someone (Villosa) took showing this laptop broken down, please.

Dell have offered me the 1080 screen and I'd rather replace it myself than let a Dell tech touch my laptop. There was a couple of posts about how to change the screen can anyone post a link to these as well.

BTW mine is a replacement for a M1330, I've been using it for about a week, and can't complain about the fan. I did install the latest BIOS.

 

Lots of people were complaining about it at the time. The fan ramps up to full, then stops , then full again. Opening up simple apps caused the fan to ramp up, it didn't seem to be heat dependent.
Perhaps they have fixed it. If you search for l502x fan on/off issue you should find it, but I never found a 'proper' solution to the issue.

 

Huge credit to Villosa for this one...
http://forum.notebookreview.com/7774098-post1.html

 

Finally, the 16GB RAM kit arrived. Detected the 16GB with no problem. I will run a memtest overnight to make sure the modules are good.

 

Also confirming that 16GB works great, no issues. Windows Memory diagnostics didn't detect any problems.

 

Interesting that Memtest86+ 4.20 work but Memtest86 4.0a freezes once it launch. Oh well, will just run Memtest86+ when I goto sleep.

 

Laptop is working perfectly fine with no lockup or BSOD. When I run Memtest86+, I am getting error in test 2 and numerous errors in test 5. When I run memtest with single module, no errors and this was done in both dimm slots. Is it possible the timing or bad memory?

 

OK, I ran the single module memtest again. Now one module is getting a test 6 and 7 errors. Think I am going to RMA it back to Newegg for a replacement.

 

Ok I need a bit of help,

My M1330 died, after 3 failed attempts by Dell to resurrect it (they were replacing faulty parts with faulty parts).

Dell have sent me:
XPS l502x i5 2430M
720p Display
4GB (1x4GB) DDR3
750GB HD
1GB Nvidia 525M Graphics.
Backlit Keyboard
JBL speakers
I’ve already had to swap the Wireless-N 1030 for the N 6230 to get Dual band 5G.
754-6282 2 Year hardware support – Next business day (Is this a 2 Year warranty).

It’s a fantastic machine, but I am unsure if its what I need, been a larger form factor.

They have offered to send me the 1080 FHD screen (I would fit this) and a 9-capacity battery OR a refund for my XPS 1330 and extended warranty of £690.

If I keep the system I will probably swap the 720p for the 1080 and fit a SSD with a clean install.

Any advice on what you would do?

 

I've got a question about swapping wireless cards. I'd like to upgrade from the awful Intel 1000. I don't need bluetooth so I was thinking about the 6200. However, I've read that the market is flooded with fakes. Can anyone suggest a good intel retailer where I'll get a decent deal on a real card? Thanks in advance.

 

Many thanks for the prompt replies. Much appreciated.

 

Can you not order from Dell, or do they only have the 1000, 1030 and 6230?

I've been using the 6230 and it seems fine, I've not really been monitoring it but there doesn't seem to be any drop-outs or anything suspicious .

 

If they're offering to send the 1080p screen and 9 cell battery, it seems worth it to me.

 

Just checking what I can get from Dell for ~£820 as after 15% discount that would be ~£690, I could get an i7 for that kind of money.

There are also good deals on the dell outlet. Plus the pain of fitting the screen.

 

hi, I've got the problem with color profile. When I set the profile (from first page) everything works good, but after the system restart, color setup back to deflaut settenings (profile). Anybody know how to setup this profile permanently ?

 

Someone else had the same issue, no idea if there's a fix for it:

Dell XPS 15 resetting ICC color profile on reboot

 

@cri-cri
There is a program called igfxpers (or something of the like). This resets the color to intel's settings on any kind of wake up. remove it from the startup order with msconfig, close the running instance with task manager, and choose your default profile (hint, the color probably needs to be warmed up).
worked for me the first time, worked when I updated the driver, worked when I did a clean install.

 

Problem with Bluetooth from the day 1.

When ever i tried to connect a bluetooth device. It detects the device but shows an exclamation mark on it.

I tried pairing many cell phones, i can browse them but cannot receive or make calls from computer.

I even restored my computer from the recovery partition to out of box state.
But still i cannot get the bluetooth devices work.

I tried downloading and installing bluetooth drivers from dell website still no help.

Do you think this is hardware issue?. Will appreciate help.

Is wifi and bluetooth card the same device in xps 15?

If i like that to be replaced will they have to open my computer's palmrest or just the flap at the bottom will be enough.

Because i dont like technicians pulling my computers palmrest other than the flap at the bottom. I had very bad experience with the dell technician earlier.

Really really appreciate help. As i need to connect bluetooth devices to my computer.

 

@siquadri
I have the same wifi card as you. The card is a combo card that combines bluetooth and wifi together. Mine works fine. Did you try the new driver from the dell website? To replace the wifi card, all you need to do is the open the module base cover (the one with three silver screws). In there you can replace your ram and your wifi card. It is fairly simple to do.

 

I'm planning to buy XPS 15 L502x, does it have a heat and fan issue? Thanks in advance!

 

It seems that the fan issue seemed to have been fixed in newer systems that have been shipping out (from the Dell representatives I have talked to, while getting my usb 3.0, didn't have an issue with the fan so just inquiring because I was curious...not sure how reliable they are with the facts)

From what I know from my own, it does not. Unless you're left-handed (the left side vent that blows out hot air might inconvenience you enough to decide on a different laptop) and getting the 9 cell battery, although a bit heavy, also helps with the ventilation.

 

When plugging in the HDMI the Nvidia card handles that if im correct?

 

Yes, that is correct, the nVidia is forced to remain on. This may be regarded as a bad thing as you will lose all Optimus functionality (more fan noise, more heat, higher temps).

There are some in the forum who seem to WANT this effect, however.

 

Oh ive been doing this for 3 months straight, i use this as my desktop now haha. I just wanted to make sure i was right. Honestly my fan runs perfectly fine and the temps are the same

 

I have the old studio 14z and I was interested in buying the xps 15, but I am unsure now after reading of all the fan issues. If you had to buy a laptop again would you buy the xps 15 or go with a different notebook? I have/ had a whole bunch of problems with the dell studio 14z as well including very high gpu temps and abnormally loud fan and pretty bad touchpad issues. I had to deal with dells crappy service so much too which was a pita. My laptop still has all these issues but now Im gonna buy a new laptop and I really like the specs of the xps 15 so should I buy it or is not worth it?

 

Just before your post is a comment from someone who says he has no such fan issues. I have an XPS 15 purchased in November, and I don't have any fan problem. I would buy this laptop again.

 

I've got the dreaded fan issue. used to come on every few minutes, but i changed the power settings to Balanced (from high performance) and it doesn't come on as frequently. still annoying.

 

So how big and bulky is this thing? My first laptop was a Toshiba L300, then I got a Vaio VPC EB series

From what I've seen on youtube, and read on reviews people say this thing is too bulky, so I'm wondering whether to just get a Vostro 17"

It will most likely be at home all the time (use my old Toshiba for taking out with me) so 17" would seem more practical

However, I use it on my lap, so will 17" be too big? I think it weighs the same as the XPS 15"

 

17" is big to put on your lap.

 

@toronto thanks for the quick reply.

Another question for everyone is the xps 15 fan loud enough that I wont be able to use it in the campus library or classroom setting? thanks in advance.