Dell XPS 15 R2 - L502x - Owners Lounge

you legend.
The drive has appeared back and is functioning properly.

thanks for your help...much appreciated.
.

 

Hey I took my l502x apart to replace the fan and a buddy said I should take the heatsink off and repaste. Well I did but I think I did it in reverse order when I was doing the heatsink screws. My buddy said when taking off start with #1 and go to 7 and then he said when hooking back up to start at #0 and work back to #1. I did it this way and honestly not noticing muxh difference. I get about 80 when running prime95 and 40 when idle. I did use some cheap antec past from best buy but I'm wondering if I didn't secure it p

 

Anyone tried to connect a 4k screen to our laptop? Would it work at 30 Hz?

 

there isn't a way of searching in this thread - is there?

I've read a lot, and regularly return here when consulting the driver install order info... but I'm currently at a loss.

I believe I have installed NVIDIA, as advised, ie unchecking optional extras (audio).

This suggests this is the case



Note that all driver-install-guides I'm reading do not instruct me to uncheck Audio when installing NVIDIA's driver...

Also, I see this (by mystycs)

You 100% want to install

JMicron Flash Media Controller Driver
Nvidia HD Audio Driver
Realtek Ethernet Controller Driver
Renesas Electronic USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver

So I don't (to my knowkedge!) have NVIDIA Audio installed, as advised

When I connect my Samsung LCD via HDMI (with the right cable!!), and start nvidia display service / open nvidia control panel, this refreshes the list of playback devices. I get the Samsung LCD, but also lots of "unplugged devices".

View attachment 117544

My brother has a new Toshiba hermann. It's got an NVIDIA Radeon & Windows8. When comparing, his playback devices shows 2 (as expected): his laptop speakers, and the HDMI LCD TV.

So I have something a bit wrong. Has anyone else seen anything like this?
does anyone have any suggestions on what works?!

Many thanks in advance

 

Do you have any issues? Don't worry about the driver installation order so much. It will break nothing also if you skip one. But I have a few point that might be interesting.
- Intel Rapid Storage driver with AHCI mode should be installed as soon as possible. For performance reasons.
- Intel Chipset utility (chipset drivers) should be installed as soon as possible to get all mainboard controllers working.
- JMicron Flash Cards controller driver: Not necessary if you don't use the slot.
- Webcam driver: will be auto installed from Microsoft
- Pure Intel HD Graphic Driver is sufficient. You can deinstall "Intel SDK for OpenCL" if it's also installed with the driver.
- If you have a Intel Wi-Fi Card with Bluetooth onboard: At first install Intel BT driver, then Intel ProSet driver (WiFi). Order is important, can break BT functionality.
- Latest Dell Quickset Utility to get Hardware (Fn) keys working.
- NVidia HDMI audio driver makes sense if you use HDMI audio output with a TV or AV receiver. If you don't install NVidias HDMI driver, a Microsoft certified older driver will be installed automatically with less functionality. There is nothing wrong if you see some more HDMI Audio outputs in the audio mixer. The Intel chipset has at least 5 video with combined audio outputs/pipelines, but they are not all connected on the mainboard. Generally NVidias is not needed if you don't use HDMI audio. Then the pure video driver is sufficient.
- Realtek LAN driver is important. They are regularly updated. It ads some more deeper functions like WakeOnLan or Jumbo Frames, if needed.
- Renesas USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver is necessary to get that thing working.

 

Hey, i took apart my dell xps l502x to clean and i accidentally broke the ribbon cable that goes from the power button to the motherboard. I read that it is possible to turn on the laptop without the cable in a few pages back through bridging pins. Could somebody go into more detail in how to bridge the pins and the exact locations of these pins?

Thanks in advance

 

After over 12 months of happy tweaking, I'm back to square one: CLEAN INSTALL of Windows 7. this is to hopefully fix the (no) optimus issue I've just noticed on all my builds (except the old, buggy one that I somehow recovered).

I found some optimus test tools which echo the NVIDIA GPU Tray Status summary: Even when right-clicking programs and running with NVIDIA processor, even when adding programs to NVIDIA Program Settings CPL list, the GPU is OFF... it only flickers to IDLE when the NVIDIA CPL is open.

3days reading forums and gathering drivers (as the consensus seems to be that a clean install may be necessary, even though I followed the instructions laid out here

On the old build, under Programs & Features, NVIDIA is installed and has two entries:

"NVIDIA DRIVERS"
"NVIDIA Graphics Driver 335.23"

New builds only have one entry, and don't have the NVIDIA Update Components entry (NVIDIA CPL > System Info > Save Report, Used the Compare plugin in Notepad++ to identify differences)

Hopefully I'll be reporting back confirming that the clean install with correct drivers in correct order will fix this "NO NVIDIA" problem.

Any recommendations on which NVIDIA driver to use?

I've been advised to:

- use the manufacturer's drivers (not Dell's)
- use the latest (NVIDIA etc)
- revert to 270.61 (re constant fan issues)

Fortunately I'm using native VHD, so my workflow will be

1) boot from windows USB, go to cmd prompt, create, prep, attach VHD, install windows to VHD
2) on reboot, backup (stage 1) VHD
3) attempt (advised) driver install, check if optimus works...
4) if working, backup, destory and rebuild old VHDs (DAW, DEV, MAIN) using new base (with working drivers).

RE Optimus, I wanted to add (because I'm unclear) the reason I'm doing this... I only noticed this issue when I played a game my bro introduced me to. It's so addictive. Only a flash game, running in chrome, and mine was jerking all over... that's when I discovered "Check GPU usage" and discovered all the options, all about optimus technology - all the problems - the UI implies that you should be using NVID for 3D stuff... I don't have any games, except chess and internet backgammon... I'm sure some apps can't (or at least shouldn't?) be run using NVIDIA... but games are games, chrome has (chrome://)gpu stuff... and, most importantly, when I select "run with NVIDIA" on the OLD build,... it registers the application with NVIDIA. This doesn't happen on new builds.

I know other things MIGHT cause the tech to not work - drivers (incorrect AND incorrect order), but also BIOS settings, and maybe even "boot options" - PAE ?

I'm just trying to logically debug this weird problem (same drivers!)

Wish me luck amigos :hi2:

 

bit of geek chic, in case anyone is interested, re

I just tried, and found that it's not that hard.

I renamed the exe .zip and extracted all files (-x86 as I'm x64)
I then tried right-click installing the .inf files, but this didn't work.
I then manually installed the usb host via devmgmt.msc, providing the folder path to the extracted inf.

Clean installing because Optimus never worked. have another (vhd) build same laptop, same driver versions. old (crappy build) HAS optimus (chrome is registered as NVIDIA when requested)m hopefully starting fresh will fix, then I can backup (in case it's an Intel windows update that breaks Optimus again)

guessing i don't need to "auto run WINSAT and enable aero desktop theme"? (installing update #5 - r302134 - intel 8.5.10.2342, intel display audio 6.14.00.3074 (what's this for? we install realtek later, no?)

 

OK, so if I get the old NVIDIA and the old Intel graphics drivers from the Dell Manufacturer, and install in the right order... I'll have opencl, and physx etc, and most applications will work with nvidia high-performance processor?

this is a specific question, specifically aimed at users of nvidia (optimus "technology"). I feel like I'm getting conflicting info...

It's not just that the program/application can't run with the right card (NVIDIA GPU notification indicates program like benchmark detects and respects the preferred graphics processor setting

Similar to Courageous999's ( OpenCL) problems discussed here -

(He has a workaround...)

I've added to that thread (it's too big to copy I think... maybe open in new tab )


the issue -

There are two ways to implement nVIdia's Optimus technology (and AMD's Catalyst as well). One is with a true hardware multiplexer that allows hardware control of which GPU is active. The other is with a mux-less software-switched design where only the Intel GPU has a physical connection to the display panel. The vast majority of systems are designed this way - as is yours. It's a much more power-efficient way to run the system, but it is also demanding from a software (driver) standpoint as well.

Yes, this is why your Intel GPU always shows primary - it channels all video data to the screen.

(from ejn63)

that's from courageous999, seemingly able to use nvidia via external monitor, ie





thanks for reading. if you have a sweet xps with nvidia working with opencl etc, I'd love to hear from ya!

(if you can confirm which opencl you have setup, and whether you've successfully completed any benchmarks, or use that technology in any specific games, any details/shots that'd be useful : )

currently using nvidia "9.18.13.4709" (from NVIDIA direct) and old Intel (and everything else) from Dell drivers/support

using gpu-z to monitor clocks, ascertain if opencl/physx etc is available

 

My laptop screen broke quite a while back and I'm finally looking to buy a new 1080p replacement screen for my L502x. Does anyone know what are some of the best replacements I could buy are ? It doesn't seem like I can get the original anymore and also that business of "any compatible screen" from many sellers. I'm not quite sure what or where to buy from.

 

Hey guys, I'm new around here, so a brief introduction.

I received my L502x sometime around the end of June 2011. I really like it for the most part, I wish there was the option to get it without the touchscreen at the time, mainly because I could have used the extra resolution of the normal display. I have had my share of ghost clicks too. I generally find that a good screen cleaning and recalibration does wonders (recently at least, wasn't always the case and I'm still not entirely sure what changed.) Oh, and I can't go without mentioning just how much I love the audio quality. I'm always impressed how loud it can get when I set it to max volume, even three years later. It's too bad dell doesn't seem to have a built in subwoofer in any of the current XPS lineup, maybe in a few years when I consider an upgrade that will be back. Listening to the same music on my family's laptop is just annoying now.

Anyway, I look forward to being part of the discussion here and helping out when I can!

Oh and one question for you guys:
Anyone got any recommendations on reliable replacement batteries? I'm thinking of going with a 9 cell this time around!

 

I got a battery from Amazon UK - it was significantly cheaper than Dell direct and as far as I can tell it's genuine. Battery life is back up to roughly 3 hours - better than the 5 minutes I was getting!

 

Since 4k screen are cheap now, I ask again:

Did anybody use the l502x with a 4k screen?

Theoretically the Displayport 1.1 and hdmi 1.4 of our XPS15 combined should deliver sufficient bandwith to use a 4k screen at 60Hz:
We need two times 2160 x 1920 x 60Hz x 32bit = 7.96 GBit/s

The XPS15 can deliver:
DP1.1: 8.64 GBit/s
hdmi1.4: 8.16 GBit/s

So a 4k screen which supports 2xPiP should be usable @60Hz. But maybe fullscreen videos have some problems?

 

I'm not sure if 4k @60Hz will work with this DP 1.1 and HDMI 1.4a ports. And iam sure it will never work. Because at least there will be no driver support. Also the restriction here is the GPU (HD 3000). The HD 3000 also restricts the NVidia Optimus (GT525m/540m) GPU. So the HD 3000 has to be capable at first. Here is what I know:

What will work in practice:

• Display Port: 2560x1600 (DP is best choice for high resolution displays)
• HDMI/DVI/VGA: 1920x1200 (soft side restricted) :/

What might work in practice:

• VGA: 2560x1440 @ around 55 Hz should not be the problem (custom_add_resolution in intel driver)
• HDMI higher than 1920x1200 will often only work via custom resolution template in the Intel driver. Maybe DVI-D cable, maybe set up via NVidia driver. Most people don't reach 60Hz. :/ There are rumors that Intel restricts the HDMI output. Setting up a high resolution monitor with hdmi is a mess.

Sandy Bridge HD 3000 specs:
HDMI 1.4a, Display Port 1.1 with HDCP 2.2 + Audio, DVI with HDCP 2.2
DisplayPort with WQXGA (up to 2560 x 1600)
DirectX 10.1, OpenGL 3.0, Shader Model 4.1, WDDM 1.2, HDCP 2.2

Sandy Bridge supports only 2 Displays at a time. So if you connect 2 external Displays, I guess you have to turn of the internal first. With the Matrox DualHead2Go Digital SE external box you can get 3840x1200 (2x 1920x1200) over the Display Port.

NVidia GT 540m (Optimus) specs:
Dual Link DVI over the HDMI-Port. Support for resolution max.: 2560x1600.

Vider en-/decoding rumors:
I've read on the Intel Developer Forum that someone encoded 4k videos on Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge with the native avc/h264 encoder. But the framerate was under 20 fps. Realtime video encoding in 30fps is not possible. I know nothing about 4k decoding. I also think this will not work with standard after market software because of the driver restriction.

If it's possible to put DP and HDMI with 2 cables in one monitor and set windows to expanded view mode than you have your a nearly 4k resolution. But only 1600 dpi in height.

Since two years I want to buy a monitor higher than 1920x1200 dpi. Somewhat around 2560x 1600. But now 4k is around. That's what I want. It's possible that i thrash my l502x because of the low graphics output. Would be a shame. But maybe I'm lucky to get a cheap second monitor (2k) only for my XPS machine.

Is there someone who used a 4k external display on sandy bridge (Intel HD 3000) machines?
Maybe someone should order a 4k or test one in a shop. Or take his l502x to a friend who has one.

Found in the web:
2x 2560x1440 connected to a sandy bridge via VGA & HDMI. Look at the 2 monitors at the bottom. Awesome.
http://www.itproportal.com/2013/06/...60-x-1440-via-hdmi-on-an-intel-hd3000-hd4000/

 

Ok, I will not thrash my l502x. At the time I can't find an affordable device that match my performance. They are all business/productivity/workstation devices. :/

Just for the record: ...what I did the last 12 month with/on my l502x:

• I use the optical audio output (optical SP/DIF) connected to a high end DAC and headphone amp. Which modern laptop has a good soundcard with such many outputs? Ok, the onboard chip is not good, but the output features are.
• I switched from i7-2630qm to i7-2760qm. I got 1350MHz of GPU speed now. Before: 1200MHz. I always set Intel HD 3000 power setting to maximum speed. Intel stated 2 years ago that "max. speed" also unlocks/enables more speed features than balanced setting. Is it worth to upgrade CPU? No. Unless you need a bit more GPU power especially e.g. for GPU accelerated webbrowsing, and virtualisation features, multi monitor, parallel use of many programmes. And of course if you really need more that more CPU power, what I did not need. Captaincasars modded BIOS added also a bit more Intel graphical power. I don't know why, but in generel the whole machine is slightly faster. Maybe because of the updated HD3000 VBIOS? I hope to see further BIOS or VBIOS updates from him.
• RAM update 3 times. Now: 1600MHz 16GB. I strongly recommend to get as much and as fast RAM as possible. When booting my Windows 8.1 64bit up it needs nearly 4GB of RAM. I personally need on a working and private day around 10GB of RAM. I have one virtual linux machine in VirtualBox open all the day. So 1 VM = round about 4GB RAM.
• I use a HooToo USB3.0 active hub (HooToo HT-UH010). Researched many month to get the best USB3.0 hub out there. It is good and stable. Parallel use of devices is possible, like burning a bluray, watch DVB tv,....

I saw eGPU users here in the forum. My idea is to buy a 4k monitor to combine it on a eGPU adapter with a low-end or mid-range NVidia card. Is there an advice which cable and eGPU adapter to buy?

 

For those who are interested in the possibility of monitor connections. I bought a BenQ GW2765HT with AHVA/IPS panel. Nice price. Then I connected some monitors to l502x. This is what i get so far:
HD3000 -> LVDS -> 1920x1080p @60Hz (build in panel)
GT540m -> HDMI output -> HDMI to DVI cable -> DVI monitor input -> 1920x1200p @60Hz (external monitor)
HD3000 -> miniDP v1.1 output -> miniDP to DP adapter -> DP cable -> DP v1.2 monitor input -> 2560x1440p @60Hz (external monitor)
All can run at the same time.

2560x1440 didn't work with HDMI.

 

2560x1440@60Hz works for me with hdmi and a hdmi-to-dvi-adapter.
Create a custom resolution in the nvidia driver.

 

So I just noticed an available update to the "Realtek High Definition Audio Device" driver in the optional windows updates. Says it was released in December 2014. Does anyone who installed it have any input? Any noticeable change?

 

Hi guys,

I want to replace my spanish keyboard for a US keyboard, where can I find someone with world shipping? I found that http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...yboard-free-shipping/1212800_32223968387.html

Otherwise, I've a 23" monitor (1920x1080) connected to the HDMI port. I want to buy and connect a new 24" monitor (1920x1200) using the mDP , which cable/adapter is recommended to use? the 24" monitor has a displayport and minidisplayport inputs and comes with a mini DP to DP cable. It will be sufficient?

thanks

 

This is an update from my post on page 74, comment #736 in this thread. The below is the most current release of Dell supplied drivers as of 5-25-2015 and in correct install order. I suggest Googling the entire file name of the longer EXE named files and obtain those drivers only from dell.com/support locations. None of these drivers are from Intel or Nvidia websites. Our purpose was to create a very stable and reliable PC, not bleeding edge.

I have done extensive testing with the listed drivers and they all work great. However, there are sometimes newer versions from Dell, often listed under L702X or other models. If you want some cutting edge, these drivers are listed at the very bottom. They seem to work fine, but we have done little testing on the L502X.

Windows 7 (32-bit & 64-bit) Drivers Below
Some drivers are different for Win8, & much larger files, check Dell Support.

1. R292318 (Optional) System Utilities: ST Microelectronics DE351DL Motion Sensor, v.1.00.00.15, A01 (8 MB) If you don’t have a Solid State Drive installed, then this is a sensor that moves the drive arm away on a HDD if the laptop is dropped - to protect the drive and data. I never installed this. If you don’t install this creates a yellow flag in Device Manager – no worries.

2. R292792 (Optional) CPU: Intel Turbo Boost Technology Monitor Software, v.2.1.23.0, A01 (21 MB) This is the little sidebar gadget that displays performance info in the upper corner of the screen in the original OEM installation. This IS NOT Intel Turbo Boost, just a monitor GUI.

3. R289307 Chip Set: Intel Huron River (HM67), v.9.2.0.1015, A00 (2 MB)

4. R292317 Chip Set: Intel Management Engine Interface, v.7.0.0.1144, A01 (5 MB) Remote access technology. Without it a yellow flag appears in Device Manager.PCI Com Controller missing

5. (NEW) Chip Set: USB3_Renesas_W7_A03_Setup-61X2W_ZPE.exe. This will show up in your "Add/Remove" programs but did not in the OEM shipped configuration. No way around it, must have it.

6. R296901 (Optional) Serial ATA: Intel Rapid Storage Technology, v.10.1.2.1004, A01 (10 MB) This is a software based RAID controller for multiple drives. BUT HIGHLY recommended you install this if you convert to an internal SSD drive, even if you don’t run RAID.

7. SE2_CD11.xzip Removable Storage: PLDS DS-6E2SH 12.7 Tray BD-Combo, v.CD11, A01 (3 MB) See directions on how to do the installation. Updates firmware of the CD/BR player.

8. R283293 Video: (ONLY If you have a TV Card) AVerMedia H339 Hybrid Analog/ATSC, v.2.2.x.69, A01 (5 MB)

9. (NEW) R311294 Video: Intel HD Graphics 3000 Driver (8.15.10.2455, A09)

10. (NEW) Video (Nvidia Geforce GT 525/540): Video_Nvidia_W74_A09_Setup_RRN66_ZPE.exe (8.17.12.8577, A09). Select “Custom Install”

1. Because the L502X does not come with a 3d screen - If you watch any type of external 3D monitor or TV medium, make sure to tick box “3D Vision Driver”. Otherwise...this is just bloatware. However, without it and you run the Window Experience Index, you get an error because there is no 3D 10 Texture driver. Given the quantity of games available, there's now way to test them all. This driver can always be added after the fact. Just run installer again and tick only this box.
2. If you use external TV or Monitor using an HDMI cable tick box for “HD Audio”. Nvidia manages the audio and video that passes through the HDMI cable.Realtek manages audio for everything else.
3. Make sure to tick box "Nvidia Graphics Driver". Everyone needs this one.
   Click To Enlarge:
   

11. (NEW) Network: Realtek RTL8111DL Ethernet Controller -
LOM_Realtek_W7_A03_Setup-X4R87_ZPE.exe (v7.048.0823.2011). This did not show up in "Add/Remove" programs but was in the OEM shipped configuration. No way around it, must have it.

12. R300326 Audio: Realtek ALC665 Audio, v.6.0.1.6312, A04 (105 MB)

13. (NEW) Network: Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030, Advanced-N 6230 Network_Intel_WLAN_W784_A02_Setup-37PPD_ZPE.exe (Version 15.2.0.19, A02). The most confusing of all drivers, select “Custom Install” and follow the below.

1. Select only “WiFi Link Driver” to operate your wireless card for accessing internet and such. Right below this, if you select “PROset Wireless for Bluetooth and High Speed”, then you can avoid installing driver #14 in this list.
2. Select “Intel Proset Wireless Wifi Software” and “Intel My Wifi Technology” if you will be using Intel My Wifi. This creates a Personal Area Network to wirelessly share your videos, photos, music or the Internet from your laptop to your TV using Intel Wireless Display.
3. Select "PROset Wireless Wifi Connection Utility” if you want Intel GUI/software to show you the various wireless networks and signal strength indicators (how many bars) instead of Microsoft. It replaces Microsoft stuff which works very well....so it’s really not needed.
4. The last two choices - Administrative Toolkit and Enterprise Software are not needed at all.

14. (NEW) Network: Bluetooth 3.0+High Speed Application. 0PDK4_A03_ZPE.exe (Version 1.0.81.20601, A0). Only if you have Bluetooth equipped laptop, and optional if you install the above driver option, but highly recommended for those who use BT often.

15. Mobile Broadband Driver (Optional): Install this here if you have an internal cellular modem. Get from Dell website.

16. (NEW) R308016 Video: Intel Wireless Display Connection Manager (Intel WiDi) (Version 2.1.39.0, A01). Must be the last INTEL DRIVER you install. It uses platform and version detection. This pushes your laptop screen display via wireless to a TV…but you must purchase a WiDi-enabled receiver device (adapter) and attach it to your TV. I found it laggy, kind of buggy, stopped using it after a month. Netgear later came out with better adapters called Push2TV, the PVT3000.

17. R293038 Input: Synaptics Synaptics TouchPad, v.15.2.6.0, A00 (37 MB)

18. R277344 Input: Quanta H.264 integrate webcam, v.1.0.1404.1005, A00 (1 MB)

19. R292780 (Optional) Chip Set: JMicron JMB389 Card Reader, v.1.00.55.00, A01 (1 MB) Installing this earlier will trip errors. Balloon will appear showing the errors. This will show up in your "Add/Remove" programs but was not in the OEM shipped configuration.

20. (NEW) Application: Dell QuickSet -
APP_Quickset_W78_A06_Setup-CV6WD_ZPE.exe (v11.0.26, A06). This is a newer version for the XPS 15Z that had some bug fixes done to it...but was never made available to the L502X. Quickset is the app small “gear” button to the right of the Power button - quickly access adjustments for wifi, backlit keyboard, display brightness, etc.

21. Dell Webcam Central (Creative Technologies). Download at Dell SmartSource.

22. Cyberlink PowerDVD 3D v9.6: Download at Dell SmartSource. It is listed multiple times with the newer versions on page 2. Or use your supplied CD from Dell if they provided one. I really suggest updating with the purchase of of PowerDVD 14 Ultra, should be around $60 when on sale.. I've had many of their versions, now running v14. We like it.

23. SoundBlaster X-Fi MB (Optional): You can get this from Dell on a CD. Part #VG99.I found this app basically useless because the Realtek WavesMaxx software installed from HD Audio driver R300326 works just fine.

24. Microsoft Silverlight: Download from MS - http://www.microsoft.com/getsilverlight/Get-Started/Install/Default.aspx

25. Java Download: http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp

26. Adobe Acrobat Reader: http://get.adobe.com/reader

27. Adobe Flash Player: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer

Dell Driver Downloads: http://support.dell.com/support/downloads
Dell Application Downloads: Dell SmartSource (PowerDVD, Webcam Central, etc.)

Intel PROset – Their drivers can be confusing. A few of them just replace existing functions performed by Microsoft, Windows 7 and such. They also create several processes running in the background. I personally do the “Custom Install” and use only the Intel Link Driver which activates and operates my N-6230 wireless card fine. The PROset wireless software and WiFi Connection Utility hijack what Microsoft already performs. Also, the Microsoft OS handles Bluetooth pretty good. However, I haven’t done much testing with replacing Microsoft by installing the Intel BT 3.0 High Speed drivers. I don’t use BT very much at all.


OPTIONAL NEWER VERSIONS - NOT OFFERED UNDER DELL L502X:
Realtek ALC665 Audio Driver – L702X system supplied driver that is a slightly newer version number than the above. It works fine. Audio_RLTK_W7_A05_Setup-J3VMR_ZPE.exe (Version 6.0.1.6449, A0)

NVidia Driver – There are “Certified” Nvidia drivers offered at LaptopVideo2Go.com that are much newer. They bring back some of the Nvidia software features removed in the Dell version and have newer HD Audio drivers. Their latest certified version for our Nvidia GT 525/540 video cards is 302.59, as opposed to Dell’s newest 285.77 driver. The LaptopVideo2Go drivers are an exact match to your Nvidia Hardare ID. So think of these like between Dell's old drivers and Nvidia's latest generic drivers offered on their website.

Get Nvidia Hardware ID: Go to your Device Manager>Display Adapters>Nvidia>Right Click Properties>Details>Drop Down menu Hardware IDs, then enter that info in the required boxes at LaptopVideo2Go website. Make sure to select “Certified Drivers” in their dropdown choice. ​

 

SSD Install, Fan, & Thermal Paste Tips:
L502X Complete Updated Driver List at bottom of previous page.

NEW SSD & WIN7 INSTALL:
This is just some info I learned from replacing my HDD with a Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD. There is a lot of info out, much can be confusing, and a lot that I read wasn't necessary with the XPS15. I really found only one step that must be added during a clean install of Windows 7 when using a new SSD. After the OS install it was just a couple other settings. I can't believe how snappy my L502X is now, it boots to a usable windows screen in about 10 seconds, just freaky with this SSD, in a good way.

ACHI – Our laptops already have this setting turned on in the BIOS, which is recommended for an SSD for performance reasons. You will see this ACHI controller listed in Device Manager under IDE ATAPI controller dropdown, show as version 1.0 I believe.

No OS or NO DRIVE Found – Many have run into this issue. After you first install your SSD, insert your Win7 OS dic, then power up, you must stop at the first “Install Windows 7” screen and “clean” your drive. Otherwise, the BIOS will not recognize there is a drive connected. I read tons of frustrated forum posts about this. After doing 4-5 steps with the CMD prompt your back to a regular Win7 install. The best instruction for a clean install of Win7 using a new SSD are from Sean at Overclock. The clean drive step is about 1/3rd down the webpage under: Configure a drive using a BIOS/UEFI motherboard and MBR. Make sure to “Click To Show” the hidden text area of his steps.

Intel Rapid Storage Technology – This driver and software is typically associated with running a RAID setup. It also does some things for SSD drives even if they are the only drive installed. You should definitely install this driver offered by Dell in our L502X support section. You can disable the software GUI from at startup using MSCONFIG (IAStorIcon.exe) but leave (IAStorDataMgrSvc.exe) running in the background processes. Intel RST basically replaces the old Microsoft ACHI controller with a more advanced driver for SSD’s. Basically it provides up to 15% more performance.

From Intel website …. provides benefits to users of single drives as well. Through AHCI, storage performance is improved with Native Command Queuing (NCQ). AHCI also delivers longer battery life with Link Power Management (LPM), which can reduce the power consumption of the chipset and Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive.

HIBERNATE/SLEEP
You should disable any Hibernate functions in Power Management. If you use Sleep you must turn off the “Hybrid” option, which would store data in RAM and drive. When my XPS went to Sleep it would not wake up, stayed on a black screen until I learned about this setting.

SLEEP - Power Options>Change Plan Settings>Change Advanced Power Settings>Sleep>Allow Hybrid Sleep to OFF on both battery and plugged in. Also open the + for Hibernate After, its in the same area and select “Never”. Same thing for Hard Disk>Turn Off Hard Disk After>Never.​

USELESS TWEAKS
I think many of the tweaks I read were written years ago when people were installing tiny GB SSD drives. The tweaks appear to be designed to save space and such. If you install a larger SDD, then there is no need to apply many suggested. There was one organization that tested all these tweaks one at a time and found many of them provided no real gains… some of them actually made things worse when piled on top of each other.

I DID NOT DISABLE……
Window Indexing – I left Windows to index searches like it always does for my email, files, folders.
Superfetch /Prefetch - stores drivers and applications in memory to improve access performance.
System Restore – I want my restore points in case installing one app screws something up.
Page File – It improves system reliability. With plenty of RAM and drive why move or disable this!
Drive Compression – nor messed with any other compression for that matter
Write Caching – It’s enabled by default in Win 7 so I’m leaving it alone.
TRIM – Is enabled by default in Window 7, apparently the most useful of all Tweaks.

I DID DISABLE:
Drive Defragmentation
Hibernate Mode, and turned off Hybrid Sleep setting

BOOT DRIVE Order – I did move the SSD to the top of the list for boot devices. The CD/DVD , USB, etc are now below it.

NEW FANS:
The replacement fan with the yellow Forcecon label that is currently pictured for sale by many vendors is not the most current and reliable fan available for the L502X.
Click to Enlarge:


Dell started replacing the Forcecon fans in 2011 with the black label Delta Electronics fan. The one pictured below was replaced by Dell Tech Support in mid 2011 when they put in a new Samsung hard drive. I don't remember if they took out a Forcecon fan. This Delta fan was built on 2-25-2011.
Click to Enlarge:


Not that it needed it, but I put in this new fan below while installing the new SSD drive this past week. The fan was built on 2-3-2015 as per its code. It is an identical match for the old fan, including the black plastic sticky flap that creates a seal to the heat sink radiator. This fits next to the side grill on the left of the laptop.
Click to Enlarge:



THERMAL PASTE RESULTS:
Holy Cow, I could not believe it. I used the highly rated Gelid GC Extreme paste. It's not full of metal so you don't have to worry if some leaks onto the CPU area like Artic Silver 5. It dropped temps 10-25 degrees. I know this is old news but I'm an old guy, was easily impressed. I pushed a Bluray disc movie via HDMI cable to a Samsung TV and while running dual screens, could not get it over 159 degrees F. I'm not a gamer so now way to test that.

Nvidia chip stayed consistently between 110-125 degrees F.
CPU chip stayed between 125-159 degrees F.
Click to Enlarge:



DISASSEMBLY OF L502X
To replace the fan and thermal paste, the best L502X specific disassembly instructions I found were from Daniel on Youtube. It's a 35 min video but he puts it all back together too. However, do not take out the CMOS coin cell battery as he does in the video. No need to take out the wireless card or disconnect the strap/cord that connects to the bottom of the Nvidia chipset. These steps are only necessary if you are taking out the motherboard. He does forget to mention you must remove the plastic insert/cover of the optional card reader in the front. That middle layer will not separate unless you take that out.

There is a descent text/pic guide available here at MyFixGuide too! That's it for now...see you in another 4 years....

 

Is the L502x able to use UASP?

 

I have a extra unit i7 2920XM CPU, I plan to install it in the L502X, can someone tell me is it gonna work?

 

someone already tested it with the L702X, and both machines are almost identical, you will not have probably any issue with it, anyway keep an eye at the temps, you may need to mod the cooling system if you plan to use the full power of that CPU without suffering overheating and slowdowns.

 

Earlier in the year I was having overheating problems and gaming performance was terrible (on pretty old, non-demanding games) so I decided to take a chance and open her up to reapply thermal paste (never done before). The amount of dust in there was incredible, and I'm not sure whether it was the dust or the fresh thermal paster (prob both) but now it's working like a new machine. Stays cool and i can play counter strike and civ 5 without lag. Totally worth doing and not too difficult, with all the guides available.

 

Thanks for your advise. I have few concern about the cpu swap, would you mind to advise me further?

1. Power supply
If I proceed the 2920xm installation, can the power supply become issue? My current setup is 2410m and the maximum power it draw was 35w compare to 2920xm 55w. Can the power module (the chip inside the motherboard (I forgot what they call) sustain it? My power adapter is 130w.

2. Bios
I currently using A12 mod bios (no voltage moded) that create by you (which is awesome), do I need to flash to the original A12 by dell before I proceed the swap? Is it safe to flash back to the original A12 by straight download it from dell and run it? Any risk of bricking my L502X?

3.Heat
I know this could be the serious issue. I will use this trick ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/xps-l502x-turbo-boost-2-0.590543/) to limit the CPU usage by adjusting the power option (disable the boost). I will limit the CPU to work in 80% if 99% not gonna work.

Do you think this gonna work?

By the way, is anyone here know how to switch off the discrete graphic card nvidia 525m in win7( I dont want optimus and I just need running iGPU (HD3000) when I surfing the internet), the fan is so annoying. I cannot disable the 525m in bios.


Thanks

 

Hi, I have some confusion, I need help.
I have l502x with original win 7 home premium. In past I always installed win7 pro from company, but now I want this home premium and then to upgrade free to win 10. Is it possible?
Also I have changed configuration, I bought some ram and SSD put on hd place and hd in dvd rom upgrade bay position. Will my original key work? I do not have any backup or system restore...
Which .iso to use?
Also I have problem with installing from usb (I have no dvd rom now)- afrer first restart it goes again in 1. stage of install, and if put out usb stick nothing happens...
please help

 

Hey guys,

I can't go through 400+ pages of this thread, so i did a general search, but i can't find a solution.

I changed my HD to a 120go SSD. I reinstalled win7 with restore CD. Everything is fine, but i have only one issue : Dell Quickset !!
I tried to install it, with loooooads of different exe files, but everytime i find one compatible with Win7, my laptop freezes and i cannot install it !

The thing is, i only want it to use the battery power stuff (like stop charging option and such). So have you had this problem before ? is their a 3rd party software i could use instead ?

Thanks for your time.

 

Did you actually install win7 and then drivers directly ? did you install bios at some point ? what about windows updates ?

 

I came to know that the Full HD 1080P screen AUO B156HW01 V7 has been discontinued. But still there are some sellers over aliexpress which are selling the same model. Is it fake or they really might be having it in stock? I conformed with one of the sellers and he said he has it in stock. I really need this screen. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

 

Please, can you give us some feedback?

I am also interested on upgrade my screen. Ive seen some ebay sellers that sells it but i am not sure if they are genuine or the right version.

I have read that v4 is matte and v7 is glossy. Many people say that v7 is better but I think that a matte screen is better for our eyes, isnt it?

If you can share your final decision I will be so greatful.

Thanks

 

Forgive me if this has been asked already but there are too many pages to search through. When I plug in my L502x I feel a vibration on the palmrest almost as if a current is going through it. The laptop is not switched on, just plugged in. My friend also has the same model and his is the same. Is this an issue? It doesn't sound normal...

Thanks.

 

Hi guys !

Any of you tried win10 on their L502x ?

 

For those using Windows 10; Have you gotten the Audio drivers to work properly? I've tried downloading the WavesMaxxaudio drivers for 8.1 and it was useless. I've also downloaded the Sounblaster X-Fi MB that I bought with the Machine which is also pretty useless. These speakers don't sound very good anymore without these enhancements

 

Just a quick word to thank you for this guide. After completely dissembled and cleaning my laptop (chnaging thermal paste too) and reinstalling windows. Your guide was perfect to make the L502x to work properly.

Thx again for your work on this guide !

 

New drivers now available!!
Took me about a week of testing, but it seems that the new drivers work great.

non-ms driver versions here (gdrive hosting html, hopefully ya can preview the public link...)
I'm building a superspeed DAW base VHD, unregistering all superfluous services etc.
I removed the Windows Feature ".net 3.5.1"
I was unable to use intel's gfxui, and I think all optimus-tech broke (nvid gpu load 0%), even after installing 'just' .net 4.5.2
I installed the devices manually (browse for folder containing inf, after checking dev ven id etc) by browsing for folder, this stops almost all Programs&Features entries from being created... (I don't usually uninstall my freefall accelerator. It's never been triggered AFAIK, but still a nice to have, so no uninstall, no updates ever expected!) - this caused issues with the mgmt ME install (9 components) & renesas (need to locate the hub and install before the controller, I think, otherwise driver install fails... 'sequence is important' is my point). This will mean you have to manually install PhysX etc (if you want them), similarly for OpenCl, Intel Display Audio etc,


if anyone needs further assistance holler


full details here

 

Wow wish you can make a similar guide for dell xps l702x... please

 

Just saw your post. I was able to successfully install Windows 10 Enterprise in my L502x. I used the Windows 8 version of Dell Quickset Application, ST Microelectronics DE351DL Free Fall Motion Sensor Driver and Realtek HD Audio ALC269 Driver. The rest was native from Windows 10 and/or Intel.

 

I have a campervan with solarpanels and a big (105mah) household battery. I also have a 12-15,16,17,18,19,20,22,24v converter/adapter and the right plug for my Dell xps 15 i7 L502x As you know it 'wants' 19,5v But my adapter can only give 19 or 20. With 19v I get a fault message that says "your laptopbattery may not be charging". How dangerous is it to switch the adapter to 20v?

 

Here's one for you. I'm running dual SSD with the i7-2820QM and just had a bad virus wipe out my old install of Windows 10 (was an upgrade from the dell factory windows 7) The only thing that I am complaining about now is that there is no more Waves Audio download on dell's website. I would love to have this laptop working correctly as I am about to see it and start purchasing my xps 15 9550. If anyone is interested this is a bad machine. still boots in record time and yes as I said dual solid state hard drives. I ditched the optical drive and purchased a HD caddy to go in it's place. I have a 120 GB and a 160 GB currently. If sold I would hold on to the 160GB but the caddy would go with the computer

 

Hi!

I have a Dell XPS L502X with i7 - 2670QM. I have been using the BIOS Mod.

I wonder if I can use a 1600MHz memory; 10-10-10-27 latency and 1.5 volts??? ( https://goo.gl/GMiHCy)

Thanks

 

I have the same problem on mine, but has not gone worse after 5 yrs of service

 

750gb WD 7200mm.

 

Did you find an answer to do it? Wondering about the same.

 

How does one use 2 button and middle mouse button?

 

Maybe it helps anyone else, but I never liked the keyboard on this computer. Too small for a 15.6" laptop (due to speakers on side), and too far away (due to large touchpad). The only reason I still have this laptop is the exceptional screen (for movies and image editing ), and quad core processor (for some heavy applications . Otherwise I prefer my HP probook and HP Elitebook for everyday use.

 

Update from nvidia website.

 

I have narrowed down the annoying fan noise problem. It is something to do with hard disk. My XP215 (L502X) came with a 750 GB WD 7200rpm hard disk. I created an image of my system on a portable drive, and restored the image on a 500 GB Hitachi 7200rpm, and well, the fan noises were gone. I don’t know how and why, but the fan behaves much better. To make sure that it is something to do with hard disk, I used the same system image to restore Windows on another 500GB hard disk (5400rpm), and the fan noises were back on that one. So, the only hard disk (among the three that I have) without fan noises is the Hitachi 500gb 7200rpm. I can’t explain why is it so. It is not a Windows issue, since I used the same system image, and did not re-installed a fresh Windows 7. Maybe some sort of software incompatibility with some hard disks, or something else.

Another strange thing is that I thought the laptop would remain cooler on a slower 5200rpm hard disk, as the cpu would have to waite for processing due to slower read I/O from a slower hard disk,, but it apprently gets much warmer on a 5200rpm hard disk (compared to both 7200rpm hard disks).

 

After two attempts at installing Windows 10 I think I'll stick with Windows 7 - the issue with blurry text and constant fan noise is beyond frustrating not to mention the loss of Intel Widi.

I mentioned it in another thread but has anyone experienced issues with their right click in Windows 7 in recent months? Installed nothing but Windows Updates and one of those disagrees with the bluetooth on the system - causing a right click on a file to take about 12 seconds. I had to disable the context menus in order to keep the right click loading instantly.

Bah..!

 

Nothing wrong with right click on my XPS15 (L502X). Win7 is updated (Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit)