Dell XPS M1730 Owner's Lounge, Take 2

Old thread here.

It's FINALLY out! The long anticipated XPS M1730. Post what you're getting/have and may the premium lounge be finally opened!

 

Bumping this back to the top of the forum, here's the new owners lounge for M1730 users.

Enjoy!

Old thread here, if you need it.

 

Thanks for opening this thread.

Back to the topics of the old thread.

Eleron, I'm curious to know - you said you have both sound cards - the USB and expresscard. You said the USB outputs 5.1 - does the expresscard not do it? I'm looking to use the optical output option for either one. I saw the site says there's an adapter for 5.1, but that's just a dongle with jacks for front/rear/center...

 

I have already sent back the HP OEM Sony Optiarc 5500A and will try this bluray drive instead:

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=BLK-UJ-120-DO&cpc=SCH

I was told that it is NOT an OEM drive.

Does anyone have experience with it?

 

Have a look at this post:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=4583579&postcount=14563

Also found several post in the old thread, if you type in M1730 UJ-120 in the search box top right they should return for you.

 

I have a question about Hard Drive issues.

So I was running CHKDSK, as a routine thing. The process got through all of the first 4 of 5 stages. Now in stage 5, where it verified the free sectors/space of the drive, the cluster count reached 357304 of 3790923, and the entire process just jammed up. I even heard a faint 'click' noise from the HDD at the time when this happened and then the machine just froze at that screen, the process being jammed at 43%.

Now what does this mean? Bad sectors?

 

Pretty much the best possible news I could have hoped for.

 

Don't you guys think the New alienware m17x remind you of the Dell M1730? From the front it look similar design especially the front vent and is made by quadro just like the M1730 as their ODM. It will be overclockable, I just hope the cooling will be just as good as the M1730, because AW's last few systems had heat issues.

I never had any problems with my M1730 and OCing it was a breeze (X7900 processor). What do you guys think? They should have slapped on a Dell logo and called it the M1740 or something. The M1730 is the best laptop I ever had and at the height of its power, it was even better than the sager 9262 with dual 8800 gtx's + OCing ability, it blew away the sager 9262 (D091c) especially in benchmarks. I am hoping this new notebook can repeat the success of the M1730, it has options for overclocking.here is some pics of the laptop:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=385557

You can configure the system at the dell webpage here:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...s&cs=19&fb=1&kc=6F978&l=en&oc=DKCCQT1&x=7&y=8

 

That bluray drive look pretty good....

pity there is no UK delivery

 

The system I built that has the minimum specs to satisfy cost $2500. So its a safe bet that I got the best deal I could with the M1730.

 

Don't you guys think the New alienware m17x remind you of the Dell M1730? From the front it look similar design especially the front vent and is made by quadro just like the M1730 as their ODM. It will be overclockable, I just hope the cooling will be just as good as the M1730, because AW's last few systems had heat issues.

I never had any problems with my M1730 and OCing it was a breeze (X7900 processor). What do you guys think? They should have slapped on a Dell logo and called it the M1740 or something. The M1730 is the best laptop I ever had and at the height of its power, it was even better than the sager 9262 with dual 8800 gtx's + OCing ability, it blew away the sager 9262 (D091c) especially in benchmarks. I am hoping this new notebook can repeat the success of the M1730, it has options for overclocking.here is some pics of the laptop:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=385557

You can configure the system at the dell webpage here:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...KCCQT1&x=7&y=8

 

You guys think this really is new Dell M1730 model with the AW brand stamped on it? Since the ODM is Quadro, the last AW M17 system was made by Anima? Or am I being too hopeful that this system will perform just as well as the M1730? I always loved the Dell customer service, awlays hated AW's customer service. Dell has taken over AW customer service, so now all I can hope for is this system isnt a mess like the M15x where it had overheating and downclocking issues along with a chassis that kept cracking and breaking. Need some input from the M1730 community Im looking at either this system or the upcoming Sager M980U notebook. I always were waiting for a new M1730 model...

 

If I had the money I would not even think twice on which notebook to buy. This would be my buy hands down. Too bad I aint rich

 

I think it looks more like the asus w90 minus the fancy lights.

 

You can get one here. That's the shop I got mine from and had no problems with it at all. It is not an HP OEM

Someone was asking about 5.1 output from express slot sound card. It is possible, but in order to do it you need to get this docking module. Which is extremely overpriced TBH.

That new alienware laptop is actually surprisingly reasonably priced. I think AW and Dell are going the right direction with this new notebook. Well, I'm gonna stick to my M1730 for another couple of years tho.

P.S. Ineresting....was our old threat the one that caused all that 404 messages and site crashes?

 

Ripfire , I use a set of external headsets while my brother is sleeping (5.1 that is ) and they work great, since the USB outputs exactly 5.1

 

In many sense, the current AW refresh reminds me, the step up from Inspiron XPS Gen 2 to M1710; bringing twice as many CPU cores and GPU upgrade. Where as the step from M1710 to 1730 is by far greater than the current transition. The new M17x can only be seen imo as a refresh, not as a new platform. However, it seems dell has decided to slap on entrant product premium.

I think the history of M1730 is repeating itself - 280m is only minor improvement upon the aging 8800m gtx, just as back then, 8700m struggled to outperform 7950 go by big margin. GT300 mobility chip is around the corner, and it will be be introduced later, just as 8800m gtx back then was delayed; another factor is that unless when M1730 was introduced, now the core CPU design is being phased out, any investment into a expensive gaming laptop would be costly.

I was going to sell my M1730 before this M17x came about, one thing lead to another, and I never did. Now I'm glad I didn't; cos the M1730 is already an impeccable setup, bundled with useful extras -not even the new M17x has the Logitech gaming LCD intergrated.

Looking at this more analytically, the gaming performance gain of a typical M17x will be about 30% over my M1730, yet, price will more than double.

I guess its not the time to buy into it yet. Nor do we know whether AW's products will drop price quicker, given that dell taken over, those laptops are marketed at wider segement, I doubt AW's price will remain as stable as seen until now.

Thanks for the link, thats slightly expensive... 4 times more expensive in fact ....

 

A little late but I know some were looking for this... UJ-220 (Dell P/N# MM616) is the model of the BluRay burner Dell was sending out - not sure if its changed. There are a few on FleaBay. One guy has it priced @ 449 (ROFL) which is insane - 200 USD is about right. Just wanted to post the model # for anyone still looking.


OFF TOPIC I KNOW - just a quick heads-up, the allpowerful.com site is now live - nice little flash intro - reminds me of a similar concept done back in 2001... weird. If you signed up for the email, it just showed up as well. There is a code in the email which will allow you access to the restricted area where you can download wallpapers, etc. Not that I need that AW stuff on 'The ORIGINAL Beast'. Looking at Wallpaper 2, the unit has some serious fan intakes/exhausts. Check it out.

The 280M SLI option + 4 yr/CC Warranty + 1920x1200 display + Bluray writer and everything else @ base config is listing @ $3,413.89 w/tax (San Francisco, California - yikes!) and shipping via the Dell Home site. Wow. No Thanks.

The Dell EPP link does show the base 7% off but its missing the Complete Care in the config options - i'm sure they'll add it later.

 

I had a 5500A with HP label and HP BIOS, this wouldn't work on my DELL M1730, the Blu-ray playback was very very choppy. In the end I bought a Sony/NEC 5500A (No HP label) and it just worked.


Anyone running Windows 7 64BIT on their M1730? Any good?

 

Thx, I picked one up today, was the exact same price at Bestbuy vs Newegg, WIN.

 

Actually, you can get the latest drivers from logitech website, it works perfectly and even adds sideshow compatibility

 

So this talk about Alienware m17x. I checked the machine out, and it is nice. What I really like is the quad-core extreme solution.

So, in the case of us 1730 users with warranties that last another two years. Say our machine completely breaks down or something, or they don't have the parts any longer, are we entitled to an alienware replacement?

 

I don't think so. Even though it's owned by Dell, I don't think they would mix warranty support to complicate things, not to mention AW generally cost more than the XPS. I guess if they want to lose money, they will.

 

yeah I know about the dongle and agree it's extremely overpriced. What about optical output? Does it output in 5.1? I'm assuming the USB soundcard outputs in 5.1 on optical, yes?

 

Is there a good source of information on how to use the Logitech LCD?

 

So which driver do I get for the gaming lcd for win7 64 bit? Logitech naturally doesn't list the dell xps as one of the options, so I'm not sure which of the keyboard drivers I download.

@Justhavingfun

I second this, I'd like to take advantage of that little lcd there.

 

http://www.overclock.net/computer-peripherals/177949-g15-lcd-program-archive.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logitech_G15

 

Sorry if you're talking about a different computer. I found this for the m1730 (I think it works on M1730 anyway

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&cs=ukdhs1&sku=A2392158

Would that work well d'ya reckon? Or are you looking for a true surround.

My surround sound has a matrix system that decodes the sound and emulates surround. Works pretty well, and I only need a single headphone jack =-) I'm hoping that expresscard would work well for me.

 

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/434/4956&cl=us,en?WT.ac=sc|downloads||dd

 

yeah I'm trying to decide which creative soundblaster I want - the external USB 5.1 or the internal expresscard x-fi. Whichever I pick, it MUST have the ability to output 5.1 via optical cable. Yes, my receiver can matrix to 5.1, but it's already doing that with the digital coax I have set up right now through the dongle I got from Dell (using the basic internal onboard sound card). Yes, this is for a 1730.

 

If you have the Complete Care and Extended Next Business Day Replacement warranty, they have to honor the terms. The warranty states that if the unit/part cannot be repaired and must be replaced, a replacement of equal or greater value will be used.

With that being said, will you get the M17X? Nobody knows - but will they send you a Studio 16? NO. The Studio doesn't come close to the 1730 in terms of specs - so don't worry.

 

It does have optical out. Or at least it says it does I don't know much about all these sound inputs/outputs, so I went the easy road with the docking station. I can check this optical output out for you, if you will guide me through the process...i might actually learn a thing or two in the process Here is my reciever if it is of any help. I got my PS3 connected to it through optical cable, but the connector wouldn't fit sound card. That's what put me off.

 

The expresscard is 2.1 only, the usb is 5.1 and its cheaper.

I found this at Bestbuy for the same price, $59.99. I picked one up today
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102020

This one is on clearance at Bestbuy for $53.00 vs $89.99 at Newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102025

I don't really like bestbuy, but good prices on these soundcards.

 

Question : what drivers are you guys on? Mainly XP 32 bit users, cause that`s where I`m having querks.
I`m trying the 185.x drivers and they ALL FAIL to have the Nvidia Control Panel available, thus no SLI

 

Nevermind, I installed using the Have Disk method and now it works, go figure.
I need to do a fan cleanup,temps hit 84C when playing Necrovision, and that`s a nono for me...

 

. . .I don't know if I could entirely agree with your logic. If parts and machine aren't available, which will be the case, if not already, they have to honour the agreement. If loss was unacceptable, then 1710 users wouldn't be getting 1730s, and we already know that there's a handful of people on this forum who had 4-year replacement warranty packages, who ended up with 1730s because Dell just didn't have the machines or relevant parts for their machines.

Now if a 1730 was to kick the bucket, say mine or Ernstig's, they will have to honour the warranty. Either replace the parts that prevent the system for functioning, or replace the system with another system. Now if neither the parts or the system are available, then they have to offer a suitable/comparable replacement. This is exactly what happened with the M1710 users who ended up getting 1730s; part-for-part - price-to-price, there's a land-slide difference, but they did use 1730s as a suitable/relevant replacement. So I don't quite see why they couldn't use m17x for 1730 users once they run out of 1730 units and parts to replace faulty systems.

Thanks for the info. I have Next Business Day Replacement Warranty, don't know about Complete Care, do I need this to be fully covered? I thought Complete Care was primarily for accident coverage and theft. What about just plain Next Busineess Day Replacement Warranty? Do the conditions/terms that you mentioned still apply? In my experience so far, Dell always replaces my parts when they go bad. In fact, it was my recent experience that got me thinking about the parts - they don't seem to have that many to go around at the moment; my replacement was delayed because they just didn't have stock. Anyway, I just wanted to confirm whether they'll continue to honour their agreement. Naturally, they'll have to work something out.

 

Backpack Seekers:

Don't know if I should put this here or in Tech bargains or both, so I decided to put it here just in case it turns out not to be a bargain.

Here's a "NEW" XPS 1730 Laptop Backpack. Current Bid is $10.00 with 6 days remaining on it. One to watch. Oh, and it's not mine. I got mine off ebay and it should be arriving tomorrow.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Gaming-Bac...s=65:10|66:2|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50

 

Thanks, this is what I needed to know!

 

im thinking win7 64, what should i know first? specs in sig

 

I have a question. Maybe there is a good link for this. I want to order (2) seagate 500gb 7200 rpm hard drives. I currently have a RAID 1 config with (2) 250gb 5400 rpm drives. Should I break the RAID, install one drive, diskcopy (image) install second and create the RAID? Or image the original, install both and create the RAID then push the image?

Also for the knowledgeable RAID Guru's. I notice sometimes, once in a blue moon, my system does not shut down properly. Once the system starts again the RAID is verified and errors are corrected. I have never lost any data that I know of. I am wondering if I had a RAID 0 and my system shuts down improperly will it still verify and correct errors without data loss? Or is there a possibility that something worse will happen? What is your experiences with this?

 

RAID 0 offers no fault tolerance AT ALL. It is simply a stripe set without parity checking across multiple drives. Otherwise known as a "volume set"

If you want any fault tolerance at all, minimum would be RAID 1

 

That is what I was afraid of. I do not want to chance that. I wish we could do RAID 5.

 

What part of XPS not being AW didn't you get?

There are FEW people who got their Inspirons replaced by the M1730, but it really depend on pure luck, and their arguement. Few got the M1730, and most got the crappy Inspirons w/ inferior GPU than the E1705 they had.

I do hope they replace our system w/ M17x when it fails, but I highly doubt it. I mean you do see my sig right? I'm on the same boat as you

One thing for sure is that you will have to argue for a long time, and you may get what you ask for, but you will waste alot of time getting one IF IT EVEN WORKED OUT.

The last thing we have to hope for is that Dell decides to combine Dell and AW, pretty much eliminating AW division, only keeping the brand name-pretty much replacing XPS name to AW, then we have better chance on getting those as replacements.

 

i think they will replace our 1730's with one of the busness line machines before they will do alienware, but who knows. we arnt there yet, doubt they will run out of spare parts or refurbished piles of crap for a year or so, then we will find out...

 

I had an Inspiron E1705 and the video card died a few months back. Dell offered and sent me a pretty nice 1730. I called and told them I don't want another 1730 (since I already have a loaded one) and Dell sent me a M6400 but it was missing wi-fi and bluetooth. Dell sent me the part but went ahead and sent me another M6400 with the QX9300, dual hard drive Raid 0, 3700M Quadro, and RGB LED screen.
What I am getting at is who knows what Dell will do.

 

Hey guys, I just received my m1730 with the dual 9800 from the "price mistake" deal a few weeks back.

Its an awesome machine, but I noticed theres a really strange issue with the light FX in conjunction with windows media player. If I enable the plugin where the lights go random with WMP, the speakers 'pop' and 'crackle' almost as if the speakers are blown.

Is this a common issue thats solvable? Its definitely not the speakers because they make no noise at full volume otherwise.

Thanks in advance =)

 

you are using vista, there is no solution mate, except running xp OR running without light FX

 

Wow are you friggin serious!? Man. What about vista 64 bit? And what about using a different player such as winAmp or Windows media player classic?

damn =-O

 

ya, apparently even Dell support does not have a solution.

 

Just a heads-up, if you hit support.dell.com and then point to the driver section, Alienware is now listed there. You can access the M17x drivers that ship with the new unit just like you do with your 1730 or any other Dell unit. The service manual is also posted as well - lol. http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/M17x/

Thanks to this, we now have an updated RICOH Memory Card Driver. Link posted to my Vista Drivers blog (64-bit only right now). I have tested this and verified its compatible with 'The Beast' (since they both have the same RICOH Memory Card reader there is no issue).

Oh and don't get any ideas about downloading and running the installer for the Alienware Command Center - I already tried. LOL