Dell XPS M1730 Owner's Lounge, Take 2

Just a heads-up to the lounge:

I just updated the 32/64-bit Vista Drivers with a few changes.

The M17x Synaptics Touchpad driver is compatible with the 1730 touchpad. v13.0.6.0, posted 7/28.

Also updated the Dell NVIDA 186.24, Intel 4965 Wireless, Intel Matrix Storage Manager, Sigmatel Audio Driver links - these were posted on the main page of the blog on 7/18 but I am just now getting around to updating the actual driver page links.

Think that was it...

 

Congratz Batboy with the M17x.

I'm on holiday and don't read this forum constantly.

It looks like there's a little breakthrough. Some systems start to be replaced. Altough in some cases not totaly acceptable. For instance when they offer cheap crap to replace a Blu-ray / PhysX. You paid for it, so they have to compensate you with something same amound of vallue at least.

We're getting somewhere now with Dell 'crappy' support, but I'm afraid there's a long way to go still. Thanks to all your input on this matter I've learned a lot so far how to deal with "them".
I hope my system will never let me down, but ya never know.

 

So here is my update to my service issue I was having with my 1730...

As most are aware, I was having quite a rough time with getting the GPUs replaced. Had 3 bad GPUs arrive and a tech which was a Geek Squad reject (translation, he was a fing idiot). I was not seeing a resolution from Dell via normal XPS Support options or their Unresolved Issues link. After having a couple of meltdowns I composed myself a bit and drafted a nice email to several exec people @ Dell, including the manager of the support rep I was dealing with.

I received a response the very next morning. I had pulled a night shift and was still checking my eyelids for holes when my cell started going crazy. Needless to say I had 4 voicemails from 2 peeps @ Dell leaving their contact info and asking me to return their call so they could assist with resolving the situation.

I ended up speaking with the manager of the unhelpful xps support rep. He was very understanding to my situation and personally apologized for the lack of response on his rep's behalf and assured me this would not occur again as it became an immediate training topic.

I thanked him for his apology (what I was looking for) and he assigned the case to one of his Team Leaders. The Team Lead which took over the case was very professional and listened while I 'vented'.

We discussed options and worked out a solution which I was happy with. The solution as you now know from my signature was a system replacement moving from the 1730 to the AW M17x.

This is not something they are able to do with all cases and due to circumstances relating to my case, they were inclined to work toward this resolution. It was made clear to me this would require some time to work out and that no promise could be made that this was indeed a definite route. I informed the Team Lead I understood their logistical hurdle and if he needed time to work on it, by all means take the time (just not too long - lol). He agreed to follow up with me the following morning.

The next day arrived and as promised he contacted me first thing in the AM. He informed me they were able to work out the details and that he would send me a 1st draft configuration for my review. I revised the configuration (keeping things reasonable) and returned it to them. The order was keyed into the system that same day.

I have to recognize Dell for their efforts and conduct. Yes, we all know that Dell Service Call nightmares exist and most of us have found this out first hand... in the end however, if the consumer has a valid issue and supporting documentation - Dell will fix it and make it right.

This is the main reason why I have always been vocal on the extended warranty topic. If you are purchasing/investing a large sum of cash into a purchase (especially a mobile one), a 3 or 4 year warranty is a must have.

It is also important to note, when dealing with a service issue be detailed. Take notes, record times of calls, names of people you have spoken with, save emails, etc. This is critical when documenting your service issue since you may need the documentation later to support a claim if problems arise.

I also want to make it clear to all my 1730 friends here that my situation was a bit unique. It was not an ordinary service call nightmare. The possibility to move to an M17x as a system replacement is still a new concept for Dell. Even though Dell owns Alienware, there are still logistical hurdles in working this out. In the end, I have no idea what they had to do or who became involved. What I do know is this:

• The XPS M1730 is now (has been for about a week now) @ end of life. It has been pulled from most Dell sites around the globe and will not be manufactured again.

With this in mind, the question has to be asked: 'How will Dell honor their warranty terms relating to system exchange since they no longer have a platform which is equal to the M1730?'

It is a valid question which many of us are asking. I don't believe that my case laid the groundwork for future M1730 replacements as it just wasn't the typical run of the mill replacement case. What I do know for certain is that this question is being discussed daily @ Dell as I type this out. I am sure they will work it out quickly as we know they are starting to see a higher # of GPU issues cropping up (hell, how many are we dealing with right now just here in the lounge?). Whether this is due to bad parts, bad nvidia manufacturing, bad whatever is anyone's guess. Perhaps a bit of both from both sides... I don't know.

Anyway, I just wanted to bring everyone up to date. I intend to continue to maintain a little repository of driver links for ya and will be as active as always in the lounge here - lending an assist where possible.

Only 1 thing sucks - the 1920x1200 LCD is delayed and they are experiencing slight order build delays as well. I wont receive the new system until sometime close to the 22 of Aug. OUCH.

 

I had that issue with my 8700M GT and still have it with the 8800M GTX. However, the whites turning to yellows problem goes away if the machine is put into Hibernation and brought out, or if an external monitor of any sort is plugged in (and then you can switch back and forth and it will be fine on both).

 

Got new Video BIOS updated and what I see is difference between GPU temps became higher is about 12C. It is not good is it?

 

Yikes. Not sure if I should LOL or Cry @ Dell. If in fact temps increase after people apply this BIOS - not a good thing. They are going to be swamped.

Which brings up a thought - If you are planning on flashing your GPU BIOS - please do make a backup of it before you do... Always good to Cover Your Azz. Use GPU-z to save a copy of it.

 

I'm starting to get the feeling Sujay has lied to me about my laptop getting sent to city link, he said it was on a by 1pm service right.. I look on the website and all they have is a by 12pm service and their offices are shut at 12pm too.

I called the UK head office in bracknell and left a message with the customer care manager yesterday to find out what's going on, because for the past 2 + weeks all they've said is my laptop is in testing still, when I got annoyed on the phone Sujay suddenly blurted out that it was infact now with a courier to come to me today (i thought it sounded suspect from the way he suddenly said it) I was too annoyed at the time to remember to ask for a tracking code sadly.

Emailing Sujays boss has so far gotten me no reply, I was wondering if anyone who'd had other Execs email them personally would be willing to share the address (in PM ?) As at the moment I don't really have anyone else to email / call, seeing as this Sujay guy is just lying & flat out refusing any idea of replacement / compensation too for the now 6 weeks of waiting for a GPU replacement issue to be sorted.

This is driving me nuts at the moment, I don't care about pushing for a complete replacement laptop, I just want a working one back :|

 

Seeing quite a bit of negative feedback from you 'across the pond' owners in regards to this Sujay rep. Arnie is getting no response from Sujay's manager either. Hmmmm...

@Arnie:
This UK Office in Bracknell - is there a directory of the peeps @ that location?

You could try an email to this person: David A. Marmonti

Use the format FIRSTNAME_LASTNAME at dell.com

Copy Sujay and his boss on the email - add em to the CC: line.

Also, just curious here, but have you tried this route:
http://support.euro.dell.com/suppor...re/en/outstanding_issues_tech?c=uk&l=en&s=gen

If so, try it again but this time list your current case# that you have from your dealings with Sujay and then in the description/comment box use:

I am having a problem and have requested a number of times to speak with a manager and my requests are ignored. I need a manager to call me immediately please. I need to discuss the 6 week delay relating to this case. I need help now. Please contact me ASAP @ <INSERT CONTACT # HERE>.

Not sure if you will get a response but its worth a try.

 

Thanks for the suggestions BatBoy, I used the link and sent my information through that, i've also used another unresolved issues thing from the dell site before.
When I called they said my case had been escalated already, meaning sadly Sujay is the one SUPPOSED to be handling it but is just another mindless tech support person just with a higher up role.

XPS support is 24/7 so I could call again today but I'm not sure whether there would even be a manager there anyways.

And I have emailed that exec before from the list of dell execs email that one website had, but I've sent him a newer email now, not sure whether I'll get a reply but it's worth a try.

And with the bracknell office i just managed to find the number off another forum, when i called the receptionist put me through to a customer care manager who wasn't even in anyway! And I couldn't understand his mumbled answering machine message either. The receptionist said too they were the only 'high up' person at that office apparently.

 

Well, the bottom line here is that the guy from bracknell you left a message for should have returned your call. Call again. Leave another message and request a call back asap.

XPS Support always has a supervisor available. Try that route as well.

 

Yeah, Sujays boss never got back to me. The guy who organised the replacement was [email protected] but no idea if he's just in orders.

@batboy, i was thinking the same thing. You seem to get better support than us? I certainly wasnt getting messages left with me in a desperate attempt to sort this out for me. And i was only offered a like for like replacement. Couldnt argue for warranty, windows 7, better processor, nothing!

And when i originally made the complaint and spoke to the "supervisor" he was useless.. Baring in mind i'm the assistant manager of a highly successful service desk in the UK, i even offered to come over and show them how to improve their service! It was just scary that i knew more technically about the machines than they did!

Still, to their credit, replacement turning up on monday, and cant say fairer than that!

 

That was about the most annoying call to tech support yet, when i finally got through the guy who answered repeatedly said.

"I cannot help you unless you have the laptop directly in front of you sir"

He kept saying this, said no supervisors were in, then he gave me the number to call (the one I just called to get through in the first place) and asked me to try that... I repeatedly told him they had the laptop for repair, to which he repeated the same sentence to me again. Then when I ask for his name the call is cut off!

 

So monday the tech will replace my gpu in this completely new system with a refurbished one,......for me that will be really the very last replacement, i'm finished with replacements and repairs.
It's not normal that they put a refurbished gpu in a one week old system that came from the factory, after all the problems i have with my other xps1730.
If somebody can give me the correct email of a supervisor or higher, i live in Belgium and i think maybe someone of the dell company in the UK? or Belgium? i don't know who takes desisions or have the power to act?
Now again with that gpu replacement, i'm back from off, just like the one before.
The only thing I asked to the rep was give me a perfect working gamerslaptop without any issues, and asked him if that really exist a perfect working gamersnotebook?? he didn't know ......and didn't give a answer.

 

Hmm.... All these customer service problems. India tech support of some sort?

 

Screw that arnie! I always crack out the classic line, "Pass me to your manager. I want someone who is paid 6 figures, you are not paid enough to receive the sort of language i am about to use on this phone".

That or ask for the complaints, disputes, unresolved teams etc. Tho not convinced they work at weekends... work shy lazy sods!

 

I was just thinking that this is getting way out of hand. I hate the fact this issue with lack of response from XPS Support is dominating the Owner's Lounge... how about we move it here - just created it...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=404823


@Arnie, DOCUMENT bud. Make sure you document everything and call back when you compose yourself. At the start of any call, get the rep's name and UID. If you get "no supervisor's are in" - response: Ok. That's fine but I want an extension#, email and name of your supervisor.

 

Yup, document -everything-.

And then, be prepared to throw it all in an organised fashion, right in their faces.

They have enough BD-writers, and now, I will tear them and their arguments to pieces. I already gave a very firm notice to Customer Care, and I've now made it a point that I want to speak with them about proper compensation for what was their screw up - the deal is off.

 

Thanks again for the help guys.

And yeah I've made a long list of calls made and recieved, emails sent, things like that.

I got though again to someone, they checked the case info and it says it is with the courier for delivery today, yet the courier website says they only deliver upto 12pm today. So I'm not really sure what's happening, I've been up since the early hours too so there's no way I've happened to miss the delivery or something. So now I'm just confused, guess I'll wait till 6pm and see if it does eventually turn up.

 

Yes I already had the BR drive , not sure what you mean by RE (BR write?)

Does that mean i'm getting a Blu-Ray writer?

Sorry I don't know much about optical drives.

 

Yes, it means Blu Ray Writer. Did you have a Blu Ray RW drive before? Because if not, then you've got one dashing upgrade! FYI: There's your standard Blu-Ray Read-only/DVD-RW combo drive, and then there's your Blu-Ray RW (Code: BD-RE) drive.

How about your RAM? Were you with 6 gigs before?

 

Alright, thanks for the reply

 

Ok here are my original specs copied from my service tag at dell,
XPS M1730 CORE 2 EXTREME X7900 2.8GHZ, 8
1 17.0" ULTRASHARP WIDESCREEN WUXGA (1920X
1 SMOKE GRAY
1 EURO SHIP ACCESSORIES
1 NOT INCLUDED RESOURCE CD
1 ENGLISH DOCUMENTATION XPS 1730
1 ENGLAND/ENGLISH..., FRN, GER, SPN PLACEMAT XPS M1730
1 MEMORY DUAL-CHANNEL 2048MB (2X1024) 667M
1 500GB (5400RPM) SATA RAID 0 STRIPE (2X25
1 OPTICAL DRIVE : INTERNAL BLU-RAY RW (BLU
1 UK/IRISH 220V AC ADAPTER POWER CORD
1 AC ADAPTER 230W
1 PRIMARY 9-CELL 85WHR LI-ION BATTERY
1 NOT INCLUDED CARRY CASE
1 DUAL SLI 512MB NVIDIA? GEFORCE? 8800GTX
1 AGEIA PHYSX PROCESSING UNIT CARD
1 FOR VISTA ONLY: INTEGRATED SOUND BLASTER
1 DELL TRAVEL REMOTE CONTROL
1 EUROPEAN - DELL TRUEMOBILE 355 INTERNAL
1 INTEL? PRO WIRELESS 3945 802.11A/B/G MIN
1 UK/IRISH INTERNAL KEYBOARD (QWERTY)
1 SOFTWARE DRIVERS XPS M1730
1 EOL - ENGLISH - VISTA HOME PREMIUM
1 ENGLISH MICROSOFT WORKS 9.0 (WORD PROCES
1 UK INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER - TISCALI
1 ENGLISH - ADOBE READER 8.1
1 DELL SUPPORT CENTER 2.0
1 ENGLISH MCAFEE SECURITY CENTRE 9.0 - 30
1 1YR PREMIUM WARRANTY SUPPORT
1 2YR PREMIUM WARRANTY SUPPORT
1 ** VISTA INTRODUCTION ONLINE TRAINING (3
1 TO ACCESS ONLINE TRAINING OR FREE TRIAL,
1 INSPIRON ORDER - UK

And then the new specs for the replacement,
COLOUR CHOICE Smoke Grey with White LED Backlights
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme Processor X9000 (2.80GHz, 800MHz FSB, 6MB L2-cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 (64 BIT) - English
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English
HARDWARE SUPPORT 3 Year Premium Warranty Support
LCD 17.0" UltraSharp™ WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT with TrueLife™ with Integrated 2.0MP web cam
MEMORY 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024)
HARD DRIVE 500GB Serial ATA (5400RPM) Hard Drive
GRAPHICS CARD Dual SLI™ 512MB nVidia® GeForce™ 9800GT graphics card
CABLES UK/Irish Additional 220V AC Adapter Power Cord
OPTICAL DRIVE Internal Blu-Ray RW (Blu-Ray, DVD and CD read & WRITE) Optical Drive with Software
PRIMARY BATTERY Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)
Accessories

BLUETOOTH Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 Module (up to 3 Mbps) with Enhanced Data Rate EUR
WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-PCI Card, EUR
TV TUNER AND REMOTE CONTROL Dell™ Travel Remote Control
Services & Software

ONLINE BACKUP DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year
Also included with your system
Gedis Bundle Reference N08X7301
Order Information Inspiron Order - UK
Shipping Documents English Documentation
Dell System Media Kit Resource DVD XPS M1730 - (Diagnostics & Drivers)
Power Supply AC Adapter 230W

Placemat Eng, Frn, Ger, Spn Placemat XPS M1730
Keyboard Uk/Irish Internal Keyboard (QWERTY)
Standard Warranty 1 Year Premium Warranty Support
Online Promotion Option for GEDIS Configs Dell Internet Order


In place of the physx card I am getting 6GB ram.

Also 3 years premium warranty from the date I get the new laptop.

I'm not sure whether I had the Blu-ray RW drive the model number according to the device manager is,

Matchita BD-RE UJ-220

I'm assuming it is the Re-writer as you stated in your post.


Any thoughts Kade.

 

Looks like both of your laptops had the Blu Ray drive that could read/write. You got the premium one.

 

Very nice Chief! Kudos!

 

Yeah, okay. So your real upgrade comes with the 6GB RAM, from 2GB, and extension on warranty.

Chief, your machine does have Blu-Ray RW optical drive, as per your original invoice, and the BD-RE - that's the official market code/term/semantic-jibber for Blu Ray Writers; like DVD writers are generally called DVD-RW drives, Blu-Ray Writers are called BD-RE. If it says BD-RE in device manager, then it's a blu-ray writer, further confirmed by the system details in the invoice. Good move that they didn't try to screw you out of this feature.

I'd say you got a great deal, and congratulations.

Now I can resume twisting Dell's arm until they scream for mercy, or the arm breaks. Both outcomes serve my purpose just fine.

 

So I'm having a little dilemma. I'm starting to think that my video card issue might actually be a vista issue. Indeed, the laptop started having its problems (including the first video card problem) right after I installed service pack 2 (might just be a coincidence). I'm waiting 5 days for Dell to send me a new set of video cards. In the meantime, I have some choices:

1. Do nothing and wait. This guarantees that I can't play games on my laptop since the drivers don't load. This also might result in more time before the computer is fixed.

2. Format the drive and do a fresh install. This gives me a chance of figuring out the problem (if it's software related and not hardware). If so, there's the question of dualbooting, which I have set up right now (64 vista/32 xp pro).

2a. Format and install vista only, leaving the xp partition as-is or deleting the xp partition.
2b. Format and remove xp partition. Reinstall with vista or xp.
2c. Format and install Windows 7, leaving the xp partition as-is or deleting it.

Here's a quick synopsis of my symptoms:

Main problem - video card will not load properly during Vista startup. When xp loads, it shows both video cards in device manager, BUT HWMonitor shows ONE video card's temperatures. SLi is also not an option in nVidia's control panel.

Secondary problem - Vista will not sleep/hibernate. This has me thinking it might actually be a power savings mode or something else in Vista that's causing my problems - maybe it f-ed up the cards or one of them... or maybe it's preventing them from loading right.

So far, I've:

Tried numerous driver install/uninstalls.
Replaced AC adapter and motherboard (I did get a couple "adapter wattage cannot be determined" errors when I had the recent problems w/the video cards).

What do you guys think?

 

@Zath:

Sounds to me as if one of the cores has failed. The cripped 1st replacement I received (the one with the big fat hole in the heat pipe) has the same issue with only 1 GPU being seen by HWMonitor (Even with SLI set to Enabled). NVIDIA SystemTools reports one GPU as 'Unknown GPU'. I am able to sleep the lappie however it randomly just locks up after about 5 minutes while running.

I would just wait - sux, I know. Better than wasting time reinstalling.

 

@zath - i tend to lose my sleep setting on my vista 32 1710. try this:
search "cmd", richt click and 'Run as Administrator'
At the command prompt type in these commands
powercfg -q (Query settings)
powercfg -h on

You should then be able to go into power options and set the sleep ability.

 

I know Hikkoo,

It's too late now as the order has gone through

If you remember I upgraded my broken 1730 to the same ram as you, I plan to sell it anyway.

The only other weak link in the new laptop is the HDD running at 5400 rpm.

but I plan to fit my 2x 320 GB 7200 rpm's in when I get it.

Thanks for the heads up Hikk.

 

Well I was playing COD4 and my E key fell off. One of the little tabs that hold it on broke off. Anybody have a junk keyboard that they would sell the e key off of? Maybe off of a keyboard that was replaced. M1730 illuminated keyboard.
Thanks!

 

Hey Guys,

I recently picked up a dvi->hdmi cable to play Blu-Ray on my TV. Now I need an audio cable, can anyone help me with the one I need?

 

3.5mm on one end and rca R/L on the other is what i use, you can get them at so many different places wal-mart radio shack

 

I have been having a problem with my hard drive,
It was reading that the disk had 80GB used space and after i made all files unhidden* then there was only 37GB of things on my drive. So I reinstalled Vista. and now it says that the disk usage is 62GB and I only have 36GB of stuff on it.

Can someone please help when i reinstalled i also remade the partition and formatted.

 

eBay the 4gb stick and buy a 2gb stick with the extra money as a bonus!

 

@Chief - dont worry about the 6 vs 4GB thing. Truthfully, I doubt you will even perceive a drop off in anything by using non-matching mem. Stick with the 6GB - if you do have an issue pull the 4 SODIMM and put back your extra 2GB.

I think it will be fine though....


----------------

One more item to note: I was looking over the 190.xx section @ lv2go and checked out the 190.40 driver info. I was going to install the lv2go driver but instead tried the driver from the site they referenced in their post. Almost every mobile card is supported. I installed it and it seemed to install smoother than some of the drivers lv2go releases.

Might want to give it a go.

http://www.xfastest.com/viewthread.php?tid=28468

XP 32-bit: http://pic.xfastest.com/z/NVIDIA%20%C5X%B0%CA/190.40/190.40%20WinXP32.rar
XP 64-bit: http://pic.xfastest.com/z/NVIDIA%20%C5X%B0%CA/190.40/190.40%20WinXP64.rar

Vista 32-bit: http://pic.xfastest.com/z/NVIDIA%20%C5X%B0%CA/190.40/190.40%20Vista32.rar
Vista 64-bit: http://pic.xfastest.com/z/NVIDIA%20%C5X%B0%CA/190.40/190.40%20Vista64.rar

 

I'm using the 190.40 for one week now. I haven't played any games with it, but I haven't had any crash with it or something like that, so I'm pleased with it. Aero is smooth, DPCs are getting lower... I'll wait for the 190.xx WHQL for mobile GPUs.

 

thanks batboy dl now let you know how it works.

 

If you want digitial audio you will need to get a breakout box from Dell. It plugs into the S-Video type connector near the DVI port.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=310-8274

 

I am rather impressed with the 190.xx series. There is some serious potential in these drivers.

As you know, my machine currently works in single-gpu mode. Still, I got one mean 8800m GTX, and that's plenty good for most games. Given my situation with Dell, I got around to playing Call of Duty 4; I know I'm late to the party, so have your laughs and be done. I've played this game before, but never endeavoured to finish. Now I am on the right path to ending what is probably a very fun war-shooter, and with the 190.40 drivers, I am getting some dandy FPS results. With everything maxed and 4xAA, the game never seems to drop below 30 frames per second. It's usually around the 45-60 FPS range, and if it does dip during the very intensive scenes, it'll drop to around 30-35, which is a step up from the older drivers which game me around 25-30 during intensive scenes.

Anyway, regarding my situation, I got a reply from Dell.

Same old copy & paste routine of using some customer P.R. template, riddled with the same cliches and apologies. Idiots. Anyway, the new system will arrive tomorrow. I'll check it out, and they've told me that I should confirm whether the BD-RE (Blu Ray Writer) is in there, if not, then I can call Customer Care and inform them of the issue and the whole mess will be sorted. Once the mess is sorted, I can then send them a confirmation of the issue being 'resolved' and then they'll collect the old machine. I'd say I'm kinda'. . . okay with this deal now.

 

I hope everything will be fine now with youre new system Kade.
My situation:
Technician didn't came today because the gpu wasn't availeble,...
I called the support and ask the rep for my full refund,...answer: not possible and if I really want the full refund than it will be the court house that decide ?? woow
So after all a new system will be in production again and will be deliverd 24 august with the same specs and "maybe" 9800gtx (sli)...
This system here is now 10 days new and will be returned.

 

Well, mine is scheduled for delivery for tomorrow now. Dell being 1 day late on delivery. good job i have a concierge and didnt take a day off for it!

Still, at least the new one will resolve my issues with the old one!

 

Thanks, amigo.

So a refund issue would have to be settled in court? Heh. Heh. Ha! Ha! Ha! Man. That's. Really. Rich. I'm trying to imagine one of those spineless telephone support monkeys whimpering some generic line about court settlements and your rights as a consumer.

I think they're kinda' bluffing. Well, technically, not so much, but this doesn't mean that you can't make demands. It's simply a case of using their policy against them in argument. By policy, they have to provide you something of equal or better value, if they don't have such an alternative, then only can they refund you the cash. Meaning that if they do have an alternative option for you in the form of a system replacement, then your grounds for demanding a refund are ruled out; you must give them a chance to offer you something of equal or greater, first.

Simply put, if the next system fails, demand that they give you a newer model--M17x--because countless part replacements and two brand new system replacements have proven that their M1730 line is no longer reliable and is not serving its purpose for the price you paid. If they don't have an 'alternative' to that, then you can demand a refund, and I doubt they'll wanna' go to court over something that a judge will most likely never 'dismess' (i.e. rule in their favour).

On the up side, you might be getting a 9800m GTX - good on ya'!

 

I really hope this is the last replacement without any problems not only for me but for everybody here on the forum.

 

I would drink to that. . . had I not quit drinking. But cheers anyway!

 

@kade cheers to but i also don't drink have no time for it, to much problems with the "beast" and making phonecalls and emails to Dell

what i don't understand after checking this site:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html
9800GT SLI 3dmark06 14.000
9800GTX SLI 3dmark06 11.288
hmm looks like a "downgrade"? or am i wrong?
grtz

 

Hmmm. I don't think you're wrong I think that aprticular page is wrong. If you pull up the cards benchmarks individually it will give you a better comparison. There isn't any details of Sli testing but I don't beleive it would be worse.

 

LoL bpat, i got suckered in with that. Someone said the 9800 GT sli score was on an overclocked quad core system. So take that score with a pinch of salt!

What should i download to run benchmakrs on my new one? Its only 2gb / 2.1ghz but i want to run a score on it before i get my 4gb ram and see what that achieves! Also, to see what the 9800 gt sli can do!

 

@Evil:

Just use 3DMark06. No need to purchase it - just run it at its default resolution which is fine. I think most people do the same when posting their 3DMark06 scores.

You can also run 3DMark Vantage. Its a bit more stressing.

 

I think it is here on the first page
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=392377

There is also a BM site which has some. He added the M1730 so you can add yours.
http://nbd.tehpwnerer.net/benchmarks/index/benchmark:1/notebook:0

 

It seems it's not possible for the new M1730 owners after calling to a rep on the phone....discrimination ?