Finally, my XPS 1530 being replaced due to GPU fails!!

I'm pretty sure you can tell when they list the components whether it's going to be new or refurb. From what I remember of mine (and I had a refurb first and then a new one), the refurb specs say "module" before each component.

 

i think it was like 5-7 days. they never sent me the specs either, i had to go looking for them in the "my account" on dell's website. after a little bit of searching i found my order no. and was able to see my specs.

 

Thanks for the info. Dell called me today and affirmed that I would be getting a 1645 but he said I would not be able to find the specs for a few days still. Pretty happy with the 1645 though as it will be a quad-core

 

congrats! my guess is ull get the same, or slightly better, specs than i got since your m1530 had 1gb more ram and a better screen.

 

Thank you sir! Id be pretty darn happy with those specs! Did you get a refurb or a new one?

 

WB You will prolly get a new one, I would assume. Hop on Chat. Don't use Phone Support, they are not the nicest breed of Customer Service. You have more "control" with Chat Support. Check your Online Account & put in your Service Tag & see what if you have any movement there.

Grat's Ben, glad it's worked out for you. I think you will prolly get a new one also. You specs will prolly appear on your account w/in the next week or so, based on how your process is flowing! : )

Cin...

 

AGH!!!! Waiting game....

 

Well, they tell you it can take up to 3-4 weeks for the replacement process. But, sometimes it's sooner. Depends on what is in stock, production, etc! Hopefully sooner for yah!


Cin...

 

Hi again to everyone-I'm back... My update is that I have reinstaled windows, updated bios and all drivers. The issue with freezing ( not only online or videos, but doing almost anything) and sound did not go away. I had the Dell Tech play remotely with my replacement laptop and he could not fix it either. I was aproved for another replacement, but this time with following specs:

Studio XPS 1640

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9600 (6MB cache/2.8GHz/1066Mhz FSB)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Obsidian Black High Gloss Finish
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)
Edge-to-Edge FHD Widescreen 15.6 inch WLED LCD (1920x1080) W/2.0 MP
ATI Mobility RADEON® HD 3670 - 512MB
250GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
Integrated Integrated Gigabit (10/100/1000) Network Card
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9, Multiple Languages
8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
High Definition Audio 2.0
Dell Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card
Microsoft Works 9
McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
6-cell Battery
90W adapter

What I have now is refurb XPS 1645, i7-720, 500gb, ATI 4670, wireless Intel 5300, dell 370 card, 9 cell battery, 130w adapter.

I have refused replacement with explanation that I am waiting since february to have working laptop, and that I am leery of taking laptop that I've found so many complaints about on the net. I have tried using 90W adapter as an example of laptop not being something I can trust. I also mentioned 3670 card as not being adequate replacement for my previous configuration on XPS 1530. He agreed to send someone and change motherboard on this lappy. I am really clueless about what to do next. I was entertaining the idea of writing back to the guy whol called me as a reply to my cororate office, but he is aware of the problems ( as he was the one who arranged for tech to call me). I do have 2 more ys of complete care/accidental warranty left but it would be great if I could have computer that will actually work. Well, sorry it took me so long to update, but the tech finally called me back about 2 hours ago. I will keep you posted. Congratulation to all who got their replacement and good luck to everyone still waiting . By the way, I did grow to really love this 1645, I can only imagine how much I will love it once I can really use it.

 

Sorry to hear about your struggles. I would def. refuse the 1640 as it is a HUGE step down from the 1645. Let us know how it goes.

 

I'm glad you refused replace on this. Because what you had on the 1645 was better. I can't believe they are giving you 1640 They should be replacing with what you had..the 1645.

I would "hold steady & firm" with Dell on getting your lappy replaced w/another 1645 (or 1647), not the 1640. You are not even getting the 4670 in it!

Don't wait more then a day for them to get back with you. Stay on top of this. If you need to "escalate this" higher then the person that you are working with, then you should.

Cin...

 

^^^^Words of wisdom^^^^

I agree with her completely. Be proactive and you should get positive results

 

I wish I could hug you all .. this place is wonderful, and I am so happy to have found this forum. To be honest, I felt bad when I refused xps 1640, although I did it for "right" reasons. Now, that you all woke a rebbel in me, I am going to start a revolution with an email to the same guy from resolution department without waiting on motherboard to be replaced. Sure will be back to show off my battle scars and let you know how it all went .

 

dont feel bad at all, they just tried to give u a major downgrade!

 

i was lucky enough to get a new one

 

Well I can only hope for the same. This waiting game is killing me and its only been one day.

 

At first, I really did not care about being downgraded, since I am aware that it was still kind of slight upgrade compared to my XPS 1530. However, what it did get me is the fact that they would send me 90w adapter and they are sending them as first response to XPS 1640 owners as a "remedy" for issues they have with their systems. I also did not like his comment ( "I can't believe that we would send you system that does not work") when I called him back to report issue with the replacement system. I just can't afford to be without laptop all the time ( my work software for video and photos editing could not work on this system due to freezing) and since I do depend on laptop, I need to be able to trust it. But after comments here, I started to feel that I do have "right" to ask for working laptop and not settle down for whatever they throw my way. I have emailed guy from resolution dept and compared laptop to a car . I asked him to imagine driving the car that had to be opened and fixed before he could even drive it off of parking lot. Then, I asked him to think what he would feel like if the dealer offered him new car as replacement, that he knew had recalls on the same engine he got in replacement car. Then I told him that is what I feel about Dell right now. I ended up buying new desktop to have something to work with, but my work is not happy about not having programs on laptop and my laptop not at work with me ( right now I am using portable HDD to bring stuff home to work with). Enough about me- thanks for lending an ear and being wind beneath my wings . I could go out and buy a new laptop, but I think I am having principle issues and I want now to go all the way, regardless of outcome.

 

That's the spirit eurocharm! That analogy with the cars will definitely get to him/her. Sometimes you gotta put these customer service in your shoes to show them how you really feel (as sometimes they forget), well done. Don't give in, you will get that satisfactory resolution you're looking for. Follow Cin's advise. Awake Rebel AWAKE! Good Luck!

 

Sooooo if you configure a 1645 on dell.com.....the only graphics card you can pick is the ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5730. You guys think there is a prayer that my replacement will have it?

 

Took a break from work and checked my pantry cabinet. Luckily I am ready for new waiting time and still have plenty left to share, if someone is interested. I'd be glad to share .

 

It's here! Now the only thing I have to do is wait for it to clear and EVERYTHING IS DONE WITH MY M1530 BUSINESS!!

 

Congrats. Any ideas about a new one yet?

 

Well I bought this M11x with the refund money (albeit long before I received it), so I'm not really looking for anything else at the moment (other than maybe an M11x-R2 as a replacement for very minor issues that I can deal with for now, just slightly insufficient voltage with the overclock on the cpu, causing crashes every once in a while, but not a big deal since it's so infrequent). What I will get eventually is the M17x, or whatever its successor may be whenever Dell makes an oled screen or a 120hz lcd an option. I would imagine when the GTX 480m makes it into the M17x it would also receive a 120hz lcd to support Nvidia 3d Vision.

 

Interesting...I also had a refurb replacement to check this against but I can't seem to remember where I put the order number!!

Did anyone else encounter this difference?

Anyhow, thanks msboc!


Oh btw, mine doesn't have the words 'MODULE' on my spec page...can't wait til I find out!!


**Edit: Used the service tag to access the specs and indeed! My refurb replacement I'm using now says 'module' before every component...nice!

 

Nice! Never dealt with any Alienware hands on. How is it?

Still waiting for my replacement 1645 to show up so I can figure out if its a refurb or new. Hoping new!

 

Initially the screen on the M11x felt small, but it just took a few days of getting accustomed to. It doesn't overheat (the highest temperature I've ever seen was around 65 Celsius on the gpu), the build quality is great (I'm unable to torque the chassis), and the battery life on the integrated graphics has been around six hours, which I've found very useful.

It's somewhere between an ultraportable and a mid-high 15" gaming laptop.

All the problems with it have been minor compared to the M1530. The bezel popped off a little, so I pushed it back in and it clicked and has been fine since, the aforementioned voltage issue, which isn't a huge deal, and that's pretty much it. I'll definitely be buying from the Alienware line again.

The 1640 I got was a refurbished one, all it had was one scratch on the bottom. Depending on which M1530 screen you had, the 1645 may be a huge improvement! Even with just the 1600*900 wled I found the colors to be amazing.

 

If you are able to check on the system's specs, take a look and see if all the parts begin with the word "MODULE".... I guess whoever gets it first can confirm it

 

I have 1920x1200 (just LCD) screen on my 1530 so I am thinking the LED screen will be quite an upgrade.

Not yet. Will post back when I can though

 

My dell vostro is 2.5 years old and suffering from GPU failure as well, and I assume I cannot get a replacement.

 

Probably not. Maybe if its still under an extended warranty. Seems like dell has been pretty liberal with the 1330/1530s because of all their problems.

 

My vostro has the exact same hardware as the 1500 yet they never labeld the 1700 as an "affected" unit. Kinda dissapointing, especially since I have been having issues for a while now, and have vowed to never purchase an nvidia card unless I absolutely had no choice.

 

Well you have nothing to lose my contacting Dell. Maybe you'll get lucky

 

Maybe someone can answer this for me. Where should I be looking in the support website for my new replacement system? I have the dispatch number and all that tells me is the last time it was updated but no other info. Any info would be appreciated

 

It was same with me when I had first replacement. I did not know the specs until I saw new order on my account page ( for me it was on the top right once I signed in. That's how I knew that something was finally moving.

 

Congrats sirhcz0r, you've finally did it

 

Alright cool thanks

 

My replacement 1645 was shipped today!! 4 Business days after it was approved - that was quick! And it's next day shipping so will be getting it tomorrow. Can't wait.

 

Congrats! What were the specs on your 1530 and now your 1645?

 

If something goes wrong with the GPU and they only offer a GPU replacement, how would I be able to get a replacement system?

 

Kind of depends on the situation. Typically they wont replace the whole system unless you have had multiple GPU failures. On the other hand, if you tell them you do not want to deal with the 1530s design flaws, you may get somewhere. Jump on chat and tell them that you want a permanent solution i.e xps 1645/1647

 

Do you have a direct link for the chat?

 

Dell - Hardware Chat

You have to enter your service tag (bottom of comp.) and then hit submit. Seems like chat is only available during select times but thats the link anyways

 

Won't let me in, as I'm from the UK

 

hmmmm looks like you might get stuck calling them then. brutal

 

I went from

t6600, 8600M GT, 4GB, 1680x1050, 320GB HDD

to

i5-540, ati 4670, 4GB, 1920x1080, 320GB HDD


I almost pushed for i7 seeing as a lot of people were able to get one, but I started from low spec anyway and was happy enough so just decided to stay with it.

 

Yeah I'd def. be happy with that. looks like you actually got a 1647

 

All of them are lcds, it's just a matter of resolution of the lcd, and what backlighting technology. Chances are the M1530 you had was a ccfl, since I believe it was only the 1440*900 on the M1530 that had the led backlight.

lcds:

ips panel > tn panel

rgbled backlight > wled/led backlight > ccfl backlight

 

haha yeahhhh i should have mentioned i sell tvs lol so i know all this but thanks anyways! panel vs backlighting source gets mixed up by a lot of consumers thats for sure

 

hey guys and gals, fellow m1530 owner here. i have a question regarding the warranty. i purchased the m1530 last year and it is starting to over heat when i am browsing youtube and other sites. when i contacted dell, they say my warranty has expired and they need to send a request in to their tag team to see about the warranty extension. i am wondering how does the nvidia extended warranty work? does it mean i get an extra year of warranty on top of the regular warranty?

thanks

 

I am not an owner of that model, but from what I hear is even those that are outside of thier warranty are being offered a replacement due to the faulty components.... Try, it couldn't hurt.. good Luck.