How well does your XPS 16 run Windows 7 RC1?

Any issues? Complaints? Kudo's?

 

Right now RC 1 (windows 7 x64) seems to be running pretty well on my 1640. It found all the drivers and setup went very smooth. Camera works, mic works, sound works..etc.

All the games I have tried to play have worked. It may just be the new install but I feel like its a bit snappier in day to day tasks.

I have not run any benchmarks as of yet.

 

I'd just like to add, in case anyone searches and finds this, that a FRESH Windows 7 RC install works beautifully on the XPS 16. After performing a Windows Update, and installing (from dell.com) the BT 370 drivers (for Vista x64), everything seems to be working, even all the touch/multimedia buttons at the top (even the Wifi button works!).

So far, I am very happy. I have a 128GB SSD installed in this unit, and it is very fast (needless to say).

So, no need to do an Upgrade from Vista, just do a CLEAN install.

 

What do you mean by CLEAN install....how does one go about that?

 

Just boot from the Windows 7 DVD...clean install is the opposite of an upgrade, and if you have an existing OS on your HD, it will wipe it out.

 

Works indeed very well.
Except that I didn't manage to have the on screen display working for the media buttons. The buttons work ok, but don't give any visual feedback, ex: volume control (radio toggle does, though).
I guess that Dell's Quickset needs some update.

 

Is there any documentation regarding drivers needed to bring my 1640 back to full operation after a W7 install?

I'm know I can find W7 installation procedures around, but after I do that it'd be nice to know what I should prepare to reinstall so everything works again. I just got my 1640 so I have no idea whats installed and whats drivers are making what functions work. All I know is everything works great.

 

Does anyone know usually how long OEMs like Dell take to release compatible application updates?

My FastAccess seems to forget who I am after reboot :-(
I'll just clean install it tonight after I get b7127 I have 7100 on the laptop right now but that's an upgrade, not a clean install.. IDT is a CPU so I'd like a fresh install for clean drivers for everything

 

Below are the drivers/software I installed on my 1640 in the order in which they were installed. Windows 7 picked up drivers for pretty much everything. All of the Dell drivers can be found here: <a href = "http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=STUDIOXPS16&os=WLH&osl=en&catid=&impid='>USA[/URL] or <a href = 'http://support.euro.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=STUDIOXPS16&os=WLH&osl=en&catid=&impid='>UK[/URL]. You will have to pick the 32/64 versions for Vista. The only one I had issue with was the Dell audio software which wouldn't install, but Windows did pick up the drivers and I have audio anyway.

Dell system software A02
Intel Chipset drivers
ATI 9-5 Catalyst Windows 7 beta drivers & control panel <a href = 'http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonaiw_vista64.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.14&lang=English&rev=9.5&ostype=Windows%207%20Beta%20-%2064-Bit%20Edition">ATi 9-5 Catalyst 64bit[/URL] or <a href = "http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonaiw_vista32.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.14&lang=English&rev=9.5&ostype=Windows%207%20Beta%20-%2032-Bit%20Edition">ATi 9-5 Catalyst 32bit[/URL].
Dell Quickset A05
Audio Drivers
Wifi Drivers
Sanaptics touchpad
**Bluetooth
Ricoh card reader R5C833
Creative labs integrated webcam
**DVB tuner
ITE IT8512 CIR Receiver

**may not apply to all systems

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I had a right old game getting the Power DVD DX disc from Dell. Got it in the end and it plays Blurays now...albeit not on extended desktop mode, but not the end of the world.

 

installing the audio driver seems to be a hit or miss issue. I tried installing it on several win7 builds, and had mixed results. The best thing to do is turning off all the running applications, turn off the speakers and install the audio driver while not doing any other tasks on your machine. It works for me so maybe it'll work for you guys also.

 

Nice work matey, I tried what you said and was quite surprised when it managed to install! Not sure I'm any better off than before though...it's still a ball ache to change your audio output between speakers and HDMI. More so that I think it needs to be anyway.