New XPS 15z

it's i7, hdd

 

I got a BSOD today... I was browsing the internet when all my applications started to freeze up. Then a BSOD flashed but not long enough for me to read anything it said before the screen went completely black. The power light and keyboard were still lit though. I pressed the power button and restarted it and it is running now (so far).
The Event Viewer tells me it is a Kernel-Power 41, which is the same error I was getting back in June when I had to send in my computer to the Dell Depot. However, back in June it was not accompanied by a BSOD.

 

Just placed an order for outlet new 15z base model (Core i5-2410m, 6GB, 500GB 7200RPM HDD, 720P LCD and etc) for about $530 after 20% coupon discount and $100 credit AMEX deal. I bought it for my wife to replace her aging Dell 1764 and she wanted to have a thinner and lighter laptop so I believe the 15z will do it.

I've bought a Samsung 830 128GB SSD to replace the main HDD but want to keep the original HDD in a DVD enclosure to replace the DVD drive. What parts do I need to do it and how difficult is it?

Thanks!

 

Just buy this and that's it. The big issue is you know how to open the bottom cover. Watch it on youtube first. Good luck.

 

I am interested in doing the same. How are you going to move the OS over the the SSD?

 

Do a clean OS installation. Use the key on the back.

 

A few days old XPS 15Z. I noticed a strange sound making.

It is working fine, but when I grab it in my hands and move a bit in sides,
left/right slightly, it is making weird sound, like static sound or like alien
ship from movies.

It is more even on left side where the hdd is located. Could be the hdd?

I have the same hdd 750gb Seagate on other laptop but is ok.

I do not think is normal.

Any help is welcomed.

 

i guess i7+hdd it s the hottest mix...i noticed when i unplug the laptop the i7 is going on energy saving and everything goes quiet...

 

Looks like issues are settling down... as this thread is relatively calm lately

So, any of you tried/used Intel WiDi on your XPS 15z?
what are your observations? read somewhere it heats up the lappy!

 

i think its more the case that people are tired of complaining

my latency issue is still there
and i drop out everytime i play online
sigh

 

My issues for the most part are resolved. I was having USB 3.0 issues and crashing issues. Had the motherboard replaced twice (once by a tech and once at the depot) and the heatsink and fan replaced (depot). I then was hearing a clicking noise from the hard drive. Dell wanted to send out another tech but I asked for a system replacement instead and they complied. There weren't any refurb units with my specs available so they sent me a brand new unit. Its much better than the old one, although my USB 3.0 issue remains. I do feel like the replacement unit gets a little warmer on the left palmrest than my original laptop did (which only got hot in the upper left corner.)

Overall I'm pleased with the way Dell has handled this but I will say it is not my favorite Dell laptop.

 

Anyone running windows 8 on this? Any newer drivers than the ones for windows 7?

 

is it normal to get dpc latency issues even when using a wireless usb dongle

because thats what im getting :/

 

Hello there...
I have installed Windows 8 PR on one partition of my SSD, globally the thing is running 2X times faster than Win7, all the hardware was working properly since the start (i had to install though few drivers from Dell support website). I have also connected other devices like external mouse, keyboard etc... not a single problem !

The whole thing is working like a charm, just 3 seconds and you can see the nice login screen appearing that's ALWAYS impressing me, i had to get used to the new interface, but in the future i m sure you can get a better experience from this OS.

Lot of things are changed, the OS is much more robust and secure, it's in my humble opinion not a gadget, but much anticipated update that worth every penny.

Anyway, if you purchased recently your unit, you might be eligible of the Win8 license you can get for 15$ directly from Microsoft. (This offer is valid for a limited time).

Of course, some people might think and have different taste when it comes to OSes !
Colors, interface is something everyone has personal experience with, depending your level of computer understanding, but as an everyday user of the XPS15z with windows 8 for more than 3 weeks, i have to admit, the more i use it, the more i like it!
None but the least, if you install Win8 on a small partition, you might see the original win7 disappear. Don't be afraid just repair it with the original win7 CD, and you will see dual boot (in a friendly win8 style appearing right after that).....
So have no worry doing the install !
Also the partition drive is encrypted, from the windows 7 side, it s not visible ;-)....

Also the 1080 HD screen with the new HD wallpapering mode, is awesome, you have a real feeling this OS was designed for HD, that s not everyone noticed, but really it makes your computer nicer...

My only complaint would be about the noise level, but i didn't install Dell's sound's drivers. It works but it could be louder as it is under win7.

Also the new IE is really great, i think lot of users might go back to ie, since it s really good now (they removed all the annoying pop up !!!)...

Take care!
FC

 

I'm suppose to be receiving my 15z this week and I'm planning on swapping the HDD it comes with into the space where the optical drive is, and putting my SSD into the primary space.
Do i NEED to get the 2nd HDD / SSD Caddy, DELL XPS Studio 13 (1340), XPS 14z, XPS 15z [OBHD9-SATA-SATA-NF] - $42.00 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks caddy? Or can i use any generic one i can find thats listed to be compatible with the 15z? I saw 2 on ebay aswell.

I also have one I used in my l501x but not too sure that one will work

 

^^ Well I saw some where cheap sorry didn't recall where.

OP: Only 15z have 1080p screen compare to all 14,13 Z model ?

 

I saw this one which I was thinking of getting:
2nd HDD SSD hard drive caddy For Dell XPS 14z 15z Alienware M14x Studio 1569 | eBay

Downside being it might take a while because its international compared to local USA

 

^^ He have $10 off on first purchase.

 

Just fitted Intel N-6235 on XPS 15Z, it is working fine. Also the Dev. Manager shows Bluetooth 4.
I did a clean install of Windows 7, first changed the HDD, it was faulty from first day of purchase.
It is working fine, is not too bad, as other reviewers said.

 

^^ What happened to your 6230 ?

 

Nothing, its working just fine, I just wanted to see if the XPS 15z likes N-6235, and it seems it does. The XPS L521x does not like it .
It is a bit more energy efficient compared with N-6230.
At one stage, with 30-40% brightness I could hit over 7 hours with 15z, the battery is good enough. i5 2450/8gb/750gb/525GT.

 

Just got mine today, feels rather different. It was a replacement after Dell were a bunch of liers to me giving me the run around YET AGAIN. It's refurbished and has some scuffs here and there but not worth the hassle after dealing with them so much.

Keyboard seems a bit different than the l501x I had,

 

Announcement:

My final post on NBR as a Dell representative.

 

Hey Bill
Read your post in that thread. I know all of us here at NBR are sorry to see you go but excited for you as you move into a new job. Hope to still see you around here even if its not in an official capacity!

 

Any updates on the touchpad memory issues?
I had uninstalled it after I noticed that it took too much memory...ofc the prize was to lose the cool gesturing
Is there any update/fix/trick to help this issue?

 

Just took delivery of a new 15z today. Installed an SSD and Windows 8 preview, just to try things out. No touchpad support initially, but I just installed the cypress drivers from here TouchPad Driver (Synaptics, Cypress) for Microsoft Windows 8 (32-bit, 64-bit) - IdeaPad U300s,U300e and they work OK. I'd like to have a two finger tap and swipe left for back, but that's not implemented (as far as I can tell) yet. Just thought someone would find this useful. Driver version is 2.3.7.92

I bought this machine mostly for the screen and the battery life. I can't comment on battery life yet, but the screen is fantastic.

Edit: With Vertex 3 SSD, the Win 8 logon screen takes 10 seconds from pressing power. 19 seconds to be logged in including connection to wifi and typing in my password. That's pretty snappy.

 

Guys

Not sure if most of you have read my other threads on this + other forums - I'm probably one of the longest standing owners of an XPS 15z (1.5 yrs) and while it has its limitations it's easily one of the best Dell machines I've ever used. I triple boot windows, mint and lion on it and have also started a bios optimisation project to tweak the hardware even more with lower voltage GPUs, faster memory access and also hidden bios settings. For those of you who haven't ever seen or used my work, and are willing to experiment go to the BIOS optimisation thread here: link

 

Yes, I like it very much (XPS 15z), except the touch pad is not working as it should be, I am having problems with vertical scrolling. I did lots of settings, tweaks but all in vain.
The triple boot - do you have a SSD? Any problems with drivers with the other two OS, I think you still have the Win_7.
I would like to make dual or triple boot on mine too and the Bios modding.

 

No SSD I simply partitioned the 750GB HDD to allow more than one OS to be selected at boot time.

I originally had win7 but am now running win8 pro final which works better than w7. Drivers on Mint are fine - with OS X I had to look around & compile my own in certain cases. The worst offender in OSX was the wifi card (6230/6235) which I had to replace with a Dell 1510/1515. Now everything works great.

If you try my modded BIOS let me know how you go, and if you see any performance improvements.

 

I've been using the machine for a couple days now, and love it so far.

A few (more) questions:

Is there a touchpad driver that allows for a 2-finger tap (middle click), 3-finger tap (right click) and double finger left swipe for internet->back? Current driver is 2.3.7.92. I'm currently running Win8, but might go back to Win7 once my HD caddy comes in. I'm not sold on Win 8 just yet.

For those running Win8: how can I tell which video card is being used? I'm not sure if optimus is running right, and maybe I need to disable the nVidia card if I'm not using it?

Lastly, temps: I gamed for a bit last night, and the GPU didn't get too hot, but the CPU got up to 95C. Should I look at replacing the thermal paste, or is that OK?

 

2.3.7.92 is for win8 latest and for win7 2.3.6.26. And for middle finger just hold and tap between touchpad.

 

Anybody know where the webcam central software can be acquired?
I have the 15z but received it as a refurbished system and it didnt come with a disc to restore the apps and stuff.

I'm getting ready to do a dual hard drive installation making my ssd as the primary and the current hard drive as the secondary so i want to make sure i have it all.

EDIT: Nevermind, I found the information needed, and the download. Probably won't be installing it anyway.

 

^^ Go the dell website register it and you will find Download Factory Installed Software (My Dell Downloads) in right side bottom just click on it.

 

So it looks like I'm running the latest for Win 8.

I still don't understand your explanation for right/middle click, or maybe it doesn't work for Win 8?

 

Do you have a link or guide to install OSX on the 15z?

 

Who you asking too and how is Win8 is working any issue with driver and software.

 

Hey Nightmare, I was asking you. I still haven't figured out how to configure right click/middle click without using the touchpad buttons. On my Asus I could just tap on the pad with 2 or three fingers. I can't get the multi-finger gestures to work in Win 8 as well. 2 finger scroll works, but that's about it. No 3 finger flick (internet back) or 4 finger down (some windows 8 thing) Do these taps and multi finger gestures work in WIndows 7?


Win 8 is running great overall. The touchpad quits working every once and a while, sometimes it starts up again if I hit ctrl, which does the 'ripple' effect to find the cursor. I love the boot time and responsiveness of 8, but prefer the looks of Win 7.

 

Oh sorry. Whenever I need to open another tab I hold Ctrl button and tab on touchpad, So it will open another. But don't know any gesture for tab thing. While other gesture are three finger and four finger. You see in cypress setting.

 

Do you know if it is possible to run Final Cut on OS X (not the last version)?

Is there a noob guite to install OS X on the 15z?

Thanks

 

Guys there is a guide for OSX on the L511z, but for a number of reasons it isn't (and shouldn't be) on this forum. Just google L511z and OSX and you'll see a couple of guides that myself and some other interested people have posted elsewhere.
And to answer your other question, yes Final Cut runs on OSX

 

I'll check it out. Thanks!

 

How do I make the Synaptics Driver from Dell XPS 15 to work on the 15z? I downloaded the driver from Synaptics and XPS 15 driver website, but none of the settings work.
I've already uninstalled the Cypress driver prior to installing Synaptics.




Despite turning on the settings, it doesn't have any effect towards my touchpad. Same goes to disabling the buttons, etc.

Am I doomed to simply use the basic Synaptics driver without any gestures, or the crappy Cypress?

 

The trackpad on the 15Z is made by Cypress, Synaptics software won't work for it.

 

I see. Thanks for the input.

I'm currently using the latest Cypress driver made for the XPS 13. It seems that one of my biggest issue is fixed in this driver. It's to do with the vertical scroll being automatically reverted to 1, and it wouldn't change to your preferred value unless you restart the laptop.

EDIT: The problem of using the XPS 13 driver is that the touchpad won't work after a few Stand By.

 

Installed Windows 8. Installed all the drivers from the Dell site for Win 8. But I am getting a screen flicker every few seconds..... Has anyone else had this happen?

 

I installed Windows 8 this weekend. No I haven't had any screen flickering. I have the 1080p panel.

 

Same here, no issue at all....using it with dual boot.

 

....with Windows 7?

I installed twice (on XPS 15z), once I updated some drivers and had lots on BSOD, than I reinstalled it and left it with Windows 8 drivers and is working fine and is booting faster than with win_7, between 10-20 seconds.

 

How is Win8 any software you guys faced because I scared to update due to software compatibility.

 

Quick question any who using Caddy: Do you install the OS in SSD when primary HDD also attached in Caddy ? Any conflict