Solution S-XPS 1645/1647 Throttling Issues

OK. I need to point out that at this time there is no specfic target date. Usually at this point we could give you an ETA or at least a tentative ETA, a date which we have in hand but cannot share currently because this is a special case. Yes, Chinese New Year weighs heavily in the matter, but the fact is the BIOS has to pass testing. They are working this issue on a dramatically compressed schedule compared to how these things usually work. I assure you, when the BIOS hits, it will probably be during Asian business hours when I'm sleeping, but I will definitely post about it here first thing in the morning when I check my email. You guys will probably know about it before I get to it, TBH, unless the engineers feel comfortable enough to call me at home or get with me during Round Rock business hours to give me a heads up.

 

Bill, they just put out new BIOS for the SXPS 1647 yesterday A03, I know your focusing on the 1645 right now but I was just curious. Does A03 fix throttling for the 1647?

Also, have you gotten any word on current delays? My 1647 has been updated to ship out on 2-18. I chose the RGBLED screen. I know you might not have any information and I respect that but I gotta ask, is it likely I can expect mine on that given date? Thank you!

 

No, A03 doesnt fix the throttling.
A04 will be released after 1645's BIOS, and that one will solve the throttling issue, lets hope.

 

Hey Bill,
A quick question. Are the technicians at Dell Support been informed that owner of XPS 1645 will be provided with 130W adapter or do we need to wait for an official announcement. They say till its not officially announced they cant send an adapter.
Thanx in advance

 

I think you have to PM Bill if you want one early. Otherwise you'd have to wait until the BIOS gets released in order to get it from a technician.

 

Thanks Bill, got my new PSU today.
Sent PM Tuesday, Bill answerred Wednesday, PSU delivered Thursday.
The cord was a little bit hard to put in, but with a little bit more pressure it fits in there eventually.
I made some comparison shots:

 

Ya I know that friend. By I can only get it from Bill if I was in US or Canada. I am located in India. I guess I just need to wait. I dont want to send Bill unnecessary PM's and Spam his inbox. Hopefully Dell Tech Support will be informed soon .

 

Just wondering what sentiment has to do with the situation?

 

"What the hell is the world coming too?" - Bufford T Justice

 

sentiment: an attitude, thought, or judgment prompted by feeling.

he's going to let Dell know how all the 1640 owners feel about the throttling.

 

LOL! For some reason, this cracked me up.

 

Because its funny

 

Oh... I'm sure they feel really happy about it.


Sentiment does not come into it .

Either the laptop throttles or not.

If it throttles it needs to be fixed.

 

Obviously sentiment is a key factor in garnering results...

 

Yea, sounds like Bill is telegraphing something here. Those who have 1640s have a chance to move themselves towards the front of the list of problems that "should be solved".

They should definitely seize on the momentum here.

 

Really sums up how Dell operate.



Of course there is still no explanation from Dell as to the reason for all this throttling..

 

Sorry on the cord front. I will try a different part number for the ones I'm dispatching today. If this one fits better, I will ask everyone who's not happy with their cord to PM me again and I will overnight the one I'm trying today. I apologize for the inconvenience.

 

Yes! Things are looking good for the new BIOS that addresses throttling on 1747. I would think if it's not up tomorrow, and I have no reason to believe either way, it will be up shortly after Chinese New Year. No exact ETA right now.

 

No clue on order delays right now. Sorry.

A03 was already in development when they started working on A04 for throttling. I don't think A04 is going to beat Chinese New Year.

 

Getting them from tech support in any region, US included, will have to wait until after the BIOS goes live and the frontline is messaged. There are a lot of variables behind why they are doing it this way, chief among them is supply.

 

@ Dell-Bill B, here is the one that you sent me and fits just fine.

FX429 CORD,Power,125V,2.5A,1M,C5 E,United States

Hope that helps.

 

Shame your European counterparts are so desperately poor Bill.

7 times they have failed to arrange collection of my laptop, ignore emailss are impossible to communicate with.

 

Will we require new power supplies as well? I downloaded the update that released 2/05/10..

Thanks for the reply

 

No need for a different AC adapter on 1747, and the next BIOS coming out will be the one to address throttling. A07, if memory serves.

 

I understand Bill. Thanx for the reply. I am patiently waiting. Just wanted to say you are a good man

 

Bill, I think my AC adapter might have fallen off the fedex truck. It has been out for delivery since 730 yesterday morning.

 

Any infos on 1640 ? Bios release or anything ?

 

Bill, 130w Shipped and expected tomorrow, Thanks a million. Now I can run that Crysis test for you if you want lol. What was that for anyways if you don't mind my asking?

 

Bill, did you have any contact with EU colleges?
Thanks

 

i just got my 130W PSU yesterday and at first i thought it wouldn't fit , but after a couple minutes of forcing it, it fits really tightly

 

I just got my 130watt ( thank you so very much for the fast shipping). I had the same issue as others, the provided cord was a tight fit to the adapter. I have a dell 150watt cinder block (Model pa-1151-06d2 dp/n w7758) and its cord fits wonderfully and is much longer. If its not a bother could the cord from this model or one similar be shipped as a replacement cord? Ohh and thanks for all your help.

 

Just received my 130W monster brick (not that bad really )....Bill you are lightning fast sir....much appreciated

 

Bill can you please check if A04 includes the changes that A03 made? You statement seems to imply that they both branched off from an earlier revision (A01 or A02) and thus A04 wouldn't contain A03 code.

And regarding my PM, even though apparently it got resolved on its own (extremely strange timing!), thanks for your help.

 

All BIOS's are cumulative with changes included that were implemented in previous revs. I'm sure there are exceptions, but this is the rule. Example exception: one change was improperly implemented and broke something that was not caught in test, so that change would be removed and properly implemented in succeeding versions.

 

OK, folks. My PM box is clear, and I'm taking the night off. I will be back at the dispatches Friday. Let me know how those new cords go, those of you that will get them tomorrow and Friday.

G'night all.

 

my adapter just came in this afternoon. seems to work fine if you jam it in there. Thanks Bill!

 

Bill, I would make a "that's what she said" joke in your honor, but honestly, these people just make it too easy. It'd be like shooting fish in a barrel with an elephant gun. Not sporting at all.

P.S. Metaphors mixed by a professional. Do not try this at home.

 

If the cord doesn't fit, use an x-acto knife to carve out that curve to a straight corner. You only need to take about 1mm and you are in no danger of altering the safety in any way.

 

If you are going to send different cords, could you count me in? I tried to put the cord into the adapter and kept hearing a popping noise, and couldn't quite get it snug. I could probably make it work, but don't want to risk damaging the adapter. Thanks!

 

By the looks of it we wont be getting the A07 BIOS this weekend

 

Hey Bill from Dell,
Posted same message for Todd over in Dell forums, figured I'd try here too, read on.

This is slightly off topic but certainly relevant. Since the throttling issue is being addressed with new adapters & a new bios release and you are in contact with Dell's engineers, could you look into having them release an update to our video card? I just visitied the ATI sight and they have issued several updates since our last official update. I'm not one to "mod" my computer to download directly from AMD and am happy to wait for the Dell "official" updates, but it seems they are past-due.

Since we will soon have the ability to utilize the full potential of this machine it seems having the most current video card drivers would be appropriate as well, otherwise we may experience new dilemma's which I'm sure Dell would love to avoid.

Thoughts? Any info on an update?

I know you have been working hard and THANKS for that, just thought you may be able to sneak in a question about this in your ongoing communications with the engineers

 

I would like to say the power cord the 130 watt adapter came with didn't fit very good at all. It seems the one that came with the 90Watt worked better with it. However there wasn't much of a difference and maybe it worked better because it was warm and the other one was cold. I don't know.

I can get some pictures for you Bill, if you'd like?

 

Yea same here. It seemed like the arch of the power cord plug head was not large enough to accommodate the extra thickness of the 130w adapter. There's a small piece of rubber that seems to stop the plug head from entering completely. Sort of annoying but...idk if I care enough to ask for another cord (I'll have to think about it). I'll just use the 90w cord for now I guess. I hope the new cords being sent out to people fit better.

 

Update: the Cord from the 90 watt apears to be a Volex labeled cord, while the Bizlink cord seems to come from the 130, the Volex cord works much better. I've tried 2 different cords from 2 different 90 watt adapters and both seem to work well, while the power cord with the 130 doesn't seem to fit right at all.

I recommend sending out the Volex cord

 

Same, I'd be much happier if they sent me a laptop cooler for my troubles . jk jk.

But don't worry about the cord, just use the 90 watt cord.

 

I did this also... works fine now, even see a little daylight between the two.
Note: don't try this at home.... I am a professional.

 

FYI, I did receive the Volex Adapter cord with the 130W adapter and it fits just fine and it seems to be exactly the same as the one that plugs into the 90W adapter.

 

FYI, The cord i modified was a "Bizlink"
The cord on my 90w is a VOLEX and did NOT fit. (exactly the same size as the BIZLINK)

 

I guess there are different 130W adapters, because my cord on the 90W actually plugs into the 130W adapter with no problem.

 

I started using a different part number for the cord yesterday. Waiting for feedback on that one. If it's a better fit, I'll just re-send the new one to anyone who wants it.