Some issues with new SXPS 1640

Hello, all:

I recently received a Studio XPS 1640 as a replacement for an M1330. While I prefer the size of the M1330, the 1640's full HD panel (and increased power) makes up for the increased heft, in my book.

I replaced the 500 GB 5400 RPM drive, that came with the system, with an OCZ SSD and installed a fresh copy of Windows 7, then the latest drivers from Dell.

Compared to my experience with nVidia and the M1330, this takes some getting used to.

1. Using standard Windows drivers for the ATI 4670, any time I did anything more graphics-intensive than navigate around Windows 7 (with eye candy on), the driver would crash and instantly recover. After upgrading via Windows Update to the latest on there, I got BSODs instead.

Also, my HDMI-connected flat panel only showed about 85% of the screen even though the resolution was correctly set at 1080p, the panel's max.

Once I uninstalled those and switched to the Dell-recommended with ATI CC, the BSOD and crashes stopped, and I used ATI CCC to remove the overscan and now the entire LCD is in use, as it should.

However, the computer will not start at all (power button does nothing) if my DisplayPort cable (to a Dell monitor) is plugged in. If I remove it, then I can re-attach it once I have powered the system on, but then Windows/ATI "forgets" how I like my monitors set up and I have to go through a whole process to get it back.

Also, regarding the HDMI Audio I use, every time Windows generates a sound, I get a "thump" of my external speakers powering on, and the sound is basically done, by then. If I play a song in WMP, the pattern remains, and when the song begins there is that thump, but once the song is playing then it is smooth sailing and clean sound until the song stops and then loads the next song, at which point that "thump" returns for a second, again.

2. The USB Kb/Mouse are not active until Windows is loaded. Why?

3. My old IR remote from my M1330 seems to do nothing for this new laptop. I did replace the battery just to make sure.

If anyone has any ideas or has also experienced any of this, please let me know. Thanks.

 

My goal was to elicit feedback (i.e. ideas), not to complain. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

1. DisplayPort issue...weird. Either call Dell (doubtful they'll have an answer) or Google furiously. That's how I solve "hard" problems.

I get the same "thump", but only once a few moments after I connect my HDMI cable. It doesn't happen every time a sound plays. Have you updated to the latest HDMI audio drivers? They're on Realtek's site.

2. IDK. Check the BIOS for a setting like "USB during POST" or something.

3. Try reinstalling the drivers from the Dell support website. It's like CIR or something under input?

 

Thanks very much for the feedback.

Re: DP. It's quite surprising and Google did not pull anything up when I checked. I wonder if it's a bad cable or bad connector that is somehow "shorting" the system, preventing it from turning on. It is working perfectly once on, as I try this here on the screen using thatDP connection.

Re: the thump sounds - I am downloading the drivers, as you suggested; thanks. While waiting for the download to finish, I observed the following. If I open WMP and play any song then push stop and leave WMP open doing nothing, then there is no more "thump". Once WMP is closed, though, the thumping returns.

I do think the driver is not keeping an always-on connection to the HDMI-connected source's speakers, so each time a simple click sound is made, it has to first re-establish the connection, so it "thumps" as it turns on.

re: boot USB support - I did not think to check the BIOS, because I can't imagine why it would be turned off, though I will check at reboot. Thanks again.

I noticed the ITC or CIR, or whatever it's called, IR receiver and it appears in Device Manager just fine, seemingly, so unless Dell changed the frequency or something from the M1330 to this machine, I don't know why it wouldn't work. I think I am using the latest driver, which is from WU, so I can't reinstall, other than to uninstall and let W7 find it again.

Thanks again for the help, and if anyone has any knowledge/ideas, please let me know.

 

Weird, weird, weird. It's a direct DP to DP connection? I read something about bad DP-DVI adapters...

That definitely makes sense with the "thump". Hmm....I actually have a Pandora desktop gadget usually running: maybe that's why I don't hear it?

Yeah, some desktops have that setting to enable USB on boot. AFAIK, they should work as you can "boot" off of a USB drive anyways from the SXPS 16.

Hide the update in Windows Update after you uninstall the default drivers. Use Dell's: better chance they'll work.

 

Yes, it's a monoprice brand new DP to DP cable, no adapters. I was thinking of calling them and asking them, as I mentioned....dunno...

I just uninstalled the old IDT drivers. I don't want to mess with the ATI stuff because it did the BSOD thing until I got it right, but I'm going to try the regular REalTek driver first, then perhaps the ATI patch, if that driver alone won't do it.

I'll stop by the BIOS on the way back in, too, to check the USB issue.

Thanks again for the continued responses.

 

Looks like the updated drivers did the trick, though I think the volume is a little lower now, even though the HDMI volume level is all the way up. But after the initial "thump(s)", they're finally gone. Thanks again.

As for the BIOS and USB, I have A14 but did not see any option there to allow/disallow USB emulation or anything of the sort; USB KB/Mouse still does not work at boot-up until Windows 7 has loaded.

 

Glad it worked on the "thumps".

Unfortunately, unless there is a setting in the BIOS....you're kind of out of luck. Let me look in my SXPS 1645's BIOS to see if I can see anything. Pretty stupid that you need a BIOS with the right setting: USB is ubiquitous!

~Ibrahim~

 

Thanks again.

The USB KB/Mouse set is connecting through a hub, though I would think that's not an issue; maybe I'll try connecting it straight to the port to see if that helps. Still, this exact setup worked flawlessly on the M1330, so I don't see why it should be any different here.

I tested the DisplayPort cable on a friend's 1640 and his acted the same way; it would not power on. I then tried a DP to DVI adapter and a DVI cable, and that powered up fine.

I think the DP cable needs to be replaced. I plan on chatting with Monoprice when they open.

 

Well, the M1530 is a different platform than the SXPS16's.

I didn't find any particular settings in my SXPS1645 BIOS. I will try a USB keyboard I have laying around. If I can enter the BIOS (via F2), then it is working, right? Is there anything in particular I should check?

Hmmm...yes. Try a new cable; Monoprice.com has great people.

If not, go complain to Dell. They should get an upper-level technician to look at it; maybe it just needs a BIOS update?

~Ibrahim~

 

Thanks again. I chatted with Monoprice today, and I think they're going to exchange the cable. I have yet to try connecting it directly, not through a hub, but perhaps Dell will release a new BIOS, if that is the issue.

 

Issues remaining:

DisplayPort will not work when connected to the DisplayPort on the monitor.

However, the DP to DVI, using a DVI port on the monitor and the Dell DP to DVI adapter, works fine, and I can deal with that.

I purchased from Dell a travel remote, MU-853, which is black and matches the XPS 16. It will not work with the built-in IR receiver.

However, Dell makes a Remote Control that comes in a kit with its own IR receiver and is intended for desktop use. This remote does work perfectly with my integrated IR receiver (without needing the IR-USB cable it comes with).

Dell claims a) the travel remote is only for the Studio XPS 13 and b) it only works in Vista, not Windows 7.

I am skeptical about both of those claims, though the port is clearly not defective and Dell even sent me another travel remote to try, and that one didn't work either, not with the original nor with my own brand new battery so it's not the battery either.

The travel remote is great for on-the-road use, and I do miss that feature from the M1330 that this system replaced, so I wish I knew the solution.

If anyone has any thoughts, I'd appreciate it.

 

I assume it's obvious, but you installed the right drivers for the infrared port, right? From Dell's site?