Studio XPS 16 does not support SDHC?

I rely heavily on SDHC cards and use the built in card reader heavily in my Studio 1537.

I just bought a new Studio XPS 16 and it won't read my SDHC cards. I chatted with Dell last night and they took control of my system remotely.. They couldn't fix it, and finally said "The Studio XPS 16 does not support SDHC, you'll have to use regular SD"

WHAT? I just find this hard to believe on a new, so called "State of the art system"

I also have a Studio 15 (1537) and SDHC works perfectly.

Anyone?

UPDATE: After fighting with several "Techs" and their "Supervisors" I returned the system and bought another..... AND, what do you know... I was right....It does support SDHC!!

 

That suprises me somewhat, especially as I have recently bought an Inspiron 1545 - their budget laptop - which does support SDHC.

What did make me laugh though was the typical Dell customer service angle. Try a few things, and if none work then tell them it is not supported. I mean surely they should have a list of typical things like this that are not supported......

 

Ya' know what really makes me mad... I just looked at the manual online and it states that is supports SDHC right on page 15!

I wasted 2 hours with them last night.

When i insert my SDHC cards, it sometimes recognizes them, but shows 0gb and when you click to open the card, it just asks to format, which you can't do either.

Well, I guess we'll see which countryman i get tonight when I call again to return it.

 

I'm now guessing it's faulting.

I have several 8gb's and 16gb's SDHC cards of differing brands.

When I stick a card in, it pops up as an SD icon in "My computer" but won't show any details, and then when I click on it, it either tells me to insert a card or format the card, and I tried to format, but that doesn't work either. The USB External drive did the same thing, but with all the drivers the tech downloaded, it began working. Unfortunately, the card reader still does not.

 

I just checked several of my SDHC cards and all of them were read just fine. A few from PQI (16GB) and the others are from a few other brands all 4GB.

I hate to say it but your reader might be bad.

 

OK, thanks... I use the card reader alot, and at least I have ammo for them when I call back tonight. Otherwise, it's a really nice system...

 

and check their site for driver updates; though should of course come with the correct drivers installed.

 

Yeah, I reinstalled the drivers, and so did the tech when he remoted in.

 

No problem.

Here are the exact brands and sizes I tried: (all SDHC cards)

PQI 16GB - Model AE71-1630R01FZ

Patriot 16GB - Model PSF16GSDHC6

Transcend 8GB - Model TS8GSDHC6V

2x Sandisk Ultra II 4GB - Model SDSDRH-004G-A11

2x PNY 4GB - Model P-SDHC4G4-FS

All of these worked just fine. I formated some of them and then moved files on and off of the ones I formated. No problems.

Just wanted to give you good ammo to get your stuff fixed.

 

Thanks everyone... Gonna call when I get home...

 

I have a Kingston 4GB SDHC and Sandisk Extreme III 8GB SDHC and they are both readable by my 1640's built-in card reader.

 

@poison7fl

did you try a non-SDHC card (regular SD)?

I tried a Kingston 4GB and 16GB SDHC in my SXPS 16, no issues.

There was someone on this forum that had this exact same issue with his XPS M1530. Although I dont think he ever discussed how he resolved it (or not).

 

I am online right now and they are telling me that we are wrong..

Ashan_167554 M, the reason is the media card reader on Studio XPS 1640 does not read SDHC cards.

Ashan_167554 M, as per the specification of this system, it does not support SDHC cards.

 

Returns are now telling me that SDHC is not supported on 64 bit XPS Studio 16's

 

Thats crazy because the drivers are universal between 32bit and 64bit.

They should read their own darn drivers page.

I would keep trying. Eventually you will get someone that knows something.

 

I called returns and he said that the media reader is not supported with the 64 bit. He is sending me the 32 bit Vista.

First, I will reformat cleanly with the 64 bit just to verify for myself before trying the 32.

Good Point on the drivers.... I'd like to hear from someone successfully using the reader with an SDHC card and 64 bit Vista though.

Agent (Ashan_167554): "XPS 1640 reads any of these cards: Memory Stick™ , Memory Stick PRO™ , Secure Digital (SD™ , MultiMediaCard™ (MMC) , xD-Picture Card™ , High Speed-SD , High Density-SD , SDIO card ,"

ME: "Refer to page 14-15 of the owners manual, It states SD, SDHC, SDIO, MMC, MS, MS PRO, XD, HI-DENSITY"

 

OWNAGE! hehe yeah its typical, seems they are more focused on following their "howto" manual than actually helping you... i hope they come to their senses and help ya out...

 

Well when I tested all those cards I was using Vista x64. I have since changed over to Windows 7 x64 RC1 and it still works.

so their nonsense about it only working for 32 bit is stupid. I bet if you had
x32 running they would have said it only runs in x64.

I would keep trying because x32 vista is a waste on this machine.

 

This is crazy... I have spoken to 5 rep's and none were cooperative.. I just can't believe what they are feeding me.

 

I agree. Tell them what is happening is unacceptable. Send them a link to this thread to prove that it works for other people on x64. Tell them that you'll never buy another Dell again and go complain about this all over the internet. Or, if you can, just return the system.

If they're being nasty, be nasty back. Sometimes, it's the only way.

 

Ironically, I told them about this thread and sent it to him. He read it, and didn't believe us.

I am not a noob, I buy a new Dell every 6 months or so, apparently they think I am stupid.

 

Can't you return it? It should be no questions asked. If it is, tell them that if your Studio 15 can do it, this definitely should be able to. Make up something about you being a photographer or something that uses SDHC cards, and that this deficiency is not workable. If you encounter resistance, threaten them with what I said before. I've heard that it helps. After all, this is a SXPS (arguably the consumer flagship now, as the XPS are all outdated), not some $200 Mini 9.

Then, buy a new one.

 

I could return, it. But, I am still on the fence... I really like it except for this flaw... If they would just accept it back and change out the card reader... I have a tech coming out for a house call on my Studio 1537 on Tuesday to replace my LED display, so I will ask him too.

That's what I keep telling them. Why the lapse in technology... Are we moving backwards?

I use SDHC for everything, Camera, Camcorder, MP3, etc. and I use them daily.

I just did a system reformat and restore, and still nothing... I don't get it...

Also, the Mini 9 accepts and reads SDHC!

I am going to get another type of card to put this to bed, probably an SD card or Memory Stick.

 

It does support sdhc i use my 8gb in it all the time

 

The reason why I think that they're reluctant to fix the problem is because I believe the card reader is soldiered to the mobo. Obviously they don't want to pay $300 for a new mobo because of a stupid $0.50 card reader.

As I see it,
1) Threaten them with not buying another Dell and with the fact that you'll return it.
2) Escalate your case with this: https://support.dell.com/support/to...anding_issues_care?c=us&l=en&s=gen&redirect=1

3) Once/If you are maybe 2-3 days from the end of the 21 day period and nothing has been solved, go ahead and return it. I don't see any other options.

 

Good info.... I didn't know that.

As I said previously, I am a computer fanactic, I can troubleshoot and fix my own system and have been for years, and just can't buy they crap they are shoveling at me. I've never had this much trouble with Dell. I'd like to actually get an english speaking rep too.

I just looked in my Dell History, and in the past two years, I have bought;

E521
1505
1501
1535 Red
1535
1530
1537
1640

 

poison7fl,

Your Dell Support is toying with you. Or maybe the customer service agent you talked to is too lazy to really check and serve you.

You definitely need to escalate this and show how incompetent and stupid are those who told you that SDHC is not supported. Get them fired if possible. Especially the one whom you showed this thread and didn't believe you.

Make them read the Studio XPS 16 manual. Here it is for your convenience (it's from Dell Singapore, get the exact URL for your location-- Dell Support website - Manuals):

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/sxl16/en/sg/sg_en.pdf

It reads, on page 14-15:

8-in-1 Media card reader – Provides
a fast and convenient way to view and
share digital photos, music, videos, and
documents stored on the following digital
memory cards:


Secure digital (SD) memory card
Secure Digital High Capacity
(SDHC) card
Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO)
card
Multi Media Card (MMC)
Memory Stick
Memory Stick PRO
xD-Picture Card (type - M and type - H)
Hi Density-SD (SDHD)


It's an "8-in-1" card reader. Even this is written on the 1640's tech specs page ( http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/pro...ptop-studio-xps-16?c=sg&cs=sgdhs1&l=en&s=dhs). Make them enumerate those 8 cards that this reader can read. One of those eight cards is "SDHC".

 

The agent I had read this thread, was a supervisor, He even asked for the link after I told him about it. I got pissed at the agent and they transferred me. Although, it probably wasn't a real supervisor.... but luckily, I have all of the transcripts because I did this over the online chat!!

I referred all of the agents to page 14-15 and they all had the same script... and one even made up a card to replace the SDHC in the list!

 

You really need to have them fired/reported/whatever. This is inexcusable. They are lying to you intentionally to deny you proper support/service. Which country are you from, or which regional Dell support is doing you this lousy service?

 

I'm in the US, but apparently talking to India every time...

I have a Dell tech coming over this evening to replace my Studio 1537 LED monitor and I'm gonna talk to him about this too.

 

Sorry to hear you're going through this BS. Blast an email to upper mgmt and include your transcripts of the support agents jerking you around. Being lied to is inexcusable.

 

In the big scheme of things, this may seem like a very minor issue, but to me it's not. I rely on the reader and use it daily..

The retards from support suggested that I purchase an external USB card reader!! I was like.. Uh... OK... how about fixing the internal one!!

 

The Dell subcontractor here replacing my other monitor says it's compatible... Guess I gotta continue to fight

 

I am super pi$$ed.. Dell just called me back and told me that the manual is wrong and that SDHC is not supported at all

on a side note: I managed to get another tech yesterday to tell me it was, but only in 32 bit mode, and they overnighted a DVD to me.... 4 hours later, NO GO! Gee no kidding, it didn't work on 32 bit either, So I reverted back to 64 bit...

Anyway, This little guy comtinues to tell me that I am wrong, and the 1640 simply doesn't support SDHC cards..

But, they will send me a new motherboard with card reader. So, we'll see... This is amazing.... Simply amazing..

Can someone take some pictures or screenshot of an SDHC card inserted in the Studio XPS 16 and recognized with capacity (Properties)? PLEASE?

 

Just wanted to mention I tested a 2GB SD and 8GB SDHC Card on my Studio XPS 1340 and they both worked fine. Not sure if its the same card reader model in it or not.

You would think though, that if the 1340 was compatible the 1640 would be. Just wanted to post that in case anybody needed the info.

I'm using Windows 7 x64 as well, so I highly doubt its a 32 vs 64-bit issue.

 

Just checked the drivers page and both the 1340 and 1640 have RICOH R5C833 listed as the driver for the card-reader. I'd assume they are both the same then and that SDHC SHOULD work on your 1640 just fine. Hopefully the replacement motherboard will take care of the issue for you.

 

It's all up to you now. They are obviously fooling you.

How can the manual be wrong and stay uncorrected for months? How can the manual be wrong and still SDHC works for everyone but you?

You have already shown them the official manual AND this thread to prove that SDHC works. If they insist the official manual is wrong, then make them prove it.

The 1640 product page (specs section) mentioned an 8-in-1 card reader. What card did they made up in place of SDHC again?

 

(Ashan_167554): "XPS 1640 reads any of these cards: Memory Stick™ , Memory Stick PRO™ , Secure Digital (SD™) , MultiMediaCard™ (MMC) , xD-Picture Card™ , High Speed-SD , High Density-SD , SDIO card ,"

ME: "Refer to page 14-15 of the owners manual, It states SD, SDHC, SDIO, MMC, MS, MS PRO, XD, HI-DENSITY"

He substituted the High Speed SD, which in reality is only an SD. AND, as far as I know the High Density are the same as the High Capacity.

 

If you cannot argue your case with them, just return the laptop. Say that you purchased it knowing that it can read SDHC as stated in the official manual. And that everyone else's 1640 can read SDHC.

 

Now i'm uber pissed, I just spent $12 on a regular 2gb Sandisk SD (NON SDHC) card from wal-mart, and guess what? Yep, it doesn't work either....

We'll wait and see what happens when the new board and reader come.

 

There. Obviously your card reader is broken.

Talk to the same service support guy. I wouldn't be surprised if he claims SD is also not supported.

 

Dell consumer support are, to put it simply, as waste of time. Outsourcing it to India may very well be cheaper; but I'm sure I speak for all when I say I would pay a few pounds more and have the option of premium support based in my country of residence, where if I so chose I could physically go to and duke it out with them.

 

He tried after I told him about the SD, and began saying that I should try a memory stick or something else... I was like... uh, no.

 

Play with him.

Tell him you tried a memory stick, that you tried every freaking kind of card in that "8-in-1" card reader and none worked.

Geez, if I were in your situation, I'll surely have that guy fired.

 

I agree.. man, poison7fl, you are one seriously patient person

at least you got another motherboard on its way.. that should do it.. if not, shoot, I'll call Dell for you

 

Not really...I don't think I've ever got someone in California on the line (Usually the mid-western states) which is my state of residence. Often times U.S. based support is just as clueless as out-sourced support. That said, U.S. support IS easier to understand and deal with often.

 

Dell support officially sucks. I am tired and beat down with this Studio XPS 16...

Now, I am getting the BSOD, and it is slow as dirt..

Finally fed up, Just called and returning it tomorrow.

At least I didn't sell my Studio 1537 yet.

Hopefully they'll get their act together someday, but for now they have lost me as a customer because of their, so called, tech support.... Indians with scripts...

 

You just need to figure out what to tell them in order to get what you need. That's what I do, I use Dell Chat so I don't have to be on the phone forever and I get 99% of my problems taken care of through that.

I did have a problem with my 1340 showing up as an outside the US system so chat didn't work initially, but everything is working now in that regard.

Just remember, they are sitting there with a comptuer screen asking you questions and clicking your answer into it, and whatever pops up next is what they ask you. If you can get them to ask you the right things, problems get taken care of quickly.

As far as BSOD, did you do a clean install? I don't think there's anyway I'd EVER use the factory image on any of my Dell's, its always reinstalled my way....the correct way.


Did you not even try a motherboard replacement yet?

 

I chatted online four times, and have the chat logs which totally show them as incompetents. I even called three times, and was lied too.

I'm only a week into this, and apparently I got a lemon, I'm just gonna return and wait. Besides, the 720p is not as good as my Studio 1537 with 1440x900 LED. I'd go with the 1080p next time...

I am just frustrated after all of these years of being a loyal Dell customer and now being treated like an incompetent blundering idiot by people who can barely speak english. It just doesn't sit well with me right now. I have recommended and bought many (Read: MANY) Dell systems for friends and family. I estimate probably $50k over the last few years.... and this is the quality and help I get.

 

I'm not sure then. I think your headaches would have been less if you just told them enough to get the motherboard replaced on the first chat. That probably would have saved you a lot of trouble and would have fixed the problem.

Did you even attempt a mobo replacement yet, or how could you say the misreading SDHC makes the computer a "lemon" then??