Summary of XPS M1330 Problems

My M1330 will arrive mid of Sept 07, please post problem you experience with M1330. Don't discuss it here, just post the problem and if there's a solution please provide a link for our (new owner) reference.

update....

1. CPU Whine
Detail Info of Problem: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=153436

2. Screen resolution changing after it wakes from sleep mode (Vista problem, not M1330?)

Solution: http://support.dell.com/support/dow...-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=6&fileid=214039

3. Dual Array Mic picks up computer static
4. Uneven base
5. Exterior condition flawed
6. Dual Array Mic sensitivity is too low

Solution(?) : http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=152723&page=2

7.
8.
9.

 

1. CPU Whine
2. Screen resolution
3. Dual Array Mic picks up computer static
4.
5.

 

Screen resolution on 1330 is not a problem, it's a design. You want a different res, buy another notebook with different size screen. All 13" notebooks have 1200x800, so if you want more than that, get 14" or larger notebook.

 

I think what they mean is the problem that some people are having with the screen resolution changing after it wakes from sleep mode.. maybe they could be more specific?

 

oh, ok. sorry about that I just thought that someone consider the res on the 13" a problem, which is a complete bull, since you can't have a different res with a 13" laptop... sorry for the mistake

 

Already created a poll for this for future reference if Dell ever asks how many; a number can be used from the poll to illusttrate the percentage..

Link below:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=153905

 

1. CPU Whine
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=153436

2. Screen resolution changing after it wakes from sleep mode
3. Dual Array Mic picks up computer static
4. Uneven base
5. Exterior condition flawed
6.
7.
8.
.
.
.


if there's a solution for the above list problem for M1330, please provide a link for our new user's reference.

thanks!

 

1. CPU Whine
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=153436

2. Screen resolution changing after it wakes from sleep mode
3. Dual Array Mic picks up computer static
4. Uneven base
5. Exterior condition flawed
6. Dual Array Mic sensitivity is too low
7.

 

only 6 known major problem for M1330?

 

My m1330 issues --

CPU wine -- none (but I have it set for max performance)
Build quality -- fit OK
Finish -- ?? The area right of the touch pad is smooth as silk, left of it is very rough, like they did not buff it out.
Other areas --
Array mike is useless -- volume level is very low. Tried adjusting levels etc.. Next step is to reinstall drivers.

 

2. Screen resolution changing after it wakes from sleep mode

Not to rain on anyones parade, but this is either a Vista problem or a driver problem. It has nothing to do with the m1330 itself.

 

Update...

1. CPU Whine
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=153436

2. Screen resolution changing after it wakes from sleep mode (Vista problem, not M1330?)
3. Dual Array Mic picks up computer static
4. Uneven base
5. Exterior condition flawed
6. Dual Array Mic sensitivity is too low
7.
8.
9.


pls provide some link (thread) for the solution...

 

I fixed the screen resolution problem on my vostro 1400 with intel x3100 by downloading driver version 1544 from intel's website. And fixed the screen flicker problem by following instructions posted by NinjaNoodles:

1. Click on the Start button (pearl? ball? orb?).
2. Type "Task Scheduler" and hit Enter.
3. On the left-hand side, click "Task Scheduler Local" (you should already be there, but just in case).
4. Expand "Task Scheduler Library," then "Microsoft," then "Windows," then click "MobilePC."
5. Up top, you'll see a task called "TMM." Click it, and on the right-hand side, click "Disable."
6. You're done.

 

thanks pardes for the input.

update....

1. CPU Whine
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=153436

2. Screen resolution changing after it wakes from sleep mode (Vista problem, not M1330?)....see pardes13 post #13 for the solution
3. Dual Array Mic picks up computer static
4. Uneven base
5. Exterior condition flawed
6. Dual Array Mic sensitivity is too low
7.
8.
9.


pls post the problem/solution (link) here so that we can fix the problem when our M1330 arrive.

thanks

 

Just a suggestion -just update the first post with most recent info instead of just adding posts in the middle of nowhere

 

Smart idea. Gives the thread-starter a delicious amount of control, too...

 

Well, he keeps posting updates over and over again, why not save some effort on his part? Also saves time for others to find all problems/solutions in one post.

 

thanks for the suggestion.

first post updated

 

Did you ever reinstall the array mic's driver? I tried updating the driver, but it said no update available.

 

1. CPU Whine (only notice at home at night when it is quiet)
2. Screen resolution changing after it wakes from sleep mode (Happened just once - now solved)
3. Dual Array Mic picks up computer static (don't know - does it pick up anything?)
4. Uneven base (very slightly)
5. Exterior condition flawed (slight - mainly left hinge cover)
6. Dual Array Mic sensitivity is too low (Definitely)

 

There is no update available. I uninstalled it and reinstalled the one available from Dell's driver site. No difference. My guess it is a hardware issue (screen manufacturer). I have the LED screen manufactured by TRANSFORMER METROPLEX and wondering how well this second source has been tested?

How many people have this problem -- and what screen do you have??

 

as far as i can tell, the screen itself has nothing to do with the problem - its the mic array

I have the che mei screen and i still cant get the mic to pick anything up, if that helps

 

How do I find that out? I also have the LED screen, but how do I find out who's the maker?

 

Go to dell support page and enter your service tag and you can get the list of what you NB has by clicking 'system configuration' (something like that).

You either have the Chi Mei Optronics, or one without a name... for the nameless one Zetto opened his up and found out that its made by Toshiba. Here's the post:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=2302928&postcount=744

 

the Screen resolution is not a problem. I just downloaded the latest nvidia driver from dell and it is fixed no problem!

 

Mine is the MEI OPTOELECTRONICS. I'm beginning to think it's the Array Mic as well.

 

CCFL users don't seem to have a problem with their mic, besides it picking up WAY too much impartial noise, computer static

 

Array mic has nothing to do with a screen, it's a separate small unit, which also includes the webcam. It's kinda strange, the Windows sounder recorder works just fine (with loads of static noise), records sound very well but skype has a lot trouble picking up the sound.

 

I'm not the one who is experiencing problems with the screen. I am having problems with the Windows Messenger picking up my voice for video chatting. My friends could barely hear me at all, even with the Mic turned up to the max.

But when I used the Dell Web Center to test record myself, I can hear my self fine. But that may be because I turn the laptop volume all the way up. My friend turned his speaker volume all the way up, and still couldn't hear me. His wife has the Dell 1505 laptop running on Vista with a Logitec mic, and he can hear her just fine.

 

what's the NVIDIA driver you use? can you give us the link so that i'll update the first page.

thanks.

 

Gonna remind all of the poll on this page:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=153905

Can I ask anyone who has not done so to complete it. It can be a very useful tool for your later dealings with XPS Support on issues.

At present, only 1 in 5 systems is arriving without issues and only half do not have a squeal to them.

Thanks again.

 

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=6&fileid=214039

 

thank you.

guys, see first page for update of M1330 problem/solution.

 

see first page for low mic sensitivity solution.

 

I might add a section for problems and known fixes to the systermtracker website if anyone would find it useful. Maybe XPSboy can maintain it since he's doing such a great job here?

 

Sorry if I am thick - but see the first page of what? This thread? I didn't see an answer there (but I am using defaults for number of messages to display per screen).

I noticed Windows Update was offering me an optional update to the Webcam driver - and Zetto says the Webcam and array mic are a unit... so maybe we will see if that update did any good when I get home tonight.

 

Nalada: very first post in this thread, linked under item 6.

 

I just filled in my info.
Minor gripes with the tracker: Date format. I started 01-Aug-07, changed to 08-01-2007, then finally realised I needed 08/01/2007. Also it doesn't get checked until the end of the process. If it had been earlier I would have entered dates on later pages correctly oni the first attempt.

Several places there is a spelling error:
"Recieived" -> "Received"

 

OK - that means uninstall the Sigmatel driver and install the driver from the Dell website?
I tried it and it didn't help.
When trying to setup speech recognition the audio level remains right at the left edge of the yellow area (very low signal).

(Note: I carriage-returned all the defaults on installation because the dialogs were invisible - probably because I have set to use Chinese for all non-unicode programs. Usually that fixes installers with garbaged Chinese dialog, but in my case it changes my Broadcom panels to Chinese and seems to have shrunk the font used for the Sigmatel driver install. I wish Vista allowed me to set the language for non-unicode programs on a program by program basis)

 

On the other thread ChaosKye posted this Insprion driver link -- http://ftp.us.dell.com/audio/R157031.EXE

It worked but I had to experiment with the sample rate setting -- 2 channel 24 bit at 192000 hertz worked for me. Try the sample rate first before installing the driver.

 

Well. I followed the instructions, but it didn't work for me. I may not have reinstalled the driver correctly, though.

So first I uninstalled and deleted the Sigmatel driver. I then downloaded the link above to my laptop. When I went back to manager devices, of course the Sigmatel Audio device is gone. So I just double clicked on the driver R157031.exe above and it started to install the driver back for me. But the mic sensitivity is still the same. I can't get it to go much beyond the left corner of the yellow range, meaning the computer can't hear me. Notice I said left corner of the yellow range, which is no where near the right corner of the yellow range, next to the green zone.

The 2 channel 24 bit at 192000 htz did work the best out of all the choices. Any one else have a fix for Mic array? I can't use it at all with Windows Live Messenger.

 

I understand the problem with the dates - I foresaw it to be a problem that is why I added the date picker to encourage people to use that - that way they can't get it wrong. Just click the calendar icon to the right of the field

Spelling errors I will make sure to correct asap

 

Oh yes - and nothing happened when I clicked the calendar icons. Maybe because I was using Firefox (I think I had enabled scripts for the site in Noscript).

 

I use FF also - the site was designed with FF as the primary browser. It should work fine. Works fine for me at least. Anyone else experiencing any issues with the calendar stuff?

 

Please update the poll to include all problems posted in this thread.
Thanks

 

The poll cant be updated or it now becomes biased. Once you have input your info, you cannot again.

So...if i decided now to add something that the 74 people who have already voted had...they couldnt recheck that thing and the poll becomes inaccurate on its face.

Sorry.

To add though...the poll becomes a very useful tool when addressing Dell. Imagine a CSR stating they have never heard of the problem when almost half are plagued by whining.

 

I have a minor new problem.
When pressing down on the front left hand side of the palm rest (above the hard disk) there is now a creaking sound. Once when pushing down and once again when releasing.

 

Nalada, u prolly had it before, just didn't find the right spot until now

 

Well it doesn't work here.
I am using Firefox 2.0.0.6
I have Noscript - but it is enabled for your site.
I have Flashblock - but I don't think that is relevant.
I have Greasemonkey - but it is disabled.

I went back in to check.
First minor problem is no Country was selectable. I had to create a new country (I tried to create China but was told it already exists so I made "Blank" - not sure if it will persist when I cancel out).

Trying to click the Calendar icons just has no effect. Perhaps it is NoScript blocking cross site scripting or something - not time to experiment at the moment.

I see just one error on the error console.
Error: FCKeditorAPI is not defined
Source File: http://www.pinekone.org.uk/system/My_Systemadd.php
Line: 187

 

As far as screen res changing, I have that problem in my Vostro 1500, in that, if I play a game at, say, xga res, then minimize it and go back to the desktop, the native xga+ screen reverts to the xga used by the game. It even does this if I play a game, then completely exit it. It's very annoying, and I'm sure it has to be a Vista problem.