** The Official Studio XPS 1640/45/47 replacement thread **

Just pulled up my last 3 order details, you are right, all the parts description has the word module on the refurbished one, while new ones does not.

 

I also wouldnt have known without looking at the My Accounts page. And I'm in no way complaining but rather trying to help Dell save some money so I called and also did online chat asking if they could send the equivalent 9 cell batt and more importantly include bluetooth in my build, as those are major functional downgrades compared to my m1530, and not too surprisingly they said to call after reciept of my 1647 and schedule an on-site service call. Oh well I tried but the beaurocracy wins, as usual

This is in the m1530 replacement thread but I guess its pertinent here so you know what I'm talking about, ban me if otherwise

my system replacement:
1 224-7380 Studio XPS 16 Notebook $0.00
1 310-0173 Airborne Documentation, System Exchanges,Factory Install $0.00
1 312-0811 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion P Primary Battery, for XPS 1640 $0.00
1 313-7054 8X DVD+/-RW Slot Load Drive for XPS1640 $0.00
1 313-8545 High Definition Audio 2.0 with SRS Premium Sound $0.00
1 317-2825 Intel CoreTM i5 540M processor (2C/4T, 2.53-3.06 GHz, 3M L3) $915.99
1 317-3797 4GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz 2 Dimm forXPS 1640 $0.00
1 320-1308 ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 - 1GB $0.00
1 320-8333 15.6 inch Wide Screen 16:9 1080p Full HD WLED LCD, W/2.0 MP, XPS 1645 $75.00
1 320-8352 Obsidian Black High Gloss Finish with Leather XPS 1645 $40.00
1 330-0171 S and P Drop-in-Box Marcom forDHS Notebooks $0.00
1 330-6222 Windows 7 Label $0.00
1 330-7786 DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP,MADISON,XPS 1647 $0.00
1 341-8989 500GB 7200RPM Free Fall SensorSeagate Hard Drive $40.00
1 410-0487 Microsoft Office Starter 2010 $0.00
1 410-1883 Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0 Multi-Language $0.00
1 410-2467 MCAFEE PEARL MUI,24MTH,Without Media $25.00
1 412-0148 No ISP requested $0.00
1 420-6436 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp $0.00
1 420-6576 DELL WELCOME,Software Dimension/Inspiron $0.00
1 420-7938 Dell Connect 2.1 $0.00
1 420-8878 Software, Soft Contracts Dell In-Home $0.00
1 420-9100 Dell Dock Consumer $0.00
1 420-9326 DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 10GB $0.00
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp $0.00
1 421-0092 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG $0.00
1 421-0187 Dell Support Center Software 64 Bit 2.0 $0.00
1 421-0188 Facial Recognition $0.00
1 421-0323 Windows Live Search,Multiple User Interface $0.00
1 421-0757 Skype VOIP Application $0.00
1 421-1010 Dell Webcam Central v1.4 $0.00
1 421-1361 Roxio EZCD Creator 10.3 DE, Factory Install $0.00
1 421-1695 Power DVD 8.3, Factory Install, CNB $0.00
1 421-1737 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English $0.00
1 421-2086 eBay Webslice $0.00
1 430-0762 Intel 6200 Wireless-N (2x2) HM,CNB $30.00
1 430-3605 Integrated 10/100 Network Card $0.00
1 464-7384 Exchange $0.00

replacing:
M1530 Tuxedo Black / T8300 2.4GHz / 4GB DDR2 / WUXGA 1920 X 1200 / 256 MB NVIDIA 8600M GT / 250 GB5400 / INTEL 4965AGN / BLUETOOTH 355 / [on my 2nd] 9 CELL

 

It will already come with 9 cell. 1645 and 1647 do not come with 6 cell battery's due to power requirments

 

Only the 1645 comes with the 9-cell by default. It is a $45 upgrade for the 1647. See The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

 

this makes way more sense and makes me wonder even more why they'd give me the 6 cell (which as seeker points out, is likely).

I'm still hoping the order part list isnt exactly correct, with any difference being totally to my liking of course

 

Yup its a 4670/RGB...

PS - I forgot to post it last time but seems like dell is actually doing something with the hardware in hope of fixing the issue...

My older motherboard had revision A00 written on it and it was a light blue colored PCB...

After replacement its revision A1.1 and is dark blue... (don't know if the color matter),

even the bios name are different, but alas throttle is still there ...


PS- I noticed something... if i am running ubuntu, it doesn;t throttle (or i don't notice) but the adapter gets really hot... (REALLY REALLY HOT!!), but this doesn't happen in windows unless I am playing a game, what could be the problem?? should I post this in Ubuntu forums??

Oh one more thing, the newer mobo even throttles in playing Cafe World (the facebook flash game ), which works fine on my friends 5 year old laptop (!!) (which older laptop has no graphic card and T5750 cpu)

 

Are you running a 130w adapter?

 

No, its a 90W, though i think DELL is going to replace it this time around with 130W

 

I thought so. Should be much better with a 130w.
My original 1645 was problematic as it came with a 90w adapter which was replaced with a 130w later. )

 

Just got my 1645 last week, I'm the second owner but there's still warranty left till the end of the year. It's got the i7 720qm, radeon 4670, rgbled screen and a 6-cell battery.

I called the Dell customer service and they're sending me the 130w adapter now.. But I guess throttling is pretty much bound to happen with that hardware? And i suppose the 6-cell doesnt help much for the temps..

From what i've tried, it seems to throttle quite badly with games, at least bf:bc2.. Even noticed the sounds started "echoing" somehow once the throttling was worst.

What kind of experience do you guys have with Dell's policy on this throttling stuff? Is it good enough of a reason to warrant a replacement, just the throttling alone? And even if so, i guess i'll have to say goodbye to the rgbled then..?

 

Hey, I talked to a dell representative, and i have a problem...

So i have severe trottle issues with my 1640, dell has already replaced my mobo once, this time they replace my mobo+heat sink+fan and gave me a 130W adapter...
but instead of a 4670, i now have a 3670, because they shipped the wrong parts

i am really frustrated with them, i was talking to the supervisor and he said, that he would like to replace the system, but can't as i am not in USA right now (i am in india currently, and won't be in the states anytime soon),

he said that, he would send me another mobo, to fix the 3670 problem, but he didn't seem sure if it would fix the throttle...

does anyone have any idea how i can get a replacement, from outside US, anyone I can contact...???

He said that dell india would most probably not do it, as the machine was bought in USA,

I am studying in a college here, and i really don't have time for endless part replacement, but i at least want a system which works for what i paid...

I already missed a lecture today because i had to pick up their part dispatch, and missing lectures here is a big thing

 

Nobody knows anyone in dell who can help me???

tomorrow, my mobo will be replaced for the 3rd time

 

How can they fix your laptop if you are outside the US?
May be have one of your family members in the US receive the parts you need from Dell and forward the parts to you in India?

 

well, we have DELL in india to u know,
they san definitely ask dell india to replace it, can't they??

anyone has any idea about refund policies with dell? i am tired of playing games with them, and i have already said a lot of time i really don't have the time, sorry for sounding frustrated, but i really can't help it, its like 1700$ down the drain :-/

 

I don't think you can get your Dell serviced by Dell in another country. You can only get your laptop serviced in the country you originally bought it from and I think that's why Dell asks you to agree their export policy when you make a purchase. Why don't you call and ask? That seems like the best solution for now.

 

They said that if i send my laptop back to the states they will replace it with another XPS 16...,

honestly , for me that a lot of trouble for a good chance of getting another throttling system...

they seem very happy about replacing my mobo endlessly but not my laptop??? what's the logic??

 

Dell is a big company and it's complicated. You can't just ask Dell in another country to service your laptop. It doesn't work out like that in reality. I guess the solution is you would have to send your laptop back to the states to get it replaced.

 

btw, how many people have been successful in getting a refund???

 

1 224-6716 Studio XPS 16 Notebook $0.00
1 310-0173 Airborne Documentation, System Exchanges,Factory Install $0.00
1 312-0950 9-cell Battery $45.00
1 313-7056 BluRay Combo Drive $150.00
1 313-8545 High Definition Audio 2.0 with SRS Premium Sound $0.00
1 317-2366 8GB, DDR3, 1333MHz 2 Dimm $250.00
1 317-4827 Intel Core i7-840QM (1.86-3.2Ghz, 8M/8 threads) $1170.99
1 320-1307 ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 - 1GB $0.00
1 320-8333 15.6 inch Wide Screen 16:9 1080p Full HD WLED LCD, W/2.0 MP, XPS 1645 $75.00
1 320-8352 Obsidian Black High Gloss Finish with Leather XPS 1645 $40.00
1 330-6222 Windows 7 Label $0.00
1 330-7785 RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP,MADISON,XPS 1645 $0.00
1 341-8982 256GB Dell High Performance Solid State Hard Drive, 2.5MM $520.00
1 410-0487 Microsoft Office Starter 2010 $0.00
1 410-1883 Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0 Multi-Language $0.00
1 410-2461 MCAFEE PEARL MUI,30DAY,Without Media $0.00
1 412-0148 No ISP requested $0.00
1 420-6436 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp $0.00
1 420-6576 DELL WELCOME,Software Dimension/Inspiron $0.00
1 420-7938 Dell Connect 2.1 $0.00
1 420-9100 Dell Dock Consumer $0.00
1 420-9352 Dell, Software, Wild Tangent Inc Games $0.00
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp $0.00
1 421-0092 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG $0.00
1 421-0187 Dell Support Center Software 64 Bit 2.0 $0.00
1 421-0188 Facial Recognition $0.00
1 421-0323 Windows Live Search,Multiple User Interface $0.00
1 421-0757 Skype VOIP Application $0.00
1 421-1010 Dell Webcam Central v1.4 $0.00
1 421-1361 Roxio EZCD Creator 10.3 DE, Factory Install $0.00
1 421-1366 Genuine Windows 7 Professional, 64bit, English $130.00
1 421-1583 Cyberlink Power DVD 8.3 Blu-Ray Disk Playback $0.00
1 421-2086 eBay Webslice $0.00
1 430-0700 Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module (2.1+EDR) $20.00
1 430-0725 Intel 6250 Wireless-N w/WiMAX (2x2) Mini Card $60.00
1 430-3605 Integrated 10/100 Network Card $0.00
1 464-7384 Exchange $0.00


Invoices
Request a Return

View My Orders
Sub-Total : $2460.99
Shipping : $0.00
Tax : $153.83
Order Total : $2614.8

Shipped out and is expected to arrive 8/20/2010.
Can't wait

 

Are you going to let some tech violate your brand new born? I would def. ask Dell to replace the screen myself if they allow it.

 

I'm gonna let a service technician do it because I've had good experiences with them so far. They are good at what they are told to do, whether it fixes the problem or not isn't their problem. They just put in and take out parts

 

My USB ports are starting to not work. Sometimes they register a device, other times I have to wiggle the cord. Since the USB ports are part of the motherboard what chance to I have of convince Dell to replace my motherboard with on that has a 5730 (from my current 4670)?

 

Probably a 1 out of 10, but if you're going to get it fixed it can't hurt to ask.

 

They always have a million older refurbished boards in stock. Good luck.

 

So I have a Studio XPS 1640 that's been overheating extensively since about May. Since me first reporting the issue they've updated firmware and done two motherboard replacements all of which haven't helped. The warranty on this system ran out last week but I've been assured that the issue would be solved.

Talking to tech support they agree that a replacement is the only way to go from here but what they are offering me is a refurbished model with no extra warranty. Basically whatever I get is it, no discussion.

I really don't feel like taking my chances with a refurbished model but the "supervisor" I talked to said he is the highest point of contact and I only have the one choice.

Can anyone help me out with this? What should I do?

 

anvl, they usually give equal or better system. Your existing warranty will transfer on to the new machine. No company is going to offer you a free extended warranty if that's what you're asking. Hope that helps.

 

Hp has always been offered extended (90 days usually) warranty after a repair and I remember Dell doing the same thing but I guess policies must have changed. Is it worth fighting it or do I just take the chance with the refurbished replacement they are offering?

 

Make sure the replacement model has a 5730. You should fight for this if nothing else.

 

Is there a reason to single out that part over the cpu, memory, ect?

 

Receive the system first then decide what to do next. My personal laptop was replaced with a refurb and it came in like new condition. I couldn't tell if it was a refurb until I saw the sticker on the bottom.

 

The 5730 runs noticeably cooler and more energy efficient than the 4670. To put it shortly, a system with a 4670 is a great deal* more likely to give you trouble than a system with a 5730.

*a great great great deal

 

That sounds fantastic, now to convince the tech support reps... Is what the last guy I talked to any true, regarding him being the highest point of contact? He was only two rungs up (Tech Support Rep's supervisor).

 

I will try this one Monday. I will also call when its like 3am in India so I get connected to Malaysia (they are much easier to deal with). I wonder if I should make up some other BS stuff to further convince them. Like its overheating or something else.

Basically I thought of the argument that I need my USB ports replaced (true) and as a result I need a new MB (which entails a new CPU/GPU etc). Since my system is one of the few that does not throttle I do not want to run the chance of my replacement MB throttling as I cannot afford not having my computer for that long and I can't afford it not to work as advertised. This being the case I would kindly request a MB with the 5730 since they have a very small chance of throttling. I think as long as I come off as stern yet sincere I should be ok.

 

Don't know where you got the idea that a MB replacement entails an upgrade, but let us know how it goes. I believe the magic number is 3 replacements of the same part, then they upgrade you.

 

Does Dell have tech support outside of India? It seems everytime I've called it's always been "John" from New Delhi. So would you call the same number or is there a different number for them?

 

He just means that they'll have to replace the motherboard, which has the GPU soldered on, anyway.

I honestly don't know how that will go over to be honest. They'll probably turn you down.

 

Why would you ask them to replace the mobo if everything is in working order? To get a videocard upgrade?
I think your risk is too big. What if they change it with another 4670 board that could throttle your whole system?
I have a 1645 /w 4670 and RGB screen for my personal use(no issue, thankfully) and 5730 at work, and honestly the difference isn't that big. 20% is too much of an exaggeration. It does run a few degrees cooler /w almost no performance boost.

 

My USB ports legitimately aren't working. Some day they do others no matter how much I wiggle the plug they just won't register the device.

That is the great part about my argument, if they deny me I have a logical exit strategy to decline, I do not want an MB that might throttle when mine does not. I rather have 2 wonky USB ports than a throttling PC. If I do not get what I want I will deal with what I have. Yeah I am being a jerk, but Dell has far worse to me in the past. Anyways they just posted a quarterly profit so I think they will be fine.

 

Stick it to the man pasko, for what it is worth I insisted on a 5730 to help prevent throttling. It took many back and forth emails with specs, but finally they buckled on all my requests. I have no moral issues stretching my luck with Dell - a responsible company would have recalled the 1640 line due to throttling - not deny it for months, then offer up the 130W PSU (which doesnt fix it), then disappear from the forums and leave users hanging. I say squeeze whatever you can from them

 

It makes me cringe when I hear you guys discuss something like that so frankly. I really can't find fault with your reasoning though-- I had throttling for a while and had my system replaced and the replacement replaced as well. Do what you gotta do.

 

I know some of us may sound a little jerk-ish, but it is hard not to be just a little bit over it after months of being ignored. I've spent over 10 hours on hold tring to get my issues sorted, been disconnected, lied to, spoken to rudely, and ignored some more. It took over 5 weeks to get a replacement, which is where my main gripe sits.

I am however happy to report running Prime+Furmark+TS - throttle free with the 130w adapter on the replacement 1647, i7 620, Ati 5730, 8GB RAM, 9-cell, and kept the RGBLED (thanks to Australia still having them). CPU at about 80 degrees and GPU at 70 degrees.

The 90w they supplied (despite asking for the 130w) does however throttle immediately. So just need to get them to swap over the 90w for another 130w and I think I'm happy.

Considering putting some decent thermal paste to lower temps a little, but while it's working I'm reluctant to touch anything.

 

Just received my new 1647 this morning, exactly as spec'd above. On the 'My Account' page the order shows delivery prep but the order page still shows In Process... fedex called and left a voicemail last night otherwise I wouldnt have known its coming. So Tr8gger yours might be close.

Got onto xps online chat support and a 9 cell batt and 130w are on their way. They offered a service call for bluetooth but I want to wait (took too much time off for other recent on sites, and want to see if anything else is needed). And the tech asked about the AC adapter out of the blue, told him that I received the 90w and he told me about the 130w and didnt even ask if my 1647 is running hot (it was still doing win7 updates after entering my Win7 ultimate key).

Also like others have posted, no return waybill or anything about returning it was sent with the 1647 so I had to ask. Your welcome Dell

Time consuming but worth it. thanks for the help guys.

 

abrain.less1, I think they send you a letter with a prepaid label enclosed.

 

I got mine today, excatly as specd, brand new from factory, also nothing on return bill, i have to call tommorrow

 

Within about 10 days, (if you haven't requested one to be sent to you via e-mail thru XPS Tech Support), you will also receive a Letter, with a FedEX Return Label to ship your 1530 back in. : )

It will come from Dell's " System Exchange Care Team" or " OnProcess" They employee a 3rd Party Contractor to help them with Returns, etc.

Cin...

 

Thanks guys and I didnt state my sentence correctly, was trying to keep it short. I meant I asked the dell tech today about it, that no return waybill came with my system replacement. He was great and gave me the option of getting it mailed to me or they can email it and I print it out myself, so I opted for the latter.

That said I might have been better off just waiting for them to send it.

 

No problem! Well, you got yourself covered either way! I had contacted Tech Support & had them e-mail me one for my 1530 & I still received a letter from their System Exchange Team w/Return Label, after I had returned it! (It just got crossed in the mail & I think those letters can sometimes be automatic)

Cin...

 

After a solid two weeks of hassling (They promised to order my laptop, then never did), I finally got an exchange to go to the "In production" stage. I literally had to do about 10 hours of calling because of complete incompetence on the dell support end. The problem was that after about 2 hours of using the laptop, the screen stopped working altogether.
Old Stats:
XPS 1640
Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 (2.2GHz)
5 GB DDR3 Memory
1080 FHD
ATI Mobility Radeon M96XT - 1 GB
500 GB 7200RPM
Blue Ray Player

New Stats
XPS 1645
Intel Core i5 540M (2.53-3.06)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 1 GB
1080 FHD
6 GB DDR3 Memory
500 GB 7200RPM
Blue Ray Player

Obvious to say, I'm pretty happy about the upgrades I got. Considering I had no commitment to the previous laptop, the only hinderance to all of this was not having a laptop for a few weeks. Customer Support promised to try and get it through production quickly as well so hopefully it will be arriving soon (Overnight shipping).
For $800 total, its not too bad of a deal

 

So the other day i had a dell tech come replace my mobo and heatsink due to cpu temps of 95 degrees C. After he left i played some borderlands to see if everything was okay and i experienced major throttling (i have been throttle free for a while now). I checked my gpu temp and it was 101 C! i dunno what he did to it but i immediately called dell and they offered another replacement (the 1645 i have is a replacement for an m1530). Literally 2 seconds after telling the CSR what happened she suggested that. I didnt even really want a replacement, i just want a working laptop! But i figured a replacement wouldnt hurt, may as well take it even though i have to wait a couple weeks to play games on my laptop again.

Got the specs today and i am glad i chose to wait, here they are:

XPS 1645
Intel Core i720qm
Blu-ray combo drive (upgrade!)
6 gb ddr3 1333mhz ram (2 gb more!)
ATI mobility 5730 (slight upgrade)
500 gb 7200rpm
FHD LCD 1080p

Originally they didnt want to give me a 1080p screen, even though i already have it, because "dell did not offer that in canada anymore". I said that was bull and that it is an "equal or better policy" and showed them that they did (only on the more expensive model tho), and i think they had no option but to upgrade me to the blu-ray, 6gb version as it was the only one that offered the 1080p screen.

 

oops, wrong thread tee hee