**The Official Studio XPS 1645 Intel Core i7 "Owners Lounge"

@winks2872: May I ask how you had 4 connected? Are you referring to the displayport out, the vga out, the hdmi out and the internal display?

If you did have all 4 running simultaneously can you explain how? I've been unable to have more than 2 running at the same time.

Thanks,

John

 

I'm not.
Have the original Win 7 Pro in here and Dell's stuff. The only thing I did do was uninstall McCrappie via safe mode, install A03 Bios and set my power scheme to high performance. Working good with no freezing.

 

Are you trying to extend your display.. mirror or have 4 seperate displays?

 

Displayport is supposed to support daisy chaining, so you can have multiple monitors over the same link. I've never actually had a display with DisplayPort though, so maybe this isn't actually available in practice?

 

I'm still running the original install... also Win7 Pro x64 like Alemaker. But I still have McAfee installed, running A03, and uninstalled a few other random Dell software packages through Control Panel. I also modded the video driver to the latest ATI version. All is well so far.

 

Ibrahim,
My f8 screen says:
repair your computer
+ 11 more choices

 

Hi,
I ordered one today. Once I get it, can someone list down the steps if I wish to do a fresh install of OS. Also what happens if I delete the recovery partition? I mean if the boot loader will be overwritten once fresh installation is done, will there be any use of recovery. i was thinking of re partitioning the complete disk. Also where can I find the complete set of latest drivers?

Regards
abhay

 

all different desktop displays? are you using vga, hdmi and vga port all at the same time?

 

I just got the new SXPS and My Window Experience Index is the following

Processor: 6.9
RAM: 7.3
Graphics: 6.7
Gaming graphics: 6.7
HDD: 5.9

Dell Studio XPS 1645 i7 820QM | 6 GB DDR3 | 500 GB 7200 | ATI 4670 | 16" RGBLED

Is this the right scores? or should be better?

THanks

 

I have the XPS1645 with a blu-ray writer but unfortunately
PowerDVD does not work.
It won't play Blu-ray's at all?

Does anybody experience the same problems or am i doing something wrong?

 

Yes , I was just explaining that F12 key is not needed and that in fact F8 key alone at Boot-up will get you to the Repair Your Computer option which I have read brings you to the Factory Install, I have not had to ever use it as I have no use to put back the programs Dell provides, so good to know.

Restore to Dell Factory Image: Correct that option is not there for me, as I would never need to use it anyway. Thanks for the info.

 

With a 720qm and a 128gb ssd Mine are

Processor: 6.9
RAM: 7.4
Graphics: 6.7
Gaming graphics: 6.7
HDD: 6.6

So I'd guess yours are about right although it's interesting that the cpu is the same.

Also I wouldn't worry too much about the figures as it's said they're not always a complete reflection on the machine.

 

FWIW, I have an 820QM and my Processor score is 7.1. The other difference is my RAM score which is 7.4. Your slightly lower score could be attributed to the fact that you've got 6 GB (4 + 2) rather than 4 GB (2 + 2).

 

My numbers are similar with the 820cpu, 8GB RAM and 256SSD

Processor: 7.1
RAM: 7.4
Graphics: 6.7
Gaming Graphics: 6.7
HDD: 6.8

 

I wonder why the 1645 shows to come with only a 10/100 ethernet card and not the 10/100/1000 that the other SXPS 16s come with? Can anyone confirm that it is only a 100Mb card in the 1645?

 

It's 10/100/1000.

 

My base is uneven, anyone else exp. this
When I open laptop for viewing, base is uneven (seems to be due to rubber feet on 9 cell batt).

Dell offering replacement, how does that work? I have to send mine in or I can wait for new one first?

 

It comes with a Broadcom NetLink Gigabit Ethernet network-card

 

The base on mine is fine with a 9 cell battery, sits on the desk fine without any diagonal rocking at all.

 

Excellent! Thanks for the reply. I need that extra bandwidth to copy digital video...

 

Usually they send the replacement first and then using the same box you return the defective unit.

 

How comes, when it comes to benchmarks (on a lot of review websites), the studio 17 actually triumphs over the XPS 16, (both i7 models), even though the XPS 16 suppose to have a better card. Anyone knows?

 

I tried bitstreaming last night. I could only output 2 channel compressed, even after updating the HDMI driver. It worked fine when I let powerdvd do the decoding though for dolby true dts. Not a huge deal since I use my PS3 on my home theater for blu ray anyway. Was just curious.

Also, I had a freeze earlier today. I have to change my IP address a lot and it was during a DHCP lease if that helps anyone.

 

So I just got off support chat with Dell, they are sending a tech to replace the palm rest and the media bar above the keyboard (there is a dent there too). I'll let you know what the tech says.

 

Interesting. I can get 5.1 Dolby Digital, but that's not an HD codec anyways. My receiver is too old, anyways, haha.

~Ibrahim~

 

In the sound control panel for HDMI, it says it supports all the latest whiz-bang codecs, but yah, it just puts out 2 channel when I try to stream it.

Don't think I'll try any more. Had a bit of choppiness with the playback and it really doesn't matter in the end since
a. It makes no difference if PowerDVD decodes the audio or my receiver
b. I use my PS3 for blu-rays (which, incidentally, can't bitstream either, but can decode)

 

Quick question but don't want to open old wounds with regard to the shipping of the 1645. My 2nd system is schedule to be shipped on friday (18th). Called the online order status and it still says it's in the production/build stage. Does anyone think there is still a chance of it shipping on the 18th?

 

I am in exactly the same boat. I too am wondering whether there is time for my system to ship on Friday.

 

I just had the first problem with it in 3 weeks. I was watching a 1080p video on an external hardrive. I was on battery and decided to make the screen brighter. Every time I changed screen brightness it made the screen go black with every notch of brightness. Then eventually the screen just stayed black and I had to shut it down by holding the power.

The video was still playing presumably as I could still hear it. I have not formatted or updated and drivers since getting my laptop. Any Idea what it could be?

Im on an RGBLED screen btw.

 

Its well worth the wait!

 

Tried changing the screen brightness while watching the file again and same thing. I tried restarting but the screen is staying off!!

I restarted 3 times and it is staying off! I hear the system bootup. I am sure it is booting up like normal just the screen is not powering on. What can I do?!?

 

Shut down, unplug AC, pull the battery, put battery back in and try again.

 

pulling the battery fixed it! Thanks. things were getting scary. Is that a known issue? Are there driver updates that I should be installing? I think I read something about ati drivers.

 

I'm not completely sure what's causing it, but updating the ATI drivers definitely can't hurt.

 

This happened to me ... did the same things as suggested ... it worked a few times until I could not get the screen to come up no matter what I did. Fiddled with it for about an hour ... still no go. Made the decision to return it. I need a laptop I can depend on. Actually it works now ... but again ... I need a laptop I can depend on. Waiting on the return box ...

The fact that others were experiencing this led me to my return decision ...

These last posts confirm my decision.

I may reorder in a month or two ... maybe by then they would have this issue figured out.

The SXPS 16 is indeed a beautiful laptop ... the Studio 17 is tempting me too though ...

 

On four occasions, my 1645 locked up immediately after TweetDeck (a Twitter client) played its notification sound. This notification sound has played hundreds of times without issue. According to RealTemp, the temperatures were cool ( < 50C ), so it wasn't a temperature problem. I have the latest audio driver listed on Dell's website. Any ideas on how to fix this?

 

I mean, it could be a ton of things. Probably software, though. Clean install or Dell's?

~Ibrahim~

 

The ati drivers on dells site are the ones that shipped with the laptop. Anyone have a link to the "new" ones?

 

I mean, you can Mobility Mod the desktop ones or download the Mobility ones ATI has on their site...

~Ibrahim~

 

I received my 1645 today. Nice machine, but not happy that I paid 2600+ for a machine, that I have to buy an extra 130W charger. I'm thinking of returning this and maybe getting a Sager 8690 (any opinions on this machine?). I haven't ever returned anything from Dell before. Will they give me any grief for trying to return it? Will stating the Throttling issues and random freezes be justifiable enough to make a return?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

Dell's return policy is incredibly lax, as long as its within 21 days. They might try to charge you a restocking fee, but just get outraged, make a lot of noise about whatever it is you find wrong with the laptop, and if they don't waive the fee, ask to speak to a manager and repeat the performance.

As for that Sager, its much more comparable to the AW M15x. Big step up in the graphics card department from what we've got in the 1645.

 

I think it is driver/software related problem, I have exactly the same issue and pulling the battery is the only remedy. Last night I adjusted the brightness by FN+down and my RGBLED screen suddenly blinks into different colors like christmas lights lol! Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Thanks for the reply. I was worried about the restocking fee, but i guess i'll follow your advice and see how it goes.

As for the Sager, for $200 more than what i paid for the 1645, i can get 8gbs ram and a much better video card (or the same price with only 4gbs of ram).

 

Did you set the region code on the player? its not set when you get it, you have to set it to your region.

 

Hi All,

After I did a fresh install I noticed the windows log on screen changed color from black to blue. Does anyone know how to change it back to black?

Thanks.

 

I was, and you aren't doing anything wrong. There seems to be an issue with CyberLink's PowerDVD update that hoses the Dell OEM version of PowerDVD. You can check by dloading and installing PowerDVD 9 Ultra trial version, which will work properly. Both Dell and Cyberlink are aware of the problem but as of now,haven't fixed it.

 

Looks like Dell UK have pulled the i7 verision of the XPS16 from their order page. I wonder if its related to the PSU and lockup issue. Interesting that the Studio i7 remains available.

 

And now its back but has gone up £10.

 

I used the program at the link below, you can actually change it to what ever you like and it worked great for me with no issues.

You can also browse to the backgrounds that Dell provides and use them as well or one of your own.

http://download.cnet.com/Windows-7-Logon-Background-Changer/3000-2072_4-10971736.html?tag=mncol

Note: You can also change it by accessing the Registry as well. There are steps in Google if you want to do it this way.

Yea, by the way, that background is ugly and cheap looking.

 

The region code is set and i managed to get one bluray working (only one time) the next time also this one did not play again with PowerDVD.

Powerdvd just freezes every time if i try loading a bluray.
It is real annoying to have a nice system with everything in it and you cannot even use it properly