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

if there's an A05 BIOS out for the studio 17, my advice is to go on and wait for the newest BIOS for the 1645

 

thats wat i've been doing and my advice for the rest is the same.. WAIT TILL DELL UPLOADS A NEW BIOS TO RESOLVE THE THROTTLING & OTHER ISSUES...

 

Hello Dell users,

This is my first post here, so excuse me if I am doing it wrong .

I have a SXPS 1645 for 2 weeks already and I can say, that it is a brilliant laptop, but there are few things that were not well considered from Dell. So far I find 3 possible and annoying issues. Would love if you can help:

1. First one is the popular throttling problem. I am looking for a new adapter and awaiting BIOS upgrade from Dell.

2. Second one is really weird. As far as I know this laptop has no ambient light sensors. But like other users I also noticed that my laptop's display flickers when it is set to 50-70% brightness. But what I also noticed, that this only happens when I have I sit in front of a window, like in my office.

I have tried everything I could think of and everything described in the forums, but to no avail. I am starting to believe, that something is trying to adjust the display's brightness, but fails. I thing this is the web camera, because yesterday accidentally I hovered the camera with my body and my whole display dimmed to the minimum brightness. I put my hand on the camera, displayed dimmed, I removed my hand - original brightness was restored.

I managed to reproduce this couple of times. Any thoughts?

3. I would like to ask - is it normal for FullHD displays of this laptop to be more brightly in the left and right edges that in the middle?

Thank you guys for your answers in advance.

Regards,
Nikolay

PS: My configuration is: SXPS 1645, Core i7 720QM, 4Gb RAM, 500Gb 7200RPM HDD, ATI 4670 1Gb RAM, 16.0" RGBLED LCD (1920x1080)

 

Has anyone had the issue where if you lean your XPS 1645, the temperatures skyrockets? I'm not covering up the vents, just tilting it back some (the whole laptop, not just the screen).

I think the technician who came messed something up.

It's at 83/84/80/87C with just Firefox open!

He probably didn't screw something in right. :/

 

dun worry...the vents are in d left..when u tilt d screen back it blocks the hot air frm d vents..the temp will go up a little..and d screen will also be lukewarm..but no probs ..

see ur xps frm d back,tilt the screen and ull notice..

 

There must be an issue with your laptop, I let Firefox run and tilted the entire laptop back for like 3-5 minutes and the temps stayed in the mid to upper 45C-48C. Sorry to here that, you need to have that checked out.

 

Incorrect, I tested it on my laptop and the temp stays between 45C and 48C, he need to get that checked out as my laptop does not go up in temp.

 

mine hovers between 46-49 C ... get yours checked out..

 

Sounds good.

I'm curious....I may just open it up myself and see what's up. Trying to explain this to Dell will be a little confusing. And then they'll give me that BS that "the laptop was not designed to be used in an angle other than 90 degrees" or something ridiculous.

It's not a huge issue, but run Prime95 for about five minutes (to get my temps) and you'll see how loud the fan gets, LOL.

Thanks for checking that out for me guys, highly appreciate it!

~Ibrahim~

 

Has anyone else experienced the display flickering issue ?

Nikolay

 

I must be in the minority.

After ordering my XPS while overseas on assignment, and promised a delivery date of 20 Jan, it arrived on 7 Jan. Ok, but I didn't arrive until the 23rd. I have been reading this thread, along with all the other threads on this machine and was really dreading unpacking and finding all the issues with this machine that have been noted on this site.

Well, this is probably the nicest Dell laptop I have had in the last 15 years of using them. Mine came out of Calif, USA. Could there be regional problem with quality? I left it running all night, the Power Adapter was cool enough to hold in my hand for any amount of time you wanted, the palmrest is not hot, but not cold, quite bearable. The only issue with Hardware for me would be the fan cycling on and off every 5 mins or so for 45-60 seconds.

As i said, this is straight out of the box, with the default build. The only driver I updated was the PowerDVD. I tried running Shrek 2, and while it did run uninterupted, at full screen it seemed blurry, not what i expected from a HD screen, that still is an issue, however I have no freezing or system locks at this point.

The issue with the Iphone not syncing has not been verified yet. too busy trying to move files, etc. from the old laptop.

@unclewebb
straight out of the box, MSOffice loaded, not running, IE8 running, so pretty much idle, I captured the following log file:

DATE TIME MULTI C0% CKMOD CHIPM DTS
01/25/10 04:30:53 7.33 18.6 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:30:54 7.27 20.0 100.0 100.0 50
01/25/10 04:30:55 7.56 19.7 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:30:56 7.38 18.1 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:30:57 7.63 17.0 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:30:58 7.90 18.1 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:30:59 7.41 17.6 100.0 100.0 50
01/25/10 04:31:00 7.85 17.6 100.0 100.0 50
01/25/10 04:31:01 7.63 17.6 100.0 100.0 49
01/25/10 04:31:02 9.65 18.5 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:31:03 7.45 18.0 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:31:04 7.20 18.4 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:31:05 7.30 18.6 100.0 100.0 50
01/25/10 04:31:07 7.92 16.7 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:31:08 7.73 17.7 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:31:09 7.65 17.9 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:31:10 7.15 19.2 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:31:11 7.69 17.4 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:31:12 7.83 18.1 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:31:13 7.63 17.7 100.0 100.0 51
01/25/10 04:31:14 7.24 18.9 100.0 100.0 50
01/25/10 04:31:15 7.43 18.4 100.0 100.0 50
01/25/10 04:31:16 7.74 18.0 100.0 100.0 50
01/25/10 04:31:17 8.01 18.8 100.0 100.0 50

If I read your posts correctly, I am throttled to ~7? WITH NOTHING RUNNING?

Will post again after I load Itunes and see if I can sync.

I720
6GDDR
Wled 1080
500G 7200
bluetooth
5300
Artic White with Leather

 

It only throttles when playing something 3D.

 

Yes, got a new system on its way but don't hold out much hope for it being any different. Had the motherboard changed and screen changed twice and it still flickers!

Some people say it flickers and others say theirs doosn't flicker.

 

The problem is weird indeed. My flickers at the office only. At home for example, it doesn't. I thought that the problem might be within the electricity. But once I noticed that weird behavior of the display when I hover and un-hover the web camera (see my previous post), I think it is something with it.

Nikolay

 

Sorry, read other posts. this happens when using the processor to it's capacity. not just "something 3D". Serioulsy.

 

Thats strange, i've tried covering the webcam but it does not make any difference. I think there is a setting inn ccc where you can set whether or not the screen adjusts itself.

I've not got the webcam software installed so that may be why it does not dim but it does still flicker.

 

I've a problem with my integrated dell wireless card.
It is impossible sometimes surfing in internet, if I try to download a file I've a very low average speed (1-2kb/s).
Signal it is very good (4 meters from router) and with the desktop I haven't this issue.

Thanks and sorry for my "pseudo-english"

 

If you would like to learn all about it, read this thread and post questions there. thread link

you will find that when the cpu is not loaded, it will drop the multipliers to conserve power since its not being used. Throttling is dropping the multipliers in response to high load conditions, such as to limit the power of the system at max load. cpu use can cause it max load + brightness, but not too likely to have many programs that do that yet.

 

I have read somewhere that the ATI card has some kind of a feature called Vary Bright (i think) that adjusts the display brightens based on the ambient light. But the CCC does not provide any kind of management over this.

I am also not able to always reproduce the "cam trick". But sometime the display gets automatically constantly dimmed and when I put my hand on the cam the brightens is being restored to its previous level.

PS: Now I am at home and no noticeable flickering.

Nikolay

 

check to see there's nothing blocking your vents. I mentioned this a few weeks ago, but there was some manufacturing plastic that was stuck between my fan and heat sink. once I removed it, it was nice and cool. 40-50C at idle no more than 70's at load

quickest way to check without taking stuff apart, shine a light through the fan intake and look through the exhaust see if there's anything blocking

 

Does anyone know if the 500GB HDD can be replaced with an SSD ? Im panning on getting one when prices come down and the OCZ is released.

 

Yeah, it can. Just make sure it's a "regular" SSD with 2.5" sizing and a 9.5mm height.

~Ibrahim~

 

Lol ikjadoon seems like your answering all my questions . Nice thats good to hear at least iv solved that problem!

 

Also does everyone hve the issue were the keys leave marks on the screen ? If so is there a quick fix?

 

Just received my 1645 today, very pleased as no apparent problems. It has been running all day long mostly on the 90w powersupply, with neither the supply or the casing getting warm. The first thing I did of course was wipe and start from fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate, using all the latest drivers from the Dell website.

Certainly to look at the RGBLED screen is just leagues ahead.. worth every penny! The SSD is nice and snappy as expected, generally my first day with it has been both trouble free and a pleasure to use.

Fluffyuk, probably the easiest option is if you don't have the foam packaging to reuse then just lay a cheap padded cloth on the keyboard before closing it.

 

@fluffy

No problem. They're easy ones.

YEAH! I have that problem, too. I'll try some cloth.

 

Hi, does anybody know how to turn SRS feature off permanently? I really don't like it but it keeps enabling on login :-(

Thank you in advance

 

In the control panel, go to sounds, then select "speakers/headphones", and then "properties". There, check "disable all enhancements".

Les

 

Lol I knw im a little bit of a dim wit Ill try the foam or the cloth, should do the trick thanks!.

 

Hello, I have a battery issue on my XPS 1645 with RGBLED screen, if I boot the laptop up on about 30% battery charge from cold ( about 2 bars on the back of the battery light indicator, the screen comes on then seems to have trouble, it cycles though Red, green and blue and the screen shuts off, while the laptop is still running to allow boot up, I have to pipe it out to a secondary screen to view the screen to shut it down, i have to physically remove the battery and put it back in otherwise the screen will not come back, even with the power supply plugged in, seems to get stuck on that cycle, on the other hand if my battery is 100% full I can let it trickle down to the point that the laptop asks me to start recharging, the battery seems ok as I can get over 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours from it when on and everything is normal.

Anyone else suffer from this problem on boot from cold? the two circular lights on each side of the XPS 1645 show white even at 30%.

seems to happen on which ever power plan I use balanced or Power saver.
I have also removed all my connections for output to external displays and set my computer to "computer only display".

Thanks in advance.

 

I used the CCC do decrease the display's brightness to -50 and seems the display does not flicker that often now. But I think that this does not solve the problem, but it is just harder to notice with the brightens lowered to that level.

Nikolay

 

As I'm waiting on my Blu Ray drive to be replaced, could those who have a BD Combo (BD-RE DVDRW etc.) tell me what versions they have? Mine is the HL CA10N. I'm just trying to figure out if there are historical issues with my model of drive. Any feedback much appreciated.

 

@virtualdave

Huh. That's pretty messed up. I've never had that happen before. TBH, that sounds like something Dell might want to get replaced for you: either the screen, battery, or something else.

Eek, that just sounds freaky. TBH, though, it just sounds like a side effect from using this under-powered laptop.

 

http://www.shaggymac.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3

I bought one of the 16" cloths. It's super thin so you can close the laptop with the cloth over the keyboard and there won't be any more key marks on the screen.

Plus, the cloth doubles as a cleaning cloth as it's made of microfibers and is excellent for that purpose.

Highly recommended! If you hunt for it somewhere here, there's a 20% off coupon code as well.

 

Thanks much appreciated Ill deffinatly give it a go.

Couldnt find the 20% off soupon but i settled for a 10% I found online.

 

Mine also failed along with 2 ssd's so far... ive been waiting on the ca10n for 25 days now... lots of fun

 

It appears i have been silenced... just got this in my email from the DELL FORUMS:


Your post was deleted by TOS24.

Subject: Re: XPS1645 Owners & Potential Owners... Information regarding Throttling Issues (Throttlegate)

Reason: Hello Winks2872 ,

While we value your participation in the Dell Community, we have removed the account described above because it violates the Dell Community Terms of Service. You may remember that you agreed to abide by these Terms of Service when you registered with our website. If you would like to review the Terms of Service, you can find them at the following link: http://en.community.dell.com/content/TOS.aspx

This post content contains information that suggests or implies unauthorized solicitation including, but not limited to, commercial and legal solicitation and is prohibited on the Dell Community. Specifically this refers to solicitation for or discussion of, legal action against Dell. Please feel free to post and discuss your technical concerns in the Dell Community but discussions of a legal nature are not appropriate for this venue.

Thanks for cooperating and participating in the Dell Community.


Sincerely,

DTG33878
Dell Community Administration Services
________________________________________________________
This message is a private communication between the Dell Community and you and should not be posted to the message boards. Public posting of this message may result in immediate banning of your Dell Community account.



Thank you,
DELL COMMUNITY team



this was in responce to this post:

Re: XPS1645 Owners & Potential Owners... Information regarding Throttling Issues (Throttlegate)

By winks2872 in General Hardware

I believe you will still have this issue from what i have read. I have the I7 and am not pleased at all.. no so much because the throttling issue effects my day to day performance but due to the lack of responce from dell and also thier ignorance towards the issue.. Seems dell only answers when *** are filed eg the E6400 / E6500 class action. The question is would you like to do business with a company that clearly doesnt properly test its products and has no regard for its customers whatsoever. I would be fine if they even just said "sorry we screwed up" but instead we (1645 customers) are only fed a chain of intentional deciet. I cant wait until this class action begins just so i can read how dell responds.


interesting that they *** out the word lawsuit


ahh dell keep impressing me.

 

Mine is a BD-RE Panasonic UJ-235-A. I've had no issues with it so far.

 

Will Dell accept the throtteling issue as a valid reason for getting a refund ? Not that I am going to return I just want to know Ty

 

If your within your 21 days yes... otherwise not so much.. i have heard of people putting up a fight and getting a return after the return period has expired though

 

When I spoke to the Escalations Department a few weeks ago I was just within the time and I told them I loved the laptop but the throttling issue was ruining such a good product that I played a lot of money for. He didnt know about the issue at the time so came back to me a few days later after researching it adn told me a fix was on the way in 3 weeks or so. I told him I was happy to wait to see if it was fixed however I wanted assurances I could return it if it did not fix it and he said absolutely.

I'm currently waiting for a replacement because of rgb screen issues. So if it's not fixed by the time I get the new laptop (should be middle of Feb) it will be going straight back.

 

Good man! thanks for the update, ye im going to wait a month or so and then send if back if there is no sign of a fix.

 

So asking you experts here should I trust a fix is coming and buy the i7 because it really is a good deal.Or just go with an i5 build?

 

I certainly would not class myself as one of the experts on this site but if I was ordering just now knowing what I know and my experiences with the 1645 i would probably go with the i5 or i7-620 which does not seem to throttle much if at all.
It really depends on what you want to do with the laptop. If you don't do multi threaded tasks and have no plans on doing much of these the 620 will be blazing fast for you!

I'm hoping they fix this issue as I got a 3 year warranty free with my xps and got a free upgrade to the 256gb SSD so to spec an i5/i7-620 with rgb screen, ssd, 3 year next day warranty would cost a lot more than what I paid for the i7-720qm I think.

It really is a great Laptop if the throttling gets fixed but I've not heard much over the past few days which is beginning to worry me. I'm not sure the fix will come.

 

I have the MATA BD-RE UJ235A
No problems with it.

 

Wow, you've had it worse than me! I'd chase them on that CA10N though. I was told up to 7 days for back order stock to arrive, then I had a phone call today (only 3 days) from the service contractor for an engineer to come fit it, but I was away from home and couldn't sort it with them. They're supposed to be coming tomorrow instead (although we'll see if it actually happens). If the next drive gives trouble then they can either give me a Sony one instead or refund me. I asked about fitting the drive myself but they reckon it's too difficult and must be done by their engineer.

I appreciate the other replies regarding the BD drives people have. There does seem to be a common problem with the CA10N.

I decided against an SSD, too much important work stuff on my drive to risk losing it between backups. I'll wait until they've matured.

 

interesting.. they told me it was no problem to replace so do it myself... i actually have a BD rom sitting here they shipped me but its only a rom as i require an RW i refuse to install it and will not ship it back until they send me the right part.. its been a month and i can still see the order as in progress.....


on another note DELL just DELETED the entire XPS1645 Owners / Potential owners thread from thier forums.. seems we have hit a nerve

used to be here: http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19312160/19642335.aspx#19642335

I thinks dells PR team went to college in russia or somthing

 

I also have the MATA BD-RE UJ235A and have not had any issues.

 

The thread's still there, they didn't delete it. Sure it wasn't forum maintenance or something?

 

Is there any workaround to sync Iphones? I tried Winamp but could not get it to work.