Webcam, Bluetooth, and Overheating issues with Studio XPS 1645

So my studioxps 1640 was replaced with a 1645. I was glad I got an i7 and a 1GB video card upgrade due to many other issues with the 1640, but I'm having a terrible time with the 1645.

First off, when I first used the 1645 for 15 minutes, the fan turned on full blast. I was just using firefox, so I ignored it and thought the laptop was just getting broken-in. But the heat issue appeared regularly. If I don't turn off the laptop, the whole laptop shuts down to either a bluescreen or it just powers off. Sometimes a weird clicking/crackling noise will come from the fan area near the heatsink even when the fan isn't on! It's like a bunch of metal balls are falling down a pipe.

I've left the bottom cover open to check if the heat sink was dissipating heat, but for some reason the metal area on top of the i7 was burning hot but the copper "pipes" were actually cool/cold. I'm getting a heat sink and fan replacement and I'll let you know how that works.

Next issue: webcam. On the 1640, running the webcam at 640x480 produced no lag and smooth pictures, but the 1645 constantly jitters at 640x480. Is this is a common issue?

Lastly, the bluetooth card is giving me a terrible time. I have used windows 7 x64 on the 1640 and bluetooth gave me no problems, but on the 1645 it is horrendous. I've switched bluetooth cards between the laptops so it's not a hardware issue. However, I'm trying to connect a bluetooth mouse and the card will detect a mouse, but it will never connect to it. I've tried numerous other techniques I saw on other threads. I ran the driver utility in compatibility mode, I've installed windows mobile device center, I've even formatted the hard drive. any help?

 

OK, webcam was fixed by just reinstalling a driver. I think the colors are off but I can fix that.

The bluetooth somehow just magically worked after I connected my cell phone before connecting the mouse. I don't know why, but I'm happy.

Regardless, the fan's been on full blast for a while now. Getting ready for a impromptu shutdown...

 

How's the ambient temperature? Tried taking apart the cooling and ensuring that there's adequate thermal paste between the chips and the sink? Removed dust? I'll admit the fan is on quite often, but the way you put it sounds like when I took the heat sink off and turned on the laptop.

Also, use HW Monitor and if your internals are around 50 C then it's normal.

 

It does sound like the heatsink is completely off. I did check that there was enough thermal paste. My temps go upwards of 61ish just running firefox. I'll get the new heatsink today and see how that works.

 

The tech replaced the heatsink. I saw him clean off the old thermal paste and apply new paste. It looked fine. However, the laptop still overheats insanely bad. I mean it's on my desk, so the airports aren't blocked or anything, but it's constantly over 70 degrees just running a few tabs in firefox and itunes. What should I get replaced? Something is very wrong here.

 

There is a resolution I found with Dell Bluetooth 370 Mini-Card. I was trying to pair my Dell Bluetooth Headset and it was never connecting. I installed the bluetooth driver from the latest model 1647 as it had a greater revision number. Then I paired my Headset and its working absolutely fine now. Link to the driver: Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Minicard

 

Thanks for that help bipul. The bluetooth started working on its own, but I REALLY need help with this overheating problem. The laptop temps got over 95 degrees today and the system just turned off. The heatsink was replaced, but it just isn't performing. What can I do!!!!!

 

Ask for a full new replacement from a manager. Thats the best option. Coz your system seems to have flaws. I play GTA4 on my 1645 for hours and it doesnt heat up much. Ask for a full new build.

 

Sadly, this laptop was a replacement for a 1640. They were doing a courtesy upgrade to a 1645 for the issues with 1640, and I'm having a hard time getting them to provide a replacement for the 1645...

How can I just get them to fix this?

 

Try a copper mod with Arctic Silver 5 and then undervolt

 

holy crap!!

 

Just noticed that there is an updated intel chipset driver on the intel site that hasn't made it to the dell site yet.

Current Dell chipset driver version 9.1.1.1015 released 08 July 2009
Intel driver version 9.1.1.1025 released 19 December 2009 ( http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18494&ProdId=3172&lang=eng)

Release notes: ( http://downloadmirror.intel.com/18494/eng/relnotes.htm, emphasis is mine)
New Features
Features Added in PV 9.1.1.1025
1. Implemented workaround for a Bluetooth pairing issue
2. Implemented /v”extractdrivers=<path>” switch
3. Installer modified to properly handle the Windows Hardware Error Device* for Windows Server 2008

Issues Resolved
Issues Resolved in PV 9.1.1.1025
1. Fixed issue where installer was giving a misleading error message and exit/result code when update is not needed
2. Fixed issue where installer would overwrite the whed_dev.inf for the Windows Hardware Error Device* and cause the test to fail


Previous release (9.1.1.1019, 18 Aug 2009, http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18052&ProdId=3172&lang=eng)
Release notes ( http://downloadmirror.intel.com/18052/eng/relnotes.htm)
New Features
Features Added in PV 9.1
1. Added support for Intel® 5 Series Chipsets
2. Added support for Microsoft Windows 7

Issues Resolved
Issues Resolved in PV 9.1
1. Fixed issue introduced in 9.1.1.1016 that caused INFs not to be installed on x64 bit OSs
2. Fixed issue where 2008 Server R2 was pulling INF from “All” Directory. This was fixed to pull from “Win7” directory
3. Fixes yellow bang issues where NO DRV filter was removing INFs that needed to be loaded
4. Removed the “Vista” directory. The “All” directory contains all necessary INF for supported Oss
5. Fixed issues related to –overall switch


Please do not take the above as endorsement of the above software. I have not tried this, nor have I seen anyone else suggest that this is a good idea. Using a chipset driver that is not intended for your device may be harmful and may void your warranty. It might be a good place to start when talking to a support technician however.

 

Thanks for the help everyone, I got the bluetooth and webcam issues working, but the heat is killing me. It's weird, but let me list all the patterns I have noticed with the problem:

If I run a youtube video full screen, the laptop will freeze and overheat. An update to flash 10.1 beta fixed this issue for now.

If I use the laptop at a raised angle, such as the touchpad side of the palmrest is raised higher and the keyboard is pointed down, the laptop overheats to about 90 degrees C and the fan turns on full blast. Leveling the laptop brings it back down to normal temps.

Blocking the fan port for over a minute turns the fans to full blast. I mean I put the laptop on the bed for a minute and the temps are over 90 degrees. It's ridiculous.

I know some of you have suggested arctic thermal paste and copper mod, but, honestly, this is a top of the line machine and I shouldn't have to do that. I know some part of my machine is faulty, I just don't know what. It doesn't look like many others have this problem.

 

Would a processor replacement sound helpful?

 

Windows will power down your bluetooth card if your not using it. You can change those settings in the driver panel. It does the same thing with your NIC card when it's not being used, as well as other things.

 

Thanks for that. This solved my issues. Kudos

Nioklay

 

You are welcome friend

 

Just to let you know the bluetooth device is subject to being turned off by power managment with the XPS 1645. As soon as I disabled that feature it worked like a charm.

 

Wow. Turns out my heating problem just needed another heatsink. Got it replaced and it's been working perfectly for a week.

 

So where did you find the webcam driver? I got my 1647 yesterday and formatted/reinstalled Win7 Ultimate. Everything works great except the webcam freezes up occasionally. The device manager lists the standard MS Integrated Webcam driver 6.1.7600.16385 and the dell site has no standalone webcam driver that I can find.

I installed dell webcam central in the hopes that would update things, but although the webcam central SW works, the driver has not been updated in device manager.

What do other people who have no problems with their webcam see under dev mgr for their imaging device?