XPS 12 Owners Lounge

I guess you can use the dell backup and recovery tool to build the partition etc and use Acronis to recovery data and applications etc

Thanks heaps.

I will try.

 

There is a Bios update that Just came out A04

Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

as of time of writing dells site lists the fixes as N/A and file wont download may take 4-8 hours to be available if my past experience is the same

 

How is the battery life on your notebook, I charged up my notebook on Thursday shut it off after the full charge then didn't use it again until Monday and the battery was already dead, I didn't think it would drain the battery over a couple of days when it was shut off not in standby.

 

Hi guys, been following the thread for a while thanks for all the helpful posts.

I ordered the 128gb/i5/4gb model on the 28/10/12.

My edd is on the 22/11/12.

Problem is my status still says in production. I called dell today and was told they are having problems getting parts etc.

Im from the UK btw.

Anybody else in the same boat?

 

Yeah, that's what I mentioned earlier. When I ordered mine (8th of November) the first thing I did was to ask Dell why all their XPS 12 shippings are delayed at the moment. The salesman said that Foxconn has not enough capacity to provide all the parts for their costumers because Apple ordered quite a lot lately...and since Apple has a kind of premium status as customer they will have Apple's parts produced first...
That means Dell has to wait...
That sucks. I ordered mine as well but my e.t.a. says December 6th. I don't get my hopes up that it arrives earlier...but it's sad to hear that notebooks that should have been shipped by now are delayed as well...at least yours is in production. Mine not. But you will probably have to wait another week or two...

 

I ordered on the 5th November, delivery was 29th November, then 2 days ago the order was cancelled for no reason by Dell !

Many phone calls and emails later Dell have re-ordered the laptop and I now have a delivery date of 13th December, they are 'trying' to improve the delivery date, but its not a good start for my first purchase from Dell.

 

Here's an update on the backup software situation:
I got in touch with the Acronis folks about why the rescue media (USB) would not boot properly (garbage graphics on screen). They told me to enable "Legacy Boot" in the BIOS. I was a little hesitant to do this because I was worried that it might corrupt the Windows 8 UEFI installation if I didn't manage to hit F12 fast enough and it actually tried to boot the Windows 8 O.S. with the BIOS in Legacy Boot mode. However, I was able to catch it in time, and it did indeed fix the problem and I was able to perform a full backup of all six of the partitions on my Dell XPS-12 9Q23 with Acronis TrueImage 2013 without any problems, and I'm pretty confident that the restore would work just fine as well. After the backup, I managed to hit the F2 in time to disable the Legacy Boot in time before restarting Windows 8.
All is well in backup land once again (birds singing, baby deer walking around, etc.).

 

For those of you who want to learn a bit more about the new UEFI BIOS, you can watch this video. However, you have to get past the guy sounding just like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Technical Note: UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube

 

incorrect information on booting Acronis true image

 

Thanks for the great information about enabling Legacy Boot and for the link to the video explaining the difference between the UEFI BIOS and the Legacy BIOS. Now all I need is a video that will help an old guy hit F2 and F12 fast enough to enter setup or boot selection before Windows starts.

 

As for me, I just start hitting F2 or F12 repeatedly (about twice per second) as soon as I can tell windows has shut down and the computer is about to restart. If you wait until you actually see the screen with the options, it's too late!

 

Thanks, got it!, I was waiting for the Dell logo to appear and by that time it was too late.

 

Excellent !!! *claps* *claps* *claps*

 

Thanks to Chris again!

1. I tried changing the outlet I was using and it worked!!! No more static!

2. On the issue of headphone/mic combo, it turned out my previous headphone/mic from samsung was defective I should have checked it on my phone before using it on my xps 12.

Thanks again heaps!!

I'd try a wireless card "upgrade/replacement" next, which is one of the modifications you have already completed on your XPS 12

 

Hi Bill_P,

Similar to smckenna, my "technique" is..

1. shutdown XPS 12.
2. when I press/pull the power button on the xps 12, i start hitting the F2/F12 key repeatedly (about 3 times per 2 seconds) .. and yes.. before the Dell Logo in the middle appears...

Other Notes:
For a Quick Shutdown, I am using the following shortcut.

%windir%\System32\shutdown.exe /s /t 0

 

FYI.

My XPS 12's 128GB SSD was a Samsung PM830.

I've since upgraded to a Crucial 256GB.

Cheers!

 

HI Chris_compson

How's your killer 1202 treating you ?

 

I have to say its the best $50 I have ever spent on a wireless card no more Intel cards ever for me when I can find another on amazon I will get another for my 14.

it has to be the fastest Wi-Fi card I have used in sometime. yes even faster than the Intel 6300

Also have any of you upgraded to a04 Bios? did win 8 loose its activation for you I did the free MCE upgrade and it stated that my key was being used on a different system and had to resubmit to get a new key.
Also have you noticed that the boot time is now about 4-6 seconds vs 11-12

 

hi Chris,

I read your earlier posting on the a04 Bios but have not tried it yet. er.. what is "MCE"?.. Media Center?

wow 4-6 seconds.. I will try that in the next couple of minutes

 

No joy on the "9Q23A04W.exe".

On Dell's website, when I click on the link to download, it says File Not Found

 

Has anybody tried the wireless display feature of the xps 12? What is your experience? Which widi adapter did you use?

 

yes mce = media center edition. as for not seeing the file that's weird it became available for me around 5PM CST.

9q23A04w.exe: Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

Never used WiDi, and cant, I guess this brings the perfect time to remind people if you dump the intel wifi card widi will not work.

 

Just updated my BIOS to A04. I did not have any problem with MCE activation after the update. I did notice a slight increase in boot time (8-9 sec vs old 12-15 sec).

Anyone else have the problem where the touchscreen stops responding? Any idea how to fix it short of rebooting?

 

To all of you who want to update the BIOS to A04, I sure hope you haven't installed the LoJack!
I got an error saying "The system is currently under Intel Anti-Theft Technology 4.0 protection. Please un-enroll the client (Intel AT Service, Computrace LoJack) before upgrading the BIOS".
Did a little research and found out the only way to uninstall LoJack is by doing it while logged into the Absolute website using my account, so I logged in and attempted to perform the uninstall, but received an error trying to uninstall. Unfortunately, now LoJack thinks it is uninstalled, yet the BIOS update gives the same message!
Even tried to re-install LoJack, but now receiving error 1072 when it tries to activate my registration code.
I'm contacting them now, and if I do manage to get this darn thing uninstalled, I'm NEVER PUTTING IT BACK!
Update: I just got off the phone with the LoJack staff, and they said that the un-enrollment takes 4 to 6 hours to actually take place, so I just have to be patient and the Intel Anti-Theft Technology in the BIOS will catch on to what has happened and un-enroll the Lo-Jack. Crossing fingers....

 

Does anyone have problems with their battery? I charged mine up the night before shut it down and when I started it back up the battery was at critical so it didn't even last overnight it was shut off not in standby.

 

it happened once to a friend of mine who bought his xps12 about a fortnight ago (same time as I did).

maybe the smart connect didn't work well?

 

I don't have this problem. I leave mine in sleep mode, and use it on and off in the evenings mostly. I've gone 3 or 4 days without a charge most of the time.

 

Ok thanks there is a problem with this battery so I guess I got a lemon as the battery has issues, the screen pops open if I move it from my lap to the table and the tackpad is horrible, I updated the trackpad drivers, updated the Bios and I am still having problems, Dell is replacing the system otherwise I would have to let them replace the battery, the trackpad/palmrest and the plastics around the screen.

 

Some impressions of the Dell XPS 12 from a 73 year-old guy who wears bifocals and hearing aids... I'm not new to computers -- I've used a number of desktops and workstations since the 1960s -- but I've never been a laptop/notebook person. In spite of all that, I ordered the entry level Dell XPS 12 (i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD).

My first impression was the excellent build quality. As I went through the setup I was very impressed with the keyboard. I have tried other laptop keyboards and never liked them, but the XPS keyboard is great. Finally, the display -- it's gorgeous; however, both my desktop development systems have 25" monitors and, as was noted in a previous post, text is very small on the high resolution 12.5" screen. It's taking me a while to get used to small text on a small screen but I'm getting there (I'm typing this on the XPS 12). Something else I have noticed is the very clear sound from the speakers. I am able to hear the audio in video clips without my hearing aids, something I haven't been able to do with other systems. Fortunately, I haven't noticed any of the problems that have been mentioned on this thread.

I found this thread when I first started searching for information on the XPS 12, and I really appreciate all the helpful posts. While I don't plan to upgrade the wireless card or SSD in the near future, thanks to smckenna I'm able to use Acronis TrueImage 2013 to backup my system to an external hard drive. Thanks for all the helpful posts and Happy Thanksgiving to those in the U. S.

 

Here are my experiences so far. I had the touchpad issues others have mentioned with too much travel in the pad before you even pressed the button. It went back for repair and came back a few days later. It's now worse. The bottom right of the pad now isn't flush and sticks up a little. I'm now getting a replacement.

The next thing that is bad about it is the driver for the touchpad. Sometimes it just doesn't move the cursor and I think I can demonstrate this behaviour to everyone.

I have turned off the left, right and top edge swipes gestures. Now, if you use your finger and press (using firm-ish pressure) from clearly outside of the pad to the right and then swipe your finger (same pressure) to the left back onto the pad you'll be able to move your finger across the pad without moving the cursor. Same if done from the left. I get this sometimes randomly using the pad when my finger is near the edge so I think it's the same thing happening.

If you turn on the left, right gestures again the cursor still doesn't move but the windows charm pops up so it's clearly getting the 'touched' message.

Now, if you reboot the PC, login and do this swiping again it will work correctly for 20-30 seconds until the driver is loaded and then it will all of a sudden stop the cursor again.

Presumably you guys can also repeat this. Who do we send this bug to?

 

I was hoping mine would be here soon but still waiting.

Ordered on 30th October and it was due to arrive tomorrow. Received an email today saying the new delivery date will be 17th December die to high demand! That's a bit too close to Christmas for my liking.

The website states the last day for XPS 12 orders to receive them in time for Christmas is 12th December but if anyone orders one now I doubt it will arrive in time if anyone is thinking of getting one for Christmas.

I'm hoping that some of the issues people are having will be ironed out by then though.

 

Just ordered mine and expected delivery date is december 14.

 

No way? Which country is it being delivered to as that might explain the difference in delivery times.

Thanks

 

To Belgium

 

Thanks - that's still surprising but I hope you manage to get yours on time

 

welcome aboard Bill_P

I agree that it's threads/forums like this where like-minded enthusiasts share our journey with one another.. which is beneficial for everyone involved

Have a wonderful weekend ahead everyone!!!

 

Yes, thank you for your continued contributions to this thread, Bill...

 

I've been using my XPS for about 10 days and twice the touchscreen has suddenly stopped working. The machine hasn't locked up and the keyboard still works.

To resolve it the first time I had to reboot the machine and the second time I closed the screen, then waited, opened it (woke it up) and all was well.

Anyone else had this?

 

seems like many have trouble with theird xps 12.....i hope mine would be ok lol


i did purshase my xps the oct 29th. And it says on the site the estimate ship date is december 3rd..

does it means it be shipped at my home the 3rd ...or i will receive it later?

 

Well, its just died again. A touchscreen laptop without a working touchscreen is pretty useless. Certainly when the touchpad its not exactly brilliant.

It must be a software issue, any suggestions?

 

Have you tried Updating the Bios to A04 It seems to have made a difference with my computers responsiveness

 

User-------------Order Date-------Estimated Date---Delivery Dt---Country------------Config

SuperTongue-10-13-12----------10-30-12/11-06-12-11-05-12-----USA----------------
IntelUser-------10-17-12----------11-15-12-------------shipped--------CANADA----------i7-8-128
Chris C---------10-23-12----------11-09-12-------------11-08-12-------USA----------------i7-8-128
jabbok----------10-23-12----------11-15-12-------------11/14/12--------CANADA----------i7-8-256
Regret----------10-12-12----------11-05-12-------------11-12-12-------USA-----------------i5-8-256--Got delayed
Bill_P-----------10-18-12----------11-13-12-------------11-07-12-------USA-----------------
netrowdy-------10-29-12---------11-26-12-------------11-07-12-------GERMANY--------i5-8-256
PhilipX----------10-29-12---------11-26-12-------------11-05-12--------BELGIUM---------i5-8-256
Lioso------------10-29-12---------11-26-12-------------11-12-12--------SPAIN--------------i7-8-256
dmehers-------11-05-12---------11-30-12-------------xx-xx-xx--------SWITZERLAND-i7-8-256
itsnotlikethat-11-10-12---------12-06-12-------------xx-xx-xx--------UK-------------------i7-8-256
ClintonVaz----11-13-12---------12-03-12-------------shipped---------INDIA---------------i5-8-256

Dell seems to be ahead of schedule in my order. So I just found out that my machine was shipped on 21st Nov and is making its way to TO, Cananda. Can't wait for it to arrive. Dell has posted a waybill number on the shipping page but i can't seem to find out who the shipping company is. I tried putting the data in ups, but they did not seem to recognize the waybill no. Could anybody let me know? The waybill no is XXXXXXXXXXXX

 

in Canada I believe all dell uses is Purolator and I would recommend you remove the tracking number!

 

I thought I updated the info...


User-------------Order Date-------Estimated Date---Delivery Dt---Country------------Config

SuperTongue-10-13-12----------10-30-12/11-06-12-11-05-12-----USA----------------
IntelUser-------10-17-12----------11-15-12-------------11-15-12--------CANADA----------i7-8-128
Chris C---------10-23-12----------11-09-12-------------11-08-12-------USA----------------i7-8-128
jabbok----------10-23-12----------11-15-12-------------11/14/12--------CANADA----------i7-8-256
Regret----------10-12-12----------11-05-12-------------11-12-12-------USA-----------------i5-8-256--Got delayed
Bill_P-----------10-18-12----------11-13-12-------------11-07-12-------USA-----------------
netrowdy-------10-29-12---------11-26-12-------------11-07-12-------GERMANY--------i5-8-256
PhilipX----------10-29-12---------11-26-12-------------11-05-12--------BELGIUM---------i5-8-256
Lioso------------10-29-12---------11-26-12-------------11-12-12--------SPAIN--------------i7-8-256
dmehers-------11-05-12---------11-30-12-------------xx-xx-xx--------SWITZERLAND-i7-8-256
itsnotlikethat-11-10-12---------12-06-12-------------xx-xx-xx--------UK-------------------i7-8-256
ClintonVaz----11-13-12---------12-03-12-------------shipped---------INDIA---------------i5-8-256

 

Yes, my device has a problem with touchscreen not responding once in a while. Reboot fixes the issue. I assume its a software/firmware problem.

I'm weary of downloading the BIOS. There is probably a good reason why Dell pulled it off downloads. Pulled drivers indicate significant issues.

I'm not too fond of the Micron SSD, because the power usage figure wasn't that good from Anand's review. Only Samsung, Intel and Crucial drives offer battery life increases. I use power saver option most of the time, so performance difference between SSDs are no issue.

 

User------------Order Date--------Estimated Date-------Deliv Dt---Country----------Config

SuperTongue-----10-13-12----------10-30-12/11-06-12----11-05-12---USA----------------
IntelUser-------10-17-12----------11-15-12-------------11-15-12---CANADA-----------i7-8-128
Chris C---------10-23-12----------11-09-12-------------11-08-12---USA--------------i7-8-128
jabbok----------10-23-12----------11-15-12-------------11/14/12---CANADA-----------i7-8-256
Regret----------10-12-12----------11-05-12-------------11-12-12---USA--------------i5-8-256--Got delayed
Bill_P----------10-18-12----------11-13-12-------------11-07-12---USA-----------------
netrowdy--------10-29-12----------11-26-12-------------11-07-12---GERMANY----------i5-8-256
PhilipX---------10-29-12----------11-26-12-------------11-05-12---BELGIUM----------i5-8-256
Lioso-----------10-29-12----------11-26-12-------------11-12-12---SPAIN------------i7-8-256
dmehers---------11-05-12----------11-30-12-------------xx-xx-xx---SWITZERLAND------i7-8-256
itsnotlikethat--11-10-12----------12-06-12-------------xx-xx-xx---UK---------------i7-8-256
ClintonVaz------11-13-12----------12-03-12-------------shipped----INDIA------------i5-8-256
wallinbl--------11-09-12----------11-30-12-------------xx-xx-xx---USA--------------i7-8-128

 

Thanks Chris Compson,

the tracking no is not entirely complete in my post, I hid the last few numbers, but thanks for looking out.

clinton..

 

Mine has finally gone into production. 12 days after ordering.

 

What do you mean "pulled it off downloads"? It downloaded just fine for me about 3 days ago, and I just checked and it is still there right now and downloads just fine.