XPS 15 (Haswell) Owner's Lounge

Hmmmm.
Just noticed that BIOS a08 is no longer available on the dell support site.
It only has a07 now.

 

And the m3800 counterpart of the XPS15 BIOS dropped from A07 to A03 inexplicably. The Dell download site has been flakey and weird for a couple of months now. It's nuts.

 

They did a full factory restore when they replaced my keyboard and my guess is they will do the same for all sent in units regardless of what they are being in sent for, as it seems it is DELL's protocol to do so.

It is always wise to back up all your important data and especially if you are sending the unit in for repair so KUDO's to you!

Kind Regards,
SD

 

Notebookcheck gave the M3800, which has an identical screen, a contrast figure of 955:1. So either their calculations are not very accurate, or there's a wide variation in screen quality between different machines with identical screens.

 

Recently I have observed the same in one of my computers. A bright spot visible mostly under light backgrounds, about half cm of diametre. I'd call Dell Support but I am becoming tired of so many replacements. The latest motherboard I got also has some coil whine, but again, I don't feel like discussing with Dell at the moment.

As I have almost 2 years of warranty left, I'll keep using the computer and call later on, before the warranty is over, or once/if I can't bear those issues anymore or I regain my strength to deal with Dell.

 

Hi adlerhn,

I know this must sound CRAZY, yet can you or some other gracious member kindly lead me in the right direction to hear the all too infamous Coil Whine, and how and when it comes about, as I only hear what I believe is the fan turning on and off from time to time yet maybe it is not?

Thank you so kindly,
SD

 

If you don't have it, or don't hear it, that should be good enough for you.

Still, if you are really curious, some people have posted recordings. But to be honest, they are not that useful, as there is no reference sound for comparing the volume of the recorded noise. And well, different motherboards show different noises.

My first board combined a high-pitched noise whenever the CPU was thinking hard, and a hard drive-like sound when scrolling or using the iGPU. What I have nowadays is more like a background electrical noise.

 

Thanks a Bunch!

When does this coil whine or noise happen on AC or Battery or both, as I mainly use the laptop mostly plugged in?

Kind Regards,
SD

 

The main noise seems to be when the machine is plugged in and battery is not charging. As soon as you unplug the machine, it's quieter.

 

Thanks a BUNCH, as I really did not know what others were unfortunately complaining about and experiencing yet I guess I can very Thankfully say, I do not hear Any Noise unless the fans turn on and they only come on for a very short time and if I visit a site that has an embedded video and other then that, I have to honestly check sometimes to make sure the unit did not FREEZE-UP on me, as it is that quiet.

I Really SHUTTER when I say the aforementioned and even though I am Not STUPID-STITUOS at ALL, the last time I said something good about my unit the next day my keyboard DIED!

Kind Regards,
SD

 

I wrote about the loud fan and freezing a couple of weeks ago and didn't get any response. It does it about once a week I'd say. Mine is only a little more than a month old. It's crazy. The fan runs really loud for a couple seconds and everything freezes, returns to normal, than picks up again for a few more seconds, than back to normal.

I agree, my last Sony Vaio ($1000) lasted 7 years, with solid performance and no issues during the first 4 of those. Any issues I did have with it were most likely caused by me.

 

yes i guess you are right.but i just wanted an opinion on how do u guys think ur screen contrast is?are the blacks really deep blacks on you guys machines and equal to the macbook or maybe you guys also dont have that good a contrast

 

I haven't used a MacBook, so I am not in a position to compare.

My impression of the screen since day 1 is that yes, brights are very brights, but blacks are not too black. I'd say my old laptop from 2007 had blacker blacks.

 

also when i move lil far from the wifi router the signals drop and speed drops tremendously,a macbook has full signals in that room and my machine has just 3 out of 5 signals and the speed reduces alot.i dnt even use a fast internet connection.my internet connection is just an 8 mb slow sonnection with a transfer rate of 900 kb per sec max. and when i get 3 signals there i dnt even get a transfer rate of 200 kb per sec.where is the problem?wht shud i do?

 

either read the entire thread to see it has been covered before or sell it and buy another macbook.

 

Hi,

All I can tell you is, I do a lot with graphics and before I bought my DELL XPS 15 (9530) I had a Late 2013 MacBook Pro 15 with Retina Display and if you ask me, I very honestly could not and do not see any significant difference between the contrast of both, yet I definitely see a very noticeable difference in the overall brightness of the two units, as the DELL is so much more brighter, which was a BIG turnoff of the MacBook Pro and One of the main reasons I sold the Mac and went back to PC.

Kind Regards,
SD

 

You do have the latest drivers installed I hope. Also are you connecting at 5 vs 2.5 band. The 5 band has less range. Also reboot router.

Just a few thoughts

 

Hi,

I was experiencing the same Exact issue and I made a Dreaded call into DELL Tech Support and Thankfully I got a very knowledgeable tech who of course, took control of the computer yet he went to Intel's website instead of theirs and downloaded a Network Driver from there and all I can say that since it has been installed, the computer constantly connects quickly, which was always a Hit or Miss and it now gets GREAT signal from any part of the house that I am in, including the patio, which definitely was not the case prior to the Intel Network Driver update installation.

I know everyone Dreads a call to DELL Tech Support, as one never knows just Who or What you might get, almost like Forest Gump's quote on Life being like a "Box of Chocolates" yet Seriously, call Dell Tech Support and tell them you "Want" the "Intel" Network Driver updated as it most definitely helped me, as I said in the aforementioned.

Kind Regards,
SD

 

Is this available anywhere for us to download?

 

Hi Jim,

I did in fact save the site where he went to get the driver right before he closed out everything and signed off (See Below) yet I unfortunately cannot tell you which one he picked yet if I were a Betting man I would then say he choose -

Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software for Bluetooth® technology for Windows 8.1* 64-bit (WP)

I Hoped I Helped!

Kind Regards,
SD

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/search?keyword=Intel®+Dual+Band+Wireless-AC+7260

 

i did install this right now...nothing changed for me.and isnt this link u sent only for bluetooth and not for wifi

 

Thanks

I have one of these laptops shipping today. (I hope). I'll keep this link if I have issues. Great of you to post it.

 

This is the right link to latest Intel AC 7260 driver from Intel website:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/do...intel.com/24656/eng/Wireless_17.14.0_e164.exe

 

I ran dell diagnostics and also noticed a tiny dark dust/crack or stuck pixel underneath the glass. I suppose it's bunch of stuck pixels. It's noticeable when you slightly push the back of the lid. So far I can live with that, but before the warranty runs out i'm willing to send it to Dell service to get the screen repaired. Also, i think everyone could live with that, but when you pay that much money this laptop has to be perfect. Unfortunately, it has some flaws...

 

Given the horror stories raised about Dell technical support in this thread, I would think twice before getting it repaired for something you can't see except when doing a diagnostic.

Separately, the latest Intel AC7260 drivers made a difference for me, though its reception is still not as good as my old VPC-Z13. You can read more about the problems with the AC7260 in this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/intel-7260.716325/page-47

Turning off U-APSD support in the driver settings seems to be one common piece of advice to improve performance though I didn't notice a difference. Making sure transmit power is "Highest" (again in the driver settings) and ensuring the power settings have "maximum performance" for the "wireless adapter settings" is important.

 

Hi,

This is where I am definitely Way Over my Head, as I am just a Novice when it comes to computers and not a Computer GURU, like most gracious members here, yet All I can say as I did in fact say is, once the DELL Support Tech went to the provided site and link and Downloaded one of the updates, as like I said, I do not know which one he used, I have since Never had any problems connecting to the WiFi, Dropping or Losing any signal, which was definitely happening before the update was Thankfully installed.

Kind Regards,
SD

 

Jim,

You are Very Welcome and I only sincerely Hope I somehow Helped, as it Definitely Stopped my constant WIFI dropped and limited connections.

Kind Regards,
SD

 

Just a quick update. After AO8 BIOS bricked my computer they sent a tech to my home to repair it the next day. Of course DELL shipped the wrong mother board and that wasn't discovered until after he had torn everything apart. I agreed to then ship it in for repairs which I probably should not have. I shipped it last Thursday and then finally got a notice yesterday that the repair is on hold due a lack of parts being in stock. So now I'm waiting on a mother board - again! I had no coil whine in my original computer and hope I don't if/when I get this one back. This is frustrating to be sure.

 

not surprised on how messed up Dell's customer service and parts situation is because it mirrors my experience as well.

seems both A07 bios and A08 bios are gone from Dell's site, only showing A06 now. one step forward, two steps back.

 

I just checked in to the thread to see how the coil whine issue has progressed and instead I see all sorts of issues popping up! Most of the early adopters are close to the expiry of the 1 year warranty aren't they?

Sorry to hear everyone's troubles. I wonder if Dell's Business division was any better with service. (M3800)

 

Hi,

I really do not know if this is Dell's routine procedure on Depot repairs, yet the Same Exact scenario happen to me when my keyboard Died and I was informed that the repair was on Hold due to lack of parts in stock as well and when I emailed Them expressing my great Disgust with them and their product, I would say no more then some few hours had past and I was contacted and unbelievably told that my unit was repaired and being shipped back to me.

Does this method Buy them more time so they can choose which repair gets done first, who knows any longer, I certainly do not, yet I do say that in most Businesses the Squeaky Wheel Definitely gets The Grease, so contact them and express your Sheer Disgust with them and their product as it Cannot Hurt and it just might get your computer back to you quickly as it somehow did mine!

Good Luck & Kind Regards,
SD

 

I actually just stumbled upon some new information regarding the 7260 that I haven't seen come up here yet. The only way this came up is that I happen to have my "original" (actuallly, my first replacement - 4702HQ, AC7260-A01) and my "new" replacement (with the 4712HQ, AC7260-A02), and I noticed some wifi performance differences between them.

Like rotraspher1986, as I moved further away with the "new" machine, my throughput dropped - an additional 15ft cut throughput by more than half (15ft away 50mbps, 30ft away 20mbps). I did numerous speed tests in both locations and it was 100% repeatable.

It turns out Dell shipped at least TWO different versions of the AC7260 card (A01 and A02) with the 9530. I swapped the A01 version back into my "new" machine, and the wifi problem was gone. Dunno how knowing this is actually going to help anyone find a solution - I got "lucky" in that I happened to have a replacement machine on hand (not uncommon in the last few months)....

 

Thanks for the tip. I sent off another email and have yet to receive a reply but suddenly the status shows that it is being worked on!

 

Hi all.

I had one of these beauties delivered from the Dell Outlet earlier this week. I've had a play on a friend's XPS 15 and they're beautiful machines.

Just one slight issue. I had an problem with the power adapter - a message was displayed saying the power adapter needs to be 130W. The same issue has been spoken about with other users and I definitely have the correct power adapter included. I've tried a few things but when on the phone to Dell tech support, the computer suddenly started charging inexplicably and is currently charging right now. However, does anyone know what this could be (power control unit, loose cable, mobo etc)? The engineer wasn't too helpful and said that if it happens again then to phone it in. I am slightly concerned the next time I connect the charger it'll give me the same error message and won't charge the battery.

Also, despite minimal bloatware, is it worth doing a fresh install of W8.1? I'm finding it a good bit slower than my previous AW 17 which had a 256gb mSATA (have the top tier 9530 with 512GB mSATA SSD).

Also, I don't have the coil whine issue that a number of users experience so I must be lucky despite the issue with the adapter/battery.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

I've been using mine for almost a year now. While there have been multiple issues(all minor ones) but coil whine has never popped up. I'm 21, so its not that I can't detect high frequency noise. So I guess its all about luck and tolerance level of users when it comes to the coil whine issue.

PS: It seems the new commenting system doesn't work on Google Chrome. Cannot get the cursor to appear in the typing space. Please tell me this is not a dell problem

 

You are very Welcome as This is Exactly what I am saying, as it just makes One Believe that if you do not SQUAWK about their email on the part being out of Stock and on Back-order then they can move on to another individual's unit who did in fact SQUAWK, yet if you do SQUAWK, then somehow the part Miraculously appears and the unit gets worked on and Shipped back out to you Quickly!

With being Fair, we also need to put the other Shoe on for a moment as well and realize, They Unfortunately cannot make "Everyone's" unit a PRIORITY, as they can only work on so many at One Time, yet let's Truthfully Face it, When it comes to OUR units or issues we Always Want to be The PRIORITY!

What their very Obvious Boiler-Plate Out-of- Stock email just tells me is, They must have an Awful amount of Their Units at their Depot that need repairs and that is Sadly just So Indicative of The Cheap Manufacturing and Get-it Out Yesterday society we ALL Now Live in! :-(

I Hope your unit gets back to you Rightfully Quickly and more importantly, IS PROPERLY REPAIRED!

Kind Regards,
SD

 

Are qhd lcd panels "out of stock" at the repair depot too? My xps 15 9530 top tier is on its way there for a small bright spot.

 

I assume they have them as they replaced mine for some reason.

Also, did anyone notice that they've taken down not only AO8 version of the BIOS but also AO7 and now AO6! All they have up now is AO5. Maybe next week they will only have AO4

 

Well you must definitely have PMS....I mean ESP as when it comes to the Current available Bios, Richard Dawson would say, and The Survey says, Yes A04 You are Absolutely correct!

Maybe DELL made this model XPS 15 (9530) computer after the once TV show Mission Impossible and their Motto is: If you choose to Buy and Keep it, it Will Self-Destruct in 5 minutes or Once around The Block, whichever comes FIRST!

What A Real SAD SHAME is ALL I Have and Want to say!

Kind Regards,
SD

 

lol, or same day. Only AO4 is listed now. I posted yesterday about bios removal, latest was AO6. Guess we'll see if they leave AO4 up cuz there's nothing left to fall back to. Dell awesomeness on display.

Could it be they got multiple request from different internal service personnel to take down latest bios (starting with AO8) so someone just keeps going in and removing the latest bios AO8 all the way down to AO4?

 

I Definitely Do Not Know the answer to your Great Question and Nothing and I mean Nothing Surprises me any more and the way Everything in our Society always seem to revolve around the Almighty $$$, Do you think its a conspiracy and setup by someone to start charging for DELL Bios updates?

Absolutely Unbelievable!

Kind Regards,
SD

 

That's really weird. Well, so far they still let you access AO1-6 here:
http://downloads.dell.com/published/Pages/xps-15-9530.html

 

Extremely frustrated.
Put laptop to sleep last night after all the latest microsoft updates.
All was working fine after the updates.
Now i tried turning it on and it will not power up.
Power button does nothing.
Holding the power button for about 10 seconds makes the power button light up and stay on for a few seconds and then it goes out.
Laptop still not on.

I have HAD it with this stupid expensive piece of unreliable junk.

Now to call Dell support.
UPDATE:
It is Thursday 8:10pm EST.
Dell told me the motherboard will need to be replaced.
It is on backorder until MONDAY next week !!!
Only then will a technician call me to set up a "time/day" to do a motherboard swap.
So, I am without a pc until "sometime" NEXT WEEK.

I really did not want to have a laptop that would become some "Frankenstein" of replaced spare parts - but it looks like that is exactly what I will be getting.

I have had many PC's and laptops over the years.
NONE of them cost as much as this one, nor were any of them considered to be "top of the line" like this is "supposed" to be.
All of those lesser-cheaper units never had the issues that I (and others) are having to put up with on this model.

I am very disappointed with this - my all-time worst purchase ever.
Dell should be ashamed of themselves.

 

I just Truly Feel Sorry for you and the Rest of the Great individuals that very Obviously got a Fast-Get-It-Out-The-Door-Yesterday LEMON, as it is just a good amount of monies that is spent to get this So-called Top-Of-The-Line XPS unit and All These issues should just Not Be!

In my own very Humble opinion, I feel if Apple makes their upcoming MacBook Pro 15 with a 4K Touch-Screen Display and a more compatible PC friendly OS, which has been "Rumored" They Will Knock DELL on Their Proverbial A___ and I Sincerely believe it is Something They Greatly DESERVE, as when Manufactures, such as DELL, start raising their profit margins by incorporating very Obvious inferior parts and cheap labor and charging Hard Working consumers a Premium Price for Their very Obvious GARBAGE, then they Need a Company like Apple, who can sustain themselves Greater, to Teach Them A Very Valuable Business Lesson, as it has been Definitely Done in the Past by other Companies and it Needs to Be Done NOW!

I hope you get your Disgraceful issue Rectified and Quickly!

Kind Regards,
SD

 

I have a feeling there are going to be quite a few of these showing up in the outlet.

 

Is it possible to replace the wifi chip with broadcom BCM4352? been reading some reviews on the new XPS13 with that chip and the wireless performance is alot better.

 

So I got my computer back today and it appears to have very little coil whine. It was silent before but I can certainly live with the little that I have now. I find it interesting that they took all the BIOS updates down to verion AO4 but mine was returned with a new mother board and running version AO7. We'll see what happens! I was running that version fine before. It was updating to AO8 that caused it to die.

 

Are you going to update it to a08 now, to see what happens ? Mine is dead and awaiting a new motherboard but It was working on a08 before that. When the tech eventually comes to change my mobo it will be interesting to see what bios version it has and if there is any coil whine because it never had coil whine previously. This laptop has been a nightmare from the start and continues to be a source of constant disappointment. If one actually needed to rely on it to do any work I would be in trouble as this thing is simply not reliable enough to trust with anything important.

 

AO8 is no longer available. I don't think I would upgrade it even if it was!

 

I had this same issue. I found latest realtek drivers and I can play the soundcloud song without issue now.

Realtek HD Audio driver v6.0.1.7460 [3/4/2015] available from Microsoft (WHQL for Windows 8.1 only):
32bit
http://download.windowsupdate.com/d..._b227afeb793b011705a6c78fd446f47f8b10f774.cab

64bit
http://download.windowsupdate.com/c..._676f6a4941b0c354700c2595a730cc39db98bb10.cab

download, expand or "unzip" files into a directory, then go to device manager->sound->realtek hd audio->driver->update drivers->browse my computer and select the directory with the files from the .cab file.