XPS 15 (Haswell) Owner's Lounge

For me, battery life in Windows 10 seems slightly better than 8.1. Also, I had an issue in Windows 8.1 when Windows Explorer would suddenly use all the CPU for no apparent reason. With the upgrade to Win 10, that seems to have been fixed.

 

Can you skip bios updates? I am on A07 and I am also scared to update to A09. I feel like these BIOS upgrades are like Russian Roulette

 

Hello everyone, I use my XPS 15 with 512 GB SSD more than one year and want to write small review on this perfect device!
This laptop was delivered to me in Ukraine from USA by my good friend. At the beginning it had A03 BIOS version and Windows 8.1 with some crapware (Mcafee, Pocketcloud, something else) and very useful 18 GB at Dropbox cloud storage. After deinstalling all unnecessary software and installing software which I need I was able to enjoy this laptop. It has great battery life (5-6 hours of web surfing, nearly 10 hours of reading at minimum display brightness), good performance (GTA 5 get 20-30 FPS at medium graphics settings and 1600x900 screen resolution, AutoCad and MathCad work fine and fast) and excellent screen. While using this laptop I install all new BIOS updates (A04-A05-A06-A07-A08-A09) and has no problem with BIOS flashing.
Now this laptop works on Windows 10 Pro and everything works fine. After updating Win 8.1 Pro I reinstall Win 10 and get clean version of operating system. I had some problems with touchpad driver that has version 19.0.9.4 for our laptop - it sometimes disables and gestures don`t work. After installing Touchpad Driver from Alienware 15 all my problems is gone. You can find it here http://www.dell.com/support/home/us...de=alienware-15&languageCode=EN&categoryId=IN
Firstly install driver for XPS 15 and then update it using driver for Alienware 15. After it you will have Touchpad Driver Version 19.0.15.2
As audio software I use MaxxAudio Pro, very big thanks to L33, who find the way to install it on Win 10. In my opinion battery life is little better than on Win 8.1.
After one year of using this laptop has no scratches and looks like new, battery wear is 7.6%

 

Hi All, I have been getting the following message when I check the status of my Windows 10 upgrade - "Critical hardware components made by Intel for your PC don't have drivers for windows 10 yet". Anyone else getting this message? Is there anything I can / should do now? Have a top tier XPS 9530 (generation 1 with the 512GB SSD) running Windows 8.1.

 

I have the same issue. Been lurking here for quite some time but I just signed so I could get notifications about this problem. For the last few days I've been getting these BSODs a few times a day. It would start by a black screen, and sometimes a notification that the display driver as stopped, but sometimes nothing. The actual error message I get on the BSOD screen varies, but it's always something related to the display driver. For now I ended up reverting to 8.1, I lost too much time and data between these crashes.

 

I've also been getting sporadic BSOD's with a black screen and then VIDEO_SCHEDULER_INTERNAL_ERROR. I ran an analysis on the dump file, and it looks like it has something to do with intel's graphics drivers.

If you guys could also post at the intel forums, hopefully we can get them to fix it: https://communities.intel.com/message/321854#321854

 

Question for people with BSODs, did you a clean install or did you just upgraded from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10?
On Intel website there is a graphic driver that seems newer (released 8/5/2015) than one on Dell website.

File name: win64_154004.2.exe
Version: 15.40.4.64.4256 (Latest)
Date: 08/05/2015
Size: 175.08 MB
Language: English
Operating Systems: Windows® 10, 64-bit

https://downloadmirror.intel.com/25150/eng/win64_154004.2.exe

 

In my case it was an upgrade, not a clean installation. I might try a clean install later this month, and give the drivers you linked a shot.

 

Just remember to uninstall Dell driver for Intel HD 4600 before to install Intel driver from Intel website.

 

Upgraded from 8.1 to 10. I've given those drivers a try, and unfortunately still got a BSOD

There was a post here ( http://druss.co/2015/08/windows-10-video_scheduler_internal_error-after-wake-up/) saying that a temp fix was to change the allocated memory to 128mb or 256mb in the bios, but I don't think we are able to do that sadly.

 

Still can't get the three finger swipe working properly.

Boggles me that it's detecting that I'm doing it but performing completely the wrong action in response...

 

In my specific case, it was an upgrade from Windows 8.1 Pro. Will try that newer driver and see what happens.

 

I have the same laptop (running Windows 8.1, 64 bit) and am getting the same message. I'm not a techie but I cannot see anything on the web that helps to explain this or provide a solution. Is there anyone out there that can help? Is this just a matter of waiting for Intel to catch up?

 

I'm on win10 and didnt get any BSOD however it was very jumpy initially. Some black screens and youtube videos werent playing smoothly. I updated the intel driver by going into device manager and selecting the driver update option for the intel display. It searched online and installed a new driver which seems to have solved my issues.

 

I had a single BSOD that had something to do with the display driver (checked event viewer). When I checked windows update application no updates came up as available, but when I followed kungfuman's procedure via device manager the intel driver was easily found and updated . . . no more BSOD so far, although it's still a bit early to declare this truly fixed.

 

Have the BSOD with the latest intel driver found via update device and before (I updated 4-5 days ago, so I tested it quite a bit). I am on a clean Windows 10 installation, so it's definitely the driver issue.

I had one this morning: turned on the pc, browsed the email in firefow and then started a video on youtube, fullscreen. 2 minutes in, everything is stuck and BSOD appears, after a few black-screen flickerings. Restart, go straight to the same video, and I watch it entirely (20 min long). I am browsing and doing stuff ever since. Totally random.

 

Same thing here; updated via device manager and BSOD has not recurred ... for now anyway.

 

If you have used MaxxAudio Pro supplied by L33 then
this could be helpful to who want to restore MaxxAudio Pro application setting on startup of Windows 10.
These are the registry entry extracted from Windows 8.1:

Code:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"RtHDVBg"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Realtek\\Audio\\HDA\\RAVBg64.exe\" /MAXX5"
"RtHDVBg_PushButton"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Realtek\\Audio\\HDA\\RAVBg64.exe\" /IM"
"RTHDVCPL"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Realtek\\Audio\\HDA\\RtkNGUI64.exe\" -s"

It's even available as a reg file ready to add to Windows registry.

 

So with those keys, you should be able to have Maxxaudio pro also with the most updated drivers?

 

No, you will have autostart of setting application for Maxxaudio Pro supplied by user L33 in system tray as it happened in original Windows 8 installation made by Dell.

 

Got a SCAM call from someone saying they were with Dell - telling me that they have been getting notifications from my pc that I am infected and that someone has taken control of my pc.
I knew this was BS, but let me continue.

BTW, this kind of call happened before - oddly-enough, timed very close to when I received a new system exchange from Dell.

In any event - this "person" started off by saying they have been getting these notifications from my pc for the last 2 weeks.
When I told him that was not possible - as I have been "without" a working computer for about 10 days and "just" got my new one yesterday he "backpedaled' to say - oh no, I meant to say that we got these 2 weeks ago.
I said, well if that is the case, then I don't even have that laptop anymore, so there should be no issue.
To that, NOW, he says that my Internet has become compromised and that is what is letting in the viruses and malicious remote control.
I said well that is extremely unlikely as my router and firewall show no such intrusions or traffic at all.

(At this point I was half angry and half wanting to play with this obvious scammer).

He then goes on to say that we need to check my laptop to prove that something is wrong.
I again reiterate that this is a brand new laptop - no apps on it yet or anything - he doesn't listen to that.
He says I need to do win+R and type in eventvwr.
I say, you mean you want me to open up event viewer ?
Now he says to me - do you know what event viewer is ?
I say, of course I do.
He then says - ok, then tell me what it does.
At this point I got angry with his disrespect and told him - why are you asking ME what it is ??
He said that he was trained and experienced and knew all kinds of technology (bla, bla, bla) - and that HE knew what event viewer was - but did "I" really know what event viewer was.

After that comment I loudly told this guy that I am tired of this conversation and I have had enough of you. Goodbye.

This almost exact thing has happened to me before - a fake Dell tech support scammer - calling to "fix" my pc.

Dell must have a BIG security leak somewhere, because this guy had my personal cellphone number - so I know that I ONLY gave that directly to Dell.

In any event - this moron would probably fool a computer novice into believing him - and who knows what BS and LIES he would tell someone.
I have heard of this type of scam before - where they get you to look in eventviewer to see any red or yellow items - and then tell you they can fix it - then they link to your computer and sell you some sort of support services, etc.

Be careful everyone.

 

I have them since I installed the drivers by L33, without having to fiddle with the registry...

 

So, when Windows start you have application indicated by the arrows running, because in all my attempts with drivers by L33 and even with Dell audio driver from Dell website I lost the autostart of that application.

 

Similar experience - there's a thread over here about it: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/scam-calls-from-dell-reps.773149/

 

Yep, always had. I have it also with the most updated drivers, with the only difference that when I go in that application, I see Maxxaudio 3 settings, instead of the PRO.

 

If you do decide to stick with Dell's 9530 and finally get a working one you will need to phone up and argue to get the warranty reset. I finally after a months pissing about phoning up got my warranty reset to the 29th of July, that being the day the working laptop I own now arrived, I refused point blank to allow them to set it to the shipping date even though it was a week earlier.

They tried to tell me several times this was not possible so I threw the old " I will claim back the full amount via my credit card company then file a small claims at £75 per hour for the time I have wasted on the phone, email and setting it up as it will run into thousands."

It was sorted within the hour

 

Well, I am getting another system exchange.
This make it # 8, I believe - (I am starting to lose track).
I got unit #7, updated the bios from a08 to a09....bricked it.
They sent a tech to replace the motherboard - that went ok.
The tech upgraded bios to a09 - no issues.
I proceeded to set up this new system exchange laptop and noticed two things.
1. Severe backlight bleeding in all 4 corners, along the right side, and the bottom of display
2. PC would crash (blue recovery screen) upon waking from sleep

When I called Dell they tried (2 hours worth) of troubleshooting - nothing worked.
They had me refresh the pc from factory image - and call back the next day.
I did that, and it made no difference - still a crash trying to wake up from sleep.
I decided to try upgrading to windows 10 - that did not fix the resume from sleep crash.
I reverted back to windows 8.1, and then downgraded the bios back to a08 - that did not fix the issue either.

My guess would be the motherboard or who knows what else.

I called Dell and got a different tech this time.
He tried a whole bunch of things - (another hour) - and finally gave up.

He said that because they could not fix it, they would send me a system exchange - that would be the same model.
If the same model was not available, then it would be the next (higher) model.
I wonder if this is the new XPS Infinity display model ?

In any event, I have now wasted about 4 hours on this - and still don't have a pc that works well.

This has truly been the laptop from hell.

I hope system #8 will be the one that works !!

 

XPS infinity display will come on the market in November or December.

 

I am having issues with it not going to sleep sometimes when the lid is shut, just come back to it again this morning and it is toasty hot again. Formatted 2 days ago due to this but no dice!.

After a quick google it seems the new "allow important wake timers" feature may be the issue as it had set a wake up event.

http://www.howtogeek.com/122954/how-to-prevent-your-computer-from-waking-up-accidentally/

Wake Source: Unknown, but possibly due to timer - Windows will execute 'NT TASK\Microsoft\Windows\UpdateOrchestrator\Reboot' scheduled task that requested waking the computer.

 

Interesting.
I was just on the dell.CA site and the xps15 is no longer showing up - only the "new" xps13.
Have they run out of parts or is this stop-sell related to an earlier release of the "new" xps15 - I wonder.
I noticed that it IS still showing on the US site for Dell.
Maybe they stopped selling this model only in Canada....hmmmmmm...
This might be why the Dell tech told me that "if" the model is still available, they will send me one - and if not, they will send me one that is equal or greater.
Maybe they (are) running out of stock.
In any event, my 8th system exchange is "in production".
Perhaps when it comes time for my 9th system exchange, they will be officially out of stock and I'll get the "new" xps15.

 

The new XPS 15 will come out in the market only in November/December 2015 (statement on Twitter by Dell).
https://twitter.com/Dell/status/626102823764271104
There is no chance that you receive a new XPS15 with infinity Display now, also quad core Skylake have not being officially presented, most likely will come first the new XPS13 updated with dual core Skylake (there are already info about this new model).
It's pretty normal that some model disappears from localized Dell website for some day, this is already happened at the sale start of XPS 15 9530.

 

Is there someone that have received Windows 10 update on XPS 15, without forcing the update?

 

Honestly... I've had the 9530 since february 2014, I might have used it for the first 6 months, after that it's been useless for me. Now the warranty is gone, it heats up to the point that I think I actually cook an egg on it. I bought a different laptop cause I needed one for school, now I have to sell the other one cause I don't have a job anymore (started studying).

When I turned it on three days ago I ran into a bsod (haven't used the dell for the last 3 months now) iastoreav.sys page fault error. I managed to get it working by formatting my harddrive, installed the windows 10 through the update, started dell supportassist to check everything and now it says the random pattern memory test failed, which I guess means I have to change the memory. I'm on a melt down and cannot cope with this..

Anybody that has run into this memory fail? The PC is really slow to start, I get a black screen before I can login to windows for about 2 minutes..

 

Might the memory have been damaged because of excessive heat? In any case, that heat is definitely not normal, and you should have asked for a replacement while the laptop was under warranty.

I am sorry I can't advise what should you do, it's a pretty bad situation. Maybe someone else can?

 

My motherboard was killed by excessive heat, no reason for it either, always use a lap tray when it's not on a desk.

It's just a hot-running chip with inadequate cooling.

 

Hey guys,

Need a bit Windows 10 help here. Did the upgrade and then did a clean install. Unfortunately my microphone (built in screen) does not appear to function
Any longer. Drivers look good – no devices in device manager that are not found. In Device Manager it finds a Microphone (RealTek High Definition Audio) but Skype or Cortana can’t ever hear me. The drivers I used were from the Dell website. I know someone has ripped old drivers and posted them here but that involves disabling auto updates for future so I’m trying to avoid using those. Any ideas how you get Cortana to hear me or respond to Hey Cortana (I’ve enabled the option)? Any assistance is much appreciated. Thank you.

 

try the latest realtek driver, not the dell branded one. http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads...=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false

 

by pure chance I reinstalled BF4 on this today and found it will go full screen and run a reasonable 40fps on medium settings, always had a bug on windows 8 causing it to border and refuse to scale up to full screen.

 

Have you checked mixer volume setting on system tray?
I'm using Dragon assistant on Windows 10 without issues.

 

There is a recovery procedure in case you brick your XPS 15 9530 with BIOS updating:

https://blog.jmwhite.co.uk/2015/08/09/dell-xps-9530-uefi-bios-recovery/

 

This is the sort of thing I love to see, and more importantly this needs waving in the faces of the 3rd party self employed "Dell" engineers who come out and swap mainboards instead of doing this!.

As bad as my old company fixing Panasonic TV's with me having to email the engineers with instructions on backup up and restoring A-Board and flash settings for plasma screens instead of everyone bricking good sets by fitting 2nd hand boards with incorrect panel settings.

 

Does this work if you cannot even turn on the laptop at all ..... as in ... it is completely dead ?


Sent from my LG G4 via Tapatalk

 

I don't know, I never bricked my laptop, but before to call Dell it's better to try.
The procedure is described very well step by step.
I just read a post on an Italian forum about a XPS15's user locked in BIOS updating, he left in this state (no turn off) until the complete discharge of battery, the day after his XPS turn on normally with BIOS updated.

 

obviously you would need to see if it turns on holding the end key while plugging in the power to attempt recovery mode, as it clearly explains this is not a definitive fix as you can brick the bios beyond any help.

 

I have a sinking feeling that I will be getting my chance to try this out when my new system exchange number 8 arrives and i update its bios to a09.

Sent from my LG G4 via Tapatalk

 

I smoothly upgraded the bios from 07 to 09. No issues thus far, and operates normally. In fact, my mouse seems to behave more. On A07, it would sometimes jump about 5 inches down and to the left.

 

Regarding your warranty, you should phone Dell and request a quote for a renewed warranty. You will receive a quote a few days later. If Dell ask if there's any issues with the laptop, obviously don't tell them there are.

I had a XPS 12 which was out of warranty by a few months. The laptop died on me so I asked for a quote. A few days later I received a quote by email. I told Dell it was too much, they immediately added a 33% promo to make it a reasonable £95 for a new one year NBD warranty. Anyway, after 3 failed attempts to repair it spanning a month, they told me they couldn't repair it and I was offered a system exchange or full refund. I opted for the refund as I didn't want another XPS 12, rather something else. I ended up not buying anything and now just using my XPS 15 9530. Anyway, Dell refunded me in full including the cost of the new warranty, which was supposedly 'non refundable' due to a promo being applied. I have to hand it to them that despite my frustrations with their 'tech' department whom I've dealt with many times over the past 5 years or so, they did make it easy when I decided to bail and request a refund.

You should try this and see where you get. At least it should get your laptop up and running again, and worst comes to the worst, you'll get a refund if Dell can't repair it. Hope it helps.

 

Hey Gonzo,

so they renewed your warranty for a whole new year? How close were you to the end of yours cause I am like 3 days from the end of my warranty and just got back my 2nd system replacement and 4th depo repair. Would love to reset the warranty myself...

I had tried this before and they only extended it one month because of my wasted time but honestly until this thing is properly working I don't want to give up any of my warranty. Thank god Costco covers this +1 year on manufacturing warranty...

 

I don't know why, but my Dell support assist application shows 2022 for the warranty expiry date

 

#I was 7 months into my 1st of 3 years warranty, but fact remains if you have only just got a functional system then the warranty will start from then, good luck & paying with a credit card helped as I threatened to get them involved

but what does the website say?