XPS 15 (L521X) Owner's Lounge

Just wondering if anyone has heard back from Lorna yet. I messaged her on Tuesday, and also submitted a return email on Dell's site. I'm sure she has tons of people to reply to, but I just want to make sure I'm not waiting on a train that won't come.

 

I'm somewhat confused by this announcement, does this mean that anyone with the Wi-Fi issue (which it seems like everyone has) can return their system for a refund, even if it's over the 21 day return period?

If that's correct, I think I might just do that. This laptop has more problems than any computer I've ever bought before and I'm getting really sick of calling up Dell and waiting for fixes that either don't come or don't work. If anyone can shed some light on this I would be grateful.

 

Okay So here is my update..I got another replacement last Thursday...I tested both XPS 15s and there are the same initially I got excited on the first speedtest the new XPS 15 was really fast (50mps) but once I retested the speed and it turns out both laptops have wifi issues. Also both screens are the same they both have gird lines, it is actually worse on the new laptop...I guess I am going to cancel my onsite tech appointment today there is no point switching the hardrives...Now I guess I have no choice but to use a USB dongle...Can we call in for one or do we have contact Lorna. Also, they transferred my warranty to the new laptop so I dont know what service tag to use now lol... Seriously I need to start invoicing Dell for my time (if you understand the reference I commend you ).

 

Honestly I don't think there is enough power being supplied to the wifi card to work properly that's my theory

 

A06 with all my drivers updated. I am currently at 88% with a projected 1.5 hr battery life

 

... based on what?

 

I had similar readings when using A06, where it would estimate ridiculously low usage time. Switched back to A04 and now it says with 58% I have an estimated 3hr 26min. (Both just web browsing).

 

A few minutes ago The Dell Tech left, has changed: Motherboard, LCd, Wi-Fi card, Optical drive.
As a result of those changes the laptop works like before, with the same problems.
Wi-Fi no improvement, optical drive the same noise and the LCD has some dust behind it, but no "pooling effect"
To remove the LCD he had to remove the motherboard, almost everything.
The Dell guy did a pretty good job. I had to provide him the screwdriver.
I cleaned up the heat sink and used Arctic Silver 5.
So , what is next?

 

Replace the thing with a completely different one.

Is the situation that desperate?

 

Return the damn thing.

 

I got this computer like 3 days before A06 came out so I do not get to use A04 very much. I do not game very often, mostly just use this computer for nursing school, music, and movies.
Will I notice any of the throttling if I switch back to A04 for battery life?

 

Other members will know more on this than I do but basically A06 stops the CPU throttling by throttling the GPU. I do more GPU intensive things than CPU so A04 works fine for me and I can play Skyrim on almost max setting with no problems.

I really haven't seen it struggling with all the tasks I do pretty similar to you (movies, music, web and gaming as well as some coding).

 

Hi all,
After reading messages about the wifi, I re-run my tests.

In the best case (1m from the router, AC Power), I get:
- ping 31 ms
- download 12.60 Mb/s (the best my link can provide)
- upload 0.86 Mb/s

I tested from 7 m from the router but with no obstacle but on battery, and I get:
- ping 56 ms
- download 5.6 Mb/s
- upload 0.35 Mb/s

Tested with Ubuntu 12.04 64 bits.

My "real life" testing is to watch over my internet link, SD and HD, 4m from the router, and in that case, the XPS15 is not able to play correctly the videos stream as the XPS15z was perfectly capable in this area with the same OS.

Edit: this may be a hardware issue, but a driver issue as well as the Intel driver is integrated into the Linux kernel.

 

Well #!$^....

Just had a thermal shutdown.

Running A06 BIOS with all drivers updated...

Connected to an external display with the laptop closed (my old M1530 has happily run this way for years) sitting on a desktop in a 72 degree room...

.... and before you say it - I know, I know... but I was doing it as a "I wonder what would happen if..."

I was encoding video (using both CPU and GPU) and had just started Civ 5 (again - "I wonder what would happen if...")

Now I expected some serious CPU and GPU throttling with fan to full tilt boogie, but not a hardware thermal shutdown...

The laptop should at least be able to keep the CPU or GPU from triggering a hardware thermal event, even if it had to clamp down on everything to do so (which is what I fully expected)...

This is an extreme case, I realize, but still something the BIOS thermal management should be able to cope with...

... and like almost all here - my wifi is dodgy at best -

called support and went through the "let's go down the standard checklist that we all know won't work" routine, so now at least I am documented...

Using a USB wifi card I had laying around for now, much better except for the wart my nice clean-lined laptop has now

 

Anyone have a link to bios A04? If it’s still around...wish I saved a copy of it...

What kills me is how this design flaw...flaw's got past Dell! Why even put a graphics card in it if I can’t run the CPU and GPU the way the hardware is designed to run without decreased performance! Feel like just bought a sports car, but then being told I can’t go over 55mph or it might overheat! I don’t even want to think about the Wi-Fi problem...

Really thinking about boxing these back up and shipping em back and waiting till Dell can redesign em, dual fans? Maybe some air slots in the bottom so air could actually get in the laptop? OH yea, and test your Wi-Fi a bit more before shipping...

 

First thermal shutdown with A06...damn!

 

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=927b8b9aedde9a9a&id=927B8B9AEDDE9A9A!131

That's Bill's skydrive with the BIOS files in there.

 

@JohnSmith101
I can answer your first question. Look at the macbook pro's before the retina era. Those machines couldn't dissipate heat at all.
So why did people still choose the heaviest specs, you might ask? Because most people buy laptops solely based on specs and form factor. Ignorance is bliss, and denial comes easier than acceptance when deciding between laptop width and performance.

 

Here is a link uploaded by me.
L521XA04W.rar

I encoded some video stuff and had CPU throttling issues under A06. When the CPUs temps went beyond 95 C, the CPU went down to 1.2GHz and back to 2.8Ghz when the temps were around 80 C.
The GPU temps were stable at 80 C
Never happened this under A04

 

BSOD!
I am getting the blue screen of death, this is about the third or fourth time I have gotten it. I finally got smart and set it to not restart so I could write down the error message. I get STOP 0X00000050 page_fault_in_nonpaged_area.
I googled the code and didn't really get much of anything except conflicting data.
This normally happens when I am playing music or streaming a video. The computer has also been heating up on me lately.
Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen. I just want to get this fixed. This computer is a replacement for a replacement, and have been dealing with hassles since May. So hoping someone knows what this code means.

 

I wonder how much the thermal state drops if the HDD is replaced by an SDD.

The MBPr doesn't use a spinner at all, not even optical.

To make the '15 more equivalent just remove the optical, the msata ssd, and replace the spinner with an SSD.

I'd put a thin foam mesh over the optical slot maybe though, to filter out large particulates from being ingested.

 

You're completely denying the Retina's superior cooling design, including dual asymmetrical fans.

 

My thermal shutdown was on a model with a SSD only...

 

Tell Me About It...I feel your pain...Mine is a replacement to omg tell me why the computer that was supposed to be replaced works better ahhhh....

 

Replacement is NEW? I think that Dell started to pack the refurbish once as new.

(It happened with XPS 16, I bought it as NEW and they wanted to refund me as refurbished price.
They told me (checked the TAG), that the XPs 16 was purchased from Dell outlet, but I was lucky that I had the receipt that I bought it online .
They sold me a refurbished laptop as new. Good for you Dell. Too many refurbished laptops.....)

 

I'm not denying it, more like ignoring it because that can't be changed by consumers (much) on the xps.

Just wondering what the "delta" would be for mutable factors.

 

Well, shoot. A Dell tech just came to replace my screen, and I'm sad to say the "pixel grid" is still there. I'm beginning to wonder if this is just the way the screen is supposed to look. (It's very subtle and almost bearable, but it's really distracting on some pages, and it makes most images look over-sharpened. I've just never seen this issue before.) I'm not sure what to do, but I think I might have to return it until I know it's fixed (since I'm having WiFi issues, too). As I said before, this is otherwise a really nice system.

 

Firts off, thanks all for the bios links! got em...

Second I dont think the HDD is the cause, that area gets warm, but nothing bad. Its the area up by the power button and all along the deck above the function keys, including the screen itself around the "xps" logo gets very hot when i push the cpu/gpu. And yes I know its a thin laptop, but I run with a cooling pad as well, as I did with past laptops to help out, but that does not seem to make a difference either on this laptop thanks to the one piece solid bottom design, just no way to really pump cool air in...

Worked with AutoCad and Solidworks doing design and 3D modeling for 4hrs today and while the laptop didnt shutdown on me, it had to be close, it was smoking hot!

 

I have had two Dell XPS 15 laptops now and both have the screen grid issue. Its just not good enough for a premium laptop so both have gone back. I also had a lot of heat on the left side of the laptop - it was really too warm for comfort. I'm not impressed.

 

In other words, the area just above the CPU, GPU, RAM, and cooler. ;^)

Oh, not my links, but I appreciate the other ppl posting them too.

 

Just got off the phone with a Dell "resolution specialist" about returning the laptop, and I have to say I'm impressed with how smoothly it went. I was only on the phone for about 15 minutes total; he listened to me explain the wifi problem and didn't give me a hard time or try to run me though a number of fixes. I was offered $150 credit if I would keep the laptop and wait for a fix, but I said 'no thank you'. Getting a full refund-- no shipping or restocking fee.

Hoping I don't jinx myself here, but I've only had good experiences with Dell's customer service in the 10 or so years I've been using their products. It's a shame this model was released with the wifi and other problems; that said, I still really like Dell and think this is an excellent laptop-- will reorder when a fix is announced. Til then...!

 

Please expand on this $150 credit for holding out!

 

Hey, sorry, I don't have much more info; I wasn't interested in keeping the laptop so I didn't ask for details, but the rep said if I did not return it and instead waited for a fix, they would give me $150 (not clear if he meant $150 back from my recent order, or $150 credit with Dell-- I would guess the latter?). Sorry I can't tell you more, but it's certainly a sweet offer if you don't mind waiting for the fix!

 

That won't tell you anything. You need to see what driver caused it. Download this BSOD viewer that looks at the files deposited in your folder for BSOD's.

BlueScreenView - CNET Download.com

 

Thank you, I worried that this was a hardware issue. It appears it was my video card driver, which I actually just finished updating before I read this, but at least I now know what the problem was.

 

Wifi issues are apparent on mine as well. Not as bad as you guys make it be though. My whole upstairs has full signal, and no speed loss. But when I go down stairs, is when I drop some. 4 bars. My speeds on 5ghz N still hit the max mark but when I dropped it to G it dropped down to around 3-5mb down vs 10mb down where I got everywhere on N in the house so far. G also did 10 down upstairs. Usually G holds it's signal and speed better than N does on other devices I have had.

I then went to the weakest point in my house which was the garage. Farthest point from the router. N I got 3 mb down, G barely would work. less than 1mb if it worked. My MBA had no issues with speed even in the garage. Neither do my other wifi devices. This one did.

I also have the best router out to date. Netgear R6300. And it has been the most powerful one in my house which it reached to every point with almost full strength on other devices.

 

Ok so let me get this right. The A04 is better with the day to day stuff, but tends to overheat and shutdown when you start stressing it from either gaming or graphics design. while the A06 can cope with the more heavy duty usage, but struggles to keep the battery life from simple use?

Please Correct me if I'm wrong, as I'm not what you'd call a computer genius =P

 

Has anyone heard from lorna? I pm'd her the other day and haven't got a response yet. Is there a better way to get her attention?

 

Nope. Guess dell doesn't care...

 

Nope, I PM'd her 2 days ago too. But I called Dell today and got my return arranged, with the restocking fee waived-- only took about 15 minutes. I'd recommend doing that; there's a chance she'd say you have to call anyway.

 

Does anyone know how to access the maxx audio settings. I have done it before but I forget how to get to the settings. I tried searching it in my computer but cannot find it.

 

I found it in the System Tray > Dell Audio > Speakers/Heaphones tab.

If that doesn't work try searching MaxxAudioControl. Hope that helps!

 

If it gets to the point where it inconveniences me any further then I will be returning it. So I will not be calling! I provided the information needed to receive the dongle so hopefully its on its way without or without a response from lorna. On a side note I received a call from the Dell technician today that's replacing my screen. Dell called me yesterday and said it was on back order and would call me when they were available. I was so confused but whatever ill take it. I didn't really want them to do it but if it helps them figure the issue out or keeps my options open longer then they can try whatever they want.

Start>all programs>dell audio>DONE!

 

The same happened to me today, even though they said the screen had been back-ordered. Sadly, it didn't work, but let us know if your swap does! Dell's replacing my entire laptop next week, so if that doesn't work, I'm afraid I'm going to have to return it, too.

 

hey guys, so i got a dell xps 15 l521x with all the bells and whistles for around 2300 dollars xustom built and i started using it today... the games i play on it such as vindictus are running awful slow despite settings, my older asus g74sx bkk7 ran the game on max with 60 fps constant yet i.comcant even compare using this laptop. I would be lesss angry if i didnt express extensively to thr sales rep my want to play these games decently . ontop of that he tried to give me that it was better performance than my asus. i dont knoe if this is because of the intel hd or throttling but im really disappointed. does anyone have a fix? ive gone into nvidia settings to set up the nvidia as selected gpu, the 640m, yet stuff still drops fps. i can hardly play tf2, also the screen looks really saturated. can anyone help, i was really looking forward to getting what i payed for?

 

It's very strange, many people here manages to play much more demanding games

 

I contacted Dell yesterday about this in The Netherlands, and they also agree with sending a USB WiFi stick for free. Delivery time will be today. Nice service for the time being.

 

Reading this week pages it seems that now there are many more reports of battery life drop with A06 bios? Do you think this can be related exclusively to the increased usage of fan? Or other factors may contribute? Dear Bill, could you please give us some info in this regard?

 

Beware the stalling tactics. I really don't like being the negative voice, but we all have to relate our experiences. When I received my first L521X in early July I called in to return it for a refund at day 20, but they convinced me that a fix was coming in just a few days. When the "fix" did not materialize in a few days, they refused to let me return the system on day 23. They offered to send a tech out and the usual stuff you've heard here (replacing screen and parts, and still same problem), so I refused that and spent over 6 hours being transferred from department to department demanding at least an exchange. The "Sales Resolution" team is anything but what the title implies, and would not cooperate. They send you back to tech support where you must go through the whole process again, and if you ask for a manager about 20 times you eventually get one. After fighting for it, I got an exchange and when it arrived, same problem with WiFi. More hours on the phone wasting time re-hashing everything. It was then they finally admitted (and this was back in July) that it was known issue and they offered me the USB temporary fix. Not wanting to fall for the same trick twice, I fought for the return of the exchange as well and finally was granted it after wasting over a month on this. But that wasn't the end, and still isn't. I was sent incorrect return labels, and then when I finally got the correct return labels / confirmed from UPS that the systems were received back by Dell, Dell said that they did not have the systems and that UPS had them. After almost 2 months of going in circles with Dell and then the return debacle, even having to struggle with UPS because they're not allowed to initiate a "Trace" on Dell return shipper package without Dell specifically asking for it, finally yesterday I received my credit. Turns out Dell had the systems the entire time that UPS said they did, despite Dell denying they had received the returns. But wait - that's not the end - the amount I was refunded doesn't match the price I paid for this expensive system. Much less. Now I'm trying to get someone at Dell Financial to explain why my refund is almost $100 less than what I paid for the original system. Wish me luck on that one. It is now almost 8 weeks since the first L521X purchase that I was refused return on, and even now that they've had both systems back for almost 2 weeks, I still don't have a refund for the amount that I paid for systems they knowingly shipped me with this defect. Two months into this and now I even have to spend more time just to get my money back.

Meanwhile I watch them stall everyone in any way they can (usb adapters, on-site techs, exchanges, etc...) as they try to contain this outbreak after admitting over a month ago that they could reproduce the problem on this system right off the production line. Stringing people along.

Also meanwhile, how much interest have you paid on the financing of your L521X? Oh, I was assured that would automatically be refunded along with the return that they fought me over. Instead I got credited almost $100 less than I paid after two months of playing Dell's beta-tester over this.

Do yourself a favor and when you start hearing "don't worry" and "this is no problem" over the phone, snap into the reality of the situation. They've been sitting on thousands of these defective systems and shipping them out daily, still selling them to people knowing that the average consumer will not notice this problem, and even going to far as to delete posts from the Dell Community forums in an attempt to hide this / damage control it.

I have met nothing but resistance and misinformation from almost every department of Dell on this for almost 2 months, except for 3 honest employees (out of the dozens I've been forced to deal with over it), and just when I thought it was finally over, I now have to fight for my full money back long after the systems were returned.

This company has enough money to step up and do the ethical right thing - recall. And refund with no more hassles. And take it off the market until it's fixed, stop selling defective product to innocent people just because they can get away with it.

Michael Dell - wherever you are (probably on a Yacht in the Bahamas) - step up and be a man about this and do the right thing. Some of us have suffered enough.

 

My guess is it's not the fan itself (it doesn't use much power) ... but more fan use is a sign of hotter CPU, so the decreased battery life is probably due to less throttling of the CPU in A06.