XPS 15 (L521X) Owner's Lounge

I don't get the usb errors but the PCI express error exists. I have some different warnings though

Code:

CPU Utilization:Processor utilization is high
The average processor utilization during the trace was high. The system will consume less power when the average processor utilization is very low. Review processor utilization for individual processes to determine which applications and services contribute the most to total processor utilization.
Average Utilization (%)	10.20

Code:

Platform Power Management Capabilities:Processor Performance or Throttle State Domain Member Count Incorrect
There is a problem with the number of processors defined as members of a processor performance or throttle state domain. Installing the latest system firmware (BIOS) may resolve this issue.
Domain ID	0
Expected Member Count	8
Actual Member Count	4

 

xnap30: you should use the task manager, or the SysInternals Process Explorer, and see if you can figure out which process was being more cpu-busy.

 

It told me below in the report though. It's chrome and MS security essentials that was using a lot of the cpu...

However I'm more concerned about the expected member count: 8 and actual member count: 4

Also I seem to be missing the min/max processor state in my power management

 

A couple months I posted here and stated that I was told that the USB 3.0 was interfering with the wifi but no one really commented...lol

 

I also agree that the USB 3.0 interference may be a part of the WiFi range issue but not the main smoking gun since I can plug an external USB WiFi adapter into any of these USB 3.0 ports & get 9x the speed as the internal WiFi for my 2.4GHz network...

 

FYI, I was able to download that new 640M driver from Dell website today but noticed that my current driver version is newer at 9.18.13.721, which was downloaded from Nvidia directly so I'm not going to bother updating...

 

I hope someone can help me. And please excuse my fair English.

In Germany there are only a few options one can chose from considering the XPS 15. The only thing that differs is usually the HDD (or SDD) and DVD/Bluray. I am considering to buy this great (?) machine in the basic Version (1 TB HDD, DVD) for ~1.300 Euros (the 512 SSD, Bluray costs 1900 Euros). Is it fairly easy to exchange the HDD for a SSD (like the Samsung 830 or 840)? Do I lose my guarantee if I do so?

Has the throttling issue actually been solved? I would hate to buy a Laptop with a high-end CPU and not being able to use it properly.

Another thing I guess no one knows, but maybe there are rumours. Is there an update of the XPS around the corner? I am especially asking because I would prefer having an IPS (or just grid-line free) screen.

An alternative would be the Asus UX51 which costs about the same...

Thanks a lot!!

 

Does the complete care warranty that comes with the XPS cover the replacement of the power cord if your dog chews through it?

My 8 month old critter chewed through the low voltage end (lucky for her it wasn't the 120V cord on the other side of the transformer.) I'm currently using a virtually identical power cord from an older laptop, but would Dell replace the power chewed up cord that came with the XPS?

 

You can try but I think warranty only covers the laptop screen, keyboard, and backcover and a few other internals. That's what I remember from reading the warranty slip

 

Thanks for the reply. If I have to buy a new power cable, I'll add it to the tab that I'll present to my daughter when she turns 21 (she was the one begging to get a dog...)

 

sent an email to the resolution ppl and others at dell,

Hello *****,

As i mentioned to you over the phone, ive placed small nylon bumbers approximately 1.10 mm in size on 5 corners of the display, and i no longer have conflicts with the display and the touchpad and keys touching.. but as i also said, this is only a temporary fix and for you to have told me that i should change my setting so that my laptop sleeps when i close the lid is unreasonable, especially when you said that if i dont and if the hinges do end up being damaged, i will have to pay dell to fix it, because i do not have a warranty...

Dell decided to take away my warranty after they legally sold it to me.. as you mentioned, this replacement comes with a 90 day warranty, it is unsatisfactory that i be given a laptop with such problems, although it may be that the display grids issue has been resolved, i am still having lots of issues with the wifi and the lcd display pressing on the keys and the touchpad causing it to delete files and such behavior.

I have requested of you to forward the information of raising the display 1.10 mm off of the palmrest area to the the design team, perhaps they can make the rubber lining of the display thicker?

But i do require a resolution to the display and key issue, i will not accept to keep the nylon bumbers there or for you to tell me that i should reconsider putting my laptop to sleep for it will cost me...

I might as well note that there is a bright white pixel in the right side of the display, that can get pretty irritating at times but it does not compare to the display pressing on the keys and touchpad or for such horrible wifi.

I request an update and a solution on these matters, the delay in time is becoming unacceptable, This model has and is still facing issues 5 months after its release, obviously dell has no intention on fixing the problems, and i will not stand for being given a broken down system as a replacement, after my warranty has been cancelled and leaving me with multiple issues.

 

warranty will cover your power cord...I have gotten mine changed before but it was a different laptop...

 

recently I noticed my fan constantly runs non stop I am currently on A04 bios...any solutions because it is getting rather annoying and today the left side of keyboard got really hot...running something like firefox shouldn't make the fan this crazy?...do I need to change my power options?

 

I'm with the bear on this, sorry to kill your buzz though. This is why I hold onto my computers for a good long time, resale is the pits.

 

has anyone requested an exchange for an alienware with same specs and succeeded?

 

Ballercb4: I'd be looking to see what process/program is keeping the CPU busy. If fan running but CPU hot then something is running it up.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

Hi, I've just received the 0$ order for the exchange configuration. So, I'll get a new XPS with the 3632QM, Win 8 Pro, Office 2010 Home (which I didn't even buy with the first one), Kindle apps...but still the Intel 6235, the wifi card didn't change in France.

My Dell rep told me they got no complain for the Wifi with this revision, wait and see.

 

How did you exchange? What made Dell to exchange with new machine?

 

First, I've been always cool and gentle with my rep. Then, I warned him pretty soon about the issue (in July or August, don't remember), told him to come here and read messages about the wifi defaults, etc. I also accepted to test new drivers when I was proposed to, sent to him my Excel sheet about wifi rates measurements, comparison with my wife's Mac, etc.

Recently I called him to say I would be interested in changing the screen module (with the antenna) and the wifi card, he sent me a tech guy who changed the parts, and this made no progress. Finally I asked for a replacement, and I got the Dell agreement few days after my request.

I must say that most time on the phone was because Dell called me and not the opposite. So despite this defective computer, I find the Dell after purchase service pretty efficient.

 

Commande XPS 15
Mini-carte sans fil Dell 1901 (802.11n + BT 4.0)

On Dell website (France), is not mentioned the N-6235.
I will get a new one too, with Dell 1901. Let's hope that it would be better, not 100% Wi-Fi solved, just a bit better than actually it is now, under windows 7 + N-6235.

 

Here it is : XPS 15

 

I just contacted Dell (German) and they said that there has never been an issue with the XPS 15, otherwise it would have not been their bestselling machine... Fantastic...

 

Just goes to show you ...

- form over function, most of the time, wins (and we're susceptible to it here too, some of us just dig harder!)
- most people don't notice issues / complain / think it's just themselves and deal with it

 

I did a return and then bought an m14x with the money (actually I saved about $400). Does that count?

 

just got off the phone with my resolution guy, I told him about the issues with my keyboard touchpad, lcd touching and doing stuff,that ive placed 1.10mm nylon bumbers on the lcd to lift of off the palm rest and it fixed the problem. he said the engineering team said its not possible and gave him a 521to test for himself and he does not have any issues.

I then mentioned about everyone talking about the new 521 revision and it solving the wifi issues and he said he had heard no such thing and the only difference is windows 8 and the dell 1901 wifi card.

I also mentioned about usb 3.0 and interference and intel's publication and he said he had not heard of it and asked me to send it to him.

He will look into it and call me back on Monday to set up a depot repair to try replacing the keyboard..

im no longer getting through and reaching the end of my sanity.

can anyone help or offer more information?pls

 

Contact the BBB or ask for the supervisor and threaten some legal action? I'm honestly fed up too. They took my money and said my order was cancelled but it's been 2 weeks and the money is still not back yet. A rep called me today and said it will be refunded, I asked when and he said it will be... And he'll send an email later, no email still. I might just call and ask for the supervisor otherwise I'm going to the BBB next week.

 

they have yet to refund me 600$ for my warranty that they decided to cancel.
I asked for a higher up but he says he is the highest resolution specialist there...

 

Just upgraded to Bios A12 from A04 on Wn 7 64 bit.
All OK. Everything works.
Haven't tested wifi at a distance yet but at 3 meters (10 ft) still the same 5mbps as Bios A04.
FYI.

 

Did you contact Terry-B at the thread I showed you on the Dell forum?

 

I messaged him about an hour ago with my situation, but the thing is, my resolution guy says theres nothing more that can be done at all..

also, does the revised system work better with the 6235 card compared to the prior system with the 6235 card?

I went out and purchased a widi receiver a few months back and I love it, no more having to convert and stream movies and shows to my xbox, but the 1901 doesn't support widi so if I am able to get a revised system, will the card work better? perhaps I can request an ssd and a bluttoth half mini express where the ssd goes and intel 6300 for wifi? I was thinking about alienware but its too bulky

 

I had a good experience with Terry-B. After waiting 6 weeks for my system board to be fixed and about a bazillion calls to the Indian call center, I found his name in this forum. I PMed him through Dell's forum, detailing the malfunction, the ridiculous parts delay, and the terrible phone support. I asked him if I could get a refund even though I was long past the 21 day period. Two days and 3 messages later, I had my return label.

Just took my XPS to the UPS store yesterday. Such a relief to be done with that thing.

Give Terry-B a chance. He might take a day to respond, but he understands the problem and seems to have the connections to get things done.

 

I've kept in touch with @DellCares on twitter and they say that the fix is still at the engineering stage

"Hi, thanks for reaching out. The status of the fix is still with our product group engineers. News will come out in our Direct2Dell soon ^JA"

Thats what I have so maybe something will happen soon :S

EDIT: I'm tallking about the wifi problems btw

 

Hi,
Before receiving the new revision of the L521x, I made some testing. The testing procedure was to store the Ubuntu image CD on the nas which is integrated into my wifi router. Then, with a computer connect through wifi, at 5m from the router, I download this ISO file with ftp. The ISO file is around 763 MB.

Here is a capture of the results, my wife's old macbook pro is here for a reference. I made the tests on Ubuntu 12.10 and W7, in both G & N modes. Figures speak for themselves, the N mode is even worse than the G mode, incredible. The L521x runs the A12 Bios.

I'll run this same test with the new L521x as soon as I receive it.

 

Hi all,

I'm thinking of getting an external keypad for my XPS, I'll be using it mainly for calculations and number crunching I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions or ones that you have tried. I was thinking of getting one with a calculator screen but it should work with the Microsoft calculator correct?

Anyway any suggestions would be great.

Thanks!

 

Almost every logitech keyboard comes with a calculator button that makes the windows calculator popup.

I'm currently using a logitech k360 with my xps in college. It's the side width as the entire laptop and it has a dedicated numpad. It's got nice popup island keys. I like using it way more than the xps keyboard because the spacing between the keys is a little bit bigger and feels more like a normal sized keyboard.

It's also very portable. Runs on 2AA batteries and uses a unifying receiver. It even has a slot in the back to store the receiver if you want. I paired it up with my logitech mouse so I only need one receiver. Note that the calculator button requires you to press the FN function key and F12 to open the calculator.

It was pretty cheap too. I usually get all my keyboard and mice from staples. They always have good deals on them . I think I picked up the keyboard for around 20.

If you need something bigger with even more function keys and a completely dedicated calculator key (no need for FN key press). Then go with the mk520 combo keyboard. I use that at home with my desktop. It's a bit heavier and less portable but it has a palm and wrist rest thing at the bottom. No island keys though but I have no problem with them since the keys are pretty good sized.

 

I just noticed that the very second I unplug my laptop it goes from 100% to 91%, also the button on the bottom that makes LED's light up telling you your battery status doesn't work. Does anyone else have this problem?

EDIT: Fixed one problem. Seems dell just forgot to plug in the LED indicator.

 

Nope. Never had that problem. When I disconnect, it drops down from 100 to 99% after like 2 minutes of use.. But the battery indicator light on the bottom always works for me. You might have a battery calibration problem.

 

How would one go about fixing this?

EDIT: Fixed one problem. Seems dell just forgot to plug in the LED indicator.

 

Can you install HWinfo and check your battery capacity first? Is it a new machine or a refurbished machine? The battery might just be messed up.
I would try removing the battery, hold power button for 5 seconds to fully discharge and reinsert battery to reset battery.

 

hmm, you got me to check mine.. its worn out by 1.5% should i call dell nd have it replaced?, got in on oct 12

Designed Capacity: 65000 mWh
Full Charged Capacity: 64050 mWh
Wear Level: 1.5 %

 

Should be normal with heavy usage. Mine is around there too but I got mine in September. I have desktop mode on and aggressive battery saving profiles.

Idk if Dell will replace but if you can try scheduling a repair and show them the 100 -91% problem. They'll probably replace after they see it and most likely fail to fix it

 

Hi everybody,
the confirmation just came from Dell, in France, no way to get an other wifi card than the Intel 6235N. But I must it perfectly worked on my previous XPS15z.

So be it.

 

Has the throtteling issue been resolved with the latest "new" version of the XPS15?

 

Check this one:
La boutique en ligne Dell : créez votre propre système
Mini-carte sans fil Dell 1901 (802.11n + BT 4.0)

 

No reports yet either way.

It'd take a disassembly to see whether they've changed the physical design, and if they make a change strictly in software it'd apply to the previous generation equally.

 

Intel has released updated drivers and proset software for the 6235 wifi card on Nov 15, 2012.

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...-N+6235&ProdId=3502&LineId=1784&FamilyId=1783

 

Got it. Thanks, I'll see how the new XPS will work, with still the 6235N, and if it doesn't work well, I'll try this 1901, I will ask it to my lovely Dell rep

 

My battery has a wear level of 2% and it is a brand new computer. Taken out of the box about a week or two ago.

 

It's interesting to me that Win 7 drivers are 15.3.xxx and the Win 8 drivers are 15.5.xxx.

 

Terry B has yet to reply, but I did get a message on facebook from the Dell page... not too pleased...

Dell






Hi Elvis.

Thank you for the details about the case. Sorry for not having responded earlier. I had been on my days off.

Further, the representative ****** whom you mentioned in your message is from the Executive Escalations team and that is the highest level of escalation here at Dell.

Hence, I would request you to continue working with **** to ensure closure.

Thanks
VJ