---> OFFICIAL: Dell STUDIO 14z Owner's Lounge <---

5.5 gaming graphics score? That seems over zealous for a 9400; whaddya do to the GPU to get that, surely not just a driver update?

 

Here are some games that I tried out:

• Bioshock: 30FPS, medium
• Call of Duty 4: 30-40FPS, medium-high
• Counter-Strike: Source: 50-60FPS, high
• Crysis: 20-30FPS, low-medium
• F.E.A.R.: 50-60FPS, high
• GTA: San Andreas: 50FPS, high
• Guild Wars: 60FPS, high
• Runes of Magic, 40FPS, medium-high (WoW should perform similarly)
• Street Fighter IV: 50-60FPS, low-medium
• Team Fortress 2: 30-40FPS, medium-high
• The Sims 3: 30FPS, medium-high

How did you update to the 186.03 drivers? This is my first Dell and I can't seem to update to the latest nVidia drivers.

 

Same here, couldn't update to nVidia drivers, even though they installed "fine", when I check the version, it still shows the Dell drivers' version.

Doing a "clean" install of nVidia drivers does not work. I mean, they install, but nothing happens, screen resolution stays the default, and impossible to set to "1600x900".

 

I have the same issue. Except I believe it says it's installing a 3D audio driver. If I uncheck the box next to the 3d audio feature it says it's installing 0 bytes :|

I just assumed the newest driver is incompatible for some reason.

 

Yes, it indeed has only one item in the list, and it's "audio driver" something. But the Dell video drivers showed exactly the same, and they worked. I don't know why nVidia drivers don't.

 

Getting 5.5 is just the driver update, downgrading to 179.62 will go back to 4.4. You need a modded inf to install the 186.03 drivers, as Nvidia does not support:

"5. Any notebook that is launched after the release date of this driver"

If you're adventurous (nothing should go wrong, but if anything does, you have to be willing to troubleshoot, or reinstall your OS in the worst case), then you can try the following:

Download the Geforce 9M Series drivers for your OS from nvidia. The inf files are different for 32bit/64bit, so you'll have to mod the inf manually.

Run the downloaded file and it will try to install, but only find the HDMI audio device. Cancel the installation and go to the directory where it extracted the files. The device you need to add is "PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0866&SUBSYS_02BA1028" and it should go into "Display\nvdm.inf" file. There are two device sections, one that ends in 6.0 (Vista) and one that ends in 6.1 (W7). The simplest thing, though not the correct thing, is to replace the device string for the 0862.01 device (which is already a 9400M G).

Using notepad, open "nvdm.inf" in the Display subfolder and seach for "0862.01" and it will find a line with a string at the end similar to the one above, but with different numbers. Replace that string with the one above. You only need to modify the one for your OS section, but to prevent confusion, modify both device sections, then save the inf.

Now run the main setup.exe in the extracted folder and it will find your video card this time along with the HDMI audio device. Install them both and reboot. Your driver will now be 9400M G, version 8.15.11.8603.

To revert back to the Dell drivers, uninstall the nvidia display drivers from the control panel first, reboot, then install the Dell drivers.

 

hey guys i encountered this problem today and was wondering if any of you guys have it. i took my studio 14z to the basement to play some music while working and i turned off the wireless to save some battery life and threw it on power saver mode. suddenly the music got all choppy and the sound quality was terrible. i thought it was because i turned down the battery performance but when i changed it back to high performance it made no difference. whats really weird is that when i turn back on my wireless/bluetooth it goes away. i turn it off again during music playback and the sound quality goes all bad again. can anyone tell me how my sound quality would be connected to the wireless/bluetooth switch? thanks! i am way too confused...

 

Thanks for the tip. Worked like a charm. Same scores as you, running Win 7 RTM 32-bit.

 

Thanks, the drivers installed just fine, but the scores remained the same: 4.5 for Gaming Graphics, and 5.5 for Graphics. Windows experience index: 4.5 -- I wonder what I did wrong.

Driver version: 8.15.11.8603 (186.03)

Is that because I am on RC and you guys are on RTM?

 

Resolutions... we need resolutions...

If you ran TF2 on 640x480 and only got 30-40 FPS that really stinks... but if you ran it at native 1600x900 resolution that would be really good. Know what I mean? You need to list what resolution you had set for each game you tested. Thanks! Good work though, besides the whole resolutions thingy..

 

They were mostly at my native resolution (720p), but here's what I recall:

• Bioshock: 30FPS, medium @ 1366x768
• Call of Duty 4: 30-40FPS, medium-high @ 800x600
• Counter-Strike: Source: 50-60FPS, high @ 1366x768
• Crysis: 20-30FPS, low-medium @ 640x480
• F.E.A.R.: 50-60FPS, high @ 1366x768
• GTA: San Andreas: 50FPS, high @ 1024x768
• Guild Wars: 60FPS, high @ 1366x768
• Runes of Magic, 40FPS, medium-high @ 1366x768 (WoW should perform similarly)
• Street Fighter IV: 50-60FPS, low-medium @ 800x600
• Team Fortress 2: 30-40FPS, medium-high @ 1366x768
• The Sims 3: 30FPS, medium-high @ 1366x768

 

Win7 changed the range of the WEI numbers, so it's possible there are changes between RC and RTM. I know I get less than 5.5 Aero graphics score on RTM with Dell drivers, so they already look different from yours. Not enough data points yet though..

 

Thanks! You da bomb!

 

i meant to post which bag i got but luckily you just did so i don't have to
i got the lowepro messenger bag. i think it's great. the studio 14z fits snuggly lengthwise (from left to right) and there's an inch or 2 extra widthwise. The messenger bag stays pretty flat with just the laptop, or you can put stuff in the bag in front of the laptop (the laptop has its own padded section of course) section. the padded shoulder strap is a plus, or you can hold it by the rubber padded handle like a briefcase. haven't used the organizer much and probably won't. i think there's a water bottle holder too, if i remember right (too lazy to go into the other room)!!

Edit: I do wish this messenger bag had more room to put clothes in for when I take the laptop with me to work at the hotel over the weekend (I work a lot over the weekend and am sometimes not home all weekend) without bringing a second bag. It would make a decent light duty college bag for a couple of not-too-big textbooks and notebooks along with the laptop (haven't checked how many books it would really hold; just guessing).

 

I occasionally get this too, since day 1. Sometimes it'll be for a second when switching the wireless on, sometimes it'll be using Skype, usually it happens under a bit of a CPU load. Anyone else experience this?

 

Can you take a picture of yourself wearing the bag? Some reviewers mentioned that the bag was bigger than they expected. I'm thinking of buying that one as well.

 

When I did the install it rebooted at the end. I booted up, it showed the driver installed and I got the same old WEI. I rebooted again and I got the improved index.

 

I had no score changes between RC and RTM

 

I got 5.4 with vista, no driver updates

I'm too noob to bother install W7 RTM/RC

Vista takes quite a huge amount of RAM! My total memory usage as reported by vista is always in the 50%-60% at normal usage! (surfing, msn, bunch of opened windows)... How's the memory usage of W7 compared to vista?

My fan keeps going on every 30-60s, its a little annoying when there is no noise in the room. As soon as there is ambiant noise I don't hear it though.

 

Update on my paint job. After applying rubbing compound and polish, I realize now that I either applied too few coats or my coats were too thin. I might just lay down a few more clear coats, but I'm kind of considering just going with a brand new color. Maybe all white or red? Any suggestions? The only areas that I can't paint is the keyboard and the black rubber trim on the display.

Although the pictures might make my laptop appear to still be a finger-print magnet, I assure thats not the case. The lid, in fact, does attract some minor smudges when handled, but only very slightly. After the polish and rubbing compound are cleaned off, it'll probably show even less. And the palm rests are pretty much impossible to smudge unless you just ate some chicken or something. It's hard to see in pics, but there is more of a satin texture on the palmrest compared to the lid.

 

Now it looks black, and it looks like it means business. I recommend pinstripes for speed

 

Understated carbon colored flames. :] Seriously, I think it looks pretty good as is. It may get a little more finger printy/glossy with a few more coats of clear, but it'll look really nice [read: industrialized] with that matte black/dark gray finish.

Does anybody have any tips for tweaking the RAM to obtain more bandwidth for the 9400?

 

5.4 on the Aero section, or on the gaming graphics?

I can't see how that would be possible with the Dell driver

 

What do you guys think of this color scheme? This would be fairly simple since I'd only have to repaint the lid.

I like the idea of having the only white 14z lid.

 

I could also probably paint the Dell logo on the lid with a dark gun-metal color to give it nice contrast.

 

IMHO, i think it would be cooler to keep the dark color you have, maybe made a bit more matte, but then put in some kind of red/orange tribal detailing around the side, possibly onto the lid. A bit minimalist and subtle.

 

Hmm.... I've never really thought about adding anything. Let me give this some thought....

 

I got the same score in Vista before I switched to W7. I was disappointed when my WEI score (which means absolutely nothing!! lol) went down to a 4.3 in Windows 7...

 

Comparing WEI scores is a bit like comparing the number of seeds in an orange. It's a discussion, but a pointless one. I don't mean to flame, but that WEI score is about as useless as mud, and just as clear in its reasoning. 3DMark scores as well as PCMark scores are much more consistent.

 

Agreed, but somewhere deep down I think we all take pride in our WEI scores.

 

I fixed my rattling battery! Here's what I did:

1. I took a paper towel. and tore off two 1/4" by 1/16" pieces and rolled them up. Then I put the rolled up pieces in the railing on the battery (the rails that the notches on the laptop slide into). See picture.



2. Just slide the battery back into place. If it's hard to get the battery to lock into position you have a little too much paper towel in the slot.

3. Lock the battery into place. If you put too little paper towel, it might still rattle. If you put the right amount, viola! no more rattling battery.

 

nice ill have to try it

 

A little OT, but thought I'd share an interesting little tid bit. I got an email from Dell today and, among the new items they were touting was the Inspiron 11z. Looks for all the world like someone took a 14z and shrunk it. Honey I shrunk my 14z.

It's clearly got the inspiron "innards", though.

Looks like the z's (without optical drives) are the wave of Dell's future.

BTW, still really liking my 14z.

You all are WAY above what I'm comfortable doing in terms of tweaking mine, but I'm enjoying reading everyone's posts and feel like I'm learning some stuff.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled conversing.

 

Great idea! Trying right now...

 

You are a genius. Thanks for sharing this! Did you put tissue on both sides? Because tissue on just one side made my battery stick out a bit unevenly. I used two tiny tiny rolls on both sides, and it works PERFECTLY. THANKS AGAIN!

 

Yeah, I put it on both sides. I forgot to mention that lol. I assumed you guys would know to do that for some reason... Funny how the brain works, lol

 

Dell Website tomorrow: Studio 14z Secure Battery Holder - $50. (Caution, do not get wet before installation)

 

LOL --------------------------------

 

.. if only someone could figure out a way to change that fixed 1GB Ram module.

 

1. If you take three pieces of paper towel and unscrew all ten bottom screws.... remove 1 GB memory module and insert paper towel pieces...

 

lol u guys are a riot.

 

What's the best vendor for paper towels now? hmmm...

 

http://forums.msiwind.net/osx-guides/guide-glowing-apple-logo-using-lcd-backlight-wiring-t9266.html

Would this work for the 14z? If so, I might just go ahead and try it!

 

why would you want to do this? If you want a macbook buy a macbook???

 

Well, I'm actually thinking of how I could either do it with the dell logo, or possiby just a custom random logo. But anyway, our display LCDs are capable of this, right? I just want to make sure before i order my dremel

 

Unfortunately, I can't afford a macbook pro and I don't want a MB or a MBpro 13inch. But even if I could, this just sounds like a lot of fun! Brings back old memories of Tech Shop or constructing model sets.

When my grandmother is knitting, I don't ask her why she doesn't just buy a sweater. Hmm...maybe that's a bad analogy since knitting doesn't require the risk of damaging anything valuable.

 

Recounting todays events.

SO, after installing the A03 BIOS for my Studio 14z, I was no longer able to change the brightness on my laptop and it no longer detected my Bluetooth card. I had Windows 7 installed at the time, I tried reinstalling and still had zero luck. I called Dell, guy had me reinstall every various driver, blah blah blah, eventually said, i'd have to install Vista and he was unable to help me further. I did what he said, installed Vista, its various drivers etc. Still had no luck, called again, guy tried whatever he could still had no success, then we attempted downgrading the BIOS, which using the version of WinPhlash that Dell provides (More on this later). From there he says that he is going to consult a level 2 advisor and will contact me in an hour and a half and while he did that i should reinstall and install drivers and Dell's software in a specific order. I did this while waiting for him to call back, but i also looked online for another version of WinPhlash that would allow me to ignore the fact that the current BIOS version is newer then the one im trying to upgrade to. I had success with this! I was able to downgrade to A01 and my brightness and my Bluetooth works again! Thinking maybe my first upgrade just failed i tried A03 again, same problems as before. Downgraded again, everything works. Dell guy called back, took note of what I did, apologized for the amount of time it took to resolve my issue. Although it works, I'm very displeased, the A03 drivers made a noticable difference to my battery life in Windows 7.

A word of warning, untill A04 is released, i strongly suggest not upgrading your BIOS.

 

Well, both keyboard backlighting and screen brightness work for me on A03, but just in case it's needed, could you please post the link where you got the WinPhlash that allows downgrading to older version? Thanks!

 

Post some pics, and the info you got!

EDIT: nevermind! I found another thread with the info... Anyway, apparently, there will be a 13z as well.

YARR!
}:^)~
!RRAY

 

Apparently we've picked the giant of the group. Not that I'm complaining or anything - with anything smaller resolution would have been a problem.