I have HAD IT with this Studio 1535

UPDATE

I chatted with another Dell TSR today, and told him what's going on. We did the whole remote assistance thing, he tried all sorts of driver updates and QuickSet updates and stuff, and of course none of it worked.

After about 20 minutes of confirming that it's definitely not a software issue, the rep said they were going to send a technician to my house to replace my DVD drive and (another!) touch-sensitive media panel.

So, hopefully it ends up just being a faulty DVD drive, and I'll never have to worry about this again. The technician's supposed to call me within the next 3 days to schedule an appointment to come swap the DVD drive and media panel.

Note to self: put in the old T5750 before letting him take it all apart.

 

That's awesome! I am glad they finally realized that the hardware needed assistance. Congrats and good luck.

 

Let us know how that goes, shroom.

Sounds like maybe you are starting to make progress finally. That is definitely good to hear.

Best of luck...
--Eric

 

Progress indeed, although the Dell rep said I'll probably have to wait at least 3 days for a call from the technician, and the appointment will be up to two weeks after that!

 

sh!t dude.... that's messed up, I called them incessantly for about 4 months, it all started with the fan problem, I posted a video on Youtube about this, then the atikmdag.sys problem, so I've had Heatsink/Fan, motherboard, DVD drive, keyboard, hinge cover (twice), the problem escalated to just one dell support agent, he approved the replacement, and since I have the 1535 it's been a b!tch to replace this, first two orders canceled because the 1535 wasn't available anymore (I'm talking about an order on the 11th febrary, can you people believe this??), then some of the items missing on an order of a 1537, then one order goes through and it doesn't make it thru "Operations" because the item BLA-BLA-BLA is missing (after three weeks they report the Intel sticker missing, can you believe these guys?!!), this time I had it, I called this poor guy like 3 times a day (I've got his direct extension), so last and final order (after 9 faulty orders) goes thru on the 7th april, almost two months after.
Right now I'm waiting at home, since the new shiny 1537 should get here sometime this week (we don't have this super tracking service you guys have in the US). The tracking number says it was delivered here in Bogotá, Colombia, and now I'll just wait like 4-5 days more until the laptop gets to my front door.....

 

look at this:

Studio 1537 Intel Core 2 Duo T9550 2.66GHz 1066Mhz 6M L2Cache 07/04/09 N/A Enviado

Studio 1537 Intel Core 2 Duo T9550 2.66GHz 1066Mhz 6M L2Cache 07/04/09 N/A Cancelado

Studio 1537 Intel Core 2 Duo T9550 2.66GHz 1066Mhz 6M L2Cache 03/04/09 N/A Modificado

Studio 1537 Intel Core 2 Duo T9550 2.66GHz 1066Mhz 6M L2Cache 03/04/09 N/A Modificado

Studio 1537 Intel Core 2 Duo T9550 2.66GHz 1066Mhz 6M L2Cache 02/04/09 N/A Modificado

Studio 1537 Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 2.53GHz 1066Mhz 6M L2Cache 10/03/09 N/A Modificado

Studio 1537 Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 2.53GHz 1066Mhz 6M L2Cache 09/03/09 N/A Modificado

Studio 1535 Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz 800Mhz 6M L2 Cache 18/02/09 N/A Modificado

Studio 1535 Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz 800Mhz 6M L2 Cache 11/02/09 N/A Cancelado

 

That's a hassle, for sure, but hey - at least you know it's on its way now.

 

oh yeah, let's hope this one doesn't come with all these problems

 

It's amazing to me how drastically different Dell Home support is compared to Dell Small Business.

I originally had a Vostro 1400 w/ the faulty NVIDIA chip. While my chip never died, it was heating up to 100c+ which is an extremely uncomfortable temperature. I used the online Dell chat and convinced them to replace the motherboard TWICE (i had the screens swapped a couple times before that). After the third motherboard, the issue wasn't any better; if anything it was worse.

So I went BACK to Dell Chat and told them that I want a new system because of all the problems I've had with it. The Dell Rep simply said 'okay,' and 5 days later, a BRAND NEW - not refurbished - Vostro 1510 was on my door step. Despite their faulty systems, I'll continue to purchase Dell machines from their business website because they have been awfully good to me.

It just surprises me at how poor the Dell Home service is

 

yeah, it seems a little bit harsh, but it is like this

 

That's Dell home service for ya - if anything goes wrong, it's probably the user's fault anyway because we're all computer-illiterate.

 

by the way for refurbish part
I had my MOBO replaced in the beginning because crackle sound.
I have "at home" services so the technician did all stuff alone.
But I still remember my old motherboard was with version 3 BIOS, and strangely for me my current was with BIOS 2.

 

If if was a brand new motherboard, it probably wasn't flashed to the newest BIOS at the factory. You can download the latest BIOS from Dell.

 

I'm with new BIOS A6 thank you.
I just noticed they have some strange practive when question comes to the replacement.

Thank you once again.

 

Tomorrow I'll have to hand over my old 1535 and I'll get a shiny new 1537... wish me luck!

 

Fingers crossed for you, dude.

 

Just checked in on this thread again: Looks like you've been through quite an adventure w/ tech support. At least someone's coming to your house this time to see for themselves, huh? I was looking at something for another thread, and happened to notice something was amiss on the new Studio 15...hmmm. Then it hit me: they ditched the touch multimedia controls and put them on the keyboard-1990's style, like the new Inspiron 15. :eek


By rickhamilton620

Wonder why they did that?

What's sad is that they didn't even make them dedicated physical buttons like the old Inspiron lines and the current Latitude models, no they cheaped out to the fullest and integrated them into the keyboard to (I suspect) *cough* cut corners *cough* I mean cut costs. Kinda disappointing for a "multimedia laptop" IMO.

 

Mastershroom, I would suggest that you escalate your issue to a higher level rep at Dell and insist that you get a replacement for your 1535 if they cannot fix the issue on their next service call. Three strikes and they are out!

Request either a new 1537 with a $100 coupon or a new 1555 ...

Good luck!

 

Yep, that's how Dell solved the problem of the sticky eject button on the Studio 15...just get rid of the entire concept.

Also, nice Mayday Parade avatar. I saw them live recently with The Maine and All Time Low. Hell of a show.

 

We'll see how this upcoming technician service goes. If the eject button works properly after the DVD drive and (third!) media panel swap, then I'll be happy. If the issue persists, though, I will contact Unresolved Issues. And given the choice, I would rather have a 1537. The 1555 is good, but the two main differences are both deal-breakers for me: the 16:9 display, and the complete removal of the capacitive buttons.

 

I have a 1537 and have the same issues as everyone else with 1535's. Sorry.

 

Sweet! +1 for good musical taste! LOL

 

UPDATE

I got a call from the technician this morning, and he said to expect a package...apparently, for whatever reason, Dell shipped the replacement parts to my house rather than to him, which has us both pretty confused.

Anyway, a pretty large box just came from Dell, and I checked it out. It's got another replacement hinge cover, and a new DVD drive. According to the invoice, this one is a TSST model. My current one is a Sony Optiarc. Does anyone have any experience with the TSST slot loading drive?

Luckily, it looks like Dell's website actually has a firmware updater for the TSST drive, unlike this older Optiarc.

The tech should be here later this afternoon, he told me, so we'll see how it all goes.

 

Well that was a lot quicker than anticipated, so thats good, shroom. I don't have any experience with the TSST in the Studio (though I've used those drives in desktops quite a lot), as mine is the Optiarc as well. Does the hinge cover you received today look new or refurbished again? Any manufacturers date on it? Best of luck with the Dell technician today!

Just my .02...
--Eric

 

I also have a TSSTcorp DVD writer in my desktop system...it's been treating me well so far, so I have confidence in this one. It does have a big "REFURBISHED" label on top of the box, though.

As for the media panel, it looks brand new, and the manufacturing date was just last month.

There's also a UPS shipping sticker in the box, so I guess I'll have to ship the old DVD drive back to Dell. I hope it doesn't end up in someone else's system.

 

How do you tell what drive you have? I'm fine with opening it up, but I'm kinda lazy if I don't know how. All those screws....it's the thought.

 

Start > Control Panel > Device Manager > DVD/CD-ROM Drives.

 

Thats good news on the media panel... *knocks on wood for you*

I'm sure Dell will probably "refurbish" it, or attempt to, and if they deem it viable will put it in the pile to go out to people needing a replacement DVD drive. Unfortunately, thats kinda how it goes.

I'm also interested to hear how the experience with the Dell tech goes. One thing that really interested in me in a Dell was the fact that I could upgrade to next-business-day on-site service, which I still intend to do.

Just my .02...
--Eric

 

The only thing it lists is the HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GA10N ATA Device. Maybe it's because I've reformatted over 10 times due to messing around with Linux/XP/7.

 

I have the slotload TSST DVD-R/RW drive. It works fine but the media panel caused sticky eject button also applies to this drive. The newest firmware for the TSST is D600.

 

That should be the HLDS device listed on the Dell download page. I don't think any amount of hard drive tinkering can alter a DVD drive's name.

Good to know.

Anyway, I just got another call from Mr. Bob Payne, and he just finished his last call and is on his way here now.

 

Woo Hoo!

Just my .02...
--Eric

 

Good luck and keep us posted!!!

 

UPDATE

The tech just left...the DVD drive and media panel have both been replaced, and once again, the eject button and Fn+F10 both stopped functioning within minutes after first boot.

According to the Device Manager, it still reads my DVD drive as the old Optiarc model, and the TSST firmware updater doesn't work. Any thoughts?

 

Did it do it at all while he was there so he could see it, or was it like the typical mechanics syndrome... worked while he was there, and stopping working after he left?

Either way, that sucks. Maybe its time to start petitioning Dell for a new system, because they don't seem to be able to get this one fixed for you. Maybe you could get a nice similarly spec'd 1537?

Best of luck...
--Eric

 

No, he actually witnessed it stop working and saw how I had to force-eject from My Computer. Unfortunately, there was really nothing more he could do at that point; he already replaced the only two parts he had (and left me with some spare screws I've been desperately needing, nice fellow!)

I suppose I'll be back on the line with Dell again this evening.

 

Aw, sorry to hear that nothing has been solved. Did the new media panel fix the sticky eject button though? or were you not able to tell since the drive isn't working?

 

I've only booted up twice since installing, so it's too early to tell. Usually it happens on a cold boot, after everything's been off for a few hours.

 

UPDATE

I just got off the phone with tech support again...another technician will come by some time this week to replace the media panel (again!!), the DVD drive (2nd time!), and this time, they're going to swap the motherboard as well.

Hopefully this takes care of it once and for all...in the meantime, I've got a nice stack of used media panels building up there...anyone interested?

 

Do you happen to have that plastic part that covers the speakers (with the "studio" label on top left)? If yes, then I may be interested =)

 

Yeah, that's the media panel. I currently have two of those to spare, including the ribbon cable to connect it to the motherboard. What did you have in mind?

 

hey guys, I got my new 1537, this time I don't have any lit up eject button, or random volume up commands. it's working. But, big but, I left it sleeping and after 1 hour I open it, and pop, CD ejects.... But not light, just one clean perfect eject. Do you think this time it's the dvd drive?
New specs updated on my signature!!

 

hey mastershroom, ask for a replacement, you're entitled to it, really

 

So it's not just a plastic part? (I just need the plastic cover)

My Studio 15 is one of the few "good" ones without Media panel problems. Yours won't give it bovine spongiform encepalopathy would it?

 

We'll see...if this motherboard replacement somehow doesn't solve it, then I've basically replaced every hardware component that could possibly be related to this. If it doesn't work, then I'll take it to Unresolved Issues and probably ask for a replacement. Heck, I wouldn't mind paying a bit of extra for an XPS M1530.

It is the plastic part. It's that part just above the keyboard with all the touch-sensitive buttons, and one small detachable cable that connects those buttons to the motherboard.

I...what?

Realistically, if yours is lucky enough to not be affected by the plague of the Studio 15, then I wouldn't chance replacing it.

 

Mastershroom I am 100% positive that this is a software related issue. Reasonings ahead.

I haven't been online because I was reinstalling Vista. What I reported earlier was true for about 10 minutes. After the technician disabled startup programs and I rebooted, both eject buttons stopped functioning only after Vista loaded to the desktop. I performed a disk check for the heck of it and it took nearly 2 hours. During those 2 hours, the eject buttons were functioning just fine. The eject buttons will work up until a certain point after Vista boots up. I am sure once either of us figures out what the hell it is, our eject button issues will go away. We are both using Vista 64-bit and have the exact problem so I know it can't be hardware related. Some driver/program/service is causing the eject buttons to stop working. One weird thing happened earlier: on boot up the eject buttons froze. I got an error message saying that Superfetch has encountered an error and needs to close. When I clicked close program, I heard the drive eject and both eject buttons suddenly started working again. Upon this happening, I disabled Superfetch to no avail. I really hope one of us or anyone can figure this out. I have only had the problem for today and I am already going insane.

 

Normally, I'd agree. But I melted away some of the plastic because I work in a lab...and I decided to bring my laptop. Yeeeaaaahhh.

It works. Just...ugly.

 

An interesting theory. By the gods, we will get to the bottom of this no matter what!

Does anyone here have Vista 64-bit on a 1537 configuration, not a 1535?

Haha, nice one. I have reason to suspect it's not the touch panel itself that causes the sticking, so you may be safe. I suppose I could ship you one of my spares (they may stick, but they're cosmetically impeccable. ).

 

I certainly hope so, for your sake more than mine, since I am only beginning to get into this.

According to a Dell chat representative:

The problem could be with the 64- bit Operating system drivers support on the motherboard you have. May be that motherboard does not support all 64-bit drivers.

 

An interesting idea...although it seems rather silly, then, that Dell has official 64-bit drivers on their own site.

Hopefully this replacement motherboard on the way is a 1537 model...if the problem goes away, then perhaps it's just some sort of innate hardware incompatibility with the 1535 motherboard or the PM965 chipset.