I have HAD IT with this Studio 1535

Psssss humidity and temp theories, this starts to get interesting!
BTW, I reformatted, installed a Vista Home Premium MSDN (Untouched) x64, first thing I want to install: Quickset, and guess what: "This is not a supported system", what should I do??

 

It could have something to do with the fact that it's an MSDN version of Windows. I've never used any install disks other than the official disks Dell sends me.

 

I've used retail discs to install my copies of Vista x64. I, however, activate my copies of Windows using the Dell activation that shipped with the system way back when. There is an app made by someone over in the hp section of NBR that lets you backup the OEM activation and restore it.

I seriously doubt Windows activation has to do with software (Quickset) installation though, but I could be mistaken.

 

Well I had installed it on the old 1535, so I copied the Program Files folder of Quickset, and voilà! It works.... It's not the elegant solution, but it works

 

That's just weird. You'd think Quickset would have some registry entries to worry about too...

 

Very nice! Simple does it in this case.

 

I just noticed that I also face one of the problems mentioned. My DVD drive sometimes refuses to eject the disc when I press either the touch-sensitive eject button or Fn+F10. The only way to eject the disc is by entering Computer, right clicking the DVD drive icon and selecting eject or restarting the laptop. I'll be bringing this up to Dell tomorrow. By the way, my DVD drive is Optiarc AD-7640S.

 

Are you using Windows Vista 64-bit?

 

I'm using Windows 7 x64. I think this happened too when I ran the Dell Diagnostic disc. When it reaches the part where it asked me to insert a data disk to test the drive, I couldn't eject the disk occasionally. I failed that diagnostic section because the diagnostic tool kept saying that I did not insert a data disc even though I've tried discs with video, music files and software.

 

When you actually fail and get an error code from Dell Diagnostics, it's great. You can phone up Dell or go to their chat, tell them the codes, and they will try to fix your problem without doing further troubleshooting...it really saves a lot of time.

 

UPDATE

The Dell technician (same guy as last time!) came over to replace my motherboard.

10 minutes after, my eject button and Fn+F10 are not working.

This is another 1535 motherboard, identical to the one I had, although it shipped with BIOS A05. The issue occurred on that BIOS, so I updated to A06 just a few minutes ago, and the same thing is happening.

So, back to square one, I suppose. I'm going to say John is right and there's no possible way this can be a hardware issue anymore. All possibly related parts have been replaced, some of them multiple times.

And it still only seems to be affecting people with 64-bit operating systems on a Studio 1535 configuration. The 1537 still appears to be unaffected.

 

Hm I have the same DVD and...
So I'm with Vista X64 and I do not have this problem.
After All It must be some software conflict, some program may be.

Suggest you to start from Dell .
They had bad WireLess Drivers.
Latest Lan Driver caused Slow ShutDown to me, so I uninstalled it.
You know about sound drivers.
I had problem with some Ati Driver version - like "ati... was restored because..."
OverAll everything from Dell is potential problematic or incompatible driver.

 

Good grief. They didn't send you a 1537 motherboard after all you have been through? Did the technician say/observe anything that might help us find the problem?

May I ask what BIOS version you are using? What drivers are you using for ATI?

 

I'm using BIOS A6.
Driver Version 8.590.0.0 - from Dell's web for Ati
Driver Date 13.2.2009 ã.

 

So, you have a 1535 with Vista x64, but not the eject issue. The conflicting evidence just doesn't stop!

And I don't use the Dell WiFi card, I have the Intel 5300 with Intel's own driver. And my ATi driver hasn't been giving me trouble.

I'm sure they didn't think it was a problem universal to the 1535, otherwise they would have done just that. The tech said he didn't think there was anything else he could really do, since he had already replaced all the hardware that could possibly have been related.[/quote]

 

UPDATE

I just got a follow-up phone call from Dell support. The gentleman on the phone (after a couple of repeats; he had a very thick accent) told me that Dell engineers believe that these eject issues are a problem with the BIOS, and that they're working on a new BIOS (presumably A07) which may be released in the next 7 to 10 days. He suggested I wait until this new BIOS is released to see if that clears things up, because the engineers are specifically making this BIOS due to common complaints of DVD eject issues.

He didn't specify if these "eject" issues are the completely dead button like John and I are experiencing, or the more common sticking upon startup, or both.

I guess I'll wait another week or two for this BIOS release before I start pestering Dell again.

Either way, it's about damn time we get an updated BIOS...the last one for the 1535 came out in 2008!

 

Master,

I purchased a 1537 and received it in early April of this year. I had issues with the eject button staying lit and the rest of the media bar not responding. The only way for me to fix it was to shutdown, pull the battery, plug it back in and power up again. I refused to accept spending my hard earned money on faulty hardware so I decided to return it.

I hate to say it but no matter how many times they replace the hardware in your laptop the issue will persist. You might have a chance if you file a complaint with the BBB and contact the Dell corporate office. I went through hell to get my 1537 returned for a full refund, and that was a week after I made the purchase. Unfortunately, it's seems you're well past the full refund policy date.

Keep fighting the the good fight!

The BBB does work btw, I received a response from them and from a corporate contact at Dell because of the complaint I filed.

 

That is awesome! I actually called Dell earlier today also, but they didn't inform me that they were releasing a new BIOS. They INSISTED that my eject problems were due to "a hardware issue because you purchased your motherboard from a third party." Yeah....whatever dell. I am glad there is some glimmer of hope.

 

Interesting news, shroom. We'll have to see where this goes. There are a myriad of possibilities!

Just my .02...
--Eric

 

Carrot on a stick.

 

Yeah, I know about the BBB, but this is an entirely different eject issue. The sticking issue actually doesn't even bother me at this point. It's pretty much inevitable with a Studio 15...although I haven't yet had it on this particular media panel. *Knock on wood*

Yeah, it was pretty good to hear. Now let's see if it actually does anything for us.

What?



Also, I would like to convey my apologies to the NBR Forum staff for bypassing the language filters in my original post of this thread.

And can I also request that this be moved back to the Studio and Inspiron forum section? This is not really a discussion of customer service, but rather hardware issues.

 

[/QUOTE]

Same with me. I have Vista x64 on a 1535 and even when my media buttons worked they still wouldn't eject the DVD/CD drive, so I just got the whole media button panel replaced and voila! Now I can eject! Of course, I know that you've tried that and it didn't work. Maybe the new BIOS will fix your problem.

 

I certainly hope so. If the first four media panels haven't changed anything, let's hope a new BIOS will. *Crosses fingers*

 

I've been on the phone with the support guy for my case... Since I had to wait so long for a replacement, I'll get 8GB RAM and a 64-bit Vista Recovery disk per post this week

 

Holy crap, they're giving you 8GB of RAM for free? That normally costs hundreds of dollars!

 

I thought the Studio 15 could only handle up to 4GB?

 

3 or 4GB seem to be the only options when configuring one on Dell's store...

Perhaps this alleged BIOS update will have something to do with it, or maybe 8GB just happens to work and they didn't think to tell us.

Either way, I don't think Dell would send him a $500 RAM upgrade for free if they knew his model wouldn't support it anyway.

 

The 1535 is supposed to handle 4GBs whereas the 1537 is supposed to handle 8GB. The 1535 might be able to handle 8GBs but that's unconfirmed.

 

OMG what a present...
I prefer to buy addition ram not from Dell, but anyway they give you amazing present.

 

Even from cheaper retailers like Newegg (hell, even used on eBay), I've never seen a 2x4GB RAM kit for less than $300.

 

Ah, the amazing difference between "free" and "cheap"

 

For damn sure. I wonder if Dell will give me anything nice for all the eject button trouble I've been going through.

 

They most definitely should considering what you've been through with your computer.

 

Knowing them, they'll probably offer me a free exchange for a Studio 1555 or a refurbished 1537. Given the choice, I'd take the latter. It's still something of an upgrade for me, considering the newer chipset.

 

Hey guys, so I got today the free upgrade to 8GB and the new cover of the special edition... I'll show you pics as soon as I have the complete set, since I got today only the edge-to-edge display, so my 1537 is now half special edition... gray palm rest isn't that great!
Note: All of this is because of the time I had to wait for my replacement,...

 

Haha, you lucky son of a gun. I didn't realize they were upgrading you to the 1537 Special Edition too.

 

I want to see pics of that edge-to-edge display. Sounds sexy.

 

:-.......................................

 

Haha. Apparently all I deserve is to be told to wait another week for an alleged BIOS upgrade.

I suppose it's time to update your signature to reflect your new goodies.

 

It's official, I'm moving to Colombia.

 

Yes! Word.

 

You're welcome to come!

 

Haha, count me in. We'll get a party together.

 

Just ran Dell Diagnostics and I failed the Built in Self Test (Test All) under optical drive test.

Error Code: 0F00:2832
Error Message: DVDRW_1 - Timeout waiting for IRQ

Mastershroom, do you mind doing a diagnostic and see whether you get the error or not? Thanks.

 

I ran one last week and it passed.

 

It passed here too, this morning

 

Okay. Thanks for the information. Today I shall bring this matter up to Dell. Besides that, the spacebar on my keyboard is squeaking whenever I press it.

 

Mine had a squeaky spacebar at first too. Then it sort of stopped. It may be because the thing was worn-in or I've gotten used to it. Either way, it no longer bothers me.

 

I figured that the squeaking sound would go away but it's still there. I've changed the keyboard once. The previous one has this problem as well as the num lock LED problem. It's been nearly 6 months since I changed the keyboard.

PS: Just contacted Dell Support. They are going to replace the keyboard and optical drive for me. Anyway, does the heatsink need to be dismantled from the motherboard when replacing the optical drive? Recently, I've just replaced the thermal pads with thermal paste and I don't really want the Dell personnel to find out about it. However, if the need arises, I've no problems replacing back the thermal pads though.

 

When the technician came here to replace my optical drive, he did not remove the heatsink from the motherboard. He only did that the next time he came, when he replaced the motherboard itself.

And even if the tech that comes to your place sees that sort of thing, he's not even a Dell employee (Dell uses a third party contractor for on-site repairs/replacements) and won't give it a second glance. The guy took my heatsink off and saw the Arctic Silver and even the copper shim on my GPU. They're there to replace what they're told to replace, not conduct warranty compliance inspections.