Inspiron 1520 owners lounge

lol, i am thinking about installing windows xp on this machine also. vista is killing it, it takes almost 4mins from start up for me to open up firefox or do anything!!!. i uninstalled many of the bull**** programs that were already on.
maybe next week i might reinstall vista without dells bull****. even now with msn, aim windows media and firefox open, there is still hdd activity going on.

Does anyone know any other tweaks or tricks i could do to this system to make it faster?
my 3yr old dell desktop with vista 2gb, p4 3.0ht, starts faster than the 1520.

 

Hey I just ordered a 1520 yesterday. Have been wanting one for a while and just got enough money. Am pretty excited about its arrival and hope that it has none of the problems that abound here. Would like to triple boot XP, Vista and Ubuntu (7.10) when it arrives and should be sweet.

 

There is a topic here on forums for vista tweaks...I did some stuff like:

- kill the supplied norton antivirus
- kill most useless software
- rearange the startup process (its in the tread how to do it, it speeds up the startup really big time)
- get ccleaner

Now its not slow, much faster than anything I had before (d610 with XP, and a 2,4Ghz P4 desktop with XP)

 

hey guys!!
really need ur help!!
just got my inspiron 1520...
never had a laptop earlier in my life...
i dont know how to open the laptop!!!
im such a noob (
but i tried lifting the upper portion..
but it was too tight...
and did not find any other way..
so pleaseeeeee help me!!
thanks a lot!!

Edit;
also, while fidgiting, i pressed the button or whatever its called that is used to get the express card slot out....and i cant figutre out how to get it in!
im feelin so dumb askin all this!

 

There is a slider on the front over the media buttons...slide it to the right than open the lid.

the express card button can only be pushed back after the card or the plastic dummy has been taken out...then after pushing back the button push the dummy in the slot.

 

You are a life saver mate!!
Thanks a bilion!!

 

How is the mobility of this compared to other 15.4" laptops?

 

It's kinda heavy so if you have to take it with you all day long, it's doable but you will be very tired at the end of the day.

 

Ah cool, I won't be carrying it all day long so I guess it should be fine. Anyone know where I can find pictures of the size comparisons between this laptop and the XPS M1330. I'm still deciding if I should get this one or the XPS.

Thanks

 

If you want to play some recent games get the 1520 with a 8600M GT, if you need mobility and play less get the XPS. Its not that heavy as some state, its "only" 2,89kg with the 6 cell battery. Thats not bad for a 15,4".

The XPS is about 1kg lighter, about 1,9kg.

 

I just bought a 1520 on Thursday night. My friend bought one a few days before. I really hope I will enjoy this system. My previous systems are: (sold) Inspiron 5100, (current) Inspiron 9300, and now the 1520.

I hope it will play all the games I want it to.

 

I had read that xp was better for games... in vista I ran the 3d 05 benchmark and came up with 53?? (5347 I think... 53 something) and in xp 5803. I don't play games and just did that for fun... don't know if it actually means games will play faster or if my system is any better. lol... feels about the same with the apps I use.

 

@ ClayDay - why did you pay $1555 if there is a $425 off $1399coupon??

 

Hi,

I am planning to buy a Dell 1520 within next 10 days. I am going for T7250 which is 170 USD costlier than T5250. Please tell me if there is any noticeable difference between the speeds of two of them ?? What applications will require higher processing power than T5250 ?? I mean is it a wise decision to spend 170 dollars more for that speed difference ??

Also,I have decided 160 GB SATA HDD , should I go for 7200 RPM ,which is 56 dollars costlier than normal SATA HDD. Again , is it worth the extra money
and will it make any noticeable difference ???

I have decided following config:
Intel C2D T7250 2.0 GHz
Vista Home premium
3 Year Complete Cover
15.4" widescreen WXGA 1280*800 display with truelife
2 GB RAM
Integrated sound blaster audigy advanced HD audio software
Nvidia 8600 GT 256 MB
160 GB SATA HDD
8x DVD writer
Midnight Blue color
9 cell battery

Please reply...

 

Can't wait for my first laptop!

 

Haha same here,could it be anything other then indexing?mine will go on alot at startup and other times..like now..it'll just suddenly come on again and load so much while im not doing anything..I'm using MCAFEE though..

 

so my laptop is making a sounds once in a while that sounds like the fake picture noise of a digital camera or camera phone. Is this a big problem? doesnt really bother me

 

I upgraded my 1520 with 2 gigs of ram. It took a while to find a soso deal on the 2 gig sticks. Frys had a 64 dollar deal out the door with 20 bucks rebate. Im loving the newer style laptop with all the bells and whistles. They get better every year. Gotta stay on top of the technology. My favorite thing about this laptop is the resolution of the screen. Looks so good with the power behind it too.


Oh I found the answer to my freezing problem I posted a few pages ago. I have the 120 gig drive. And my laptop kept freezing and the harddrive light was solid for about 30-45 secs before it would come back and do everything you clicked on. turns out it was something related to Intel motherboard and vista. Read about it here..

http://www.paulscomputerservice.net/index.php?body=./os/intelSataError9.php


Lastly, I was thinking about a post somebody talked about earlier, saying he had 20 gigs of missing space, so he decided to redo the vista install, so he could get that space back and remove the recovery partition too. THen he found that the missing space is a vista thing dealing with shadow copying system files or something. But for me I want at least that recovery partition gone too. Thats 10 gigs out of my small 120 gig drive. So I found this post talking about something I already new. Vista as well as Windows 2003 allows you to extend partions without special software or loosing any data. So I will backup my restore partion to a DVD or something and extend my drive to get 10 gigs back.

extend and shrink partions
http://www.lytebyte.com/2007/02/19/how-to-partition-in-windows-vista-extend-and-shrink/

 

hey everyone.. i've been a long time lurker and tonight i just couldn't resist holding out any longer. i've been eyeing the 1520 for a while now and after seeing the $425 off coupon, i was sold.

i put in my order tonight and i can't wait to receive my first real laptop. i was debating whether or not to build a new desktop (a buddy of mine works at intel and could get a q6700 for 275 or something o_o), but i figure that project can wait till after the new year with all of the new quad cores hitting the market.

my lappy's estimated ship date is 11/2 and i'm hoping that it comes with the lg screen that i've read so much about

 

$1555 was my final price after tax and shipping... I did use the $425 off coupon.

 

ClayDay, I'll bet you got some warranty/care package? If not, beware, you are probably paying too much.

 

Well ... hopefully I will receive my 1520 today and join you all. I have had great luck in the past with Dell Outlet and with the coupon from a couple of weeks ago I kept my eye out for a good system. Here is what I got ... as long as the scratches are not on the screen itself I could care less about them. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping I do not have to return it.


Inspiron 1520 Notebook: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache)

8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio Software Edition
6 Cell Primary Battery
Bluetooth Wireless Card 355
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA+ Notebook Screen with TrueLife
Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Web Camera
Jet Black
3945 802.11a/g Wireless Mini Card
160 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Web Camera
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 677MHz (2 DIMMs)

20% off Inspiron Notebooks Priced at $600 and above! - $193.80




Insp 1520 STD: 1 Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service $0.00 1 $0.00

ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS AND COUPONS


Dell Outlet Home Customers: Save an ADDITIONAL 2% instantly by paying with Dell Preferred Account! (Subject to credit approval. Limited time offer.) - $15.50
Subtotal: $759.70
Shipping and Handling: $19.99

Sales Tax: $54.58
Total: $834.27

 

Hey guys, alright if i chill in here for a while, got my new 1520 (2ghz one).

Going to get that logitech nano mouse for christmas, then i'm all set. Can't wait for Company of heroes opposing fronts to arrive tommorrow so i can play it!!!

 

WARNING:
Do not wear erabuds, and try to listen to music right after updating your audio drivers. Lower the volume first!!!

Was gonna post this as a new thread, but heck with it.

 

Good deal on the SD forum

Inspiron 1520
Core 2 Duo @ 2.2GHz T7500
15.4 inch display (1680x1050)
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
120GB 5400RPM
1GB RAM (upgrading)
Vista Premium
DVDwriter
Bluetooth
2.0 MP webcam
85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
4 year full coverage with accidental COMPLETE CARE
$1069 delivered some 900-1000 dollars off...

 

Just bought this system for a good price imo. just got a 1GB RAM setting cuz i found a good 4GB RAM deal for $109! (2 sticks of 2GB DDR2 667Mhz)

Inspiron 1520 Notebook: Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache)
Jet Black
15.4 WIDESCREEN - GLOSSY - HIGH RESOLUTION (1680x1050)
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
OnBoard HD Audio.
9 Cell Primary Battery 85 WHr
Bluetooth Wireless Card 355
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA+ Notebook Screen with TrueLife
Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Web Camera
3945 802.11a/g Wireless Mini Card
250 GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Web Camera
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 677MHz (2 DIMMs)
FREE NEXT DAY SHIPPING
$200 Dell Coupon Card (arriving in 6-8 weeks) FREE

TOTAL $1159 + TAX (83.93) = 1242.96

 

I really think you guys need tgo check the deal at SD, its the UDEL deal. I love the 4 yr complete care package. Its amazing peice of mind to know even if you drop it while traveling or it cracks in ur bag you are totally covered.

 

I just purchased the 1520, with the intel t7500, 1440x900 display,
256MB Nvidia geforce 8600 gt, 2GB, and a 120gb 5400 hd. I was wondering if there was any problems or drawbacks to the 120GB 5400 hard drive? Should I keep it or upgrade, I also use a portable seagate 160GB 5400. I'm running Vista and am going to use the notebook for school and gaming. Should I be fine?

 

Ordered a midnight blue 1520 today
T7250/2gigs ram/1680x1050 display/2 9cell batteries/120GB 7200RPM hdd/ 8600m gt. 11/14 estimated ship date.

$1,184.24 with tax and free shipping.

 

The system you have should work fine for gaming and school. The 5400 rpm hard drives spin slower than the 7200 rpm versions but generally have more storage space. What this means is that your load times will be slightly longer, ie. startup and waiting for programs to load. It comes down to personal preference, I enjoy my 7200 rpm from the 5400 that I used to have. I would not consider going back.

Upgrading is easy enough however, if you so choose. Newegg sells a 200Gb 7200rpm Travelstar for around $200, with small versions costing about a buck a Gb. You can replace the 120Gb drive with a faster version and keep it around in a external hard drive enclosure. I've done that in the past. 5400 rpm makes for a small compact external drive.

 

I got 2 years with complete care. Although I'm not sure I like this system enough to keep it. The earphone noise is killing me to death. Does anyone know how returns work? Does dell always charge the 15% restocking fee?

 

No they don't always charge the 15% restocking fee.
Especially if they know you're going to order another Dell, and you're within your 21 days.

 

Hello guys, I`m planning to order one soon. Is their shipping still sux or they solved this problem?I live in Iowa state, how much time would it take to ship it or it really depends and thats a stupid question? According to your previous posts this laptop has almost no problems but that earphone noise and sometimes that strange noise inside,right? One question about hdd, is it ok for gaming have hdd wich runs at speed 5400?(Of course having Core2Due 2Ghz + 8600GT).I`m pretty scared about its battery that possibly can explode(ya, those itunes videos=))...what do u think about that? What warranty plan would you advice to me? Thank u
p.s. sorry for my bad english

 

I ordered my 1520 11/5 and it shipped 11/8. I would say it's fixed!

 

After cancelling four orders in 2 days , I finally placed an order I'm going to stick with Here are the specs:

2.2ghz
1440x900 glossy
1gig ram (upgrading to 2gig from crucial)
160g 7200rpm HD
256GT video
CD/DVD writer
6 & 9 cell batteries
2 year in-home (+1 year using amex card)
jet black
vista home premium

Total price came to $1183 after $500 off $1399 coupon

My cart also showed a $200 gift card which I plan on using to buy a mouse and case.

I was looking at the anti-glare screen on a 1720 but after reading this I decided to go with the glossy. Basically the anti-glare is just a coating over the glossy.

Once I receive it I'll give vista a try and possibly put xp pro on it. If anyone has a link for how to do this I would appreciate it.

 

ordered just an hour ago and got an e-mail saying to click on the link ''Dell Purchase Order''. I've clicked on it many times but all is does just opens an empty page. So I've send a reply e-mail but it came back saying that recepient e-mail account doesn't exist. Weird. O well, it's after midnight and I propably have to wait untill somebody will wake up at Dell. lol. Does anyone know if they work on Saturday or I'll have to wait till Monday to see something happening on my dell account's page. Mostly I want to see a $200 gift card in my shoping cart, but it still empty. Anyone knows how long it takes before they put a gift card in a shopping cart or it comes old fashion via-mail in 6-8 weeks ? thanks

 

because order is still pending I can still change something

any suggestions for this kind of Inspiron 1520 ?

My Components
Jet Black
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache)
Genuine Windows® XP Professional
Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
Speed: 120GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card
Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
High Definition Audio 2.0
My Software & Accessories
No Subscription (30-day trial)
Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD
Yahoo! Music Jukebox - Music Player
My Service
1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service
Free 3 GB Online Backup for 1Yr
No ISP requested
Free Recycling Kit
Also Includes
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
Jet Black color w/ 2.0M pixel Camera
Windows XP™
Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor
Inspiron 1520
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem

somehow I can't upgrade Audio Card - shows only basic option of High Definition Audio 2.0

total $1518.00 - $500 off coupon = 1018.00 + free 3-5 days shipping + propably $68.71 in taxes = total $1086.71 and they suppose to give me a $200 gift card, I hope... otherwise I'll cancell the order and buy L.e.n.o.v.o. laptop

 

I’m planning on installing a 2GB stick on my Inspiron 1520; does it matter if it's placed in the DIMM A Memory Module or the DIMM B Memory Module? The other bay will have a stock Dell 512GB stick in it, thus giving me 2.5GB total. In other words, does it matter which module (A or B) that the 2GB or the 512GB goes into, as both will be filled?
Thanks

Trying to save me the hassel of taking off the keyboard!

 

Remove these?

 

Dell is killing me. Now they say that they don't give 2 promotions on one order. LOL. its either $500 coupon or $200 gift card.
i just configed a machine for exactly $1399.00 and 150 gift card showed up in my shopping card by itself. than i config a laptop for exactly $1499.00 and 200 gift card showed up in my shopping card by itself. and now i config a notebook for $2000.00+ and 200 gift card showed up in my shopping card.

anyone else knows anything about this nonses not to honor a gift card that automatically issued with config of the $1399+($1499+)price?

 

Ive been checking over dells site for the past week and they dont have the intel wireless draft N card available for the 1520 at the moment. (guessing its not in inventory or something).

anyway is the dell wireless 1505 any good? or should i hold out until they have the intel available on the website again?

 

apparently nobody reads this topic anymore

 

Use that $200 gift card to order the X-Fi express card if you ever plan on using headphones.

 

No, just the question you ask has been asked and answered a billion times already.

 

ive done a search and the only topic i found was someone said they think the dell is a broadcom chipset and thats all that has ever been said about it .

 

I used a 400 coupon and the CSR assured me that I would be getting a 200 gift card (even though the system AFTER the coupon was applied would be below 1399). When I received the email with the purchase order, I did not see the gift card included. However, after I called their sales rep number that came with the purchase order, the CSR there said that they do see the 200 gift card included with the order and that I would be getting it.

Anthony

 

Hi guys , I need some help here.I am not able to adjust the digital vibrance and Image sharpening on 1520 with 8600GT.
My current driver is 7.15.11.143
Is it the driver that disable it or it can't be adjust at all ?

 

I just received my 1520, quick question. I noticed that others have noted that their 9cell battery shakes and wobbles back and forth; I have the same problem, makes a horrible clunking sound when carrying or moving the notebook. Anyway, some have returned the battery to Dell for replacements. For those that have done so, has your replacement battery fixed the problem, or does anyone else know if there is another fix.
Thanks

 

Hi. I have a Inspiron 1520 with a 90 Watt AC adapter. When I have the laptop in my lap, the power cord falls out of the back of the case at the slightest movement of the cord. Is anyone else having this problem?

 

Does anybody know how to use its IR?