Inspiron 1520 owners lounge

What does "underclocking" entail?

 

After reading the first 70 pages or so in this thread I feel that I deserve to announce my new purchase too haha.

Inspiron 1520
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
Spring Green
Memory 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1440x900)
Video Card 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
120GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
(DVD+/-RW Drive)
Sound Card High Definition Audio 2.0
Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
Battery Options 56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell) 6BAT
Warranty & Service 1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service

$1,319.00
- 300.00 Dell coupon (thanks for the heads up!)
-----------
1,019.00
+ 87.64 Taxes
----------
$1,106.64

Free $39 2nd day shipping


Within 6 to 8 weeks, I'm suppose to get a $150 Dell gift card. I'm going to use this to buy a carry bag and maybe some speakers and a matching wireless mouse. For now my Logitech will do.
I tried to max out this model as much as I could, I decided against the $75 soundcard though, and I will be getting my RAM from somewhere else, they said it has two 512MB cards, so I'll get a 2GB for 80 bucks and have 2.5GB of ram, that's better than paying Dell $150 + interest for 2GB.

I'm so happy!!!

 

Fly-by comment to announce my Inspiron is **on its way, baby!!!** It was expected to ship the 14th, but it was "shipped to carrier" on the 7th, and according to DHL, it should arrive by 12/11.

Yay, me!

The sucky part, however, is that I have to wait until 12/25 to open it. BOO. Mom's rules >_>;;

 

i reistalled a fresh xp , managed to install all drivers except the sata.i have a03 bios , and i could not find a03 sata drivers. anyway managed to get 3400 3dmark- 2006 points , whit the original drivers.wonder if i install some forceware i get higher points ...

 

You should match your memory and not run 2 + .5. Your system will be faster that way, and at 667Mhz, you want all the speed you can get.

Run 1+1 or 2+2. Even though 32-bit can't use 2+2, your system will correctly recognize it.

 

quick question
the 1520 dvd wrighter supports dual layer?

 

Taken from fine print on the 1520 customization page on Dell.com

*Dual-channel memory: Dual-channel memory requires 2 each of the same capacity memory DIMMs.


That's fancy talk for if one side is 512mb, the other one has to be, if one side is 2GB, the other side has to be, etc ?

I use to mix pc133 on and it worked fine lol. If I have to match them, I could put two 1GB chips in for about 60 bucks, I don't know how long I'd have to wait to swing $160 for the 4GB , or even if it'd be worth it now or later (when supposedly Vista will be able to handle 4GB).

Blah.

 

Yes. Its Dual Data Rate only when PAIRS of memory are used in conjunction of each other. Any memory that is not DDR (PC133) is not affected by this rule (although it was typically recommended).

Also, you can buy 4g PC5300 for around $100 now.

 

Ok, looking around I found some 1GB ram on http://www.memoryx.net for 30 bucks each, and looking on Dell's site, they have Dell ram @ 1GB for 49.99. That's crazy, they charge $125 to add 2GB to a custom build.

At this point, I'm not sure that I need more than 2GB and I'm very sure I want more than 1GB. I just don't have any cash. I could get two 1GB chips from Dell on credit though lol.

 

Inspiron 1520
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
Sunshine Yellow
Memory 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1440x900)
Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
120GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
(DVD+/-RW Drive)
Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0
Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Additional Battery
Warranty & Service 1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service

1301$
-400$ coupon
+30$ sunshine yellow mouse
no tax (oregon ^_^)
---------
931$

+79.98$ 2x 2GB A-Data RAM


So I'd be completely satisfied if it werent for the fact that I primarily got this laptop to do audio editing work and the inspiron 1520s have the awful headphone jack issue. Apparently getting the express X-fi sound card fixes it, but there is no way in hell that I am paying 70$ for Dell's screw up, and when I harassed customer service for telling me they wouldnt send it free, they kept saying that Dell was offering a fix starting December 17th.

 

Interesting...

 

I received my replacement 1520 just a couple days ago. When booting it, it says it has the A04 bios. The first thing I tested was the headphone jack. I used the earbuds I still had with my first laptop, and the noise was still there, but considerably lower. So I chatted with tech support and they had me try another pair of headphones and connect external speakers to it. I tried another pair of "cheap" headphones and the noise was still there, but not bad. Then, I tried another pair of headphones that are actually decent and the noise wasnt there. And when I used the external speakers, the sound was fine also.

Only problem I have right now is that I want to reformat my hardrive to start clean without the extra dell stuff, but the A04 bios isnt on the Drivers & Downloads page on dell.com

 

Guys I highly recommend checking out the GWC 5.1 usb adapter on newegg. For $22 you can't get any better. Read the reviews on all the other, more expensive USB sound adapters...you'll come back to the GWC.

 

This thread is WAY too huge for me to read through, so if this has been asked already, please forgive me. (Search hasn't helped much, either.)

I got my 1520 about two weeks ago (delivered on Black Friday, in fact). It was preconfigured with XP Pro (yes, you can still get Dells preconfigured with XP), and an 8600M GT video card.

I am getting BSODs when running WoW. The graphics will get horrible yellow, white, and gray artifacts, which look a lot like a rock hitting and shattering a window, followed by a lockup and BSOD. The BSOD mentions the nv4_disp.dll driver as the cause of the problem.

I have already downloaded the latest driver Dell seems to have, but it is dated June!! (The Vista driver seems to be a bit more up-to-date, ironically.) Apparently, Dell has their systems locked down so hard, that the reference drivers directly from Nvidia (updated last week!) will not install, forcing you to use Dell's outdated drivers.

I am having an acute case of buyer's remorse, now. I'm about to go to Dell support and tell them if they can't give me an updated driver, I'll be shipping the system back to them for a refund.

Is there any way to install Nvidia's drivers?

 

Yep...I have a 1520 arriving tomorrow and I got 2 x 2GB of PC5300 for $90 with free shipping from Newegg. I'll have 4GB even if I can't use all of it from now.

From what I read, most people tend to agree that the brand doesn't matter as long as it has a lifetime warranty. I got G.Skill so I think I'll be fine with the cheap RAM

 

To ackthbbft: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=64910

 

So after battling with DHL over my laptop bag and mouse order, and with Dell over them saying they can't say if DHELL will ship my laptop, and them canceling/restarting my order because I wanted to add bluetooth, and then them not shipping today like they were suppose to, instead sending me an email saying it wont ship until the 27th, I canceled.
I'm in the process of trying to configure the HP that is similar. It'll be slower. But cheaper. This was a lot of bullcrap.

ETA : it's not delayed until the 27th because of the bluetooth, that was a previous delay. This delay is because of "unforeseen problems with your order".

 

Ok, I got an email saying it would be canceled within 48 hours. After looking on HP and Gateway's site, I can't build anything like this for this price. And I want green. So I called and uncanceled lol.

 

Does anyone have the Laptop Sleeve ZeroShock III? I was wondering if the 15.4" case fits the Inspiron 1520? Or should I go for the 17" case?

http://shinza.com/product_info.php?c...products_id=72

The interior dimensions are(W x D x H): 14.7 x 1.6 x 10.8 inches
XXXXXthe Inspiron 1520 is(W x D x H): 14.1 x 1.7 x 10.6 inches

Would the the 0.1 inch really matter?

 

It should be fine since it's a flexible material. I got a Belkin notebook sleeve for my 1520 and it fits even with the 9-cell battery.

 

I got the sleeve with the pocket on the outside and it seems like its too big for the notebook. I wish it were a little more snug.

 

I want to get a 1520 (Well, I did until they stopped selling them with dedicated graphics today) but didn't realise the 9 cell battery made the laptop larger.

Where does it stick out from and how big is it?

 

They still have gpu's available check again.

 

I meant on the UK site. They're not there it seems!?!

 

Should I be regreting going with the T5250 and not paying the $350 for the upgrade to T7500? Those were the only choices for the XP laptops. Also, I stayed with the 8400M video card, was this a big mistake? The only game I play really is Second Life but I like things to be fast as well as nice looking graphics...


ps-I just went to the US site to see if I was losing out by a lot for what I paid and guess what? I SAVED money ordering here. It cost less for more and was in Canadian dollars. Awesome.

 

It sticks out in the back about 1/2 to 3/4" I find that it's no big deal at all. Here's a picture of it:

http://images.pcworld.com/reviews/graphics/products/imported/30189_g3.jpg

 

Oh, that seems alright, thanks

 

Sticks out a touch more than 3/4". I just measured.

Looks horrible with the lid closed, but when you're using it, you don't notice. I also notice I have a tendency to grab the battery more when I'm picking up the laptop.

It also fits fine with my sleeve.

 

So... Is it possible to buy the 8600m GT from them afterwards and install it into your 1502 on your own ?

how would one go about doing so ? getting the 8600m gt?

 

It would probably be cheaper to just get the 8600 from Dell the first time. The refurb one they list on their site is listed for more than it normally costs to upgrade, and its a roll of the dice whether or not its the correct part as the picture shows the desktop model.

 

link please?

also a note to those interested in the sleeve/cases... white/green is really dove"gray"/ green/tarragon

 

Woah, apparently, the laptop has a built in microphone? Where is it located on the machine?

 

On either side of the webcam at the top of your screen.

 

After a long wait my 1520 finally arrived

sadly no remote was included...

 

oops double post

 

any nice program that i can use it to detect my temp,fan speed and the cpu speed on windows vista?

 

i8kfangui is pretty good

 

It appears that the 1520 has been discontinued. It has been replaced on Dell's USA website by the 1525:

http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/inspnnb?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

You can still get the Vostro 1500, but maybe not for very long.

The 1520 had a short run, as it turns out.

EDIT: actually, you can still find the 1520 at:
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DNDWKB3&s=dhs
for the time being.

Thanks, HI DesertNM

 

As somebody mentioned, it appears the 1520 is still available off the coupon links. But not all the colors are available etc.. Not sure if one can still order one this way but the Dell coupon links are still working and pointing towards the 1520. If this is the case, those interested better hurry up and order a 1520 if thats what they want. It looks definite that the 1520 is either end of lifed or is about to be.

 

I'd send you a photo but I don't have my 1520 w/ 9 cell with me.

The 9-cell battery sticks out out a little more than a half inch and is about a half-inch thick. It has curved edges. It doesn't look too bad and somewhat blends in with the design of the 1520. It's definitely noticable, but not terribly so.

But (IMHO) it does make handling the laptop a little more awkward. You kind of lose the ability to cradle the laptop from the back. I'm also a bit concerned about the longevity of the clasps that hold the battery in. They don't seem to be all that sturdy and since the battery sticks out, there is a bit of pressure on those clips from time to time as the laptop gets moved in and out of my bag. I find myself being careful not to lift the laptop out by the battery as well. Basically things you don't think about when the battery is flush with the laptop chassis.

I'm still glad I bought the 9-cell. 4+ hours of battery life is great (IMHO).

 

can ur i18kfangui detect the hdd temp? seem i can't get the detail og my 160gb hdd, it show nothing in the show sysinfo there.

anyone can help?thx

 

Anyone else have issues with their 1520 locking up at the slightest static shock? I've never used a laptop which was so touchy; they usually handle shocks much better than mine.

 

^I honestly can't say I've for sure shocked the thing, but mine hasn't crashed since I did a clean install of Vista to clear out the bloatware and craplets.

 

I haven't noticed a static problem. But, even after implementing a MS fix for the sleep mode problem, it's gotten better, but not gone away. I still occassionally get locked up and have to do major reboot.

 

Does the 1520 have a microphone still? I ordered mine the 25th (off the coupon links) and it said that it included the webcam but mentioned nothing about the microphone.

 

The mic is located right next to the webcam. See those holes?

 

I really don't like my 1520 anymore, it's so thick and heavy, I was playing around with those sony laptops, don't know the model number but it was a 15.4in and it's so MUCH THINNER AND LIGHTER than the 1520, same specs except a 8400GTM

 

May I ask how your old laptop was run over? Lol, that just seems sorta random. And sucky.

And XDViPeR, even the new 1525 is a bit thinner/lighter then the 1520, BUT (mais) those Sony's do come with a pretty price tag too. Or do like me and get an EEE to take to class. Or sell it if you're unhappy. Lol. Heck, those Macbooks are pretty nice, but they're also $1500 more then what I paid for my 1520 for the same specs. I couldn't justify the cost.

 

Was it the Sony FZ?

 

I posted this already on another thread, but I wasn't sure it was the right place. Anyways, is Dell still shipping out the Inspiron 1520s? I ordered mine on 12/29, and it was supposed to ship today, but I just got an email that it's been delayed to 2/6. I hadn't realized that the line was discontinued and now I'm a bit worried about getting it at all. Should I cancel and order a 1525? Is it a better deal?