Just got a Vostro 1400, and have a few questions

Just got my Vostro 1400 delivered today but I have a few questions:

1) It's supposed to have an IR port right? Instead, I have one with 2 headphones jacks, no IR port. On Dell's website, it looks like one of the headphone jacks should be an IR port. No sign of IR port in the BIOS either. What gives?

2) I got the 8400M GS video card with 128MB onboard RAM. I understand it can also share RAM with the system memory. Is there anyway to force it to not share system RAM? It also seems to take up 2MB or system ram no matter what, in the Windows system info, I only see 1022MB system RAM instead of the 1024 that I should see (yes I have 1GB RAM only)

3) I have the 1440x900 AUO screen. Yes, it's not the best but I was willing to live with it. HOWEVER, I just discovered two white (lighter) spots on the screen. They're not dead or stuck pixels, it seems like they're imperfections in the glossy coating. While I was willing to deal with the "graininess" (it's really not that bad) and the somewhat poor vertical viewing angles, I'm not willing to deal with these 2 white spots. Do I really have to send my laptop back in for them to replace it or can they just send me a replacement screen and I do it myself? If I can do it myself, is it difficult and does it void any warranties? Keep in mind, I'm pretty computer literate and don't mine taking apart the LCD chassis to replace it myself.

Thanks in advance everyone.

 

1. Can't help you there. I have a bluetooth remote

2. Your system only sees 1022mb of ram because the operating system reserves some of the memory for device drivers.

3. where are the white spots on the screen?


More than likely, they'll ask you to send your lappy back if you request a replacement screen. They dont' trust layman installing their own screens, no offense. The worst case scenario is if you break the replacement screen while installing it, they'll end up having to send another screen so it's better if they do it themselves. Unfortunately, that the price we pay for not getting onsite support

 

1. This was my fault, I found out that the IR port isn't a fully functional IR port, it's only used for remote controls and such and it only comes with the 1400 if you order the optional IR remote.

2. So this is a new Vista feature huh? So much I have to learn....., but my original question still stands, is there a way to make sure the 8400M GS doesn't start sharing system memory and to force it to only use the interal 128MB?

3. Well, the support guy I talked to at Dell was actually pretty decent and I could actually understand everything he said! No offense to anyone, but after all this outsourcing, a lot of the times, it's hard to understand the CS rep. Anyway, he agreed to send me a screen and I'm gonna do it myself, I'm pretty confident I can do it, especially with the good instructions Dell provides. Also, the white/light spots are about 1"-1.5" from the top of the screen and 4" from the right side of the screen.

 

Vostro is a business laptop which includes next business day onsite service so you don't need to post the laptop back somebody is coming to fix it for you.

Hope you'll get a better screen, I've got 3 grainy AUO at the end I refunded it.

 

Wow... this may sound weird, but I'm really impressed with Dell's customer service. I got my replacement LCD screen delivered today, and I only just filed the ticket two days ago! Just thought I'd be on the opposite camp for once and give Dell some deserved props....

Ok, onto the bad.... it's still the AUO screen . But yeah, I'll live with it as long as it doesn't have the white/light smudges on it like my current one does.

 

Even for a business laptop, there are many levels of services. The basic package comes with mail in one year service only.

 

Just put the new screen in, good news, the white/light spots are gone on this screen, and no dead pixels. Bad news, it's the same AUO screen Oh well.... I'll deal. On a positive note, the screen replacement wasn't tough at all, the only somewhat hard part was prying the bezel on the LCD screen off. I was so afraid I was going to break a plastic tab or something, but thank goodness, no broken tabs. I did have to put some pressure on the LCD itself to take off the bezel and got fingerprints all over it... good thing that was the old screen which I'm returning After you put in the new screen, snapping in the bezel doesn't require touching the LCD at all.

Anyway, just thought I'd share in case some other people are wondering if it's tough to swap out an LCD screen. Also, Dell's got some great instructions on their website.