Studio 15 Owner's Thread

My Studio 1535 hasn't done this...yet...but my Latitude E6400 has! I had plugged it into a power strip/surge protector with a few other items also drawing power from the strip. As soon as I plugged my AC Adapter directly into a wall socket, the problem was resolved.

 

It went away for the most part and only showed up when I didn't have it plugged all the way in. Three days ago it started acting up and it wouldn't go away until I fiddled with the connector a bit. Now fiddling doesn't work, my battery doesn't charge and if I unplug it while I'm in Windows it'll down clock my cpu to a lousy 800mhz. I've contacted Dell and they told me it could either be the motherboard or the adapter. I can't send my system in right now so I got them to send me an adapter which should arrive soon. It's disappointing, I shouldn't have to face this, but the quicker it goes away the better.

 

Which adapter did they provide? My wife's 1537 was provided a 65 watt adapter and it will not charge the laptop. It will run on the adapter, but not charge. I noticed that most of the 1537 laptops with the dedicated video card are shipped with a 90 watt adapter, so I tried my 90 watt adapter and it charges the laptop.

So, I have reached the conclusion, right or wrong, that if it has a dedicated video card, it needs the 90 watt adapter. I called Dell and they are shipping a 90 watt adapter. Now, I don't know how long it will charge it if the actual issue is in the motherboard charge circuitry.

The 65 watt adapter will work on charging my laptop that has a 90 watt adapter.

 

They shipped it with a 65W adapter? That's odd. The standard AC adapter is 90W. I think only the travel adapter is 65W.

 

I looked at the specs on Dell Outlet for all of the 1537 units and I noticed that all of the ones with shared video had 65 watt adapters and all of the ones with a dedicated card showed a 90 watt adapter.

This leads me to believe that the 65 watt does not work with a dedicated card. This is only a guess on my part.

As noted, I tried the 90 watt from my laptop and it works fine. The funny thing is that the 65 watt that was shipped with the 1537 works to charge my laptop.

This 1537 with the Radeon card was shipped with only the 65 watt adapter. I think that they screwed up, but what do I know?

 

I've got a 90 Watt charger, Rev A00

 

I've got both chargers and the 90W charges and the 65W "Auto/Air" doesn't. I also have the 3450 video card.

 

Hmm. I'm new here. A Malaysian. LOL. I'm wondering about the speaker's quality, is it really that crappy?
I'm planning to place an order on this model. Hope I got a good build quality.

 

The onboard speakers are pretty bad, even as laptop speakers go. They don't have dedicated subwoofers, and everything sounds very tinny and shrill. If you uninstall the standard IDT drivers, they will go much louder, but quality can't really be helped due to the physical nature of the speakers. These diameter of these things is roughly that of a penny.

If I were you, I would get a good set of dedicated 2.1 external speakers or headphones. I only use the integrated speakers as a last resort.

The notebook's actual build quality is pretty solid, though.

 

I would recommend external speakers as well. I have a set of Logitech Z-5's connected and they sound great (USB connection).

 

+1 to external speakers for the 1535/1537. Well, for most laptops...

 

New Driver for Intel WiFi Link 5100 released 4/21/09
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=5&fileid=281727

 

The latest intel drivers for Wifi 5100 and 5300

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=17227

 

I managed to get dell to send me a vista business 64bit disc for free, even though they only gave me vista premium 32bit with my studio 1537. I don't know what the difference is or which is better.

Anyway what i was wondering, is there a way to upgrade to business 64bit without wiping all my data, and media direct 4, and the factory image (just incase anything goes wrong)

Also can someone clear this up for me, what is media direct supposed to do when you press the button without the laptop being switched on? I was under the impression it went into media direct without booting into windows, but mine just boots into windows and then starts media direct!

 

They should have sent you the Home Premium x64 disk. Your license key will not be compatible with the Business edition. Call them back and get them to exchange it. I can't fathom how they messed that up. >_<

If you've ever reformatted your hard drive, you may have formatted the MediaDirect partition that was used for direct boot into MediaDirect. That's what I did, and I don't really miss it at all. The button just boots into Windows for me.

 

Thanks for your reply mastershroom, i really don't get why they sent me a business disc when i specified in the email premium 64bit.

When i first got the laptop at the beginning of april, i did a fresh install with the re installation disc they gave, which didnt need a key. The new disc theyve sent me looks the same (re installation disc), is there a chance i wont need a key for it?


Also, theres no way for me to do the media direct first part when you do a fresh install of vista, i have md4, which will not boot from when i restart.

 

My understanding was that MediaDirect 4 on the Studio models is no longer "Media Direct" in the original sense. Like you said, it just starts Windows and then launches Media Direct. I think it has to do with the fact that it now supports Blu-Ray disc playback.
http://support.dell.com/support/top...2608E006804EE040A68F5A2860BD&doclang=en&cs=#3

 

Just contacted dell again, they are now sending me out vista premium 64bit, didn't ask for the business disc back or anything. Lets hope i don't end up with another business disc! you think they would think, oh wait they currently have premium on their laptop, we'll send them premium!

One question, media direct 4, since the disc does not boot, can you just install it when your in windows and it will still work the same?

 

Good to hear they're sending you the right disk this time (hopefully, anyway). The reason you didn't need the key last time is because the installation reads the existing key from your BIOS. The Business disk would do the same thing, but would recognize that it's not a Business edition key.

And yes, you can install MediaDirect 4 right in Windows.

 

did you ever get this resolved....i have the same problem and it's driving me crazy

 

An update on my getting dell to send me vista premium 64bit, they have sent me ANOTHER vista business 64bit disc, i am so frustrated as i'm having to wait weeks for the disc to arrive and it's not even the right one!

I don't know if i can be bothered going through the whole try to explain my situation to a person that can't speak proper english again.

 

Ask to speak to a Resolution Specialist. They actually care about solving your issues. I think getting the same wrong disk twice in a row qualifies.

 

Thanks for your advice mastershroom, to be honest with you, i don't know if i can be bothered dealing with dell, i seem to get nowhere with them.

I don't want to end up with a 3rd useless disc aswell, i've clearly stated vista premium both times, i don't know how they are getting it mixed up!

I'd bug them about it if they were going to give me more memory to go with the 64bit os

 

They failed to give you what you asked for twice in a row. Either convince Dell to send you the correct disk, or buy one from Microsoft for like $10.

 

Is that all it costs? i thought it was about £100

 

Well, you have that option but you would then have to use your CD-Key to activate Windows Vista since it won't be an OEM disk. You also can't upgrade from a 32-bit to a 64-bit OS, you have to choose a clean install. I think that is lame, but that's just me, lol.

 

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question and in the wrong place, but it is to do with my studio 1537

Anyway, is it possible to get an atsc tuner to put in my laptop to receive live american tv? by the way, i'm in the uk.

if not, is there anyway possible?

 

I'm not an expert but I don't see how that would be possible... even if you get the tuner, you won't receive ATSC signal all the way from the united states. I would guess that satellite or over the internet would be the only ways to get american TV.

 

I was afraid of that, thanks for your answer cereal jeff

 

I have a new question:

I observed that after a cold boot, if I try to play a MP3 via any software or even watch a YouTube video, the entire PC sort of hesitates to load something in order to play the audio. I can see the mouse cursor turn into a timer icon. Once this mystery thing loads up, I can play audio/video without any problems.

Any ideas? I have a Studio 1537 with the base audio card, but I am using Logitech Z5 USB speakers. I've used these USB speakers on other PCs and never had this problem. My Inspiron 1545 has a set of Logitech USB speakers as well and it plays audio lickity split.

Any ideas?

 

Just a thought metroplex -- have you completely disabled the audio enhancements for the built-in sound card? I find it makes a big difference in performance and audio quality with the built in speakers.

 

@metroplex: If you're still using the Dell IDT Audio drivers and software, just uninstall them. Vista will install its own HD audio drivers, which are much louder, clearer, and less bloated than the IDT ones.

 

***IMPORTANT***

New BIOS A09 Out For Studio 1537:

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=1&fileid=316579

DPC Latency is MUCH BETTER after upgrading to A09! Not perfect, but no more 4000+ Spikes every 4 seconds! Yay!

 

I upgraded to A09 and noticed 2 things that were out of the norm:

Once, I was browsing through the BIOS settings and the system locked up.

Just today, I did a cold boot and the system "froze" at the DELL "loading" screen where it gives you the option to select the OS or go into the Setup via F2 button. It got stuck at the screen for 5 minutes or longer, but I was able to press F2 and go into the settings.

Did anyone else notice oddities with A09?

 

My machine has actually frozen on the Dell logo before too, but I just enter the setup and then exit and it boots to Windows fine. I believe the last time that happened was on the A08 BIOS.

Sorry if A09 gives you problems, I was just happy the the severe DPC Latency issue was resolved.

 

Ok, after over a month and two wrong discs, and getting promised dates on several times, but not receiving it, i finally managed to get a 64 bit disc out of dell!

I've never used a 64 bit OS before so i have a question, when i go into my c drive i can see two program files folders. One is program files, and the other is program files (x86), is that supposed to be like that? and if so, why?

 

I reflashed the BIOS again with A09 and let it boot up normally this time in case it needs to do stuff. I pressed F2 to peek at the BIOS settings right after it reflashed the BIOS and rebooted, so I thought that might have something to do with the freezing.

So far so good, but I'll keep my eye on it.

The random CD ejecting from the media panel gets annoying but I figure one day it is going to malfunction and kill the drive, and seeing how much of a PITA it was to remove/install a new optical drive, I might just pull the cable and start using an external USB2.0 optical drive in a worst case scenario.

 

The two Program Files folders are supposed to be there. The Program Files (x86) folder is for 32-bit applications, and the regular Program Files is for native 64-bit applications. Windows supposedly has a way of determining which is which when you install a program, and it will place it accordingly. Since 32 bit is still far more common than 64, your Program Files (x86) folder is probably going to be more full than your regular Program Files folder.

You might be interested in this:

http://redirectingat.com/?id=525X83....com/forums/p/19125998/19494905.aspx#19494905

 

Thanks for clearing that up, i was worried that i had done something wrong with the install

 

I am the owner of a studio 1537 and I noticed that the fan is most of the time off and sometimes starts to work when the temp is around 50 degrees. I searched this forum and found that this may be wrong, is that correct? So, the fan should always run if I'm correct?

 

That's not correct at all. The fan is only supposed to run when the system reaches a certain temperature threshold. 50 degrees Celsius is a pretty reasonable temperature for that.

 

I am upgrading a friends Studio 1537 and luckily came across this forum.

She has a "stock" 1537 running Vista 32 bit with 3GB of memory.

Two of the changes I am looking at are:

a) Upgrading to 64 bit and

b) replacing the 3GB memory (2GB + 1GB) with this Kingston Hyperx DDR2 800MHz memory (2x2GB configuration) -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104026

Questions for the experienced Studio users:

1) Will 64 bit Vista perform as well or better than 32 bit? It is 64 bit hardware..... hmmmm...... Besides Dell's disclaimer are there any "showstoppers" from upgrading to 64 bit? I.E. All drivers available?

2) Some reviews of the memory I have listed state that it gets 'HOT", but those reviews don't state what system it is installed in. Does anyone know if the Kingston Hyperx 800MHz gets intolerably HOT in a Studio 1537? Does it shorten the battery charge duration/cycle from higher power consumption?

Any advise would be appreciated!

Muad Dib

 

The Studio 1537 is fully compatible with Vista 64-bit. Here is Dell's drivers and downloads page for 64-bit Vista on the 1537:

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...mID=STUDIO1537&hidos=WLH&hidlang=en&TabIndex=

I did pretty much exactly what you're planning, except I have a 1535. I replaced the stock 2+1GB sticks with 2+2GB of Kingston HyperX 667MHz and installed Vista Home Premium x64. The HyperX RAM doesn't run any hotter than the original sticks, at least not warm enough to notice the difference from touch alone. It uses the same 1.8V for power, so battery life will not be affected.

As for moving to 64-bit Vista, you probably won't notice a difference in everyday stuff. You shouldn't have any incompatibility issues, and performance should be the same as it was with 32-bit.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I have been reading some reviews and test results that indicate 64 bit performs better than 32 bit. But as you point out the difference may not ne as noticeable in everyday office/desktop oriented tasks.

I am surprised at Dell and others selling 3GB (2GB+1GB) memory configurations. Sort of defeats the purpose of having DDR2....

 

I bought my Studio 1537 with 4GB of DDR2, and Dell only included Vista 32-bit.

 

Had you asked for 64 bit? Was it even an option?

The Dell download site has the Vista 64 drivers and new Studio orders are shipping with 64 bit... wonder why Delll has switched gears. Maybe they had not yet tested it enough to gamble on offering it. Maybe they were waiting for suckers, hmmm, customers like us to do it for them..... hmmmm

Edit: Hey Metroplex, how may laps have you got to need four laptops/minis?

 

I'm having a little problem with my studio 1537 - I recently did a fresh install of vista premium 64 bit, installed all the 64 bit drivers and everything, now i can only use the internet for roughly half an hour before the internet stops working, this is with firefox and IE, i know it is not my wireless router, or the wireless card being loose.


It has happened to me one time before when i did a fresh install of vista premium 32 bit when i first got my laptop, so i decided to return it to the way it came from the dell factory using the factory image, and i never had the problem with the internet again.


Anyway, i'm thinking it could be something to do with missing drivers or possibley the order the drivers have been installed, i'm not sure if there is a specific order or not.

It happens when i connect via wireless card and ethernet, and i have tried the intel drivers from dell and intel website.


Any help is greatly appreciated, and sorry if i've left out any needed info.

 

I should ask them about that and see if they'd ship me a free copy of Vista 64-bit.

I bought the Inspiron 1545 for my dad and the Mini 9 for my mom. Since they're not very computer literate, I get to maintain those laptops if something acts up.

I have the Inspiron E1505 and Studio 1537. The E1505 is my school/travel laptop. I actually just got another laptop at work: Latitude D830, C2D T8100 / 2.1GHz w/ 2GB RAM.

 

Just kidding on the number of laps you have. But I'll bet strip bars are expensive as far as laptop dances go (sic).

If your laptop it under warranty you can badger Dell into sending a 64 bit kit because by legal agreement they are required to.

I have just signed up for Technet but they said it would be 3-5 days before my registration was final (huhhhh?)

So I got a Vista 64 bit DVD ISO off the net. It is installing fine on this 1537. Check your messages.

Edit - Hey, this forum dore not have private messages?

I DO have one problem, it has a modem but it was a "generic" standard modem with a Microsoft Driver. I upgraded to 64 bit but the modem has not been recognized but MS Vista and I have no idea WHICH Dell 64 bit modem driver I should download. Anyone know?

 

Dell said they're sending me the 64-bit OS disc! I'm not sure why they didn't do this in the first place. Then again Dell was willing to take back my laptop and ship me a new one because it came with the wrong Centrino sticker.

I can't help you with the modem because I didn't buy one. Did you check your build sheet to find the model #?