Studio 15 Owner's Thread

Hello. I just reinstalled Windows Vista on my Studio 15. During the reinstallation, I do not remember having to locate the driver for the AHCI function. AHCI is enabled in my BIOS and I managed to boot into Windows Vista successfully. Does this mean that AHCI is successfully enabled? Do I still need to install the Intel Matrix Storage Manager? Thanks.

 

After I installed Server 2008 everything worked fine, but I went ahead and installed the Intel Matrix Storage Manager anyhow. It is always good to have the correct drivers even if things appear to be working properly in the beginning.

 

Guys, I don't know, if you have this problem too. I'm surfing the web and chatting, and the processor fan gets very loud for about 5secs, then off, then again on for about 15 secs, and so on, for about 2 hours. It's very annoying because I can't work peacefully.
I've tried everything, upgraded the BIOS, the same, switched from 32-bit Vista to x64 Vista, nothing, again back to 32-Vista, nothing, worked in Ubuntu 8.04 yesterday, the same thing. And the worst is, it begins right when I start using the laptop after letting it off all night long.
Do you think it's a faulty board?
Thanks!

Rafa

 

It looks like you've had it since 7/21, right? I wouldn't think the heatsink could have gotten clogged that quickly, but you may want to look at blowing it out with compressed air. Since it does it regardless of what OS you are on, it would look like the fan controller is acting up.

 

I called Dell yesterday and my laptop is now in a test time... Let's wait until tomorrow, maybe I get my board replaced

 

Do you have a tech coming out to visit? If it is a sensor then they will probably just replace your board. Or they may reseat the heatsink and reapply the thermal paste. Let us know how it turns out.

 

Maybe I know the reason...

when I bought my lappy, I didn't have any option other than Vista Home basic SP1, I could not have upgraded neither I can get it without, so I decided to install my own version later wich is Ultimate but wihtout SP1...

the original Vista HB SP1 can be installed with AHCI enabled, but the version I have Ultimate without SP1 can't be installed as it didn't see any hdd at all ( drivers needed ), so there's two posibilities

1- Windows Vista SP1 comes with the required drivers...
2- the original OEM version comes with required drivers from dell ( custom designed )...

I'll try to slip stream my Vista Ultimate with SP1 and try later to test, if success then I'll not need any drivers while installing ( this is better ), and if not, then I'll make my own Vista Ultimate DVD and add all the required drivers on the DVD it self so I can use what ever, whenever

 

I've noticed the fan starts humming when the processor hits the 55ºC mark, Do you think this is a good temp to be cooling it that much?
But it also starts when the processor is at 40ºC-41ºC, I think the sensor is not working all right. It just starts out of the blue at 40ºC and for 5s, then off 2-3s, then 10s on, it's really amazing!!!
I'll call Dell tomorrow, let's hope that they send a new board, and maybe with eSATA!!!

 

That is pretty low for it to be running the fans. I don't think I ever hear mine, even during higher loads.

 

Thanks for the information, guys. Actually I did try to install the Intel Matrix Storage Manager. But upon extracting the files, nothing happened. I went to check the files extracted and apparently there was no .exe files present. That explains why. Therefore, I'm not really sure whether it is successfully installed or not. But it's working fine like usual.

 

do i will have the same problem in the future since i am going to have the same config. Can you please tell me.
Studio 15
Intel Core 2 Duo T9300, 2.5GHz, 800Mhz, 6M L2 Cache
Ruby Red
15.4" WLED display (1440x900)
ATI MOBILITY RADEON HD 3450
250GB HDD
4GB RAM

 

I tried to start Vista ( non SP1 ) installation with AHCI enabled and having the Intel Matrix drivers in the flash, as usual the installation asked me for drivers and I choosed it and it already knows what is the choice ( between some thing like 10 choices ) but the same problem just repeated it self !!

the strange thing is when I clicked ( Browse ) botton, all my partitions are there and can be accessed !! I wonder what it want more !!

 

Yeah I already tried that with the same results, I even tried installing the driver manully by trying to find the device in Device manager, but I only found Microsoft iSCSI thingy, I tried with Add New Hardware but no success...

 

I had my Studio 15 for about a week and I'm already getting it replaced since I've had the problem with the eject key on the touch area.
either its always lit up when I turn on the computer and after about 10 minutes the dvd-rom will make eject noises about 3-5 times and then everything is normal, OR it will randomly become lit and make eject noises and after some time and then be fine again.
I dont know if anyone else has had this problem.

My other question is getting the blu-ray drive worth it? I didnt think i could notice the different on a 15.4 inch display even with the high resolution. I'm guessing a standalone player would be better. I figure the battery would drain faster anyways. I dont know if I can jut purchase it as a spare part later on.

Also has anyone purchased the laptop with the Sound Blaster Audigy Software? Is this a different sound card or just software? I can't seem to find a place to purchase the software. I was told a demo of the software comes on the computer when shipped, but I formated the drive with a clean install.

oh yeah, what the heck is the wifi-catcher good for? Seriously I turn off the computer and it always just blinks 3 times even with a open wireless with no password required.

Last on the bigger battery does extend down (toward the ground) I'm guessing it would have to otherwise it would touch the screen and prevent it from opening all the way.

Thanks again for those who reply!

 

I have the eject problem too. It's the weirdest thing, I am not sure why it happens. It doesn't bother me that much because it does go away.

I'd say only get the Blu-ray if you are going to hook it up to your TV or if you do enjoy watching movies on your notebook.

Yes, you are correct the battery extends down because of the way the hinge works. Most of the time the battery extends out the back, but in this case the screen goes behind the case.

 

So, the guy from Dell is coming next week to get ONLY the fan replaced , I guess I'll have to live without eSATA!! ;(
I'll write some updates, when I get it replaced...
Bye

Rafa

PS: Talking to a tech support today, he asked me to remove the hinge cover and to disconnect the panel of the touch buttons, then reconnect and replace the panel. Try this, maybe you won't get the touch button stuck again. Ah! I forgot, just take out your battery (unplug the laptop please), and then unscrew the 2 screws you see "under" the battery, anyways, just follow the directions on Dell Tech Support Website)

 

Well, to be honest, the ability is probably there, it is probably just locked out in the BIOS for whatever reason.

 

Cool thanks, glad to see i'm not the only person with the eject problem, I'll note I have removed the whole touch pad itself, and plugged it back in and still having the same problems, so i dont think this replacement will fix the problem, a new bios update is needed. I'll buy a normal blu-ray player when a good 2.0 player comes out, besides it'll drain the crap out of the battery anyways. Dell said its a $400 upgrade part anyways.. no thanks.

anyone have any idea about the creative sound blaster software? is that a build option only? does a fresh computer come with a demo version? I don't believe its new hardware, or is it?

 

what BIOS version do you have?

 

what ability?

 

The eSATA function.

 

Oh yeah, take it for sure, that the next BIOS update will enable the eSATA support, I envy those who have the port!!!

 

yay mine was shipped today boy am i happy. hopefully i can get it by monday, WOOHOO! cuz then i'm gonna skip uni that day.

all these studio 15 problems.. i'm so scared that mine might have problems.

can i just ask, what should i do FIRST when i get my laptop (unpacked it and everything of course)? what's that whole bloating thing? :s i'm so confused on what to do. i did read the bloat thread but seriously o_o i'm retarded at these things lol.

 

Don't worry, I've had my Studio for almost three weeks now and I haven't had any serious problems with it.

As for the bloatware, there is a thread that discusses how to remove it.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=157838

This one should help as well:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=296877

I personally did not do it just because I couldn't be all that bothered to reinstall everything and download all the drivers and such.

 

Reinstalling is easy:
1) Get a usb flash drive
2) Go to the driver d/l page on Dell.com
3) Download everything under SATA, and extract them to the flash drive.
4) Insert the Vista dvd + Remove flash drive
5) Restart and keep tapping F12 on bootup, until you get the option to boot from the dvd
6) It's pretty straightforward from here, at one point you'll see an option at the bottom of the screen to load drivers, select it, insert the flash drive and select the file that says AHCI
7) Continue with the vista install after that
8) When you get to vista, insert the "Drivers and utilities disk"
-> Install all the drivers that are ticked
-> Don't reboot after each one, it'll take too long.
9) Make a list of all the unticked ones, then after rebooting go to the driver d/l page of dell.com and get them from there
10) Install them all and reboot again
[11) Install the fingerprint reader software/media direct]

That's it!

Otherwise you could just uninstall them from control panel, I'd definitely nuke McAfee.

 

I wish mine had come with the eSATA port. USB hard drives are so darn slow!!! Oh well, I could just get an expresscard one...

 

hey guys.......i've had my studio for a week an it is beautiful
no problems here......in my rez......

but with my 5.1 surround set plus this beauty......movie night is at my room every night

just to clarify.....is all this about e-sata being enabled in future bios updates speculation or is there something behind this rumour....b/c I have what looks like an e-sata port but.......no way to test it.

 

Hi
I have had my Studio 15 since September 2 and have had a problem with the start up screen. After I spoke to the customer support guy he told me that it was normal for the two icons at the bottom left side of the screen load first, followed by the rest of the screen when I start up the computer. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't. Has this happened to anyone else here? Thanks

 

Ok refering to your other thread, I can tell you that it is not normal for it to act like that. Have you tried a fresh install?

 

I reformated the laptop to factory settings using the recovery partition on the laptop. This afternoon I spoke to a customer sevice rep and he installed a driver update and it still happened. After I told him that the icons still loaded first he said that that was normal. It doesn't look normal and I think he just didn't know what else to do.

 

I would say use the OS CD they sent with your notebook and grab the latest drivers off of the site. If you don't have a thumbdrive to save them too, just grab the wireless one so that you can leastwise get on the internet and be able to download the rest.

 

The support guy took control for my computer and installed the drivers. There was ainstant messanger box the showed my he was using the dell support website and he installed ATI catalyst on the laptop so I guess I have the latest drivers on the laptop now but I may try to do it the way you suggested with the OS CD that came with the laptop. This seems like an awful lot of work for a laptop that I have only had for 10 days. Thank you though

 

Yeah, it is more work than it has to be, but it can happen. If you use the OS CD then it will be a completely fresh installation, no drivers or anything. Another idea would be to download the drivers and throw them on your recovery partition so that you can quickly install them.

 

Got my Studio 15 yesterday...loving it!

 

Atbnet, how do I ensure that I have all the drivers I would need? Should I just download all the Studio 15 drivers listed as recommended and urgent?

 

I would download:

Audio
Input Device Drivers > Alps
Network> Broadcom
Network>Your wireless driver
Video>AMD

The Quickset is also a good thing to have to show your brightness and volume when you change them. Those are the main ones and you'll have a fully functional notebook.

 

And the SATA controller drivers.

 

Oh okay thanks everyone ^^ Yeah I have a Dell desktop at the moment but my sister's boyfriend did everything before we got it, and I recognise some things on here that you mentioned... what's the Recovery partition, btw? I've always wondered about that; is it there when the system comes? o_o

I'd do a clean install, but it's just that it sounds so technical and complicated, and time consuming!! It puts me off. >__<

I'm so excited for this week. I just went to the Dell website too, and there's like four colours left O_O Probably out of stock right now, but if not, wow I got a rare colour now

 

The Recovery partition is just a second small partition, D drive, that sits on your computer with a full factory reinstall. So if you ever mess your computer up, you can let it restore it back to the factory image.

A clean install really isn't hard. The most difficult part is reinstalling all of the drivers, but it should not be an issue since you have your driver CD.

Either way you go, enjoy your new notebook!

 

Does anyone have photos of the Mike Ming designs? They look good on the website, but might be different on the actual laptop.

And has anyone been able to get money off by bartering with the sales reps?

 

Okay I have done a reinstall of Windows Vista and let's hope it keeps working because so far, so good. I will keep an eye on it for the next few days and if it keeps acting up, then I will have to contact Dell again. I installed all the drivers listed except for the SATA driver purplegreendave mentioned. What does it do? Also I have something in the C drive called windows.old, do I need this, or is the info in the recovery partition the only thing I should hold on to. Windows.old takes up a lot of space.

 

When you reinstalled it just set the previous Windows installation to Windows.old incase you wanted to go back to the install. You can safely delete this. The SATA driver is the official driver for the Intel matrix. You are using the default Windows version.

Glad to hear it is working well for you. Let us know if you have any other issues.

 

My Sea Sky Studio 15 gets here Monday or Tuesday (after waiting 3 weeks+). I'll be sure to take some pictures and throw them up here since I had been wishing there were some available (hasn't anyone bought one yet?).

 

Good to know that I can delete this - the file is huge. I guess that is because I did an install with the recovery partiton earlier on and it saved the first windows installation.

SInce the laptop is working fine right now do I actually need to install the SATA driver or can I leave the default for the time being and maybe install it later on? Also I should be able to reinstall things like the fingerprint reader now, right?

This site and its members has been incredibly useful for me as I decided to purchase my first laptop and am very grateful to everyone here.

 

Is there's any Keyboard shortcut to disable\enable the mousepad ? something like Fn+F Something

I don't mean the feature in the bios that disable the mousepad when a USB mouse is attached, but a shortcut to disable\enable the mousepad in any time for any reason regardless the USB mouse attached or not...

 

price of dell outlet systems is crazy!
i saw studio 15 with 2.0 cpu & ati 256mb for $549 only b4 tax.

 

just in case you guys dont have it yet, dell has a new audio driver for our studio 15s. It has fixed my Yahoo Messenger problem, i am back to using Yahoo 8 without any audio failure. Kudos to dell for fixing it.

 

does anyone know if studio 15's come with a backup disk or a function for wiping evrything and resetting it to factory settings incase i get a virus? thanks for any help

 

It has a recovery partition installed to restore your laptop to facotry settings.

 

Yeah, you can really find some deals in the Outlet. There is really no rhyme or reason to their pricing, because I am sure you will find that exact same system for $100 more or even $200 more.