Studio 15 Owner's Thread

Can you elaborate on what is MUCH improved in the build quality?

Also, what is the brand/model of the new slot-load drive?

Thanks!

 

Mostly in the keyboard flex, but the front of my laptop was completely loose before and now there is no flex. Like I said the keyboard (at least the keys) don't flex as much. There is still a little flex around the edge. The trackpad buttons have more cushion. The battery fits in better as well. When I checked the new slot-load drive was the same brand and model number in windows, but it makes a completely different noise and is way more quiet. The colour of all the lights is different too. Less blue and more yellow.

 

It seems that the Montevina Studio 15 is released on dell's website for the US. It's called the Studio 1537. Direct link: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...=dhs&cs=19&kc=productdetails~laptop_studio_15

Found on: http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop_studio_15?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

Yea , it does say better processing technology. But doesnt Montevina support 8 GB of RAM? Then how come they havent given the option of higher memory?

Also, the Operating system just says Windows Vista Premium. Is it 32 bit or 64 bit or available in both?

 

Hello,

does anyone know if Studio 15 is able to boot from a usb pen like XPS does ?

Thank You

 

hey guys....this is a question for people who have gotten a replacement unit

my laptop has been working fine for the past few weeks but lately, i've had problems with:

a) the sound sometimes sounds like it got stuck on a scratch in a cd or something, and sounds like its repeating really fast (almost like a bullets sound) and occurs for just a moment but it happens maybe once every hour for continuous music play back
b) the touch panel has no function at all, it still lights up though but the keys don't do anything, previously it was stuck on the play one (which was always illuminated) and the keys didn't work either
c) the fan is running on high continuously.....as in from the moment i turn my computer on, till i turn it off....i can control with the ik8fangui, but it shouldn't be like this (fan is on full blast even when the core temp is less than 40 degrees c)

Overall, i do love the studio, but it does have some serious problems.....the problem for me, is that I am at uni so any time without my laptop is tough on my studies..........

Now my question is, what are my options in terms of getting this lappy fixed or hopefully getting a replacement unit? What have your experiences been working with dell in similar circumstances....and how long did it take before you got a replacement laptop........or do they let you keep your laptop until they send you a working one?

thanks

Edit: BTW I have tried most of the standard fixes including reflashing the latest bios, updating drivers etc......when i get my hands on a screwdriver, i'm going to open it up and see if there are any internal problems that need to be reseated, etc.

 

Yes it is.....you just need to access the boot menu by repeatedly pressing the F12 button on startup, and choosing boot from USB device.

alternatively, you can change the settings in your bios so that the USB device is on the top of the boot list.

hope this helps

 

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/studio1537/en/sg/F955HA00HR.pdf

According to the updated manual for the Studio 1537, max RAM still listed at 4GB. Looks like the eSATA port may actually be working on this model as opposed to the 'dummy' eSATA non-functioning port on 1535...

 

you can always purchase a better processor over at new egg
http://www.newegg.com/Store/BrandSu...&SubCategory=759&name=Intel-Processors-Mobile

just get some thermal grease and if you arent afraid to take the computer apart this shouldnt be difficult at all. notice some use a lot less power.

 

dummy esata now? you mean the hdmi port?

 

The top USB port on the left side is actually an eSata port, its disabled on the 1535 so acts as a normal usb port, notice how its a little harder to plug items into it. On the 1536 its enabled.

 

Holly cow poop! I didnt even notice that! How friggin cool!

 

Yes, thank you

I have not bought Studio yet and I am considering notebooks that have this feature

 

well if you checkthe dell site it looks to be re-enabled with the centrino 2 processors now. on the highest config.


EDIT: saw this on another post. dont wana look like i made the discovery lol but i did check out dell and saw it.

 

I plan to reinstall Vista. I see my laptop has two partitions, a normal OS one and a recovery partition. If I blow out both, and go to a single partition will the media buttons still function?

Edit: I guess I have to wait until I can get a Dell Vista disc. I tried my retail copy and when you click on install all the sudden it says the DVD drive is not detected even though it just pulled the files from it. Then if I use my XP MCE disc so I can delete the partitions it blue screens.

 

I've had my studio for a couple of weeks now, and I've only got one problem.

When you shut the lid, its supposed to go into standby (with a pulsing power indicator) Sometimes, this just won't happen, but if i open and shut it again, it'll usually do it.

My big issue is that when in standby, the laptop randomly turns itself back on again! As I've got to carry it around campus with me, i keep it in a special laptop compartment in my bag. i did this tonight, then i went out for a few hours, i get back and its turned on again, in my bag. I open it to find the mute and vol up media lights flashing, with the vol down light steady. My guess is that it overheated as it had 0 ventilation.

Any ideas guys?

 

Re: Hector4464. My studio is doing the exact same thing. I have yet to figure out why though.

 

^^^ me as well
plus my media buttons don't work at all

woe is me

 

I'm also getting "Host processes for windows was closed" when i turn my studio back on sometimes. due to DEP supposedly?!

I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

 

I haven't been on the forum in literally weeks, but there seems to be loads of S15 problems emerging judging from the 2/3 topics I've looked at today - what's up?
Mine still works like a dream...

EDIT: That weird self boot thing used to happen to me too, I played with power options and it has since stopped.
None of them seem to exactly refer to the problem, but this solved the problem for me and my Dad:

 

I havent seen this problem myself, but watch out for it, seems another update is needed.

 

I can't seem to find the fingerprint software on Dell's site using my Service Tag. Anyone have a link? I need the driver and software.

 

Hey guys, just joined the club. See my sig. Awaiting shipment and can't wait.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=299986

AFAIK, DigitalPersona software is not avail on Dell's site...

 

OK, I have the Dell disk with the software on it. I'll just wait until I get home to reinstall.

I did a complete repartition and install of Vista. The only devices that still aren't set up are the fingerprint reader and some unknown device.

 

has anyone tried installin the 64 bit version of windows? I rather use that version but I find that the eject key stops working after a while. I might try installing the Microsoft Intellitype software to see if that will use the media keys

 

Well compared to my last laptop (Dell 1405), being able to play REAL games on the Studio is so nice. I installed Company of Heroes, Command and Conquer 3, Battle for Middle Earth 2, and CoD4.

 

I installed the Authentec driver and the fingerprint software but the software still says the reader is not installed, what am I missing?

 

The Meaning of Life?

I have yet to find a way to get that working consistently. I have disabled the reader hardware in device manager, rebooted, ran the Fingerprint Manager app, and while it says it's trying to detect the reader, I re-enable the reader in device manager. Suddenly, it works! I can enroll fingers and all! Then, I reboot, and back to the same ol' thing....reader not detected at the login screen.

What a pile...I just cannot figure out why there is a problem...the reader hardware is found and has a driver loaded, and it even works SOMETIMES.

If anyone can figure this out, major REP to ya!

 

Hello guys. Like I mentioned earlier, my num lock light doesn't work anymore. I contacted Dell and they decided to replace the part for me. May I know what part they're referring to? Is it the motherboard or something?

Anyway, I notice that the spacebar and backspace on my keyboard squeak when I press them on certain areas. Is this normal? Should I contact Dell about this? Thanks.

 

it's probably the top panel they will replace. have you tried restarting the laptop and then check to see if the lights work? it happens sometimes

keyboard might not be seating probably, although it's probably just squeaky buttons that will go away with use

 

Okay. Thanks for the information.

Yeah. I have been living with my laptop for 1 week with the num lock LED not lighting up. It used to be fine. Then it got dimmer and blinked constantly until it finally died. The technical support from Dell asked me to do several things but nothing worked. So they said they'll be contacting me soon and sending an engineer over to replace the part.

So, it's normal to have the keyboard squeaking? Maybe the keyboard hasn't been run in yet even though I'm using on a daily basis. If the squeaking persists for a long time, then maybe I'll report it to Dell.

Thanks again. Have a nice day.

 

keyboard is user replacable, a piece of cake.

 

I talked to Dell Tech Support and it seems that we have the problem solved. Basically you need to change two things in Device Manager
Go into Device Manager and expand Network Adapters:

You need to edit both of the following devices:

First for the Gigabit LAN:
Broadcom NetLink Gigabit Ethernet >> Properties >> Advanced >> Wake Up Capabilities
Switch the drop down menu choice to "None"

Then for the WiFi Card:
Dell Wireless 1510 Wireless-N WLAN Mini Card >> Properties >> Advanced >> Wake Up Mode
Switch the drop down menu choice to "MagicPkt & LinkLoss"

That's what the Tech did; worked for me. Let me know if this works for you guys.

 

thanks so much for that, it seems to have done the trick

now my only problem is that my media keys don't work

just another question......i have a few scuff type marks on the top surface of my laptop......is there some way to get rid of these (rubbing with a fine cloth doesn't do much)....like use a liquid or something?

 

A Dell engineer just came over to my place to fix my problem. Apparently, the num lock LED is on the keyboard itself. So the keyboard needed to be changed. After the keyboard was changed, the squeaking sound is gone! It solves the two problems I'm facing at a time. This is like killing two birds with one stone. Cool!

 

*** Media Lights ***

I have the media keys not working problem with my Studio 15. In my case the eject light stays on and none of the media lights work. After 3 times of working with Dell tech support, I gave up. They had me replace several drivers and when that didn't work, they had me do a restore to the original OS from the BIOS, when that didn't work they had me do a clean OS install (format the drive and re-install everything). This took about 10 hours each time to reload all my software and register each, etc. Still had the media light staying on.

One day for giggles I had an idea and tried resetting the power manager (remove AC adapter, Battery and press and hold the power button for 5-10 seconds). VIOLA! the eject light went off and my media keys worked again! Needless to say I am still angry over Dell's tech support having me re-install my OS 2 times when it was something that simple!

Unfortunately about every 3rd time I boot my LT, the media lights do their left to right blink sequence and then back again only to be followed by the eject light coming back on and no media keys. Altho I can fix it by killing the boot, removing the battery and resetting the power Mgr, it is a bit of a pain to do that.

Has anyone found a permanent fix for this issue?

Regards,
PepperHead

 

I had this problem when I turned on the computer all the media keys would do the normal light up deal and the eject key stays on, give it about 10 minutes and then the drive will make several eject noises and it will fix itself. but it randomly does then on startup and if it doesnt do this on startup it can just turn on randomly and then make eject noises and turn off, its a weird problem the only way I got it fixed is to have the dvd-rom drive replaced. I actually complained enough that I got a free blu-ray player and i havent had the problem yet.

 

cool! i am going to try this right now

just one question..........when you say your media keys didn't work...do you mean that they don't light up, and/or acheive their function (play, pause etc.)?

thanks

EDIT: OMG I LOVE YOU!!!! (in the least weird way possible) IT WORKED....now i don't have to worry about sending it back for any repairs.

thank you so much...have some rep on me

 

Hey gang,

I got my 11/08 issue of PC Magazine in the mail today. They tested five systems in seven different categories, desktop and laptop.

In the "Mainstream Laptops" category, the DELL Studio 15 is rated #1!

#2- Acer Aspire 6920G-6071
#3- Fujitsu LifeBook T5010
#4- HP Pavilion dv5t
#5- Sony VAIO VGN-FW198UH

#3 is a 13.3" tablet notebook, so it seems a little out of place....but they rank the Studio 15 higher than the HP dv5t....makes me feel warm and fuzzy!

 

Hey Rezendevous,

I should clarify that for anyone else. My media lights and functions would NOT work as long as the eject light was on. I too did not want to send my LT back (it took over 5 weeks to get it, 3 weeks past the due date). That was Dell's next solution.

I guess my next step will be to follow djjuice's advice and keep calling till they send someone out to replace my drive. Although it is a relatively simple fix (resetting the Power Mgr), it is a pain to do every 2-3 boots. It has almost become habit, my boot sequence is: 1)remove Power connector, 2)remove battery, 3)hold power button 3-5 seconds, 4)put battery back, 5)press power button and 6)hook Power Connector back up will it boots.

Glad that worked for you.

Regards,
PepperHead

P.S. Allfireup, that is good to know! I should have my Nov copy waiting when I get home today. I love my Studio 15, just want to get this Eject light problem fixed permanently.

 

Hey Guys – I really respect & value all your opinions so I have 3 Quick questions if I may; I’ve been checking out the Dell Outlet store as I believe that after looking & looking & looking that the Studio 15 is the route I will go, yet I just can’t find a unit with the LED display and a 7200rpm HD, which I wanted, yet I can find them mostly all day long with a 5400rpm HD instead and my first question is; Is there a BIG difference in retrieval speed amongst the two? What Intel processor does it have and is the Centrino one really better and needed? and finally; I do allot of faxing through my computer and I was just inquiring if the Studio 15 has a internal modem and if not what does one do?
Thanks a Bunch,
SD

 

You can always replace the HDD yourself, but changing the screen is a bit tougher.

 

The Outlet can be a tremendous deal if you find the right unit and have a coupon to apply. The LED screen is a MUST HAVE, in my opinion. It is beautiful. Unfortunately, there are 2 different LED panels that Dell uses, and you have no way of knowing which you will get--LG Phillips (the good one) and AUO (OK, but not as bright as the LG). Your packing slip can even show an LG, but it can be an AUO.

In answer to your questions, a 7200RPM drive obviously has a performance advantage, but a 320GB 5400RPM would be very close.

Even with equal sized 5400 vs. 7200 drives, I would not say the difference is BIG (not twice the speed or anything, but it is noticeable and measurable).

No modem in the Studio 15. You can use any of the internet-based fax services, or pick up a USB modem if you need to use conventional phone lines.

Good luck!

 

buy the cheaper HD, and go to new egg and purchase a 320GB 7200rpm. it'll be worth it, 500GB drives are shipping soon you could wait till a 7200rpm version is out.

 

Hey Guys – Thanks so much for such great advice, yet I must admit, just as soon as I believe that I now thankfully have everything sewn-up and now it’s just a matter of finding the right unit/deal at the Outlet, I take one BIG GIANT step back with the very enlightened and very grateful advice of getting the right display, as I definitely want crystal clear & bright.
Ugggh…This just isn’t going to easy is it.
SD

 

Before you buy at the outlet is there any way to contact them and find out what display is in the unit?
SD

 

Hey Guys – What about the Centrino processor what’s the BIG scoop on that is it really needed and what does the Studio 15 come with?
If you order a brand new one can you then know what screen/display you’ll get, as quite honestly I think that Dell is being fair to their consumers by having one superior display and one inferior display that is on a pot-luck basis.
SD

 

Got my new studio today! On it right now, it's everything I hoped it would be. Have manually uninstalled the bloatware I didn't want and it's all running great!

Order date: 19/09/08
In Production: 19/09/08
Estimated Delivery Date: 16/10/08
Actual shipping date: 09/10/08
Received: 13/10/08

Not bad i'd say! Though that was a tough three week wait!

Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 (2.1GHz,800MHz,3MB)
Memory Dual Channel 4.0GB (2x2048) 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive 320GB SATA (5400rpm)
6 Cell Battery

I opted for the 4GB of ram because I plan on upgrading to 64bit in the future, as well as use 64 bit Linux distros.

 

Are you clicking the System ID # (in blue) on the Dell Outlet inventory listing to see System Details? The summary inventory listing shows ten systems per page but lacks vital information- such as screen resolution. If you click the System ID, a new window opens and the specific display type is specified for each unit.

For the Studio 15, there are three display options and will be noted as follows-

15.4 WXGA Laptop Screen Display with TrueLife ( 1280x800 resolution)
15.4 inch WXGA+ LED Laptop Screen with TrueLife (1440x900 resolution)
15.4 WUXGA Laptop Screen Display with TrueLife ( 1920x1200 resolution)

I have the WXGA+ LED and love it. Compared to convention LCD displays, there's no uneven lighting in the corners/edges and image quality is impressive. As a bonus, I'm getting 25-30 minutes more battery life than a few other users who have the WUXGA (non-LED) option.