XPS 1530...Motherboard and HD Useless...

Hello All...

So I took delivery of an XPS 1530 in Decemeber. Until now, I've had two minor complaints:

-The touchpad sometimes goes haywire but a reboot fixes the problem
-I don't love my screen resolution, but I understand that it's my own fault for not waiting for the LCD's to be offered...

Now however, I have a major issue. For the last 2 days, whenever I boot up, I get a message "0141...No drive Detected, Reseat drive and Reboot". It takes about 10 rebooots, to actually get it to work. Once it does reboot it works like normal.

XPS Support steadfastly refuses to replace my system, they said my only option is replace the HD and the Motherboard. They are sending the parts to a local tech tomorrow.

I am bothered by this, because I bought an XPS with high expectations. I truly think they should just replace it with a new system of equal value and specs, or simply offer a credit and let me order a new one. For me to have to go through the hassle of a New HD and setting up my system again, is just plain not fair. I didn't order an Inspiron or a Vostro because I thought I'd get better service here.

Anyway...What can I do before the tech comes, to back up Programs I have downloaded, settings, etc to save me some headaches and time after I have the new HD(they are loading the HD with proper software and software prior) and motherboard installed?

Thanks in advance.

 

You are past your one month replacement grace period. The only option that they offer is to replace the parts with equal or better parts. They will only replace the system after they see fit that it is necessary.

 

Generally, if it has been longer than the intial 21 days, Dell will not replace the entire system if they can isolate components which can be replaced. This is probably the case with many manufacturers (I can't think any notebook manufacture that would offer to replace the entire system if they can isolate the problem to specific components). In any case, Dell has a sort of unofficial "lemon policy" - if you have had three major components replaced, you may request for a system replacement. Whether Dell honors that or not is up to them.

One would expect the XPS to come with premium support, and as an unbiased bystander, I think Dell has offered the appropriate resolution for the problem (by the way, speaking of erratic touch pads, did you install the new firmware which supposedly resolves this issue?).

Regarding your question of the hard drive, I would just go ahead and Ghost the drive. Make a restorable back-up of the drive using Norton Ghost or Acronis, etc. onto either an external HD or DVDs and then just restore it back onto the new hard drive, after reciept from Dell. If you have a new external HD (i.e. one without any data on it), you can just ghost your current drive onto the external, and then ghost the new hard drive back from the external.

 

I have an external drive that use I to back up my files on a very frequent basis. Is there a step-by-step somewhere that would show me how to ghost my drive using this device?

 

hey bro.

About your touchpad, upgrade to bios A08. It is fixed the issue I had with the erratic mouse movement - which is probably similar to yours.


Your issue with Dell XPS support is not uncommon. I ordered a blu ray drive on my original laptop. I had problems with the laptop so they replaced it, but, they replaced it with a unit that had a regular dvd drive! Then, I called up, and 5 headaches later they replaced it again. When it arrived it had ANOTHER DVD drive. Maybe 20 headaches, 2 migraines, 10 shots of tequila they connected me to Dell legal where they said they'd just install a bluray drive on my replacment DVD system.

So just to let you know - you are not alone. But because of the hassle, and after faxing a letter to Dell Corporate they are willing to give me my full purchase price back - at 50 days of owning 3 paperweights.

Don't know what to do because I got my system + 3 Years CC for 1300 which is a great deal. Maybe will purchase alienware m15x or clevo 860tu..

Sorry if i'm hijacking your thread lol. but my best advice to you would be to keep on them. if you keep having problems with your system write a letter and fax it to dell. They will respond and hopefully try to address your issues.

 

Thanks DRTH...much appreciated...

How do I upgrade the BIOS?

 

Go to the Dell Support page for the M1530 and download the file under BIOS. Then all you have to do is run that, it'll reboot, and the BIOS will be updated. Be warned that the screen will go blank for a little while, this is supposed to happen, don't power the laptop off. This fixed the touchpad issue for me.

 

Thanks!!!

I will try this...