XPS1330 problem - Input delay in Vista only

Hey all! I got my XPS1330 1 week ago.

Ever since I started it the first time it had some issues. Sound playback interrupts and input delay (both mouse and keyboard). The sound playback was being interrupted all the time, couldn't listen to anything because of the constant interrupting. This got fixed when I installed Vista fresh.

Even after the fresh install of Vista (and Media Direct) I couldn't get rid of the input delay problem. The delays happen every few seconds. It's like Vista buffers up my commands and applies them 1 second later. The keyboard delay manifests anywhere, including notepad, firefox address bar, renaming files, games. Mouse delay though can only be noticed in games, like 3d shooters (Call of Duty 4). It's same as the keyboard delay. The game runs 30fps+ and at times stops responding to mouse movement only to snap into position after the delay. This happens every few seconds too, sometimes 15-20.

The mouse cursor doesn't lag, but some service that tracks actual mouse position is probably lagging somehow...

I have installed all the latest drivers from dell.com, latest patches and SP1.
I've run out of ideas right now... Installed XP and waiting for a fix or solution.

Thanks,
Felix.

 

Up, please some feedback?

 

Hi & congrats on your new 1330

I'm sorry to hear about your problems and I don't have any real suggestions for ya, except for the usual stuff (i.e., check running processes etc - but I'm guessing you did that early on).

Although I doubt it's directly related to your i/p device delays, I can't really imagine running COD4 on the 1330: I ean, you must have everything set to low... I admit that, relatively speaking, COD4 is based on a very efficient engine* but still, I have trouble getting Portal to run smoothly on the 1330... .

In any event, sorry for your troubles and I hope that you'll find a solution soon! Please be sure to post any solution, because while you may be the first, chances are you won't be the last...

*fyi, I've got a bunch of screenshots of COD4 running on my main PC, all with framerates. Details of my PC HW are published on the same page I linked.

 

Actually the game runs pretty well, over 30fps generally at low 1280x800 setting both in Vista and XP, but the delays in vista make it unplayable.

As I said, the delays are omnipresent, just less likely to be detected while not playing games...

 

Let's try to give it a shot.

The delays you describe sound very much like the delay you would get if you were using wireless equipment - either RF or BT, which often has a lag.

I would guess there are too many processes running in the background, so Vista is too busy processing all that to timely process your input.

First, turn off Aero and, even switch to Windows Classic (Win 2k) theme. This will minimize the strain on the graphics card.

Since you're gaming, I am assuming you have an 8400M GS, which is capable of Aero, though it does borrow from the system RAM, too, so if you don't have enough, that may be a reason for your issue. (Personally, I have 4 GB, and if you have 2 GB or less, I recommend purchasing 4 GB for $60 or so, if you use Vista.)

Try uninstalling any BT, mouse and sound drivers. See if you still have the input issue. BT and mouse drivers are not needed in Vista.

I'll try to check the thread again, if you post back.

 

Are you saying you currently have both OSes installed on your 1330?

 

traveller: I have XP only installed now, but I did test with the original Vista and a fresh install of Vista before i put XP on.

Samuel613:

- I do not use any wireless input devices. I do have BT installed for my mobile phone;
- My XPS has 8400GS and 4GB ram, T9300 2.5Ghz proc and 250GB HDD;
- For troubleshooting purposes I will try a fresh install of Vista with only mainboard and graphics drivers installed, and then see if I still get the delays. But I don't think it's normal for a computer with this configuration to need to shut down Aero or not install BT to work properly...
- Fully installed with all programs and drivers I have about 55 processes running in Vista. I did notice some spikes but... still... game fps doesn't drop it stays up there 40-50 fps while the input lags... I don't see how processor load can affect input more than game performance...

 

On a different thread I've been asking about the 64bit Vista compatibility and issues. They convinced me I should try it out, so first thing tomorrow I'm giving a go at a fresh 64 bit basic drivers install and see if I still have the problem.

I'll keep you posted.

P.S. I hate XP now that I've experienced Vista... I can even honestly say by watching the fps in both OSs in COD4, in XP they seem lower than vista...
I'll check out warcraft3 fps too, since they're a lot more stable, at 48-49 on maximum details and resolution in XP.

 

Out of 3 OSes (XP, Vista X86 and Vista x64) that I have used on my M133O, the fastest performance I got was with Vista x64 with both a bunch of services and all display effects turned off.

 

With the fresh 64 bit Vista install I no longer have the lag problem. It is still a pretty basic install, with not all the useful drivers/software installed. I may detect at a later stage the problem appear again. I'll be vigilant and when I find out what caused this I'll just restore back before it was installed and not install it again.

Hopefully it's that easy

Good to know though it's not Vista doing this, but much rather some random piece of software.

Cheerio!