Dell :: M4400: BIOS Revision A14 Comments
May 23, 2009I downloaded it but didn't see any noticeable changes in the temps and whatnot.
View 3 RepliesI downloaded it but didn't see any noticeable changes in the temps and whatnot.
View 3 RepliesPlease update to the revision immediately and post your results here. It seems importance is rated as Recommended and not urgent, so I'm not sure whether or not the system downclock and fan issues have been fixed, which is quite an urgent matter.
If someone could get a log file of the changes from Dell that would be great.
Update: Thanks Weegie:
Fixes/Enhancements
------------------
1. Added support for BIOS that is signed.
2. Updated to PSA build 4117.
3. Updated thermal table.
4. Fixed the issue where system is slow to boot to internal hard drive after failed PXE boot exits.
5. Fixed the issue where Some BIOS Setup parameters are not accessible with only the keyboard.
6. Fixed the issue where system will automatically shut down at resuming from S3.
7. Fixed the issue where the time of BIOS power event log in Setup is wrong for power button event.
8. Fixed the issue where presentation mode cannot be turned on/off from the DCP.
These things look sOoOoOoO important .
During the flash, the only thing that appeared was "Updating Keyboard Controller ROM", but I don't know if that's regular or not. I will be gaming with this new revision and posting results soon.
All in all, nothing to see here. Seems like Dell either a) does not read our threads, or b) does not care. Nothing to see here .
I am currently running BIOS revision A5 on my 1340 which I bought in April 09.
I am re-installing Windows 7 64 bit following freezing problems and am considering updating to the current BIOS revision A11.
Under the 'Important Information' for the A11 BIOS at the the Dell download site, it says:
'2.This BIOS is for B02 chipset'.
SIW (System Information for Windows) on my 1340 reports:
North Bridge NVIDIA nForce 730i Revision B1
South Bridge NVIDIA nForce 730i Revision B1
I presume this is the chipset revision.
I was going to order an Inspiron 537 desktop, but am now considering an Inspiron 15 Notebook..............
View 7 Replies View Relatedthe new dell studio 15 has a option fora 900p screen. this prob means a 1440x 900 screen but it just doesn't make any sense calling it 900p. it even confused me..
View 10 Replies View RelatedOne of the truths on the internet is that people complain more than they praise a product, generally speaking. I wanted to take a moment to praise a laptop I bought for my (then fiance) wife 4.5 years ago. A dell inspiron ~8600 (like this one [url]
IIRC, since I'm away from it right now, it has a 1.5 ghz celeron processor, 512mb of ram, integrated video card, 60 gig HDD...
For the entire time we have had it, not one hardware failure. The only "problem" we have had is that occasionally I need to insert a CD/DVD twice before it's recognized....not sure if that's user error, scratched discs, of the drive itself.
This thing regularly sees hours of operation on our down comforter running DVDs with no cooling pad. The underside gets hot to the point you can't leave your hand on it for more than 2-3 seconds. The hard drive has been infected with one virus ("Windows antivirus 2008"), receives highly irregular scans and defrag).
I have never cleaned the vents or taken off an underside panel. It has been lugged around, dropped from 1-foot-18" heights onto hard and carpeted surfaces multiple times. It has no dead pixels, the screen still looks fine (albeit it doesn't perform to today's expectations).
We routinely leave it plugged into A/C power non-stop and drain it till it auto-shuts down. After ~4.5 years, it will perform 2.5-4 hours of web surfing, e-mailing, word/powerpoint, and video activities before being drained.
I was reading some FAQs about proper notebook care and came across how many different rules I was "breaking"....and wanted to point out that this Dell, at least, has taken it all in stride.
I'm considering buying a XPS Studio 16 as a replacement, and have looked at some of the Sager models. My solid experience with Dell makes me want to stay with them, even though it appears the Sager models might have a few upsides in what I'm looking for.....
I upgraded my M4400 Bios from A06 to A13 when it came out a week or so ago and was initially really happy about the much lessened fan usage.
But since then my computer gets so hot that its impossible to keep it on my lap even after 15 minutes of use.
That I could still handle but the keyboard and the palm rests get pretty hot and it feels very uncomfortable.
1. Updated Intel(R) Active Management Technology firmware.
2. Updated PXE OPROM
3. Updated TPM MA/MP driver.
4. Showed LOM MAC address in BIOS setup.
Got my swap today! ( swapped cause heat/fan issues ). The first thing i noticed when i booted up eas that it came with A16 Bios. Latest on th Dell site is A15. Anyone got some info on this???
View 7 Replies View RelatedFixes/Enhancements
------------------
1. Updated thermal table.
2. Removed HDD Acoustic support.
3. Added password support for remote console.
4. Fixed issue where Local KB control is not released properly during or after IDER session.
5. Enhanced INT 19h support.
Which bios is the best for gaming to avoid gpu downclocking and overheating? It seems that both the A02 and A03 are both recommended here in this forum, but which is the better one for gaming?
View 6 Replies View RelatedThought i'd start a new one for this.
Experiences so far:
-Fan isn't on as much as with A09, not running on lower speed when cooling is unnecessary
-Still downclocking!! Though it seems weird because the GPU doesn't go over 81c even with OC @ 600/900/1590.
Besides that all is good actually.
I installed all other new updates etc. also HDD firmware for the seagate.....there is still a weird latency problem that's picked up by dcp latency checker but for me that doesn't give any audible problems (not even when producing music
For school, I am considering a Dell XPS M1330. I get a gift card from the school to purchase a machine, and I really want a 13" since I already have a 17" and an Asus netbook. The Dell falls right in the price range I'm looking for ... $1000US.
I can get it configured with the following for $948 shipped:
T6400 2.0GHz
4GB DDR2
320GB 7200RPM HDD
1280x800 screen
8400m GS 128MB
Wi-Fi N
Bluetooth
9-cell battery
DVDRW
Vista Home Premium 32-bit .....
Is anyone having problems with random complete system lockups under bios A19. Everything on my computer instantly freezes (no bsod) and I have to hold the powerbutton down to reboot
View 9 Replies View RelatedI have a final revision pre-configured VGN-SZ780DN (Canadian model Made in Japan). It comes with Vista Business 32bit RTM (not even SP1). I was shocked this morning to check on the eSupport Canada website and find out that my model is not supported by Sony for a Windows 7 upgrade!?! I mean, I thought the earlier SZ models probably wouldn't but I figured that for sure the final line of SZs would be as they are pretty recent, as I only brought mine on clearence for a real good price this year in March for $1100 CDN.
So, if I get Windows 7, I just want to make sure that everything works 100% and I will do the simplest straightest upgrade possible. Windows Vista Business RTM 32bit upgraded to Windows 7 Professional 32bit.
I already have my computer flashed with the latest BIOS and Bluetooth firmware from the eSupport site. Now, if I reformat my computer to ensure that it is all clean with the Sony recovery, remove crap like Norton 360, Google toolbar, Spybot Search and Destroy, install ALL the latest driver and software updates from the eSupport site for Vista then upgrade to Windows 7 Pro 32bit, how will things be?
Looking into the Probook line. How long is battery life, etc?
View 10 Replies View RelatedHow long it takes to Apple to relase updated version of new unibody macbook 13
Looking for new laptop. This new Mac is perfect for my needs but after playing a bit with it display its a dealbreaker . There is Pro but it seams a bit to pricy.My hopes ar that they would place a better quality display in future models. Likely to happen?
First of all, I have no idea if this has already been covered on the "Precision M4400 Owner's Lounge" thread, I have not been following it for it getting longer and longer.
So, I opened a new thread to tell everyone that Dell has released BIOS A13 for the M4400. I installed it yesterday, and not only is my machine quieter under light load, its graphics performance is also higher - much higher, actually.
I used to think that my FX1700M was not affected by the downclocking, but now I stand corrected.
It WAS indeed downclocking heavily as it seems. When I was playing some UT3 a couple of hours ago, I suddenly actually had double(!) the frame rate compared to what I had with BIOS A12.
I maxed out some settings to see what would happen, and at settings that I was not able to make it run smooth some weeks ago I now got 30 to 40 frames per second
Can anyone comment on the Acer 2930 12.1" notebook?
I am interested to learn more about it.
First take the battery out and remove the bottom part like so.
Then you have to take the fan off there are 3 screws to take out and unplug the fan connector.
After you take out the CPU heat sink "there is 4 screws".
Then the Video card heat sink 3 screws.
Once that is done I took the CPU out you don't have to take it out I just wanted to see it. You do have to take out all the extra thermal past from DELL from the CPU and GPU and the 2 heat sink like so.
I use a plastic card and paper towel to remove the extra paste and it workes grate.
Now for the AS5 put on each of the components you just clean as in the CPU and GPU and the 2 heat sink like so.
same go's for the CPU and GPU then jsut use a falt plastic card I just use a master card but any thing similer will do to even out the SA5 like don't try to get it all nice and flat just make sure it covers all the surface of contact of the CPU GPU and heatsink and you should be good, it soule look like that now.
Now just re insert the GPU heat sink and tight the 3 screws back.
After it's the CPU heatsink and it's 4 screws like so.
Now the fan 3 screws and one connoctor.
Close it all up and boot Hope it helps some of you.
Mine was 55 and idle and now 49/50.
Considering that this is a "heavy duty" notebook, how much would a 25W processor (e.g., P9600) increase battery life and decrease heat? In my experience, the difference has been very little for relatively similar notebooks.
View 7 Replies View RelatedI am considering buying a Precision M4400 but I've read about various audio problems, even with the audio outputs .....
View 6 Replies View RelatedI'm currently trying to decide between the M4400 and the HP 8530W. Please could any M4400 owners let me know their thoughts (happy or otherwise)?
The basic specs are as follows:
Dell: P8600 CPU, 4GB RAM, 160GB 7200rpm HDD, Quadro 770M, 1920x1200 display, 6-cell battery.
HP: T9400 CPU, 2GB RAM, 160GB 7200rpm HDD, Quadro 770M, 1680x1050, 8-cell battery.
They're about the same price where I live, and both have a similar lead time. I've had no major problems with Dell in the past, but the M4400 seems to have been slated here and elsewhere for its build quality and design issues. The HP is by no means immune, but it does seem to come off lighter .....
When I got my M4400 last week, it had Vista Business installed - wasn't bad and unlike most people, I've NEVER had issues with Vista Anyway being a Microsoft Gold customer, I got my hands on the Windows 7 Ultimate RTM version and installed this on the laptop.
It has transformed the laptop just like it did my PCMUCH quicker, the graphics seem a lot happier in W7 too.
I've installed all my other tools such as SQL2008, Office 07, Virtual PC with VMs, VS 2008 etc etc but it doesnt even flinch under pressure.
If you are happy with M4400 and Vista, you will be even happier with W7 - small mini review but I thought I should give you my quick thoughts on it.
what kind of battery life you're getting from your M4400, with specifics...
list down your spec, which battery you have, and what programs you were running..
I'm getting about 15-20MB/s (transfer speed) transfering files from my Lacie d2 Quadra(eSATA 3 Gbits port) to my M4400 with Vista 32Bit thought eSATA port.
eSATA port has 3 Gbit/s bandwidth, so I wouldn't get about 300-375 MB/s transfering data?
I'm looking to replace a 3-year old IBM X60s that recently failed.
I'm considering a refurbished M4400 from Dell Outlet, and I have a couple of questions:
1.) How is Dell Outlet service and what quality can I expect from them? I know from Lenovo Outlet, most of the refurbished items are actually in immaculate condition. Is that the case for Dell Outlet? Is customer service and shipping times good?
2.) When browsing through the available M4400s, I see listings for both 15.4" WXGA and 15.4" WXGA LED. Are there M4400s with CCFL backlit WXGA panels? When configuring a new one, the only option for WXGA is LED.
And any other comments, advice, warnings, etc,
Can I use a 95W Power Supply for my M4400 along with the 130W Supply I would leave at home?.
Its new and nice as #&$*#(### for guys like me who spend an hour to an hour and a half on the metro then a 2-6 block walk into the offfice?.
This is small @
Dimension 75 x 17 x 145 mm ; 2.9 x 0.7 x 5.7 inches....
I noticed that dell list two compatible models, YP311 and XX243. On Dells website they both have identical descriptions. I assume Dell is just switching between two different manufactures.
Does anyone have any advice if one functions better then the other?
I ordered my m4400 with the "Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth 2.1 Minicard for Latitude E/Mobile Precision" option.
It has the little Bluetooth light above the keyboard... although I have no idea if that actually means it was shipped with the bluetooth I ordered.
For the life of me, I can't figure out how to enable bluetooth. I can't find the adapter in Device Manager, and I don't see any keyboard combos to enable it.