Dell :: M4400 BiosWhere To Get Old Versions? Need A02!
Feb 25, 2009
I was able to download dell a02 when a11 was the latest. However Dell has now removed the old bios links. I would like to try a12 but want a02 just in case I have to roll back. Can someone provide a link to a02
I have been having terrible problems with Dell Media Direct. All started when I done the dell factory restore and after that the dell media direct fast boot option no longer worked. The hidden partition I suspect somehow corrupted. It worked okay under Windows Vista though.
Anyway I tried many fixes this without resorting to the drastic measure of repartitioning and losing my windows installation (which has taken me months to get it how I want).
The other I day I uninstalled Dell Media Direct under add/remove programs on vista. I then tried to reinstall it but now I cannot get the software to reinstall under vista. I have done this before several times without a hitch so I do not know why it is now causing problems.
I run dellkit.exe and it goes through the percentage bar so looks like it is installing. However there is very little cd drive activity indicating it is not doing an awful look. Eventually at approx 17% it suddenly pops up saying it's installed
DRIVERS & SOFTWARE Software: Upek Protector QL 5.8.2 Build 4640 -- All OS Infineon TPM 3.5 -- All OS,mirror
Bluetooth Widcomm 6.2.0.7400 -- Vista/Win7 X32/X64 Bluetooth Widcomm 5.5.0.6000 -- WinXP X32/X64
Sony Shared Library (5.2.0.08220) -- All OS *Not WinXP X32* Batery Check / ISB Utility (3.1.0.08280) -- All OS *Not WinXP X32* Setting Utility Series (4.2.0.10150) -- All OS *Not WinXP X32* Vaio Control Center (3.2.0.09120) -- All OS *Not WinXP X32* Vaio Event Service 2 (4.2.1.12090) -- All OS *Not WinXP X32* Vaio Power Management (3.2.1.12240) -- All OS *Not WinXP X32* SUD 7.0.00.07160, BC 1.1.00.05150, SUS 1.8.00.05160, VCC 1.1.03.10061, VES2 2.9.00.08220 *Only WinXP X32*..................
I use Office:Mac 2008, and I'm not a fan. But it's better than OpenOffice/NeoOffice (imo), and while I like a lot about iWork, the occasional small incompatibility -- and the fact that saving as .docx as default is troublesome -- is irritating.
For those of you who have been Mac users since Office '08 was released, I'm just curious as to whether there's a reason to expect that we might see a public beta put out by Microsoft in the coming few months -- long before this Fall/Winter 2010 release or whenever it's supposed to be -- so we can get cracking on that.
I got my laptop back from repair and the papers that came with it said that they not only replaced the LCD screen, but also updated the BIOS to the lates version--1.24
I was messing around with my laptop and the various thermal monitoring programs it has while searching the net why the hell my by-core temps always gets stuck at startup. I kept reading on BIOS, BIOS, BIOS. So I went to acer.com.sg for hopes that a newer 1.25 or so BIOS would be available for my Ciel Noir.
Surprise surprise, they have only the 1.16 (came with my laptop when it was new) and the 1.23 BIOS (mine was presently 1.24, and they don't have it). I downloaded it anyway, and checked the readme. I noticed that the flash utility .exe was named JALA0123.exe and then I noticed through HWMonitor 1.14 that my motherboard was marked JALA0 so hmm...this prompted me to flash the BIOS.
Booted up, got into Windows, fired up HWMonitor and what do you know, now it's working!! HWMonitor reads a different TJMax though, so I adjusted it to be the same as CoreTemp's and Everest, and now it's showing (I hope) correct temps.
Now my question is this: Why does the BIOS that comes from Acer directly i.e. after purchase or repair makes the sensors not work? And why are these BIOSes not available online? Is it possible that they use BIOSes that are for different laptop models, hence rendering the addresses for the thermal monitors different from the actual ones? (I read up that thermal sensors depended on the correct addresses, too.)
I have need to use Bluetooth stereo audio functionality (A2DP profile) almost exclusively when I use my laptop.
I had owned a M1330 with the Dell 355 Bluetooth Module for several years without issue. Last November, I decided to upgrade and purchased an M15x (laptop #1) with the Dell 370 Bluetooth module included,running Windows 7 x64 Ultimate. Not more than one day out of the box,the 370 module failed while watching a movie. It literally disappeared from device manager and no uninstalling/reinstallation of drivers alleviated the situation. The only way to get the radio to be recognized by the operating system was, and is, to shutdown,reboot into bios,disable the card in bios,reboot into windows,restart,boot into bios,enable the card and then reboot into Windows. The card would then work for awhile but eventually fail again. The module works for short periods of time but if put under an extended load,fails. That and other issues with the M15x caused me to return it.
Contacted Dell and returned the M15x and bought and built a Studio XPS 1645 (laptop #2) to replace it. Received the unit and literally within the 1st few hours,the 370 module failed exactly like the M15x.I thought o.k. a bad card and had tech support send out a new module for the XPS 1645. Received and installed it and the exact same problem happened. Failed when under an extended load. Again called tech support and was then dispatched an onsite tech to replace the entire motherboard and card. No resolution-card failed again. Spoke with a resolution specialist and returned it and again purchased a M15x (laptop #3-really liked the M15x over the XPS 1645)
Received the M15x-Bluetooth failure again. At this point, was considering dropping Dell altogether but thought I'd try the Studio 1558 (laptop #4) with the Bluetooth 365 module, in order to rule out the 370 card, first. Ordered and was delivered on the 5th of April, same exact issue-failure of card under a load. I am returning this defective Studio 1558 and again getting a M15x (laptop #5). I realize that the M15x Bluetooth card will fail again-in fact,am 100% sure it will fail,but have bought a Sony Bluetooth transmitter as a workaround.
What appears to be happening is that the card will shutdown when it gets warm.This is either a Broadcom manufacturing defect or a Dell engineering issue. I know now through personal experience that there is a serious issue with Dell Bluetooth cards.
If this was happening with only one laptop, I'd be ok with it but, this is occuring across multiple laptop platforms, with both Broadcom Bluetooth cards that Dell brands and sells.
This is either an oversight by engineering-maybe they didn't test the card under a heavy load, or Dell is knowingly selling defective equipment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I need to know the specs of the RAM in my M4400 and was hoping someone here could help me out?
I know it has 4GB Ram, but how many actual Ram slots does it have and what speeds/specs Ram can be put in it? Basically,
i want to upgrade from 4GB to 8GB to give my VM's better performance without slowing down my base OS (Windows 7 Ultimate x64). I don't know which Ram to choose on newegg.
I'm about to purchase an M4400 as a mobile editing station but I've only got one reservation. Basically, I can buy one with a dell 3 year warranty or I can buy a better speced one for 20% less that doesn't have a warranty as it's from a liquidation of assets sale.
Now, I'm pretty handy with computers/laptop and in the past I've taken apart laptops to replace CPU's, motherboards, hard drives, etc. so I'm fairly comfortable with fixing things when they go wrong. But my question is whether I should expect things to go wrong. I'm especially concerned about the screen and the occurrence of dead pixels. Is this commonplace and how many dead pixels does it take for dell to accept a returns anyway?
At home I have a Dell 2407WFP-HC and I've never had any problems with it. I built my desktop computer myself and I'm not concerned with parts of it going wrong as it's easy to find replacement parts, but the same can't be said for laptops, and there is a significant cost differential!
So, is it worth paying a 25% premium to have the dell warranty? I'm a frugal man, and a penny saved is always a good thing in my book, but not at the expense of having to shell out in 6 months when something goes wrong .....
I've checked Dell Outlet, and the cheapest one there was $900, and that's pretty good but I'm wondering if you guys know any other places I should check.
I want to undervolt my Presicion M4400 as per this guide: The "Undervolting" Guide
A few questions as I embark!
1) Does it matter how much power my M4400 draws when I do this? That is if I later attach USB drives, add a 2nd hardrive to optical bay, should I take these into account? I assume no but just checking.
2) After doing the first stress test I got max temps of 76C on CPU, after lowering the max 10.0 multiplier voltage and running it for 10 min I got max temps of 79C. Something must be wrong?
In RMClock's CPU info page (see pic. 1) the "current" 10.0x multiplier reads 1.1250V when Im doing the stress test although I've set the 10.0 multiplier to 1.1500V (default max is 1.2500V) on the profile page (see pic 2).
Shouldn't the read outs correspond with the set max voltage? Also on the RMClock CPU info page (see pic. 1) the "maximal" 10.0x readout is 1.2500V which is again different from the set 1.1500V.
Is this normal or have the setting not been saved or something?
3) On the advanced CPU settings page my thermal monitoring is not checked (see pic 3) this differs from the Undervolting guide screenshots and is not specified if these should be on?
I've got a Precision M4400 for which I did some DIY upgrading... Specifically, I put in a T9900 (3.06GHz, 35W TDP) processor and a 256Gb SSD. You can see the specs in my signature, actually.
The problem is that my temperatures seem to be going pretty high. Realtemp is saying that once I turn on the laptop, both CPU cores are at around 30-35 C. But after a very short while, this heats up to the mid-40's. And if I play Sims 3, let's say, the temperature can go up all the way to the high 70's. The GPU seems to stay at under 80 C, which I think should be fine .....
When my Precision M4400 goes to sleep after I close the lid, it sometimes turns itself back on without opening the lid back up (it gets rather hot and the fan is running by the time I go to use the computer again, however, I believe the screen stays off).
This has really started to bother me lately as the heat cannot be good for the computer and I always have to turn the computer off by holding the power button after it does this because the screen won't turn back on.