Dell :: The OFFICIAL Montevina / Centrino 2 Thread
May 18, 2008
It's release at Computex Taipei is coming up very soon...and I think I'm not the only one waiting for an XPS line refresh with this...
I hope we can use this thread to share news, benchmarks, or just general talk about the new platform....
I know I'm definitely excited having seen some X4500 benchmarks already Low power and decent performance, wawhoo (Decent=not crazy gaming, but fine for CAD, 3D mathematical analysis, watching movies on the go with low battery useage)
I created this thread with the intention of grouping all who have, or in the process, or are planning to upgrade to Windows 7 x64 for the XPS M1330.
Personally I'm currently on Vista Ultimate x86 (because it's a Product Red) and I'm entitled to a free Windows 7 Professional x64 license from my school. I've read that it's not possible to upgrade directly from higher-to-lower (in terms of level of OS).
Like for mine I'd only be able to upgrade directly if I had a Windows 7 Ultimate license.
Hence for my case, I would like to seek the advice from the helpful fellas here on my upgrade (sequence) options.
Currently I have 2 partitions, as per default. C drive as OS and main partition of 285GB and D drive as RECOVERY of 9.99GB.
Questions: 1) If I were to install Windows 7 on a newly created partition, ie. F drive (as my DVDRW is on E drive now), would I be able to format my C drive (after backing up data from it) and turn it into a storage drive?
2) If 1) is possible, should I partition F drive to 20-25GB as the norm capacity for Windows 7 OS installation, or should I allocate more space? (I'm asking this because I've never done an OS-only partition + Data-only partition in any computer I own because I don't see the usefulness of it LAST TIME.
3) If I had an OS partition in F drive, 20-25GB, and the Data partition on C drive (after formatting Vista), would I be able to swap these 2 drive letters so C drive becomes my Windows 7 OS Drive and F drive becomes my Data drive?
4) If that's the case, would I still be needing D drive (RECOVERY), or can I format->delete it?
5) Having 20-25GB in C drive, assuming I've swapped F drive with C drive, where would I be installing my applications? Do I need to install applications into the OS drive or can I install it in the Data drive? Because if it were the case that applications NEED to be installed into the OS drive, I'd need to allocate a little more space in now-C drive, right?
We are all waiting on a refresh of the Dell Studio XPS 1645/1647 to include the 5000 series ATI graphics cards. So to get the message across I have come up with a little thing called "Operate GPU Refresh". If you have been following the iPhone/AT&T you should know of the "Operation Chokehold" that iPhone users took part in to try to get the message across the the AT&T network needs upgrading.
But instead of trying to take down Dell, we will simply be trying to get the message across to them that we want the new cards, and since every other manufacturer pretty much already offers them we "would" rather buy their competition.
On March 30th of 2010 all users who want to participate will visit the "Dell Chat" PC/Laptop sales chat and ask when the 5000 series will be available. Also chime in on the fact that competitors such as HP already have these newer graphics cards available and you are tired of waiting, and if they can't give a solid reason just say "I guess I will go with HP" or whichever company you feel is the next alternative to you. Goal:
Get the message across that we as customers want the latest hardware.
Get the message across that Dell is lagging behind their competition and if we have to wait any longer we will forget about Dell and buy their competition (in theory).
So set your calendars for March 30th. Dell "D-Day". Us notebook review members telling Dell what we want, and that we want it NOW.
I thought it would be best to change the title to *The Official Dell Inspiron 910 (Mini I) Thread*... and thus...creating a brand spanking new thread! WoOT! So I will link the other thread here, and....
Let's roll with it on the Dell Inspiron 910
Mini 9 Helpful Links Section:
Make Windows USB Install Drive: [url]
Make Linux USB Install Drive: This guide is written for Eeebuntu, but it will work with any linux distro. [url]
Here is a link for some slides for the I12: (credit to Jayson for posting this) [url]
Link to a separate thread regarding ~ New Inspiron Z530 leaked by Supermarket! (credit to aja58 for starting the thread) New Inspiron Z530 leaked by Supermarket!
I decided to make this thread because there are so many of us out there who have all had the same problems and have gone through he** and back with Dell customer/tech support and are wanting to get a replacement and/or already have. Our posts are scattered everywhere so I just thought we should all unify them and post here to help others who are in our situation.
State what you currently have or previously owned, ( ie the bad laptop), specs etc. and what the problems are/were. Then if you have already gotten a replacement, only the relevant specs (the ones that changed or upgrades you got) and any additional notes you want to add about the process, how long it took etc.
If anyone is on the fence about what to do with their situation please feel free to ask. This should be an informative and helpful thread for those looking into getting there laptop replaced or fixed by Dell, or just want some advice on what to do with their problematic 1640/45/47. This is by no means a thread to gloat or brag about your replacement upgrade, but rather a place for everyone to share their experiences and help others. Thanks!
Problem Laptop: Studio XPS 1640 - throttling, heat, speaker rattle/distortion, dust behind screen
It's been suggested in a few other threads that an Inspiron 1545 owners thread be started to discuss any problems, fixes and general thoughts on the Inspiron 1545.
So here goes.
Now I appreciate that, after going through many other posts, this model is not loved by many; but lets remember that this notebook is aimed at the price conscientious individual - it's never going to compete against the XPS or anything.
My own inspiron is sat with the depot now, will be delivered tomorrow.
I'll have a play with it over the next few days and post up a full review asap to help anyone who is deciding whether this machine will fulfill their requirements. Until then, anyone own one of these have anything to say about it?
So, this thread is for all the SXPS 1640 owner's to post when they ordered, status updates only, and when received etc.....Basically this is a thread is for Order Status (and all included w/in the thread title)
Please use this format, it's nice and easy for all to read: Ordered On: 2/4/09
Order Status: In Production 'Building Stage' 2/5-2/709 (12pm EST) Order Status: In Production 'Boxing Stage' 2/7/09 (12pm EST)-2/10/09 (11am EST) Order Status: Shipped 2/10/09 (8 am EST) .....
I thought it was time to get an *Order Status* thread started on the Studio XPS 1340, since so many are ordering it!
So, this thread is for all the SXPS 1340 owner's to post when they ordered, status updates only, and when received etc.....Basically this is a thread is for Order Status (and all included w/in the thread title)
Please use this format, it's nice and easy for all to read: Ordered On: 2/4/09
Order Status: In Production 'Building Stage' 2/5-2/709 (12pm EST) Order Status: In Production 'Boxing Stage' 2/7/09 (12pm EST)-2/10/09 (11am EST) Order Status: Shipped 2/10/09 (8 am EST)
NBR member weinter found the model number, so I took it and did some research and came up with this:
Review of the 3820 with video
The Travelmate Timeline 8372's are the business versions. Acer 3820/4820/5820Choice of Intel Core i3/i5/i7Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit or Windows Vista Home BasicIntel HD Graphics or Switchable between Intel HD Graphics and ATI 5470 or 565013.3"/14.1"/15.6" 1366x768 DisplayUp to 640GB HDDUp to 8GB DDR3-1066 RamUp to 12 hours of battery life (with 9-cell)3820T/TG: 3.9lbs, 4820T/TG: 4.85lbs, 5820T/TG: 5.3lbs with 6-cell.
Because the Studio XPS 1645 Intel Core i7 Owner's thread was getting pretty *thick* with *Order Status* Inquiries, etc... I thought it was time to get an *Order Status* thread started, since so many are ordering it! And, to lessen the *heavyness* felt with the Owner's thread.
Also, we really should keep Status Updates, Order Delays, Progress as such, separated in this section of the forum! It will make the other thread "easier on the eye" per se!
So, this thread is for all the SXPS 1645 owner's to post when they ordered, status updates only, and when received etc.....Basically this is a thread for Order Status (and all included w/in the thread title) ........
Do not post in this thread until you ACTUALLY take deliver of XPS 1645 I7. Since the other thread has been destroyed by the production fiasco, we will reserve this thread for reviews, questions, etc about the ACTUAL machine...
but when you try to add your configuration to the cart, it tells you that you have to call an agent to order. There is even an option for an RGB 1920x1200 LED screen!
But, at least they're FINALLY available ..................... guess I need to call and cancel my Studio 15 now
I have been reading on the boards here and from what I understand (or maybe I misunderstood) one of the differences between the 1735 and 1737 was the chipset....Montevina instead of the Santa Rosa.
I was reading Intel's website to see what the differences are in the chipsets. One of the items that struck me was that the Montevina supports DDR3 and it should be labeled "Cetrino 2".
My 1737 has just "Centrino" on it.
Belarc doesn't seem to want to list the name of the chipset I have.
It does list Board: Dell Inc. 0P786H A04 as the motherboard.
I'll have to research to find out how I can tell precisely which chipset I have.
I bought a Studio 1537 laptop, and am very pleased with it so far.
I decided to have the Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 (2Ghz, 800MHz, 2MB) processor. When I recieved the laptop I notced that it had a sticker on the front that says "Intel Centrino 2 inside".
I looked up what that is and it tells me that it is the technology that makes it faster, better and prolongs the battery. It also lists the processors which doesn't include a T6400.
Although Dell's website claims the Studio 1537 with Penryn-M 1066 MHz FSB processors are centrino 2, why didn't they include the Centrino 2 Inside sticker on the laptop? I recall that they need to be officially certified by Intel in order to get the sticker, so what is non-compliant in the studio 15 centrino 2?
I purchased a Dell Inspiron 9200 in Janaury 2005. It has been an excellent laptop since day #1, but an upgrade is now in order!
Can ANYBODY have a clue as to when Dell will release laptops based on the new CENTRINO 2 line? I'd love to buy another Dell, but if they don't plan on upgrading the hardware soon, then I'll have to go to another brand.
I followed a couple threads on here on how to format and reload everything from scratch. It has worked perfectly and I'm much more happier without the Dell bloatware. That said, the only issue (not sure if it's really an issue) that I'm having is with the WiMAX 6250 driver. I downloaded the latest drivers from here:
They aren't even listed on Dell's website (not that I would use Dell's over Intels anyway).
The wifi and everything seems to be working fine. However, when I look under device manager, it's the only one that has an "!" on it. It says that the driver isn't loaded.
Again, I don't know this is really a problem since it's working, but I just wanted to make sure this won't hurt me down the road or if anyone else knows how to fix it.
I have had this model for about 2 weeks and the bluetooth was working fine on setup, although now when I try to connect to my phone even though I had already added my phone as a device it seems to have been removed and the bluetooth just will not find any devices whatsoever. Previously my phone would find the laptop under the name I had given but now when finding it, it comes up as PC Controller App v1.4. , but still no response on laptop. I have run a diagnostic on the wifi and all seems to be ok.
Thanks to a post by PDSway, I got the Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 Advanced Wireless Card working fine with the Windows 7 64-bit 13.0 drivers on my XPS 1340.
Has anyone been able to successfully install the Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 Advanced Wireless Card 13.1.1.1 drivers for Windows 7 64-bit?
I get an error code saying it couldn't find the digital signature for the driver
