I recently received a Studio XPS 1640 as a replacement for an M1330. While I prefer the size of the M1330, the 1640's full HD panel (and increased power) makes up for the increased heft, in my book.
I replaced the 500 GB 5400 RPM drive, that came with the system, with an OCZ SSD and installed a fresh copy of Windows 7, then the latest drivers from Dell.
Compared to my experience with nVidia and the M1330, this takes some getting used to.
1. Using standard Windows drivers for the ATI 4670, any time I did anything more graphics-intensive than navigate around Windows 7 (with eye candy on), the driver would crash and instantly recover. After upgrading via Windows Update to the latest on there, I got BSODs instead.
Also, my HDMI-connected flat panel only showed about 85% of the screen even though the resolution was correctly set at 1080p, the panel's max.
Once I uninstalled those and switched to the Dell-recommended with ATI CC, the BSOD and crashes stopped, and I used ATI CCC to remove the overscan and now the entire LCD is in use, as it should.
However, the computer will not start at all (power button does nothing) if my DisplayPort cable (to a Dell monitor) is plugged in. If I remove it, then I can re-attach it once I have powered the system on, but then Windows/ATI "forgets" how I like my monitors set up and I have to go through a whole process to get it back.
Also, regarding the HDMI Audio I use, every time Windows generates a sound, I get a "thump" of my external speakers powering on, and the sound is basically done, by then. If I play a song in WMP, the pattern remains, and when the song begins there is that thump, but once the song is playing then it is smooth sailing and clean sound until the song stops and then loads the next song, at which point that "thump" returns for a second, again.
2. The USB Kb/Mouse are not active until Windows is loaded. Why?
3. My old IR remote from my M1330 seems to do nothing for this new laptop. I did replace the battery just to make sure.
Just wondering if someone could lend some insight on why the SSD are significantly overpriced in AUS To Customize a SXPS 1640 from a 500gb 5400 rpm in the US is is $100 dollars, or $152 Aus.
While in Australia it is $800 to upgrade.. Who do you have to sleep with to get a decent price ?
Anyone else with this laptop find that the screen has a very warm-reddish white balance, or is it just me? Compared to my MBP and other Dell laptops and screens, it has by far the most reddish whites.
I've tried the many ICM profiles posted here, and it definately made a difference. I'm now getting much more accurate colors, but the white balance itself remains quite reddish.
To make matters worse, the ATI CCC which, on my desktop computer, gives me White Temperature controls, those same controls are non-existant on the 1640 (same Catalyst 9.9 drivers).
I currently own the 1640 and have had nothing but problems over the last two weeks. Hard drive crash, optical drive broken, deal pixels etc etc. I'm thinking about returning the 1640 and getting the Sony FW instead. Is the FW a RELIABLE computer b/c at this point, I think that's what I'm looking for? Has anyone used both machines and how do they compare? For those that own the FW,
When I did a clean install of Vista on my computer, I must have wiped out the program that plays the Blu-ray discs, because it doesn't do anything when I put a disc in. Is there a way I can download this program again, or does anyone recommend another program to use instead?
Under what conditions will Dell Canada replace a brand new Studio XPS 1640 laptop? I'm currently having my motherboard replaced and they put in the wrong 1, so I'm getting it replaced AGAIN.
I am probably getting the sxps 1640 and I was wondering would a bluray drive be worth it? I do have a Sony 40v4100 lcd tv. Can this drive output 24p through the hdmi port? And why isnt it a bluray burner like the xps m1530 line? How hard would it be to swap in a bluray drive, do you have to pull the whole computer apart to do so? Should I just spend the money on an external bluray player for my tv?
should i install the latest bios driver a08 from the dell site? i dunno in these things and i wanna know if it's recommended and known to not screw things up, and if i even need it
I have the WLED Full HD display with the 4670 card. The issue I am having is that on the right side of the screen (rightmost two inches) on a white background only on the white area you can see a faint flickering that sometimes looks like waves coming up from the upper right conner. Again, this effect is very faint, yet visible if you know about it. Is like the wind is messing up the "water" or something.
To see it/test it open IE (or notepad etc) at google and look at the right most side in the white area. It is easier to see if the screen is tilted away from you or looking from under, however, I can see it in the regular position I use.
If you have the same configuration can you please check yours if you see anything?
The problem it is not visible in an external monitor.
Dell replaced my screen in which the problem is milder than the previous screen, but it is still there.
I kinda accepted it as fact of life for the screen, however, when I update the ATI driver, during the update process the screen flickers for a second or two (goes black) and after that there is no problem until I reboot. So apparently the driver is reseting something that makes the problem go away.
I now have Win7 RTM, but the problem was present with Vista and in the Dell Diags CD (if you move the Diags window to the right). I have the A10 BIOS, the problem was also present with A8.
The screen brightness setting does not affect it.
I run a couple screen test software with a lot of patterns no additional problems there ,i.e., no distortion of the patterns, other than the above issue on a white background.
I do not mean to be picky about it, but it bugs me since my other laptops do not have this issue and now that I found that the issue can go away momentarily with the driver update/change.
I am really curious if any other 1340/1640 users have run into a similar situation.
The problem:
when typing on the lappy, sometimes the text jumps to wherever the I beak of the cursor is. At first i thought i was accidentally touching the touchpad with the base of my thumb, but now i'm sure thats not the case
I've already tried uninstalling dells drivers, using the drivers from synaptics website, changing the sensitivity of the touch pad, using the touchpad with no drivers at all (windows drivers only)...
I have a Studio XPS 1640 (3670 512mb, P8600, etc.) that I mostly use for gaming. During the past few months, I've noticed that occasionally when I'm playing a game, the FPS will suddenly go wayyy down. For example, I was once playing Oblivion and getting around 40 FPS, when all of a sudden the FPS randomly dropped to less than 10. The same thing has happened in other games such as TF2. I think that this may be due to overheating, because the computer still seems sort of sluggish even after I close the game. Anyone know what I should do? Maybe adjust the fan speed/get a cooling pad?
1) I want to know if anybody is using an SDHC card as a readyboost drive
2) What are the maximum SDHC specs that can be utilized by the computer (both size and class), i.e., what is the maximum size and speed supported by the reader.
If am thinking of buying this card for readyboost (I plan to have it always in the slot): ...
this is a little thing I noticed just last night, actually, about my 1640, I guess I probably didn't pay much attention to it before, but:
Most easily seen when the background is black (e.g. screen saver, boot-up, etc.), I noticed that the black in the middle is the darkest,
whereas the black on the left and right sides are slightly lighter (as if due to extra residual light from either side), and gradually smooths into the darkest of the black, of course
So I got my M1530 replaced with a SXPS 1640 with a 3670 video card and I have been getting this error message frequently. The laptop freezes then a few seconds later comes back online with this error message! How do I fix this?
a new IDT audio driver to test ! It seems to me the slight pop when changing song in WMP12 is gone but I'm not too sure. I just downloaded it and might need more people to test it out to see if it fixes the crackling/popping sound.
Quote:
IDT Audio Driver Version 6.10.0.6255
[url]
Second, a new Synaptics touchpad driver to update too. I've always wanted to double tap to access the secondary menu like mac and I found a way to it ! With this 2-finger-gesture tool, our touchpad is exactly like MAC ! (no four fingers yet though) And now, you can double tap like mac multitouch to initiate secondary menu !
This is interesting... a friend of mine just tried to order the SXPS with the i7-820 processor and got denied by Dell. Apparently, the 1645 has been fully discontinued, and Dell will no longer be placing the i7-820 processor in any SXPS form factor. They quoted that due to hardware and power issues as the reason behind discontinuing the 1645 (and replacing it with the 1647) and killing i7-820 support. The sales rep said the only offering will be the Studio series for the i7-820.
As a 1645 owner with the i7-820, this is kinda scary that this laptop has been discontinued this quickly as well as the offering of the 820 series chip. We ended up calling a second time, and another sales rep confirmed the same story.
Anyone get similar information from Dell on this? I'm also wondering if this is a "Dell Canada" thing...
here are my questions: 1. What's the best way to clean the polished black plastic? I know they're prone to finger prints. I also have compressed air...is that ok for cleaning the keys and stuff?
2. Does the blue LED on the power cord annoy the out of anyone else? Anyone got any ideas on removing it? Just wondering...
3. I have 4GB DDR3 RAM. There were were options to upgrade to six and eight GB, but Dell always charges too much for RAM and I decided I could do it myself with premium RAM rather than the junk they use. My question is, I hear there's only two dim slots, so what are my upgrade options? Would 2 x 4GB DDR3 sticks work?
4. I plug my HDMI cord from my TV to my computer and it displays the picture just fine. Vista recognizes the new monitor and works well. Problem is, I can't get it to play sound through the cord. I've tried going into the sound settings and saw that there is a grayed out option for NVIDIA HDMI OUTPUT under the playback tab (screenshot below). How could the computer be recognizing the cord but the sound options say it isn't? Its frustrating because it means the HDMI port is almost useless for me.
I'm probably gonna buy a SXPS 16 tomorrow or something but I was wondering a fethings and hoped you guys could answer.
1. Is the SXPS 16 uncomfortably hot? If yes, do you think undervolting would make it more bearable? Like a noticeable difference?
2. Is it worth to spend the extra $350 for the ATI 4670 and RGBLED screen? Or I can split it, is it worth to spend $100 for the 4670, or is it worth to spend $250 for the RGBLED screen? And if possible where could I find a cheaper way to get those 2 or one of them? Like a reseller or something. (Sorry that question is long and kinda confusing I guess)
Im getting severely annoyed with Dell now! My order has been in 'pre-production' for 12 days now! Im sick of the constant 'your EDD is 25/2' 'everything is fine' 'your order will be delivered on or before the EDD' from the pretty much non-english speaking Dell reps
Im getting very close to cancelling my order now! My only issue with that is, are there any decent alternatives that you can buy off the shelf? Or at least ones that will be delivered within a week?
A few days ago, I placed an order for the SXPS 13 by going to the direct configuration link on Dells website. I had read a lot of reviews and done my research, and it seemed like the perfect fit for me. I'm starting college this summer and need something that packs a lot of power into a smaller size since I'm majoring in engineering. I also do a lot with music and some of that software can be a real powerhog.
Now after I placed my order I began to read through the SXPS 13 owners lounge thread to look at the pics and just get an idea of what to expect. After reading through the a good portion of the thread, I'm starting to question whether or not I should stick with it. It won't ship for a while since the hard drives aren't available at the moment, so I have a while to change/cancel if I decide to.
So overall, what have your general impressions of the laptop been? Would you reccomend it to a friend? Anything I should be keep an eye out for?
