XPS M1330 Owners

[Ordeith]

Hey guys.

I recently purchased an XPS M1330. Upon receiving it I removed norton, and a few other programs that the laptop comes bundled with. After doing so, the laptop became 'bsod' central, with constant blue screens with the 'dumping physical memory to hdisk' notes, and chdsks occuring each time - very annoying.

So I used the Dell disk and reformatted. However, I still don't find the laptop as stable as I'd like. I'm using Vista. I recall in XP, not crashing for a long time. Now, I'll get random crashes like, internet explorer seems to crash quite frequently in google video. MSN crashes frequently. I get odd 'ie has stopped working', 'runonce wrapper has stopped working' - I think I'm being plagued by a software issue but I'm not sure what it could be.

After the reformat it is more stable - i.e, no bsods yet, but still. I don't know, I guess I'm a bit underwhelmed by the software stability (I'm not sure if this is a function of the laptop, the os, or both).

Hardware wise I'm loving the laptop. It feels great, is relatively light, with good battery life. I guess I'm wondering if any of you xps m1330 owners experienced a similar problem upon receiving the laptop (and I've only had it for a few days) - but if I'm going to take this to class to take notes, i really don't want to be plagued with reboots during note taking - or else I might as well go back to my clipboard and lined paper...

Thoughts?

 

[rxblitzrx]

I've always hated OEM software. I just ordered a new Thinkpad and the first thing I'm going to do is repartition and install Windows XP. I've already download all the latest drivers from the IBM website. Bloatware has always been an (x) mark.

 

[SilthDraeth]

I can't recall where, but I believe I read about a lot of other people having issues with that notebook. I don't know if it was ever narrowed down to anything in particular though.

Did you get Vista with the Dell purchase? I ordered an Asus notebook, it came with Vista Home Premium, but only in 32 bit. The restore cd however is an unattended install, drivers OS, and bloatware. So I am ordering alternate media from Windows Directly, and I will manually install my drivers etc. Maybe you can try the same. (My notebook had to have the processor fan replaced so I haven't done it yet) I think you have to pay shipping, and a small fee for the disk.

Vista Alternate Media

Maybe that will help. Then you can manually install all the latest drivers. Also keep in mind that the Vista License, will allow you to use Windows XP pro with the same key, and then re-upgrade to Vista using the same key at a later date. (Thats in the Microsoft License Agreement)

 

[Old Hippie]

Your link doesn't work, but are you saying that if a licensed Vista came with your notebook, MS will send you another Vista disc for a small fee? If so, how much?

 

[Ordeith]

Originally posted by: SilthDraeth
I can't recall where, but I believe I read about a lot of other people having issues with that notebook. I don't know if it was ever narrowed down to anything in particular though.

Did you get Vista with the Dell purchase? I ordered an Asus notebook, it came with Vista Home Premium, but only in 32 bit. The restore cd however is an unattended install, drivers OS, and bloatware. So I am ordering alternate media from Windows Directly, and I will manually install my drivers etc. Maybe you can try the same. (My notebook had to have the processor fan replaced so I haven't done it yet) I think you have to pay shipping, and a small fee for the disk.

https://om.one.microsoft.com/o...en-us&JavaScriptOn=yes">Vista Alternate Media</a>

Maybe that will help. Then you can manually install all the latest drivers. Also keep in mind that the Vista License, will allow you to use Windows XP pro with the same key, and then re-upgrade to Vista using the same key at a later date. (Thats in the Microsoft License Agreement)

Yeah I got Vista with the machine, and it's 32 bit. I'm going to reformat again and try, and if it still doesn't work to my satisfaction, try XP. If XP crashes frequently, then I'll assume it's a hardware issue and send the laptop back in - but I must say, I'm pretty damn disappointed.

 

[loup garou]

I have 3 M1330s being used right now, no problems to speak of.

I would remove any IE plugins or toolbars you may have and uninstall and reinstall Flash. Flash takes out IE7 occasionally on Vista boxes (and I'd imagine could crash messenger as well -- flash ads).

Also, check event viewer for any system/application error states around the time you experience problems. Post them here.

 

[Ordeith]

Originally posted by: loup garou
I have 3 M1330s being used right now, no problems to speak of.

I would remove any IE plugins or toolbars you may have and uninstall and reinstall Flash. Flash takes out IE7 occasionally on Vista boxes (and I'd imagine could crash messenger as well -- flash ads).

Also, check event viewer for any system/application error states around the time you experience problems. Post them here.

Actually, I used the drivers disk to run a diagnostic, and there were memtest fails all over the place. Both of the 2GB ram sticks failed a 'memory compare test' and Dell are sending two replacement sticks by courier that will get here tomorrow.

That's pretty quick, and I'm very pleased about that. I'm sure that once this gets up and running I'll be more pleased.

Loup Garou yours have the LED displays right? The viewing angle on mine isn't that great, is that typical of the hardware? Looking at it dead on, the picture is fantastic but I have to tilt the screen just right, etc.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Ordeith

Originally posted by: loup garou
I have 3 M1330s being used right now, no problems to speak of.

I would remove any IE plugins or toolbars you may have and uninstall and reinstall Flash. Flash takes out IE7 occasionally on Vista boxes (and I'd imagine could crash messenger as well -- flash ads).

Also, check event viewer for any system/application error states around the time you experience problems. Post them here.

Actually, I used the drivers disk to run a diagnostic, and there were memtest fails all over the place. Both of the 2GB ram sticks failed a 'memory compare test' and Dell are sending two replacement sticks by courier that will get here tomorrow.

That's pretty quick, and I'm very pleased about that. I'm sure that once this gets up and running I'll be more pleased.

Loup Garou yours have the LED displays right? The viewing angle on mine isn't that great, is that typical of the hardware? Looking at it dead on, the picture is fantastic but I have to tilt the screen just right, etc.

haha, no kidding. Glad to see you found the (probable) cause.
Yep, they all have LED backlikt screens. They seem about the same viewing angle wise as other Dells with the glossy screen--maybe a little bit worse, but that may just be my brain wanting to blame the LED backlighting as I haven't seen any others with LED backlit screens before.

 

[TheStu]

Since when do they all have LED backlights? I thought that you got to choose between an LED backlight with/out a VGA camera, or a CCFL backlit screen with/out 2MP camera.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: TheStu
Since when do they all have LED backlights? I thought that you got to choose between an LED backlight with/out a VGA camera, or a CCFL backlit screen with/out 2MP camera.

I have 3 of them and they all have LED backlights (I configured them that way).

 

[TheStu]

OOOOH, gotcha, I thought you meant that you could only get them with the LED backlight. my bad

 

[SilthDraeth]

Originally posted by: Old Hippie
Your link doesn't work, but are you saying that if a licensed Vista came with your notebook, MS will send you another Vista disc for a small fee? If so, how much?

That is what I thought at first, but after calling MS, they will only send you alternate media if you bought a retail copy of Vista, if you have OEM, or the recovery disk from your PC manufacturer, then you have to go through them. And I tried Asus, and they won't send it out, I practically begged, but the guy says they don't have any to send out, and they don't have any drivers...

Sorry, if I offered false hope.

 

[Old Hippie]

Originally posted by: SilthDraeth

Originally posted by: Old Hippie
Your link doesn't work, but are you saying that if a licensed Vista came with your notebook, MS will send you another Vista disc for a small fee? If so, how much?

That is what I thought at first, but after calling MS, they will only send you alternate media if you bought a retail copy of Vista, if you have OEM, or the recovery disk from your PC manufacturer, then you have to go through them. And I tried Asus, and they won't send it out, I practically begged, but the guy says they don't have any to send out, and they don't have any drivers...

Sorry, if I offered false hope.

Thanks for the response. I figured it was too good to be true, but ya never know.