Laptops Heads up: XPS M1330 issues with discrete graphics
- Thread starter RiO
- Start date
From what I remember, A04 and later might be facing trouble... thanks for the info, I will try to find out if this a safe assumption. Not that it matters to those experiencing trouble, but at least they can pass this info on to Dell.
Vandal, flip the notebook over and open it up
EDIT: When I say A04, I'm referring to motherboard revision. The rest don't really matter, cooling design hasn't changed but maybe the parts they're using did.
Vandal, flip the notebook over and open it up
EDIT: When I say A04, I'm referring to motherboard revision. The rest don't really matter, cooling design hasn't changed but maybe the parts they're using did.
RiO said:From what I remember, A04 and later might be facing trouble... thanks for the info, I will try to find out if this a safe assumption. Not that it matters to those experiencing trouble, but at least they can pass this info on to Dell.
Vandal, flip the notebook over and open it up
All-
Had a lengthy chat with Peter from Dell XPS Support today about the temperatures and the probable failure.
He consulted his higher ups and said that according to my service tag (which gave him my motherboard revision probably) my GPU can go upto 120C without causing issues
Yipee!
RiO said:
Erm who said it was a contest ? :rofl:
I tried to get the max out of the tech support guy as possible. Just reiterated whatever he said.
And in case you didnt read my tone, that 'Yipee!' was a sarcastic one! They are acknowledging that the parts are getting hot. Basically every produyct has some design flaws... this is 'possibly' one of then. As long as they are prompt in their service, I am happy
Karan, I hope you realize in what context the word contest was used... it's not literal that it has to crack you up! I'm not here to prove Dell (or you) wrong - the purpose of this thread is to make all M1330 (+ 8400M) users aware of a potential problem they could run into.
The XPS M1330 is a brilliant notebook, nobody denies that on any forum, but it has thermal issues and Dell can't deny that either.
To summarize my posts (and rants) in this thread:
1. It's not a new issue, people have been having trouble from early Jan 2008 and Dell has done nothing about it other than replace motherboards.
2. Why can't Dell fess up and make an announcement (and perhaps do a recall) instead of handling it on a case by case basis?
3. Replacements are sometimes refurbished boards - is that a guarantee it will *not* break down after a few months again?
4. These are premium notebooks, there is a major issue if so many need a motherboard replacement within 6 months. I've owned many notebooks (Dell and Acer) and they lasted years without a single support call.
You can accept mediocrity and flaws in high end products, I don't.
The XPS M1330 is a brilliant notebook, nobody denies that on any forum, but it has thermal issues and Dell can't deny that either.
To summarize my posts (and rants) in this thread:
1. It's not a new issue, people have been having trouble from early Jan 2008 and Dell has done nothing about it other than replace motherboards.
2. Why can't Dell fess up and make an announcement (and perhaps do a recall) instead of handling it on a case by case basis?
3. Replacements are sometimes refurbished boards - is that a guarantee it will *not* break down after a few months again?
4. These are premium notebooks, there is a major issue if so many need a motherboard replacement within 6 months. I've owned many notebooks (Dell and Acer) and they lasted years without a single support call.
You can accept mediocrity and flaws in high end products, I don't.
Another issue I am trying to follow up with: [XPS M1330] CPU Throttling at full load - Notebook Forums and Laptop Discussion
RiO said:Karan, I hope you realize in what context the word contest was used... it's not literal that it has to crack you up! I'm not here to prove Dell (or you) wrong - the purpose of this thread is to make all M1330 (+ 8400M) users aware of a potential problem they could run into.
The XPS M1330 is a brilliant notebook, nobody denies that on any forum, but it has thermal issues and Dell can't deny that either.
To summarize my posts (and rants) in this thread:
1. It's not a new issue, people have been having trouble from early Jan 2008 and Dell has done nothing about it other than replace motherboards.
The Dell technician said that this being a compact design, has its limitations and they cannot do ANYTHING about it. I guess they are just hoping the cases will stop coming up.
2. Why can't Dell fess up and make an announcement (and perhaps do a recall) instead of handling it on a case by case basis?
Huge costs involved, particularly considering the number of M1330 that have been sold.
3. Replacements are sometimes refurbished boards - is that a guarantee it will *not* break down after a few months again?
No guarentees there.
4. These are premium notebooks, there is a major issue if so many need a motherboard replacement within 6 months. I've owned many notebooks (Dell and Acer) and they lasted years without a single support call.
My HP DV8216TX has lasted almost 2 years without a single Error, bug, crash, blue screen, over heat. Not a single call to customer care ofcourse.
You can accept mediocrity and flaws in high end products, I don't.
I totally agree with you, but when I raised that point with Dell Support (the XPS guys) I felt the guy becoming defensive by the minute, quoting design limitatations (see my previous post with link to a NBR thread)
See my comments in blue above.
I can't disagree with the steep cost involved in a recall, but guess what, sales losses could surpass that number by the end of the year if the M1330 becomes extremely unpopular. I'm sure any one of their business analysts could figure that out.
Plus, this will cause damage to the XPS brand - and with the next XPS launch people will want to wait for 6 months before buying one. Overall this can't be good for Dell so either they don't have a grip on the problem (as someone on NBR stated) or sales are not down yet so they don't care.
Plus, this will cause damage to the XPS brand - and with the next XPS launch people will want to wait for 6 months before buying one. Overall this can't be good for Dell so either they don't have a grip on the problem (as someone on NBR stated) or sales are not down yet so they don't care.
i purchased xps m1330 last month on april 23rd.. now i am worried.. although i have got 6 months to use "yipeee" before it should start freezing... n yeah i have nvidia card too... i wonder if this problem arries only on heavy usage of GPU and by simple usage its going to be actually fine..
1. can i complain dell for this issue right now and ask for a refund or replacement when i am actually not facing any problem yet..?? just asking them to replace on the basis of reviews i have read n i am worried about my laptop n data stuff - will that work..??
2. or can i negotiate an extended warranty from dell cos of this issue n its nature of popping up after a certain amount of time..?? will dell entertain that..?? i have got one year default warranty..
Clearly in 13.3" i don't see any other laptop with such a design, power, price n features like xps m1330.. i think this machine is a keeper.. unless this problem is sorted out..
is there any way i can do something which makes this problem to show up earlier :bleh: u know what i mean.. like then i can address this issue right now..
1. can i complain dell for this issue right now and ask for a refund or replacement when i am actually not facing any problem yet..?? just asking them to replace on the basis of reviews i have read n i am worried about my laptop n data stuff - will that work..??
2. or can i negotiate an extended warranty from dell cos of this issue n its nature of popping up after a certain amount of time..?? will dell entertain that..?? i have got one year default warranty..
Clearly in 13.3" i don't see any other laptop with such a design, power, price n features like xps m1330.. i think this machine is a keeper.. unless this problem is sorted out..
is there any way i can do something which makes this problem to show up earlier :bleh: u know what i mean.. like then i can address this issue right now..
Shakensoul
Explorer
Follow a simple rule " If It's Not Broken, Don't Fix It! " 
Its not mandate that the problem will crop up in every XPS 1330, your model might be one from the batch with revised/upgraded motherboards and it might be a possibility that the problem will never arise.
And since you have 1 year of service, even if the problem occurs you can call Dell anytime to get it fixed since you know the symptoms.
Its not mandate that the problem will crop up in every XPS 1330, your model might be one from the batch with revised/upgraded motherboards and it might be a possibility that the problem will never arise.
And since you have 1 year of service, even if the problem occurs you can call Dell anytime to get it fixed since you know the symptoms.
good point!!
n yes, how to make sure that my model is from a revised/upgraded batch.. i mean if there is any specific thumb rule to follow as rio stated that perhaps the motherboard A04 onwards have the issue..
so likewise, if anyone can suggest some specifics to check if my model is revised n upgraded..
n yes, how to make sure that my model is from a revised/upgraded batch.. i mean if there is any specific thumb rule to follow as rio stated that perhaps the motherboard A04 onwards have the issue..
so likewise, if anyone can suggest some specifics to check if my model is revised n upgraded..
Shakensoul
Explorer
Go to the Dell support page and enter your service tag and check the original system configuration, it should list all the part numbers and description of the components.
If you want you can post here the part # and description of the motherboard and video card so that we can do some R&D on the version. :bleh:
Edit : You can check the motherboard revision from the sticker underneath the RAM modules after you remove the sticks.
If you want you can post here the part # and description of the motherboard and video card so that we can do some R&D on the version. :bleh:
Edit : You can check the motherboard revision from the sticker underneath the RAM modules after you remove the sticks.
KiD0M4N said:All-
Had a lengthy chat with Peter from Dell XPS Support today about the temperatures and the probable failure.
He consulted his higher ups and said that according to my service tag (which gave him my motherboard revision probably) my GPU can go upto 120C without causing issues
Yipee!
Isn't 120 deg C the temp that *all* NVIDIA GPU's can handle?? So why're they conking out? Must be something else that's closely related. AFAIK that Dell guy just quoted NV's manufacturer spec. Even the desktop GPUs have that thermal threshhold. If temps reach 120 the GPU will forcefully shut down
100khz said:
1. The product reviews are fantastic because it's normally done within the first month of getting the M1330, but you can let Dell know that you're *concerned* about your new XPS going bad in a few months <cite the display/thermal issue>.
2. You can try this as well, but I'm not sure if they will do much since your notebook is currently fine. If they still haven't acknowledged the widespread issue, they might turn around and say it's fixed for newer models. They could be right as well, we can't argue since they still haven't confirmed there is a problem with design
3. I wouldn't recommend it, but turn off the a/c and run your laptop continuous till it freezes and starts artifacting during bootup. Call Dell and they may just replace it with a refurbished board+gpu (not sure where they get those from
).For now, I say stay positive and hope that Dell has fixed whatever the problem was in recent shipments.