Core i3 or i5 Laptop, with good build quality - Minecraft, light video editing, imagine editing... e

UKFX · 16 Nov 2011 at 11:40

UKFX · 16 Nov 2011 at 13:02

Just to note. Last night after taking the bluetooth adapter out, it shut down correctly. About 30 minutes ago (or longer) I closed the lid to the laptop. I noticed before leaving, the XPS sign flashing on the, which was good. When I returned, the XPS sign was still flashing and upon opening the lid the system resumed rapidly. It seems to have been solved by removing the bluetooth adapter, but I would like it working. So now, the only real major issues are bluetooth stability, bluetooth settings and discovery, and the CD/DVD drive speed issue. Not sure if I've missed anything, but at least the system shuts down and sleeps/resumes correctly.

If anyone could help me with the above problems, that'd be great.

Thanks.

UKFX · 16 Nov 2011 at 18:04

Power supply makes a faint squealing noise when unplugged from laptop, an a tad squealing, very quiet though, when plugged in. Is this normal?

Merlin5 · 16 Nov 2011 at 21:14

Laptop looks nice man.
Sorry about the various issues you're having. I'm sure everything will get sorted soon.

UKFX said:
Having a few issues with the WEI, mainly because of the switchable graphics I guess. Was 5.2, then it was 4.2, then it was 4.8, so I'm leaving it for now.

Since a bios update from Dell, I've been able to set my switchable graphics to manual instead of letting the laptop decide based on what application is being used. So it uses my dedicated card all the time now instead of the intel. If you can also set yours manually to use your 550m all the time, I'd do that, at least, if only for the sake of the best windows experience index score.

UKFX · 16 Nov 2011 at 22:54

Well I tried that yesterday but me being up for 20+ hours I chanced it by disabling the onboard graphics. Big mistake. Blank screen. Half expected their to be a failsafe with the dedicated GT550m kicking in, but nope. Fortunately my laptop was being a dick and I rebooted and nothing had saved. Checked both video adapters in Device Manager, both the Intel HD 3000 and Nvidia card were working properly. Good. Won't **** about with that again. However this is not my priority at the moment because I am getting seriously ****ed off with not being able to listen to a ****ing CD. A CD! Installing games are out of the question. I'm telling you, it comes as no surprise why doing that Dell Recovery DVD thing took so damn long.

I've tried Device Manager settings, but there is no IDE Channels, jut one Controller. No advanced settings there for DMA (Direct Memory Access from the CD/DVD drive). I've tried getting into the bios, but it seems there is no acccess to the bios on these Dell XPS L702x laptops which is stupid. I press F2, it takes me to a Windows diagnostic screen. That's no good.

I'm ****ed. I have the latest drivers. Hell. I even uninstalled the Intel Mobile Express Chipset for the IDE/ATA/etc thing and rebooted. Nothing. Tried playing a RHCP CD and I had the one blip of song every few seconds thing.

Real ****ed right now.

str · 16 Nov 2011 at 23:14

I checked my L702x (I have a blue-ray drive) and I couldn't find any DMA/PIO settings either. I can get into the BIOS though, I press F2 repeatedly when it's a black screen to make sure it goes into the BIOS as otherwise I often miss it. When it recognises the F2 being pressed the F2 Setup text at the bottom right goes brighter to show it will be entering the BIOS.

Perhaps there is a fault with your laptop's DVD drive. Have you removed it to check the connector for damage? I think it's only one screw needs removing to take out the DVD drive.

UKFX · 16 Nov 2011 at 23:48

Errr... I speculate an odd but possibly true thoery, but first let me explain.

First time I uninstalled the controller for the IDE/ATA/ATAPI, I forgot to click delete driver software. Oops, right? Anyway, after uninstalling it properly and rebooted, I was greeted with several screens which required several reboots.

Check images (taken recently)

Before all of this, there was just the Intel Express Mobile Chipset in the IDE/ATA/ATAPI Controller section.

Now figuring it all out, I didn't try any other CDs apart from my Red Hot Chili Peppers ones. I wasn't paying much attention, but I think something called Sonic something or other installed itself, an I thought what the hell? Anyway, I tried another CD, not from the Warner Bros record label and surprisingly enough it worked. Changed back to RHCP CDs and it did the mega slow barely playing audio crap.

My CD/DVD was probably fine all along. But I guess it was probably better to uninstall it and reinstall it anyway because I then get to see more of the channels, so if any issues crop up in that specific area, it wouldn't be invisible.

Now I just need to figure out how to get my Chilis CDs to work. Odd. I'll get a free dedicated uninstaller program and see if I can remove anything that isn't showing up in the Windows understaller.

I knew it wasn't a fault because it had the symptoms of something not being set correctly, dnd it's obviously been certified refurbished recently, otherwise they'd of shipped it out broken. I just need to now unwravel the mystery of the Red Hot Chili Peppers CD/DVDs not ripping/playing, Bluetooth not being stable or accepting any settings for discovery before freezing (also causes shut down issues) and trying to make my mic louder.

Mic on boost and 100%, usable, but not loud enough to use at night.

I hope others find this post. As impatient as I can be sometimes, an as abrupt and ****y, some others may find it useful to know how bloody stupid Warner Bros are.

CDs still rip slowly which isn't great, but still significantly faster than before, so long as it isn't the Red Hot Chili Peppers ones (I tried 3 RHCP CDs). I think DMA was always on, but it was just those CDs.

Edit: SOME CDS rip slowly. Next CD I ripped went blisteringly quick lol. Good stuff. CD dependant, but same MP3 192kbps I like to use, long song lengths. Nice n speedy. Tis odd how some CDs go slower though.

str · 17 Nov 2011 at 21:27

Perhaps one of the Audio CDs installed a rootkit like the Sony rootkit scandal?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_BMG_copy_protection_rootkit_scandal

Scrutinize · 18 Nov 2011 at 08:59

You sure this isn't a hardware fault. Could be the reason why it was returned to dell?

UKFX · 18 Nov 2011 at 23:41

Scrutinize said:
You sure this isn't a hardware fault. Could be the reason why it was returned to dell?

I doubt it but if it was I'd be pretty ****ed at Dell and those who suggested the Outlet. I'm pretty sure it's just something Warner Bros has put on the RHCP CDs. I googled it and some others have had slow or dodgy playback or ripping issues with Warner Bros CDs. Bunch of ******* if you ask me. Can't see what it was which was installed. I'll install Revo, see if that catches it. I vaguely remember it may have been called Sonic something audio, or something like that. Definitely happened when I put the CD in. Didn't think much of it when I accepted it's install. No other CD is effected.

Spooky right?

I'll try figure it out.

Tried installing the bluetooth adapter again but no luck. Sucks the generic bluetooth adapter seems to cause issues. I uninstalled the driver and took it out, and I intend to get a brand name one, preferably with drivers on the bluetooth adapter itself. Should bypass any issues Windows has with installing those generic drivers. Daft really since it worked fine on the PC.

Getting an occasional crackle via speakers, or via headset when plugged in. Happened when talking on Skype earlier, an happens now playing music. Not a speaker issue or port issue because it happens on both. Didn't happen yesterday though. I speculate it's something to do with drivers. I'll try live streaming from BBC Radio 1 tomorrow for the sake of testing, because DI.FM on WMP is naff. I'll also roll back drivers if I need to.

Hassle is annoying. Apart from this though the system is great. I set the equaliser on today, which I figured would have already been on. With WavesMax and an EQ preset being put on, the music sounds 10x better than it was, even though it was superb to begin with. Very good. Just need to sort these issues but I'm doubtful they're hardware based - or at least I hope they aren't, I've had enough trouble already.

I'll look into it.

If my mouse arrives tomorrow I can install Minecraft again, in time for it's official release, and I can try out Empire: Total War, see if it runs any better than it did on my PC. God that games stability is a joke lol.

Peace

UKFX · 19 Nov 2011 at 00:25

Just rebooted as I thought the crackling wasn't hardware related. Played about 4 or 5 different songs, one or two which had crackling the last time round. Defaulted the audio via the HD Audio Manager in the taskbar (WavesMax Audio settings). No crackling. Definitely must have been something conflicting. Odd. Have to keep an eye out for that again.

I tell you now, touch wood (everyone.. now lol), the sound on this via headset is so great it easily surpases that of my PC - it's truely surprising. The inbuilt chip on here is greater than that of the Supreme FX X-Fi card included on the Crosshair III Formula board I had - even though that too was Realtek (labelled Creative) ^^.

phill1978 · 19 Nov 2011 at 14:16

UKFX said:
Just rebooted as I thought the crackling wasn't hardware related. Played about 4 or 5 different songs, one or two which had crackling the last time round. Defaulted the audio via the HD Audio Manager in the taskbar (WavesMax Audio settings). No crackling. Definitely must have been something conflicting. Odd. Have to keep an eye out for that again.

I tell you now, touch wood (everyone.. now lol), the sound on this via headset is so great it easily surpases that of my PC - it's truely surprising. The inbuilt chip on here is greater than that of the Supreme FX X-Fi card included on the Crosshair III Formula board I had - even though that too was Realtek (labelled Creative) ^^.

its funny how laptops can sound better than pc`s its something ive experienced too, not sure if its more to do with the fact a laptop is a portable device and used for music and keeping things quiet in school, flights etc.. therefore they actually put time into the Headphone amplifier? id say it is more to do with that and that there is probably less em or noise from a whopping great 850w psu with a laptop

Merlin5 · 19 Nov 2011 at 17:38

Is there a BIOS update for your laptop that might fix the bluetooth?

UKFX · 20 Nov 2011 at 21:59

Not worth it, I don't fancy messing about with it. I don't use Bluetooth often anyway, so later on I'll just get a brand name one with more widely supported drivers than this 99p one lol.

Note to those with Core i5s and i7s... I found this:

http://tautvidas.com/blog/2011/04/disabling-intel-turbo-boost/

Useful. It's not harmed me so far because the max temp for the Core i5 2540m is 100°c and I've yet to pass 82°c, but it's worth mentioning it. I was under the impression this Intel TurbNO Boost 2.0 was supposed to dynamically overclock depending on temperatures and load. Instead it just overclocks anyway on small loads like opening programs, and has brought some people's processors up to a whopping 98°c when gaming. I've disabled mine using the method above. Idle temps aren't too impressive either but they're not horrendous either.

Apart from that and me putting my palm directly over the left speaker when using the WASD keys for gaming (use headset for more immersive, graphical games, instead of Minecraft) this is a good machine. Suppose using a headset will drown out the CPU fan as well lol... or I'll get used to it.

Peace

Merlin5 · 20 Nov 2011 at 23:35

If you ever do need to update your BIOS, it's dead easy. I've done it twice on mine, it's just an exe which will do it all for you in a matter of minutes. This is the latest for yours, version A12, but you've probably already got it. You probably also know this, but you can check yours in Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers...rFileFormats?DriverId=4TK1N&FileId=2731102942

HappyDaisy · 21 Nov 2011 at 20:32

edit, not the thread I was looking for. Sorry for the bump.

UKFX · 25 Nov 2011 at 20:45

Merlin5 said:
If you ever do need to update your BIOS, it's dead easy. I've done it twice on mine, it's just an exe which will do it all for you in a matter of minutes. This is the latest for yours, version A12, but you've probably already got it. You probably also know this, but you can check yours in Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers...rFileFormats?DriverId=4TK1N&FileId=2731102942

Yes, I've already got that bios installed., thanks though.

Yeah so basically just a few minor niggles with speaker placement, an bluetooth, an my RHCP CDs not playing but that's due to Warner Bros Records. Oh, an the viewing angles on this screen are dreadful, but all in all, the system is good. Powerful, an even though I'm forcing V-Synv via Nvidia Control Panel, Empire Total War, so far, runs better than it ever did when I had the Phenom II X4 955BE and the 1GB 4870. Apparently I can play Shogun 2 as well. CYRI claims I pass the recommended specs, but I don't trust it and I definitely don't trust the Creative Assembly. The Shogun 2 demo ran like crap on my PC, but I might as well try it out on here sometime.

Merlin5 · 25 Nov 2011 at 23:09

Since getting a laptop, I know what you mean by dreadful viewing angles. There's not a lot of tolerance on my screen if I move it slightly forward or backwards. It changes from good contrast to too bright or too dark in a few millimetres of movement.

str · 25 Nov 2011 at 23:46

There are some laptop screens with good vertical viewing angles.

The L702x 3D screen has good vertical viewing angles but I know what you mean as I bought a LG 1920x1080 laptop screen from ebay which I returned due to the poor vertical viewing angles. I also have a spare AUO 1920x1080 V.04 and it also has good viewing angles and there are other manufacturers who have models which also have good viewing angles.

When I say good I mean good for a TN screen so there is still some viewing angle issues at the extremes.

UKFX · 29 Nov 2011 at 23:16

Yes the viewing angles are appalling, but since it's Outlet, I don't mind so much. If I'd spent 1k on it or more, I'd of been a lot more disappointed. The screen isn't that bad, it's tolerable. The band for good brightness is slim, when on a black screen during boot up the actual ideal viewing angle doesn't align with the top and bottom when I'm level with the middle. This shows itself as a pale black/grey colour at the top and bottom while the middle is the ideal black, but when playing games and doing general browsing, it's ok. Dark video and dark games can be a little distracting though. It'll do anyhow.

I still wish I could play my Red Hot Chili Peppers CDs but Warner Bros Records are a bunch of fools and they have something on their CDs which isn't compatible with my CD/DVD drive. It seems this problem is more widespread than I had initially thought. Typical that WBR doesn't pay any attention to people having this issue.

Still pleased with what I have though. Plays games well. I'm thankful that Nvidia have a working force V-Sync option, an although the graphic switching is troublesome at times, adding programs/games manually to the Nvidia control panel is easy enough. My first time using Nvidia graphics and their software and I have to admit I am impressed. The control panel is miles better than ATI's.

Peace