Dell Latitude E4200 Info

After a long ordeal I have received a replacement e4200 with the backlit keyboard. It works great. It uses the ambient light sensor to turn on or off and you can use the function right arrow to toggle it on and off.

A little background:

I received a e4200 early November. No backlit keyboard. Once the backlit keyboard option was back on the website I call customer support. I was within my 20-day return window. They agreed to do an exchange for a unit with the backlit keyboard. I waited patiently and eventually received a new unit without the backlit keyboard and without the finger print scanner that my original unit was spec’ed out with. I called customer support again they apologized. After a few days later they said they had a new unit on order for the exchange. I received the new unit two days ago. It has the backlit keyboard but no finger print scanner. I do not really care about the finger print scanner so I will probably accept this unit and look for a credit for the finger print scanner. The backlit keyboard was worth the hassle and wait.

 

Well, it's great that you are pleased, but that is some terrible service. You should get exactly what you have ordered. I hope you aren't missing anything else!

 

Hello,

I have some questions about my new E4200:

First some introductions: I use SpeedFan for reading my cpu temperature.

Normaly the fan goes on at 40°C. After it turns off under 39°C. The fan start time is about 5 min. after turning on the Notebook.
In this case the fan is running slow.

after a time at 47°C the fan runs high. Sometimes (most in the beginning) the Temps are going down to 40-42°C and the fan moves slow.

after using the notebook the fan is all time on high. If temperature goes to 65°C the fan will be in very high mode, but only over 60°C.

with normal use about 4-12hours, office or browser, the temperatur is around 45 to 50°C.

Can someone tell me, if this is normal?
I want to know it because if not I will ask for a Heatpipechange.

Another question: Is there anybody who can use E4200 silent in akku mode?
everytime I use the notebook in akkumode, the fan will turn on and off for a few seconds.

thanks,

happy new year 2009.

phil

 

where did you buy your e4200? im kind of surprised the service was so bad!

did you buy thru small/medium business?

 

Yeah, I've been having issues with fans on the e4200's as well. See this thread ... http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4366589#post4366589

I'm betting we can use something like i8kfanGUI to set the temp to be 45+ before it turns on because like yours the fan seems to come on 'too early' at just 40 degrees.

I can appreciate they're freaked out at Dell with all the exploding laptops these days but it seems that even in bios a05 they're still way too conservative.

 

Hi guys, sorry I'm late with this news, but I hope someone will be interested in.

I was able to look inside technical (iternal) service notes of E4200 (by occasion of looking on E4300 which I have)
I think this should clear some mystics:

Correct. E4200 (and 4300 as well) does have TWO versions of mainboard. That with L.On differs in electrical connections and small chip, which is responsible for communication between L. On card and the rest of notebook. So, if somebody does have notebook without that feature (i.e. L. On Ready), it CAN'T be changed in the future (ofc. he can change mainboard...).
Mainboard with L.On enabled calls (internally in Dell) "blacktop version".
In other words, purchasing laptop with Latitude On Ready means you can upgrade to full version because inside is compatible mainboard. Software (On Reader) is temporary solution and it is only additional.

And yes, correct. But this is exception from E4300, which is upgradeable. Again difference for the mainboard. E4200 without backlit KB is missing electrical connections for that feature, so again non-backlit kb. can't be upgraded. (E4300 has universal mainboard and it is possible to change that). There are possible variations with those E4200 mainboard versions, so possible to get mb without L. On and backlit and so.

WWAN wings are teoreticaly possible to change - it requires change of LCD case (wings) and wiring - socket for WWAN card should be present on all mainboards.

hope this helps

K.

 

Hello, thank you for the answer. Now i think we have to do so:

to every E4200 User:

PLEASE:

Contact Dell Support and ask for a new BIOS with better thermal settings!!!


If enough user are asking for a better bios they will bring out one!!!!!


I write every day an E-Mail to DELL Support ->unsolved issues with case number.
Always they want to send a technician in stead of a new bios.

Please devil DELL for a new BIOS!!!!

thanks,

Phil

 

For all those potentially dissapointed early E4200 owners out there, I ordered my E4200 without backlit keyboard and I was able to upgrade it today. Dell did give me that "Two versions of M/B" bullsh!t but I tried it anyway and it worked.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=322802&page=3

 

Whoa ! Really, good news. Seems I should write it is "theoretically impossible", eh ?

I think there are two explanations of that: you're lucky and from some reason had M/B with connector, but normal K/B, or Dell simplified production, and from some date they producing all 4200 with this.
As I said, all internal documents in Dell showing two versions of M/B, that's why all support people answered you the same, even Gold Tech Support as you said - that's not surprising, they opened program and there is shown your laptop absolutely shouldn't have that connector. But I can imagine in the factory they could use any M/B they actually had, especially at the start many people waited so long for that machines.
Conclusion: if someone want an answer is his latop upgradeable, have to remove K/B and look himself for additional connector - anything is possible, as you prooved

cheers

K.

 

Hey guys, I have just been offered a Dell E4200 with the following specs:

Latitude E4200

Core 2 Duo SU9400 1.40Ghz
Windows Vista Business 32 bit
Intel GMA 4500MHD
128gb Mobility SSD
DVD super-multi drive
2gb Ram (1gb onboard)
Wireless Wifi Link 5100 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetooth
6 cell battery

Now, i have a few questions.
Is it recommended to upgrade the RAM to 3gb?
Is the DVD drive external or internal?
How long can i expect from my 6cell battery?