Dell Latitude E4200 Info

Thanks for the suggestion. I am running XP Pro SP3 though (I think Windows Mobility Center is just for Vista, yes?). Would you still recommend uninstalling the Connection Manager? Will the rest of Dell ControlPoint still work properly without the Connection Manager component?

I looked in Add/Remove Programs and see the following Dell items:
* Dell Button Service
* Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager
* Dell ControlPoint Security Manager
* Dell ControlPoint System Manager
* Dell Latitude ON Reader (though the ON button does nothing, just wakes up the laptop)
* Dell Security Device Driver Pack
* Dell Touchpad

Thanks!

As an aside, I was able to successfully configure my Blackberry Curve (AT&T) so that I can pair it on bluetooth then use it to get wireless connectivity for my E4200 over AT&T EDGE.

 

My roommate has the E4300. I like how the E4300 has a pointing stick (aka Trackpoint). Other than that the E4200 is significantly smaller and lighter. Not really in the same class. I would say the keyboard is the same. The E4200's keyboard might be a bit louder. Really comes down to your size requirements. If you want the thinnest and lightest then the choice is simple. If not the E4300 will probably be a better fit.

 

I would uninstall the CP Security Manager and Connection Manager.

 

Thanks, so if I just uninstall those two apps but retain "Dell ControlPoint System Manager" then I'll still have the Power Manager and Display and Devices modules available in DCP?

Connection Manager does look totally redundant.

If I uninstall Security Manager, where would I access settings for stuff like TPM, Fingerprint reader, and the Smartcard in XP? (not that I utilize them, but just in case for the future)

Thanks.

 

Another question for you folks: What do you use to manage WiFi? The Intel utility or just XP?

Default on my E4200 is the Intel ProSet/Wireless WiFi Connection Utility. Does it add any value on top of the built-in Windows functionality? Moreover, I have an N router for my N-enabled laptops and a G access point for my older laptops -- and the Intel utility seems to constantly switch connections back and forth between the N and the G networks. And I'm not moving around the house, just sitting in my bedroom.

I don't recall having that sort of problem with my Portege with the built-in XP functionality.\

ETA: Strange... I turned off the Intel utility and started using the Windows functions. It is also switching back/forth between the N and G networks...

 

I have never used Connection manager. I have never used Security manager either, but perhaps you need that for the security device.

 

I use the native Windows connection with WiFi for a steady 300Mbps, but it does drop to 270 once in a while.

 

Well, I just added a 4 gig mem chip to my e4200 to bring my ram up to 5 gig. I did a fresh reinstall of win 7 rc1 64 bit to get the most of the new ram. I did the same install as before, and now the brightness doesn't work... GRRRR

 

Well, the good news is that it is a consistent problem, so it should be easy for Dell to fix.

 

I notice a problem with Dell's BT mouse, After the notebook comes out of sleep, the mouse connects correctly. However, the scroll button on the mouse no longer works. If I turn off the wireless switch and then back on again, the mouse works normally again. I am running Vista 64. I have the same problem on the E6400 running Win7x64. Do you guys see the same problem?