E6420 Owner's Thread

Thanks, rep'd.

Using my service tag number, I don't see the above listed. I do see Dell ControlPoint System Manager
APP_WIN_R312259.EXE (19MB)

Release Date:	9/12/2011
Version:	A21 1.7.10000

I agree that the Dell Driver Support Site sucks, you'd think they can do better.

 

Sorry copied the wrong link, really hate this "Newer designed" Dell Driver Support. The previous was better.......

 

Hi guys!

A fellow Dell Latitude E6420 user here! I actually decided to join the forum 'cause I'm also one of the people who experienced the Intel Driver blowing up (is this the right term?) my LCD's backlight. Right now, I am still waiting for my replacement LCD (and reading all your posts I decided to get the LG Philips one from here: Amazon.com: LG Philips 14.0 Inch HD+ LED LCD WXGA LP140WD1(TL)(A1): Computers & Accessories) cause I am based in the Philippines.

Here's my current laptop specs:
14.0 HD+ (1600x900) Anti-Glare LED (a Samsung 140KT that DIED :'( )
Intel Core i7 2720QM 2.2Ghz up to 3.3Ghz (Turbo Boost)
8GB DDR3 1333mhz
Dual Graphics: Nvidia Quadro 4200M (512MB) with Optimus Technology and Intel HD 3000
640GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
DVDRW
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6205
Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth® 3.0
High Quality Speakers
Stereo headphone/Microphone combo jack
Integrated, noise reducing array microphones
Network connector (RJ-45)
USB 2.0 (4) – 1 USB/eSATA combo
Stereo headphone/Microphone combo jack
Memory card reader, 54 mm ExpressCard
Docking Connector, VGA, HDMI
1 Full and 2 Half Mini Card Slots
SmartCard Reader, optional Contactless SmartCard Reader/Fingerprint Reader

Overall, I love this laptop so so much. It has never hanged nor BSOD-ed on me. It's fast and reliable (until that darn intel driver. :|).

Anyway, I have a few questions I would like to ask you guys.

1. Did I purchase the right replacement LCD? Haha. I hope I did. Again here's the link: Amazon.com: LG Philips 14.0 Inch HD+ LED LCD WXGA LP140WD1(TL)(A1): Computers & Accessories

2. I am planning on upgrading my laptop's storage and memory. I need your opinions on this.
So I'm planning to go for a SSD + HDD + 16GB DDR3 1600mhz setup!

For my OS, I am planning to get an Intel 520 SSD 240GB and for my secondary drive a WD Scorpio Black 750GB by using a HDD caddy from here: 2nd Hard Drive Caddy DELL E6520, E6420, E6320 E-Module Bay [DELL-2BAY-E6520] - $48.95 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks or is there any cheaper alternative with the proper screws and eject tool?

As for my memory, I am planning to get the Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz 16GB (2x8GB) kit from here: Corsair 16GB 2x8GB DDR3 1600MHZ CMSX16GX3M2A1600C10 204pin SODIMM Laptop 1.5V | eBay

You think these upgrades are worth it? I am a video editor / photographer / web designer and usually run multiple programs simultaneously (Adobe Premiere CS5.5, Lightroom, Dreamweaver, Multiple browsers - Chrome, IE, Firefox, Opera and etc.)

3. I'm thinking of buying the docking station so that I could setup a "workstation" inside my room. My question is, does this laptop support 3 Displays (1 on the laptop LCD, 2 external monitors OR at least 2 external monitors working with the lid closed?) with this dock: Amazon.com: Dell E-Port Plus Replicator PR02X + 130W PA-4e AC Adapter: Computers & Accessories

4. What's the best USB 3.0 expresscard/54 adapter out there for this laptop?

5. THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION OF ALL!
If I disable optimus I will only be using the NVS 4200m card right? Will this prevent my LCD led light's from getting busted again? I don't care if battery life decreases as long as it doesn't damage my LCD EVER AGAIN. Haha.

 

2. I actually tested those RAMs... read 3 post back.
This is entirely up to you how much you want to spend on upgrading....
I've got my caddy from 2ND HDD SSD HARD DRIVE caddy for dell E series E6420 E6520 E6320 | eBay
This actually has 4 screws within the caddy to secure the HDD into place.
3. You should atleast have 2 display screen, there hasn't been much succession with 3 display screen
4. Why not try
2 x USB 3.0 Express Card Expresscard 54 Reader Adapter | eBay
5. Use only Dell Intel drivers................problem solved

 

Thanks Ph0enix! Bookmarked and will purchase the caddy and expresscard you suggested. By the way, can I leave the USB 3 card inside the expresscard slot? Does it fit exactly within the slot without it sticking out? Thanks!

Regarding the dell only drivers, I plan to reformat my laptop once the LCD arrives. I downloaded the latest drivers here: Latitude E6420 Windows 7 Driver CAB - Enterprise Client - Wiki - Enterprise Client - Dell Community and will follow the driver installation order here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/587149-e6520-e6420-driver-install-list-2.html#post8126791
am I doing everything correct? Sorry if I ask too much. I just want to be sure.

 

Would not install. Says I have the newer version installed

 

I can't really compare Nimitz to NewModus, also I read that someone had similar USB3 without any issue but I'm afraid I can't say for sure it will totally flush. But checking out the pictures it should...

Using Intel Drivers is a no-go since you be using Intel defaulted power voltage levels for the brightness, which will render the screen useless sometimes.....


iamian: Do you have Dell System Manager installed already?

 

new results - killing all the background processes:

read=15 132
write=15 257
copy=15 857
latency=57.4

i guess i had a bunch of stuff running in the background on the previous round.

i DO need all the juice i can get - often rendering video with 4-cores at full blast.

 

Just reformatted my system, really hated the the freezing with the SSD using Intel IRST driver I decided to try out using Microsoft AHCI. So far no freezes

Windows 7 (64-bit)

1. Intel Chipset - intel_chipset-software-insta_a04_r304291
2. Intel GMA HD - Intel_multi-device_A09_R307994
3. (Installed GPU) NVIDIA NVS 4200M - VIDEO_DRVR_WIN_R312024
4. IDT_92HDXXX-HD-AUDIO_A03_R297613
5. Intel WiFi 6205 - Intel_multi-device_A09_R307994
6. Intel Ethernet - Intel_825xx-Gigabit-Platform_A02_R313802
7. Memory Storage - O2Micro-_OZ600XXX-Memory-Car_A01_R300787
8. HDD Freefall - ST-MICROELECTRONICS_FREE-FAL_A10_R309372
9. Dell Touchpad - dell_multi-touch-touchpad_a10_r315893
10. Dell System Manager - APP_WIN_R312259
11. (Installed Fingerprint) Dell ControlVault Firmware - DELL_CONTROLVAULT_A23_R309311
12. (Installed Fingerprint) Dell ControlVault Windows Frameworks - DELL_CONTROLVAULT-WINDOWS-BI_A00_R308326
13. (Installed Fingerprint) Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable x64 & x86

zdoe: You benchmark looks more reasonable now, well in your case I would purchase the fastest RAMs possible due to the processing computation already reached the maximum copy speed anyway.

 

Hey, I'm considering upgrading to 16GB of RAM, any problems with it? I see some people are now using it...

Also, anyone with Intel HD 3000 + Nvidia NVS, notice their machine only saying Intel HD, was concerned about this but tech support now says with the new version of the motherboard, it will now only mention Intel HD, in the bios and in programs, does show in Device Manager but things like Speccy and HWINFO64 doesn't even mention Nvidia