E6530 owners thread

Thank you, veritas 72, for the thread reference and KB article; I posted in the thread also, asking a similar question. Can't imagine ever needing IRRT/RAID in a laptop. The setting drags on resources, and causes audio problems. Plus, it's the principle of the thing; the user shouldn't have to jump through hoops to change the setting; all the drivers should have been slipstreamed into the installation disk. If they weren't, then whatever added hassle will be repeated. For the reinstallation disk will but renew the same default. Finally, is the warranty invalidated if I must get rid of a default which shouldn't be there in the first place.. that's an issue.

I also just bought a Latitude 6510 which doesn't have this problem. It arrives tomorrow.

FYI, Windows 8 Pro upgrades require an AHCI setting to install smoothly. Although I purchased the Upgrade DVDs and will post-January 31 pay for the Media Center, I don't plan on actually installing Win8 soon; but if I can't make the 6530 work easily by means of switch to AHCI, then I'll reluctantly return it for refund. Ergo the query.

Thank you for your time!

 

Dammit. My entire posting just got deleted. Anyway, short answer is that the e6510 likely has this "problem" too -- if I recall correctly, it defaults to IRRT. Also, the newer available drivers don't have the audio dropout/latency issue you're speaking of (my e6520 works fine on IRRT). Also, the installation disk doesn't set any defaults -- it doesn't touch your BIOS. You pick which you want, and install -- if you don't need to save the present environment, you'll be fine with a simple reinstall (grab the win-pe pre-install IRRT drivers from dell's site in case you need them, but I don't believe you do). Also, while you don't seem to need the IRRT, there are actually a lot of decent reasons one would want this to be the default, especially for a machine that is typically used as a "desktop replacement"

Secondly, I can promise you that win8 upgrade proceeds beautifully with no issues from IRRT mode, having done it myself.

Lastly, no software change that you make invalidates the warranty. You can monkey around with your registry and make other changes to move from IRRT to AHCI or the reverse all you want with no impact on a warranty. The reason this process isn't easy is because almost no one ever needs to do it -- the only users needing to "jump" through this hurdle are those that they expect to be able to follow the directions. All drivers are included on the disk, it just matters which mode you install from -- when that is NOT the case, its because the machine is newer than the version of windows you're installing, and Dell isn't making new discs.

Let us know if you have any questions or need any help.

Cheers,

veritas72

 

Thank you again for your reply, and I heartily apologize that it was so difficult to post! We'll see tomorrow how it goes. I'll go through the steps then get on the horn to Dell to see what they say. Gotta first hook up the 6510 as well, when it arrives.

Thank you again!

 

I just got my E6530 a week ago with Win7 Pro on it. I pretty much immediately upgraded to Win8 Pro (after making backup images and driver backups in Win7 of course).

i5 3210M 2.5GHz
HD+ screen (1600x900)
500GB
8GB
Nvidia NVS 5200M

I must say, I do like the laptop very much (have had a D600 and a D830 prior). I've always liked how the Latitudes are built and the features they have (docking port and removable drive bays).
The battery charging settings though are a bit confusing to me right now. I have it set to "Custom" and to start charging at/below 50%, stop at/above 90% in the hopes that this will extend the battery's life the most. I believe I also have it set to charge the battery as slow as possible. Recently, I turned it back on from a sleep and it originally said 22% remaining, but about a minute later said 6% and to plug it in. Maybe I'm just over thinking it and actually ran it down the 6%.

Mine came with the "Dell 1504" wifi card. I'd like to upgrade it to the Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 wifi Card (found it on eBay for $35 shipped in the USA). I believe this is possible as it was an option and from research, Dell does not white list these. I opened up the case and there is a third antenna lead that is not being used right now. Anyone know if this card is the best option for us?

I'd also like to upgrade to a blu-ray player (think only a burner is available which will cost more; $112 on eBay) and possibly 16GB (the ad said it had 1 stick of 8GB, but it has 2x 4GB; 1 stick would have been much easier and cheaper to upgrade; I have contacted the seller to see what they'll do).

My only issues with Win8 are that my "eraser" mouse (rubber-finger pointer device) and finger print reader are not working. I've tried updating the driver with the ones that I backed-up from Win7. Win8 finds and recognizes the driver files, but will not load them since they are not digitally signed. Anyone found a fix yet?

 

I enjoyed your review. I have the 6530, 1920 screen, i7 and I too am very pleased. I've found the upgrade to 16 GB well worth the small cost. I am interested in your comment on the blu ray burner, could you direct me to the item on eBay? I have the DVD burner and it works fine. I have not upgraded to Win8. Will wait until the first major service pack is released and many more drivers are available. Hate the way Microsoft makes its users 'fish' for the stuff.

 

Why is that a problem? RAID mode on = AHCI for drives not in an array.

Also, You need RAID mode to be enabled if you want to use SRT, which definitely has a place in laptops.

 

@nubuilder - please for your own good, start 'upgrades' from SSD (not 16GB RAM or new Wi-Fi). Options worth considering : Samsung 840 Pro.

Also my small review: Latitude E6530 user review - YouTube

 

I currently have the DVD burner, but would like to be able to watch all my blu-ray movies on the go. Here it is on eBay for around $112 (with bezel [for DVD-RW] and latch), but on Amazon it was around $65 (no bezel, no latch). I have not tried removing my bezel and latch yet to see if it is feasible.
The extra 8GB stick of RAM is only $52. The seller is going to honor the ad for me. I have to send back my 2x 4GB sticks to get the 1x 8GB from them.

Sorry, but SSD's are too spendy right now for my needs. Once the prices come down, I'll look into them more.

The RAM is more for if I get back into VMWare which allows you to dedicate RAM to each system. That's the only real place I will benefit from the added amounts.



Anyone have any help on the finger print reader or the finger-pointer device with Win8?

Also, anyone know what size the screws are that hold the HD in and bottom piece on? I'd like to order more to have. They look like 7mm, but I don't know the thread count/pitch.

 

You really should hop into an SSD, I got my first one in 2009, a 128GB model for $320. Even at that price, it was totally worth it. It is the biggest upgrade you can do these days, period. Huge.

Als, you don't even need to get into an expensive SSD, like the 840 Pro. Even the regular 840, or a Crucial M4 are great SSD's and will improve your experience significantly. I would say avoid the Crucial V4 but pretty much anything else out there right now is pretty good.

 

Sorry, but $170 (256GB) or $114 (128GB) for a Crucial M4 is WAY too much for my needs. (my current 500GB drive is a whole $70) If I needed fast write times, was saving massive files, or long battery life (which I'd also get a 9-cell and possibly a modular drive bay battery), then I'd reconsider biting the bullet for the SSD.


I measured the screws for the bottom cover and HDD caddy (that hold it in the case that is; not the screws that hold in the HDD itself). They came to be 2mm wide and about 8.5mm long (including the head). I didn't know how the seller measured the screws so I ordered 7mm and 8mm screws. I'm guessing the 8mm is what I need, but at $4 for 100pc, I figured why not. The only downfall is they are coming from China = long ship time.

Just bought a factory Dell blu-ray burner off eBay for $100. Seller says it was pulled from a new system and never used. I like that fact that it was a picture of the actual drive and from a person, not a huge seller. For the extra $35 over the one without faceplate and latch from Amazon, I'm happy.

Anyone have any help on the finger print reader or the finger-pointer device with Win8?