Good news for Latitude X1 owners!

Which version of Win7 are you using? I have no problems with a clean install of RC1, it installed drivers automatically.

 

I came across the same problem in Win7RC1 clean install (I have US X1 model).

Windows 7 would not find the Intel 915GM drivers and Dell's bundled Intel driver installation would fail (actually drivers install but Intel installation utility crashes and display never reverts from plain VGA mode).

After much wandering around an Intel support site (where an application is launched to match drivers and fails on Windows7), I have managed to figure it out.

The key seem to use any Vista drivers for Intel 915GM chipset - in my case I have succeeded with HP driver pack for one of their laptops (sp34749.exe) although I suspect other Intel GM driver packs may succeed as well.

In the meanwhile, Win7 was able to pick up the Ethernet and Wi-fi controller (BG2200) as well as bluetooth. I am also using a 2GB stick of memory, on which it could allocate 1.99GB (I guess extra 226Mb went to graphics).

The only thing I could not figure so far is how to shut Bluetooth without shutting Wi-Fi - currently the blue LED is blinking every time I use wireless.

 

It's amazing how bad ones memory can be....

Actually I also had to find the drivers manually.

The driver version I am using is: 6.14.10.4543.

I can't remember where I got it from but it does sure work

 

This message is for those considering a used X1 or an old X1 upgrade.

First of all, I want to thank the authors of this great thread (Ivar and many others), without them my experience would not be possible.

I got my X1 US model in 2005 from my company, shortly after the product launch. At the time, it was a pricy sub-notebook with external DVD and mid-range specs, so I was not that excited. For several years it collected dust on my deck or accompanied me in my trips as a backup, getting it's share of dings in the checked luggage of aircrafts. By 2009, I have virtually stopped using it - one keyboard key got broken and the screen was scratched.

However, recently I started looking for a lightweight, compact laptop for my girfriend and I could not find any. Netbooks of up to $800 are cool in price and features, but they have miniscule screens. I was especially frustrated at Sony Vaio P-series - when perfectly sized, designed and priced, it features a screen one needs a microscope to read on (and I have a 50/50 vision). Meanwhile, remarkable subnotebooks are offered by Sony and few other vendors, but they easily hit the 1500-2500$ watermark which I was not budgeted for.

Luckily for me, I stumbled upon this thread.

Just of of a sheer curiosity, I checked the parts market and to my great astonishment found there were plenty of Dell X1 parts in US. So, over the course of just two weeks, I have ordered and installed the following:

1) new X1 keyboard (source: ebay, cbk_usa_electronics) $12.95
2) new X1 12.1" LCD display (source: ebay, cbk_usa_electronics) $129.99
3) Mtron 32G SLC hdd (source: ebay, rocket_disk) $239.99
4) New X1 bottom case part (source: ebay, sjk_co) $31.97
5) 2GB SODIMM memory DDR-667 unbuffered (source: p/n TS256MSQ64V6U, transcend USA) $32.38
6) ZIF-to PATA-44 adapter (3x packs) source - dealerextreme.com $4.27

Total: $451.55

I have also invested in a good #0 Philips screwdriver ($7.99) needed to remove the tight motherboard screws to replace the bottom case.

I am not very electrically or mechanically inclined, but Dell has a great service guide for X1 on their support site, so there was nothing I could have done wrong.

The biggest problem I actually had in full-out system disassembly and assembly was keeping track of screws and popping display frame out without cracking (found a metal ruler to be perfect for that). This thread relayed me to parts and an excellent advice to order spare ZIF adapters (sure enough I damaged one set with fat-fingering).

I also figured the external X1 DVD enclosure accepts dell D620 HDD cases ($32 off the ebay), so setting an external hi-capacity storage became a no-brainer.

The results are truly amazing.

I have installed Windows 7 RC1, OpenOffice, Google Chrome, Picasa and Adobe Reader to keep the X1 system light, and what I have now is an excellent high-end netbook for a fraction of a price I would pay in the store. While primarily using word processing and 2G graphics app, I can easily keep 1G DRAM and 10-15G of flash space free, so the system is never slow and the response is very fast.

Then I could barely give it to my GF because I loved it too much - what happened to be nuisance in 2005 have strangely became an advantage in 2009 - low CPU speed runs forever on extended battery, external DVD w/o power brick is a delight to carry or leave at home and Mtron really rocks for netbook-type apps. The system looks, feels and performs every bit new save the strange feeling it's 2005 (again!)

The only thing I really miss is a built-in mic, and surely modern gizmos like GPS and webcam could be appreciated. However, that's too much to ask for $451 - or even $700 - if factoring a used Dell X1 cost in.

For your information, I am attaching Windows 7 performance snapshot.

Predictably, 3D scores suck (which i dont care about), but everything else looks just fine. For comparison, I am also including the most sought-after MSI U115 Wind data (Intel Z530 CPU, 1G RAM, 8G SSD + 160G HDD, 10" screen). With street price around $500 (list price $711), the newest MSI ranks marginally faster than X1 in CPU and 2D but lacks a big bit of usability (X1 has 44% larger display area, more RAM, larger SSD and DVD w/o external power). MSI also has a mic and webcam, but does not have GPS. For serious telecommuting work I would pick Dell over MSI any time.

Another contender for Dell X1 is the newest Acer Apire 751 - with 11.6" LED-backlit screen and 160G HDD priced around $500, it's coming very close to X1 cost and functionality, but still not quite there.

Bottom line is - X1 design is a classic netbook with design that was well ahead of its time and upgrading an old X1 is undoubtedly worth if the costs are kept under control. Unfortunately, PATA interface is a limiter for future storage upgrades, so I am confident this second life of Dell X1 of mine is also the last - but hey, 3-4 extra years of fully-functional action is nothing to be ashamed of.

 

That's an interesting story.

Perhaps one to put on the list of alternatives is the Samsung NC20. It comes from the same source as the X1, which is a rebadged Samsung Q30.

John

 

Wow, that's a good one - almost identical to X1 except the powered DVD bay. It reduces the appeal of X1 by good $200.

Assuming the old X1s mostly need HDD and LCD upgrades, DIY X1 overhaul now makes sense only if the base system is free.

I wonder if VIA graphics cuts memory out of DDR stick on NC20.
Also, where is GPS? I would not buy a new netbook without one.

 

That does look like a potential X1/Q30 successor.

 

No the NC20 is not a successor to the Q30, the X360 is the closest thing to that. There are other Samsung 12" laptops but they don't quite capture the premium feeling of the Q30/X1. The X360 does that nicely.

Thanks for your great story dkha. It's really a labor of love but the moment you hit the $500 mark it makes less sense to do what you did. However, if the laptop is free, as you said, it is a great idea. I find it funny that the Mtron outpaces everything in your X1

 

For some reason I still can't get a 16gb SDHC (generic also from hong kong) to work in EITHER of my X1 laptops. I have two X1s, one is a newer build than the other one (2004 vs 2005). The 2005 one expectedly undervolts lower than then 2004 model. However the 16gb SDHCs just dont work in either one. I am using Windows Vista SP1. I am tempted to try the 32gb SDHC card Ivar mentioned but afraid since the 16gb ones dont even work. Ivar, can you please post the link or seller that you got yours from? I've love the extra storage because one of my X1s only has a 16gb SSD by RiData and the other is a 32gb SSD from Mtron (Both SLC drives).

Thanks much

 

I bought a 32 GB SanDisk SDHC and my X1 does not see it.