Hands on Dell Precision 7710

So does the 7710 not come with a touchscreen option? From what I can see only the 15" versions have one.

I use it to draw annotations on the screen on a regular basis, and having to go back to a WACOM tablet to do so would be less desirable.

 

I decided to take a step back and go back to the Dell Drive. I went ahead and put the PCIe SSD that came with the system back in. Windows would not boot. I assume this is because I switch the RAID to AHCI. I switch back to RAID and could boot to windows, but Acronis True Image will not see the drive from Acronis Boot Media.

I am not sure which route I will finalize, but curious if anyone can answer?

1. If they system is booting with RAID turned on and I am not suing RAID, should I be able to switch to AHCI?
2. Is using AHCI mode or RAID mode better if not using RAID? Does one have better performance than the other?
3. If not using RAID, do I need Intel Rapid Storage Technology Software? Can I uninstall it from the factory image?

For the new install, it looks like I need to install most of the drivers (I did more than half so far). If I continue, I will post what I installed and what I did not.

thanks,

Mike

 

Hi mate,

after a couple of days of different attemps, I finally found my stable config.
Also mine come from factory with OS installed with RAID ON in the bios. If you want to swtich to AHCI this is a problem. Theoretically it should be possibile, throgh some regedit modifications, to force the system to unistall raid driver...I tried but failed, I was not able to boot.

So I decided for the clean installation setting AHCI in the bios. I installed win10 on 950 pro NVme and if you use it through RAID ON you can't take the maximum advantage from it. in fact, for example, you are not able to install NVME samsung driver since the system does not recognize any NVME device.
For sure the system is smoother with my 950 pro on AHCI NVME. hit best performance too in syntetic test.
Basically if you won't RAID0/1 any devices, there's no reason to RAID ON in the bios.
Another thing: now (AHCI), since I was able to install NVME samsung driver, I'm also able to use Samsung magician too: I mean with RAID ON, magician see the 950 pro like a normal not samsung drive. While now, (AHCI nvme) Magician works fine.



Ah, here you can download an image of acronis true image 2016 boot with nvme samsung driver burnt inside, so you can "rufus" the image in you USB and you can run it and will be able to backup you 950 pro
http://www.hwlegend.com/guide/hardw...egrazione-driver-nvme-nel-supporto-winpe.html

 

gannjunior, thanks. Very helpful.

Do you have a list of dell drivers you wound up installing? This is what I installed so far:

1. Installed Network Driver. It did not install by default with Win 10
   1. Intel I2xx825xx Gigabit Ethernet-Network_Driver_KJTXR_WN32_20.2.0.0_A00
2. Installed NVidia Driver- from NVIDIA Site
3. Realtek High-Definition Audio Driver-Audio_Driver_J44XX_WN32_6.0.1.6088_A02 (Version Installed by Windows was 6.01.6080)
4. Installed Chipset Drivers
   1. Intel Chipset Device Software-Chipset_Driver_320CP_WN32_10.1.1.9_A01
   2. Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework-Chipset_Driver_JXYJD_WN32_8.1.10605.221_A02
   3. Intel Management Engine Components Installer Driver-Chipset_Driver_316K0_WN32_11.0.0.1167_A02
   4. Intel Thunderbolt Controller Driver-Chipset_Driver_7P7G7_WN32_15.3.39.250_A01
   5. Realtek PCI-E Memory Card Reader Driver-Chipset_Driver_74XM1_WN32_10.0.10240.21281_A01
   6. ST Microelectronics Accelerometer Driver for Free Fall-Chipset_Driver_KKRTP_WN32_4.10.71_A01
5. Docks
   1. ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Controller Driver for Dell Thunderbolt Dock-Chipset_Driver_V2WY5_WN32_1.16.32.1_A01

I still have more to review for Network and Docks.

Note, with the Chipset Driver “Realtek PCI-E Memory Card Reader Driver” it now shows this under Programs. The default Image did not show this under installed programs so I am not sure if this was needed.

thanks

Mike

 

Hi Mike
here exactly the order I used for my last installation and everything is now perfect
(rebooting more times, every time the system asked me, and, very important, keeping my internet connection off until all 13 drivers were installed, to avoid winupdate would choose its drivers for me...)

 

gannjunior. Do you have Bluetooth? I do not see this one on your list:

Intel 8260 Bluetooth Driver
7370_Network_Driver_8178H_WN32_18.1.1535.1946_A02.EXE

Also, On the download page for my service tag, I see two Airplane Mode Switch. Anyone know the difference? Is there a hard switch on the 7710? I do not see one. I found the soft switch and without the below installed I can put in Airplane mode.

Dell Airplane Mode Switch Driver
Network_Driver_PX8MM_WN64_1.0.0_A00.EXE

Dell Airplane Mode Switch Driver
Network_Driver_90M6T_WN_1.4.1_A00.EXE​

Also, anyone know what are these network drivers for

Intel Device Manager Diagnostics (DMIX)
Network_DIAG_Intel_A00_WIN_X64_RNPCM-SETUP_ZPE.exe

Intel 8260/7265/7260/3165 WiDi Utility
Network_Utility_0JPDH_WN32_6.0.52.0_A02.EXE

Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver
Network_Driver_CFXPV_WN64_2.43.2015.1225_A01.EXE
​

thanks

 

Just received my new 7710 today. It started off well but then I noticed the M4000 graphics was not detected in OS, or during diagnostics. Looks like it is DOA.

 

weird, I received mine three days ago and on the first day of receiving it, the same thing as yours. It wasn't seen in device manager or anywhere. I saw the drivers were loaded. But when I tried to reinstall them it said I was missing the required hardware. But mines been working great the past two days. I have a ticket open with dell prosupport. Was on the phone with them for 2+ hrs. I actually wish I chose the chat option as it goes SOOO much smoother in chat - no lame cheezy greetings, just type and get to the point.. I'm not a great social linguist. They were going to bring me a mobo and new m5000m. I told them to hold off on sending me the parts and technician for awhile until I fully test the system this next week.

I wish I could say what caused my quadro to suddenly be seen when I booted it up that morning on day two. I was in and out of the BIOS quite alot the day before and running window updates, Dell Command Updates, downloads from dell website, nvidia, etc. like a mad man. I also reset the BIOS after I goofed and lost all display capability (removed cmos battery and main battery). maybe that did it, who knows. I also connected an external monitor to the display port while the dGPU was "missing". maybe that kicked something into gear


BTW, diagnostics doesn't show the "quadro" or any mention of discreet gpu. It only does a display test and spins up the GPU fan among the other stuff it does. It does test the PCIe, but to what extent I have no idea. It said I don't have any drives in my system. Probably was looking only at SATA. It isn't a super great diagnostic tool for dGPU in that it is very vague what it is testing.

 

WOW. That's unbelievable. I thought it was just my typical bad luck. I'm sorry to hear you're having issues, but glad I'm not the only one.

I also lost all graphics after disabling switchable graphics in the BIOS. I guess since the internal graphics were disabled, and the nvidia doesnt work, it had no way to output the graphics. I had to reset the BIOS by removing CMOS battery as well. I must have spent at least 5 hours troubleshooting this.

Diagnostics also showed no indication of nvidia graphics. I took the machine apart to double check it was even installed!

Please keep us updated if the m5000 works for you.

 

yep for sure. I hope it is BIOS or software related and not hardware issue. I'm really loving it other than that terrible first day like you're having. Best of luck and keep us posted too.


I do love this laptop though. Next week I take it on the road for field testing