Latitude E7240 and E7440

Generally people post on the dell community forum and sometimes that will get a response. If you have a dell rep, try that route first.

I'm on Debian Sid (8.0 unstable) with a 3.19 kernel. I can post my kernel config if anyone wants.

 

Thanks. I was doing it correct and had the latest version, it was just Intel version numbers confusing me!

Driver Version: 15.36.14.64.4080 = Intel(R) Graphics Driver: 10.18.14.4080

Seriously, who thinks giving drivers multiple version numbers is a good idea? I hate Intel so much, totally incompetent. My next machine is going to be a 100% Intel free zone.

P.S. Nothing wrong with your English

 

I've been tinkering with my Win 7 settings and couldn't get satisfactory thermal and acoustic results (and also resolution scaling issue). In fact, it was so bad that browsing this forum on Google Chrome browser will kick the fan to speed up due to the GPU load (only 10%!).

In the end I gave up and replaced it with Win 8.1 Pro. I must say the difference is stark! On Win 8.1 I did not install the Dell Power Command program and depends solely on Windows Power Plan. I get much lower idle power consumption and the fan seldom spin at high RPM like Win 7. Then I further reduced the idle power consumption by allowing the processor to sleep at the deepest c-state. You guys may read this link: http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/?d=qa&f=apu_hsw_dipm
TLDR version: In order for Haswell CPU to sleep at the lowest c-state, the SATA device must be idle and be able initiate the power management. For those on Windows and SSD, you may want to try enabling DIPM (Device Initiated Power Management) and HIPM (Host Initiated Power Management) by using the trick shown here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/177819-ahci-link-power-management-enable-hipm-dipm.html

Here are my result for comparison (look at the minimum CPU Package Power recorded):

1) Win 7 Pro SP1 (latest HD4400 driver from Intel, WITHOUT HIPM+DIPM optimization) 1.338W!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B81WMjxuP3vXU2w3N1JaS3BlXzg/view?usp=sharing

2) Win 8.1 Pro (latest HD4400 driver from Intel, WITHOUT HIPM+DIPM optimization) 0.743W!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B81WMjxuP3vXTkZOc0pMN0V5WmM/view?usp=sharing

3) Win 8.1 Pro (latest HD4400 driver from Intel, WITH HIPM+DIPM+DevSlp optimization) 0.388W!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B81WMjxuP3vXZkNxaHVOQnViZTQ/view?usp=sharing

Now the million dollar question is....how to repeat this optimization in Linux.

 

The Dell Latitude e7450 model is experiencing the same repeating keys/debouncing issue described on these forums http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/latitude-e7240-and-e7440-leaked.718952/page-34, as well as here:http://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/2sg27n/psa_do_not_buy_a_dell_latitude_e74xxe64xxe545xx/
What is the best way to contact dell about a bios bug? I do not think they area aware this is a problem with this model, as its a new model just released a month ago.

 

Thanks for that, I'll investigate. Now isn't a good time for me to reinstall the OS, I'm waiting for Window 10! I thought Windows 7 would be better supported and more stable but seems not.

Somebody on the Dell forum said his machine was so much better with a clean non-Dell install of Windows 8.1. No more Dell and Intel bloatware and management utilities that are useless.

Only real way to raise BIOS issues is via the Dell "Community" forum. There is already a long thread for it and people asking about a Exx50 fix:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/p/19593360/20728818#20728818

 

I have a work-issued E7240 with the 1366x768 matte non-touchscreen. Would it be possible to upgrade the LCD to a 1080 non-touchscreen? The upgrade looks really simple, my only concern is the 1080 screens appear to use a 40 pin connector, the 768 a 30 pin. Can I use an adapter to correct this (they do exist)?

 

Typically, it's a matter of finding the 40 pin cable (and verifying that the connector on the mobo will support it).

 

Agree to this. Did a clean 8.1 on E7440 then added only the minimum neccessary for my needs. Fast boot, fast in use. Stock w8 'balanced' power plan. CPU speeds up'n'down nicely as needed, near silent most of the time, seems there is some delay before the fan speeds up, so it does not start when there is just some short temp peaks, nice. See attachments.

 

Here is the video connector on my motherboard - 40 pin. So maybe I'll have to replace the cable too, so I have the right end on the new 1080 screen - it's doable, but much more involved than just the screen (lots of tiny ribbon cables I prefer not to mess with).

 

I've done some formal testing today and there's a huge drop in fan use when running off battery. Fan comes on and cuts out at 10-15C higher thresholds. This makes a huge difference in casual use. Only occasionally get 2 minutes of fan under load, instead of alternating 10 minutes of silence and 10 minutes of fan.

This is with identical "Passive" cooling selected in Windows Power Options for both battery or plugged-in. I'm wondering if the power management stuff (driver/BIOS) is totally broken when plugged-in on Windows 7?

Can anyone else running Windows 7 on a recent Dell laptop confirm?