New Dell Vostro V131

Ok, I took apart the laptop tonight and the reason why the left hinge exhibits the clicking is because of the housing. On the right hinge, it pinned firmly down to the laptop base with a screw, for some reason on the left side, they didn't use a screw.. It's just a tiny metal pin on the hinge that seats into a barrel housing.

Because it isn't screwed firmly in place, you will have a little bit of play. So if you don't mind the clicking sound, you'll be fine. The housing is steel and will NOT break prematurely. Now, for some reason, they decided to screw the left hinge from the underside of the laptop instead. So if you take out the battery, you will see 1 screw. Tighten that and you will have a more secure grip on the hinges, but the clicking noise wont go away because of the pin that goes into the barrel has some movement.

The only solution I think of is to wrap the pin using black tape or PVC until it is thick enough to fit into the barrel leaving no play. That will solve your problem.

But now that I know that the hinges are not prone to damage, I'm not going to let it bother me.

Enjoy my findings

 

I did. Thank you. Yes, it is the left side that clicks on mine.

 

Thanks for your work and discoveries. Oddly enough, I think I had the clicking noise when I first got the laptop but now the hinges are quiet.

 

Yep. What I noticed exactly. The only thing is, my hinges are still really loose, even with both of the hinges tightly screwed to the chassis. (i've already done a full teardown after some structural parts didn't fit properly)

Basically I can poke the lid while it's open and it wobbles back and forth significantly. Should I ask for new hinges?

 

Maybe you should? Even though mine clicks, it doesn't wobble.

 

I took another pass at the hinge issue and it turns out it wasn't the housing like I thought it was.

I took the laptop apart again and moved the hinge connecting to the screen outside of the laptop's housing and it still made the click noise. So it's the actual tension spring within the hinge thats causing the issue.

I took some fishing reel lubricant and squeezed only 1 drop (no more than 1!!!) into the hinge.
1. Turn the left side of the laptop to face up (vertical!)
2. Apply a drop of lube into the outer side of the hinge.
3. Open and close the screen (full open, full close) while the laptop is kept vertical, so the lubricant can work it's way into the gaps.

After about 10 - 20 open and closes, the clicking sound should go away. Then rip a piece of paper and run it between the gaps to absorb any excess lubricant.

Works well for me. I hope it does for you too.

 

Is it possible to replace the screen with samsung's 1600x900?

 

I pulled the trigger on a V131 and other than the slight keyboard flex which is not a big deal, but as far as the rest of the machine goes it seems pretty solid. I bought it refurbished from dell outlet with the i3-2330M and they also included in the price an external dvd writer as well. So far I'm liking the machine. It does not run very hot,although I don't do anything too intensive and the hinges seem tight with no clicking sound yet[Only had it for 2 weeks]. Seems like a good machine and light as well. One last thing although I'm missing the extra battery life that has been reported on here with the 6 cell battery, I like the way the 4 cell sits flush with the machine.. I may give this to my wife and get another one or maybe a V3350, who knows lol.

 

dang i wanted to buy a v131 but there was an outlet coupon for 75$ off for any vostros that expired 3/21.

when do you guys think a coupon like that will come back?

and does anyone have the RED version? how do you like that color?

 

hey have any one tryed instaling 16GB off RAM in V131

2x8GB 1333mhz ?