New M6500 Discussion Thread

For those that may have a similar problem to mine, I came across this info on a Dell forum...


Symptoms...

* Speakers don't work and are not muted or deselected
* Headphone jack does work
* Reinstalling audio driver does not help
* Audio test in Dell Diagnostics passes
* On models with 2 headphone jacks, one may be "checked" in the control panel as if in use


The Dell laptops with 92HD audio utilize IDT's Universal Jacks technology, which is somewhat complicated. In addition to the usual mechanical parts, the jack also uses current & impedance-sensing techniques to trigger software configuration and switching (to send the audio signal to the speakers). So there are three areas of potential failure: mechanical, electronic, and software. Sometimes, a little very gentle wiggle of a plug in the jack will get it to resume normal functioning, at least temporarily. There is a sensing pin in the jack (Sense_A pin) that is used to detect the presence of plugs and it can be the cause of failure to trigger the software switching. Failure of the sense pin usually results in the computer behaving like there is always a plug in the jack.

Normally the audio test in Dell Diagnostics would confirm that there is a hardware problem, but the Universal Jacks can cause a false result in Diagnostics. That is because Diagnostics operates in DOS, outside of Windows, so a Windows software misconfiguration is irrelevant to the test even though in this case it is caused by hardware. So the audio test can pass in Diagnostics, correctly signaling that software configuration is the immediate cause of the problem, but missing that a hardware problem, the bad jack or sensing pin, is the root cause. In these instances the only reliable diagnostic procedures are to try a new motherboard or to use PC Restore (called Factory Image Restore in Vista) to restore the computer to its original configuration as shipped from the factory. If the speakers still don't work after PC/Factory Image Restore then there is definitely a hardware problem even if it passes the normally infallible Dell Diagnostic audio test.

 

Nope, my ports are black - I'm blue though.

 

My USB 3.0 is working solely because I enabled USB 3.0 in the BIOS, rebooted and Win7 found the controller and installed the driver. I am using a 'factory' Win 7 image btw.

It seems the only people I see having trouble are trying to use the NEC driver from the DELL site. I KNOW my way works, I posted a screenie a few posts up of device manager. I've never tried the NEC driver from the DELL site, but I generally don't trust half those drivers anyway

 

thanks....mine were not enabled...but I had disabled those long ago...hmmm...

 

If you have BIOS A03 and no check box to enable USB 3.0, you'd better call DELL....I ordered on March 2 ....but bugged the heck out of the rep to check part numbers for USB 3.0....I checked them myself to be sure....let us know. I know, it sux...

 

You have the first-gen M6500.

 

While on the topic of USB 3, I spoke again with dell support today and while on the phone asked about any news on the USB 3 board. I was eventually put through to a senior manager in the Precision tech team and he seemed to think that USB 3 would not be possible unless the entire motherboard was replaced as well, stating that even if the USB 3 daughterboard was able to be installed the actual USB 3 controller chip is on the motherboard and might not work properly. I told him that according to this forum, several people here had been able to upgrade their cards and had successfully installed them.

The tech said that he was basically not sure whether the USB 3 chipset was on the daughterboard or on the motherboard, so I told him I would check here and see if anyone else had USB 3 installed successfully, and if so could they check what type of motherboard they have.

I also just checked Bokeh's photos of the daughterboard he installed a couple of months ago and have looked on this forum for various related posts, but I dont really know if the chips on that board are the controller chips.

Finally the tech also asked me to check if anyone had confirmed the transfer rates across the USB 3 ports, as he said they were unable to check this.
I am amazed sometimes at the complete confusion Dell seems to have across its various departments and regions.

Anyway, if anyone can verify this information I would be very grateful.
Also, if Havoctex has any new information regarding the USB 3 card, that would be great. Thanks for any help

And for reference I have one of the earlier M6500 Covet units, which I ordered in early Dec 2009 and recieved early Jan 2010.

Also, if anyone with USB 3 installed could check your Motherboard model against mine, which has a product number: 01JH1V

i7-820QM, USB 2, 2 x 250 GB HDD, 4GB DDR3-1333, nVidia Quadro FX 3800M

Thanks again

 

Hi everyone,

I'll soon be a proud owner of an M6500!

I do mostly CAD work (Rhino 3D). I'm not a photographer or graphic designer, so color fidelity is not crucial to me.

I've narrowed down all the options except for the screen.


17" Wide Screen WUXGA RGBLED LCD Panel

or

17" Wide Screen WUXGA LCD Panel


Both of these come in matte (which is what I'm looking for ).

The question:

Having read some reviews, I'm a bit worried. Is the RGB LED screen too bright and colorful for everyday use? I use the computer quite a bit and don't want to get something that will wear my eyes out. I assume brightness and contrast can be turned down on it.

So what do you think? Is it too much screen for the average Joe? Will I regret going with the regular LED?

I was pretty happy with my last rig (HP NW9440… 17" matte screen, WSXGA), but without seeing the Dells first hand, I have no idea how to compare that with the Dells.

Money isn't really an issue at this point, not for a difference of a few hundred bucks if it means getting a much better product.

Hopefully someone who has seen both can chime in…

TIA!


cbass

 

Hi cbass, I use the RGBLED screen for everyday use and also wear trifocals, and I would say it's great for that. I would go for the RGBLED if I were you.....on my m4400 I went for the 1440.900 res, but I on this unit just can't see not getting that screen given it's a 17 incher. Be careful reading forums, because you can get an exaggerated viewpoint sometimes. i.e. compared to an average consumer screen, it's really not 'overly' colorful or contrasty...the latter two, actually all three you can adjust. On this thread are some color profiles you can use depending if you get the LG or Samsung monitor.

I'm on my Vostro 1220 right now, and going to it from the m6500 is not a real 'blast' in difference. Just my opinion...

 

Isn't the Lg Philips monitor the same as the precision m6400? Edge to Edge glass or matte, the Samsung just plain sucks too much reds, not bright at all and way too many Reds.