New M6500 Discussion Thread

In my opinion, if Dell's tech support is unable to properly fix the problem after so many replacements, it's time to replace the entire system or issue a refund.

 

apologies if it's been asked before
I tried searching but nothing

a) is there a handbook/user manual for the Precison M6500 (I don't want to take it to pieces, just use it!)
b) how do I use the funny looking keys on the scratch'n'sniff pad?
c) how do i turn the scratch'n'sniff light off (I seem to have turned it on somehow!)

thanks

 

Mainly it occurs, as far as I have been able to deduce, at the moment where the low-level Pre-OS video acceleration gets passed on to the accellerated graphics from an operating system.
Such as:

When in Linux it passes on to use framebuffer driver for video interface, or when Windows moves on from the bootscreen to open up the graphical interface.

It also happens often when coming out of hibernation, that the screen will go black or white, and after a while stripes will appear (after a few minutes) on the screen.

When it comes out of sleep mode, it will sometimes work for a short while, and then suddenly the same black or white screen will appear.


The problem is, that this happens whether I use Linux or Windows, and I have changed just about every part in the laptop thus far. I am unsure what there is left to do.



Admittedly the screen has not been changed yet, but I find it unlikely that that be the source, since when these colour bugs and lockups come, the entire computer freezes (one cannot do anything, such as changing CAPS options, or rebooting in Linux (Ctrl+Alt+Delete will trigger a reboot no matter what in most Linux systems). It is simply locked up and dead until a hard shutdown via power button.


The graphics card was changed to a different one, but it was a refurbished card, yet I find it very unlikely that the same fault occurs twice in a row.


Very odd indeed, stupid periodic faults May have to get the whole system swapped..

 

WOW...... I am surprised you waited this long to get the entire system replaced, my first guess would be a driver issue, but with lockups in Win and Linux, not likely, then I would also say it's a hardware issue, but it was replaced, so what's left? Nothing IMO but a full replacement.

Here's a stretch for you, what about the power supply? Have you tried running it from the batteries only?

 

Yes, I have experienced troubles both with power connected and when running on battery power.

Indeed, I am growing weary of the constant calls with Dell Ah well, I am sure I will get it fixed..... somehow, eventually. Likely a swap. Will hear from Dell later today I believe.

 

Here's the maunal.

scratch'n'sniff pad...touchpad......just like a mouse.

Fn + right arrow key.

 

thanks skypx
er but...
FN right arrow turns the keyboard lights on/off - got that
I'm asking about the lights behind the touchpad

oh and there's no user manual there! only techie stuff

I want things like "how do I turn the touchpad lights on and off"!!!

thanks

 

I'm sorry, but that is the user manual, there is a service manual, but it more or less explains how to disassemble the laptop.

The light behind the touchpad should not illuminate unless you are using specific programs that uses its functions, in other words if all programs are closed, and you are at the desktop, the touchpad lights should be off, if its illuminated, you may want to call tech support, since something isn't working the way it should.

 

To turn the Jog Shuttle, touchpad backlit, off touch the icon in the lower left corner of the touchpad. Not a push button but a soft touch will turn it off.

 

Can someone please comment on how is the sound quality on the M6500.

Thank you.