New M6500 Discussion Thread

Agreed. :yes: Also for archiving. I don't like to completely rely on HDDs.

John

 

When I install the Bluetooth driver from the Dell website on my M6500 all goes well except that I get the following error twice "Peripheral device driver missing".

I also see two exclamation marks in Other Devices . Peripheral Device in Device Manager.

At the same time, I do see Dell wireless 365 Bluetooth Module under Bluetooth Radios

The same thing happens on my M6400 where I also reinstalled the OS.

I am running Windows 7 Pro x64.

When I connect a bluetooth phone, things seem to work but I do get the same errors.

Has anybody encountered this issue? (Dell tech already was contacted)

Thanks,

Antonio

 

About graphics cards in M6500: I tried to find direct performance comparision between FirePRO M7820 (1GB DDR5, 128bit) and Quadro FX3800M (1GB DDR3, 256bit) but I couldn't find any. On some multi-graphics-cards comparision charts I found M7820 a little higher/better than FX3800M ... I know that M7820 is a lot cheaper than FX3800M, but if you must to chooce between this two cards (regardless the price) for work in SolidWorks and occasionally some games, which one would you choose for M6500?

 

The M7820 is based off the HD 5870 mobility.

The FX 3800M is based off the GTX 280M.
The FX 3800m is every slightly faster then the HD 5870 mobility in certain games and vice versa. Overall both cards are comparable. Since the M7820 is basically like the HD 5870 it should perform similarly.
Forgot to add the FX 3800m is an older video card while the M7820 is newer and built on a smaller lithography thus is cheaper to manufacturer while keeping performance on par and running cooler. (FX 3800m=55nm, M7820=40nm).

Solidworks, which version?

 

I hate to reply to myself!

Anyone using backup software here?

I have been using CrashPlan, seems to work (though files reported as not backed up=system files)

Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

- Bruce

 

Backup or imaging software? I don't trust backup software. Images are one thing, but if you get a virus, ruh roh you got images of a virus.

I like to manually drag and drop my data onto a backup drive and store it someplace safe.

 

Thanks for advice! I like this idea, I was in fact using MS Synctoy to synchronize important photos to a secondary drive (it can perform checksums etc to ensure data match) - I got lazy and stopped!

One reason is it was slow (to check the checksums) and second it doesn't keep multiple versions of files.. something that Crashplan does very well (and it like Synctoy is free)

I am still looking for 'perfect' solution - knowing that there really isn't one.

A simple copy to another hard-drive may work out too.. but doesn't that take a long time for each backup? (300+GB)

Also I don't really like imaging.. proprietary format that you must have access to the software to re-load image... direct copy (as you suggest) you always have access to the data in its original form.

hmmm....

 

I don't know if there are any ready-made softwares for that, but what you're looking for is possible via SVN. Set up a SVN repository add all your important files to this SVN and do a regular commit to it (maybe daily).
This way you'll save all important files in all versions you've ever created, it won't take that long (except for the first time) because it's an incremental strategy, you can run it in the background and have absolute control over what to restore (e.g. "restore folder X to the version it was 2 weeks ago and file Y to yesterdays version").

 

It's true imaging software as a back up plan is dangerous because if you have a virus or malicious program you are screwed.
Here is what I recommend:
1. Start over with a fresh windows installation (backup files if needed) install ALL programs you need. Make an image of the drive.
2. Add all your documents/files etc. Anything needs to be backed up set it up on Windows back up utility to an external hard drive.

This insures that even if you get a virus or malicious file you can start over from your fresh install with all your programs intact, and you have a back up of your important files.

 

Well it's for data redundancy, it is good or you have a complete failure of the drive you can reimage another drive. But again prone to corrupt system files and viruses.