Precision M4400 Owner's Lounge *Part 2*

Yeah, basically I had an E6500. I thought it was a great laptop but it needed some more guts so I replaced the base and motherboard with an M4400 kind and went from there. Now it's rocking SSDs, backlit keyboard, 3GHz T9900, etc. I'm lovin it.

 

I've had a few M4400s (my original and two models I bought used less than a year ago). The difference in keyboard quality is really striking. On my own I bought a second keyboard two years back when it was cheaper to buy a whole new keyboard vs trying to get a replacement button top for the pointer stick. The replacement keyboard really wasn't as nice as the original one that came with the system. Both were back lit. Both had a lot of bounce, as if the keyboard was bowing when fitting in the machine. Not horrible stuff (I did type a 200 page document on the thing) but not as nice as my M3800.

Anyway, one of the non-back lit keyboards was actually really nice. It was one I would call "Thinkpad" quality. Note that not all TP keyboards feel the same. While I've never used a bad TP keyboard, some are clearly better than others.

Anyway, I've suggested the M4400 to a few people as a low buck CAD machine. Even today my, admittedly top spec, M4400 feels plenty fast and could handle most of my CAD work. The biggest issues with the system are the CCFL 1920x1200 displays dim considerably over time (I replaced mine with the RGBLED screen to fix that issue... too bad it's not matte) and it produced a lot of heat.

 

Yeah, I've had 3 different keyboards: an OEM non backlit, non-OEM backlit, and OEM backlit. The non-OEM backlit wasn't very good quality. Didn't feel as nice, backlight didn't always work right, etc. Also the right shift button was sloped down which was just plain annoying. It's currently got an OEM backlit keyboard I got for cheap and it's pretty good.

 

Windows 10 and Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth card.

They said it was not possible, but it is:

Here's the link to the post:

---------------

Hi to all!
I have searched a way to install driver for bluetooth mini card 370 on dell latitude e6500 in WINDOWS 10 t.p. Unfortunately I didn't find but I found some ideas which led me out to the solution

So this is it:

1. You need your driver in C:\dell\drivers\.... directory in my case: C:\dell\drivers \R226750\R226750\Win64
2. Go to: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Troubleshooting
3. Choose under "PROGRAMS" 'Run programs made for previous versions of Windows'
4. Select: Advanced
5. Click on: Run as administrator
6. Hit on: Next
7. Choose: Not Listed
8. Hit again on: Next
9. Select your executable file. In my case it is: C:\dell\drivers\R226750\R226750\Win64\BtwMM.exe
10. Hit again on: Next
11. Use: Try recommended settings
12. Click on: Test the program...

And installation of bluetooth driver goes on.

Now, repeat steps 9 - 12 for the C:\dell\drivers\R226750\R226750\Win64\Inst.exe.

IMPORTANT: BtwMM.exe must be installed first, and Inst.exe second.

------------------
To recap:

I did this on my Dell M4400 with Windows 10 Pro and it worked 100% - fully tested with BT devices.

You have to use R226750.exe package (v6.2.0.9600), or it will not work. I tried some versions higher and lower and it failed.

One observation: Once I installed the driver, the system did a firmware update (probably from Broadcom) to the Dell 370 card.

All my other devices on the M4400 are working in Windows 10, with the exception of the fingerprint reader, which is active, but I found no way of getting it to work with the new Windows Hello login interface. I'll report in if I find something useful.

Hope this helps someone

 

Resolved the fingerprint reader issue.

Make sure the following are updated (I looked for the latest):

Dell ControlVault Firmware
Dell ControlVault Driver
Dell ControlVault Utility

After all these are updated, I get the following devices in Device Manager:

• Biometric devices - Control Vault w/Fingerprint Swipe Sensor
• ControlVault Device - Dell ControlVault w/Fingerprint Swipe Sensor
• Security devices - Trusted Platform Module 1.2

Windows Hello is now ready to go from the Immersive Control Panel --> Accounts --> Sign-in Options --> Windows Hello

Note: You'll have to set up a pin to be able to add/modify fingerprints.

 

Stringbuzzzzzz here.

Hey... My first reply here.
Great... You found the solution.
Anything done to stop planned obsolescence is are FRIEND...
And I do know audio.. Preferably analog.

 

Hey thanks Maiklas3000.
That very was informative, especially with myself being a newbie the the M4400 and this site.

It's 2015, late Aug. and I just got this M4400 about 3 months ago.
My second lap dance.

The first was a 10' glossy Dell Inspiron 700m. A "maxing out," with 2GB DDR Ram, 2.1 Ghz Single Core CPU, Dual Layer DVD-RW under XP, using a 2 TB External SATA Go-Flex yada, yada. It served me well as an, on the go, machine with good battery time and wi-fi for Java mode.
It's still fully functional. Although.., Microsoft feels otherwise and dropped XP as we're all aware.

The M4400 serves as an inexpensive, and quite impulsive, jump to a solution.
Since that fine day, and $200 later, I've been re-educating myself in myself in restraint and the second addition to my Laptop collection. If I hadn't built a few Desktop Gamer's, back in 2007 and 8, I would be very stressed over my impulse buy.

That being said.. I do like the M4400 for numerous reasons and I hope I can squeeze out another few (3) years.
The last few months as I mentioned were spent getting reality check. Like no truly helpful, Dell support. I'm not talking about warranty service. I registered myself as the "current owner" with full compliance for what was
on what many here must know as well,
except their

That was informative.



That was informative.

 

10 feet? Impressive for a notebook.

 

Hi. Maiklas3000.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the M4400.
I hope to apply this fan cooler-shroud option, sooner than later.

Along with along with a few ideas of my own., All things permitting.
I'll mention some in a bit.

Please realize.,
I got this unit about 3 months ago and it's been a bit of an ordeal.
The upgrades,/ no problem.
The specific drivers for particular hardware,/ Problematic. Still not
sure about some options.

-------------

Performance Rating under: "The Windows Experience Index"
assesses key system components on a scale of 1.0 to 7.9.

Current score: 6.1

Sub Score Totals;

Processor: 6.1 Calculations per second.
Ram: 6.1 Memory operations per second.
Graphics: 6.4 Desktop performance for windows Aero.
Gaming Graphics: 6.4 3D business and gaming graphics performance.
Primary Hard Disk: 7.7 Disk data transfer rate.

Fastest Boot Time: 7 seconds
Average Boot Time: 11 seconds

-------------

SYSTEM O.S.
Win 7 Ultimate 32bit w/free upgrade status to Win 10 O.S.

Hardware upon purchase:
One, Dell M4400 Precision:
Fully and functionally intact (baring unforeseen driver support
verification and options, to that end)

Dell M4400 Precision Notebook Workstation
Build date, 2007. Released, 2008.

Supporting Hardware And Features...

Factory Installed:
Dual WI-Fi 802 WLAN card(s), Blue Tooth, Fingerprint Reader,
Card Reader, Express Card I/O SD x 2 Slots, Display port, eSATA,
Fire wire 1394, VGA Port,USB2 x3, Rj45 Ethernet port, Display Cam,
Back-lit Keyboard.
Never Replaced, Ultra Quality Screen.


Hardware Performance Options:

Intel Duo Core 2 T9400 2x 2.53 Ghz

Intel SSD Module 2x125GB SATA2 (one in drive caddy, swap-able in optical
drive bay as boot drive)

Currently...
6 GB (1x4)+(1x2) of DDR2 Ram PC-6400 800 Mhz /a previous owner
set up... NOT! A bottleneck for sure and holding up the show...

Soon upgraded with:
Dual channel 8GB(2x4) Matched PC-6400 DDR2 800Mhz CL6 set of Ram.
crucial or A-Tech


Sony ultra-thin Blue Ray/Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
Dedicated Graphics Nvidia QuadroFX 770M 512MB GDDR3 w/ 1500MB of
shared Ram.



Why is it, that I've had 4 Dell's over the years, but I swear I'd
never buy another one again?

..................................criket.sounds.................................
...criket sounds.............criket sounds..............

I can likely assume we're all in this together. lol.

Lets just say , it was a blessing to see some advanced solutions
on this forum.
I would have narrowed my searches earlier but life is filled with
distractions, etc.

However.. I must of bookmarked the site, sometime earlier and
Click... There you are... On a bookmark.

As far as getting the most out of this Once, bad-ass of a machine...
I thought a T9900 would push the CPU in the right direction.
A strong match for a 32bit O.S.

yet Only by a 1/6th increase compared to T9400, in terms of Ghz
calculations. And an even a smaller gain, in terms of performance
numbers... The T9400 was no slouch.

The thing is, The T9900 is already in transit as I type.

After reading your post, I may have reconsidered the purchase, since you've
got a clear understanding of the overall picture.
And with reasonable solutions conclusions I see..

Maybe you can advise me on my Ram configuration?
I'm thinking Matched dual 8GB. 2x4, leaving room for "down the
road" 64bit expansion.
On the other hand, 2x2 pc-6400 DDr2 is very affordable in
comparison. and 64bit is... well... a not fully explored option for me.
Maybe you can convince me otherwise but the 64bit O.S.takes
it's half or the memory and CPU for starters. I want to discuss it later,
for now.

In all honesty, is a 64bit O.S worth the loss in splitting the overall
processing and resources in half? I think you're at that this same
juncture I'm talking about. Quad style using a Q9200.
And where did ya find the little sucker?

I do appreciate the love for the M4400. And there is a "gain" with a
64bit O.S.
More allocation of resources to an array of virtual engines, doing what
slowed down to a stop, the former XP 32bit O.S.
Direct X 12 is a another thing to consider as well. Not that the
M4400 will be taking advantage of those benefits with today's market
in gaming. So much to say about a comparison...
If the M4400 had DDR3, which would have to re-address the FSB and Ram config,....
This thread would read quite differently.

I am excited about you current project. It shows me there's always some angle to optimize.
in this case, the peak of the M4400 tolerances (Carefully without harming you system of course).

I am drifting off to sleep as I type.
And this site is getting non responsive.

Dude, I do need to bail out for rest... You mind if I get back to you asap?
Like in days, not weeks not months. Days...

I Look forward to some response.
When I wake, There may be a T9900 in the mail.

Thanks for reading. I owe ya one.

Peace out

zzzz zzzzz zzzzzz zzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

Ha!
All right. my bad.... 10'' Kay?