Precision M4500 Owner's Lounge

Yeah, I was leaning toward the quad - thanks for the reply. Looks like I will go for that.

And yeah, both the 840 and 640 came out recently - by "new tech" I just meant 32nm process as opposed to 45nm.

 

Been using it for it for a while now... Happy about most things. Performance is great. One thing that bothers me is that every time I close the lid the screen is all black when I open the lid again. I have turned of the hibernation on closing lid so computer remains on. I guess it just turns of the screen when lid is closed. This is fine but when I open the lid it does not matter what I do. I can see and move the mouse cursor but screen is all black. It remains all black until I hit Ctrl + Alt + Del. When I do that I get the options:
-Lock this computer
-Log off
-Change Password
-Start Task Manager
- Cancel
If I select Cancel I get the screen and all running programs back. Anyone had this? Using Nvidia 258.96 with the 880 card.

Regards JN
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Nobody else experienced this?

 

Couple of questions:
1) This happens while plugged in AND while on Battery?

2) Under "Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Power Options\System Settings" what is the "When I Close The Lid" setting?

3) Are you using a docking station?

It sounds like your Display management is treating your M4500 screen as Display 2 in a two Display setup.

If you can get your hands on an external Display, keyboard & mouse:

1) Hook them up
2) Set the M4500 to sleep or Hibernate with Lid Closed
3) The external monitor should enter sleep mode as well
4) Open the lid, the M4500 will wake up and both displays should wake

If the external Display is now the Main Display, right click on your desktop, select:

NVIDIA Control Panel/Advanced Settings/Display/Set up multiple displays/

NVIDIA Window:
1. Select the display you want to use.
you should see both Laptop Display and External Display, with numbers assigned.

2. Verify your display configuration.
Right Click on the display number which represents your M4500 display and select "Make this Windows main display"

Apply, pop-up asks to save, select yes.

Now test you setup. This should work, if not, call Dell Support

 

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The M4500 only supports two displays at any time. Even with the E-Port Plus.

If you want two external monitors and don't want to use the E-Port Plus docking station:

The M4500 has a Display-Port. This port should (may) be able to support two DVI Displays. (Try finding a 1 to 2 cable)

Otherwise, get the Display-Port to Single DVI adaptor, and use the VGA port for the second Display ($20)
DELL DisplayPort to DVI Adapter for Select Dell OptiPlex Desktops / Latitude / Alienware Laptops / Precision Mobile WorkStations : Desktop Accessories | Dell

If you prefer all digital and like to spend money, consider a Display-Port to DVI MultiPort Adaptor ($150 - $250) This unit handles the video processing/splitting, so it will enable a third Display and in this case you should be able to have the Laptop display on as well, so four displays total.

ACCELL Cables - Audio, Video, Speaker, Computer Cables and Interconnects

 

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Thanks for the suggestions.
- It happens both on Power and Battery.
- "When I Close The Lid" is set to "Do nothing" for both Battery and Power.
- I do have a docking station and external screen but rarely use them as traveling. Will not have access to them until sometime next week. Will try the rest of your suggest then and report back. Otherwise I guess it's a case for Dell Support. Thanks again...

 

Does Dell provide a customized wallpaper for M4500? Would anyone share her/his default wallpaper of Win7?

TIA

 

Google image search is faster and easier than this forum.

 

Hi all,

I've been ressearching quite a bit and I have few questions and hope someone can lend a hand.
a. Is the difference between the 840QM and 920XM or 940XM that noticeable?
--> the main purpose of the system is to run VMWare (or Virtual box) images, as many as allowed by 8 GB of RAM -- about 10 or so.

b. I am still trying to decide between the Lenovo W510 and the Dell 4500 (yes, sorry 'another one of those questions' -- which seem to come and go in the forum as I've read).

The Dell looks more expensive in Canada, but I am every week in the US -- have residence on both countries, so I could purchase anywhere.

I do realise this is a Dell 4500 forum, be gengtle

 

I use VMWare extensively on M4500's with i 720QM's and 8GB RAM with very good results.

I do not expect the 920 would yield a significant benefit, although it is possible, if the virtual machines are heavily loaded.