Precision M4600 Owners Lounge

Yes I was referring to the ACAD driver. I just updated my driver with the "performance" one from NVidia's website.

Quick question.

I'm in AutoCAD working on a 20MB file and I'm in the process of cleaning up the drawing. I'm using the "layer isolate" command a lot and everytime I do, my screen flashes and Windows says the Intel VGA has crashed but recovered.

Whats going on? In NVidia's control panel, I have it set to use the 2000M always.

 

Optimus has some bugs. Disable it in the BIOS; re-enable when you are mobile and need the battery.

 

I think msjgriffiths is right.

Check your Windows Performance (WEI) as set now. If your "Graphics" number is 5.8+/- and "Gaming Graphics" is 6.9 to 7.1, then go into BIOS to set the Quadro full time. Run WEI again and both numbers should read the same. You have to change the BIOS to run the GPU full time and bypass the Optimus power saving function. Don't think NVidia Control Panel will do that. I am assuming you loaded 296.88. If the problem did not exist before the driver update, then roll it back. If nothing else helps, call Dell Pro Support, NVidia and AutoDesk.

 

Not sure if I'm supposed to start a separate thread or not.

My 4600 didn't have a backlit k/b and I missed it so i bought one of a chinese ebay supplier and have just tried to fit it.

I had trouble getting it to work at all, finding the keyboard cable very fiddly, expecially the k/b end. Originally I thought it was just doa but when I tried to put the original back that didn't work either. Eventually I got the new backlit k/b working all except the '1', 'Q', 'A', and 'Z' keys. 'F1', Tab, Caps Lock, Shift, Ctrl and the "Windows" key all worked. I put the original back in and after a bit of fiddling got that to work.

As the cable only has about 8 contacts it didn't seem like a faulty contact would only lose 4 keys out of over 100 so I concluded that it is faulty.

Am I right?

Anywhere in the UK I can get a backlit keyboard fitted by someone who has a clue?

 

it is a delicate process to get the cable aligned and secured

I had to use some good tape to hold it in place, and gingerly work around the tight fit to get my backlit keyboard installed

 

Hi All,
I tried to connect an addonics eSATA port multiplier to my M4600 and attach my two LaCie external HD's. Their tech support said I had to determine if the eSATA controller in the M4600 is port multiplier compatible. Anyone know how I figure that out?
Marc

 

Thanks for your input, guys. My WEI is 7.0 (both graphics and gaming graphics are the same)!

I found out what the problem was... and it had nothing to do with the laptop.

AutoCAD 2012 and Win7 Aero don't get along!! Once I disabled Aero, my ACAD runs flawlessly. Silly AutoDesk!

 

For those specs I think you got a nice deal.

Usually is agree with this, but for my m4600 purchase I should have gone with the 750gb from Dell as it would have been cheaper then doing it myself. The ram I went aftermarket and got much faster ram for A LOT cheaper.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

 

How can I tell if I have an IPS screen? I don't think I do but I'd like to double check!

 

You can check easily by tilting the screen back and looking at the screen from the bottom.

If it's an IPS Screen you will be able to see the screen and see that the content looks the same as when you look at it in front in terms of color/contrast.
If it's not an IPS panel, it will more appear darker, and the contrast will be terrible. (will look funny).

You can also use dell.com and type in your service tag into the System Configuration and see what it shipped with. It should say Premiere Color iirc.