Precision M6400 Owner's Lounge *Part 2*

Thanks for the reply.

My av amp (Denon 3808) only ever receives a stereo signal from the computer which led me to wonder whether the problem was with the amp or the computer.

Bluray works fine over HDMI so I'm guessing it is a displayport issue. I'll take a look at the X-fi but was hoping for an expresscard solution

 

Well, there is the X-Fi Extreme Audio (Express Card, but it requires the additional dock or cables for 5.1, not sure which; maybe it's the same connector as for Audigy 2 ZS Notebook) or the Audigy 2 ZS Notebook (PCMCIA, comes with 5.1 cables http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/multimedia/display/audigy2-zs_3.html#sect0 ).

 

The DisplayPort cables can be bad as well, mine has been acting oddly.. twisting it/folding it a certain way introduces or clears graphic artifacts.. maybe try another cable/adaptor.

Then again my 6400 Covet is so problem-filled they're sending me a 6500 to replace it

 

What a shame that my M6400 works OK (although, I just disassembled it to replace the thermal paste on the CPU and the GPU; it was pretty easy - hopefully the reassembly will be the same).

Though, with the QX9300 overclock, I don't see what I would get from the M6500 upgrade except the USB3 (the M7820/5870M is only marginally faster than M7740 and FX3700M, I'd say, and the FX-3800M is just an overclocked FX3700M). But I'd like to replace the FX3700M with the ATI M7740 card. Anyone wants to trade-in the cards?

BTW, those of you who removed the thermal pad from the Q43 chipset, what did you use to fill the gap? I found some old Athlon XP Copper Shims that I thought of using instead of the thermal pad, but it seems just a little too thin.

Edit: Ended up using a cut out from the copper shim. The temps are a bit on a high side in idle. I get about 45 for the CPU, 53 for the GPU and 56-58 for the chipset using Everest. How big should the chipset temps be (I forgot to check the temps before disassembling everything)? I used scissors to cut the shim so the edges are a bit rough. I did try to hammer them out, but maybe they're still not exactly flat. I did try to disassemble it again and by the looks of the smudged thermal paste, the contact seems to be OK.

 

New BIOS is up....

BIOS A10

 

Hi, I'm wondering could anyone help me with an 'extended desktop on 2nd monitor' issue.

The problem I'm having, is when I run latency checker with just the laptop monitor on, I get good results. All green etc.

However when I extend onto an external monitor, the latency checker, shoots up to all high yellows. If I then try and do any sort of application, it goes all red.

I am on bios A06. I have tried the Nvidia driver on the Dell website. Also, tried the latest Nvidia driver, 258.96.

It's a fresh install of windows XP home 32bit. Downloaded latest drivers off Dell website. (intel mobile chipset A00_R195234, RICOH_MULTI-DEVICE_A00_R215879 SD CARD, latest 5300AGN driver off Intel website)

The hardware I have is FX2700M, dual core T9400, 2x 320GB drives in ATA in bios.

Any tips/guidance greatly appreciated.

 

I've had an unfortunate mishap with my M6400 that is not covered by warranty. My laptop took a dive off a table courtesy of my son and now the LCD glass is broken. The LCD panel itself seems to be fine. I tried calling dell for some parts information, but after waiting on hold with a guy I couldn't understand for 30 minutes, I gave up waiting.

I have the Covet with the orange case and the camera built into the screen.

I'm wondering if the panel is a closed unit or can I order just the glass by itself?

I'm having trouble locating any useful information on this, so part numbers for the full screen or just the glass would be nice to have, along with any recommendations on where to buy.

-James

 

Hello,
I'm new to this forum, but I've already read a lot here before buying my M6400 18 months ago.
Now, I'm running short of disk space and I'm thinking of upgrading with 2 500GB HDD Seagate Momentus XT plus a 64GB SSD minicard as system disc.
My question is : would such a minicard device be bootable ?

 

I need an eSATA cable for an external hard drive. In searching the internet, I see there are at least two versions of the eSATA connector. As best as I can tell, an eSATAp type connector is on the M6400 and its docking station. However, I have been unable to identify a cable with a connector that looks the same.

Will all eSATA connectors work or can someone recommend a cable supplier? I tried MonoPrice and their response was that it must be Dell proprietary, which Dell says it isn't.

Bob.

 

AFAIK all eSATA connectors are the same. However, there are also special cables with special plugs which can plug into a USB / eSATA combo port and get both power and data from the port.

John