Bad XPS 1640........

Well, I just got a new XPS 1640 last Friday, 1-23, and I am already sending it back to Dell.

Its the P8400 Processor, 4 GB Ram, 720P LEDLCD, 320 GB 7200 RPM HD. Basically a base model configuration.

I Had the laptop 4 days, and got a Blue Screen of Death 4 times, with the last time being unrepairable by the restore function on the laptop. It stated on the last BSOD that I would have to reinstall with the Restore CD provided from Dell. The first time, I had stopped a few remote services that even the Windows site says can be disabled to help free up a little RAM. That caused the first BSOD. It restored to an earlier time, and I figured ok.....just won't disable those again. Next BSOD was caused when I let the Windows updates Download and Install. Upon reboot, got the Blue Screen. Then got two more after that restore.

This is unacceptable in my opinion for a new laptop. Sure there may be some fixes I can do to get it back to normal, but who's to say it doesn't do it again, after I'm out of the return period?!

Very disappointed in this laptop. Like the laptop in general, but all the trouble I had with it in just a few days is not acceptable! Another bad mark for Dell......in my opinion. Now I just have to find something similar to the specs, which is hard to find at a reasonable price.

 

sorry to hear you've had those problems. Did you call Dell for some support? I'd return/replace for sure!

pardes3: was that REALLY necessary?

 

No, that was not necessary from pardes3, and hence its gone.

Keep it polite and on topic please!

 

I'm sorry to hear this happened with your brand new 1640

I hope that on your next choice of laptop, you have much better luck


Cin

 

random BSOD's often means hardware trouble (memory). guess you just got unlucky...are you exchanging it or returning it?

 

I think he might be returning it for a refund.

It's too bad this happened to him, and on a new model also!


Cin

 

Since a significant portions of his BSoDs occur after Windows Update, I'd say it's a software problem... if you've got the installation disks, I'd do a clean install (without running Windows Updates) and see if the problems persist. If they do, then you've probably got a hardware fault, and that isn't so nice.

 

I would have returned it as well; new. expensive laptops should work out of the box and keeping it make be problematic long term.

There are other options though, like the VAIO FW; which you can get in comparable configs and cost. There is no LED option though, and screen options are 1600x900 or 1080p with the 1080p being much better (resolution differences aside). It doesn have DDR3 and the ATI card is only 256MB; but, it should still perform pretty good.

 

Did yours ship through Tennessee or Nevada just want to track the plant building these

 

Yeah, I'm with some of you guys, I figure if I pay that much for a laptop, it should work out of the box for more than 3 days. I'm sending it back for a refund. I still haven't decided what else to get. It sux that no other laptops I've found yet have the same configs for around the same price. All others either just don't have like the DDR3 or the 512K video.....or they are just a LOT more expensive. Oh well, I will figure it out.

As for your question, erieT30, it showed it shipped from Nashville, TN.

 

I just got mine today and had the same problem. Except I got the blue screen on boot up and auto repair couldn't fix it. Trying Windows 7 on it, to see if I have better luck.

 

Man, this is beginning to scare me.

 

^ Same here...I'm receiving mine tomorrow. I'm pretty sure it's the 64-bit OS that's being a PITA. At the same time, I dont feel comfortable putting W7 beta on it as primary as there's no word on how the transition will be for beta owners to retail version.

 

I think this is a software issue....However, I am not sure about it. KoshKosh, please report back after you install windows7.
@thequac: your system is a 13 inch, though it looks the same as the 1640, but its inside IS NOT. So no worries! hehe
Also, whoever received his/her 1340, please do a report. THANKSS
I just called in to cancel my 1640 to get a 1340 instead hehe. wish me luck!

 

I'm posting updates in the XPS 16 owners thread. Here is where I'm at so far.

Windows 7: So far so good. The only thing that doesn't work so far is the infared port (does anyone even care anymore?). The onscreen display when you adjust the volume is gone but the buttons still function. Installing some apps and will hit it hard and see if it breaks. Hoping I can just keep 7.

 

koshkosh, so it is software's fault. great news for 1640 owners lol. I just canceled my 1640 to buy the 1340

 

Well let's see. I'm installing my work apps now. VS 2008, Adobe CS4, Microsoft Office 2007. I'm gonna hammer it in the next few days and see if it breaks

 

i would recommend a fresh install... first thing i always do

 

We have had alot of problems with Windows Updates causing random BSOD's on our 64 bit Vista boxes of late. We haven't narrowed it down to a specific update as of yet but my software guys are working on it. The 1640 I have has passed all stress tests and I am about to install Vista 64 Ultimate.

 

I tryed windows vista ultimate 64bit on my home desktop computer a wile back and was not very happy with it.
I use my PC for gaming and was having a lot of issues with drivers etc... got a lot of BSOD wile playing games.
Went back to windows xp pro and no more problems.
I honestly don`t know why so many companys today are marketing 64bit OS for gaming , i honestly don`t think it is neccessary.
Most if not all games today are fine with 4 gb of ram and not a lot of drivers and software are optimized to run 64bit OS.
I believe unless you really need more then 4gb of ram and you only use your pc for gaming , watching movies , browsing etc...i don`t see any point in going with a 64bit OS.

 

yellowlt4 - I think you're right it was a windows update that caused the issue. Before the fatal restart I was trying to install Symantec Endpoint and it told me there were pending system changes and Vista needed a restart before I could install it.

gundam789- 64 bit vista is useless for gaming but apps like Photoshop CS4 get a nice performance boost and that's why I would like to use it.


Windows 7 on XPS 16 is good for the most part. So far I have a weird issue where explorer dies if I try to right click->properties on IE, IE 64 bit, Explorer(wierd, it doesn't do it on anything else). Going to do some client work on it later today ad see how it goes. I don't want to try Vista 64 again until someone finds out which update causes the BSOD and makes the OS unrecoverable. Crossing my fingers.

 

Hey Guys

I got the EXACT issue on my brand new XP16 (30 mins of usage). Installed the windows updates which prompted for a reboot and then , ....BSOD.

I'm going to reinstall the OS from the CD and try that....but obviously, this is software related.

Thank God.

 

Be sure to let us know how it worked out! *fingers crossed*

Cin

 

This is very disappointing. Why would windows update that works for everyone else, not work on the 1640? Sounds like a driver or hardware problem. Hopefully not a hardware problem.....

 

Someone from another thread mentioned that it might be a conflict with the creative webcam drivers.

 

I had this issue with a specific Windows Update. I tracked it down when I rebuilt my M1330. It was a general one I'm going to see if I can find it. I believe I chose to "hide it".

Apparently I eventually was able to install it.

My recommendation is to try what I did. Install that first bulk of updates (Think there's like 30 or so ?) in small batches like 5 or so and reboot after each batch, once you get through a batch you know it's not them. When it bombs make note of the updates you had just installed prior to the BSOD and then install each individually. Mine was one of the "Updates for Windows Vista" and not a security or hardware update.

 

Its not just the 1640. We have been having this issue on a few different systems.

 

Were they Dell systems? Which ones?

 

I have seen them on a few HP systems and a few Dell systems, I have actualy seen quite a few reports online from different systems and there is thread located in these forums here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=331367

These are likely issues relating to drivers and updates not neccesarily system issues.

 

ah thats too bad, and i was lookin at that model aswell as the Sudio XPS 13...
but i got the M1530

 

Good choice. The M1530 based on reviews is not only cooler, lighter, thinner, but also much better build quality as it has been out for quite some time. It is no slouch for any task, even gaming, so if I didn't have my M1530 yet and had to choose between XPS 16 and M1530.. I'd choose the M1530. The XPS 16 is nice, though its not that big of a difference. The illuminated keyboard is awesome, but it doesn't outweigh other things. Not to mention I think the leather on notebook concept is kinda weird.

 

i had the same issue after a newly installed vista, but it vanished when i manually downloaded and installed SP1, so if you don't have the service pack, you might wanna try that....