Some quirks with my new XPS M2010

I'm not expecting a huge response on this, considering the number of M2010 owners there are here, but here goes...

I just took delivery on a Dell Outlet XPS M2010 (T7200, 1GB, 100GB 7.2KRPM, Dell 1500 wifi, etc...), for less than $1300. I could not pass up that deal for one of these beasts!

I am amazed and excited about it! It's a fantastically designed unit that although it will not replace my M1330, it will suffice when we travel or other portable uses around the house.

I do have a couple of quirky things happening, and wondered if anyone had any fixes or could confirm the problems.

First, I'm having intermittant problems with the keyboard at power-on. Sometimes, I can't get the keyboard to wake up at the XP login screen (the blue num-lock led is on, but no keys work to enter your password, but the touchpad does work). Also, if I hit any keys to wake it up during POST, the computer will mercilessly beep at me at stop at the boot screen with the "www.dell.com" at the top. I need to power down to remedy that.

Second, when I do log into XP, the BT mouse works immeditately, then stops working for a bit during while everything loads up. At this point there are three windows bong-bong sounds, like new hardware is being detected and installed, and then the mouse and keyboard work again. It does this everytime. Although it's not a problem, it is annoying to have it make that "new hardware found" bong-bong noises everytime I boot into windows.

Lastly, has anyone found any third-party cases for this thing? The Dell "Wrap Around" case looks too big. Why do they call it a "wrap around" when it really is just a roller case? Someone needs to make a semi-hard "clam shell" case for it that allows the handle to stick out so you can carry it. That way it will be protected and will still fit fine on airplanes, etc.

That's all. Any comments?

Liking my new M2010 so far (especially the price!)

 

I can't speak of the keyboard problems, but my bluetooth logitech DiNovo mouse/keyboard set for my desktop acts the same way your mouse does when logging in to WinXP. I think it's just the way XP handles BT and not really a problem with your particular "laptop"

 

Well our first XPS 2010 turned up and it's arrived with a non-functional bluetooth keyboard. The mouse will sync and work, but not the keyboard, and if you try to re-sync the keyboard the mouse goes away.

Such a shame, as first impressions are very important and this one is not impressing me at all since i'm having to plug in an old USB keyboard.

Duncan

 

Sometimes, you can get the BT KB to pair with the PC from within Windows, using a USB keyboard.

I had a Dell tech onsite once that tried 50 times to get the KB to pair, and for no good reason, it just suddenly paired.

Keep trying...

 

Thanks Lancorp someone else here took over and tried repeatedly eventually, as you say, it actually paired with the system. Got another one on the way now, that'll be fun im sure.

 

I think the BT keyboard is definitely the weak link in the otherwise great M2010 system.

Too bad they didn't just go for a wireless USB keyboard, since the Wireless USB receiver is already built into the system (for the media center remote). Now, THAT, would have been awesome!

 

That is probably the sweetest looking laptop EVER ... I wish I had one.

 

true, true. Now it is a sweet-looking discontinued laptop!

No longer on either Dell site for sale. Looks like the OUTLET is ones only option if you want to buy one.

 

I had this laptop for over a year, maxed out spec (all the bells and whistles) and although I loved the design it unfortunately gave me allot of problems. I had dell technicians out to fix it about 6 times. I also had it replaced once. It eventually completely died, even the technician couldn’t fix it and he replaced almost everything in it. Dell very nicely gave me a full refund though (€5,500).

I now have the Studio 17, which doesn't support raid 0 so I have to find away to get my data off my 2 HD from the M2010 or else it'll be a year of work gone.

My main problems were because of the DVD drive and the graphics card.
And now that they don’t even sell it anymore, I’d be a bit wary of getting one.

 

I assume you still have the hard drives out of the M2010? If so, getting the data off the RAID set is relatively easy, but you need a different computer to do it. Pretty much any Dell desktop that supports the Intel RAID feature will support those two drives from the M2010. I've used an old Dimension 9100 and hooked the M2010 drives up to two SATA ports and VOILA!, it sees the RAID set and I am able to copy the data off.

Maybe look on ebay or look around to a friend that might have a compatible Dell desktop. I'd even offer to do it for you, but you'd have to send me the original drives and some sort of portable usb sata drive to put the data onto so you can then hook it to your Studio 17 and access the data.