1420 buying experience

Just received my 1420. Interesting buying process:

6/30 - Took the plunge and ordered. Estimated ship date: 7/26
7/5 - Dell sends me one of the standard email messages they send to everyone on their mailing list that select inspiron systems were $200 off. I configured my system, cancelled the old order and placed the new one. Yey! It's now $200 cheaper. New estimated ship date: 8/3.
7/12 - Hey, there's a new coupon good for $300 off!. Re-configured my system, cancelled old order, placed new one, now it's another $100 cheaper. Ugh, new ship date is now 8/7!
Constant reading about backordered colors, LCD screens, processors - yikes! I hope I get my system on time.
7/30 - My order shipped!
8/1 - It's here! Wow, DHL is pretty fast - this was regular ground shipping.

The good:
My LCD is bright and clear - I don't detect any graininess (glossy 1280x800). Hardware ID is LPL0000 - what manufacturer is this?
Computer seems pretty speedy, but it's not much of a step up from my work laptop which is a Latitude D620, Core Duo T2500, 2 GHz. My new 1420 has Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2 GHz with 7200 RPM 160 GB HD.
The blue cover is darker than I expected (much, much darker than my old Inspiron 300m), but it looks great anyway.
The 9 cell battery doesn't stick out as much as I feared (I got both 6 cell & 9 cell).
No significant fan or HD noise.
Laptop is not as heavy as I had feared (however, I am used to toting around my D620.
Connected to my home wireless G network with no hassle and got right on the internet.
Sound is the best I've ever heard on a laptop (okay, that's really not saying much).
Build quality seems very good.

The bad:
I don't love Vista - maybe I'll get used to it.
I cannot get my V270 bluetooth mouse to work at all with this laptop. It does not even detect that it's there. Tried first without any added software - nothing. Downloaded and installed the Logitech Setpoint software - no change. This mouse works perfectly with my D620. Not sure what the problem is. Any help would be appreciated.

Here is a summary of my system:
Inspiron 1420, Intel Core 2 Duo T7500, 2.2GHz, 800Mhz 4M L2 Cache
Premium Deep Navy Blue with Soft Touch LCD back color
2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm
14.1 inch Wide Screen WXGA TL LCD for Inspiron 1420
Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 Inspiron 1420
160G 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, English
8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive for Inspiron
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy
Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini Card
Integrated 2.0 mega pixel web cam
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Mod

Total cost: $1117.00 + 92.15 tax = $1209.15
Perhaps not the best deal I've seen on this board, but I'm happy nonetheless.

 

By the way, I'm not entirely sure about that hardware ID on the LCD. Where should I be looking to get the manufacturer of the LCD?

 

well, i'm not sure, but i don't think you have to even do that.

for the inspiron and the vostro, i believe all glossy screens were manufactured by AUO, and all the matte anti-glare screens were manufactured by Chi-Mei.

someone correct me if that's wrong.

 

My mouse works fine on my 1420...what problem are you having?

 

The computer doesn't see the mouse at all. When I go to add the device under Bluetooth Devices, it doesn't find anything. I've tried turning the mouse off & on, pressing the reset button, tried with Windows only, tried installing the Setpoint software, tried unintalling the Setpoint software, tried re-installing the Bluetooth driver - no change. This same mouse works perfectly with my Dell D620, which I think, has the exact same internal Bluetooth card, though with WinXP rather than Vista. Not sure what to try next.

 

if you enter control panel there should be a place for bluetooth specifically. see if its turned on.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_crystal_display#Manufacturers

I don't know, but I'd have to guess it's LG Philips LCD.

 

As a point of reference, I didn't have any problem getting my Logitech Bluetooth mouse to work in both XP and Vista on my 1420 (dual boot).

In my case my mouse is listed as a "Bluetooth Travel Mouse" in my Bluetooth Devices panel.

I followed a similar pattern that you did in Vista.

1) Pressed reset on mouse
2) Pressed Add... in the Bluetooth Devices panel

-LQ

 

Here's what I do, NEVER install any software that comes with it:

Start > Control Panel > Classic View > Bluetooth Devices > Add

At this time, turn it on and press the little reset button...you should see a little green light under the power switch flicker. Then check "my device is ready to be found" and Next. It'll then find the Bluetooth Mouse, and click next - for passcode choose the Documentation one and input 0000 and everything should be dandy.

If this doesn't work for you, post back and I'll help with some troubleshooting

 

where you live and which coupon did you use? one off this site?

 

Yes, there is a Bluetooth icon in control panel (and in the task tray). Yes, it's turned on.

 

Thanks! That looks likely to me too.

I haven't seen anyone else on this board with an LG Philips LCD.

 

Yes, that's exactly how it's listed on my D620.

 

Yep, I agree about not installing software, and your procedure is what I did initially. I resorted to SW when I couldn't get that to work. I just repeated exactly what you stated moments ago and still nothing. Windows reports: "Windows cannot find any Bluetooth devices. Make sure that your Bluetooth adapter is attached to your computer and is turned on, and that your Bluetooth device is turned on." I'm thinking I may have a defective card.

Edit: I just tried with my Bluetooth phone and the laptop found it with no problem. Something's up with this mouse apparently, but it seems odd that I can use it with my D620.

 

I live in Allen, TX (just north of Dallas). Yes, I used a coupon off this site.

 

DoubleBlack, what mouse are you using? I have seen others report problems with the Logitech V270, so maybe that's this issue here. Any other thoughts?