1536 Windows XP Install

I tried several times to install Windows XP on my 1536.

Problem is that after "Windows loads all the files" and claims that "Setup is starting Windows" it will blue screen. This problem is not the disk, as I have tried Pro, Home, and Media Center edition all with burnt and OEM disks.

Help!

Please and thanks!

 

what do you have the HDD controller set to ATA or AHCI?

 

AHCI I believe

 

Are you using a Dell OEM cd or orignal ms cd?

if using ms cd change the mode to ata, or slipstream the drivers in to the cd

 

oh ok thanks!

gona install it now as Vista slaughters the framerates of games.....somewhat....

 

I have not had a single issue with games in Vista, ever. I think the fact that your framerates are crap is due to the fact that the Studio 1536 uses the integrated ATi Mobility Radeon 3200 graphics card. It's not going to run any better on XP. It's just not a gaming card.

But as others have suggested, if you really want XP, you can either install it by setting the hard drive to ATA mode in the BIOS, or slipstreaming AHCI drivers into the XP disk. Also, good luck finding XP-compatible drivers for the 1536; it's not officially supported by Dell and they do not provide drivers for it.

 

Agree with Mastershroom, the fault is not likely Vista but your GPU. Be great if you have some FPS figures from your Vista install and then get those same FPS figures for your XP install; but I doubt there would be much difference.

 

In tf2 from Vista to windows 7 RC I get about a 7-10 frame boost (while in win 7) .

I might also be telling dell to go **** themselves and give me a refund. For the 670 CAD that I paid on this laptop, the problems I have had in the first half month of ownership are just ridiculous.
EG:
-Keyboard not responding / typing by its self (not lag as it is not what I type, just number and letter mix with num lock off)
-Touch sensitive controls constantly sticking/malfunctioning
-Touch pad unresponsive, even with the drivers
-Battery dying
-WiFi not connecting (or constantly losing conection - not the router as it is new and other laptops & pc's can connect through wifi to it with no problems.
-DVD Drive not reading occasionaly
-BlueTooth not working - Device Cannot start...
-Really high pitched electrical squeals

Any suggestions as to what laptop to get BESIDES THEIR STUDIO LINE of laptops that can play games (TF2 and CSS) decently?

 

I managed to DL and install the Integrated/Motherboard drivers for the 3200, the wifi card drivers and bluetooth I got from the inspiron 1545 and the Ethernet I got from broadcom's site!

 

How long have you had the machine? Is it an outlet deal or was it direct from them?

The reason I ask, is that you most likely are not entitled to a refund. You can kick and scream if you like, that might work, but before you do that why not try being polite and simply trying to get their empathy first.

Their Studio laptops can play TF2 and CSS at a relatively good level, but you've opted for one with the HD 3200. TF2 and CSS are hardly graphics intensive, but if you are looking for a games machine then you are going to have to look at their XPS range.

7-10 second boost to frame rates in Windows 7, fair enough. Let us know what your FPS was in Vista and then in XP.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=385106 thats the initial review.....after the last 2 weeks, I should change it ......

It was an outlet deal.

I have not called them yet, I am going now to the Live Chat and ask politely if they can refund me the money or give me a different machine because this one is just damned ridiculous.....

 

Seeing as the problems you've had you might get a replacement. I think a refund is something you only get under extreme circumstances, and although you've had fun with it, they wouldn't class it as extreme circumstances.

Give it a go though, I mean, it's not like you've got anything to lose.

 

ps, you might have more luck over the phone. You are harder to get rid of over the phone, once you are speaking to the right department anyway. You'll get transferred about a bit, but it's better than the live chat person saying basically they can't help and giving you a phone number anyway. Plus it's easier to sound "wounded" on the phone

 

I will definatley raise hell if I have to as 570 USD is not an ammoun that one would go about throwing away, especially with the certain "Customer Satisfaction Garuntee".

I will speak to the Supervisor's Supervisor if I have to and I do also plan on doing it over the phone.

Do you think that I have any chance of getting them to give me a 1537 w/ similar config but with a t7100 in return for my 1536 if I and yell enough ?

 

Yes there is a chance, but I really would advise against yelling at them. That is likely to get you absolutely no where.

Trust me, from years back when I worked in a call centre on a technical helpdesk, you would quickly get yourself hung up on. I was the team supervisor, and therefore the aggrevated callers got escalated to me.

Most of the time people are seriously polite when they realise they've got a supervisor - despite what anyone else may say. However, if someone start ranting straight away, I used to let them get it out of their system and then try to continue. If they were still ranting away and being unreasonable then it was simply a case of "I'm sorry sir, but we appear to be going round in circles. I am genuinely trying to help you, I've advised you of everything we here can do. This still appears to be unacceptable. I really don't like to "pass the buck" as it were, but I'm afraid in this instance the only way our decision is going to be revised is with a letter to our head office"...give address... then end call.

I don't care how annoyed or angry you are, you need to be nice. The person on the other end of the phone has had 50 people on the phone before you, all shouting and swearing and threatening; the rep is not going to be happy. Make their day, maybe they will make yours.

 

And remember that you are not entitled to a replacement, you are not entitled to a refund. No if, no but, no anything.

You are entitled to having a working laptop. Do not, I repeat, do not tell them what you are entitled to. They know your entitlements better than you do.

However, do feel free to suggest a way to remedy the situation to them, but do not force it. If they are not pliable then ask to speak to a supervisor without getting angry at the first line grunt. Again, be nice, polite to the supervisor, but if you are still not getting any joy, you can ask to speak to their supervisor, but they will likely say no - I used to. This is simply because their supervisor is too busy outside having a cigarette like mine always was, or chatting up the girl on reception. Plus, they don't really have much more authority on Dells policies anyway.

However, if you don't get any joy - and for your own sake give it some time - then there is a form you can fill out to escalate it further. I'll post the link when I can find it.

 

On May 16th 2009 I ordered my Studio 15 – 1536 laptop from the Dell Factory Outlet. I paid ~570 USD incl. Tax and Shipping.

4ZVTLG1

I received it on May 29th 2009 and the unit worked well for the first two or so days.

Since June 1 – Present I have spent over 2 hrs on hold to speak to agents over the phone and spent about 3 hours on the Dell Instant Support chat.

 The keyboard starts typing by its self
 The touchpad skips
 The Bluetooth radio cannot start (neither can the physical card according to windows "Error Code 10 - Device failed to start")
 The Wi-Fi loses connection repeatedly and has trouble connecting to any and all WiFi connections.
 The battery discharges over 70 % every hour while in sleep mode (and fully loses charge in 45 minutes idle on the desktop) and takes over 6 hours to fully charge
 The touch sensitive controls stick or become unresponsive
 The DVD drive randomly ejects
 The DVD drive occasionally cannot read disks
 The computer is unnaturally slow even in Vista 64 bit, windows XP pro and any other operating system
 Has problems connecting to other computers on network - not router as is new router and all other computers (all 7 of them are fine with connections wifi and not)
 The fingerprint reader sometimes does not read or freezes mid reading
 Blue screens quite often about 9 or 12 times a week …so far had 25 blue screens
 Speakers buzz occasionally even at lowest volumes
 Shut off with no warning 3 times
 Power adapter cable was slightly cut and slightly frayed from depot
 On boot, the hard disk was not detected 2 or 3 times in the past 2 or so days

The above happen on both a fresh install of windows with all the drivers and software installed as well as the Dell Factory Image.

From all of these problems I gather that there is something seriously wrong with it and I wish if possible to exchange this laptop for a studio 1535 or 37 of the similar configuration.

Having owned this laptop for two and a half weeks, the amount of problems it had and still has is completely unacceptable for the price paid.

If the exchange is not possible then I would like a refund of my money paid on this laptop.

==========================================================

How's the above sound if I were to call and speak to some one at dell?

 

Good grief. One should never encounter so many problems. I certainly hope you can get an exchange or refund. I guess you unluckily got an "Ugly Duckling." I also owned a Studio 1536 for a short time but I had no problems whatsoever.

It sounds good. Remember, be calm and courteous. Explain your problems in detail. Yelling and impatience won't get you anywhere.

 

Ah, you've only had it 2 1/2 weeks? Which country are you in? You might be entitled to a refund then.

The above "script" is absolutely fine, but if you would prefer a refund then considering the age of the laptop it might be better to put the refund bit before.

It's quite funny when you think you'll be reading a script, and so will they.... )

Good luck

 

Im in canada....so I'd have to ship it to the states but oh well.....

 

On the phone with them now.

the first guy was useless and did nothing to attempt to help me.

the second guy told me that he could only get the repair depot to fix my laptop and after I read him the shopping list above, he was typing for aboot 5 minutes and he kept insisting that I send it in for repairs.

Any idea how I can get them to off with their "send it in for repairs" because you are out of the 21 day warranty bull ..

And why does their customer satisfaction guarantee start at the invoice date? I mean it took my laptop 13 or 16 days to get to me and I am being told that I do not have the guarantee.....

 

Did you manage to speak to a supervisor, or was it a second time you called that you spoke to another person? Did you get a case number from them?

I agree, it is darned annoying that the cooling off period commences before the laptop is even in our possession; in fact I'd go as far to say it's outright ridiculous.

However, if you are unhappy with the resolution you have so far achieved, I would suggest trying again - it's crazy how some operators will do more than others. Finally, you could raise it as an unresolved customer service issue at the following: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/reftopic.aspx/gen/ccare/en/ccare_outstanding?c=ca&l=en&s=gen (specifically for Dell Canada).

There is a whole bunch of stuff to fill out on that document, but this then escalates it straight past the first line grunts. Many people have had success with this, but it may very well be that the only option they still give you is a return and repair.

What is likely though in that instance is that, from the sounds of things, there will be something else that goes wrong; and although Dell are not obligated to replace your laptop, they tend to have guidelines about the number of repairs before it gets replaced. This is far far far from ideal.

Try the link (assuming you have all the appropriate information - if not, go through a customer service rep and make sure you take all the relevant details, then fill out the form). See how things progress from there.

EDIT: oh and if you speak to them again I would mention that although your machine is out of the 21 day cooling off period, you have not physically had the machine for 21 days, try to play the "it's a little unfair" card.

 

Oh and a final option would be to email the executive team:

you could email all these people

Michael Dell
Chairman and CEO
[email protected]
Donald Carty
Vice Chairman and CFO
[email protected]
Ronald Garriques
President, Global Consumer Group
[email protected]
Michael Cannon
President, Global Operations
[email protected]
Mark Jarvis
Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer
(Dude, You're Getting An Email!)
[email protected]
Lawrence Tu
Senior VP, General Counsel
[email protected]
Susan Sheskey
Senior VP, Chief Information Officer
[email protected]
Andrew Esparza
Senior VP Human Resources
[email protected]
Paul Bell
Senior VP and President, Americas
[email protected]
Stephen Felice
Senior VP and President, Asia
[email protected]
David Marmonti
Senior VP, President, Europe, Middle East and Africa
[email protected]
Brad Anderson
Senior VP, Business Product Group
[email protected]
Jeffrey Clarke
Senior VP, Business Product Group
[email protected]
Martin Garvin
Senior VP, Worldwide Procurement
[email protected]
Alex Gruzen
Senior VP, Dell Product Group
[email protected]
Joan Hooper
Vice President, Finance, Chief Accounting Officer
[email protected]

Try the other ways first, but if it gets to that stage then I'd probably suggest the following from that list:

Mark Jarvis
Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer
[email protected]

Alex Gruzen
Senior VP, Dell Product Group
[email protected]

Paul Bell
Senior VP and President, Americas
[email protected]

Absolutely do not be impolite to them, and absolutely do not hound them. I know that the chairman of my company can often take a week to get back to my emails, and I'm quite senior myself. Dell is a whole lot bigger.

 

Bookmarked in case of future needs!!! Seriously, these Studio 1535/1536/1537's have had more than their share of problems from the start. Dell seriously has some QC issues.

 

I got my step dad (who purchased the laptop for me online) to call em and after 2 hours on the phone and 12 different support reps, they agreed to send a replacement laptop and if that fails, we get a full refund!

Kinda success!

 

That is bloody ridiculous, but at least you're getting somewhere!

 

Fingers crossed that I get an XPS m1530

 

Not to break your heart, but it's highly unlikely. You'll probably get either a refurbished Studio 1537, or a 1555.

 

Finger crossed for an intel laptop (please with 3450 and above)

 

Agree with Mastershroom; might be difficult getting an XPS as a first replacement. I would have thought you might get a 1555 though, or possibly 1537. That's not ruling out an XPS, but you'd need to be caking it on real thick to get one of those, and 2 hours and what was it 12 or 19 different agents shows that it was difficult enough to get a simple replacement.

 

Yea, i will be very happy if it has a 3450 or the 4570 or whatever card and a C2D.

Oh and when I was requesting a refund one of the agents suggested that I get a 3 year extended warranty (300+$ US) for my laptop.......he did not seem to understand that the warranty costs about 2/3 of my laptops initial price.

 

Being polite is a necessity in these situations. Being bright is not a necessity to work for Dell. Dell pays peanuts to get monkeys.

It's possible they replace with the same machine; but you hope not. Unfortunately with replacements you tend not to find out until they've shipped it - which is just plain ridiculous.

 

Well I "Hope" to get an intel machine....if not. well thats life....as long as it works and is sellable on ebay or craigslist.....

 

If they were to send me a 1555 system this would be almost identical to my current one.

SYSTEM COLOR Black Chainlink edit

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T6400 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache) edit

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition, 32-bit SP1 edit

OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft Works edit

WARRANTY AND SERVICE 1 yr In-home Svs after remote diagnosis+Your Tech Team+Complete Care+LoJack edit

HD DISPLAY 15.6” High Definition (720p) LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera edit

MEMORY 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz edit

HARD DRIVE Size: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) edit

VIDEO CARD 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 edit

INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE 8X Slot Load Super Multi (DL DVD+/-R Drive + RAM support) edit

WIRELESS CARDS Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini-Card edit

BLUETOOTH Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Internal (2.1) edit

BATTERY OPTIONS 56 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell) edit

SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0 edit

KEYBOARD Standard Keyboard

 

I don't think Dell would send another 1536...as far as I know, they've never actually sold that model on their own website. If you're getting a 4570, then it means you're getting a Studio 1555.

 

im not sure what I am getting as of yet because I sent in my request (over the phone) yesterday.

As soon as I get the specs Ill post them...the above post with the specs is just an assumption of what they will have to send (hahaha) because I do have a dedicated graphics card....so they cant sneak in a 4500HD.

I have written confirmation from a support rep and his supervisor that I am to get a BRAND NEW system (not dell outlet) from their factory as if I were to order a new one off of their site!

I guess once you get past their bull and "I can't (let you) do that dave" they are actually good with their warranty.....a full system replacement for free....hmm.

 

Yeah, it definitely takes a bit of jumping through hoops, but it's nice when they finally pull through. My Studio 1535 is at the Depot for examination and attempted repairs for my eject button not working, after several hardware replacements, software reformats, and even the media panel firmware update. The resolution specialist I've been in contact with says that if they can't fix it, he'll set me up with a replacement system.

 

I found a semi solution to the eject button

Smash the button as hard as you can with your index finger (did it to my 1536) about 5 times (5 hits) and it will eject 5 times and stop.....

Though if you want your laptop to live, then don't follow my advice as repeated hits will eventually kill it.

I did this because at this point I couldn't care less if my laptop fell into a puddle of acid and fried and burnt....

 

They have a firmware update that totally fixes the eject freezing.

Unfortunately, my issue is something different, and not fixed by that firmware.

 

Well due to my other problems they have to replace it with a new system....thank god for my stepdad having been at home to 'chat' with them about the replacement.

Wow, thank god I bought my laptop from the US because in Canada they still sell the old studio series....

 

Yes, I don't think they would replace with another 1536, was just saying that it's possible.

You wont know what you're getting until it's left their depot pretty much.

 

If it isn't something that I'm happy with, I can sell it and buy a new one from somewhere else...

 

^Luckily that's always true. And considering it will be brand new and unopened, you'll get a better deal.

 

Lol thats true!

Any news on your laptop Mastershroom?

 

Not yet, I just shipped it off to the Depot yesterday, so they probably won't even have it until Monday.

 

Well, more news....the F12 key on my 1536 is now loose .....no abuse or pulling on it.

Sigh....glad im getting rid of it....

 

Keys are usually pretty easy to snap back into place if they come off.

 

I tried to re attach it and it is still on the keyboard but it wiggles like a loose tooth.

Oh well, 10-13 business days left till my new one arrives and 3-5 business days till they send the the configuration of the new system. *Skeptical*

 

*crosses fingers*

 

I went on their support chat again and they said 10-12 business days left until I get my new laptop and that my request has gone through numerous verifications (whatever that means). So I will have it between the 3rd and 7th of July!

They also said that it will be a new system (confirmed by 1 phone agent and 3 instant chat agents - good ammo to if they send me a refurb as I have records of the chat logs)

And lastly I talked him into specifying that the laptop NEEDS to have a dedicated graphics card, and to NOT send me the Green or Pink laptop lids.

Pretty successful conversation, though there is one thing that bugs me - My system died within 21 days of ownership and for the replacement they are sending it by snail mail (regular) instead of express w/ tracking number (as Acer did for my monitor - next day delivery w/ tracking number). It's not a big thing, but it seems as though they are taking their sweet time.