CD reading problem with XPS 1210?

Hi guys,

After extensive research (on this site of course!) and contemplating (soo much contemplating), I decided to purchase the Dell XPS 1210. I've had this rig for almost a month now and have been absolutely satisfied with the machine until recently. When attempting to download some of my old CD's onto my itunes, the CD player makes a weird whining sound and you can feel that right side of the notebook vibrating. Needless to say, the songs are recorded with poor qualiity. The notebook plays DVD's and non-audio file CD's with easy. I realized the poor quality of the CD's are likely contributing to the problem but my desktop plays these CD's easily with itunes too!!! Are all Dell CD players this sensitive? Or did I get a poor quality CD player? (And thus have a bone to pic with Dell, grrr!!!)

Thanks Gang!

 

Sounds like the cd drive might not be in there properly or needs to be reseated. To do this, you need to remove your drive, and the put it back in. Make sure that it is in there nice and tight. Service Manual

It might be something simple like updating your driver or possibly a setting. Some users have complained of the cd/dvd drive being set for PIO mode and causing problems.

What cd/dvd drive do you have?

 

Hi,

Since I'm a newbie when it comes with computers I'm a little hesitant about taking out the CD drive and puttig it back in. That's going to be my last resort.

The CD player installed in my rig is SONY DVD + RW DW-Q58A

I tried updating the drivers... and my system said that it couldn't find a more up to date driver than the one I have installed.
How do I check and change the setting of my CD player?
I tried playing a CD and it still sounds like I'm playing an old LP? There wasn't any whining or clicking sounds this time... the player seemed to be working fine?

How do I check if the soundcard is installed and working properly... I have the driver for the Audigy Advanced MB but I assumed it was previously installed.

I apologize for my ignorance.... if it weren't for sites like this I would prolly be using this rig to play ultimate frizbee!!! lol.

Thanks for your advice so far!

 

Hey BigDude & All,

According to the Dell XPS Support Forums, the performance problems w/ the Sony DW-Q58A (I've got one on my m1210, too) are a known issue. They tend to be a bit slow spinning up and some, as SouthernGirl mentioned, are prefigured for PIO. There're a few firmware upgrades for the thing, but none are very recent, so so hopefully Dell/Sony will get off their asses & put one out soon.

In anycase, to make sure all the settings are as they should be, try this (NOTE: I run Japanese WinXP, so items in quotes are approximate translations of what I have on my system...actual tab/button names on your system may be slightly different, but should be along the same lines):

1) Right click on My Computer & select "Properties"
2) Click on the "Hardware" tab and then click the "Device Manager" button
3) Click the "+" button next to "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller"
4) A context menu should open up with something like "Secondary IDE Channel" and "Primary IDE Channel" near the bottom of this menu.
5) Right click on "Secondar IDE Channel" and select "Properties". The "Secondary IDE Channel Properties" Window should open.
6) Click on the "Advanced Settings" tab.
7) For "Devce 0" & "Device 1", make sure that "Transfer Settings" are set for "DMA, if available" and NOT "PIO only" (once again, these are English approximations of what I have on my system, and may be slightly different on yours), and click "OK"
8) Repeat steps 5-7 for "Primary IDE Channel"
9) Reboot

Hope this helps!



HH

 

Hey HillBilly!!!

I appreciate your advice and instructions. I did everything you said (your translations were bang on!!!) and the CD player will still not play audio files smoothly. They play, but it's not clear nor pleasing to the ear!!! I've had this bad boy for almost a month now and have been really pleased until now,

Perhaps I'll make a complaint and see how good that Dell Warranty Package really is!!! haha

Any other recommendations?? Southern Girl suggested taking it out and resetting it?? Do you think this would help?

Anyhow, I'd like to get this rig up to standards before I move to Japan in August. I'm living in the Kansai area, Hyogo prefecture, in Takasago-shi... a small town about 30 minutes away from Kobe. My Japanese is horrible, can you recommend any sites or programs to help a fellow native english speaker?

Cheers,
Jake

BTW - this site is sick!!!! Keep up to good work folks!!

 

I would try to take it out. It is a very easy/user friendly since basicially all you need to do is remove a screw and pulling the cd/dvd drive out.

What this will do is cause XP to recognize it has new hardware and install a new driver for it. It is the only way to update your drivers for this particular cd/dvd drive.

 

Hi guys,

Here's an update:

After updating my drivers and changing the settings as suggested, my CD player still didn't play my audio cd's clearly. So I finally decided to call Dell Support. Keep in mind I have the complete coverage warranty service plan. After an hour or so with him, we figured out the problem. The Audigy SoundBlaster was causing the distortion in the sound. After uninstalling it, my CD's played beautifully!!! After determining the crux of my problem, the tech support worker admitted that this is a known issue among Dell techs and that Dell is in the process of developing and releasing an updated driver that will resolve these issues.

I'm seriously debating calling DELL customer care and asking for a refund for the SoundBlaster Drivers.

All is well (knock on wood) and I'll keep you updated on both the refund and SoundBlaster Audigy updated drivers.

 

Wow, that's pretty surprising, I hadn't heard that. I use the Advanced HD drivers and I haven't had a problem with my music at all.

 

I just bought an M1210 and I am having a similar problem with the audio. There is clipping/static/etc. on both CDs and DVDs. After 1 1/2 hrs on the phone with a Dell tech, I was informed that this is a known problem. I am curious as to what audio hardware/software configuration for this model does not have the problem. Any help would be appreciated. I may have to return the unit.

Oh, by the way, there are no audio problems when playing CDs and DVDs under MediaDirect mode.

 

I think this issue affects most Inspirons/XPS, but not 100% sure. Most problems related to clipping/static is because of the default mode set for the cd/dvd drive.

If you change the mode to DMA, it should get better. I recommend following the instructions above. You don't have anything to lose by trying it.