Crazy M1210 Problem! Please provide your opinion

I bought this in November of 2006.

Dell XPS m1210: C2D T7200, NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400, 7200rpm 80gb hd

Upon using the computer in the first week, I noticed that whenever a full restart is done, there is approximately a 70% chance that the computer would not successfully boot. What happens is, after booting up after the windows loading screen with the progress bar a black screen results with almost no hard disc activity. The computer stays in this state until I cold boot it by holding down the power button. Sometimes it would take me 5 times to get it to boot properly.

I lived with it for the moment because I had large projects throughout the year. And this happening was kept to a minimal because I used hibernate most of the time. After the most recent bios update, the probability of this has been reduced to 30%.

About 1 month into usage, I noticed everything got a lot slower, games got a lot laggier. And compared to my friend's Dell 6400 Inspiron with C2D T5500 and ATI X1400, his computer is much faster than mine in terms of loading applications, booting from hibernate, and games.

The plug for the power cable is also very loose ever since the 2nd week of use. I haven’t ever put my computer in any abuse before; there is only a slight scratch at the top of the lid which should not affect the inner workings because the motherboard is no where near the tip of the lid when it is open.

I currently have the normal warranty, everything except for complete care.

My question is, what should I tell Dell in order for them to replace my laptop?

UPDATE: They have agreed to replace the motherboard. I can't wait to see if this will improve anything. But they said FOR SURE that I won't get a new laptop because I don't have complete care.

 

Exactly what you told us... They will come to your house and replace your motherboard first before they do anything else most likely.

 

I had that problem before. I think it is a conflict involving the graphic driver, google desktop, and win blinds. Anyways, I got rid of all 3 and it works fine now. However, it still stops after the windows loading screen for about 15 sec before continuing loading and my many reformats didn't seem to help.

 

Oh believe me, I've reformatted many times. I have reason to believe my computer is permenantly damaged due to an inherent problem from manufacturing, I need to know what I should do to get them to replace it! I've also never used google desktop and windows blinds so yea.

 

did I also mention that it gets an average of 70-80 degress Celcius of temperature? This is idling too, on a raised platform. Some people say its a heat sink misalignment. I think this should also contribute to my case.

 

Hey Switchfoot, I have the same problem with yours, there are time I can't boot up to windows, it just freeze at the black screen.... But last night I've notice when I switch on my laptop while it's connected to external harddrive or my Ipod, it freeze! So I'm not really sure if that is the cause.... If anyone have any solution for this pls help.... TQ.

 

SOLUTION IS TO PHONE DELL AND START AN UPRISING FOR PEOPLE WITH THE m1210!!!

I will not stand for this piece of ... bad engineering.

 

I had the exact same problem under Windows XP and I saw a post that suggested to update to the latest Intel Chipset Driver and uninstall the Widecom bluetoot Drive. Then use the built-in Windows Blue tooth driver.

I never have seen this problem again. Laptop works great now.

BD

 

Thanks to all for the solutions. But I believe my laptop is permenantly damaged by my numerous cold boots and I need help on convincing Dell to replace my laptop.

 

they wont replace it until they try at least 2-3 times to fix it...good luck with that.

 

so any tips on convincing them to give me a new laptop?

 

I will try on this. TQ.
Btw where to download the Intel Chipset, dell website?

 

switchfoot, i'm experiencing the same problem as you, but mine was created by dell.

i had spilled coca-cola on my computer, screen / keyboard. still worked, but i sent it to depot anyways. i recieved my computer back, the horror story is, they scratched the upper casing in numerous places. they had replaced my motherboard, back dated - or in this case probably updated my bios, i was on a05, but now its a04. now my computer is scratched, and well, the performance is a joke.

games that usually ran at 30 fps now run at 5 with the fans blowing immediately with any game app. i complained furiously to dell, and they told me i should send it back to depot. i'm quite hesitant, and haven't yet sent it in, but i'm left with no other options at this point. the last time i sent it to depot, i got a new motherboard, touchpad, and keyboard, however, they didn't replace, or even look at my screen. it came back with coke on it! and enough black scratches on the casing to give the hint that my impeccably perfect until sent to depot m1210, was in no way handled with this "special care" etc.

i'll post back soon, i'm sending it to depot this week. i've got a ton of emails back and forth with the representatives regarding this, and if it goes wrong this time, i'm going to opt for a replacement.

 

hi guys i bought m1210 ce80 5 days ago.. i have some problem.. i formated m1210 because to slow .. now i dont find speacil profram.. how can i find speacil program for m1210 .. For example i click color or sound normaly i see speacil bar my screan . İ formated and setup driver. Driver is run but special program not.

 

To the topic creator:

it sounds to me like the fan is not seated on your processor correctly. It probably overheats and shuts down during boot. It should be an easy fix. Just a re-application of thermal grease and a re-seating of the fan.

You may want to check it your self before you call them, but not if you are not comfortable with it! Otherwise, just call them and tell them the issue.

Also, if you are within 21days you can return anyways, so since it's a defect, jst talk to someone and ask for an exchange.

Good luck!

 

I just ran a benchmark on my graphics card and it is comparable to a TNT2 from 1999.

What do I do?

 

hate to say it, but if you had this problem from the beginning...upcoming projects or not, you should have had it exchanged immediately. That would have taken something like 3 business days. Or returned it then bought another one. People that have these kind of odd problems typically have done reformats and fresh OS installs...most go well...but many have these kind of problems.

You wont convince dell to replace it on the first shot. They will work thought their protocol, and once you are at the end...usually after a mobo swap, and you still have problems, they will replace it. When you talkt to them, make sure they note in their system when they will agree to replace the laptop. Otherwise, you might get a rep 2 months downt he road, and they will either deny a replacement, or have to go through the "chain of command" to get a replacement approved.

 

thx 4 that reply, any more?

 

helloooooo . anybody answer mu question ?? pls up

 

I have no idea what your question was asking.

 

ok i fiound speacil program.. But i have big problem. THIS LAPTOP VERY SLOWWWW? WHY ??? I dont udnerstand my old chep laptop very fast than m1210 why ?? i change ram i bought 2 x 1gb 667 mhz kingston but not fast why ??

 

update: They have agreed to replace the motherboard. I can't wait to see if this will improve anything. But they said FOR SURE that I won't get a new laptop.

 

Hello,

My name is Richard; I am part of Dell's Online Community Outreach group. I read your blog and noticed the update you added. Has the motherboard been replaced and if so did it correct the issue you experienced? You can contact me at [email protected] (place attention Richard in the subject line), if you need additional assistance.

Regards,
Richard B
Dell Online Community Outreach