Dell Inspiron 15R Special edition (7520)

So after updating to 8.1 I could no longer use the switchable graphics, When I tried to reinstall the old ones, one of them kept giving the message that my laptop did not meet the requirements, so I had to refresh back to windows 8. It would seem the latest dell supported drivers are not compatible with 8.1.

 

I got the same error message, but it is in fact fully possible to use switchable graphics on the 15R se after upgrading to Windows 8.1. In fact, the latest version of Catalyst allows you to run the AMD all the time in performance mode, rather than having to assign a processor to each program so that alone makes it is worth the effort.

Here is how I did it: don't install the Intel 3000/4000 drivers you find on Dell's driver page, or the Catalyst drivers from Dell, that gives an error.

Instead go to the AMD website and download the AMD Driver: Catalyst 13.11 Beta
(amd_catalyst_13.11_mobility_betav1.exe) - It took me a long time to finally get this driver from the AMD website, kept getting server errors, but eventually I did get it so keep trying.

At first I just tried installing this but it didn't work. Catalyst kept telling me there was no AMD device, or crashing and device manager showed both AMD and Intel graphics cards not working.

Instead, I did this: Go into device manager and right click on the AMD 7700M in the hardware tree and choose uninstall and then select the option to delete all drivers.

Then repeat with the Intel 4000, also right click and uninstall and select delete drivers also.

Then, run the Catalyst 13.11 beta and choose the option to uninstall all AMD drivers.

Then re-boot windows.

When windows 8.1 boots it runs with default drivers for AMD and Intel 4000. Go into the device manager and now both the AMD 7700M and the Intel 4000 should be running correctly.

Now, run Catalyst 13.11 beta again and this time chose install. Finish installing and reboot. Catalyst control center should be up and running and in addition there are all new options under graphics properties to allow full time use of the AMD processor if you prefer, rather than choosing for every application.

Hope this helps. Don't give up!! I was ready to return the laptop, because I lost switchable graphics under 8.1, but I am very happy that I didn't because the new AMD drivers work superbly and the new version of Catalyst is fantastic: it even allows a complete list of all apps and the processor assigned, not just the last apps used - a big improvement - what should have been released with the laptop in the first place.

 

Thanks! This is awesome. Using this method, you will obtain both the latest drivers for Intel and AMD, and also solve Windows 8.1 issues (no more raging fan). I now encourage everyone to upgrade to Windows 8.1 so that you'll be finally able to have the latest AMD (and Intel) drivers.

The new drivers also allow you to monitor the preset for every application so that you can find out which graphics card is used for which application, which is very helpful in my opinion.

 

okay but what is the difference

 

I solved it myself using drivers from here Product support for Inspiron 15R SE 7520

 

Hello,

I found this topic through Google. I have a Dell Inspiron 15R SE 7520.


When I upgraded to Win 8.1(64bit), Windows seemed to automatically update the Intel HD 4000 driver, but this screwed up the AMD Radeon ones, so I couldn't open the control center. I reinstalled the Dell Win 8 (64bit) AMD drivers again, which also go back to the older Intel drivers & that works fine.

I then recently noticed Dell had added an Win 8.1 option on the drivers page, with new Radeon drivers. So I decided to try & update, but they don't work correctly; when i try to open the Catalyst control center, after installing, it says something about it not being installed. I also don't get any Intel HD 4000 graphics settings in the tray as I do with the older, Dell Win (64bit) AMD drivers.

I tried the method Ummon outline above with the 13.11 beta drivers, but no luck with those. I also tried those drivers on the FTP site, neither those will even install, they say they are not valid for my system.

The only thing I can think of is the is if the new Dell Win 8.1 drivers are supposed to be installed in conjunction wit the new Intel HD 4000 drivers that Windows installed with 8.1, but I don't know where to get those drivers. They aren't on Dells page for me.

The only graphics drivers I can get working are the ones on the Dell site under Win 8 (64bit) the "AMD Radeon HD 7730M" version 8.982.6.0, A03. These work fine for me on 8.1 with the working switchable graphics option & such, but I'd like to get more update drivers.

Any ideas?

 

Did you try the drivers in my link right above your post? before installing them you have to uninstall the old drivers, and to be sure I used driver fusion afterwards, then install the intel driver first.

The drivers to use are 13.151.0.0, and 10.18.10.3277. Install 10.18.10.3277 first.

 

i just bought it just installed some apps didn t update the drivers yet

should i update to 8.1 before installing more apps

or should i just wait and just update the drivers

please help

 

Update to 8.1 first, then the drivers, and then whatever apps you need.

 

Hallo guys,

I am a recent owner of a Dell 7520, so please bear with me, even though I'm sorry to bore you with something that you've probably already explained. My original screen, which I loved, had an annoying bleeding problem so I had it replaced. The problem is that the new screen has the most disgusting resolution, it shows 1080p contents like they were 480p. I took note of the replacement part and of the monitor ID i found in the control panel:
- the replacement part is 35K06 (display LCD, 15.6", full HD, WLED, for Vostro 3560/ Latitude E5530/ Inspiron 7520/ Inspiron 5520/ Inspiron 5525, AU Optronics);
- the hardware ID in the control panel is SEC5448, yet the monitor is identified as a generic Plug&Play.
I called Dell and they told me they installed a compatible part and that if I wanted the same part as the original I had to wait a while and they would call me back. They didn't, of course, so before I waste another day calling them, could someone please help me understand what's going on?
What is the monitor part numer usually associated with a new, straight-out-of-the-factory Dell 7520?
Thank you!

 

Would this 60 Whr battery work?

Dell Inspiron 15R SE 7520 battery,97Wh 9 cells replacement Dell Inspiron 15R SE 7520 battery

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...dellSearch&baynote_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=14

It seems to have the same form factor of the 48 Whr battery the laptop comes with.

Dell 48 WHr 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery for Dell Inspiron 15R (5520)/ 15R (7520)/ 17R (5720)/ 17R (7720) / Vostro 3460/ 3560 Laptops : PC Accessories | Dell

A 97 Whr 9 cell was impossible because they stuck out the back and prevented the laptop from opening. Yet that doesn't excuse Dell for not releasing one that jutted out of the bottom.

 

Mmm interesting!
Was wondering if there wasn't a bigger battery (since this one doesn't last that long)
If anybody dares to try and order that battery please send us your feedback !!

 

The Dell-branded OEM part is only $44 on ebay from a reputable seller

Dell Latitude E5420 Laptop Battery Dell Part T54FJ DHT0W 451 1197 Genuine 60WH | eBay

It's never made sense to me why phone batteries are slowly getting better, but laptop batteries have largely been stagnant with the eventual promise of fuel cells. Yet here we see Dell playing around with denser 6-cells instead. The 48WHr is 4400mAh, the 60WHr is 5200mAh.

There's clearly battery life to be gained if it fits and works.

Btw, I just bought this laptop and I pretty sure I made a good choice since I was sick of Nvidia's Linux support and wanted that sweet Dell warranty. If I've made a mistake, please let me know.

 

Would anyone still buy one of these models over the new 7000 series?

 

Please help me... I have a year old Inspiron 15R SE running Win 7 with service pack 1. I have the AMD Mobility Catalyst 13.8 beta. I recently saw that the Beta 13.11 has released. So I downloaded and installed it but now it just keeps saying that the AMD driver installed is not compatible. I don't know why!!! I downloaded the one compatible for HD77xxM series... But still it doesn't run!! What do I need to do? Also does the latest Intel HD4000 driver from the intel site work on 15R SE Win7?

 

Just got this laptop and so far it is great.
Wireless reception is good, the laptop stays cool. 3d performance isn't bad for a non-gaming laptop and I have not experienced any problems with the switchable graphics. Performance is pretty much the same as a PC Radeon 5670 HD, although it is better in some cases. I can play pretty much all modern games on medium or high graphics settings (Anisotropic filtering is the killer. Skyrim runs great at 1920x1080 with Anisotropic filtering off and medium settings).
The only downsides are: Battery -- if you plan on using this unplugged than you will be sad, fortunately that is mostly not the case for me. Weight is high for a laptop, but really 6-7 pounds weighs no more than my cat, so it's not a big deal to me.
Style-wise I think it looks great. The performance in day to day apps is awesome. I can easily run with 10-12 programs open at once and multiple desktops using VirtuaWin, with 20-30 tabs open in my browser no problem. I would definitely spring for the full 1080p display.

For me this is a total desktop replacement. For a power gamer, you'll want to go elsewhere, but you can't beat it otherwise (unless you really want the sexy/small look of the ultrabooks, but you're sure going to pay a premium for that).

The inclusion of the blu-ray drive is great.

 

About 1 month ago I had to re-install Windows since everything was going haywire. Graphics was going past thermal limits, everything would crash, bluescreens, etc. Re-installed Win 7 from the dell discs and ALMOST everything runs great.

THERE IS NO BACKLIGHTING ON MY KEYBOARD NOW. I have installed and installed and re-installed dell quickset ad infinium and to no avail I cannot get quickset to show a "backlight" option for the keyboard. Obviously the F6 (keyboard backlight for multimedia) doesn't work either.

Has anyone else had this problem? Key input is fine by the way....so I don't think it's a connection issue between the board and the motherboard. Oh, and everytime I hit the "Settings button"(gear cogs) at the upper right to show the quickset option, it says "Error Found! Submit this issue to QuickSet Owner". But nothing beyond that. And everytime it doesn't show an option for backlit keyboard.

Any tips?

 

If anyone is considering upgrading the screen on the Dell Inspiron 15 Special Edition to a 1080p and are wondering how, I've put together a mini guide step by step photo preview below . The original forum thread I made (elsewhere) link is here.

And after a week of using 1080p, I honestly couldn't go back to my old resolution and I don't know how I managed to put up with it for a year. Although I got a newer, lower quality gamut panel (despite being advertised as a 95% gamut), the quality is still very good and viewing angles are amazing, comparable to my Dell IPS. Colours are okay if not a little dull at times, but I'm not too bothered - its a vast improvement.

The fitting process was okay, only issue I ran into was when I booted up the first time there were random lines down the screen and the laptop was unusable - turns out the cable wasn't in properly so had to partially disassemble the whole thing just to wiggle the cable

Whilst I was at it, I decided to replace the thermal compound. Temps have dropped about 10 degrees on load for the CPU, graphics card about the same if not slightly higher.

Plenty of pics of the whole process!

Maintenance panel off:



Keyboard off....



Palmrest unclipped...



Old LVDS cable - note only 'HD'



Motherboard and heatsink:



The screen weighs the most now;




Can't believe how small the whole motherboard is despite my feminine hands! This is all on one side of the base, the other side only has space for the DVD drive and a small daughterboard (see above pic, a mSATA SSD can be fitted here on some boards) and thats it. Rest is just wasted space.



Heatsink and old thermal paste...



Dodgy thermal paste job.



All cleaned up! i7 3610QM in the background, AMD 7730M in the foreground.





New paste.



Handy guides for screwing order, at different steps these little arrows were visible or small numbers indicating the order the screws should be done in. I like, very helpful.



Motherboard installed, something missing though.



There.



At this point I realised how messy my deskspace was and how many components I've actually removed just to change the screen. Can't even access the cable for the monitor yet.



New screen!



Slightly blurred new screen fitted.



Cable comparison. Only physical difference is 'FHD' on one, 'HD' on the other.



Final result. No before pics unfortunately.





Overall, it wasn't too difficult fitting it. Took me about an hour including disassembling again just to wriggle the cable. Thoughts?

 

Great work!!!
I have to change my thermal paste sometime in the near future.
So you say that the temperature went down by 10 degrees?
That's really a lot!

 

Nice pics! Can you elaborate on the temperature drop? What are your idle temperatures now? Idle CPU temp for me is 45-50°C (more like 50°C than 45°C though).

 

About 10 degrees when playing Battlefield 4 yes. At idle now (browsing the internet) its hovering between 39 and 44, playing Battlefield its about 80-85 depending on the situation. Previously it would occasionally peak at 94/95 degrees.

The previous thermal paste was beginning to dry up and there was a lot of it on. I have a feeling I haven't put enough on the 7730m because the temperature went up by 5 degrees when fully loaded. I just decided to change the paste whilst I was replacing the screen - which is an amazing upgrade btw.

 

which thermal paste did u use.and can u hook me up to the place from where u bought screen replacement

 

Depends where in the world you're from. I used Arctic Silver MX-2 which I had laying around, and bought the replacement from Laptop Bits

 

i've just spent the last hour looking through this thread and dell.com for information on replacing the 32gb mSATA SSD with a bigger capacity drive.

i've read instances of people putting in mSATA drives and them not working.

can someone recommend from personal experience a 128gb (or ideally 240+) that has worked? i know dom used the Micron C400 mSATA (128GB), but i swear i saw somebody else use that and have no success. granted a lot can go wrong with this installation. 240gb would probably be better than 128 though.

many thanks.

 

I have a Mushkin Atlas 120Gb drive in my msata bay, works like a charm jeje

 

I've bought a Crucial M500 480GB SSD and I'm planning to install it into my 15R SE. I'll be doing a fresh install of Windows 8.1 onto it, and then installing all the latest Dell drivers which I've already downloaded from the support site.

Was just wondering if there are any recommendations I should be aware of, such as BIOS settings that need to be changed? I've had a search through this thread, but didn't see anything definitive.

thanks
Mark

 

please let me know how you get on and what you do with regards to the BIOS. i bought a crucial 240 and will be installing it in a couple of weeks also, will report back then.

fwiw i'd probably install windows 8 not 8.1 8.1 is a real swine in my experience with the dual graphics stuff. i spent days trying to fix it but currently i have to run stuff in win8 compatibility mode to get it to switch.

 

anyone know how to upgrade the wireless card so I can get 5 ghz?

 

You can change the wifi nic for a 5ghz one, the only thing is i dont remember, but i think you can't put a "long one", you need one of the short ones

 

I have an issue with the touchpad. Text highlights by itself, links and web pages open all by themselves, and sometimes as I'm typing the cursor jumps to the line above it or somewhere else on the page. Scrolling is also rough and uneven.

This happened last year before my warranty ran out and I called Dell and they fixed it. Darn it, I forgot exactly how.

Last couple of days I downloaded the updated BIOS and touchpad drivers. No luck. If anything it made it worse.

Any ideas how to fix this before I pay Dell to walk me through this?

Using Windows 8

Thanks.

 

I had things like that happen to me in the past, simply cleaning the touchpad fixed it, SPECIALLY cleaning the edges, with a fine soft brush.

 

Thank you so much ...!!! It Perfectly Worked!!!!

 

Hello,
I have an Inspiron 7520SE. I am experiencing overheating issues. Even when the processor is at its all time low 1.2 GHz speed with hardly any load the cpu temp is averaging at 65-67 that too with a cooling pad rocking at full speed. I have windows 8 pro 64 bit and windows technical preview (dual boot) installed on this pc. What could be the problem and how should i rectify it?
ThankYou

 

A late reply but maybe there is dust build up in the fan area?
How long have you had the issue and where are you from?

Now for the reason I'm here:
I want to wipe the data from the laptop then factory reset it and was wondering what the best way of doing that would be.
I was thinking of using the 'Reset your PC' feature and selecting the option to fully clean the drive. Is this good enough?

 

Hi Sarky,

I really hope I can contact you in this way. (I couldn't PM or contact you in any other way)

I want to replace my screen too, however..after some research I could only find a vendor on ebay which sells the screen.
But here is the problem, he ONLY sells the screen and not the FHD cable.

I would really like to know where you bought your cable? You are from the UK and I am from the Netherlands, so that shouldn't be a problem.

I really hope you will read this on time, since this a christmas present for me.

p.s. THIS is the screen I wanted to buy.

Thank you!