Dell Studio 1557

Well your ahead of where I was, my phone wasn't even recognizing until I disabled antivirus. and I mean nothing. Plug in and that's it wouldn't even charge. after the phone successfully was able to install the drivers, I haven't had any issues since. Aside from copying over my apps and music, it deleted every app off my device Now I have to replay all my games again, but yea everything syncs ok now... Did you update your firmware, and itunes?

 

Yeah latest iphone firmware and latest itunes 9.0.2 64bit are you on windows 7 64?

 

Yep 1557 factory install... Works ok, but I do get the occasional error, but I just ordered a new sync cable as I think that's my issue...

 

Anyone figure out how to install Windows XP on this unit w/ the ACPI yet? Or is it purely impossible?

 

Got my studio 1557 yesterday and installed Windows 7 Pro. But i can't find the idt control panel. I installed the driver from the dell website. Where can i find the panel?

 

Go to 'Control Panel' Set 'View By:' to 'large Icons' or 'Small Icons'

Should be listed there as: IDT Audio Control Panel

-Dan

 

Ok found the control panel. I have an other problem. My mute button isn't working. The sound is only muted when i hold the button, as soon i release it's not muted anymore.

 

I got mine today. All smooth apart from a keyboard problem. I was in the middle of playing mw2 and the guy started jumping and spinning around. I found in notepad that the cursor kept moving itself to the left, impossible to type anything. I shutdown and restarted which made no difference. Ran a keyboard test program which told me ctrl and left were stuck. I bashed them for a while with no success. In the end it fixed after i removed the battery for a few seconds. Strange behaviour, and not something I want to see again. Maybe that would do something for your keyboard problem Gryx.

 

Ok guys I've had a new motherboard and fan fitted in mine today by a Getronics engineer on behalf of Dell!!

I reported a faint mttalic pinging noise on cold startup and they were due to replace the fan unit, the engineer brought a new motherboard as well just in case!!

Last night my power button kept flickering for about 10 minutes and then the light went off completely!! Told the engineer and he said sod it and replaced the whole board just in case it was faulty too!

Turned out the fan had a very small dent in the outer casing which was catching the fan tips when cold!!

I got a good look inside the machine while it was being stripped and looks quite well built actually

Took around 20 minutes to crack open and about 15 minutes to rebuild!

 

Hey.
Can anybody tell me how to adjust screen contrast on this machine? I went to the Catalyst panel, but it didn't really work. Any ideas?

 

Which screen is 1920x1080 guys ? 720p or 1080p ?

 

which screen is 1920x1080 guys ? 1080p or 720p

 

1080p will give you 1920x1080

 

Had a visit from Getronics today myself; the guy dismantled my machine, replaced the subwoofer, and now it works fine! No need to twiddle with either the Win 7 or IDT control panels to get it to work.

The reason why Dell Tech Support helpline seemed to have a struggle dealing with the issue (see my earlier posts ) is that Dell's own internal database of componentry and parts makes no mention of there being a subwoofer onboard the 1557, even though it is clearly visible on the technician's visual guide to removing/replacing the motherboard.

Nigel, the friendly and competent guy from Getronics who serviced my machine, said he would feed this anomally back to Dell, as, he said, they're usually very thorough with their tech spec info, and it's the first time he'd seen an omission like this.

Well, we live and learn, eh? Let's hope Dell do too

 

On a short break away without my 1557 so haven't a chance to fully try resolving this problem myself. But before I start searching will just check here

Has anyone tried using their firewire port to capture HDV video from a camcorder?

I can capture DV video ok but when I capture HDV video the resultant video files are unusable due to a courpted image (lots of random coloured lines, big black squares etc).

Tried several different cables and capture programs but got same result, it may be a problem with win7 or even my camcorder but was just checking in case someone has done this ok on the 1557 so I can rule out the firewire port itself.

 

My keyboard problem has returned and I can’t fix it. After restarting the laptop after playing MW2 and the battery running out, I find that left CTRL and the left arrow key appear to be stuck. When I click in the search box on the start menu, the focus continually moves left across the shutdown button and back to the search box. Previously I thought I’d fixed this by removing the battery, but this time that has not helped. It feels like it ought to be a hardware issue, but I booted an Ubuntu live CD and the problem was gone. As soon as I went back into Windows the problem returned. In the BIOS I can move around fine. I’ve never known Windows to behave like that before. Both times it has happened has been after hibernation when in a game. Usually I wouldn’t hibernate in a game, I was testing the limit of the battery. Does anyone have any ideas please?

 

i saw a similar question earlier in the tread that was never answered and was wondering whether dell is trying to cheat people

Was just about to buy the core i7 studio on the australian site, when i saw the processor specified as (Intel® Core™ i7-720QM processor (1.6GHz, 6MB Cache) compared to the (Intel® Core™ I7-720QM Processor (1.6GHz, turbo up to 2.8GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) of the XPS 16.

Does this mean that the supporting hardware is not capable of allowing the processor to overclock itself for heat, power... reasons in the studio 15?

Also as i do more 3d rendering rather than games therefore am not too fussed about the graphics card. Is the studio 15 appropriate or is it worth spending the extra few hundred getting the XPS 16?

Thanks in advance

 

Do you mean coz the marketing you've read for the Studio 15 doesn't mention turboboost to 2.8GHz? The processor for the Studio 1557 and the Studio XPS 16 are exactly the same and both overclock to a potential 2.8GHz.

Depends on how much your 3D rendering software utilises the GPU. I use Photoshop CS4, which utilises the graphics card a bit, but it absolutely flies along on the 1557 coz it's 64-bit and able to use the 6GB RAM I've got. I really don't see how the XPS 16 could be any better, unless "leather accents" are important to your workflow

 

I have two choices and i can't decide, both costs exactly the same.

Studio 1557
i7 720QM 1.6ghz
4gb ddr3
500gb 7200rpm

vs

Studio 1555
P8700 2.53ghz
6gb ddr2
500gb 5400rpm (would upgrade to 7200rpm)



My main concerns are more heat in intel i7? 4gb vs 6gb?
Would mainly use it with photoshop, google skechup, cad, large sql databases and some videoediting.

Right now I have a desktop and really want to go mobile again.
Current computer:

Core2 duo E8500 3.16hz
4gb ddr2
Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 512MB

I never, ever play games.

 

Do you mean coz the marketing you've read for the Studio 15 doesn't mention turboboost to 2.8GHz? The processor for the Studio 1557 and the Studio XPS 16 are exactly the same and both overclock to a potential 2.8GHz.

Depends on how much your 3D rendering software utilises the GPU. I use Photoshop CS4, which utilises the graphics card a bit, but it absolutely flies along on the 1557 coz it's 64-bit and able to use the 6GB RAM I've got. I really don't see how the XPS 16 could be any better, unless "leather accents" are important to your workflow [/QUOTE]


Thanks - wasn't expecting such a fast response

What i was saying could just be a typo but i know dell seems to have a pretty bad rep. Was just making sure there are no bottle necks in the system, such as a dodgy non specified motherboard or something.

I do architectural single frame renders which as far as i know you can rip the graphics card out of the comp and they would still keep on going.

Based on what you said though, sound pretty promising. Would get the exact same system as you apart from maybe waiting in upgrading the ram to 6 as the 4 gig sticks seem to be worth half the cost of the entire computer.

Sounds promising though if you reckon there's no processor speed difference between the studio 15 and the xps

 

@qwerty: There is no difference between the spec of the processors/motherboards for the two machines. The only difference is if you decide to upgrade your i7 to the 820QM or the 920XM versions, but the ridiculous price hike just isn't worth it considering the 720QM is amazing. Go for the version I've got; you won't look back!

 

Hi,

I'm considering a studio 15.
How would you rate the noise generated by a studio 15 with a quad core versus a dual core?

I did not find any information about the noise emission of the studio 15 with a quad core. Here are just some noise measurement of a studio 15 and of a mac book pro with dual core. The mac is so quiet.

 

Noise? Really? Never been too high on my list of considerations. Well, it's probably not the quietest thing around, but it sure aint a mariachi band ;-) Perhaps you should disable the subwoofer then...

Which brings me to the next point; the link to the Studio 15 review you posted is for the Studio 1545, which has been superceded by the 1555 and 1557.

 

Considering what a power house this little laptop is the noise isnt bad at all.


Its one hell of a number cruncher!!!

 

I reckon its quite a silent laptop, the hard drive sounds smooth and fan revs only when using processor power massively, and full performance windows profile.

 

Thanks for the answers!
Is the fan noticeable or even turned on while surfing or light office tasks?

 

I got to the bottom of my keyboard problem. It's simply odd.
When I tilt the laptop, keys get pressed.

I had thought it was heat from gaming, but it was in fact me reclining more as the games went on. I use the laptop on a tray with a bean bag thing attached. If I tilt it right towards me, the left arrow gets pressed, tilting to the right presses the down arrow.

I'm annoyed that it's going to have to go back. I don't think I want to experience explaining this problem to Dell and waiting for repairs. Probably best to just return it and buy another one. At least I can use it until it goes, as long as i'm at a desk. Check yours doesn't go crazy when you tilt it around.

 

I'm not going to look through this whole thread for this, but has anyone posted pictures or benchmarks yet? If not, do it

 

I've run a bunch of benchmarks....and I still have most of those programs installed...so would be quite easy to do so...though I'd like to know which benchmark you have in mind....


Thus, as soon as I've got those results I can be posting it...

 

Oh, anything you can give us. I think my 1555 got like 4300 or something in 3DMark 2006, how about that one?

 

@tipoo:


The 3DMark 2006.... I've posted it about a week ago with my best result being 4335 running at 1280X720 definition... though you can get the details in the link above....

Ops.....

Those results are from the first time I've run the 3DMark 2006....the second time was the result I said..... Though I don't have the details....
And I haven't done any kind of tweak at all....

 

that's the exact same problem I've got! When I tilt it towards me ctrl+alt+left, away from me, ctrl+alt+right.
I don't feel like explaining that to dell either :/. Quite annoying because I use my laptop a lot of the time on my lap.

 

I downloaded the GPU-Z to check out my graphic card as well as see if Dell actually downclock the GPU clock (quite normal in laptops )

Though I'm a bit confused right now....

I don't know the difference between GPU Clock and Default Clock

Is showed as GPU Clock - 680 Mhz and Default Clock - 500 Mhz.... What does it mean ????

If someone can help me on it will be really appreciated !!!

thx

 

Thats with the Core i7? The score is nearly identical to mine, I geuss 3Dmark 06 didnt take advantage of more than two cores.

 

I'm totally lost with this. I spoke to Dell, we did the usual. To my surprise the problem doesn't happen in safe mode, which for Dell means it's a Windows driver issue. Usually I'd agree with that, but how on earth does Windows know I'm moving the laptop?! As far as I know the only accelerometer in the machine is the hard drive freefall sensor. I've looked for driver and firmware updates for the drive but there are none. There were some excuses about Windows 7 being a new product. We ended the conversation with me agreeing to rebuild it. If it wasn't for the fact that it's ok in safe mode and seems to be OK in Ubuntu, I wouldn't bother. Will be getting on with that as soon as I've backed up...

Devroush - Can you confirm that yours is working OK in safe mode? Have you tried any other OSs?

This isn't something I'm going to put up with, I really would like to know the cause though. Please other people, click into the search box on Start and give it the tilt test!

 

I can confirm that the problem doesn't occur in safe mode (I've also got Windows 7). I tried an Ubuntu 9 live cd and it didn't occur there either.

The first thing I did when I received my laptop was format it and reinstall Windows 7 so the problem does occur with a clean install. The harddisk I've got is a 500GB Seagate, ST9500420AS.

Hope we can figure this out.

edit: I've found an easy way to test it: download this little util, it shows which keys are pressed (no install required, I used version 1.5) http://www.romeosa.com/osdHotkey/help.html

When I tilt it towards me, it shows ctrl+alt+numpadleft, away from me ctrl+alt+numpadright

Other owners of a Studio 1557, please try this out!

 

I've just reinstalled Windows, I had the Dell build before, I wanted to play straight away. I did update some drivers and have a play around, so I can't say that the problem was there from the exact original build. This time I have installed Ultimate but I don't expect that to make any difference. At first logon the problem has gone. Windows is pulling down updates now so we shall soon see. I'm going to work on it tilted and install drivers and apps one by one... FFS I spent hours getting it how I wanted it before. Will report back on progess.

 

A friend of mine who also has a Studio 1557 with Windows 7 didn't have the issue, the only difference we could think of was that he didn't install the dell touchpad drivers, I haven't tried it myself but you could check if that is the issue.

 

I think I've got it.
One of the first batch of Windows Updates was for the "ST Micro ScreenDetection Sensor Driver" Something to do with the face recognition option perhaps? I have removed it from Device Manager and the problem has gone away.

It's in System Devices. Try removing it, it will come back after a reboot. If you know it has fixed it, tick the box for deleting the driver and it won't come back. Appears to have solved the problem for me. I'm now going to look into what the sensor is and look at the possibility of that being faulty.

 

I have the same problem with the keys being pressed when i tilt the computer. Called Dell and they want me to send the laptop back to them so they can replace the keyboard and touchpad. I asked the tech if he was sure thats the problem, he said yea and a replacement will definitely fix it, so i hope it does. I think its some bull that these computer are f'ed up. I mean this is my second 1557, i got the first one like the 21st of oct, and it was problems with that one, so they sent me a replacement. Dell need to get their f'ing act together

 

Yep, that fixed it for me too. Thanks alot herbs28! It's weird how this is physically possible though

 

Hello everyone!

I ordered mine on Tuesday last week. it has been dispatched but can't seem to track it. Picked it up for £711 (net value was £11.68) it was and still is discounted on the web site and i used a 5% code and quidco to get a further 5%. It was a price i could not say no too.

I went for the standard screen, as my eyes are not great, but updated the battery, wifi and back lit keyboard. Looking forward to getting it! hope i don't get the subwoofer issues!

JIMLAD

 

One quick question, can i return my windows 7 licence for a refund? i already have a spare copy of win7 ultimate and was thinking of using that?

Also what are peoples views about doing a clean install? or is it not that bad?

And what does quickset do? do you keep it on or remove it?

 

The Dell guy called back to see how the rebuild went and I told him what it was. He said just leave it uninstalled as it's part of Windows 7 and not for my computer. He said it was for resistive touch capabilities on Studio desktops. Clearly there is an accelerometer in this laptop. Is it for the hard drive fall detection? I thought that was part of the drive, not a seperate accelerometer in the laptop.

They're going to call me back next week with more information on what the device is. If people have this installed, and don't have the tilt problem, then there clearly is a hardware fault which I'm going to make them fix.

Glad it helped you anyway Devroush.

 

I have reinstalled the ST Micro device using a driver from the Dell support site. It comes up under utilities for some reason. Anyway, I installed it and the device has come back in Device Manager, and the laptop is still working as it should. I'm happy it's not hardware now I think.

 

Has anyone tried using the RGB out on there 1557 yet?

I have tried EVERY setting in Windows 7 and the ATi driver with no luck at all.

Its says its there as a CRT but I cant get a screen on my tv.

Im using a RGB to Component cable and I know it works fine.(tested it on my Dell 2001)
Is there something im missing?

 

I haven't tried it yet. Have you got quickset installed and have you tried the F1 ( i think) FN key to switch displays?

 

anyone help me with these questions?

 

Until I installed Quickset my FN hotkeys did not work.
There's no way Dell will give you a refund on Windows, it's part of the price.
I think I'm running slightly faster with a fresh install of my own. Could be my imagination though.

 

ok so leave the quickset on then? what does it do apart from the function keys?

as for the win7 licence, was just wondering as i read somewhere that if you refuse the terms and conditions you can send back...