Quantcast
Channel: General Hardware - Recent Threads
Viewing all 28119 articles
Browse latest View live

Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming Laptop IS THERE ROOM FOR HDD ?

0
0

Hi i have this laptop with base specs of

256GB SSD Drive

GTX1050ti 4GB

8GB RAM

i5 7th Gen 7300

i wanted to know is there room for a HDD since the 256GB SSD isnt enough for me because i see one screw at the back of the laptop and am tempted to open it but i want to know if there is room for a HDD before thanks

The HDD i had in mind was either a 1TB 5400 RPM HDD or 1TB 7200 RPM HDD if there is room for a HDD will it support 1TB 7200 RPM ?

What about 500GB 5400 RPM HDD and 500GB 7200 RPM HDD

Please help me answer these 3 questions


Dell Latitude E5540: Refused Warranty

0
0

I have a Latitude E5540 with a screen 1920x1080. 

Around 1 month ago I saw this problem:

[url=https://ibb.co/m5BELk][img]thumb.ibb.co/.../url]

After I changed the screen angle a bit it started to get worth or disappear, depending on its position. So I still could use it moving from time to time my screen.

Picture bellow was taken the same day a bit earlier. As it is pretty visible there is no image problems:

[url=https://ibb.co/hTuC6Q][img]thumb.ibb.co/.../url]

I found out that regardless that I had bought in Europ, and now I am in Canada, it is possible to get Dell global warranty service. So I called to Dell customer service and informed them that there is a problem. They said I need to transfer it firstly to Canada. They helped me to fill the transfer form up and I started to wait 15 days as promised. Here I must say that the operators do not know how to fill it up correctly if the previous owner was a company, so the operator told me to write myself instead of that company - first mistake. All this time I had to move my screen, sometimes to push slightly decorative plastic screen bezel to make screen to work to be able to use my laptop. And I told about that to every operator I spoke with.

After around 18 days I understood that nobody cares of my transfer because I still have no answer from Dell. I called again. They said it was denied because some of previous owner information did not match. Ok, I filled the transfer form once again, and started to wait again. Must tell there is no direct connection with the transfer department so you are unable to find out where is a problem.

During this time:

[url=https://ibb.co/kiPqt5][img]thumb.ibb.co/.../url]

Finally April the 13n Dell said their technician will come tomorrow (Friday, April the 14) to my place to provide needed service and change the screen.  Friday was a day off and sure he did not come. Last Sunday the screen got worth and I saw black corner on the right side, bottom (near the point which I used to return my screen to the normal working.

Monday Dell`s technician came and said he see the crack on the screen so he can not replace it. We called to Dell support and I was told that it is me who broke it and no warranty service can be provided. Adio. And the picture is not enough to found out if this crack was the source of issue. On my arguments that this crack is the consequence but not the source of the trubble they told me again and again it is not important.

So after I opened the bezel the serviceman said he thinks that it is just because of shaking and opening and closing the laptop screen. But he can not change the Dell`s decision. 

[url=https://ibb.co/hnws6Q][img]thumb.ibb.co/.../url]

After all this story I want to say I will never buy anything from Dell.

And want to know how is that possible that technical support says me that the photographs are not enough to proof that it was not cracked long time after I claimed first time? Dell wants to say that mechanical cracks are able to disappear and appear again from time to time? Firstly you made me to wait one month, with no qualified help, temporizing and killing the clock, and after detail got broken completely you said it is not warranty case. Good job, Dell! keep doing this way!

Dell Latitude E6320 - clean install problems

0
0

I installed a fresh copy of Win7 a few days ago. The WiFi card packed up and the Touchpad does not work. I have tried all I know to get them going but out of my depth now. I have tried new drivers but did not install new chipset drivers. I am sorry to ask what may appear to be stupid questions but I need some help getting the thing going again.

Could some kind person please tell me what to do after installing Win7, start from scratch please!

I am very OCD and find there is too much information to digest, this is my problem so need a simple, clear procedure please.

Thank you

Replace Dell Dock WD15 cable

0
0

The thunderbolt cable to by Dell Dock was damaged. I figured out how to remove the cable (there are screws hidden under a rubber cover). However there is a very strange (proprietary?) connector on the other end. Where can I buy a replacement. Dell sales and support don't seem to know anything about it.

Inspiron 5555 - Failed ROM update

0
0

Last week I tried to update the BIOS of an Inspiron 5555, from A08 to A12, using the file in the dell site. When I executed the file it started well but then freezed, and some minutes after I tried to reset the machine but it didn't start.

I have tried several procedures to recover from a failed update. I tried to extract the hdr and the rom files from the exe file, but on the two cases it resulted in the same file with different extension (I used the /writeromfile and /writehdrfile switches of the exe file).

Some said that I have to put the rom and/or hdr file(s) in a USB and do the BIOS recover procedure:

  1. detach battery and power cord,
  2. connect the USB,
  3. push the END button and
  4. while pushing it connect the power cord

With this procedure, and only when the USB is connected in the USB connector in the same side of the power cord plug, the laptop went always on, with the fans at full speed, and the USB light seemed to indicate some reading as it flashed for some seconds, but without recovery.

By reading some posts, it seems that the naming of the rom/hdr files is important, and they recommend using some file (Andy's Phoenix Tool) which gives the name to be used for the recovery file. But in the case of this laptop it gives no name.

Others said that we can know the name of the file by looking in to the motherboard and see the model (AAL12 LA-C142P for this laptop, which I found under one of the DIMMS) and so I renamed the files AAL12A12 when I tried with the new bios or AAL12A08 when I tried with the original one, with no success.

In another post for the same problem with the same laptop/bios update, a user called whtabtxps claimed that dell support provided him with a crisis zip with two hdr files which he used for a full recovery.

I am out of warranty, but if Dell has the files I think they should be provided freely in the same fashion that the bios update files.  Does someone here has those files or know how to get them ?

m6600 won't see my 2tb hybrid hard drive

0
0

i7-2720M Quad Core 2.20G
m6600 precision
m 6600 doesn't see seagate 2tb hybrid hd (part ssd)
i put hd in blaq x usb caddy and m6600sees it.  that's where I

partitioned and formatted it. 2 places to put hd and it no see. it sees

and  formats other 1/2 tb and 2 250 gb, even install os on them no prob. but

won't see seagate.

Need a 2nd Opinion Diagnosing Dell Studio XPS 1640

0
0

Problem:
- One day LCD screen suddenly shut off. All operation normal
- On bootup, all operation normal except LCD screen won't boot up. Work around is pressing "D" and power, but it only works sometimes.
- Problem got worse, sometimes system hangs during bootup.
- I opened the laptop up, looked around, only removed keyboard/front panel. Then put everything back together. Now LCD screen will not boot up at all. Most times the whole system won't boot. However, sometimes it does boot and goes all the way to Windows. Windows runs fine, but just no LCD screen. I can press keys to trigger Window audio and it will even sleep if I leave it on.
- VGA/HDMI external ports also do not work - indicating more likely the GPU is busted and not the LCD panel.
- Pressing D and power will light up the LCD panel, but that's about it. I don't see any flickering of coloring lines as the support page said. This could either be the GPU is shot or the LCD?

My first prognosis is the GPU is damaged. 1640 are known to overheat and this system does overheat, so I suspected that the GPU is damaged and it got progressively worse. I don't know why opening it up and removing the front panel/keyboard finally killed it... I suspect that this laptop requires screws "k" and "P" to be screwed in for testing b/c those are grounds. Perhaps b/c I left some floating, it might've finally shot the GPU? Or maybe it was all coincidental?

Question #1 - Would a shot GPU behave this way? Or would it simply prevent 100% bootup? Or would it allow 100% bootup without video? I'm wondering why sometimes it boots up and sometimes it doesn't, even though both times the LCD/video will not work. Same issue? or 2 different issues?

Question #2 - I actually bought a refurb mobo and replaced it. However, nothing worked and smoke came out of it. This is strange b/c my original mobo did not have this issue. Did I buy a bad mobo? Or is there something else in my system which damaged the 2nd mobo?

I was able to plug by old mobo back in and test it, it still allows me to "sometimes" boot up to Windows and operate fine, just no LCD, no video, etc... The refurb mobo was dead, can't do anything with it.

Should I attempt a 3rd mobo? Or did I overlook something?

Thanks!

My laptop won't start and makes beep sound

0
0

Hi, i am using DEL Inspiron 15 since Feb'14 and there was no issue till yesterday, when my laptop wont start and is making beep sound (7 beeps) on power up. Can you please help.


Dell XPS 13 9360 Windows 10 Bluetooth Issues

0
0

I don't know if I am alone with this issue.... hopefully someone can help? 

My XPS 13 9360 will lose it's bluetooth connection when using the Microsoft Designer Mouse.  The bluetooth menu will also disappear from the control panel, however, the bluetooth information remains in Device Manager. 

I end up having to re-install the bluetooth drivers and it takes a few attempts for the bluetooth menu to re-appear.  I've switched all the bluetooth services on, checked the BIOS and everything looks OK. 

Please help :) 

Battery 1% available (plugged in, not charging)

0
0

I cant use my laptop unless plugged in... There is no battery left at all and it wont charge...

I have tried to update BIOS but I couldnt because I got a message that the battery needs to be at least 10% charged.

I have confirmed that the charger gives the required volatge, so the charger is fine..

I have no idea if there is something wrong with the battery cz it passed the online dell test..and I dont want to buy a new battery for no reason. 

So I have no idea whats wrong to fix it... 

any ideas?

Latitude E6410 mobile broadband problem

0
0

Dear colleagues

Please may I request advice.

I have installed a WWAN card into my laptop. Previously there was no WWAN card in the laptop.

The card is the Toshiba f3705g card, which is 3g. The card intalled perfectly, showing up in device manager etc

I also installed the Dell Mobile Broadband Manager software. I have inserted a sim card with data into the sim card slot. 

However I did not get an internet connection. 

So I checked the Dell Mobile Broadband Manager and it gives the message "The Mobile Broadband device is not communicating".

The software advises that when this message occurs, there is a problem as follows:

"This message occurs if there is a problem with the Mobile Broadband Module Core Service."


I followed the advice to shut down and restart but that did no good 

It advised also to 

Try to restart the Mobile Broadband Module Core Service by clicking the Control Panel  Administrative Tools  Services.


However, upon checking the "services" in the control panel, I find that there is no "mobile broadband core service" present - either disabled or running.

Please can anyone suggest a possible solution, as I am not knowledgeable about this kind of thing.

Thank you, Ian

 

PLEASE help with a locked BIOS of Dell XPS 13 L322x

0
0

Hello,

I own a Dell XPS 13 L322x notebook/laptop computer. I lent it to a nephew, who put a BIOS-lock password, and now he cannot correctly remember it --so the machine will do nothing but ask me for the Password/Unlock key.  (It also gives me an "Unlock key Hint Number", which changes each time I make three bad attempts to enter a Password/Unlock Key. )

I have seen on this forum that occassionally someone with the authority and access to the required tool offers to help via Private Message. 

I know that it is against Dell policy to give personal info such as a service tag or an UNlock Key Hint Number in a public forum like this. SO PLEASE - if you can help me, then private message me and I will return to you the information.  Or, if you prefer, answer me here, publically, and I will private-message you.

Thank you so very much

scott

I called Dell, but unfortunately I am not the original owner; I bought it some months ago on ebay, completely legitmately. I realize that seems like an odd thing to assert, but it is quite relevant, because Dell said it would only help if i could give the details of the original owner as registerted with Dell. I am certain that I am the legitimate owner, but Dell only has a "transfer of ownership" form, which is useless to me, since I have no way to find the first owner of the laptop. (Quite frankly, my understanding was that even IF I could transfer the ownership, they would STILL charge me $60 to give me the Unlock Key.   grrrr.) 

I believe that an employee of Dell can see that I have bought MANY Dell machines over the years; I would hope that this would give some evidence that I am a legitimate owner of a used machine as well.

5510 Freezing when connecting external monitor OR changing resolution OR after rebooting - Solved

0
0

My 5510 was freezing whenever I tried connecting an external monitor - via a hub or the integrated HDMI port or changing the screen resolution.

It required a hard reboot. It would also freeze sometime during reboot. 

Solution: 

1. Dell replaced the entire motherboard. 

This solved the freezing problem, but it would take a long time before the computer "accepted" any external monitors. The screens would flicker and go blank and come back. This cycle repeated 4-5 times before the screen became stable. 

2. Went back to an older version of the Intel HD p530 driver - 20.19.15.4483. Now everything works well. 

Hope this helps anyone who may be dealing with the same/similar problem. 

Dell XPS 9550 - Blue Screen after Lock>Login Issue (Windows-10)

0
0

Hi,

I'm facing blue screen recently on my Dell XPS 9550 laptop. I've opened ticket to Dell support and their offer was "reinstall Windows 10 OS again and tell us the result" which is unacceptable for me.  

When I open the computer the screen is disappearing suddenly and comes back again with fluctuation. Especially It was occurring all the times when I lock my Windows-10 screen then try to login again.

I am attaching the screen captures. 

1) Stop Code: VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE || igdkm64.sys

2) Stop Code: DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION

After all; I found the soultion as below.

Closed this application --> C:\Program Files\Portrait Displays\Dell PremierColor\PremierColor.exe  and removed from startup everything worked fine and had not any blue screen issue.

Dear Dell and community, at least, Dell me what does PremierColor.exe do? And why we're facing this issue while PremierColor is open?

Regards..

Locked BIOS (after successfull flash) Alienware 18.4

0
0

Hi,

I have flashed my Alienware 18 (Service Tag <Service tag removed>) to last bios from drivers page...AW18A12.exe.

Flash was performed in Win 10 x64 LBTS.

restarted to boot, after successful flash, return to windows.

Reboot again into BIOS and see that all options are locked (up/down arrows do not work, only left right).

When I come to Security tab has enabled only two options: Locked Setup and System Password

When I choose "Locked Setup" and Enter "yes" I get:

<image contains service tag>

and stacked in all ways.

What to do to be able to change BIOS settings to read/write state?

Brg
Damir


Power on or power off?

0
0

Lately I have left my Dell XPS 8900 desktop running 24/7. I reboot no more than once per week, mainly to remain up-to-date with software changes. Any comments?

Dell XPS 15 9550 keeps developing problems - bad system?

0
0

I bought a XPS 15 9550 in 2017, a serious machine. And I am starting to regret it. It keeps developing larger and smaller bugs which make it hard to live with. I am becoming quite an expert in finding system tweaks on the internet, as I guess are many Dell customers. So far:

-Fan keeps whirring even at low loads (4% CPU). I did all the tweaking of arcane power settings, but it keeps getting back.

-Anytime something is updated I need to go into device manager to enable bluetooth

-After some driver update, wifi connectivity was completely gone. Needed to install some driver fix, and has been giving troubles ever since. Apparently Dell chose to install some cheaper second rate wifi antenna anyway, so the long term fix seems to be to do a manual upgrade of that

-Now after another update round, I have screen flashes and serious system crashes. Something to do with the screen driver. Now trying to figure out which of the many  solutions floating around for this issue will help me.

So not a machine you can rely on. The question now is whether there is hope for this machine or should I start looking for a way out?

Dell Precision M4700 noisy cooling fans. no driver. no tool. no solution. no way to make it run proper

0
0

I have a Dell Precision M4700, its fan works like an old motor. I have changed thermal grease. I have upgraded all driver. But my Dell Precision M4700 absolutely works  in non stop mode such as an old style motor. fans are starting to work while i press on off button even before the load of OS. 

I dont know what to do. 

there are some entries in community, but no any dell representatives replied it. probably they dont care about customers.

Lemon Computer- courtesy of Dell- of Dell Inspiron 7000, 17" Touch Screen

0
0

I purchased my computer and all my software with Dell. I purchased an Inspiron 7000, 17" Laptop, with premium support, accidental Damage, max warranty,  Microsoft Office Suit, and Adobe Photoshop  with Elements 13.  The first "version" of my computer was working 100% perfect with no problems. It got accidentally knocked off the table and the prong inside the computer got bent. The power cord couldn't properly charge the computer anymore. I called Dell to have them fix ONLY the power cord and prong, nothing else was wrong with my computer. I got a phone call from Dell about a week after I turned my computer in. They said the repair is taking longer than the expected. I asked why, they said because they are waiting to located at another facility a part for my harddrive.  I was shocked when they said anything about my harddrive nothing was wrong with it and I did not turn my computer in to have the harddrive fixed. They brushed it off never gave me any reason why they were even touching my harddrive!!  After several phone calls/ time / and headache later they offered to send me a refurbished computer 2 months later. That was the best they could do because they could not locate the part they needed for my harddrive.

(Keep in mind my computer "type" is still active on Dells website and is Dells #1 best selling computer, How do they not have the part??!!! 

I received my refurbished computer. It was another nightmare calling premium support to get all of my programs I purchased through Dell reinstalled on the refurbished computer. The biggest nightmare was trying to get them to reinstall Microsoft Office. Dell was yelling at me several times insisting they sent me a product key and they could not install it without that, and it was my fault/problem if I can not find it. Long story short they magically got a product key somewhere in their office and finally installed it on my computer. I took note of the product key they used.  It was working alright for the first two weeks. After that it started to go to a blue screen and it kept saying hardrive fail. In the two month period after I got the refurbished computer Dell had to wipe my harddrive and everything on my computer and reset it. I spent hundreds of hours on the phone with their " Premium support" and loss of business work in those two months.

They had no reason why it kept happening, every time on the phone with them was the biggest headache I have ever experienced. It was always like pulling teeth with them to not even diagnosis my computer, they would just reinstall everything every time.

On the 7th time they wiped my computer I got suspicious why my computer kept doing the same thing. I knew Dell was not going to do anything other wise they would have done it already right? I ran the program Dell SupportAssist on my computer. Within 2 minutes of running the program my computer started beeping very loud and said harddrive fail! I called Dell immediately and sent the report about the harddrive to them. They told me to turn my computer down the hardrive failed.  WHY did NO ONE run any diagnostic during the hundreds of hours I was on the phone with them? Why am I the person that discovered it?

 

Dell sent me a new hardrive and had a technician come to my house this time. The technician was Absolutely the BEST Dell employee I have dealt with. He was very professional, fixed everything fast. He even located another problem that could have been another reason my harddrive was failing, and he fixed it. When Dell assembled my refurbished computer they did not fully engage the prongs from the harddrive to the mother board. Half of the prongs were not "plugged" in. The in home technician caught it right away and fixed it and replaced the harddrive.

 

Yesterday after the technician left and my computer was rebooted, I called Dell once again, Time #8, to reinstall my programs on my computer. All of the software I purchased with Dell is way past the number of times you can download and install product. This phone technician was the worst one out of the other 8 I had spoke to. I had to repeat myself numerous times and tell him where to go and how to do HIS job. Once again why am I doing there "JOB" for them????!!!!!!   I asked him to first please install the drivers and run any updates on my computer first please. He said oh no no no, your computer came with everything already done it is up to date and all the drivers are installed. I knew he was lying I had been through this 7 times before him. He Never did any of the updates or downloads for the drivers. He said well the product key you have for office suit does not work there is nothing else I can do, so "You can find me here on the message chat window, I am going to disconnect now".  I said no you are not you haven't done anything why are you trying to disconnect and not do your job. I installed that he needed to call Microsoft and have them give you a number to re download. That's what the Dell phone technician just did when I called 3 days ago. He finally called Microsoft.  This is the part that really *** me off! Microsoft said that "They would have NEVER sent me a product key if it was purchased when I bought my computer when I bought it from Dell". Oh my gosh are you serious??!?!?!? If you have been reading this you would know when I first got the refurbished computer  Dell was yelling at me and refused to install Office on my computer, they made me feel like an idiot, saying I lost the product key and that was my problem. They even said I would have to purchase it again, It turns out I was right and they NEVER sent it to me.!   At this point and 5 more hours later the phone technician said he was logging off. I asked him Once again if he could please do the drivers and updates. He guaranteed me they were all installed. I asked him to put that in my notes that he said they were all installed. He disconnected the screen share with me and I asked to talk to his manager. In the 2 minutes I was waiting for his manager I checked for the updates and what do you know there were  6 updates  to do on my computer. They were updates on windows 10 and graphic card, security and more. The manager then got on the phone with me and said that's UNFORTUNATE that had happened to me! What???!! What was unfortunate that his technician did not do a single thing on my computer?

 

This whole experience has been the BIGGEST NIGHTMARE of my entire life. I never would have expected any of this from Dell. I have only had Dell computers my whole life. I bought this computer with all the bells and whistles because  I wanted it to last and not have any problems, and because when I purchased it I thought Dell was the best. Boy was I wrong.

 I can only hope that Dell and get actual trained phone technicians that listen and some who know how to do their jobs. The customer should not be doing their jobs. I do not understand why I paid for premium support. What did I pay for? It seems as if I paid for people to ruin my purchase, waist my time, call me an idiot, and help me loose time off work. I would hope someone can give me a trained technician to either give me a brand new computer with no errors and the least they could do is upgrade my programs to the new versions so I do not have to keep having the problems and hours spent on the phone with Dell so they can not fix it and tell me its my fault.

 

Question: What is Dell Going to do? Someone should be held responsible for awful customer service and this lemon of a computer they sent me.

All I want is the computer I paid for or a comparable computer, that is not a lemon and will not cause me to loose all my information again.  I would like someone competent to actually install the items on my computer and set it up.  I paid for premium support and have NOT gotten that so far. Why did I pay extra for that. I should be reimbursed for that service.

I should receive a NEW computer that actually works with updated software that I paid for, with correct purchase key codes.  I should not be dinged with my warranty for ALL of Dells mistakes and issues they have caused on my computer.

Both Latitude E5540 & E6530 laptop models slow after installing Windows 10.

0
0

We are deploying Windows 10 64 bit Enterprise and I recently updated two models:  the Latitude E5540 & Latitude E6530.  On the two laptops I worked both models were very slow.  I updated all the hardware drivers - Nic, Video, Chipset.  We are deploying Windows 10 build 1607.  We are not deploying the Creator's Update - 1703 yet.  Both these laptops are on Dell's compatibility list as being tested.

To secure our laptops we also use Microsoft Bitlocker which makes them even slower.  Has anyone come across issues?

Viewing all 28119 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images