DAY 2: Inspiron XPS Lockup Issue - Page 3

Ok here is a small example of what I'm seeing, using AquaMark3 and going back to the original system specks of 445.50/263.25. GFX 3316, CPU 9947, 27,646, going back to the drivers Dell Tech support gave me. System specks changed to a default of 214/186, GFX 2,268, CPU 10,083, 20,390. Moving settings in power strip to max which is 278.59/241.77, GFX 2,496, CPU 9,968, 22,179. After running the 1st test with the original specks system locked, running the 2nd and 3rd test plus 3 additional tests no problems. Any thoughts as to why the speeds have changed with the drivers I was refered to?

no the only thing I installed was powerstrip to see what was going on, after the Dell update everything changed.

I Dont know if this has been addressed yet but, does anyone know if the 9100 is having the same problem. I think I read someone saying that the XPS and the 9100 are the same design and chasis. Maybe they'll have the same airflow and fan problem.
I was thinking of getting one but know I'm not to sure.

I don't think any 9100's are out yet. They are pretty much the same except for processor.

After seeing the setup of the fans first hand, outside the case as well as inside and under the keyboard, I couldn't imagine this is related to inadequate ventilation. This is built like one big cooler system, and is the main reason for the size and looks. The fans are overkill, if anything. Now fan settings would be the only way I could see it relates, but I doubt it. I will stick with my initial pick, I would bet money on bad lot of gpu cards.

Probably a 3rd shift SMT Op. looked at the build list and misread the part number when loading the resistor reel into the machine. Saw it happen with modems and it took weeks to figure it out.

so the new ones that are coming out will not perform as well as your screwed up ones??

Hey Karl, by any chance did you have either Powerstrip or ATI Tool running in the background when this happened? Was your gpu/mem clocked at stock speeds? Just wondering.

-Geed

Well it looks like I may solved my problem (fingers crossed tightly!!).

I called Dell support tonight and talk with Katie. I told her how my new XPS was locking up during games. I didn't tell her that I was following all the info on this message board. Right away she told me that they were working on a video problem with the XPS! So she put me through the usual routine. She had me download the video driver from the Dell site, uninstall, then re-install the new driver (which looks like the pre-loaded driver anyways). Then she had me try playing the game with her on the phone. I got a lockup within seconds. So then she had me reboot the laptop, go into the bios, and disable Hyperthreading. Reboot back into Windows, and try the game again. Well... I played for 20 minutes with her on the phone and no lockup! I hung up with her and continued to play for 45 more minutes... no lockup! I re-enabled Hyperthreading and tried again... got a lockup within a minute! Disabled Hyperthreading again... so far no lockups!

So I guess my problem has to do with Hyperthreading. I know others have tried disabling Hyperthreading without success but they were having lockups in 3DMark03 and other games. I was only having lockups in one sngle game: Soldier Of Fortune 2.

On my desktop system SoF2 works fine with Hyperthreading, which is strange.

I am not 100% confident yet that my problem is fixed but I am going to test some more tomorrow. If I don't get any lockups by the next day then I will say my problem is definitely fixed.

If I have to leave Hyperthreading disabled what kind of performance hit will I take? I ran Aquamark with it disabled and I get the same score as with it enabled. Does Hyperthreading affect games at all?

-Geed

Well, things have pretty much gone from bad to worse. At this point, I do not even feel it is possible to recommend dell to my enemies, let alone friends and family.

They never picked up the laptop between 12-5, so I called them at 5:45. The customer care person told me that UPS did not receive the necessary information from dell. He indicated their resolution would be that he would forward the information to UPS and copy me. This sent me off the deep end, because like I indicated before. I never received any e-mail from dell as promised, plus he indicated it was my responsibility to work this out with UPS.

I indicated that this was unacceptable, and that this was between dell and UPS since they failed to send the information, not me. I indicated that they could set a timeframe of 1 hour on monday, any 1 hour timespan they chose would be fine for me.

He then spoke with UPS and came back on the line and indicated that he would conference me in with UPS so I could explain this to them. I said O.K. When he came back on the line, he said between 1 and 4 would be all they could promise (no conference call). I told him to put a member of his managment on the line. On hold for 25 minutes. He came back on the line and said his manager was too busy to talk to me. He indicated, again, that they would pick it up on Monday between 1-4. I asked him if he had my phone #, he repeated it, I said "good, when your manager is available have him call me" It's 7:15, I guess it is not worth their time. This is the 3rd time I've ask to speak with a member of their manager and they've declined. I guess at this point I will wait until Monday and call to find out how to file a grievance against their company. At this point, I have serious doubt that they give a $#!+.

Is it just me, or does this seem really rediculous for a method of business practice?

I think at this point I will help you guys anyway I can, and not say a whole lot more about dell, because I usually try to keep it on a professional basis. I'm finding that really hard to do at this point.

I'm truly sorry if I'm bringing anyone down with this information. I thought I would share it with you, but I will not harp on the issue. I always hate it when people flame a company because of a bad experience.

Anyways, Good luck, If you have any questions about anything I've mentioned let me know. I will still try to give an unbiased opinion, as always.

Agreed, that is the main reason I left my number and discontinued the call.

It really served no real purpose, and I was just pissing myself off and not them.

The social manipulation part was before, if they would have bent over backwards to accomodate my needs, I still would have an XPS. But that didn't seem of interest to them.

The main thing is, I wanted to provide in information, but not make it look like I was saying this is the way dell operates. That just makes me look bad.

In all honesty, this is one of the few times that I've been in a situation with a "vendor" where I really didn't see a positive outcome, and was treated like I was the vendor, and had to accomodate their needs.

I really appreciate the offer.

I think I'll do the ZEN thing for a week or so. Play a little golf, have a few beers, and figure it all out next week
THanks again

BTW, Maximum PC this month compares all the desktop replacements, good write up on the XPS.

XPS - 10
Alienware - 9
Voodoo - 8
Sager - 8 (i believe)

Good writeups and benchmark info

They must not have played any games on it