New Dell Vostro V131

[cowithgun]

Just run Windows Performance Toolkit, without uninstall anything, without disabling / change any services. Boot time is 20.779 seconds!

[ZeroShock]

when will amazon or tigerdirect get the v131? anyone know?

[jackharvest]

Well I popped in an SSD drive this morning and... Windows 7 is asking for a driver (Probably for the AHCI). I then tried another 2 drives with the same result. I haven't had to supply a driver like this for years.

I grabbed the AHCI driver from Dell, the installation found the driver but... nope. It simply will not see either SSD drive or standard drive.

Please Dell, don't tell me that we can no longer change hard drive! (Unlikely) Can anyone else confirm? (Will try other options later on plus see if one of the DVDs has a driver or maybe even use the re-install dvd if that provides a clean install)


This got me thinking until:


Solution: When installing Windows 7 from a USB source, be it dvd or usb stick, DO NOT USE the usb 3.0 slots as Windows would need a driver to use that type of connection. I changed to a usb 2.0 socket and.... all is fine.

Ah, that answers another one of my questions. Thanks. Microsoft has announced a massive push for a bunch of USB 3.0 support (straight from installation) in Windows 8 next year. I suppose the installation via USB 3.0 would be possible next year, as well as being pretty damn fast.

when will amazon or tigerdirect get the v131? anyone know?

Same Question. Ready to pull the trigger, but I'd rather utilize Prime shipping (2 day) for students than wait 2 weeks from Dell. D:

[PikaTux]

Just run Windows Performance Toolkit, without uninstall anything, without disabling / change any services. Boot time is 20.779 seconds!

How to use this tool?

[cowithgun]

The complete guide:
How to speed up boot process under Windows Vista or Windows 7 - MSFN Forum

The short version:
1. (Optional) Temporary disable UAC (so that xbootmgr can start automatically after boot without asking for permission)
- Start->type UAC->Never notify
2. Start the optimization:
- Start->cmd->xbootmgr -trace boot -prepSystem -verboseReadyBoot
3. Let it run, it will reboot up to 6 times, may takes between 20-60 minutes. Leave it there.
4. Re-enable back UAC

[alexdodd]

Actually sorely temped by this the more i look at it! I want to add a WWAN card myself, but one reply has stated there isn't an available space, since its been removed? Seems harsh! Is the sim slot missing too? It's enough to put me off

[excalibur1814]

I did pick the base cheap model so maybe a call to Dell would clarify and you might be able to get a model WITH the port still on the board.

[alexdodd]

I guess i'll give them a ring, but i'm always worried about the accuracy of the information given over the phone, and lets be honest you generally have no form of recourse once bought!

[alexdodd]

How predictable. Only available on selected bundles, when asked if the sim slot is there, pretty much get the same generic reply, basically they don't know for sure it seems. Useless. Can't say for sure if i would be able to add at a later date...

[excalibur1814]

Very unfair not to include a port just because someone doesn't but the card. Poor Dell... very poor.

On another note I've sold my V131 as after using the laptop for a few weeks the flex around the trackpad simply didn't feel that good especially compared to the HP 5330m which is a rock solid machine (Shame about the battery life).