** The Official Studio XPS 1640/45/47 replacement thread **

[boeingguy1]

Do you guys know if Dell is still replacing parts for the 1645? Or have they stopped and are now doing system replacements? I'd like to be prepared for what's to come.

For some reason, my Dell has started throttling. It didn't before, even with seeker_oc's OC'd BIOS. I've installed an official Dell BIOS A13 just to see if the OC was the main cause - made no difference.

Since getting my 1645, I have replaced the thermal paste a while ago (about a year), removed the mesh covers from the baseplate, and I use a laptop cooler.

I am throttling under game-load, and also when I am running my virtual machines. I used to be able to keep WinXP and WinVista VM's running concurrently, now I can't even have my WinXP VM running for more than 20 minutes before it crawls to a near halt.

Appreciate any info you can provide!

I chatted with tech support today without looking at this thread. My laptop throttles constantly, overheats and for some reason I dont seem to be getting all the performance out of my video card that similar users on here have gotten with configurations like mine. The rep was extremely friendly and went though the "remote desktop support" before agreeing to send a tech to replace my heat sync (sink? im still a newb), MB and other assorted items. Based on what i've seen on this thread, it probably won't work. I'll let the tech do his thing... but I need some advice:

If the issues persist (and from what i've seen on here, most likely they will), should I call back or email michael@dell.com ? I don't have the time to ship something to a depot where i'll be out of a laptop for a week's time.

Days like these, I really miss my 1st gen Vostro 1500.

[FrustratedDellOwner]

I chatted with tech support today without looking at this thread. My laptop throttles constantly, overheats and for some reason I dont seem to be getting all the performance out of my video card that similar users on here have gotten with configurations like mine. The rep was extremely friendly and went though the "remote desktop support" before agreeing to send a tech to replace my heat sync (sink? im still a newb), MB and other assorted items. Based on what i've seen on this thread, it probably won't work. I'll let the tech do his thing... but I need some advice:

If the issues persist (and from what i've seen on here, most likely they will), should I call back or email michael@dell.com ? I don't have the time to ship something to a depot where i'll be out of a laptop for a week's time.

Days like these, I really miss my 1st gen Vostro 1500.

I suggest checking out my post here.

[boeingguy1]

I suggest checking out my post here.

Thats helpful, but aside from the throttling i really do like my laptop... just need something that doesn't burn the hell out of me when my laptop is on... my lap

[daver160]

Thats helpful, but aside from the throttling i really do like my laptop... just need something that doesn't burn the hell out of me when my laptop is on... my lap

I'm in the same boat. I really like my 1645, but I must call up Dell this weekend as I just can't work this way. I've been spoiled by having 2-3 VM's running concurrently, on top of all the other programs opened. Now I can only have 1 VM open and must have the other suspended.

I'm hoping that I don't need to go through motherboard-replacement Hell (no offense to everybody who did) and can just get them to send me a replacement unit.

[boeingguy1]

The parts have been dispatched and the tech guy will either be here today or Thursday. I'll give an update as to what's up after that

[Gujustud]

I'm hoping that I don't need to go through motherboard-replacement Hell (no offense to everybody who did) and can just get them to send me a replacement unit.

They seemed pretty firm on 'wasting' money by doing the whole sending a tech over, then sending it to the depot, etc, BEFORE getting to a replacement. I have no idea why, but they just do.

I'm also in Vancouver (Richmond) and was in the same books as you. I really liked my 1640, but couldn't take the issues any longer.

[daver160]

They seemed pretty firm on 'wasting' money by doing the whole sending a tech over, then sending it to the depot, etc, BEFORE getting to a replacement. I have no idea why, but they just do.

I'm also in Vancouver (Richmond) and was in the same books as you. I really liked my 1640, but couldn't take the issues any longer.

Thanks for the info!

I don't mind if they have to replace the motherboard - so long as it is the actual solution to my throttling problem. And so long as I don't have to go through 5 motherboards for them to figure out that it's not the problem. If after a 2nd motherboard replacement, I'll just go down the michael@dell.com route as I don't have much time to waste on negotiating part/system replacements.

In the meantime I've gone and re-pasted the CPU and GPU, but that has not helped.

I have also re-arranged my office desk so that it's right by the window, and I have my laptop right beside the open window. Being just 1C outside right now, it is remaining cool and I can have my WinXP and Win 2008 Server running. I'll give it another hour to see if my laptop starts throttling again.

[Panduhsaur]

Thats helpful, but aside from the throttling i really do like my laptop... just need something that doesn't burn the hell out of me when my laptop is on... my lap

nope, I just got dell to give me a replacement, sure it wasn't what I wanted but eh, its an upgrade from what I have.
It is going to be:
L502x // 1647
i7 2670qm // mine came with an i5 M540
500gb hdd // mine came with 500gb hdd
8gb ram // mine came with 6
blu ray (not sure if it can burn too) // mine came with cd/dvd combo
768 resolution screen // mine came with 1080p one (although the dell rep said that he would replace the screen with a 1080p once I got the laptop)

:\ I was hoping for an alienware but w.e I've decided I will buy a mbp for travel and this as a desktop replacement

[boeingguy1]

Tech just left, with the laptop on for less than 15 minutes the throttling and heat came back.

michael@dell.com it is...

[Gujustud]

So my XPS 15 arrived today! So far so good (although I do have to say I much prefer the look of the 1640).

Few quick questions:

1) On the 1640 the power cable connected on the side (preferred). It connects on the backside of the XPS15. Is there anyway to get a right angle adapter so it doesn't stick out in the back as far? The concern for this is when using the laptop in a plane. If i'm running on AC power, this will take up a few extra inches of space.

2) The XPS15 laptop came with a 750GB 7200RPM drive. While the extra space is nice, I previously had upgraded my 1640 to a Seagate Momentus XT 500GB Solid State Hybrid. I'm thinking about 'downgrading' in size to the 500GB drive (for the speed increase and to remove all the bloatware). I haven't opened up the XPS15 yet, but i'm just wondering if anyone knows what exact HDD comes with the XPS15?