Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook Review & Owner's Thread

[jammy86]

Finally getting around to repartioning and starting from scratch, but I'm having a strange error. If I boot off of an Win7 Ultrimate image on a USB key, or off an external DVD (ASUS SBC-06D1S-U) I keep getting a windows error that there is a missing driver, but I can't figure out what driver is missing - it already has the USB or DVD spun up... ?

The problem is the Windows image, not drivers or anything. I had this with the disk that Dell sent and have had it in the past. Get a different image.

hth.

[madchild]

Have to say I love mine too. Also I get so many compliments on it from random people.

I also love mine. I was using an Alienware M11x, but would get harassed in meetings about its looks, so I needed something more professional looking and lighter for lugging around airports. I am 100% happy with my purchase.

[senseiam]

On the spot. I always advise people watch them work. It makes them more conscientious.

Dell-Bill_B is there any chance you could let @DellCares know that I do not want a service dispatch? I only want an exchange or a full refund at this point in time.

After looking at the manual I really do not have the patience or the time to sit with a tech while he guts the laptop in order to replace the keyboard.

[fadman]

+1. After updating the trackpad drivers, this thing is everything I wanted.

I'll add to that. I love mine! Only issue I had was the trackpad, which the newest drivers resolved. I've almost migrated off my XPS 15, and will just use this and my desktop exclusively.

[madchild]

I am having an annoying issue now.

I have two windows that come up when you boot into windows that cannot be closed.

1. CyHidWin
2. Cypress TouchMon

These are both related to the Cypress Touchpad

They are only visible when I plug into an external monitor, but are always there. This is an issue because I always use two monitors at the office, and are also present when I plug into a projector for presentations.

I spent two hours on the phone with tech support and they could not resolve the problem. They tried reinstalling the touchpad drivers, and the display driver with no effect.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Bill: I would appreciate some help here

[Dell-Bill_B]

Here is what mine looks like:

DISKPART> detail partition

Partition 3
Type : 84
Hidden: Yes
Active: No
Offset in Bytes: 119443292160

There is no volume associated with this partition.

DISKPART>

I've tried playing around with the offset a bit to see if the Intel drivers were perhaps counting bytes and the cylinders are rounded off to the nearest 512 bytes, but no luck there either.

In doing some googling I saw that a similar installer log error happened for people on the ICH8 Chipset after they stopped supporting it or their storage drivers were not installed correctly, however, after uninstalling and reinstalling rapid storage, the service is still operating without error, and with the same outcome.

What mode is your SATA controller set to?

Dell-Bill_B is there any chance you could let @DellCares know that I do not want a service dispatch? I only want an exchange or a full refund at this point in time.

After looking at the manual I really do not have the patience or the time to sit with a tech while he guts the laptop in order to replace the keyboard.

They should be able to facilitate your request easily as long as you are still inside 21 days. Even if you aren't, if you reported the issue to tech support within 21, they will probably consider you inside 21. I can't speak for them, but I'm pretty sure they can accommodate. All you have to do is send them a DM on Twitter, and let them know you changed your mind. They will probably offer a whole unit exchange first, but if you just really don't want it, let them know.

I am having an annoying issue now.

I have two windows that come up when you boot into windows that cannot be closed.

1. CyHidWin
2. Cypress TouchMon

These are both related to the Cypress Touchpad

They are only visible when I plug into an external monitor, but are always there. This is an issue because I always use two monitors at the office, and are also present when I plug into a projector for presentations.

I spent two hours on the phone with tech support and they could not resolve the problem. They tried reinstalling the touchpad drivers, and the display driver with no effect.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Bill: I would appreciate some help here

Are you saying, essentially, that these 2 windows are always open, and the only time you see them is when you are on dual monitors (2 external or one external + laptop screen) on extended desktop?

[d2daanny]

Dell-Bill_B is there any chance you could let @DellCares know that I do not want a service dispatch? I only want an exchange or a full refund at this point in time.

After looking at the manual I really do not have the patience or the time to sit with a tech while he guts the laptop in order to replace the keyboard.

Hey, just wanted to let you know that the Tech took about 30 minutes to do a keyboard swap.

Also, I wanted to post my experience and timeline for those that might experience a problem similar to mine.

XPS 13 Keyboard Issue (http://youtu.be/r9mtxA_VEIE)

• April 3 (9:30pm): sent tweet to @DellCares
• April 4 (1:45am): received response
• April 4 (7:20am): sent Service Tag and information
• April 4 (9:20am): @DellCares informs me that, "If any part damage occurs during the removal of keyboard,it would not be covered."
• April 4 (9:25am): I take the option to have a tech sent to my home.
• April 4 (9:30am): notified that I would receive a call from a tech in 2-3 business days.
• April 5 (9:30am & 11:30am): missed a call from Tech then called Tech back, but due to scheduling conflicts set date for install for Monday, April 9
• April 9 (11:40am): Tech came. Was surprised that everything needed to be removed for the keyboard to be installed. said it wouldn't be a problem. He finished and left after 30 minutes.

I'm very impressed with the turn around in service. There seems to be some type of communication gap between Dell Customer Support and Dell Tech. But, the Tech was very friendly. @DellCares responds super quick. Now I've got a great keyboard.

-edit-: Quick note that boot time is much slower for some reason. About a consistent 1 minute and 20 seconds vs. 30 second boot time prior to repair. Weird.

-edit2-: To reflect Bill's note. Also discovered another problem. It seems there is a "bright" pixel now on the monitor.

[Dell-Bill_B]

Dell-Bill_B is there any chance you could let @DellCares know that I do not want a service dispatch? I only want an exchange or a full refund at this point in time.

After looking at the manual I really do not have the patience or the time to sit with a tech while he guts the laptop in order to replace the keyboard.

Just spoke to Scott. He already set up the dispatch based on your conversations last week. Please go ahead and accept the service call. If you are not happy with the swap after it's done, just let Scott know. He'll be happy to replace the system, or process a return with the restocking fee waived- whichever you decide. We just need to go ahead with the service since the parts are dispatched, and the field tech already has the work order in hand.

[*]April 4 (9:20am): @DellCares informs me that removing the keyboard and installing myself can void warranty[/LIST]

Is that tweet public? If so, can you post back the link, please? If it was a DM, can you get me the initials at the end of the DM or from a previous tweet. I need to make sure we're all on the same page and provide that person a link to the online warranty documentation and the internal warranty policy documentation.

Let me say this again (it seems I have to overcome incorrect tribal knowledge that 10,000 Dell techs have):

Opening your case does not void your warranty in and of itself. It's your hardware. You can do whatever you want with it, as long as you don't damage it. You can take it apart right down to un-soldering capacitors off the motherboard if you want to, as long as you don't damage it. If you do anything, and we can demonstrate through failure analysis that you caused the problem, then the warranty is suspended until you pay us for out of warranty service and re-certification of the warranty.

The only time I've ever voided a warranty in my 9 years at Dell was when customers are obviously trying to defraud us or are overly abusive to tech and care agents. Even then, we give a pro-rated refund for the balance of the warranty, but I digress.

Again, replacing your own parts, upgrading parts, or just curiously tinkering around the innards will not void the warranty.

Edit:
I found the case notes. She didn't say the warranty can be voided. All she said was basically what I said: any damage you do in replacing your own parts is not covered. She also provided a link to the service manual. If I have my information wrong, please let me know.

"Reply: Removing the keyboard is a very complicated step. Click link for instructions: http://dell.to/HfUsHo Cont. If any part damage occurs during the removal of keyboard,it would not be covered.Let us know how u would like to proceed.SS"

[madchild]

Are you saying, essentially, that these 2 windows are always open, and the only time you see them is when you are on dual monitors (2 external or one external + laptop screen) on extended desktop?

Exactly. They cannot be closed, and always pop back up on top of whatever windows you want to maximize after hitting the show desktop button to minimize them (which is the only way to make them minimize) I will post a desktop screen shot shortly



Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[alphadog00]

Yes, Windows 7 home Premium 64 Bit. I've kept the version of windows the same as the default OS that ships with the laptop (And that you get an OEM key for)

As Dell-Bill_B mentioned - check your SATA settings in BIOS - Advanced tab, halfway down... should be on AHCI....

Further down, Rapid Start should be enabled (have to enter into it for sub menu)