Tag Archives: Dell

SigmaTel Drivers

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5/31/2011 UPDATE: I searched around and found even newer IDT audio drivers for the Dell XPS M1530 running Windows 7 64-bit. I have not tried the installation of these drivers but you can follow the link and give them a try. Personally, I am content with the IDT drivers as derived from the instructions posted below — BUT… It may be cool to have the newest and greatest.

January 2011 IDT Audio Drivers for Dell XPS M1530

 

Hello all you web roamers!

If you have a Dell XPS M1530 and are looking for an update to the outdated, very basic SigmaTel drivers, I have discovered a source that walks you through the simple, free upgrade to IDT Audio – the company that purchased SigmaTel a couple of years ago. So, I thought I would spread the word about this find – read more for the details. Hope it works well for you! Good luck.

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Wishlist: Mobile Data

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You know what I want more than an iPad, next generation iPhone, a vacation, or six-pack abs (okay, well not more than that)? I really want to cellular data for my notebooks.

In September 2009, my parents and I traveled to Oahu, Hawaii (cue these posts). Just prior to the trip, a non-jailbreak hack was available for my iPhone that allowed internet tethering – and boy do I sure miss it now. When we arrived at our rented condominium in Hauula (non-touristy area), I discovered that there were absolutely no hotspots around. Initial panic, right? However, all I had to do was connect my iPhone to my Dell Mini 9 – and voila!… Les Internets! It was a very, very nice feature to have. I took my netbook out to the picnic bench alongside the beach – though I had no reason to be actually using a computer while on vacation. It was all just for the capability factor. Internet… Everywhere!

And so now, here I am craving it again. I really want to go lay in the park with my netbook and maybe do some reading or writing – but the internets do not dwell there. This isn’t the only time my need for cellular data with my notebook(s) has existed. I think about the road trips I go on from time-to-time with the family – sitting in the back seat, nothing to do. Chances are I’m tooling around on my iPhone because that’s the only thing that’s got internet.

But, I also feel bad about “needing” wireless cell data capabilities. Should I really be that connected to the internet all the time? Is it really necessary? I’m no business man – I don’t need to check/reply to emails every hour. I’m just a kid living a casual life as a student. Maybe in the future…

Troublesome Tech

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I am writing this because it doesn’t exist in the depths of Google (yet!).

In February 2009 I purchased a Dell Mini 9. I wanted more space to store my personal files such that I could use a majority of the Mini’s 16GB SSD for applications. I primarily wanted some type of media that I could put my iTunes music on and easily hot-swap it to and from my XPS M1530. The answer was taking advantage of the SD card slot. So, I did some research and learned that the Mini 9 can support all SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) media cards up to 32GB. I then ran a quick search and figured out that my XPS M1530 could support SDHC cards (the text article I read gave reference to an 8GB SDHC card). So, I found the best deal and bought myself a 16GB Class 4 SDHC card from Fry’s Electronics. I was thrilled… Until I tried to get the XPS to recognize it. My laptop said the card needed to be formatted, but that didn’t work. After much time fiddling with different transfer methods onto the card from my XPS, I finally contacted Dell Text Support (about March 2009). The support individual could not get a transfer to work and subsequently gave me a link to go download new drivers – those didn’t help.

So where does this go?… I gave up. It’s really crazy, but what I ended up having to painstakingly do is plug my external hard drive into my XPS M1530, copy all the music I wanted on my Mini 9 into a new folder on the external HDD, then plug the HDD into my Mini 9, and then finally copy the folder from the HDD to the 16GB SDHC card which was successfully recognized in only the Mini 9. It became a hassle I didn’t want to deal with. Anyway, it turned out that I wouldn’t need my Mini 9 to listen to music when I had an iPhone 3G in my pocket anyway. I’m really frustrated that there’s no support for over 8GB SDHC cards on Dell XPS M1530′s. I hope this posting finds its way to the surface on some Google searches regarding my same problem. It doesn’t seem anyone else on forums has raised such a red flag.

Ωy Gosh, I’m Getting a Dell… Again!

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I have decided on a Netbook! I have ordered a refurbished Dell Mini 9 from Dell Outlet. Total costs including free shipping was $330, not bad praying on the fact there will be no physical blemishes. Doing my research, I read that Dell Certified Refurbished units are almost always in a fantastic condition. I’m seriously praying for no snags in this process. But, just as well, I’m incredibly excited for it to arrive. After a few packaging days, it should leave Dell’s Outlet Warehouse in 2 days… hopefully. Then it’s off to 3-5 days of shipping. I’m so impatient :D

Will update with photos and my personal review when it shows! (PS: Figure out the title? “Ω” is the symbol for “Ohm”, thus the title reads, “Ohmy Gosh, I’m Getting a Dell… Again”) Crazy.

I ♥ Netbooks

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Wow! I’m so tempted to get one of my own. If I were to puchase one, I don’t know what I would choose – nor do I know if I should even get one right now, or wait for Apple to hop on the boat. My two biggest contenders are HP’s Mini 1000 and Dell’s Inspiron Mini 9. My likings and dislikings of each are as followed:

Dell Mini 9:

+ Sleek exterior design in “Cherry” red that matches my XPS M1530

+ 4-hour battery life

+ VGA-out

+ Quiet (Heatsink) (No moving parts)

+ Smaller than the HP Mini 1000

- Small keyboard (awkward right shift key)

- Not-too-attractive spacing where the battery is above the keyboard

- It’s a Dell

- 16GB SSD

HP Mini 1000:

+ Sleek interior & exterior design

+ Large 10″ display (opposed to Dell’s 9″)

+ Large keyboard

+ 60GB PATA

+ Instant gratification via purchase through Costco

- Loud fan

- No VGA-out (adapter only)

- Shorter (but not bad) battery life

 

Dell XPS Support FTW?

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Yes, actually! A couple of days ago, the TV Tuner for my M1530 broke. I really thought I would have to go through the manufacturer in order to get a replacement, but, to my surprise, contacting the XPS Premium Instant Chat support, with ten minutes of my time, I got it completely replaced. I was so happy and relieved! Now… The waiting game. What do you think? Two, five, eight weeks for shipment? Let’s hope for the best!