Dell XPS M1330, the story doesn’t end

My Dell XPS M1330 finally arrived yesterday.  I was pleasantly surprised that it showed up after some confusion over its DHL tracking status.

As I have posted about previously, the first thing I always do when getting a new computer is to install a fresh copy of Windows without all the “crap” software installed.  In this case, I also wanted to change the version of Windows from Vista Home Premium to Vista Ultimate basically for the benefit of the BitLocker feature.

Here’s the problem.  You knew it was coming.  When loading a non-OEM version of Vista that has not been modified by Dell to include the correct drivers the installation will fail with a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death).  Then when booting into safe mode to troubleshoot the problem the system hangs while trying to load the crcdisk.sys driver.  It turns out that “safe mode with command prompt” will not even allow the system to boot.

So, I opened up a chat session with Dell support.  After describing the problem Dell’s official response is “that the warranty does not cover installing a non OEM operating system (which means we only support installing the OS that came with the computer).”   Dell Customer Care and I agreed that the problem most likely is with the SATA drivers.  An option is to try to load the updated SATA drivers during the installation process.  The only problem is there is a list of 10 or so SATA controllers contained in the driver that can be downloaded from Dell.com.  My first attempt at trying a random controller from the list didn’t work.  Dell could not confirm which SATA controller is in the XPS M1330.  I requested that Dell Customer Care find the answer to this problem and they agreed to get back to me via email.

In the mean time I re-installed the OEM version of Vista Home Premium and got my laptop back up and running.

Updated 8/28/07 - Dell Customer Care has still not responded via email with the information on the SATA controller drivers that they agreed to follow up on.

Updated 1/13/08 - I’m still running Vista Home Premium that came with the laptop.  I haven’t had any problems with it and have been afraid to try to get Vista Ultimate installed because I don’t know how many times the OEM version of Vista Home Premium that came with the system will activate.   I’m satisfied to leave it as is for now.

My Dell XPS M1330 has Shipped!!

Great news!!  My new Dell XPS M1330 has finally shipped.  I should have it by the end of the week.

Update:  My laptop finally arrived on August 8th.  Check out the ongoing saga in my next post: Dell XPS M1330, the story doesn’t end

Another Delay on my Dell XPS M1330 Notebook, Maybe.

My Dell M1330 Notebook was scheduled to be shipped out today.  When I checked my order status today Dell has again delayed my order.  This time it is a 3 1/2 week delay and they posted a Federal Trade Commission requirement to ask if I want the order canceled. 

Due to unforeseen circumstance, we have experienced another delay with your order number 723xxxxx. Our new anticipated ship date will be on or before 8/28/2007. Due to this additional delay, the Federal Trade Commission requires we receive your consent to continue with this order else we will be forced to cancel the order automatically.

You must choose one of the following Links:

Consent to this delay and continue with this order  
Consent to this delay and all future delays and continue with this order  
Cancel this order

How bad do I really want this laptop?  I believe it is going to be an awesome laptop, but I am very displeased with how Dell has handled the M1330 product launch.  I ordered my laptop on the second day it was available and at the current expected ship date it estimated to arrive more the 2 months later.  That is totally unacceptable.

But wait, the automated telephone system says the order status is in the “boxing stage”.  So what is it?  Is it in production with a 3 1/2 week delay or is it boxing with shipment in the next day or two?   

Let’s see if customer service can give me an answer.  Ishrath from Inda is going to do everything she can find me an answer. Great!! (rolling my eyes)  Ishrath reassured me my order will be shipped within the next 2 days and she will personally track the order for me and let me know it’s status via email.

Update:  My laptop finally arrived on August 8th.  Check out the ongoing saga in my next post: Dell XPS M1330, the story doesn’t end

Price Increase on the Dell XPS M1330

It seems with the high demand and the inability of Dell to fulfill existing orders they have decided to raise the price of the new Dell XPS M1330.   I placed my order on June 28th using my Employee Purchase Program (EPP) discount for $1,820.96.  My configuration is in a previous blog post.  Now, the same configuration with a free bag will cost 11% more or $2,024.68.  I’m happy I ordered mine when I did.  Now, if only it will ship!!

Update:  My laptop finally arrived on August 8th.  Check out the ongoing saga in my next post: Dell XPS M1330, the story doesn’t end

Dell XPS M1330 Notebook Delayed

It’s official now. Dell has sent an email notifying me of a delay in shipping my new Dell XPS M1330 Notebook which was purchased on June 28th.  The original ship date was scheduled for July 29 and it has now been revised to Sept 3.

Here is an exert from the Dell email: “Order Delayed.  Although we had anticipated being able to ship your order sooner, we are experiencing an unexpected delay and have adjusted the estimated ship date (see Revised Estimated Ship Date below). Click on the Order Status bar below to view the current status of your order.”

Update:  My laptop finally arrived on August 8th.  Check out the ongoing saga in my next post: Dell XPS M1330, the story doesn’t end

Dell XPS M1330 Notebooks Ready to Ship

Dell’s blog site, Direct2Dell.com is reporting that  the XPS M1330 notebooks should begin shipping from Dell factories starting tomorrow, July 11th.  Check your order status for potential updates to your expected ship dates.

Update:  My laptop finally arrived on August 8th.  Check out the ongoing saga in my next post: Dell XPS M1330, the story doesn’t end

Dell XPS M1330 Drivers a Sign of Ship Date

Updated 7/14: Good news!!  Drivers for the Dell XPS M1330 were released on July 11th.

One of the things that really bugs me about pre-installed computers and especially computers geared for the home market is all of the “crap” that is installed by the vendor including trial versions of software, internet service provider software and other useless programs.  So, the first thing that I do when I get a new computer is reformat the hard drive and reload a clean operating system (OS).  However, in order to so I need access to all the drivers and other software that is required for the OS to run smoothly on the hardware.

That brings me to my recent Dell XPS M1330 notebook purchase.   I ordered the notebook at the end of June and have been watching Dell’s support website to see if they have released the drivers yet.  Dell’s support website, support.dell.com allows their customers to get access to the drivers and other downloads for the computers they purchase.   These are the same drivers that come pre-installed on new computers.  In addition, the drivers are updated over time as new versions are released.

As of today, no real drivers have been released for the XPS M1330.  The only download that is showing up is “Dell Support 3.4″, which isn’t a driver at all and I would categorize it as “crap” software.  I’m not overly alarmed at this point that the drivers have not been released.  The scheduled ship date of my new notebook isn’t until July 29th.

When I ordered the notebook, Dell said that the drivers for new computer models would start showing up around the time customers start receiving their computers.   So, keep an eye out at support.dell.com.  It could be an indication when the XPS M1330 has started shipping.

Update:  My laptop finally arrived on August 8th.  Check out the ongoing saga in my next post: Dell XPS M1330, the story doesn’t end

Dell XPS M1330 Notebook

Dell’s new XPS notebook, the M1330 went on sell on June 27th.  I ordered mine the very next day with my EPP discount.  After reading a pre-production review at NotebookReview.com, I decided this was the laptop for me.  What got me looking in the first place was the new Inspiron notebooks in all the different colors.  But, I quickly realized the XPS is a much better designed notebook at a good price.

Mine is coming equiped with the following:

Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2.0 Ghz processor
Crimson Red
2GB DDR2-667 SDRAM
13.3″ WXGA screen with LED backlight with Integrate VGA webcam
120GB SATA 5400 RPM HDD
Slot-loading dual-layer DVD±RW drive
128MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400M GS
Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth option
Integrated media reader (MS, SD, xD)
Fingerprint reader
Media Center remote located in ExpressCard slot
Windows Vista Home Premium
56 Whr 6-cell Lithium Ion Battery

The expected ship date of my new notebook isn’t until July 29th.  So, now I wait.

Here are a few more links to information on the XPS M1330:

• XPS M1330: A Sign of Things to Come
• More on the XPS M1330
• Dell m1330 Laptop Has LED Display, Beats Apple and Others to That Milestone