XPS 13 9310, charge light blinks

An updated BIOS was posted. It disables Turbo Boost altogether.

The problem is not fixed.

Dell simply took the feature away.

Dell owes us compensation as this was an advertised feature for which we paid. and they failed to deliver. 

https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/Solution-to-9310-turbo-issue-IS-TO-DISABLE-TURBO-Are-you-kidding/m-p/7930935#M86151

I can confirm what Earl Magnus just posted.

Hi Earl,

I was on vacation and back home now.

I am so sad to read your message and understand the problem is still not fixed.

So what are we supposed to do now?

As you mentioned, we have paid for a processor with ability to reach higher frequencies and not only work at 3.0 GHz base frequency.

@ Dell : is there any other patch supposed to be released in the next few weeks to really fix the issue we raised several months ago? Can we still hope to get the Turbo boost feature works normaly?

Regards,

"This is by design on hybrid power systems."

What information is the light communicating to the user in these conditions? What is the user supposed to do with that information?

That is a moronic design. Fix it.

Since both BOTH the AC adapter and the battery are accessed at the same time, the result is that the battery is also actively being charged. The LED is noting this charge. This is by design on hybrid power systems and will not be changed.

Hello @DELL-Chris M 

Thanks a lot for your message!

>> Blinking light :

The charging light issue is specific to "clamshell" model.

"2-in-1" does not have this issue. So if it was "by design", both 2in1 and clamshell should have the same issue?

>> Screen flickering :

Could you please confirm your procedure to fix screen flickering is OK for clamshell model ?

It has been confirmed it was OK for 2-in-1 but I want to be sure it also suits for clamshell model as well :

https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/lj5qak/xps_13_display_issue_affecting_7390_9300_and_9310/h5zl822?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

>> Turbo boost :

Could you also please confirm a fix is still planned for end of August?

https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/XPS-13-9310-BIOS-Turbo-Boost-stuck-on-Disabled/m-p/7984468/highlight/true#M87055

Thanks again.

Regards,

"Does the panel update apply to both XPS 13 9310 AND XPS 9310 2-in-1? Yes."

If that is the case, where are the Linux instructions for those of us with Developer Edition clamshell machines?

SebDell,

Confirmed.

Are BOTH the XPS 13 9310 AND XPS 9310 2-in-1 showing the blinking charge LED? Yes.
Do BOTH the XPS 13 9310 AND XPS 9310 2-in-1 support hybrid power? Yes.
Does the panel update apply to both XPS 13 9310 AND XPS 9310 2-in-1? Yes.

SebDell,

I am awaiting clarifications from the team. But have made edits in the interim. No new data yet on August fix.

@DELL-Chris M thank you very much for all those details!

"Since both BOTH the AC adapter and the battery are accessed at the same time, the result is that the battery is also actively being charged. The LED is noting this charge. This is by design on hybrid power systems and will not be changed."

The blinking light occurs when the charging policy says that the battery should not be charged. My policy says don't charge until under 50%. If the system is charging the battery at that point, that is a bug and should be fixed.

Linux? Checking. Will know tomorrow.

"Could you please confirm it does not affect battery life?"

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that it is terrible for battery life, being constantly topped up. I will further posit that the way that Dell has chosen to implement the power supply, there is no way to fix it. That is:

• There simply isn't enough juice for Turbo Mode from the power supply itself
• There is no way to engage the battery to feed Turbo Mode without also momentarily charging the battery

So, basically, Turbo Mode is only useful on this machine if you really hate your battery and Dell has enabled it by default (unless you suffer from the BIOS Turbo Toggle bug that arrived with 3.0.3). 

It's a bad implementation that Dell should feel bad about.

"Since both BOTH the AC adapter and the battery are accessed at the same time, the result is that the battery is also actively being charged"

Could you please confirm it does not affect battery life? (by regularly switching between "Charging" > "Not charging")?

Thanks again!