How I fix my media panel buttons ( Studio 1537 experience sharing)

Hello,

Is the media panel working for you since then? I just bought my Studio 1537 some days ago and I was kinda disappointed to experience this media panel problem.

Please reply, if any of you succeded with the solutions mentioned above.

Yours,

Adrian Urgyan

The panel is working, actually it works from day 1.  Only the eject and volume up buttons problem bothers me.  After my "tweak" it's only twice occurance a week.  Maybe I need to find time to open it up again.

Few more points share to you,

1.  Mine BIOS is A08 version.

2. Those symptoms only occurs when it's cold boot up.

3. During symptom's occurrence, if you press other media buttons, it will take effect after the occurrence.  Which means, the panel "knows" you are operating, but been pre-occupied by the unintented occurrence.

4. My tweak is based on my assumption to the symptom (pressure build up), it's obviously not perfect.  Kind of relief if you like to call it. (twice a week v.s. everyday, coz I shutdown everyday.)

My next trial will be re-open the panel, check the re-positioned cable status and maybe try not to bolt on one screw this time.  This is not scienctific approach, I know, more like try out new medicine.

Well, panel itself "working" for me aswell, basically I have same symptoms as you, except the auto volume up. What I experienced during these 3 days of using it is:

• So far only occurs after a long shutdown period (after a night or so)
• I found that its not OS / driver related problem, because it happened before any OS on my computer + once right after turning it on, during bios tests
• Today morning after turning it on, I tried to reboot 1-2 times, and for the second time, right after bios loads, my eject button led burnt out, and the panel started working normally (so maybe it could be fixed with a new bios?)
• Saturday, some minutes after booting windows I started to touch some buttons but it didn't work. Some minutes after, the OS realized all my previous touches on buttons, all at the same time
• Once its working normally, its OK until I shut it down for a longer period

But it seems your version is not fixing it 100% either. :( Is it even happening less since your "tweak"?

Thanks for posting this potential solution.

I went all the way and separated the ribbon cable from the rubber layer behind the media panel touch circuit. I also went one step further and insulated the ribbon cable with a layer of Kapton tape. I believe that the ribbon cable voltage is leaking through the rubber insulator to the problem area (increase volume and eject). Separating the ribbon lead from the rubber backing will definitely help, but I figured the Kapton tape will further insulate the ribbon cable voltage from causing any more problems.

I've powered up the Studio a few times now, and all seems well. If anything changes, I'll be sure to drop a line to this thread.

(For those of you not familiar with Kapton tape, it's used as a temperature, electrical, and RF insulator in a wide variety of circuits. You can find it at Radio Shack, most electrical parts suppliers, or online. If you're interested, I located one online vendor here. Their prices seem reasonable.)

Thanks for posting this potential solution. I went all the way and separated the ribbon cable from the rubber layer behind the media panel touch circuit. I also went one step further and insulated the ribbon cable with a layer of Kapton tape. I believe that the ribbon cable voltage is leaking through the rubber insulator to the problem area (increase volume and eject). Separating the ribbon lead from the rubber backing will definitely help, but I figured the Kapton tape will further insulate the ribbon cable voltage from causing any more problems. I've powered up the Studio a few times now, and all seems well. If anything changes, I'll be sure to drop a line to this thread. (For those of you not familiar with Kapton tape, it's used as a temperature, electrical, and RF insulator in a wide variety of circuits. You can find it at Radio Shack, most electrical parts suppliers, or online. If you're interested, I located one online vendor here. Their prices seem reasonable.)

VVR41TH, it seems you've found what I was looking for!!  When I was trying to work on this annoying problem, I also tried heat shrink tube, electrical tape, but doesn't work as I expected.  So I didn't mentioned in my original post.  Now you're providing us with this Kapton tape, seems more suitable for the tiny space down the panel.  Many thanks for that valuable info.  For good or bad, please update how it works to you.

Well, it looks like the Kapton tape trick didn't work. The media panel problem reared it's ugly head last night about 3 minutes after a cold boot-up. It seems like this problem revolves around a charge/voltage build-up. If by removing the battery and holding the power button seems to prevent the problem from occurring, then this is definitely an issue with improper circuit discharge when the laptop is powered down.

At this point, I'm going to see how many successful boot-ups I can achieve by removing the battery and holding the power button before a cold boot-up.

I noticed when I removed my panel, that one of the securing screws (as shown in the original post diagrams) is missing! It looks like Dell may have tried to service my notebook before (If I haven't mentioned it before, my 1537 is a refurb that I purchased through the Dell Outlet).

I'm not sure what else to try in order to solve this problem, but if I come across another solution, I'll post it up here.

Good luck...

VV

At last I find people with the same problem that i have been suffering with for 4 months! I have been looking into this issue and have found some stuff:

1. the wire to the Media panel is between the Disc Eject button and Volume Up (where the problemes are)

2. the buttons are "Capacitive Sensors".  --At the heart of any capacitive-sensing system is a set of conductors which interact with electric fields. The tissue of the human body is filled with conductive electrolytes covered by a layer of skin, a lossy dielectric. It is the conductive property of fingers that makes capacitive touch sensing possible.--  From http://www.planetanalog.com/features/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=181401898

Is it possible that the wire is upsetting the buttons here? I am not an expert, and so I would like someone to reply am correct me  or just say no.

thanks

cactus

At last I find people with the same problem that i have been suffering with for 4 months! I have been looking into this issue and have found some stuff: 1. the wire to the Media panel is between the Disc Eject button and Volume Up (where the problemes are) 2. the buttons are "Capacitive Sensors".  --At the heart of any capacitive-sensing system is a set of conductors which interact with electric fields. The tissue of the human body is filled with conductive electrolytes covered by a layer of skin, a lossy dielectric. It is the conductive property of fingers that makes capacitive touch sensing possible.--  From http://www.planetanalog.com/features/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=181401898 Is it possible that the wire is upsetting the buttons here? I am not an expert, and so I would like someone to reply am correct me  or just say no. thanks cactus

Cactus, You're definitely not alone!!

Both your findings are confirmed here.

Based on your point 2, "Capacitive Sensors", and refer to the temporary "drain" fix, it seems more like an electrical issue down there.  However, as you can see, VVR41TH had tried to use Kapton tape to put on some insulation to that "tiny media panel cable", but rendered not much luck.  Which pushes us back to ground zero, unknown origin....

The following step I plan to set forth are, using different insulation material to test the area, and in the mean time, Dell decides to send me a replacement parts (the media panel module, they call it "hinge cover").  Finger crossed and please pray for me.

Well, it looks like the Kapton tape trick didn't work. The media panel problem reared it's ugly head last night about 3 minutes after a cold boot-up. It seems like this problem revolves around a charge/voltage build-up. If by removing the battery and holding the power button seems to prevent the problem from occurring, then this is definitely an issue with improper circuit discharge when the laptop is powered down. At this point, I'm going to see how many successful boot-ups I can achieve by removing the battery and holding the power button before a cold boot-up. I noticed when I removed my panel, that one of the securing screws (as shown in the original post diagrams) is missing! It looks like Dell may have tried to service my notebook before (If I haven't mentioned it before, my 1537 is a refurb that I purchased through the Dell Outlet). I'm not sure what else to try in order to solve this problem, but if I come across another solution, I'll post it up here. Good luck... VV

Sorry to say that, welcome back VVR41TH.

To confirm with you and whoever suffered the same problem,

1. It will happen on a cold boot up or wake up from hibernation.

2. So far, a temporary fix is, by removing the battery and hold down the power button for 20+ seconds (Dell people calls it to "drain"), then put back battery and proceed power up.

By far, there are 3 assumptions to these weird thing,

1. It's mechanical issue (space constrain caused uninvited pressure)

2. It's electrical issue (voltage leak, poor insulation, interference, etc.)

3. Other mysterious reason....

 On a slightly different note, Dell have just released an updated Studio 15. Looking at the pictures of it on the dell website, it appears that they have removed the touch controls compleatly, so this suggests that they could not fix the media control issue at all,and have abandoned the idea. They have gone for dual use function keys at the top. (Also moved a few ports,made the sceen surround black,better graphics and screen res, removed the wi-fi catcher and bigger screen size [15.4 into 15.6]. )

So, does this mean that the issue is truely UNFIXABLE if dell ahve given up on it?:emotion-6: 

What do we do? I may be wrong, but why else would dell remove such a good(?) feature of there laptop?

-Cactus

Okay, I am ready to move into the next level, replace the "Hinge cover".  (Took me longer time than normal to receive a new replacement part, due to some personal schedule constrain.)

If anyone are not ready or not been offered a replacement part from Dell, I can provide you with a 99.99% sure temporary fix,

Remove AC and battery from the computer,  then hold down the power button for 20+ seconds (Dell people calls it to "drain"), then put back battery/AC.  Do it every time before power up (or wake it up from hibernation), it works 100% to mine studio 1537. 

Now here's some noticed differences between old and new hinge covers,

New:

1. using a different cable, "TennRich-K AWM 20624 80C VW-1"

2. more straight forward routing, and away from the screw hole.

3. lable with 2D bar code says it's CN-0M950N-38561-930-3455-A00, Made in China, DP/N 0M950N

Old:

1. cable is, "HUNGFU  AWM 2896 E97252-K VW-1 80C 30V"

2. 2D bar code label says it's CN-0M950N-12807-8C8-2295-A00, Made in China, DP/N 0M950N

Will put the new cover on and see it can fianlly remove this painful defact.  Stay tune.

After 2 days I put on the replacement cover, with my fingers crossed, I shall say FINALLY IT IS FIXED!!!

I've tested different usage patterns, with either AC plug in or took off, power off and on, hibernation and wake up, even leave AC plug on overnight, all rendered normal, no more weird volume up or DVD ejects itself.

For those who are still suffering similar problem, you may try the temporary relief I mentioned earlier in this thread, or spend hours of customer service communication with Dell, get yourself a "hinge cover" replacement.

Happily there after, I wish.

Thanks for the info tt18qu, I'm glad your problem is finally fixed! Looks like I will have to see if I can get dell to give me a new hinge cover! I doubt they will give them out easly since there are loads of people with this same issue and they will not give them out to everyone! the temp works for me, but I cannot be constantly turning my laptop upside down and taking out the battery, as it is quite anoying!

Thanks to everyone on this issue, and I hope that you find a solution!

--cactus

I recently bought a studio 15 for my son and he had the same problems.  After reading this thread, I contacted Dell and after working through one of their 'wizards' to diagnose the proble, they took the laptop back and replaced the hinge cover.

So far, no repeat of the problem so it looks like it is their fix for the problem as well.

Thanks all for posting on this thread, as with out it I would probably have just ignored the problem as 'one of those things which happens with computers'!