Precision M6800 DVD noise or defective DVD drive

I got an M6800 recently and upgrading the BIOS to a05 solved the dvd  noise problem for me.

hi, which a05 and please provide link too download so we may try it, thanks!

BIOS is up to a06 now, here is the link:

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriverDetails/Product/precision-m6800-workstation?driverId=7MKDM&osCode=W732&fileId=3333376844&languageCode=en&categoryId=BI

I just updated my new M6800 too the new A08 BIOS.  I am not having the DVD noise, but the flashing display will not stop.  I have the NVidia graphics card and am having the same issue.  When the display is flashing, I can look in Device Manager and see that the NVidia card is no longer listed.  When I try to update the driver, it claims I do not have the card.  If I tell Windowws to search for new hardware and watch, the screen will flash black and show the NVidia card then flash again and then the card is gone.  Sometimes this will happen 7 or 8 times and finaly leave the NVidia gone altogether. 

I updated the BIOS to the latest one thye had and the DVD noise is gone!! It no longer makes that annoying click sound ever few minutes. It also knock on wood doesnt freeze up or not wake up out of sleep mode. I did noice though when it comes out of sleep mode it tells me it lost connection with my external drive and i have to resave everthing and it tells me that file already exists!!!! that is annoying, it did not do that before:(

HIya,

I wondered if you have had any success.??  I have a M6800 with the AMD Switchable Graphics (in UK).  Dell have had this back already, changed Motherboard and Graphics Board.

Still it is useless with graphics, everything runs Intel.

I have now switched off in BIOS and running AMD.  It is slightly better, but still struggles with basic MPG video files.

Dell have apparently tried things, and told me they've not heard of this before.  Clearly it is common.

I wondered if it was an AMD (therefore Nvidia is the answer)  issue, or a Laptop issue.?  I never had problems with the M6700, without Switchable Graphics.

Any ideas.?

Hello,

   Upgraded all the BIOS up to A06, DVD issue for me was fixed no more noise every 5min or so and installed 42gb of apps/data with no problem as it previously hangs DVD itself installing this 42gb of apps. So again DVD issue is fixed, cross finger nothing will develop furthermore.

As for the switchable graphics it is always Intel even though I've set certain software and games to utilize AMD Fire Pro. The only thing it fixed is the flickering instead it just switches off the display and returns back on after approximately 2sec..

I have the AMD and haven't had any problems (knock on wood), but I have the power settings customized to always have the graphics at maximum regardless of whether on battery power, so I don't know if it's ever actually switching.

I don't think it's the DVD, I think it's one of the fans. I installed SpeedFan and every time one of the temperatures (CPU or GPU) went over 50, the fan came on. It sounds and vibrates like a DVD drive, so it's easy to think it is the DVD. This sound/vibration happens every minute or so.

The keyboard on my M6800 also types double characters periodically (every couple minutes or so).

I'm beginning to think this laptop is another lemon, reminds me of that piece of <ADMIN NOTE: Substitute character removed as per TOU> Dell 5150 laptop that had so many issues.

I am using BIOS A06 with updated chipset drivers.

Too bad SpeedFan cannot detect the fans (thanks Dell) or I would be able to document that this is definitely the fan(s ).

Ready to send this laptop back where it came from. Our company bought 16 of these things.

I had this with a previous Dell M6800.

It is the DVD drive, and it basically keeps checking for media.  The updated BIOS stopped it on mine.

If only the graphics issues were as easy.:emotion-12:

I think there are two different issues. One was the DVD drive which was fixed with a BIOS update. The problem I am seeing is with one of the fans.

I pulled the DVD drive and the problem still existed. It is the larger fan making the noise, which is the video card fan according to the user manual.

Going to contact Dell support.

I have the keyboard problem as well with my M6800. I've contacted Dell Pro support already several times, but they can't fix it.

They replaced the keyboard and cable twice and even the motherboard. This is clearly a firmwire/bios issue.

I think it is completely unacceptable and unprofessional!

Bart

I figured out that my keyboard will repeat characters when I press the keys a certain way, which just happens to be my typing style. It's the only keyboard that has ever done this, including very, very cheap keyboards. This is a $3500+ laptop and it's hindering productivity due to this issue.

The Dell rep said that she didn't believe the laptop was defective, but agreed to replace the keyboard after I insisted. We have next day on-site service, but the parts are on back-order for 2 weeks. They are also going to replace the video card fan since it sounds and vibrates like a DVD running at full speed. If neither of these problems can be fixed, will return the laptop. These laptops are very expensive and should not have these glaring defects.

Got the fans replaced which fixed the loud vibrating issue.

Got a new keyboard and still have the repeating key issue. I think it's just a poorly designed keyboard and there is no solution. I guess I'm going to wear out my backspace key on this laptop. I regret upgrading this thing, the nicest laptop in the world is a piece of garbage if you have a poorly designed/built keyboard. I've been burned several times with Dell laptops, not sure if my company will ever learn, but I will never recommend or purchase one myself.

mine has come back and seems to be working a lot better now.

that said, I am fed up with it, so I am now flogging it.

if anyone wants a M6800, drop me a message.