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17387
November 28th, 2002 11:00
SmartStep Problems
I have owned a SmartStep 250n for two weeks now, and my experience has been mixed. Seems like I'm having similar problems to other SS users who have posted in these forums. Here's what I've found:
1. Uneven Performance: Sometimes everything works smoothly, and the system is FAST. Most of the time it runs moderately fast and even a bit sluggish at times. I have almost exclusively run on AC power. I have my power management settings set to "Always On/Desktop". Does anyone have other ideas?
2. Processor Speed: I knew that speed would be different when running on batteries. However, I was surprised to find out that we don't have any options to adjust processor speed when running on a battery. I found some articles that claim that SS speed reduces to 1/2 when running on a battery. Since I mostly run on AC power and want the increased performance with the lower price, this probably won't be an issue for me, but has anyone seen Dell's response to such articles (http://www.tomshardware.com/mobile/02q4/021101/index.html)?
3. Stop Errors/Rebooting: Some days I can hardly use my notebook because of blue screen stop errors. I've solved most of the restart issue with Dell Support's help, but I still get the stop errors. Can't find a pattern to them (seem to happen the most when I'm browsing the internet). Microsoft's Knowledge base wasn't too much help. My guess is it is related to the system getting too hot. Has anyone found a solution?
4. Fan: This is loud and seems to run often, and sometimes constantly for hours at a time.
5. Display: In general, I am happy with this. But at the best resolution(s), I find the screen difficult to read. I have played with various settings, extra large fonts, various dpi and other screen resolution settings, and haven't found a satisfying solution. Has anyone else?
6. Sound: It is difficult to adjust the volume so that I can hear a CD or DVD at a reasonable level. I have to crank the volume control dial on the side of the unit all the way up, and often do the same to the volume control panel software controls.
7. Port Replicator: I find the Targus USBe replicator to be useless and I am returning mine. It took me 3 tries to set it up, and I feel I wasted much time. Ethernet performance was slow and uneven (just plain wouldn't work much of the time). I knew from the description on the site, after careful searching, that it would be slow due to the limitations of USB1. Hotsynch performance through the serial port with my Palm IIIx was also uneven (also couldn't get it to work most of the time). Maybe I could have solved these issues with Dell Support's help, but I found I was wasting too much time for little benefit.
8. No Infrared Support: I should have known this from the product description on the website.
9. USB 1: I think the system does not support USB 2. I was surprised (maybe I should have known this from the website before purchase).
As a result of all these findings, I am dissappointed with my SS so far. I doubt I would have purchased the unit if I had known this stuff beforehand. I am considering returning it, but I think it may have potential, and at this point I have much time invested in it's setup and configuration.
I'd like to hear if other SS users have resolved these problems and are happy with their systems.
Message Edited by bwhepp on 11-28-2002 08:50 AM
Daddyjaxx
1.1K Posts
0
November 28th, 2002 13:00
When you purchased a notebook with a desktop battery you should have understood a few of the disadvantages.
1. It's going to run hot so the fans are going to run constantly...just like a desktop does. They may be faster, but that does not mean they are better for notebooks. As a matter of fact, Intel is now not worrying about speed more than battery life. The Banias will be slower than current P4's.
2. No matter what you've read, it will NOT slow down on battery power. This is what mobile processors are designed for. This is one reason mobile CPU's are almost 3x the price.
3. ALL Dell notebooks have lousy sound.
4. The Smartstep is the bottom of the line budget system. You get what you pay for hence the lack of some of the bells and whistles.
5. NO Dell notebook currently has USB 2.0.
NPires
12 Posts
0
November 29th, 2002 00:00
Right SmartStep problems, I don't see or have any problems with it. It does what it's designed to do, reduce it's processing capabilities and therefor save battery and generates less heat also.
In my system i8100, even on AC power, and with power management enabled my P3 1200Mhz steps down to 789Mhz when it does not need the full processing power, generating less heat so the fans run less, what's wrong with that? As soon as I fire a game or other application that requires more processing power it steps up to it's full 1200Mhz. Running on batteries, it's always stepped down at 789Mhz, to save vital battery energy, providing longer operational time on my notebook. I frankly failed to see any problems in SmartStep technology, it's actually a great thing.
Stop erros as you mentioned, I recommend the following, run all the diagnostics to see if there's any hardware problems, if there's none, do a fresh install Windows, update a few components like the BIOS and graphics card drivers, and you should be allright, if the problems presist, you might have to contact Dell's techs to pay you a visit.
Fan problems, this one I also have, yes they do run for extended periods specially if you are using demanding software, or it could just be a problem with the BIOS, try to upgrade the BIOS. In my case, is just one fan that make a ratle noise from the bearings, it still rotates, but at low speed in relation to the other fan, in my opinion Dell should provide a replacement, and as an alternative a different brand from the original ones, even if they charge for it, I'll be happy to give it a go to see if the new brand behaves better and quiter.
I don't have any of the other problems and do not know much about them, so will not comment.
Hope I could help.
NPires
12 Posts
0
November 29th, 2002 11:00
Thanks for letting me know that, I have heard about this portable computers that use desktop processors but did not knew they were called SmartStep, I thought the poster meant SpeedStep and wrote SmartStep somehow.
Anyway, my comments on SmartStep (above) won't apply to the issue at hand.
Thanks.
Never_Grew_up
26 Posts
0
November 29th, 2002 11:00
NPires,
bwhepp is talking about a line of Dell computers call "SmartStep". They use desktop processors that are not equipped with "Speedstep" technology as such. Your I8100 is equipped with a mobile processor that does use Speedstep to control processor speed base on computer use.
benjamone
9 Posts
0
December 2nd, 2002 15:00
I m a smartstep owner.
Some smartsteps have problems of unexpected reboots (I mean all of my knowledge) (see posted for that) but dell never answers to solve it. It often occures when running old or 3d games (but not all) , when browsing (at the start of IE6 or outlookexpress 6).
If anyone have something to solve it...
Nothing bad to say more on the smarstep, It s a good laptop.
Benjamone
Smartstep 250N; 2,4 GHz ,512 Mo, 40Go ... (not that bad)
Oliverof
10 Posts
0
January 18th, 2004 15:00
Micheal Dell,I would really like a replacement system, or my very hard earned money back...perioid!