I just got the new 5150 with the 40 GB HD, 64 MB 9000, UXGA, 512 and I have had lots of problems with it. The drivers for the pointing device went beserk and uninstall themselves everytime I turn off the computer. Beside pointer issues, the computer runs the games Comand and Conquer Generals liquid smooth and same with Ghost Recon. It runs fast when it works.
Have had mine 30 days. After 7 days the monitor went bad. Trouble shooted the problem with the help of the forums, THEN called tech support. Monitor replaced and the system has been fantastic! Best I have ever had and a good price too........
We've had one since summer and have had to replace a soon-to-fail hard drive (which isn't that big of a deal) and we had to replace the palmrest once. We will probably have to replace the palmrest again unless Dell figures out what the problem is with the touchpad. I've posted a few times over in the Keyboard/Pointing Devices forum. The mouse is very erratic and yeah, I've explained it over there.
Just wanted to state that we have had trouble, and continue to have trouble with our 5150.
I've got the 5150 with the 64MBATI9000M video card.
Tons of problems:
1. USB failures on reboots were happening after the first month. I'm pretty sure this was fixed though when I went from BIOS A01 to A28 recently.
2. BIOS updating is a major PITA without a floppy. CD ISOs weren't so friendly to me either. This is better now
3. Had to have the video card replaced. After 3.5 months of use, the video card just gave up and during games would randomly generate textures and shapes. I tracked the problem to bad video memory and had it replaced, this is fixed now.
4. Erratic touchpad (same as orrinrule). It was fine until I had the video problem. Then sometime around me installing the new BIOS, getting the new video card put in and me reformatting and starting a fresh image it died. It's so erratic though that it works well some times and horribly others. Dell Diagnostics didn't pick up anything but the touchpad really acted erratically during that, now in Windows it seems fine but I won't be keeping my fingers crossed for anything permanent.
5. The power supply I originally had emitted a horrid and definitely audible clicking sound (like a power arc perhaps) I'm about 90% certain that it is the cause to many of my problems due to emitting erratic power surges into the system. The new one just hums, we'll see if it lasts.
6. After I put the new video card in, there were some problems with games pausing for less than a second every 10 seconds or so. I think I tracked this problem down to power management. Not really Dell's fault if it is the case, but I also have not extensively tested my fix so it may still be a problem for me.
7. I have a real problem with the immensly hollow feeling behind the LCD on the case. My last laptop was a compaq about 6 years old now. The LCD on it is thinner and has a much sturdier feel. I have the UXGA so I can't imagine it being a space concern for the more complex LCDs unless the cheaper LCDs are the ones that take up the space.
All that said. For the price I paid, the comparison to what was available when I got it, even now I'm exceptionally happy with it, and knowing how to deal with tech support I've gotten fixes for stuff that I've wanted fixed with little or no problem. I love the laptop. Don't regret getting it.
djsteilen
1 Message
0
July 19th, 2003 03:00
REGULATOR37
36 Posts
0
July 21st, 2003 05:00
I got mine a few days ago and this is whats on it:
5150
512Mb DDR PC2700
UXGA Screen
40GB 42000 RPM (suppose to be 5400 rpm!)
64Mb DDR ATI 9000
Windows XP
PCMark= CPU- 6733
Memory- 6153
HDD- 441
3DMark2001= 6542
No problems with me to date.
RichardLusignan
269 Posts
0
July 21st, 2003 12:00
Anyone tried installing Win2k on this one?
I wonder if the same problem as on the Inspiron 5100 will present itself... (i.e. no video drivers that works...)
Regards,
nars
1 Message
0
September 14th, 2003 18:00
Revolvah
32 Posts
0
September 16th, 2003 14:00
Kreuz
2 Posts
0
September 16th, 2003 14:00
I have had mine since mid July. I have not had any problems with it whatsoever. I love it.
I 5150
M P4 3.06
512MB RAM
15" UXGA LCD
40GB 5400 rpm HD
64MB Radeon 9000
Alicia4065
1 Message
0
September 16th, 2003 14:00
I had mines since lauch and have no problems and this is my first laptop.
I reformat my harddrive to get rid of all that dell stuff and it's been fine.
Alicia
DoomGaze
62 Posts
0
November 12th, 2003 00:00
I got mine in August, reinstalled WinXP as soon as I got it up and running =D and not a single problem.
btw, I love the screen. UXGA FOREVER!!! :D
Robushi
10 Posts
0
November 17th, 2003 05:00
RichardLusignan
269 Posts
0
November 17th, 2003 23:00
Like what?
I have 4 of them and they have been working fine for several months.
Maybe if you describe your problems, people will be able to help.
In most cases, problems are behind the wheel jack.
StEiNnY72
2 Posts
0
December 9th, 2003 23:00
AMAZING laptop,
Remeber 2 things
1. Reformat after you get it (to remove dell stuff)
2. Download SpeedSwitchXp (run comp at full power)
Dell Inspiron 5150
Pentium 4 Mobility 3.06Ghz
512MB DDC PC2700 (Dell 2x 256MB DDR)
64MB ATI Mobility 9000
15" UXGA
30GB HDD Internal
CD-RW/DVD Internal
Sandeep0909
1 Rookie
•
12 Posts
0
December 10th, 2003 02:00
brawnydawg
12 Posts
0
December 16th, 2003 00:00
orrinrule
28 Posts
0
December 16th, 2003 12:00
We've had one since summer and have had to replace a soon-to-fail hard drive (which isn't that big of a deal) and we had to replace the palmrest once. We will probably have to replace the palmrest again unless Dell figures out what the problem is with the touchpad. I've posted a few times over in the Keyboard/Pointing Devices forum. The mouse is very erratic and yeah, I've explained it over there.
Just wanted to state that we have had trouble, and continue to have trouble with our 5150.
MistrBlank
52 Posts
0
December 16th, 2003 16:00
I've got the 5150 with the 64MBATI9000M video card.
Tons of problems:
1. USB failures on reboots were happening after the first month. I'm pretty sure this was fixed though when I went from BIOS A01 to A28 recently.
2. BIOS updating is a major PITA without a floppy. CD ISOs weren't so friendly to me either. This is better now
3. Had to have the video card replaced. After 3.5 months of use, the video card just gave up and during games would randomly generate textures and shapes. I tracked the problem to bad video memory and had it replaced, this is fixed now.
4. Erratic touchpad (same as orrinrule). It was fine until I had the video problem. Then sometime around me installing the new BIOS, getting the new video card put in and me reformatting and starting a fresh image it died. It's so erratic though that it works well some times and horribly others. Dell Diagnostics didn't pick up anything but the touchpad really acted erratically during that, now in Windows it seems fine but I won't be keeping my fingers crossed for anything permanent.
5. The power supply I originally had emitted a horrid and definitely audible clicking sound (like a power arc perhaps) I'm about 90% certain that it is the cause to many of my problems due to emitting erratic power surges into the system. The new one just hums, we'll see if it lasts.
6. After I put the new video card in, there were some problems with games pausing for less than a second every 10 seconds or so. I think I tracked this problem down to power management. Not really Dell's fault if it is the case, but I also have not extensively tested my fix so it may still be a problem for me.
7. I have a real problem with the immensly hollow feeling behind the LCD on the case. My last laptop was a compaq about 6 years old now. The LCD on it is thinner and has a much sturdier feel. I have the UXGA so I can't imagine it being a space concern for the more complex LCDs unless the cheaper LCDs are the ones that take up the space.
All that said. For the price I paid, the comparison to what was available when I got it, even now I'm exceptionally happy with it, and knowing how to deal with tech support I've gotten fixes for stuff that I've wanted fixed with little or no problem. I love the laptop. Don't regret getting it.