If you’re having problems installing CoPilot application on Mini 1010 and 1011 systems, please follow the steps below to resolve it.
1. Insert the Micro SD card in the 1st blank filler (the one with the white sticker).
2. Insert the 1st blank filler in the 2nd blank filler (the one with the red sticker). Please refer to the picture below:
3. Insert the 2nd blank filler in the card reader slot. ]
4. The card will be detected and you will be able to install the software.
You will most likely get confused with the proper installation of the card since the package contains 1 Micro SD card and 2 dummy fillers. The CoPilot application is integrated in the Micro SD card. The Activation License Code is in the business card that is sent along with the SD card.
DELL has recently launched the "Windows 7 Free and Easy Upgrade from Vista" program on select platforms. This promotion will enable Dell to be at par with their retail partners by letting customers purchasing a Dell PC starting October 5, 2009, to have Windows 7 installed on their PC by October 22. Below is Dell’s recent announcement:
Let Dell do the heavy lifting and upgrade your new PC to Windows 7 for you.
For those customers who are waiting for Windows 7 to arrive, Dell has a deal for you. Dell is expanding their upgrade program with a new option - the Windows 7 Free and Easy Upgrade program - which takes the hassle out of upgrading a PC to Windows 7 because Dell will do it for you. Now customers can purchase popular PCs like the Inspiron 15 or 17 laptop, Studio 15 laptop, Inspiron 546 or Studio desktop and Dell will install Windows 7 Premium on it before shipping.
As the program name implies, there are no additional charges associated with this. Dell’s goal is to make it as easy as possible for customers to order a new PC powered by Windows 7 and get on with the daily business, and around Oct. 22, or soon after the new PC will arrive. Of course for those customers who prefer a do-it-yourself, Dell is still offering the Windows 7 Technical Upgrade program, in which a customer buys a qualifying PC with Vista Home Premium, Vista Business Pro or Vista Ultimate, and registers for the Windows 7 upgrade kit, which then ships within a few weeks of October 22.
Dell is looking forward to the customer’s feedback on this new option in our upgrade program, and depending on customer response, Dell will investigate adding additional PC models as well as expanding it on a global basis. Go to http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/windows-7-easy-upgrade?&s=dhs.
For more details, head over to the Direct to Dell blog: http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/direct2dell/.
DELL recently integrated their Alienware line of laptops to use hybrid graphics technology that enables switching between expansion graphics card (which is basically what is ordered by the customer) when connected to AC Adapter and integrated graphics card when the laptop is on battery power.
This new technology will automatically switch the laptop to integrated graphics when it’s on battery.
If you think that you’re missing the correct graphics card or you have the wrong graphics card installed on your Alienware M17x, try doing the following to turn on your preferred graphics:
1. Connect your laptop to AC power.
2. Hit on 'Fn-F7' key to toggle between integrated and expansion graphics. You may be required to restart the system.
3. Make sure that your BIOS settings are configured to enable hybrid graphics and integrated graphics.
The Alienware M17x uses hybrid graphics technology as a way to conserve power when you’re on battery mode.
When you in the integrated mode (laptop is powered by battery only), the nVidia 9400 graphics will be seen in the Device Manager, system performance will also be less on integrated and some applications and/or games which require intensive graphics solutions will not work.
Some DELL Studio XPS 1340/13 computers may report over-heating of the battery or shorter battery life.
DELL confirmed that the default preset on XPS 1340/13 has been set to "Dell Recommended" power plan. As a workaround to increase the system battery life, select the system power plan as "Power Saver".
DELL also advised customers experiencing the problem to
download and install the latest NVidia video driver A05 version (R215031.EXE) or above from Dell Support. Upgrading the BIOS to the latest version could also help alleviate the problem.
DELL released another update regarding reports of their Alienware M17x systems experiencing slow graphic performance when running graphics intensive programs. This is noticed when booting the system on battery power.
DELL explained that on booting the system thru battery power, the integrated graphics card is automatically enabled, disabling the discrete graphics card(s).
The integrated graphics card remains enabled even after AC power is plugged to the system. The system may only show the “Nvidia Geforce 9400M G” graphics card in Device Manager.
System warning message:
“System is operating on battery power. To maximize battery life, the system will operate on Integrated graphics.
If you would like to use discrete graphics, connect the AC adapter. Press
The solution to this issue is to enable the discrete graphics by doing the following:
1. Connect the system to AC adapter. Press 'Fn-F7' key to toggle between integrated and discrete graphics.
2. Choose 'Yes' to enable discrete graphics card on the screen prompting 'BinaryGFX' access detected.
3. Reboot system on AC adapter power. Discrete video card(s) will be listed in device manager.
If you think you’re better than your old clunky laptop docking station. You’re even better without a power cord sticking into your computer. And you’re definitely better than waiting for Windows to load-up just to check your e-mail. Well, of course, you’re an executive and you definitely need distinction. Here’s Dell’s answer to you.
Dell released their Latitude Z laptop on Tuesday to the upper elite. Dell claims their new Latitude Z laptop is the world’s thinnest (at 14mm) 16-inch laptop. Price starts at $1,999.
The new Latitude Z laptop comes with a slick, black cherry finish that makes it look black in certain light and burgundy in other light. It’s refined with a high-definition (1600×900) WLED display, a back-lighted keyboard, a 2 mega-pixel camera, solid state drives and carrying cases designed by Timbuck2 and Cole Haan.
However, the real magic of the Latitude Z is buried elsewhere. For instance, current laptops would require brute force and crunching noises before finally making their way into docking stations. Never with the Latitude Z.
The Latitude Z just glides onto a shiny and thin platform that charges the laptop thru an inductive charging system. The platform subsequently uses wireless communications to connect with a small, rectangular docking station that handles a connection to the office network as well as the monitor.
An executive trying to impress can just buy a wireless mouse as well as a wireless keyboard and then place the Latitude Z onto the platform, revealing only a one-cord wonder. Another impressive feature on the Latitude Z is also the ability to check e-mail, contact information as well as calendar and even browse the Web thru an instant-on software package.
The software fires up the moment you open the laptop and immediately connects right to a wireless network without having Windows to load.
Most of the users Dell surveyed spent 70 percent of their time working most in the instant-on mode. That should make Microsoft take note of that figure. It turns Windows into a clunky cup holder.
The new Latitude Z also has more features. You can just slide an identity badge (RFID) across the keyboard and the computer will automatically read it. The laptop utilizes the camera to check if a person is at the keyboard and will automatically lock down when the person leaves. The right side of the monitor acts as a touch-wheel allowing you to scroll through application icons and start applications just by rubbing your finger along the edge of the laptop.
Though the wireless bits and pieces really impress at first look however they seem more about form than function. Nevertheless, you still have to use a plug into the docking station even if the laptop already uses inductive recharging.
Todd Forsythe, the vice president of life-cycle management at Dell explained, “This is designed for impression makers and executives on the go.”
DELL released a workaround for an ongoing No Video problem with their G2410 or G2210 LED widescreen flat panel monitors. The issue happens when the computers attached to the LED panels resumes from sleep mode. Also, the said symptom is noticed when the monitor is attached to a nVidia graphics card via the DVI port.
DELL confirmed that their G2410 or G2210 LED monitors manufactured on April 15, 2009 or earlier affected of the said issue.
DELL's workaround:
*Connect computer to a VGA connection.
*Download and update the latest version of nVidia graphics driver from Dell Support.
There are a few requirements which need to be checked before troubleshooting Blu-ray movie playback issues using MediaDirect 4.0 on Studio Hybrid 140g systems.
*Ensure Broadcom Blu-ray accelerator card is installed correctly and accelerator card driver is A04 or above.
*Dell MediaDirect 4.0 Blu-ray 1.0 profile must also be installed.
-- Launch Dell MediaDirect 4.0, click "Home", select "Settings"
-- Click "About Dell MediaDirect 4.0". The Blu-ray version should listed as 3.5.xxxx
*Onboard Intel video driver A02 or above must be installed.
*High-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) compliance display is used.
Below are some of Alienware M17x Updates released by DELL recently. You may encounter any one of the issues however you may not find the solutions in any of DELL's community website. This is because these issues were gathered by DELL engineers right after the release of the said notebook.
Webcam Not Detected Problem
Explanation: The webcam is not detected in Device Manager. Therefore, applications that rely on it (like AlienSense and YouCam) do not work. The webcam is off by default. Press the [FN] + [F9] key combination to turn it on.
No Lights on Keyboard Problem
Workaround:
1. Create New-Advanced theme.
2. Discharge the system.
3. Reinstall OSD and Command Center.
External Display Ports not working with Onboard Video
Fix: [Fn] + [F7] to switch to discrete mode.
DELL recently released a work-around for various reports on their Alienware M17x notebooks having issues with the battery not being detected.
DELL instructs to do the following in order to fix the issue:
1. Turn the computer off
2. Remove the AC Adapter and Battery
3. Press the power button to drain the leftover power (the computer is not expected to turn on)
4. Connect back the AC Adapter and Battery
5. Turn the computer on
6. Also remember to try the [Fn] + [F2] key combination to make sure that the battery connection is fully enabled (you will see the battery status in the OSD application).
For more troubleshooting tips on the said issue or to report a similar case, DELL encourages you users to visit their online community.
Dell Studio XPS 1340/13 systems may report overheat or short battery life. There are 2 options to address this:
Option 1:
Studio XPS 1340/13 system has been preset to the Dell Recommended power plan. To increase the system battery life, select the system power plan as Power Saver.
This mode is perfect for watching movies, web surfing and non-graphics intense applications. Another benefit of this mode is the system will feel up to 15°C cooler as it will only be using the power required to run the applications.
Option 2:
Download and install the latest BIOS and Nvidia video driver A05(178.98) or above from Dell Support.
This driver will enhance the balance between system performace and power consumption in Dell Recommended power plan mode.
Note:
Should the system require a boost in graphical performance to improve the gaming experience, recommend to select High Performance power plan mode.
The system will generate more heat and will reduce the battery life in High Performance mode, comparing to Power Saver mode and Dell Recommended.
Reports of the Inspiron Desktop 546/546s freezing while playing media have been surfacing recently after the release of the said machine from DELL.
This issues are noticed after unplugging the headphones or speakers from the DELL Inspiron Desktop 546/546s system when media is played using Via VT1708S 5.1 channel High Definition integrated audio controller.
To fix this, follow the steps below:
Uninstall the Audio Driver :
*Click the Start button, then click Control Panel. Double-click the Device Manager icon.
*Click the plus (+) sign next to the Sound, video and game controllers category.
*Right-click the name of the driver to be uninstalled, and then click on Uninstall.
*In the Confirm Device Uninstall window, click to check 'Delete the driver software for this device' and then click OK.
*Download and install the latest audio driver A01 version (R219774.EXE).
DELL recently released a fix on their Inspiron Mini 1010 systems having problems finding their DW700 GPS Mini-Card in device manager.
As per DELL engineering, the card registers as "CP2102 USB to UART Bridge Controller" in device manager. Installing the driver changes the device entry.
To fix this, download and install the latest A01 GPS Card drivers (R217979.exe) from Dell Support.
Device Manager Illustration:
Before Installation
After Installation
Device Manager will update the respective card name after the installation.
Dell recently showed off it's "proof of concept" smartphone during a recent China Mobile event last Monday. Dell calls their own idea of a smartphone the Mini 3i.
Rumours started to circulate regarding the Mini 3i almost immediately after it was presented however Dell denies the idea and said it has not yet announced any smartphone for the China market.
"Dell was there supporting China Mobile as a development partner. We did not confirm or announce anything," a Dell spokesman said. However, he confirmed that Dell showed off a "proof of concept mobile device prototype" at the event.
Some photos of the proof of concept depict a candybar-style, black handset equipped with a touchscreen and stamped with the Dell logo on the back.
Dell's Mini 3i was said to be confined to operating on a 2G GSM network (no wi-fi access) but with a three-megapixel camera, a slot for a microSD card and Bluetooth.
More on: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10311066-1.html?tag=mncol
A lot of my colleagues have been experiencing this problem lately on their Dell Mini 10. Well, they've resigned to the idea that since they're using a 9-inch netbook, isolated cases related to screen issues are expected. Luckily, I was able to find a fix and they're glad it worked!
To fix the application dialogs exceeding the screen size on a Dell Mini 10, just do the following:
Change the DPI settings to 96 DPI in order to prevent the application dialogs from exceeding the screen size. Follow below steps:
Right-click the blank area on the desktop and select 'Properties'.
Click the 'Settings' tab, click 'Advanced'.
In the 'General' tab, choose '96 DPI' in 'DPI Settings'.
Click 'OK' and 'Restart' the system.
Few latest laptop systems and flat-panel monitors include an integrated 2.0-megapixel camera from Lite-On which is built into the top of the LCD bezel.
The camera is designed to provide VGA color video and still images.
The camera is not movable and includes a digital array microphone.
The LED around the camera lens lights up when the camera is operating unless it is set for the "Motion Detection" or "Remote Monitoring" modes.
Webcam Manager Application
Webcam Manager acts as a hub for all webcams applications and configuration options. These applications include:
Webcam Center: Controls core recording functions of the webcam such as video recording, motion detection and photo capture.
Webcam Console: Configure the webcam's picture quality, face tracking, pan and zoom features including special audio and video effects.
Video Chat: Allows video chat with popular instant messaging applications such as Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, and AOL Instant Messenger.
Live! Cam Avatar: Select avatars for video chat, apply audio filters or use emoticon style emotions with the video avatars.
Create Avatar: Create a unique avatar using the Live! Cam Avatar Creator software for video chat.
