Dell XPS M1210 Troubleshooting

The most up-to-date BIOS version is A08. Having the most up-to-date BIOS helps verify you have the latest fixes for your laptop's ability to communicate with its hardware.

To verify your running BIOS version, open Command Prompt (cmd.exe). Hold the Windows key and press the R key. This will open the Run dialogue box, where you can type cmd and press Enter. A black window with white text will open. From the Command Prompt, you can type the following command:

wmic bios get smbiosbiovsersion

You can also get BIOS information by running msinfo32. Hold the Windows key and press the R key. This will open the Run dialogue box, where you can type msinfo32 and press Enter. This will open the System Information window, which contains BIOS information.

If you have BIOS version A08, you will not need to update your BIOS version. If you do not have BIOS version A08, go to Dell’s website to get the latest BIOS version: http://goo.gl/TpDJ50

The drivers for the laptop could be installed incorrectly, could be outdated, or could be corrupt. Getting error messages or frequent crashing can be a cause of faulty drivers. If so, you will need to download the newest driver versions from the Dell website: http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/1...

Before disassembling your laptop, it’s important to check the status of the hard drive. If you can still use your device normally, defragmenting your hard drive is recommended to improve performance. Also, running the command chkdsk can be used in cmd.exe to identify any problems. If you are hearing strange noises, missing data, experiencing very slow load times (which is also a symptom of RAM issues), or all of the above, it’s possible your hard drive is close to malfunctioning. Back up your data and replace the hard drive.

If you're experiencing memory card issues, you can test your device’s RAM by running Memtest86+. Memtest86+ is used to analyze your device’s RAM for any sort of errors. If your RAM fails the test, you should consider replacing the RAM as soon as possible.

Here is a guide on installing and using Memtest86+: http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-test-y...

If you would like to upgrade the memory for the laptop, a stick of 4GB DDR2 memory is recommended. Unfortunately, the Dell website does not directly sell memory cards for this laptop. Amazon and Ebay do, however, have compatible RAM. DDR2 today is relatively inexpensive and a single stick can be ten to fifteen dollars and replacement is very easy. See ‘Replacing memory.’

The Dell XPS M1210 has two slots for memory; one on the bottom of the laptop and one underneath the keyboard. Use the following guide: www.ifixit.com/wiki/Dell_XPS_M1210_Memory_Replacement

If your laptop is overheating, the fan within your device might be defective. You can download fan utilities to control fan speed. If heat does not decrease, replacing the fan may be necessary. See ‘Replacing the fan.’

If you are hearing strange noises within the fan, it is possible that debris is clogging the exhaust vent or preventing the fan from spinning. A fan replacement may not be necessary. If the fan does not respond after cleaning, it has become damaged and must be replaced. See ‘Replacing the fan.’

If the fan has stopped responding, the next step is to replace it. See ‘Replacing the fan.’

For complete instructions on how to replace the fan, use the guide: www.ifixit.com/wiki/Dell_XPS_M1210_Fan_Replacement

For a refurbished fan replacement, you can buy directly from Dell: http://goo.gl/23rvpM