How To Fix Touch Button Problem on Dell Studio 17 Notebook
If You have Dell Studio 17 or 15 and you found that your touch button( close to the
screen) is stop working, don’t worry. I’ve ever found this error before, I really
confuse cause I’ve tried to reinstall Quickset but it still happen.
But here is my simple step to solve the problem:
a. Shut down your computer
b. remove AC power
c. hold the power button for 30 seconds.
d. everything is fine, your touch buttons will work again.
short Dell Studio 17 specification: 2.5 GHz of Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 with Intel
965PM Chipset, 400GB of hard drive, 4GB of DDR2 memory RAM, 256MB of ATI Mobility
Radeon HD3650, DVD Super Multi, 2 MP webcam, WLAN, bluetooth, 8-in-1 media card
reader, 17-inch TFT WUXGA that support for 1920 by 1200 pixel resolution.
December 14th, 2008 00:03
Hi,
Plz find this driver and try with ur machine ..its working with my laptop.
http://askiris.toshiba.com/ToshibaSupportSite/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=2104279xml&sliceId=&dialogID=62708032&stateId=1%200%2062704608
January 25th, 2009 19:42
Hi,
I had the problem where the media touch buttons did not work at all on my new Studio 17 laptop. I initially contacted Dell and they suggested that I take the PC back to BB where I purchased it. I eventually did. The Geek Squad looked at it and could not figure it out. After about an hour wait, they informed me that I would need to contact Dell and they would walk me through a 30 step trouble shooting process. Obviously, that did not appeal to me at all.
Anyway, rather thn call Dell, I did something I should have done from the beginning: I shut down the computer completely and removed the battery for about one minute. After putting the battery back in, I restarted the PC and that solved the problem. The buttons light up and function like they should. If you are having the same problem, I wiould recommend this first before trying anything else. Happy computing.
January 26th, 2009 18:22
Nothing is working to fix the media control buttons for my laptop. It’s a 1535 15.4 inch screen if that means anything. But the eject touch pad button is staying lit up, and it wont unlight, and none of the other buttons will respond. I JUST got this laptop, and I’ve checked the manuals and nothing covers this. And I havn’t even used the buttons except for once and I’m sure it’s nothing I’ve done. I’m not sure what to do, but those steps don’t work, the situation stays the same. Is there anything else I should try?
February 25th, 2009 15:58
Head over to killerwombatspy.blogspot.com – I have a very similar method, but it differs in one way which might make a difference
March 1st, 2009 04:39
I have the same problem as nikki.
March 7th, 2009 07:07
i don’t underdstand how dell is getting away with this. a very large percentage of the new studio laptops purchased in the last 3 months have this problem. it greatly interferes with normal use of the computer, and the eject/volume panel button problem is immediately apparrent on brand new machines. how could dell have had no idea their product had such a major flaw? how long is it going to take them to admit their fault and provide a solution? why does BB still sell these things when so many are lemons fresh out of the box? maybe i’ll start a website devoted to this one issue if we don’t reach an answer from dell. does anyone know if dell have opened their eyes to their responsibility to us? short of unscrewing the cover and unplugging this feature (which would require a 50% refund to me of my purchase price to accept as a valid solution) this thing is about to be returned in favor of another manufacturer.
March 12th, 2009 04:38
yep. i just got the dell xps 13 and am having the same problem. im currently on my desktop while it installs its updates, but i literally just purchased it yesterday. All of the touch buttons are lit up, but none of them are responsive. They started fine, but after restarting once, they have gone dead. I’m currently waiting for it to finish shutting down due to updates, but when it does i will try the shutdown and battery ideas. Hopefully they work as I am really happy with everything so far. The look, feel, and overall functionality are great. However, if i can’t get my eject button to work, i’m afraid i’m not going to be happy going into my computer, right clicking, and pressing eject every time. Updates in a few minutes, and kinda bummed that it seems to be the studio xps model in general rather then just a single lemon. Don’t wanna return it just to get another bad one.
March 12th, 2009 04:50
and there it goes. did the 2 ideas in conjuction. took the battery out for a minute, and then held the power button for 30 seconds before starting it back up again. working perfectly now =))
March 12th, 2009 05:29
Try What KV13 Says at this blog, http://killerwombatspy.blogspot.com/2008/10/dell-studio-17-15-touch-buttons-fix.html#comment-form
That guys blog is only a little different but it fixed my buttons. My dell media direct one was constantly lit up, follow his quick instructions and it should be fixed, it was for me
March 12th, 2009 12:55
I also got a DELL studio 15″ and the blacklight touch screen was living its own live: edject without request , sound volume turn to MAX … DELL adviced to do the battery trick and to push the ON/OFF for 20sec. But next day same problem… Next step: DELL replaced this part for free at home (GREAT). But it was not a final solution. 3th step : they went with me step by step to reinstall or update al kind of drivers, software etc.
This is al very ‘nice’ and sympathetic but when all read all this issues with this touch screen on the www … And I thought I was the only one with this problem.
So keep on sending complaints to them …
March 13th, 2009 08:20
Hi, guys! I have the same problem with my new Studio 15. Two weeks ago, I was traveling by train and incidentally removed the battery of my laptop. After I put it back again, the buttons were working perfectly. So far, so good and one can say that the method suggested above works. Not really! After a couple of days, the problem re-appeared. I performed the battery-magic again and ‘Oh, miracle! It works!’ but again for a couple of days. Does someone know a long-term, final solution for the problem?
April 8th, 2009 00:44
i’m having the same problem as nikki. But after a few minutes the buttons start working. maybe it’s just vista starting up slowly or something. i’m not sure.
April 12th, 2009 22:16
Hey there,
I join the many (or is that every single owner) with the studio 15 faulty media panel
(Dell you are rotten scoundrels, still selling faulty laptops)!!!
Mine dosewn’t exist for the 1st few minutes, but after a while ejecting at will, it gives up and behaves and works ok!
not heard of one user with a working media panel
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19247625/19422661.aspx?
I’ve done everything, been on the phone to dell for hours updating drives, bios, complete reinstal vista…and this that and the other, sent it back to replace a DVD drive… and apparently the next step is to send it back to have the hinge (media panel and cable) replaced. But alas other users have already said this was a tempory fix before the problem reappears.
My long term solution….turn it on, have cup a coffee for 10 mins….by the time i’m back its fine
April 15th, 2009 04:46
press together fn and F10 button
April 15th, 2009 04:50
However to flash BIOS you need to disable your User Account Control in Vista as standard delivered by Dell.
How to do:
Launch MSCONFIG by from the Run menu.
Click on the Tools tab. Scroll down till you find “Disable UAC” . Click on that line.
Press the Launch button.
A CMD window will open. When the command is done, you can close the window.
Close MSCONFIG. You need to reboot the computer for changes to apply.
You can re-enable UAC by selecting the “Enable UAC” line and then clicking on the Launch button.
April 20th, 2009 05:50
Same problem here with Studio XPS 1340. Media buttons stay lit bur unresponcive. Pull battery and they work again but fail again on next boot. Computer had problem from day one. This senario takes place almost every other boot.
May 3rd, 2009 17:38
Here I am , another disgruntled 1535 owner . I first of all noticed that the eject light was on all the time then that it would not eject. All the other button were dead. I tried the battery removal trick , and everything worked that is until I started the computer the next day , then back to square one. Anyway I decided to leave it and took the dog for a walk , when I came back things were working correctly! As someone else said , perhaps there is something going on in Vista. I am not putting up with this and have told Dell I want a new computer as this one is not fit for purpose . Will let you know what happens.
May 16th, 2009 04:45
I hav also recently purchased the dell studio 15 and installed windows 7 in it which even in beta out performs vista…i came across the same problem and thought that it was some driver issue so i went back to vista, but same thing happened ._.
buttons not working problem is solved just by making the system goto sleep and back up, but having the eject button activated and stuck is even worse. it keeps ejecting ur disk in the drive bay -.-
May 24th, 2009 11:15
No-one seems to have the same problem as me, but I think its along the same lines. Everytime I switch my laptop on, the volume control appears on the screen (in blue) and wont disappear for a long time, when it appears I cant press any of the volume buttons until it goes away, then it works fine. Its annoying. Also when I am trying to eject a CD, there is sometimes no response at all from the touch button.
June 4th, 2009 13:21
Thanks, talk about getting me out of a bind. The Dam media direct wouldn’t shut off… now it seems to finally have gone away.
Thanks,
Caldrak.
June 6th, 2009 16:07
I was having the same problem on my Studio 15 as well… not so much with the volume, but mainly with the eject going crazy every time I opened my laptop or turned it on. I found something in another forum which has helped me…
Go to Start, then Run
Type: msconfig
Go to the Startup Tab
Expand the “command” column
The forum then suggested unticking everything Dell related. I did this originally, but then all my touch buttons stopped working and my touch mouse stopped scrolling. I went back in and reticked the “supportsoft” and “alps pointing device”. Everything works for me now and I don’t have any problems with the laptop crazily ejecting. I have given it a day and a few reboots just to try it out and it all seems ok.
I am no computer expert and I don’t understand why this has fixed it, but it seems to have worked for me. Might be worth giving a try??
June 7th, 2009 10:36
Guess what, i’m having this problem as well
me and my bro bought 2 laptops, both studio 15
from day 1 we had this error.
My (temporarely) solution: close your screen (laptop goes in standby mode) reopen it, and the software for the buttons will reload itself (it’s disabled when in standby mode) this mostly fixes the problem
the fact that this fixes it makes me think it’s a software problem.
Oh and btw, Dell, you stink for selling these laptops
June 9th, 2009 23:03
I had the exact same issue as Nikki. No buttons were functioning with eject button always on. Bluetooth, wifi and HD icons lit up as normal.
Shut down, no AC Power, battery off and hold down power for 30seconds to drain the laptop of all power. Battery back on and all worked great.
Many thanks to KV13 blog and Shane for posting it. Now to tell Dell technician who has been trying to solve what needs to be done. Maybe he might tell his mate next to him and word spreads, doubt it but worth a try.
June 29th, 2009 23:11
I have had the same exact issues as everyone else here. I purchased my Dell Studio 1535 last year in July. It hasn’t even been 1 year and I’ve had SO many issue with Dell, specicifically the eject button being constantly lit and ejecting like 8 or 9 times in a row when nothing is in the drive. SO annoying and frustrating.
I’ve had a tech come to my house about 5 times now and he has replaced the cd/dvd drive and the eject button panel. NOTHING has worked and if anything, it’s gotten worst because before it was just being lit up, but now it’s making the eject sound. It typically goes away after the first few minutes, but come on this computer is not even a year old and I am having problems.
I will NEVER buy a Dell again! They will be receiving a nastly letter from me!
Does anyone know if I could get my money back? It’s still under warrantly until the middle of July.
July 3rd, 2009 15:59
Read this:
http://www.kristankenney.com/2009/06/11/how-to-fix-the-media-control-panel-on-a-dell-studio-153515361537/
And krypebud’s posted solution, as well as following this thread on the Dell Community site. It is really the same thing but with a little more description. You’ll also find comments from other users:
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19125998/19494905.aspx#19494905
This worked perfectly for me. It’s been about 10 days now with no noticeable effects other than completely solving the problem. Of course, as with any software, use at your own risk. But this allegedly was posted for a while on the Dell site, then taken down, reportedly for more testing.
July 3rd, 2009 16:03
BTW, I have a Studio 1537 with 64-bit architecture. But users on the Dell board report it works with the 1535, as well as 32-bit machines. If you’re wary of it, read the Dell board fully — all 17 pages.
July 7th, 2009 13:47
Hi,
Have new Dell XPS 13. Same problems as everyone else – its an absolute pain in the ass.
Accoring to some other forums, when running the Windows 7 Beta/RC the problem gooes away – so have dell missed out on a driver within Vista? I’m running Vista Premium btw.
Ontop of this issue, I have the intermittent loss of web browsing – has anyone come accross that one too?
I’m hacked off with dell completely, saved up alot of money for a new laptop after my Acer (which was a workhorse of a machine) eventually had to be replaced – however it still boots up and all buttons fucntion as expected – it has a slot drive and when I press eject, it ejects – imagine that.
Tony, did Dell replace your machine?
July 10th, 2009 04:50
I had same problem with media controls on my dell studio 1737 and I just turned off computer, removed battery and rebooted and Voila,the media control buttons work again.
July 15th, 2009 15:43
Had the same problem for an hour or 2 with my Studio 1735. Have had it for almost a year now. Eject button stayed lit no matter what. Pretty much came down to the button being stuck. Opened the laptop and pulled up the touch panel. Disconnected it, and then re-connected it and powered up with everything fine. You may want to find instructions for disassembly. Just search for it. Haven’t had a problem since.
July 23rd, 2009 10:17
Yea,Dell are a disgraceful company.This is the third time that this has happened to me.I already had the touck buttons replaced and now its happening again.My previous laptop was an inspiron 6400…great laptop.Not an ounce of hassle with it.It had normal,push buttons that always worked.What the hell is the point of these touch keys?they’re so damn faulty.Anyway,Im off to try this theory of taking out the battery and pressing the button for 10 seconds.Hope it works cos otherwise I wont stop until I have the head of Michael Dell!Im serious.
July 25th, 2009 12:17
My dell studio 15 doesnt hav the touch screen button wan…izzit normal?my dealer said its is the cutting course by the dell in malaysia
August 16th, 2009 03:15
I have a similar problem with the XPS 16. My backlight has switched off in the touch button area (nowhere else – backlight on the keyboard and power button are functioning as normal). I cannot use the buttons without the backlight, as I cannot see where they are!
I will try the methods published above. Also, I have just posted a request for assistance at: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=409156 and am waiting for a response. Anyone having the same or similar issues should probably subscribe to that post in case anyone answers the problem there. Might be helpful.
Good luck, everyone.
August 17th, 2009 23:42
Thanks. worked for me.
September 5th, 2009 23:19
I felt pretty stupid pressing the power button for 30 seconds: it didn’t work, and I knew it from the get go(yeah, your solution sucks); yet, on reading the comments, I found another one: removing the battery, I did that, and it worked perfectly! (and it made much more sense than pressing the power button for 30 seconds…)
September 8th, 2009 11:46
Same eject problem here, but no audio issues yet.
October 12th, 2009 05:33
I own a studio 17 and I’m having the same touch button problems. The “take out battery and unplug AC” trick works, but only until it acts up again! Is there a permanent solution?
October 13th, 2009 16:49
Hi, i just tooke out the battery for a while and when i Put in again started the computer and everything worked fine
November 8th, 2009 06:50
After a Format C:/ and a new install of Vista on my six month old Dell Studio 1537, the media buttons stopped working. This simple fix worked!
Thanks!!
December 1st, 2009 16:18
well..my problem sucks more ><
i own the 1 day old dell xps 16…
and when i shut down the laptop….it stays off…permanently…except for a few of the touch buttons remaining permanently lit up…
and yes…it stays off permanently after that…i cant switch it on..no matter how hard i try:(
the only solution is to remove all power source and replug it in…..arghhhh
January 2nd, 2010 21:54
Yes… i fix my laptop.. i removed the batery for a couple of minutes and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Then all right!
January 20th, 2010 03:46
I read all the comments closely, because I was having this identical problem with my Studio XPS 16. Guess what? I got on the chat line with Dell and they fixed it in about ten minutes. That’s not the worst problem I had either. But they fixed every one. So Dell is back in the number one spot for me again.
January 25th, 2010 18:47
I’m trying to do the opposite. I want to get the touch buttons to STOP working. They’re so damn annoying. I try to hit the F8 key and it keeps turning off my Wireless connection because my finger brushes against the edge of the touch key.
January 31st, 2010 19:50
I have an even more wierder problem, my studio 1535 wont turn on with the normal power button on the right, i have to press the touch pad button ( the media clip board ) and it powers up!!!!????????????????????????? it suddenly stopped working few weeks ago and it was by chance that i pressed the touchpad media button and it came on!!?? why would this be? its got the latest bios update.
February 1st, 2010 01:22
I have a Dell Studio 1535, also. I installed all imaginable versions of windows but the Media Center key wouldn’t work, and the eject button/sensor is unresponsive. Since I live in Romania, it would take approx. 3 weeks to get a spare part for changing if theoretically the original one happens to be busted…which isn’t the case here. So, after many installs of both 64bit and 32 bit Windows and no response from the eject key, i gave up and installed Ubuntu Linux 64bit. Everything works perfectly, besides the remote which i didn’t need in the first place because the computer was a gift. The laptop itself is very squeaky, it seems to be constantly coming apart and I had to glue the edges of the plastic at the hinges because the two parts were separated. In conclusion, Dell suck big time; they forgot how to make a good computer. Get a Lenovo.