RAM is under the metal panel on base of the machine (Slot 0 is the top of the two slots so you'll need to remove the existing DIMM to fit the new one i slot 1 and then refit the original one back in 0)

folks looking to install linux should remeber that its quite possible to stick the drive onto a desktop PC that has SATA support (ideally an intel based machine), then just install and reconfigure linux for it on there - build and install custom kernel etc then drop the drive back into the notebook once finished.. (I find that easier than installing linux from an older distro and carrying out multiple upgrades etc drectly on the X56)

I ended up buying a 120gb SATA notebook drive to replace the standard 80Gb - cost from a local PC shop was 80 quid and included buying a 2.5" hard disk enclosure to let me recycle the original drive as a spare external

Try as i might though i can find no info on cd keys etc for the bundled apps (WinDVD etc) amongst the scant documentation ..I suspect they just get imaged over using the system restore method but its a bit of a pain as I much prefer XP home over MCE which means a fair chunk of the bundled apps included on the drive are uninstallable after doing a standard XP home install (cant see why they bothered including installable versions if they dont provide the keys)

stevie

I'm definitely going to be getting an X56 once PC World/Currys etc get them in stock but would like to know if anyone knows if you can buy a port replicator for the x56 to allow an external monitor, printer to be installed when I am using it at my desk. This way I can leave the equipment setup rather than having to plug and unplug each time.

theres no direct philips docking facility - the expresscard slot offers hope of a full fledged docking solution but I wouldn't buy on strength of that, as its likely to take a while for those to mature

eg at moment the only unit of that sort to show up is the belkin one (which is starting to become available in the states)

http://www.belkin.com/highspeeddock/

looks good on paper but the current feedback of those used on Dell laptops is patchy at best

I work in Belkins warehouse UK and have not seen these come through yet. If it's like other Belkin products it should be ok. If i can find out any more info i will and post it for you.

You can get the Vista Upgrade from here:
https://upgradeweb.moduslink.com

Follow everything through, when needed, choose the advent / philips option.
X56 is listed on the later pages.

Chris (posted 27.11)

Where did you obtain the 2Gb SoDIMM? Was it easy to install? Any problems since?

Les

Hi Guys,
Just wanted to say thanks for posting all this info - it really is helpfull. Ive been looking at this laptop for ages - and as ever put it off and off, and now the price has gone up - and in many places are sold out - !

However, I was looking atthe X56 and wondered what people thought. Also, can you tell me what spec a laptop has to be to run Vista effectively?

What is the best processor for it , and what RAM should i be looking out for ?

Thanks in advance

To remove the "mypixmania" button on the Start menu, run the registry editor (Start Menu - Run- "regedit" - Ok), and find "mypixmania".

On the left bar, delete the key at the bottom. Click on it first to make sure that the "mypixmania" strings are shown, and then right click and delete. Close regedit, switch the start menu into classic mode and back, and they will have dissappeared.

Max

P.S As with any registry edit, be very careful on what you change!

"Any Currys store has a voucher offer for the X56 which they can use at their discretion."

Thanks CJ, I have been looking at it for a while bought one on Boxing Day for £649. Pleased despite sufferring the standby bug.

I couldn't burn the recovery to DVD, it somehow tr/ashed two DVDs, which now read as blank CDs in my desktop - so I used 5 CDs instead. Otherwise the DVD burner works okay.

Any recommendations on Dual Layer DVD media?

Hiya Mozza...

Thanks for the link for upgrading to Vista, do you by any chance know of a way of upgrading a Home used Windows as this seems to be focused towards Business users?

Cheers!