*HP EliteBook 8530p/w Owners Lounge *

NOTICE:

Modified F13 BIOS link inserted into the 1st post of the thread.

 

OK. So, I've now got an lovely 8530w with cam and 8gb of memory, and with happy diagnostics.

Less lovely is that it came (as I knew it would) with Ubuntu installed. I ultimately need to install Windows 7, but before I do that, I have a question.

Along with the serial number on the bottom, it has a Microsoft COA for Vista. Is there any way that I can use that to get at least the basic Vista that it originally came with, from HP, either as OEM disks, or an ISO, or download, or whatever?

It's not like I really need or especially want Vista, but that aside, is it possible? I recall reading something about how COAs can be used for that purpose, but it was a while ago and I'm not having any success finding anything definitive when I search.

So I though I'd ask here.

Thanks!

 

Hi. Does anyone know where I can download documentation on the 8530w's BIOS settings?

I've found various pdf doc at HP, but can't find one that actually documents the settings, the security settings in particular.

Thanks you!

 

you can try F11 when the computer starts to see if the recovery partition is there. it will restore the system to the factory vista image. you'll have to then see if its x86 or x64 from there. I have several hp security pdfs in a .zip file but you would have to pm me your email because its too large to be attached here.

 

Hi dz2k, thanks for the reply.

I tried F11 on start up, but nothing happened. That's ok. The disk had Ubuntu installed on it and appears to have been wiped before that. I'm installing Windows 7 on it from retail disks. The HD in it is a 320 Gb Western Digital Scorpio Black WD3200BEKT 7200k rpm, which seems like it was probably the original. Do you happen to know if that's the model HD that the 8530w originally shipped with?

Another question. Once I've got W7 installed, and have done all the updates from MS, am I likely to need to get any specific drivers from HP?

I know there was a bios upgrade from HP that a lot of people here aren't happy about. I don't recall what number mine is (and can't check cos windows in installing) but I know it's lower than the one that made people so unhappy. I need to reread that part of the thread. For now, I'll steer clear of it.

Thanks much for the offer of your zipped HP security pdfs. I will take you up on that, via pm.

 

my hdd is a seagate ST9250421AS 250gb 7200rpm. its possible that your hdd is the original and has more storage.
you are likely to need hp drivers from their site to clear the exclamation points in the device manager.
f20 is the encrypted bios i think.
what processor did you get in the unit?

 

I got an x9100 3.6 ghz Extreme.

Now if I only had 64-bit Windows 7 disks. I thought I did, in a retail box with both 32 and 64 bit, but after installing it, and being unable to activate, I looked more closely and found that they are for upgrades from Vista only. Gah!

I have a w7 clean installation disk, but it's 32-bit. I was really looking forward to 64-bit with all that memory. I guess I can buy a retail key.

If I have the serial number and coa, is it somehow possible to get a recovery disk from HP, or would any recovery need to be from the recovery partition? I suppose they would need some proof that I actually owned the device, and didn't just have the numbers.

This may not be the original HD. It didn't have anything that looked like a recovery partition when I checked, which is why I went ahead and initialized the disk before installing w7.

 

Thanks for posting this. I have some questions about how this actually works, but will ask in that thread.

 

Another good tell is to look at the manufacturing date on the hdd. If it's newer than your laptop, it's not original

 

Yep. I does appear to be an after market upgrade, a 7200K rpm WD Scorpio Black. And there's no indication of HP branding on it, which I've been told would probably be there if it was shipped that way.. does that sound right? EDIT: Doh! It was just a few posts above where I first read that.

 

Thanks again for this. It saved me 63 dollars... I was about to buy a download only version online.

So I've now installed w7 and am setting it up. Have gotten all the updates, which added a number of drivers that brought out some of the HP-specific features, and upped the screen resolution to 1920x1200, way too small for most work, but will be really nice when I hook it up to a second monitor.

I think I'm going to like this "old" notebook, at less than half of the cost of new models that require too many compromises.

I've been looking for the setting for the touch pad, but haven't been able to find them. The scroll zone on the right doesn't seem to be enabled, all it does is move the cursor.

And I still haven't figured out what the middle button does, or how it works... I'm guessing that it does something similar to what a scroll wheel does on a regular mouse... but the setting s seem to be hidden somewhere. Any clues?

Thank you!

 

Thanks, Indrek for that information.

I downloaded that Synaptics drivers from HP, and they seemed to install ok. Then when I clicked the "Mouse" panel in CP, (under Devices and Printers) I would get an error from "Synaptics Pointing Device" saying "Control Panel Extension is incompatible with Driver Version." When I closed that message, I was taken to the Synaptics Mouse/Trackpad panel, in what seemed like a working state. Then exited and tried again, but got the same message.

A search for that phrase shows that it's not uncommon. But before pursuing any of the solutions, I thought I'd try the downloading the more recent one from Synaptics. So I uninstalled the HP version. IIRC, as that completed I got a message that said I needed to reboot, and then added something to the effect that if the pointer was unavailable to exit windows using the keyboard reboot using. Sure enough, my mouse (trackpad) was frozen.

I rebooted and installed the Synaptics version and rebooted. This time, after rebooting, there was a "welcome"-like dialog from Synaptics offering to take me into the panel. Instead, I went in through Control Panel, and again got that message when I clicked the mouse link. And again, I was able to enter the Synaptics panel (though I didn't actually do anything in it.)

Does any of this mean anything to you? The info I've found on it points to a a problem with one of the .cpl files, but I thought I'd ask before I start poking around at that level.

Thanks!

EDIT: Actually, now that I look at it more closely, the Mouse Properties looks like it might not be for the 3-button track pad. There are options for 2 devices: Synoptics TouchPad V7.0 (with a photo that shows a 2-button pad), and a TouchStyk V2.0 (with a photo of a touch stick.) The title of dialog says Mouse Properties (Evaluation Copy.) This is the one I got from Synaptics.

 

after getting cosmetic repairs done last month, my middle touchpad mouse button stopped opening Internet Explorer tabs. Therefore, I uninstalled the current driver and installed the Synaptics TouchPad Driver (International) from the hp site. I have no error messages. as you stated, There are options for 2 devices: Synoptics TouchPad V7.0 (with a photo that shows a 2-button pad), and a TouchStyk V2.0 (with a photo of a touch stick.) you can go to the device settings tab, settings, and buttons to configure the middle button of the touchpad and the 3 buttons above the touchpad. now the middle button above the touchpad opens IE tabs..lol.

 

To make settings for touchpad: Right click synaptics icon in task tray. Click on Pointing device properties. At the top of the window that opens up click Device settings. Now click settings in the mininwindow. In window which now opens you have instructions and a tree to open on the left to make all settings.
Cheers!

 

Hi all. Happy New Year, and thanks for replies.

Well, in trying to get to the bottom of certain oddities with the Synaptic driver, I decided that I would uninstall it and start from scratch. I uninstalled it from control panel, and restarted.

But when I get back to the Windows sign in screen, I have no mouse control at all -- the pointer is frozen at center screen, and I also don't have any keyboard access. The cursor is blinking in the password box, but typing keys does nothing.

I've tried this in Safe mode, and had the same results. That was kind of surprising.

I've looked in the BIOS -- where I DO have normal mouse and keyboard functions -- but (as expected) there's nothing in there that seems to have much to do with this issue. Windows SP1 64-bit is otherwise booting correctly.

I'm hoping someone might have some ideas for what I might try, short of restoring an image I took of the OS drive some days ago... long enough ago that I'd rather not have to redo everything done since then.

Any ideas will be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

Do you have install media at hand? Restart install as you normally would, when you see an option "repair your computer" choose that one. Then you'll see list of options, one of the is System Restore. Hopefully you would have restore point available near driver uninstallation

 

Good idea. The repair option on the install disk has come i handy in the past, but didn't occur to me this time.

I will try that and post outcome.

Thanks!

 

OK, the good news is that that worked: running repair from the windows install corrected whatever it was that was freezing both the touchpad and keyboard (though see below.).

The bad news is that the same thing happened again when I again tried to uninstall the Synaptics driver, downloaded from the Synaptics site, which I am trying to do because:

a) it doesn't appear to be working (the options I'm expecting to see are not there),

b) it gives an error before letting me into the mouse/pointer settings: "Control Panel Extension is incompatible with Driver Version."

c) I can not install the driver I got from the HP site because it is older than the currently installed one, and gives a message saying to uninstall that one first.

Windows repair doesn't have any restore points prior to when this started.

And now here's the worse news: although running repair worked the first time, it is no longer working. It finds nothing wrong (the details shows what looks like a series of all clears - 0x0) , tells me to restart, at which point I get to the login screen with both the touchpad and keyboard non-responsive.Looks like I will need to restore a full disk image I took at least 10 or more days ago to even begin to get out of this loop I seem to be in.

Plus -- when I start in safe mode, the touchpad and keyboard are also dead. That seems surprising. If I understand how safe mode works, it should get me into Windows before anything but the most basic drivers load. Which if true would seem to suggest that installing the synaptic driver somehow did something to either damage or otherwise make even the generic windows keyboard and touchpad drivers inaccessible. But that's just conjecture on my part.

One final thing I've discovered. When I plug in a regular USB mouse, I can get the mouse pointer to move, and I am able to click into the Password box, which focuses the box and gives a blinking cursor, but the keyboard is still dead.

Even though I can't get past the sign in screen, the computer is showing up in my LAN and access the d: drive. So everything otherwise looks ok. Except the input devices are dead. (I haven't tried a USB keyboard yet... my guess is that it would probably work...?

The driver I am trying t remove is (I believe)
Synoptics (SynTP) (10/17/2013 17.0.19.0)

It came in a file named:
Synaptics_v17_0_19_C_XP32_Vista32_Win7-32_XP64_Vista64_Win7-64_Acme_Inc.zip

Anyone have any ideas what I might try instead of an image restore?

Is there some way to get into the drive with a command prompt, and either manually remove the Synaptic files, or restore whatever might be damaged?

Thanks.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I'm making progress.

I went back to a restore point, from about a week ago. It didn't undo all that much, mostly some Windows Updates. In the Windows updates that were ready to be downloaded and installed was one named "Synaptics - Input - Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad" So I installed it and rebooted.

At that point two things happened: I was no longer getting the incompatible message when clicking the "Mouse" link in CP or otherwise accessing those settings. And the Settings sub-window under the Synaptics Device Settings tab was able to properly load and pull in the settings tree on the left. Before, the left panel had only a couple of things in it, and the right side had a "not found" message of some kind.

Now I've got all the usual settings for the TouchPad V7.0 (I'm familiar with it from my Toshiba), and also for the TouchStyk V2.0. Before, switching between those two would cause the thing to go non responsive for a moment like it couldn't figure out what to do (plus the title bar said it was an "Evaluation Copy") So this is moire like what I was expecting... with settings for 3 buttons (although the graphic is still just 2)... and separate device settings for the pad and stick.

At the top of the Device Settings tab it says Synaptics Pointing Device - v15.0.24 03Jun10. The one I had been trying to uninstall was v17. But I think for now I'll leave well enough alone. What versions of these are others running?

Now I wonder if the update was sitting there before I did the restore. I'm tempted to restore the image I took before the restore, and see (after taking an image of the current state)... but I suppose I'm not all THAT curious.

The thing sure didn't fail gracefully!

It looks like maybe this is solved. Yay!

Thanks for bearing with me!

 

Hello again!
The proper driver for the 8530p/w series Win 7 64bit, is Synaptics Version: 15.0.24.0 This allows all features of 3 button control.
Cheers!
Edit: I run SSD with System Restore turned off.Fresh install every 6-8 months for a tune up.This is the driver that comes down on Windows Update on the install. My guess you missed the update.

 

Happy as I am with my new (used) 8530w, it's not perfect.

The battery's ability to to hold a charge is fading fast.

What have others done when it came time replace the battery?

Should the replacement be a actual HP?

And about how much should I expect to pay. Non-HP replacements can be found at Amazon, and also new ones on eBay, for between roughly 20 and 40 dollars. But I'm not sure on what basis I should choose one over the other.

All info appreciated!

 

i got hp battery on ebay.

 

I understand there's no way to go back from the F.20 BIOS to a previous version. Has someone tried flashing the EPROM on the motherboard with the F.13 version? Is it possible?
Also, does the F.13 version also remove the video card whitelist restrictions, or only for WLAN?

 

Sorry! Once your at F20 your done.No way out other than desolder and new chip preprogramed from supplier such as Bios Depot on ebay Most will program the chip with F13 if you send it to them). Truth of the matter is its actually cheaper to buy an ebay computer (advertised as no hdd no memory but boots to BIOS) with an early BIOS and swap the motherboard and flash F13. For the price you get the bonus of extra parts like videocard etc.While this may sound like a pretty scary scenario I can tell you that to do it does not take a lot of know how. Ya just sort of sit back and read the service manual instructions a few times on taking it apart. Proper tools (#8 TORX and Phillips) is all you need. Remember,the 8530w is a business machine. It was built with quick replacement of parts(Modules) by IT service guys as a priority.I have built this machine from scratch with all new parts and other than things being really small its not really hard at all.Once your inside the machine, you will find that its all in modules which are plug in. As far as video card goes,FX 770 M (9600M GT) is it.Download MSI Afterburner program to overclock it a tad, but be extremely careful with this and read directions CAREFULLY (like go very small increments at a time). Also have a temperature monitor program like HW Monitor running while you are pulling the trigger, actually running 8Gb RAM (for the shared video RAM)is probably better and safer.As regarding battery life,good luck! Search GENUINE HP when needing replacement.Also google info on INITIAL CYCLING of lion battery to insure longer life.You can lose 10% life right off the hop if this is not done.
Cheers!

 

If I were to solder an EPROM bios chip with ver F.13, will the modded version also remove the restrictions for video cards?

 

Sorry!NO.
The FX 770M is the business version of the GeForce 9600M GT(selectable driver packages for certain programs,CAD-Cam etc). Im not a gamer,but have a number of games on my machine.Its a pretty wild world out there when it comes to V Cards,dont get over run by specs. Chasing rabbits looking for max performance out of an older machine IS the GAME. All bull aside,the 770 will handle most of what you will want. It kinda goes with the new processors and the integrated onchip graphics.When it comes down to the crunch,discreet card ,vRAMM will get you by just great.Maybe not 100% performance but more than acceptable.Think! Intel didnt put the graphics on the CPU because its a great advancement,it simply cuts manufacturing costs.8530 6 years old will still kick butt on 80% of new plastic chichlets for $700-1200 range.
Just my opinion!!
Cheers!!!

 

I was trying to change it because of the drivers, not performance. The binary nvidia driver has some missing features that I need, and the open source radeon driver has them.

 

I know that if you search nvidia site for Quadro FX770M drivers,there is quite a long list including beta versions. Have you tried any of those? Theres the Mobility Radeon FireGL V5700 as an option.Only 256mb but is pro version of Radeon 3650. Not positive about this but I read years ago that if you had an ATI 3650 from an HP branded lappy (HP video bios) that the 8530w would accept it. Theres also a long list of drivers for both these ATI cards.
Cheers!!

 

I have an 8540p with the i5-420M and NVS 5100. I use a 90W PSU and see a lot of lag even with basic OS UIs and TB monitor always shows energy saver. I've updated the bios to the latest and still see no settings for TB. Anyone know the way to tell if my model uses the 90W or 120W version of the PSU? There are no voltage input markings on the unit, I only have the model and the motherboard model.

I've already tried swapping RAM and HDD to see if they were causing it. I don't want to invest more in the unit by spending $17 and waiting a week for a 120W PSU to test with. It might be CPU or motherboard. The battery doesn't charge in a 24H period so I'm guessing the 18V 6.xA 120W PSU is the correct one. I bought the unit used with no PSU and ordered the 90W.

 

@togio
Ask the fellows over on 8540 Owners thread.90watt is minimal for your machine.Best for you is 230watt original GENUINE HP.When looking for this make sure you are getting Laptop version, NOT printer or Docking Station as they do not have correct power connecter. If your battery will not charge in 24hrs WITH Computer turned OFF, I would be looking at a new Battery.Download HWMonitor.It will give you all battery specs eg: life left,full charge capacity.
Cheers!!

 

That's the first place I posted. It seems to be a dead thread. There is only a 90W and 120W PSU for the 8540p according to the HP support site and docs. The 120W is 18V with higher amperage compared to 19V with lower.

I've sold the laptop though to avoid wasting more money. I suspect the 90W PSU with low amperage or some motherboard or CPU issue caused the lag. Even control panel was lagging on a W7 deployment image I've been using forever. Definitely not worth risky repair investments considering the cost of parts and the whole price of better models..

 

To all concerned who may follow this thread: I recommended the 230watt Genuine HP 230 watt because I use it with all 30 series Lappys I have.X9300 Quad Extreme-X9100 Dual Extreme-8730w T9900 3.06 ghz option ordered-and 3-2530p ([email protected] and [email protected]) rigs.I believe @togio problem was "W7 deployment image Ive been using forever". I am no great wizard, but I know what will work on the 30 Series. Rule 1: DO Not go on HP Support Site and download all that is there. You simply dont need it and much will screw up a super good all around lappy that you just want to use for home or general use. I wished I had enough patience to sit down and give detailed information as Indrek from Estonia did on proper setup for 6930p on W8.A true Star there!!! Thanks!
Oh yeah! When I need fast charge for my "take with me 2530p to coffee shop"and still work,ZAP,im charged,and thats using 2540p 93mwh battery which gives me 6+ hours@Balanced and over 8hrs if on power saver (not advisable on 2 rigs with SSD-1-64gb Kingston-other 128gb Plextor M5M).
Just an Ol Guy havin fun on Ol Machines.
Cheers!!

 

That was my last resort. First I used windows update and some hardware ids via chipmaker sites and nvidia, then nvidia site and driver doctor, then HP files.. I forgot to mention it did it on a vanilla digital river w7 image too with updates off and no driver installs.. Put with those scenarios it did the same with HDD and RAM swapped.

It WAS a nice laptop but not worth investing hundreds in just for a fuzzy chance at getting it working right.. Motherboard alone is around $120, the MXM graphics card and i5 at least $90.. I ran every hardware test in BIOS and UBCD to no avail, it was time for it to be sold as the only options left were buying pricey parts for process of elimination..

 

I'm getting one so that I can run Zorin 8( A New Linux Distro) on but I noticed mine doesn't come with the webcam either, would it be possible to purchase the webcam, install it and just change the bezel??? Any help would be much appreciated!
-Keith E Brown future A+ Technician

 

Yo! Really easy upgrade.You will need 2 pieces. (1) Webcam and ribbon cable. (2) mini PCB board and lead that goes to motherboard.
These 2 parts fit into recess,s already there. Set the webcam in place and measure where is center on LCD bezel and drill hole with sharp pointed knife ONLY a tad bigger than camera lens.The mini pcb is a stick on about midway down the lid , where the cam ribbon fits with a connector.Be EXTREMELY careful as this is super small and breaks easily. The connection is flat to flat,like flat side of ribbon to flat side of pcb.Look 4 times (use a magnifier) how it fits before squeezing together. Pins are microscopic (only hard part). Feed the lead thru the right hinge (just loosen left hinge 3/4 turn so you can lift right side up an inch so easy to fit lead thru) and onto the mobo. Light off pc and install the drivers and your away.
Caution: The screen bezel is held on with double sided tape that sticks like Hxxl. Start bottom of screen, inside edge and wiggle slowly up till tape breaks loose and then work up the sides. Pull to hard and for sure bezel will crack $35 I know. Also do not overtighten bottom outside bezel screws as they will pull thru the bezel. Tighten the hinge screws underneath the bezel before putting it back on.
Cheers!!
Edit: See photo Page 7 6930p Owners Lounge.

 

Hi all. I need some help with a very annoying problem. Maybe you can try this yourself and see if you have the same problem and offer some suggestions? I have searched this thread for "wireless" with no relevant hits, as well as elsewhere. Assistance would be appreciated.

System Info:
HP EliteBook 8530p
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
BIOS version F.20
Intel Wireless Driver version 13.2

Problem Description:
Cannot turn on wifi after using wired ethernet.

Reproduce the problem:

1. Wifi and bluetooth working fine, blue wireless indicator on the touch panel is lit blue and I am connected to a network via wifi and using a BT mouse. Great...
2. Manually disconnect from wireless network via windows tray icon
3. Connect to wired ethernet, works fine, get an IP, etc. Blue wireless indicator light on touch panel and front panel turns orange automatically.
4. Shut system down via windows shutdown
5. Remove wired ethernet connection and reboot and login to Win7
6. Wifi is disabled. Wireless light on touch panel and front is still orange.
7. Touching the wireless button on the touch panel does nothing. Other touch panel buttons work fine.

Workaround:
In BIOS menu, restore defaults, save and exit. Then wireless resumes normal operation when Win7 boots and user logs in. This problem will repeat each time I use wired ethernet. Also, regardless of the BIOS settings not actually changing from defaults, this workaround also fixes the problem each time.

Permanent Fix:
Credit to @stumbler for the fix, Thanks!
Enable WLAN/Lan Switching In BIOS, Built in devices menu. Poof! Problem gone.

 

@gg48gg
If U are using HP Wireless Assistant, uninstall it and use HP Connection Manager.Use the wireless driver from 8530 downloads for your OS. In BIOS try having WLAN/Lan switching enabled.You should be able (machine running) to pull hardwired and switch automatically to wifi. Thats the way mine works
Cheers!!

 

Thanks for the reply. I am using native Windows wireless management, no HP Wireless Assistant or HP Connection Manager. I'll try the HP Connection Manager and report back.

 

"BIOS try having WLAN/Lan switching enabled" fixed it! Thanks!

 

Has anyone been able to get 5.1 audio out of the HDMI port? I can only get 2 channel audio no matter what configuration I use.

 

Its been a while since ive tested. Probably last years football season. I know samsung tvs limit a lot to 2 channel. Sony tvs let u get 5.1 audio. I also chose the digital audio output in the sounds menu.

 

When i connect my gf-s 8530p to samsung tv maximum i get is 2 channel audio, when i connect to my receiver first i get 5.1 support.

 

I also connect to av receiver for 5.1 channel. I hate i have to turn to a different input for laptop and tv but. I do whats best with the samsung tv.

 

recently I have bought 8530w Intel Core 2 ExtremeX9100, but it works on full speed 5 sec only, then slows down to 2,2 GHz, heat sink is cleaned,
any ideas ?

 

Hi. It's coming up on a year since I acquired my 8530w on eBay. It has worked out very well. The one thing I don't like about it (other than it being a quite old model at this point) is that the fan is loud and constantly on. Despite that, the machine still runs hot, though has never had any heat problems.

Would it be possible for me to replace the fan with a quieter one? Could this be done as easily as popping opening the bottom, popping old one out, popping the new one in, and replacing the bottom? I'd do it if was a clean operation, but I'd just as soon not bother if it would mean a full dis-assembly.

Any advice or suggestions? What fan would I need, if I did it?

Thank you!

 

If that laptop opens like my 8510w did, you could access fan by removing keyboard.

However finding a suitable quiet replacement fan might be hard. Usually when fan is replaced, the new one is same as the old one. I would start by cleaning out dirt/dust from the old heatsink, if it's dirty it might cause system to heat more and fan to spin faster than normally required.

 

Try undervolting with rmclock and cleaning the heatsink.

Rmclock works under win7 and its a great tool.

 

No need, fan operates at different speeds according to temperature sensors. If yours constantly operates on full speed that either heat sink is inoperative or you have a cpu power consumer running.

 

Still looking for people with 8530w Intel Core 2 ExtremeX9100 experience !?