*HP EliteBook 8540w Owners Lounge!*

I just flashed the BIOS to the latest one on the website (same one I had)
Rebooted. Same thing.
went into Bios restore to factory default. Same thing...
I am puzzled.

 

Call HP. Maybe you have a faulty board. Also, if you and your friend could run 3Dmark06 and Vantage and compare the results, - could shed some light.

 

Scratch everything off..

I just popped in another harddrive and installed a clean version of Windows 7 64bit.
3192.7~3325.5Mhz Constant

Crap, I don't want to reinstall everything with all the corporate software etc etc, it took IT 5 hours the first time...

What part of windows is doing this? Drivers?
Can I copy the windows directory on here? and just use the registry and program files from the other harddrive?

 

Oh my.... There was a thread somewhere about problems with Intel's TurboBoost driver. Maybe that's what happened?
You could look into the Device Manager -> System Devices, take a screenshot, print it out, swap the drives and compare. The driver will be missing on on of the drives. Remove/Install it to solve the problem.
Just my 2 cents of course.

 

Hello

Can I change a Intel Core i7 740QM wit a Core i7 640M CPU or a PGA988 Low Voltage CPU as the Core i7 680LM?
The first is a Qaund Core and the 2nd a Dual Core.
So I can have four Ram-slot and the advantage off a low power CPU?

THX

Loïc

 

Nope, dual core CPU's can't make use of 4 memory slots.

 

I did a windows7 64bit upgrade. I checked drivers are the same for intel turbo boost.... What could it be... IT isn't going to like this.

 

Quad Core too, but large manufacturers such as HP, Dell and Lenovo handle it!

 

I think you should start a separate thread for this problem, so more people will see it.
I'm out of ideas but will keep looking for clues.

 

i've been digging through this thread for hours but i can't find an answer to my problem:

i have a HP8540w with Windows 7x64 preinstalled and i want to set up 7x64 and Ubuntu Dualboot

but: there are already 4 primary partitions set up by HP.. i got SYSTEM, C: Windws, HP Tools and HP Recovery

so i need at least one of them deleted

i got that i shouldn't delete HP_TOOLs, page 120 something in this thread
i dont want to delete Recovery because i plan to sell this laptop before the 3 years of garanty are passed by

so whats this SYSTEM partition? i know that Windows 7 sometimes creates a second, small partition when installing. until now i solved this by rewriting the MBR.. is this SYSTEM partition something that has to do with windows 7 or is it another HP partition for.. stuff?

further i wonder if the Recovery DVD's Windows Version is the same as the one on the hard drive.. or is it without all those programs and driver from hp, while those programs and drivers are on the second DVD containing programs and.. stuff

becasue: IF recovery partiton windows = recovery dvd windows
i could delete that one anyway

little messed up here , don't want to "break" something

thanks for answers!

demalo

 

@demalo
SYSTEM contains:
$RECYCLE.BIN
System Volume Information
and a Dir called Boot containing MUI (MultilanguageUserInterface?!) files bootmgr.exe.mui and memtest.exe.mui, some log files and a few Fonts - System seems to have active access to the log files.

Why dont you get a small Drive for Ubuntu and just re-replace tha drive on sale again?

 

unfortunately i need both windows and linux, virtal machines have been the solution until now but i would like to have them both natively installed

this SYSTEM partition seems to be Windows related in my opinion, or possibly EFI?

i just ordered a new harddrive and i'm going to install windows and linux on it
since some of you have replaced theirs with a SSD and reinstalled it should work
i think i'll see if i need to create a HP_Tools partition, SYSTEM or something

 

Hello

i have a question for those of you who use the fingerprint reader

in my case : when booting the pc, a BIOS logon screen appears that lets me scan my finger or type my password

when waking up form hibernate status, then i see WIN7 logon screen, and i have the same choices to log in

my problem is that on the BIOS screen, the reader have way difficulties to recognize my fingerprint (sometimes 10 attempts are needed)

on the other hand, when on windows logon screen, it works almost each time !

i could post a video if you like

(i'm not sure, but this problem may have appeared just after i installed VMWare player, and that a new user was available on the BIOS login screen ...)

am i the only one to encounter this behaviour ?

thanks for your help
anthony

PS : do you know how i could disable the lound bips that i hear on the BIOS logon screen ?

 

^^ Swipe your finger slower

I'd also like to know how to disable the annoying beep...

 

Hi,
I want to buy Elitebook 8540w i7.
I would like to know if this laptop (fan) is audible in idle mode or during light usage?
I am a little bit worry because of the review (see point System noise): Review HP Elitebook 8540w Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

Thanks
T

 

I haven't noticed the fan noise described in the review. At idle and under very light load the fan is barely, if even running. Under heavy load, Prime95 loading, the fan is definitely audible but still really not that bad. Keep in mind I am running one of the hottest possible configuration:

i7-820Q, FX 1800M, 8GB Ram, 100GB SSD

I have replaced the stock thermal compound with arctic silver 5, which has reduced the temps some and seems to keep the idle fan speed lower. My temps are:

Idle: ~47-50C (CPU), ~48 (GPU)
Heavy Load: ~79-81C (CPU), ~ 73 (GPU)

I am also curious to see what temps other people are getting on there machines since the thermal compound was one of the first things I replaced.

Also checkout Intoxicate's review: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-elitebook-probook/481558-hp-elitebook-8540w-review.html

 

Hello

on the BIOS logon screen, even when i swipe my finger really slowly , the reader has real trouble to recognize my finger
but on windows logon screen, it seems that no matter how fast i swipe my finger, it always work !

anyone having the same problem ?

thanks

anthony

 

Hello

the 8540w is a masterpiece of a business notebook, thus I'm a very lucky owner since 2 weeks. I just got a few questions, maybe someone can answer it.

1. I seldom play games, hence is it possible to switch off (software workaround like deinstall drivers etc?) the Nvidea Graphic card and instead use the internal intel GPU in order to save energy?

2. Is it possible to turn off the "Turbo boost" feature of the i7 processor (Maybe in Bios settings)?
Perhaps I'm wrong but it feels that temperatures increase rapidly so fan speed does as well while the processor is in turbo boost.

3. Are there any tools/software for the HP8540w to control fan speeds (I pretty much liked NHC for my old Asus NB)?

 

Weird. I'd try reinstalling the protect tools and maybe even reflashing/updating the BIOS.

1. Doubt it. Switching normally requires a hardware fix (extra circuitry), so if doesn't come as default option - no chance.

2. Yes, AFAIK. If such an option is not present in the BIOS, you could play with Intel's drivers (search for proper threads on this forum)

3. No, up to date, there's no easy/safe way to do it. We need HP to unlock the option. I'm gonna ask that question when their reps are here for the HP open day.

 

i'm surprised that thermal compound should make that much of a difference?
i´m running my i7-620 + FX1800M at about 40 to 45 °c in idle, 60 to 65 when playing starcraft 2

is it "hard" to replace that thermal compound? i opened 2 acers and had a hard time getting the pieces back together..

 

With your current temps - don't bother, you're fine.
Normally, an aftermarket TIM can reduce the max load temps by 5-10C.
I replaced it both on the CPU and GPU on my 8740w and managed to reduce 5-7C.

 

Just out of curiosity, could you please post your machines specs and the temps before and after replacing the TIM.

 

so in theory i could reduce my temperature to a level that will keep the fan from speeding up time to time?

i'm currently running on fan always on because the fan wont keep queit if i turn it off anyway

 

8740w: i7-840QM, FirePro M7820, 8GB RAM, DC2, etc...

Replaced the stock paste on the CPU and GPU memory chips with OCZ Freeze, GPU core/die with AS-5.
Idle temps stay pretty much the same, maybe 2C lower (CPU ~50C, GPU ~48C), max load temps during 3DMark06 and Vantage are 75-79C (before - 83-86C) for GPU&CPU.
Ambient is always ~26C.

You could maybe make it speed slightly less often, that's all. But I doubt your temps will be reduced much, they are great.

 

I searched forums and internet but haven't found any adequate answer for "how to switch off Turbo Boost". :/

 

See this : Processors — Intel® Turbo Boost Technology frequently asked questions

Per Intel: "How is Intel® Turbo Boost Technology enabled or disabled?
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology is usually enabled by default by a switch in the bios where you can either enable or disable operation. Other than this, there are no user controllable settings to change Intel® Turbo Boost Technology operation either in the hardware settings or operating system. Once enabled, Intel® Turbo Boost Technology works automatically under operating system control."

While the current BIOS does have a switch for Intel HT technology, I do not see a switch for Turbo Boost. HP's choice, I suppose.

 

^^ Yep, I checked mine and see the same thing.

 

I'm looking at getting an 8540W to replace my X201 for VMware needs, as I don't need another 17" laptop.

Can anyone post some pictures (or show me where to find some decent ones) of the 8540W with DC2? Also, how does it compare to the W510 for battery life? (assuming I'd go with the larger battery for both)

 

Thank you Rollj83 for your answer.
I am wondering what is the real differance between 8540w and 8540p (both with the same proccessor) except graphic card.
Is the 8540p even more noiseless because of the graphic card NVS 5100 which is not so powerfull?

thank you
T

 

i finally "redeclared" my fingerprints, and now it works better ...
anthony

 

Is there a way to determine if an 8540w has the Dreamcolor 2 display? I have the opportunity to buy a used one locally for a very good price. The seller claims it has the Dreamcolor 2 display but doesn't have the original order paperwork or anything else to prove this. It is a 1920 x 1080 display and certainly looks very good, but after my present laptop's terrible display anything looks great and supposedly the non Dreamcolor 2 1920 x 1080 panel is very good too. Dell has original configuration parts lists available by serial number, but I don't see this anywhere in HP support. Is there somewhere I can find this for HP? Is checking the panel number an option? I see people on the board listing panel numbers for their laptops, but where do you find that information and what should it be for the Dreamcolor 2? If that's not an option, is there any other way to conclusively determine this?

 

Download HWiNFO32 to the machine. In the Monitor section, look in advanced parameters. If it shows color bit depth as "10 Bits per Primary Color", then it's the DC display. By the way, HWiNFO32 will tell you alot more about the machine.

 

Perfect. Thanks. That's just what I needed. Will this still work in Windows 7 64bit?

 

HW info Runs on 64bit Win7
My non DC2 Shows this info (can't find a information about color depth/bits)

 

Checked my ProBook 6550b. Also doesn't show the color depth/bits. But it does show on my 8740w, as well as the 8540w. I guess advanced parameters have minimum requirements to show.

 

thank you for this information.

btw. a easy way to turn off turbo boost to save energy and reduce fan noise is simple switch to "Powersaver" Energy profile. Someone like to confirm this?


other question to those who use the HP Protect tools with integrated fingerprint reader.
I have problems with the password manager. Some logons work perfect others are not recognized with the message "this is not a logon screen", e.g. the master password popup when starting firefox seems not supported.

It's a nice tool but pretty annoying when it's not working for all login screens. Any solutions for this issue or do we have to wait for HP to support more logon screens?

 

when we're already at HP Tool problems:

my 8540w was shipped with an Hitachi 7k500 and the HP Drive Guard says: hard disk not supported.
someone got that too?

googled already, seems to be a problem with several HP notebooks, nothing 8540w specific, no solution since 2008 or something

 

You're welcome. Was beginning to write an explanation of HT technology, when I saw your edit to the post. Glad you already got a clarification.

As to the fingerprint reader and Protect Tools, they've worked with every IE8 site I've thrown at them so far. Sometimes don't read a print right away, especially after working in the production shop all day (fingers can take a beating when we're building some of our designs) but I just switch to a different finger. Maybe it's just better support for FF that's needed.

I did have one time when Protect Tools locked me out of the machine (Windows, that is, didn't set up BIOS protection) and wouldn't accept any log option (not password, not fingerprint, not USB key). This after updating a driver (forget which one right now). Only option was to boot into safe mode and back up to a prior restore point. Been fine since.

 

Hi guys... I was wondering if someone knows if it is possible to change the quicklaunch buttons. I don't need the calculator that much for example, I would rather reassign this to a program or website or something.

 

For those looking for a way to manually control the fan - try this! It works great on my 8740w.

 

I'd happy see a solution for that too. I'd assign a python interpreter to the calculator button which I actually use as an (advanced) calculator.

 

Understanding and Using HP Quick Launch in Windows - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Here it says there are 4 tabs, one of them is called: Programmable Buttons tab. When I go to look for it, I only see 2 of the 4 tabs they describe. A friend of mine with the 8530w does has the 4 tabs.

 

Try this:

Press the Windows key + R and, on the Run dialog, type in the following:
CMD
And press Enter.

Now, on the command console, run this command:

REG query "HKLM\Software\Hewlett-Packard\Quick Launch Buttons"

Copy the result to the clipboard and paste it here in a new post. Let's see if we can do something.

 

Hello everyone,

I'm a student of the University of Delft, and they have this offer:

HP 8540w:

Intel QC i7 720QM
4 GB 1333 DDR3 2 Dimm
320G 7200RPM SATA 2.5
DVD-RW LightScribe Drive
15.6" HD+ AG WVA
nVidia Quadro FX 880M
8C 73Whr
802.11 a/b/g/n I3 WLAN card
2 USB 2.0 & 2 USB 3.0
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
3 year warranty

no webcam, no phoneport (the most right input of this image: http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a409/techfreak21/8440p_right.jpg)

Price: EUR 1057,- / 1426,- USD (tax included)

This sounds like a pretty good deal.
Before this deal, however, I was thinking about getting a MacBook Pro, because I'm a musician, and I have understood that it would be more suitable.

Then again, I checked one similar model, the 15-inch MBP with i7 processor, and that costs twice this deal, even with student reduction. I think that compared to the MPB, the Elitebook is still far more powerful.

The only drawback might be the battery life and the inability to run certain music programmes. I might have found a solution to Logic Pro, though: Presonus Studio One.

I guess, as I currently haven't used Mac-specific programmes, I shouldn't worry about still being in the PC world. And, I see that there are ways to just run Leopard on this, though illegal.

 

I tried what you said, but it says:

ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value.

I installed the latest Quick Launch Buttons version from HP driver download page.

This is what I see when I use regedit to manually go to where you pointed at:

 

Excuse me, my mistake. The path was wrong, as you've realized. The correct path was: "HKLM\Software\Hewlett-Packard\ HP Quick Launch Buttons". Anyway that key has no meaningful values. Search instead this key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Hewlett-Packard\HP Quick Launch Buttons and post its contents with a snapshot if you wish.

 

No problem I'm glad you are willing to help!

Here is the screenshot:

 

Ok, now expand the Schemes key and its subkeys and post the results in new screenshots. I've read somewhere that the App paths used by QLB are under the Schemes key...

 

Here it is. There are a bunch of folders with numbers. It looks like this one has something to do with the Quick Launch Buttons.

 

Before digging more, are you running Win7 64 bit?

Also expand each subkey and post the values for the Assignment entry (there is no need to do more screenshots, just post them as plain text). As you can see, this entry controls what program is launched when you press a touch sensitive key. I guess that QlbOv.exe is the main executable for QLB.