*HP ProBook 4430s & 4530s Owners Lounge!*

Just to add some of my exp.. I burnt a couple of disks with that optical drive (inc a data recovery of my ssd) and had some problems when veryfing them on imgburn then again it may be my drive only but thats me. I did not send it back because I have 2 external writers and one on my rig so reading only on my probook is more than enough..

 

Hey guys

I have a 4530s and I noticed that all of a sudden when I use fn+f8/f9 for volume level it does not show up on the bottom of the screen like it used to. It's driving me crazy!

Do you know how to fix this? Thanks a lot!

 

Having upgraded the RAM to 16GB, installing and SSD in the main hard drive bay, and replacing my ODD with a rotational HDD, I can say that these things are capable of screaming, even with the i3. I actually run Windows Server 2008 R2 as my desktop OS with Hyper-V (for fun and for my labs). Right now, I have both Server 08 and Win 7 Pro running in VMs and it's still smooth

 

Any noticeable noise difference with the SSD? I am finding my 7200rpm HDD pretty loud.

 

Just the fan noise! I have a WD Scorpio Blue in an ODD caddy, but that's a quiet drive.

 

Hey all,
Thanks for your replies, especially Arminator and daitern. I really value your input. Just a couple more questions, if you don't mind.

I sometimes do some home movie editing, and also have a couple DirectX 9-era games that I've been known to play occasionally (one's a flight simulator). I don't do these things a whole lot though. Do you figure the integrated Intel graphics would handle these things all right? I'm a little in the dark as to just how strong they are.

Just one other question, for Arminator. You confused me a little when you said

And then you said

So my question is, at my local Staples (I'm in BC, Canada) I can get either a machine with the i5, 4 Gb RAM, and integrated GPU for $700, or get the one with the i7, 8 Gb RAM, and dedicated GPU for $1000. Maybe there are other options that I'm unaware of.

Anyway, thanks for replying, and yes, it was very helpful.

Davis

 

I am having an unusual problem with my 4430S. While typing, the keyboard is randomly missing letters, somethimes two in a row. This is resulting in numerous errors in what is typed. Wondering if it could be a driver or bios issue? Anyone with similar problems? Thoughts?

 

Heya people! I received my 4430s around 2 weeks back, I can heartily say its a pretty swell laptop! Handles my Autocad, Photoshop and Blender needs just fine (not rendering though, for that I have an i7 desktop).

I have a problem though. I'm unable to install the Realtek Lan drivers for the ethernet controller, and in turn its not working at all. I want to connect this 4430s with my desktop using a Cat5/Cat6 cable and keep some crucial folders in sync all the time, but I'm unable to install the drivers. I tried multiple drivers from different dates, all it does is show the Installation dialogue box and then 'The program failed to install correctly...' thingy.

What can I do? This is really important to me; thanks for any help anyone can give.

 

It happened to me on two occasions that I remember. I just put it to sleep then woke it up and it was fine. No problem since that.

 

@Davis Goertzen You said:
"I also use my laptop to listen to music, surf the web, watch youtube, do some home movies sometimes, stuff like that."
Since you haven`t mentioned any gaming, that is why I made my conclusion regarding GPU...
Anyway, if you find the $1000 version affordable then go for it, you won`t regret it...

Cheers

 

Ok, sorry for the confusion. I see what you mean.

Thanks.

 

I am so glad I read some of the threads in this forum. I am about to buy a 4530s to replace my 8510p. I do not need the power of the elite book for the user. Thanks
grazzt

Now which build do I pick. I was considering this:

http://www.costcentral.com/proddetail/HP_ProBook_4535s/LJ488UTABA/11392304/

 

i am thinking of putting windows server 2008 R2, any driver issues, or the drivers of win7x64 should just work ?

 

Everything works except for the following:
1. bluetooth
2. Windows 7 default settings
3. Windows 7 updates

I've been running Server 08 R2 as my default OS for a while on my 4430s, and it runs like a charm! I just switched to Windows 8 CP because I want a head start on knowing the OS and working with client-side Hyper-V.

I suggest you check out Convert your Windows Server 2008 R2 to a Workstation! - - it's a great resource!

 

thanks for the feedback.

i do need the bluetooth, but i guess it should not be impossible to find a solution for the bluetooth somehow ...

 

There is a supposed work-around on the forum at that site. I don't use bluetooth, so I never bothered to investigate it.

 

I see these model 4535S have 2 different processors.
E2-3000M

&

A4-3300

Can someone explain the difference that justifies about a $50-$100 price difference?

 

The A4 is a hell of a lot more processor than the E2.

 

Thanks for the reply. So if the primary purpose is to surf the web, watch short news video clips on the web and play yahoo games like Scrabble, the E2 should be fine...?

Here are 6 laptops at a good price here. I am leaning towards the 475 one

Search results for: 4535S

Thoughts?

 

Is lower budget your limit?

Why don`t you go for Core i3 version? It will kick out every AMD version and it should be at that price tag... Here is example:

HP ProBook 4530s (LJ518UT#ABA) - Laptops / Notebooks

Unless you are a AMD fan...

 

Wouldn't the AMD out-perform the i3 in graphics-intensive processes, everything else being equal?

 

I think they would be on par:

CPU: AMD < Intel

GPU: AMD > Intel...

Also 3Dmark 06 score is almost the same (according to Notebookcheck)...

Anyway, he mentioned E2-3000M also, so there was no gaming (at least not serious) on mind... So Intel should outperform any of AMDs in office tasks...

Cheers

 

The only gaming would be on yahoo like cribbage and scrabble. Nothing real 3D. I think the 4530 would be good at that price.

I just noticed that its WIN 7 Home, I will be looking at the Pro version.


Just pulled the trigger on
http://www.costcentral.com/proddetail/HP_ProBook_4530s/LJ519UTABA/11454358/

Got the last one! LOL

 

i think i have found a solution for the noise

from what i read, this problems only affects people who do NOT have ati dedicated gfx card ...

i have not tested it yet, as currently i am running ubuntu, no windows to try it on, ..

google "TPFanControl"

source:
Probook 4530s fan noise : DSDT table edition ? - Page 2 - HP Support Forum

 

Unless you need BitLocker, the ability to join a domain, or want to backup to a network share, don't bother spending the money upgrading from Home Premium to Pro.

 

anybody got the middle mouse button simulated somehow ?

i had an older laptop with synaptics which was possible to tab corners of the touch pad to do a middle click, or even click both buttons at once to get middle click.

 

I have to say, many people haven't really tested games on the Intel HD3000. I played and completed several games on my 4430s, which includes Dear Esther, Half Life 2 Episode 3 and Modern Warfare 2 that too with high settings (except AA and bloom). True, these games may be old, and you may quib that it still isn't worthy. But then, if you wanted to play games, you're looking at the wrong machine. I must say I play alot of classic adventure games, so it works perfectly well for me

Very happy with it. For those who got the 2GB model (like me), upgrade with more RAM. Increases VRAM and gaming performance has a reasonable improvement. Just don't expect a GTS220>GT580 jump

 

I had the same problem with my Atheros Wi-Fi card (Spares P/N: 593127-001). Loosing connection 5-6 times a day, dropping the download speed. Can't open sites normally when downloading via torrent client.

Replaced with Realtek 8188BC8 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Combo (Spares P/N: 602993-001)

Works great last week on my Win 7 Pro (x64)
Got 3.5MB download speed which is the upper limit from my ISP!

 

a full list of possible working wifi cards is available in the maintenance manual, which can be downloaded from the hp website.

 

An interesting note from HP for those experiencing the speaker buzzing issue:

HP Notebook PCs - HP Power Assistant Conflicts with Device Drivers in Windows
Release Date: 2012-03-23
Last Updated: 2012-03-23
DESCRIPTION

Some versions of HP Power Assistant conflict with the device drivers in Microsoft Windows. When this conflict occurs, an audio buzzing emits from the notebook speaker and the display panel graphics may stop responding (or "freeze"). In many instances, this issue can be reproduced by opening certain programs, such as Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Internet Explorer.

 

New BIOS released:

Version: F.23 (9 Mar 2012)

- Fixes an issue where the BIOS Setup menu (F10) does not display the Modem Options after the system is restarted.

- Updates the HPQFlash utility to version 4.50.1.1


Wonder why HP skipped F.21-F.22! Nothing about improved fan/temperature control, anyone who has upgraded to this BIOS release who can report back?

 

I just downloaded the new f.23 myself but haven't installed it. Waiting to see what others post before I do so plus it doesn't seem very necessary

 

I've been just using the previous version of Power Assistant as a solution. I havent experience any audio buzz anymore. Did HP post a fix or did they just acknowledge that it is a known issue now?

 

I seem to be running into this problem as well. They work fine with drivers when you first install them from the HP Software that comes with the laptop but then after I update them with the support assistant, they get messed up. The wifi gets a red x and wont see any networks at all. Tried everything from uninstalling/reinstalling using different versions and noting fixes it. Tried this 3 times restoring to factory and no dice. I give up and just stayed away from the update till they get it fixed

 

HP's statement "Some versions of HP Power Assistant conflict with the device drivers in Microsoft Windows" does not specify which version causes the problems. But based on reports on the HP support forums and on on notebookreview it appears that Version: 2.1.0.6 (22 Jul 2011) sp54021.exe (27 MB) is one of the "bad" ones.

HP solution is simply to install the latest Version: 2.0.6.0 (25 Oct 2011) sp54635.exe (27 MB).

Of course normal version logic would say that 2.1.0.6 is newer than 2.0.6.0 but that is not true in this case! Look at the HP PA revision history. A jump from 2.0.4.0 to 2.1.0.6 and back to 2.0.5.1

Most probable fault scenarios:
1. People are manually upgrading to the "highest" version = 2.1.0.6 which will cause problems.
2. HP Support Assistant automatically downloads the "highest" version = 2.1.0.6 which will cause problems. I can't confirm this because I don't use HP Support Assistant for updates.

 

Happened to me too on Windows 8 CP...

I fixed it by uninstalling device driver and let the Windows install the one form its own database... BTW my Wlan Card is Atheros based...

Also I am experiencing issue on cable LAN every time I reconnect the cable, I have to fix some issue using Troubleshooter.

 

You really don't need the update. I mean why try to fix something that ain't broke? I didn't see any difference at all after the update, other than the fact that it messed up things. So same here, I steered clear from the new one.

 

Because you don't know if it's broken or not. Sometimes drivers have security holes, even if they are 100% functional. A machine that isn't fully patched and up to date is generally more vulnerable than one which is.

 

there is f.25 bios now

some poeple had issues with f.20 with the fingerprint reader, hope they test those f.23 and f.25 and see if its fixed ?

i am having an issue with detecting harddrives on cold boots, its takes the bios too long to detect them, and it fails to boot, but if i make it wait a bit in the bios menue (by pressing esc 2 times) it boots normally.

and some online forums suggested to upgrade the bios.

 

I had that exact same problem / effect with a Crucial M4 SSD 256Gb, I tried every fix I could find on the web, and nothing worked changed the drive to an OCZ Sata3 unit and the problem went away. So I have to guess that the bios does not seem to 'hand shake' correctly with some Sata3 devices.

 

@ZeroHunter - interesting. My 6465b won't work with SF SSD and now is working with m4 - with no big issues. Is Vertex go on Sata3 or Sata2 speeds?

@hhd1 - which HDD or SSD do you have?

 

Its running at Sata 3 Speed, I never had a problem with an of the Sata2 SSD Drives I tried they all worked perfect right out of the gate, just not as fast.

Now I have the i7 Model not sure if that matters, but the thing boots from a cold boot like its coming out of sleep!

 

the one that gets detected slow is a samsung usb2 extrenal harddrive.

 

It appears that HP has some major bug in some BIOS versions which affects many HP product series including the probook 4x30s:

SUPPORT COMMUNICATION - CUSTOMER ADVISORY
Document ID: c03263577
PC Does Not Display Any Graphics Data or Cannot Power On

As for solving the issue they refer to a BIOS that will be released sometime in April 2012.

"If the PC is not exhibiting the symptoms above, download and install the latest BIOS version that has a date of between March 30 and April 30, 2012 to help prevent the symptoms from occurring."

Or is this a April fools joke from HP?

 

Hmmm interesting. When I am on youtube watching a video and I skip to an un-buffered part, the speakers make a quick sharp metal like noise that is very noticeable. This happens only when the content is not buffered. Anybody else having these problems?

More annoyance than anything, really

 

a question about crucial m4

any body with crucial m4 in this laptop is having problem walking up from stand by/sleep mode ?

i need an answer to this cause i am hoping to get one.

the problem seems to happen to a 4730s in here: Problems Booting Crucial M4 256Gb SSD on HP 4530s - Page 2 - Crucial Community

 

@VA1 - look here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...4430s-4530s-owners-lounge-79.html#post8422949

 

I never had a problem with waking from sleep/stand-by, but it will cause problems from cold boot. I would really suggest an OCZ if you are going with Sata3.

 

Bro I am on bios F20 and have an Intel 520 ssd, no problems of the above mentioned. Install and works like a breeze...

 

thanks for the info, really appreciate it.