--- HP 8530W Issues List! - Add yours or add solutions ---

8530W issues list.

1) fan is always on and has a clicking noise similar to when a hard drive is reading non stop. Does this happen to you? My 8510ws fan was fine. Will be getting a replacement and will report here.

2) After I installed the OS (raid 0) I can no longer boot from media other than my hard drive. So if i want to re-install the OS or boot from something else I have to wipe my hard drive's boot sector.

--Update: I can no longer boot off USB devices, I am getting the laptop replaced

3) Looks like it's a vista x64 thing...pc takes forever to boot up.

--Update: only when docked

4) Sometimes when coming out of standby wireless no longer works. Hardware switch is off and no longer works. The only thing that works is a shut down and restart.

5) This is second machine i have and the space key is still squeamish.

6) Dvd Drive is crap, it does not read the included Vista and XP DVDs.

7) Speakers were bad.

--Solution: replaced laptop.

7) Wireless sensitivity (on / off alot)

HP we need a new firmware and better support!

- I will be calling HP on these and submitting whatever feedback/tickets I can. If you have issues also I will add them to this post along with a solution if provided.

|| As with any laptop be sure to have the latest firmware/drivers ||

 

1. Sometimes when coming out of standby wireless no longer works. Hardware switch is off and no longer works. The only thing that works is a shut down and restart.
2. This is second machine i have and the space key is still squeamish.
3. Dvd Drive is crap, it does not read the included Vista and XP DVDs.

That's about it. TBH issue no1 is the most annoying one and probably solvable thru efi update.

 

1. Speakers on first model were crap
2. Wireless is very sensitive, on and off alot
3. HP Support was very unsupportive without pushing alot.

 

I forgot to post solutions.

1. Replace speaker, it didnt work still so replace computer. But all and all the 8530w is a great computer, but no computer is perfect.

 

hey, ive only spent a few hours on my machine. 1st time i opened it i wa so impressed.
But the only thing that i was dreading would be issue number one-the fan.
the best thing you can do is set the fan off in bios which helped a little. but im assuming that undervolting will slow down the fan. I love my T61p which is so quiet, which im selling only had it in the summer.

 

I have noticed that on my new unit, the clicking sound happens all the time, but doesnt really annoy me, but also, the space bar sticks sometime... i think i may ask for a replacement keyboard

 

I just got my 8530w today...

I got a question for other owners out there: Towards the front part of the back of your screens (the darker grey strip with the two holes), do you guys see any bulges? Mine has two small bulges near the wholes, and it's really bothering me. Wondering if anyone else has this problem.

edit:
I've marked it on a picture

 

My issues, in no particular order:
A. ATI GPU does not identify itself as a true FireGL (Lenovo had this issue also, and fixed it with a BIOS update)
B. HP Quick Launch Buttons break after suspend -- volume control starts interfering with rfkill key.
C. Linux won't boot if "Fan Always On When On AC" set.
D. I want to add on-site service now (foolishly bought it without it)... but the "Care Pack" lookup tool ( www.hp.com/go/lookuptool ) is broken, and when it works (only occasionally, and only in IE), it shows nothing for my model KW950AV.
E. "TouchStyk" buttons are attached to the Touch Pad device, so I can't use stick scrolling without also breaking the touchpad's middle button; this applies to both Windows and Linux.
F. Touchpad is not multi-touch capable, even in Linux -- this is a downgrade from my old laptop.
Edit: G: Seagate 250GB 7200RPM hard drive occasionally makes a rather unsettling "scraping" noise -- or maybe that's the fan doing it.

 

Hello

I've got no issues with this laptop expcet distorted sound every now and then. Turning off the Sonic Focus helped a bit but still happens, otherwise I'm loving the laptop!

Any one had their speakers replaced?

 

i had noticed that on mine but there there for a reason. i havent really tested mine cos im trying to see if i can prift from my laptop and cant use it or it moreless wont be as new as new, but i think it might be the built in microphones (some laptops do have two)
just try not let it get to you. Or try to look at there pda data sheets and it may label what its for.

 

I am returning the laptop. I can't get HP to send me a replacement and they are taking forever. I am really unhappy with HP Small Business support. No one except for my case manager can help...and I can never reach the case manager. They said they would e-mail me with an update on the status of the new one...I call later and one of the other reps tells me there is a problem or something...and of course the rep can't help me...

So tomorrow I am going to call them every 5 minutes till they refund my laptop. I can't believe the level of support for small business. I have worked with them at an enterprise level and never had a problem.

HP has lost huge points for me. I hope everyone's laptop has been working great =). HP just lost a loyal customer.

Not to mention they have no way for me to submit bugs...terrible customer service.

 

Well, heres my story:

I ordered 8530w with 2.4g, 2g ram, ati v5700, 1680x1050 screen...

Take #1:
- Fan was broken, sounded like a jet
- Speakers were broken (cuting sound in a harsh way)

Got it back the day after for a new one.

Take #2:
- Lid didn't close properly
- Speakers were still broken
- had 1 dead pixel
- the keys were bad (lose)

So i had it returned again.

Take #3:
- works like a charm.

I had noticed though, that the third had different AC adapter styling (curved lines, first two got straight lines), so i guess it's from another batch.

What style of adapter do you have?

Regards,
Grega

 

All good here! Though my nipple has fallen off a couple of times

 

Oh one thing, the recessed part of the latch on one side seems to be jammed in

 

On the top of my adapter I have curved lines. I ordered mine mid december. Everything has been working wonderfully so far.

I have already had some pretty nasty experiences with customer support though. When I was buying my laptop I downgraded from the DVD-Rom RW to just a plain DVD-Rom. I figured since CDs were not mentioned that CD RW came standard. I thought at this point in time there was no way CD RW would not come standard... I was wrong. Anyway, I was gonna try to get the upgraded drive at the price of what the upgrade would have cost, and could never get in touch with someone who could help with the discount. The parts store always transferred me to customer support, customer support to tech support, than back to parts again. Very frustrating, but I guess I can only blame myself for not looking into the DVD-Rom drive I was getting.

 

So you saying theres not constant fan noise noise since getting a new one with the adapter with curved lines. do you have the quadro or ati built in?

 

Hi everybody,

My fan is also constantly working. I ve installed the latest BIOS version F.06 but nothing has changed. The only workaround I found out was to reduce CPU power to 50% in the battery management panel. I noticed my fan start working strongly when reaching 50 degree Celsius.

If you have any other solution, please let me know.

Thanks.

 

Did you turn the FAN always ON function to OFF in bios?

 

Hi all, hp small business support was for me too. 3 weeks with a broken speaker, no speaker replacement cause of backorder and no full pc replacement because my model was sold out. After constant ing and such, i finally recieved a better computer for same cost. Now just an annoying space bar click sound, but i dont wanna go through that process again

 

New issue I just ran into: Fingerprint reader has entirely disappeared. It doesn't show up in device manager at all, or in lsusb under Linux. Also, the warranty upgrade tool is still broken, and it seems like customize-to-order just doesn't offer any way to upgrade warranty after the fact.

 

What a real bad story.

 

Yes, I did but no improvement. I also have an AC adapter with curved lines.

Sajko : You do not have the fan issue anymore since you got your new laptop?

 

Well, the new one works perfect. The old one wasn't so loud, but you could hear clicking sound (like the fan was hiting the case) when in quiet place.. If I wouldn't test at night, I don't know if I could hear it.

But to be sure, if you turn that option in bios OFF, the fan still works frequently, but it has some rundown time as well.

Even so the laptop for me it's not so loud. If you want peace, get intel graphic card next time.

Regards,
Grega

 

I have the Quadro. It seems the fan begins to run when it hits around 30 degrees for me. At this point though, the fan is very quiet, comparable to the Hard drives noise and only audible in silence. When it gets up around 40 degrees I can start to hear the fan actually work. But I rarely get the laptop past 40 degrees in my normal usage.

 

bogusnj, You're talking about the GPU temperature? not the CPU's one, right?

 

No, Im talking about my CPUs core temperature. Both HW monitor and RM Clock both read about 25-30 C idle, 30-40 Normal Usage, 50 Max load stressing my CPUs using Orthos. Before I undervolted it maxed out at around 70 C when stressing the CPU. So unless my sensors are incorrect, or Im reading into something wrong, those are my temps. I dont watch my GPU temps as often, but it seems to hover around 45 in basic usage and climb up around the 60s when I run the CPU and RAM stress tests.

Are you experiencing considerably different temps?

 

I just use Hardware Monitor to compare with your temps and they are quiet the same. Hope they will release soon a new BIOS version to solve this.

 

I have one piece of new HP 8530w in my office for every day work. For the price is not soo good. Keyboard are little cheep and shelly. Laptop sometimes doesn’t want to turn on and I have to repeat turning off/on procedure to start computer. Display mechanism for closing is too complicated and has clanking noise. It feel not so reliable and little clumsy. Fan is on loud side but can be set up in BIOS to work little quieter. Touch sensors is too much fancy but not practical. I don’t like them. Especially sensor for speakers is not at all sensitive and is hard to set right level of power. Speakers are poor and disappointing. Battery when set up in position in laptop is not fixed very well, and have little moving. Display is great, very sharp and I like it - 1680x1050 pixels. CD/DVD drive producing a lot vibration in max speed reading mode. In all I will rather bought some more compact laptop. I have at home Toshiba m30x old 4 years and is more compact, with great speakers, rounded body and construction more to like and friendly than this new HP 8530W. In all HP 8530W is good machine but not for that money. Expensive design with little gain in efficiency and ergonomics. I think it is just overpriced.
I forgot to say that my first HP 8530W was with flow and I have returned it back. Top cover of keyboard beneath LCD display was banded – bad seated with broken plastic placeholder. Also just one more funny note is that stickers on front side (Intel Centrino, Windows Vista, nVidia,… next to touchpad is placed carelessly and not straight – it is just sloppy. Maybe HP in countries which are not important for HP company selling this kind of sloppy cheap second class assembled machines. My colleague in firm have problem with right touchpad key – it must be pressed very hard to activate. My unit is made in Chine. Today I had few more startup problem. New BIOS did not reaper problem. I have also notice that when computer is off and connected to AC adapter some fast clicking tiny noise coming from inside laptop. That happens when AC adapter is disconnected from the wall connector after some time (not immediately). I do not know what this could be. Also keyboard have some minor swelling in some area.

 

New issue.
My 8530w which I'm still very happy with but here's a real problem. The GPU is overheating when playing 3d games, especially Dead Space.

If I have the laptop closed in a dock and use my HP 2465 screen GPU-Z will log temps up to 100c shortly before the laptop turns itself off.
Room temps are around 20c and outside air temps are -3 so the ambient temps are not high and neither is the air humid.

Simon

 

wow.... thats terrible, i dont really know what to blame, the chassis or the gpu.maybe the gpu from ati are cooler.i've noticed that lately.

 

It seems like this notebook is having way too many problems. I guess I'll have to look for something else...

HP never seems to be able to make a QUALITY machine. Their service is just as bad.

You would expect a brand new notebook to have zero problems. Its the same with almost all companies these days.

 

i suppose no company will do perfect. The laptop thats performed the best for me was no doubt the t61p. cannot fault it. my 8510w was not bad then noise got terrible in it. 8530w so far since i sold the t61p is not as bad as i thought although i had plans of reselling. but since reinstalling it with to vista from preinstalled xp. its cooler and not as noisey which im "happy" but wish they was as quiet as those thinkpads.
my gpu temps with stock drivers was about 77c and then update drivers from website and that went to 81c max. idle they are around 45-51. those temps are from hwmonitor. these temps were checked with rainbow six vegas 2.

Anyone can do step by step for undervolting the 8530w? i tried it with guide for undervolting, on 8510w. and im unsure if works becasue its still seems to make no difference to noise and heat. Just tryna keep the temps down so it does not do it doing mild task at least.
Regards

 

I followed the guide step by step, and it worked well for me. Looking back, everything was pretty logical and I feel I have a decent grasp on using RM Clock to undervolt. I ended up dropping my lowest multiplier to .9 volts and my highest to .9625. I was able to drop my temps by a full 15-20 C. My laptop runs much much cooler now, and the fan rarely bothers me.

I would recommend undervolting if you can get around to it. If you have any questions on the process, Id be glad to try and help, though there are probably much better qualified people on this board.

 

Oh, one thing I just thought of, you said you did not experience a drop in noise and heat when you undervolted, I ran into the same problem at first. I then noticed that the voltage changes were only in effect when the RM clock program is open and running. I just set RM clock to open autimatically when my laptop turns on and it works fine now.

 

Do you care to share link the guide?

I dunno about you, but since I disabled fan always on in bios, the noise got down dramatically.

My current temps (in HWmonitor), after 1h of normal usage (web, videos, music):
- CPU (29-35)
- GPU (38-45)
- Disk (~30)

My room temp is around 20°C and I use Vista's balanced settings (with aero on), and my computer sits on docking station.

 

Thanks guys i will set this up sand ask for assistance. im kinda liking those temps. i can only achieve those temps in power saving mode.
My temps right now with adapter in at high performance mode are

Cpu 1 44C
Cpu 2 38C
Gpu 52C
Hdd 34C
Im just browsing, havent tried music and videos. What kinda temps you lot get with undervolting and gaming?

 

My laptop also shuts down while playing Heroes of Might and Magic V. I am curious, has anyone tried to open it up and put some thermal paste on the GPU? Does it help with the temps? I am more interested in the quadro as the ati is probably cooler. Thanks

 

My personal experience with the 8530w so far is great. First of all with respect to the keyboard, the 8530w has one of the best notebook keyboards out there. It is definitely comparable if not better than the Lenovo T61p which I am also using frequently. It is extremely easy to type and has zero flex at least in my unit.

With respect to noise of the fan, I have not experience anything abnormal. I can barely hear the fan spooling. Under normal load it is whisper quiet. I use the laptop for engineering apps and numerical analysis and not gaming. It has handled everything well so far.

Quality wise, my unit feels extremely solid and it is very well designed. If you look at the next comparable models from the thinkpad line (which I was very close to buying) there are still issues with the keyboard flex, graphic card not connecting to ext. monitors etc.

Cheers!

 

I'm really surprised about the issues a lot of people seem to have with this machine. I recently received my 8530w with the following specs:

T9400, Quadro FX770M, 4GB, 1650x1050 screen, 250GB 7200RPM

I don't have any of the issues described in this thread:

-The keyboard and touchpad feel very solid and in my case the touchpad buttons never fail to register a click.
-I'm very happy with the BIOS it allows for much more customization then the dv7 i ownde for a while.
-My dvd-rw drive (LG) works fine, I tried most of the included install discs and they all worked, also around 30 discs of my own worked.
-All drivers work great so far, only there is no soundmax control panel in Xp 64 bit, but the sound works good, even EAX.
-The speakers themselves are good, the placement is taking them down. But hey they are only meant for speech!

The thing I liked the most of this machine is the incredible performance. (and i'm not only talking about openGL), I installed Xp64 Bit + Geforce driver 179.28 and the latest directx. The gaming performance was much better then dv7 with 9600m gt DDR2. UT3 and Bioshock worked like a charm maxed out on 1680x1050 + 16xAF. With driver
179.28 the quadro also seems to support hardware physics. I'm now halfway through bioshock and the 8530w never crashed or throttled down.

In a 15" case there is almost no competition for this machine: Dell M4400 and some boutique brands (alienware mx15 with FX3600).

I am only a little concerned about the temperatures under these circumstances. While gaming the gpu temperature was constantly 88C and the CPU between 74-78C. I do not overclock or undervolt. I don't use a cooler but the laptop is lifted from my (flat and clean) desk. After 20 minutes Orthos 100% stress test the CPU tops at 62 C. So all the heat seems to be caused by the gpu.

My idle temperatures are:

45C GPU
37+28C CPU
35C HDD

I also tried gaming on the stock drivers but the performance was worse/limited control panel/no physics and the GPU still topped at 88C. My ambient temperature is 20C.

I was wondering if anybody tried cooling solutions on this machine and how they worked out. I'm planning to buy an external cooler for the summer. Does anyone know a good model for this notebook?

 

I have a friend who uses a zalman 15 inch laptop cooler. I ran furmark in stability test mode for 15 minutes with and without the laptop cooler. Without cooler max gpu temp was 93 C (but in some games it goes higher than that and shuts down). With the laptop cooler set at an inaudible level max gpu tem was 83C, so much lower. IMO the cooling on this laptop is on the edge for games. With the back raised it does not shut down from overheating (but just barely). On a normal desk mine will sometimes overheat and sometimes not.

 

amihal, you are talking about the zalman nc1000/2000 right? If that thing can tune it down by 10/15 C, that sounds very good to me. But nonetheless I'm worried about your machine, it performs clearly worse than mine. Mine has never gone over 88C with the exception of some very short peaks (probably caused by the fan switching to another level). It also never shuts down. I only got a blue screen once using driver 181.20, so I decided it was unstable and stopped using it. Maybe you should try different drivers.

 

Yes I am talking about the NC-1000. It seems like a very good lappy cooler, very quiet and it makes a big difference temperature-wise.
I have the latest quadro drivers from HP. To be honest I am very pleased about the performance of the laptop (especially the videocard). As I said before, if the laptop's back is raised then it does not overheat. Otherwise it rarely does on a flat table. I am pretty dissapointed myself by this however I cannot see how this could be a problem specific to my laptop unless there is something wrong with the thermal interface. I would open it up and apply some good thermal paste but I am afraid this would void my warranty (3 year warranty is nice and I don't want to forfeit it).

 

Hello,

I have recently bought a 8530w laptop (T9600 processor @ 2.8 MHz). The problem that I am facing is the following: from time to time, when I start the computer it refuses to start (all the button lights are on, the fan is on also, but the screen is off). I need to turn it off and on again.

I tried a BIOS update, but it didn't solve the problem. I guess it is hardware related. I have seen that limun also complains about this:

Do you have any idea why this is happening? Is there a solution for it?

Thanks in advance,
Cristi.

 

Not sure. i have noticed this on mine but it only annoys me sometimes. i havent bothered with bios cos when updating my 8510w i think from there only made mine worse.

 

My HP 8530w is returned to service. Now Im waiting to see what thay will tell me about startup problem and problem with clicking sound from computer when AC adapter is disconected from wall jacket.

 

Hi

I've got the latest BIOS from Sept I think and the comp is giving me black screens sometimes at startup and every now and then when coming out of Sleep mode, annoyes the hell out of me. Any one got a fix?

Thanks,
Simon

 

I returned my HP and got my money back. It was my second and last HP business laptop. Everyone that I know with HP laptops, has had at least 1 problem with it (about 7-8 people that I know, including me with thie 8530W and my previous nx8220). I switched to Lenovo T500 and I am happy with it.

Best regards,
Cristi.