DV7TQE Product Code Mystery

I received my laptop approximately 2 days ago, burned it in, and a few minutes ago started to do some upgrades. I removed the battery, and instead of seeing a product code of "LM726AV", which is the product code that was given to me when I ordered it, I see "LM422AV".

I went to the HP website, and both product codes are valid. Both products are identified as an "HP Pavilion dv7t-6100 CTO Quad Edition". Documentation pertaining to both products appears to be identical, with the exception that the "726" has a "Product Overview" link, and the "422" does not. If I click on the picture of the "422", I get directed to a support page. If I click on the picture of the "726", I get directed to...the product order page!?!

Given that there is a difference in model numbers, I must assume there is a difference between the two laptops. And although an ascending model number doesn't always mean a newer revision, it usually does. I'm leaning toward this being the case here due to where I get directed when I click on the pictures. The "422" must be an older version of the product...right?? For the record, Googling has not helped me thus far.

So...can anyone tell me what this all means before I put a call into HP? Did HP engage in some sort of deception...and shaft me?? Did I get a used or returned product...or a refurb?? Is it safe to assume that the newer revision probably possesses some sort of improvement over the older version? Does anyone else out there have a "422", and if so, how long ago did you receive it?

 

If you bought a CTO model you should have the latest one as they have to build it for you. But I'm not 100% sure - 6100 series models around the world have different product codes. Maybe they got it mixed up at the factory. If everything is working fine on your laptop I wouldnt worry too much.

 

Well, I was on the telephone for about an hour today with an HP representative. She claims that there was a mistake at the factory when the "422" chassis was used, and that according to the serial number, I do, in fact, have a "726".

Should I take her word for it? Nah, I'm not so easily convinced. So I'm asking anyone with a dv7tqe to do me a small favor:

1) please report your product code from your computer itself (probably LM726AV or LM422AV, listed in the battery compartment); and then

2) run HWiNFO and report which mainboard name and version you have. You can find this info by expanding the "Motherboard" tab, and then expanding the "SMBIOS DMI" tab and clicking on "Mainboard."

I'm thinking that there may have been a motherboard revision which resulted in the product code change. As you can imagine, HP could neither (or would neither) confirm nor deny this over the telephone.

But after all...this is a Cougar Point chipset we're dealing with...and we all know the history with that! (For the record, my chipset is being reported as the "B3" stepping version, so I know this motherboard should be good as far as that fiasco is concerned.)

So if there is a newer motherboard floating around out there, this baby is going back to mama!

Thank you in advance.

 

Dude I think you're way overreacting.

If it works fine, is it really that big of a deal?

 

It works fine TODAY, but who knows what will happen down the line? I don't know about you R3D, but I've built and rebuilt many desktop rigs over the years, and had motherboards fail more times than I can count.

And not only that, but I have also been the *proud* owner of the infamous Sager 9860 and 9890...the 9860 became a 9890 after the motherboard failed on mine like it did on so many others...and just after the warranty expired...and after it cost me beaucoup dollars out of my own pocket to fix it. And then the replacement motherboard failed too. Research it if you doubt me. Makes a nice paperweight these days.

And I could go on about other laptops from other manufacturers that were famous for motherboard failures...but I guess I'd be "way overreacting", huh?!

 

While in Windows...hit Fn-Esc and tell us what the model number is when you do that...

And Yes...my son's machine and all the paperwork say LM726AV, and the chassis says LM418AV Where it says model number: dv7t-6100. Motherboard model HP 165A. Intel HM65 Cougar point B3. By all accounts, this machine is normal, performs normally. I don't think this is going to be an issue. When I registered the four year warranty, they had me do the fn-esc and read them what was reported.

The parts shortages that caused a lot of delays may have been the enclosures themselves. There are not many 17.3 inch models that HP makes...perhaps these were used to assure that the product would be completed in some time frame. I think that what is important is what the motherboard reports.

 

My Envy, which was built in April, still reports B2 stepping (the defective one), yet the machine was built well after the replacement chipsets shipped. The serial number on my Envy says that I have the revised chipset. Initially the revision was reported as B2, to fool the Intel chipset software. Later builds shipped and it was stated as B3, which is the correct revision name for the "good" Sandy Bridge chipset. Dell machines had the same issue and even some Asus. I really don't think you have any worries...If need be...call Customer Service and ask for Resolutions. I think you will find that fn-esc and your serial number tell everything they need to know that you really have the LM726AV.

 

I was talking about your statement: "So if there is a newer motherboard floating around out there, this baby is going back to mama!"

Newer doesn't mean better, as evidenced by Intel's Cougar Point chipset (the SATA bug was introduced in the early B-stepping and not previously). Considering how there haven't been any reported incidents of mobo failure with either model, you have no way of telling whether the new mobo has more, less, or the same reliability as the old one.

Here are the possible scenarios as I see it:
1. You send your computer in and get a replacement, the new mobo has the same reliability as the old one (HP possibly made a minor change to cut costs). You just wasted 2-4+ weeks.

2. The new motherboard is more reliable than the old one, you end up with a better computer.

3. The new motherboard is less reliable than the old one, you wasted 2-4+ weeks and end up with a worse computer.

Since 2/3 scenarios are unfavorable and you have no way of telling which one is more likely, it doesn't really make sense to me to ship a computer back and wait several weeks for a new one which could either be better or worse.

Sure, you can check which mobo you have but it seems kind of pointless since there's no way of telling which one is "better" in the long term.

 

I don't think that there are "newer" motherboards at this point. The Sandy Bridge is what it is. The Envy has the HM67 chipset. The Pavillion has the HM65. Until the chipset changes, which isn't slated until next year with a new revision, we are getting what there is. I think that if you send your machine back and get another build, you are going to get the same model motherboard specified to be used in the Pavillion. The did a "slight" refresh on the Envy models with SB. Really no change in the motherboard or anything...but model is now 2100 vs 2000 CTO. The only change is that the B3 chipset is reported properly on the 2100 where it is still reported as B2 on the 2000. One other difference...Coolsense 2.0 ships with the 2100 model (actually not as good as Coolsense 1.0 or 1.1). There are minor nuances that might exist...but the motherboards are still the same.

Original SB versions of the Pavillion 6000 series...still had "Muxers" with the video cards so one could manually switch between the AMD and the Intel GPU. The 61xx series no longer has the muxer and the switching between the two GPU's is dynamic. On the Envy, you still have muxer on all the motherboards.

If the only finger points to the number printed inside the battery compartment as being an incorrect model number...I don't see the problem. All the paperwork says LM726AV, the four year warranty says it and is registered to the correct serial number. These numbers are printed during the manufacturing process. Perhaps he / she who did it is in the wrong. But remember that you model number AND serial are emblazoned into your bios chip...so it is a permanent fixture.

Example...had the motherboard replaced on my son's original Pavillion a year or so ago. Either they put his original bios chip on the new board OR...they have a process whereby they transferred his model / serial on to the new bios chip.

 

@Bobmitch,

Ok...performed the Fn-Esc...the pop-up does indeed state that it is the LM726AV. You would think HP support would have asked me to perform this simple task during that lost hour I spent on the telephone with them.

I went to the HP support page and input your son's "LM418AV", and a picture popped-up with links, just as happened with my "422". I don't understand why there are several different model numbers for the same computer if in fact they do not refer to some types of revisions...but maybe that's just the way it is with HP.

Since you are a "Notebook Deity", AND since what you wrote appears to be valid and makes sense, I will place my faith in your explanations. Thank you for your patience in clearing up this issue.

@R3d...try to understand that after shelling out $3600 on that Sager 9860 lemon back in 2005, and then another grand on getting it fixed a year later and still having it fail, I'm in no mood to take chances...despite the fact that this computer has great specs for considerably less than can be had from other manufacturers.

Once burned, twice shy.

 

It just makes sense that someone stenciled the model number on the chassis, incorrectly. Everything else about the machine is correct. Perfect working order, etc. The packing slip that came with the computer also says LM726A. Everything indicates that it is all correct except the battery compartment. Also...the first three or so numbers on the serial number indicate the model computer it is. The first three for the Envy are CNF. I have reached out to a few people within the HP organization to inquire. Should I hear back...I will keep you posted...but I think we are good!