ENVY 15-jXXX / ENVY 17-jXXX Notebooks (2013)

It looks like HP is definitely shipping my custom build, I got an update this morning. Unfortunately I am sending it back, I went to Best Buy and looked at the screens on the Envy models they had and saw the "Screen Door" effect on all but one of the TN panels. I think it is sad that HP is sending out a system with this type of poor quality panel. You guys also may want to check to see if your Nvidia GPU is a GK107 or a GK208 as this could possibly be the cause of your screen door issue.

I went and purchased a Lenovo y510p Dual SLI and let me tell you this thing is very nice and no screen issues.

 

they say in this post that slightly increase the screen refresh rate ( by setting a custom resolution in the Nvidia Control Panel ) help fixing the screen issues ,has anyone tried ??
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...18849-asus-g750-officially-announced-144.html

 

I find it hard to believe the screen door effect would be a graphics card issue since many other laptops use the same graphics card (i.e. Dell xps), and not to mention the problem occurrs on the Intel integrated graphics, too.

I think it is just HP opting for the cheapest display supplier on this planet to save them $8 per laptop.

 

what kind of graphics chip used in recently bought envy 15t-j100 quad edition with geforce 740m. there are two options:
GK107-128 bit and GK208-64 bit.
anyone can post screen of GPU-Z utility

 

I need HP_TOOLS partition files to recover my BIOS .

I just updated the bios and my laptop died . Please if anyone have HP envy 17t-j000 , upload these files for me Appreciated .

 

I have the 15t-j100 and it has the GK208M in it

 

Hey body can you please upload files on HP_TOOLS partition for me ?

 

thx for information. GK208 have better computing capability. But overall performance worse than GK107 because this chip cut almost in half, but higher clocked.

 

Someone help out this guy!!

 

He needs someone with 17" model, which seems rare on this thread.

 

Bios files is same for all Hp envy 2013 models .

Envy 15T
Envy 17T
Envy 15T Touchsmart
Envy 17T Touchsmart

I would appreciate if anyone can upload these files for me. ( all the files at HP_TOOLS partition )

 

hi guys,
I am looking for advice on getting a laptop. I have read a lot about the 15" quad edition: HP ENVY 15t-j100 Quad Edition Notebook PC (ENERGY STAR).
have read many times about user dissatisfaction with screen door effect (not sure what that is), and keyboard flex.
does anyone out there please have any new thoughts regarding these things, before I pull the trigger?
I want a laptop to watch video lectures on Coursera (free online college courses).
also I am an avid amateur musician. I make amateur level music videos. my programs are Reaper (kind of an inexpensive version of Pro Tools with a small footprint) for audio recording, and Sony Vegas for video editing.
any thoughts super appreciated.
thanks a lot,
Charlie

 

anybody?

 

Hi, I'm looking into buying a laptop within the month and I have two questions:

1. For the 15z-j100 with A10-5750M and 8750M, how is the Crossfire performance of it versus a GTX765M?
2. Are there any physical issues with the laptop as of late such as screen defects, or the like?

The other laptop I'm considering is a Eurocom Shark 2.0, but the pricing has changed since November. I can configure one just shy of $900 US, but with 4GB of RAM, 1TB hard drive (5400RPM), and Windows 8 (non-Pro).

The HP ENVY 15-j100 I can configure it just under $750 (with coupon) before tax and shipping with an A10-5750M and 8750M, 1TB hard drive, 8GB of RAM, and Windows 8.1.

Code:

Windows 8.1 64
AMD Quad-Core A10-5750M Accelerated Processor
2GB AMD Radeon™ HD 8750M Discrete
15.6-inch diagonal Full HD BrightView LED-backlit Display (1920x1080)
8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
No Additional Office Software
Security Software Trial
6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
No Internal DVD or CD Drive
Standard Keyboard
HP TrueVision HD Webcam w/ integrated digital mic
802.11b/g/n WLAN [1x1]

I'd like to know how good is the performance of the AMD APU and the Crossfire of the 8650G + 8750M versus the GTX 765M at medium to high settings in the games I mention below. Notebookcheck doesn't show Crossfire performance of the 8650G + 8750M combination.

Most of the games I'll be playing are Civ 5, FFXIV, Anno 1404, Skyrim, and Borderlands 2 as the most demanding games. (I play in windowed mode at 1600x900 resolution.) Everything else are 2D indie games from Steam like FTL:Faster than Light.

Thank you.

 

The screen door affect is really subjective - some people see it right away, and some don't notice it at all. Until I read about it, I never noticed that I have it on my older xps, lol. I can see it primarily on white or gray backgrounds, but most of the time, I don't notice it. If you can find one in Costco or someplace to see for yourself, do so before pulling the trigger. If you don't have one available in your area, you can always return it if you don't like it.

 

thank you so much for your reply.
I ordered one (before I saw your post).
I was at BB yesterday and skooched around a little on a couple HP's: HP ENVY m6-1125dx and 1 other.
was not looking for these problems.
hoping for the best.
thanks again.

 

it's better the envy 15" or the asus n550 for you , hp owners ?

here in italy the hp cost 899€ and the asus near 100+

the hp comes with 16gb and 1tb , the asus with 8 and 750... asus display is an ips...

for you, what's the best choice ?

 

Beware of the new HP BIOS which is dated 29th November 2013, and is F.36

I says in the notes - Fixes an intermittent issue where the system does not power on properly when an mSATA drive is connected to the system.

Sound like a good thing, so I installed it. This BIOS completely breaks mSATA as boot and SATA as empty storage. Which was the setup I had.

BIOS F.36 force the first boot from SATA, even if the drive is blank and has no OS on it and you have a valid mSATA drive with OS.

HP has lock us out from continuing to boot from the mSATA drive with a SATA drive installed. I don't really see the need to go this far, not happy with HP for this.

You can still boot from mSATA, but you now have to completely remove the normal SATA drive from the system (physically detach it)

If you install F.36 BIOS and have an OS on your mSATA drive, you will now see this message:

Boot Device Not Found
Please install an operating system on your hard disk.
Hard Disk (3F0)

btw. Rolling back to F.35 will not fix the issue. Warning, don't roll back to F.24, this will brick the system, and you will have to run a BIOS recovery from a UBS drive.

 

I have created a work around solution for the mSATA getting screwed over from BIOS F.36 for those that are going to use a mSATA drive as an OS drive:

You need to download this The rEFInd Boot Manager

Here is what you do to get rEFInd to auto boot from the standard SATA disk with EFI mode enabled

In a nutshell, you must create the SATA disk as a GPT disk, path boot EFI\BOOT\ with the key file named "bootx64.efi". When this is done the disk will be present to the system, and the BIOS will find its way to the loader.

I did mine like this (I had already wiped my drive, but you could use diskpart to convert it) :

1. Manage Computer, go to the Disk Management
2. Right click on the SATA disk and Covert to GPT
3. Create a small 100MB partition and format it to FAT32
4. Create folder "EFI"
5. Create folder "BOOT
6. Download rEFInd ISO
7. Mount ISO
8. Extract contents the folder "refind" in to the ISO folder that was created earlier
9. Rename file "refind_x64.efi" to "bootx64.efi"

Done Boots right into rEFInd at the press of the power on button, then it just a single tap of the enter button to load OS from mSATA drive

Make sure you disable secure boot in the BIOS, otherwise it will not load anything and give you a can not authenticate message.

You maybe able to simply add the path and files if you disk is all ready a GPT disk. The 100MB partition is just so I can manage it, you could make it smaller if you want to.

btw. If you go for the 100MB partition, you can remove the drive letter afterward, keeps it hidden from view, like its not there.

 

Does it block the MSATA only on the first boot, or is it for all boots, because you said it forces the first boot from sata?

 

I just got my ENVY 17t a little while ago and I noticed the screen door effect on the display right away. It's really really distracting in my opinion. That and the overly flexy left side of the keyboard is really too much for me to take.

I went to Best Buy and Costco today to look at the ones they had on display and I couldn't see the gridlines on those units the same way I could see on mine.Honestly even the cheapie $500 laptops looked sharper than this one.

Very disappointing because spec wise it was everything I had wanted. Not sure if I want to gamble on another one or just go with something else.

Hewlett-Packard HP ENVY TS 17 Notebook PC
Monitor\AUO219D \
Date Of Manufacture: Week: 0, Year: 2011

4th generation Intel® Core™ i7-4700MQ 2.4GHz
16GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
1TB 5400RPM Hard Drive
Blu-ray Player and SuperMulti DVD Burner
Microsoft® Windows 8.1 PRO (64-bit)

 

Blocks the mSATA drive from booting an OS, even if your standard SATA disk had no bootable partitions on it. You can boot from the mSATA, but it now requires full removal of the standard SATA disk, under normal circumstances if you want to boot directly without an intervention.

 

I am assuming that you ordered the HD display (1920 x 1080)?

I am hoping that it will not be noticeable (to me) on my 15.6" with the HD screen. I should be getting mine next week.

 

That sucks!

 

do you need these files still?
or got them already?

 

yes, let us know. I have the 15.6, 1920 x 1080, and cant see any screen door effect. I've tried every way to view the screen, and nothing. I do notice some keyboard flex, but I seem to forget about it really quick.

 

Hey guys
Just received my hp envy 15t-J100 select edition laptop (non-touch) with following key config
1) Core i-5
2)1920X1080 full hd display
3) Intel HD graphics
4) 8gb ram ..........etc

I would like to say that I don't see any screen door effect. The screen is Chi Mei panel as shown by Hwinfo software.
But I do notice one thing......The text and fonts are somehow fuzzy.....faded..out of focus..etc on chrome browser. But the text on same pages look real crisp and sharp on firefox and IE.
So now I am not sure if it is the problem of envy display or with windows 8.1. Do you think it might be becoz of just intel HD graphics with 1920X1080 display. Is this combination not compatible ?
I heard people discussing about blurry chrome webpages in windows 8.1.
Does anybody has similar observation on ur envy 1920X1080 screens ?
I was thinking may be it is due to onboard intel HD graphics. Should I go with Nvidia discrete graphics. If that helps i can return and confiure with nvidia graphics.
@ Paul I beleive you have 1920X1080 display with Nvidia graphics and also your display panel is from AU optonics. right ?
How do you find clarity of text....images...etc on webpages in various browsers and in particular chrome. Do u observe any blurry text in browsers.....documents...

 

I also have the problem with chrome, well I had it till a few minutes ago. I googled this problem, and found a blog with a fix, it seemed too easy, but it worked. now chrome looks as clear as firefox check this out
Blurry Text in Chrome After Windows 8.1 Update (Beta) | Simply Advanced

 

Hi Tony
I tried doing that. Definitely text looks now crisp and clear without any fuzziness in chrome browser. But I also notice that the overall font size has become too small and it kind of hurts to read such small fornts. I tried to increase the default zoom level for pages in chrome window but that make me feel that text is being blurred out again.....though not as bad as the original case. The overall feel of aspect ratio of screen does not seem natural somehow like in firefox.
I am not sure if it is becoz of full HD 1920X1080 display having high pixel density, font appear small.....but pages in firefox definitely look proportional in overall font size and not too small at default zoom level.
Btw, could you plz comment on your display and graphics card? is it full hd 1920x1080 display with Nvidia graphics card ?
Also if possible could you check you screen manufacturer. Is it chimei or Au optonics or any other ?
you can download this application to know your screen manufacturer and everything else about you system
HWiNFO, HWiNFO32/64 - Download

 

yes, its 1920x1080 and nvidia graphics. I downloaded the app, but have no idea where I should look for to see my screen manufacturer..lol

 

When you run the hwinfo app two windows pop up............the first one shows info abt processor......its family........ram....frequentcy....all hifi...you can close that small window. then you should notice another window with all details mentioned on the left panel. if you click monitor it will show all info about it.
i am posting a screenshot...that might help
Hwinfo screenshot Pictures, Hwinfo screenshot Images, Hwinfo screenshot Photos, Hwinfo screenshot Videos - Image - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting

 

are you sure that your screen is 1920x1080p , the screenshot says 1366x768p

 

Ya..mine is 1920x1080..while taking screenshot i was away from my system.....so just used friends laptop to basically show where to look for screen manufacturer in hwinfo software.

 

Would you guys recommend an anti-glare/ matte screen protector for the glossy screen, or is the glossy screen okay without it?

was thinking about getting this screen protector:
HP Envy Pavillion Spectre 15 6 Screen Protector High Clarity Anti Glare | eBay

Should be getting Hp envy touch-smart 15-j070 and a 15t-j100 maybe in 1-2wks from now.

 

Hi Tony-could you figure out your screen manufacturer ? please let me know.
many thanks

 

can you take the same screenshot from your laptop ??

 

Hey guys, I have an Envy 15t-j100 Touchsmart Quad Edition and I have this issue where everytime I update the Nvidia drivers (from Nvidia's GeForce website) it gives me a BSOD.. Does that mean I have faulty hardware or what? Also there's a clicking sound coming from the HDD(althought that sound doesn't come up often) is that a cause for concern?

The specs are:

- 4th generation Intel® Core™ i7-4700MQ Processor
- NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 740M Graphics with 2048MB of dedicated video memory
- 15.6-inch diagonal Full HD BrightView LED-backlit Display (1920x1080)
- 8GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)
- 1TB 5400RPM Hybrid Hard Drive
- NO mSSD Hard Drive Acceleration Cache

 

I actually have the exact same problem!
I get the dxgkrnl fatal_error message, and then once it reboots, it has no nvidia driver anymore (the installer removes the old one first, and the starts installing the new one -> where it crashes).
Before installing it though, I made a windows restore point, so I just brought it back to the working driver state.
Windows update gave me an Nvidia update a week ago, and that looks like it actually worked and updated, but everything else I try breaks it.

I have the 15 inch j100 too (no touch) with the 750m.

About the hard drive, they usually make some sound when in use, it could be just that. Try defragmenting it (I use auslogics free disk defragger).

 

I had the same issue on my 15t-j100 non-touch. I ended up reinstalling the drivers off of the HP site and everything was working again after that. I decided to leave it alone once I reinstalled the HP drivers.

 

Those ones give me a blue screen too. :/
Pretty much any time I try and change the driver, it crashes.

 

the msata slot can be used for first boot with another normal 2.5" hdd in the other slot ?

 

I'm looking to get an Envy 15" refurbished off of ebay. Only 2 things I absolutely have to have are the 1080p screen and a backlit keyboard. But for basically the same price, I can either have touchscreen with the integrated graphics, or non-touch screen with the GT740 video card. I have never used touchscreen (not sure if I have any need for it) and I don't play any games.

That being said, which would you guys suggest? Is the better graphics card worth it even if I dont game? Looking to buy it today.

 

If you don't play games (or watch a lot of videos/movies or other graphic intensive activities) , I would go with the touchscreen.

Unless you plan to install an operating system, replacing Windows 8.

 

Thanks for the help. I am leaning towards the touchscreen if windows 8 utilizes it a lot.

 

I don't think Win 8 uses it that much. I used to have a laptop with a touchscreen, and found it actually got in the way more often than I'd actually use it.
+ you get ugly fingerprints all over it, and the screen becomes super glossy.
I'd go for the discrete graphics if I were you. It'd help future-proof your laptop.

 

Windows 8 & 8.1 was designed for touchscreen use.

You can use the touch pad if you prefer, but I have read many reviews that suggest that you will get the best experience from Windows 8 by having a touch screen.

That is why I ordered mine with a touch screen.

I would rather have it and not need it (use the touch pad) than end up wanting it and not have it.

 

I've used Win 8 pretty much since it came out on many desktops, and laptops (one which had touch), and there was never a time when I felt a touchscreen was needed to do something, either in the real desktop, or microsoft's metro interface.
Mouse + keyboard are completely usable for everything there.
I actually felt the same was as you in the beginning, after reading all those reviews that said you really need a touchscreen, and that's why I actually bought one.
After a few months of using it (probably 3 times in total), I got rid of it.
I found it completely unnecessary, and just annoying.

 

Word of warning, to anyone thinking of upgrading to BIOS version F.36, don't as this has the potential to brick your laptop.

Mine is now in a unrecoverable state from this BIOS, for the entire day, even if you try and make a recovery USB from the installer F.36 package. Just a black screen.

Finally after all day and now the night, about 25 flashes later. I had to extract the files from both F.36 and F35, then mash the files from F.35 called 01961.fd and 01966.fd in the extracted F.36 package, create a USB recovery, and then flash the BIOS. Only this time did it work.

HP have some really screwy things happening with these latest updated BIOS.

 

It looks like they removed F.36 off their driver site too.

 

Yes they pulled F.36 in the last few days, along with F.35

Both about as bad as each other, with F.36 being the worst. F.35 seem a bit better, but becomes useless once to upgrade to F.36 and then try and downgrade to F.35.

F.36 will let you created a recovery BIOS USB drive, on any computer.

F.35 will let you created a recovery BIOS USB drive, on only the Envy 15, but that stage if you didn't create it before the laptop bricked, then its to late.

If you get bricked on F.36, then I have found a recovery USB with version F.35 loaded is your best change to recover.

If you get bricked on F.35, then I have found a recovery USB with version F.36 loaded is your best change to recover.

It really is a mess, hence why HP have pulled both BIOS, and also the fact once you are on F.35 and F.36, trying to roll back to F.23 and the "current" BIOS called F.24 is going to brick you laptop without a doubt.

HP have some serious work to do here, and bring out a BIOS that will at least allow USB recovery not to fail, and allow roll back to the actual current quoted F.24 BIOS. As we all know, we will likely end up with something that does nothing to address the issue, and if it does, then it will be very minimal at best, as they do.
When something comes out, the description will be about 5 words long, and really tell you nothing about the BIOS, so then it another takes you chances and hope for the best BIOS flash for the things you are hoping for.