ENVY 17-32XX Intel Ivy Bridge (AMD 7850M)

The ablility to run 3 external (plus the laptop display) is done through the ATI Radeon driver. However if you go into the Catalyst Control Center you will find that there is NO OPTION to manage the displays or the desktops. So therefore at this point in time we are NOT able to do this. Look at the older posts that I have made and you will see my journey concerning this.

Actually you cannot even get 2 to run if one of them is connected via an HDMI cable. However the HDMI works if there are no others connected.

It would be nice if you would call tech support and get a ticket started on this as the rest of us have. It would seem like they would address this issue faster with more people calling in. However I have been over on their forums and there have been issues with graphic drivers and Bios updates that have been going on since 10 / 2011 and HP has still not addressed them. That thread would be "What's wrong with your support (g series switchable graphics )" 21 posts

Another thread would be "7690M GPU - HP horrible driver support " 02 / 12 56 posts.

Another "To all 7690M XT laptop users - Please post to show HP we want a replacement or refund" 04 / 12 75 posts

But please if you have time and really want to run 3 external monitors call support to start a ticket.

 

its not a hardware problem its software, and i think its because of enduro. the last gen was able to do it cause they were able to run in fixed mode

 

Is it just me or does anyone else get a slight vibration in the speakers when the volume is cranked up med-high? Almost like the speakers weren't designed to be turned up that loud?

 

Do you mean rattle? or Vibration? These are speakers you're talking about, so i would expect vibration.

 

Allow me to clarify. This isnt the type of vibration you'd expect as normal during regular usage of speakers nor is it as extreme as a rattle as if something were loose inside the chassis it's as if they speakers can't handle the volume that they're allowed to crank up to. Like they're about to blow out, making the lows being produced sound 'staticky'....

 

No noticeable vibrations here. Speakers are far better than I had expected they would be.

 

For everyone fed up with AMD's buggy Enduro implementation, please contact HP about adding a "Switchable Graphics Mode" option in the BIOS:

Also add a request here: [REQUEST] HP Envy 17t-3200 BIOS advanced menu

And make a report to AMD: AMD Issue Reporting Form for AMD Catalyst

 

hmm if the bios unlocking works, ill request for the envy 15 then

 

I am getting Blue-Screens of Death (BSOD) with the AMD7850M on the Envy 17 3D (A6U50AV) and wanted to see if anyone else is seeing this and confirm what BIOSes & drivers you all are running. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to fix this. I have 16GB of RAM & am currently running:
System Board: 1852 71.13;
BIOS: F.06;
OS Version: 6_1_7601
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 256_1
7850M driver: 8.951.9.0 (3/19/2012);
~~~~~~~Frequencies of BSOD~~~~~~~
On Tue 8/14/2012 5:40:27 AM GMT your computer crashed ( dxgkrnl.sys);
On Tue 8/14/2012 5:40:27 AM GMT your computer crashed ( atikmpag.sys);
On Mon 8/13/2012 6:05:21 PM GMT your computer crashed (atikmpag.sys);
On Fri 8/10/2012 11:02:53 PM GMT your computer crashed (atikmpag.sys);
On Fri 8/10/2012 11:33:45 AM GMT your computer crashed (atikmpag.sys);
On Wed 8/8/2012 12:51:51 AM GMT your computer crashed (atikmpag.sys);
On Sun 7/29/2012 4:21:22 PM GMT your computer crashed (atikmpag.sys);
~~~~Most recent WhoCrashed Analysis~~~~~~~~~
On Tue 8/14/2012 5:40:27 AM GMT your computer crashed
crash dump file: C:\Windows\memory.dmp
This was probably caused by the following module: dxgkrnl.sys (dxgkrnl!TdrResetFromTimeout+0x214)
Bugcheck code: 0x116 (0xFFFFFA801D058360, 0xFFFFF88004F92AE4, 0x0, 0xD)
Error: VIDEO_TDR_ERROR
file path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\dxgkrnl.sys
product: Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
company: Microsoft Corporation
description: DirectX Graphics Kernel
Bug check description: This indicates that an attempt to reset the display driver and recover from a timeout failed.
The crash took place in a standard Microsoft module. Your system configuration may be incorrect. Possibly this problem is caused by another driver on your system which cannot be identified at this time.
~~~~~~
On Tue 8/14/2012 5:40:27 AM GMT your computer crashed
crash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\081412-14040-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the following module: atikmpag.sys (atikmpag+0x7AE4)
Bugcheck code: 0x116 (0xFFFFFA801D058360, 0xFFFFF88004F92AE4, 0x0, 0xD)
Error: VIDEO_TDR_ERROR
file path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\atikmpag.sys
product: AMD driver
company: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
description: AMD multi-vendor Miniport Driver
Bug check description: This indicates that an attempt to reset the display driver and recover from a timeout failed.
A third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system error. It is suggested you look for an update for the following driver: atikmpag.sys (AMD multi-vendor Miniport Driver, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.).
Google query: atikmpag.sys Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. VIDEO_TDR_ERROR

 

I'm quite disappointed with the speakers in terms of volume. My 2008 Penryn Macbook Pro is considerably louder at full volume - loud enough not to need external speakers in a classroom. The Envy have a more refined sound, but not nearly loud enough for a classroom. External speaker for me I guess...

 

From within Windows if I ask to update the video driver it says I have the latest. Also running the HP support assistant shows that there are no driver updates pending.

If I go to the HP website, it maps my model number A6U50AV to "HP ENVY 17t-3200 CTO 3D Edition" and it says that for my system the following Video drivers are available:

Released:2012-04-26; Version:8.951.9.0; File name:sp56897.exe [1/1, 154.38M];
Released:2012-04-26; Version:8.951.9.1000; File name:sp56896.exe [1/1, 309.22M];

Weird that my driver says 8.951.9.0 but has date 2012-03-19 and not 2012-04-26;

Anyone know what the difference in these are and why the .1 version is so much larger (.0 is 154M while the .1 is 309M)?

I am curious what video driver versions others are running.

 

im on the .1 + 12.7beta overlap

 

I feel your pain. I also bought the Envy 17 with the understanding that three monitors + native screen was possible. So while I could have lived with the sound leveling issue, the inability to use Eyefinity as advertised was a deal-breaker, as was the inability to disable Enduro (or at least have Enduro function in a reasonable manner). I received my RMA yesterday, and the computer goes to FedEx for its return trip to HP today. It pains me to do this...I loved the look and the feel of the unit. But if it isn't going to do what I had intended it to do, back it goes. I had to rely on my past experience with HP and their record for software fixes (which is not good).

Anybody looking for a drive caddy?

 

I can tell you a little experience with those drivers. When I was on the phone with the AMD / ATI tech support "he seemed" a little surprised that my my Catalyst Control Center was a stripped down version with no option to control the Displays or Desktop. He kept asking.....are you looking at the advanced ....which I was.
He went over and saw the 2 drivers that you are speaking of and how one was much larger and decided to have me download and install the bigger one thinking it would have the correct full version of the CCC. NADA.....same o same o.

 

Did you stick with the Version:8.951.9.0 (154.38M) or 8.951.9.1 (309M) or did you download one from AMD directly? I downloaded sp56896.exe from HP (309M 8.951.9.1) & the 154M 12-6_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe (12.6 WHQL CC from AMD) but haven't installed either yet on top of 8.951.9.0. Also, good news is that 12.6 may have a direct hit on my issue (currently using laptop screen and single external HDMI display and typically happens when just office apps are running):
-AMD Radeon HD 7900, AMD Radeon HD 7800 Eyefinity/Multiple Display configurations no longer results in a BSOD when using desktop applications
BTW, it also has the following fixes:
- AMD Radeon HD 7900, AMD Radeon HD 7800 Tri-CrossFire configurations + Eyefinity no longer results in a BSOD when launching a DirectX application
- AMD Catalyst 12.6 includes some additional fixes(not found in the AMD Catalyst 12.6 Beta) for the AMD Radeon HD 7900, AMD Radeon HD 7800, and AMD Radeon HD 7700 graphics cards for issues related to the GPU hanging when the system goes to sleep. Please ensure that your System BIOS is up to date. Some occurrences of this issue may be related to outdated System BIOS.
Resolves CrossFire scaling issues seen in AMD Catalyst 12.4 with Elder Scrolls: Skyrim CrossFire
AMD Catalyst Control Center – Overdrive page is no longer intermittently missing
AMD Catalyst Control Center – GPU Activity gauge is no longer missing
AMD Radeon HD 7900 CrossFire Configuration – no longer results in system hang after cinematic in Call Of Duty: Black Ops
Heroes and Generals: Blocky corruption in scenes with smoke effects when run in DirectX 11 mode are no longer experienced.
Dirt Showdown: Improves scaling for CrossFire configurations using the AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series
HDMI audio is no longer disabled if the connected HDTV is powered Off/On.

 

I applied the 154M 12-6_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe (12.6 WHQL CC from AMD) and now it says my driver is 8.980.0.0. In the HP Support Assistant it no longer labels my Graphics Adapter as AMD 7850M but rather now has it as a generic AMD Radeon HD 7800M Series...

I hope I didn't do anything I shouldn't have...

 

Not sure how relevant this is, since the AMD GPU can't be used for Eyefinity. You are stuck with the iGPU in the Intel, and limited to two displays.

 

Are you saying that you downloaded this driver from AMD and it ACTUALLY installed? What does the Catalyst Control Center look like? Is there an option for controlling desktops and displays?

Is it causing unstability in your system now?

 

i have 12.7b from amd installd but the options remain the same. i did get a slight boost in benchmarkscores and gaming fps.and catalyst center when u check for updates says 12.7 is the latest

 

That is CRAZY......(not you)......THAT

 

haha why its hp/amd for ya

 

I took the "... Eyefinity/ Multiple Display configurations..." to mean Eyefinity and/or Multiple Display configs... My hope is that using 2 or more displays qualifies as "Multiple" even if not using Eyefinity... My BSODs seemed to happen when I just had Office, Adobe Reader, maybe a few browser sessions, & RDP open & I almost always have my 30" 1920x1200 connected via HDMI (never really think about it) with 2 RDPs to servers at work open on each screen... I know for sure one was only Outlook & RDP and nothing else as I had stopped working for the night and shut down everything else in the task bar... So far I have never had a BSOD in a game... That also sounded like the bug they fixed "... no longer results in a BSOD when using desktop applications..."... I am hopeful...

 

Yes I went to amd.com & when I moused over "Support & Drivers" I saw an option for "Driver Autodetect" which when I clicked on that it took me to the "AMD Driver Autodetect" page where I downloaded "amddriverdownloader.exe". I then ran through the steps/wizards and the final result was the recommendation to download the non-beta WHQL signed supposedly stable 12.6 driver via the 154M file '12-6_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe'.

The above being said, I don't totally trust automated processes so I looked up the driver and it seemed to have been the one I would have manually picked (the non-desktop & stable version) and so I went with it...

Before this, on 7850M driver: 8.951.9.0 (3/19/2012) I could not find any way to even get the Catalyst Control Center (CCC) to even launch... Now I have CCC program group and icons and after launching CCC looks to be pretty robust with many menus including ones for "AMD Eyefinity Multi-Display", "My Digital Flat-Panels", "My Built-in Displays", "Desktop Management", etc... Since I couldn't find it before I can't really compare but I do see the following:
Driver Packaging Version: 8.98-120611a-141411C-ATI;
Catalyst Version: 12.6;
Catalyst Control Center Version: 2012.0611.1251.21046;

So far it has been stable with no BSODs but I only installed it awhile ago (I updated this thread right after) and my BSODs were only happening sporadically with the following frequency (historically):

On Tue 8/14/2012 5:40:27 AM GMT your computer crashed (atikmpag.sys);
On Mon 8/13/2012 6:05:21 PM GMT your computer crashed (atikmpag.sys);
On Fri 8/10/2012 11:02:53 PM GMT your computer crashed (atikmpag.sys);
On Fri 8/10/2012 11:33:45 AM GMT your computer crashed (atikmpag.sys);
On Wed 8/8/2012 12:51:51 AM GMT your computer crashed (atikmpag.sys);
On Sun 7/29/2012 4:21:22 PM GMT your computer crashed (atikmpag.sys);

If I have a BSOD I will very likely update this thread... I did have a flicker after I installed but I then rebooted twice for good measure and haven't had any since... If I don't have any BSODs I will try to remember to give an update in a few days but you can assume that if I don't post on this then I am not having any...

 

HP Envy 17 with AMD Radeon HD 7850m COD: Black Ops - YouTube
Here's Black Ops on Highest Settings. I got anywhere from 50-60FPS. Turning off Shadows should net you a smooth 60FPS. Hope you enjoy...

 

Enjoyed. Very nice and looked really crisp. Speaking of games, 12.6 is supposed to give multiple Optimizations including up to:
-25% in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim,
-15% in Total War: Shogun,
-10% in DiRT 3,
-6% in Batman: Arkham City, and
-3% in Battlefield 3.
~~~~~~
Performance Highlights of 12.7 BETA:
Up to 25% in Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
Up to 3% in Battlefield 3
Up to 6% in Batman: Arkham City
Up to 3% in Dues Ex: Human Revolution
Up to 6% in Crysis 2
Up to 15% in Total War: Shogun
Up to 8% in Crysis Warhead
Up to 5% in Just Cause 2
Up to 10% in Dirt 3
~~~~~
Personally since I use my machine for work (and fun much less often) I would stay on the stable 12.6 and let others Beta 12.7 but if you want max FPS then the beta may be worth a try...

 

Did you go into the device manager and look around? Are there any exclaimations or weird looking icons in front of your Intel display entry?
And have you tried to hook up some external monitors?

 

I don't have any weird icons or exclamations in my device manager.

I also don't have any Intel display adapters showing which may be normal because I have the 3D version...

Before, during, & after the upgrade I have had both my built in 17" display and my external 30" via HDMI working. Minor flickers on both during the upgrade. I did get one brief freeze/flicker a few mins after I upgraded so I rebooted twice for good measure and haven't had any issues since (been working pretty much continuously except for brief bio breaks)... Still a little early to be fully confident but so far so good...

I have never tried either of my display ports.

 

Anyone have Eyefinity working with 12.7 drivers? I have an active displayport to DVI adapter and an HDMI connection to dual external displays. I can't get all 3 displays to work. Built in + dual external monitors.

 

I may be slow but I eventually get it. I missed the fact that you had the 3D. No wonder we have such different experiences.

WE have the complete opposite problems. So anything that works for you.......is not in my grasp.

I would however be interested to hear from anyone who has the 3D and is able to run the 3+1 displays.

 

Not sure if you guys remember my issue with the USB hub for last week or so.

I had issue with my Envy 17 3200 (2 months old)

I bought another new Envy 17 and tried my USB 3.0 dual deck external HDD and when I connect it to the left side of the computer I always have problem once I try to put some load on the HDD it gets d/c

so it confirms that there is something up with the left USB plugs in all Envy 17 3200
both mine and a new laptop both restored from scratch with or without all the windows and hp updates

the right side USB are on the actual mother board and work fine but the left side USB (the side that has always power USB) are on a USB hub together with the audio ports.


P.S> the new one that came in today is bios version F7 , but online the newest bios is F6

 

HP Envy 17 with AMD Radeon HD 7850m Batman AC Catwoman Challenge - YouTube
Here's a video of the Full Version of Batman Arkham City. I really like playing as Catwoman. I think she's awesome. I played on High Settings with DX11 and Phisx on and I was getting with these particular settings 40-50FPS. Game ran really smooth and I almost broke 100 in this video... Damn so close anyways hope you enjoy...

 

lol if only anne was that in the movie....

 

I'll have to give that a try and see if I run into issues with an external HDD on the left-side USB ports. I was using my USB flash drive on the right side ports because I'm right handed. I don't know if your issue is one that "all" Envy 17s have, though more people trying it out would be helpful.

In other news, dropped in 16GB of the Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600 RAM other have recommended and yes, it didn't downclock to 1333MHz as HP says it would. Good news, it was easy to install and at a reasonable price ($100). Bad news is that it failed MemTest x86+ after 2 hours with a single bit error and again four hours later with another single-bit error. Was only one of the DIMMs that was issue, so back to Newegg it goes, and I'll get another set of DIMMs to see if happens again.

No sign of the F7 BIOS on the HP site yet, so hopefully if you received a new system with F7 BIOS, it'll be posted shortly.

 

Have you seen any new options/changes in the BIOS? Specifically pertaining to switchable graphics

 

Indeed. If the new BIOS fixes some issues with the switchable graphics, I'd certainly consider re-ordering another 3200 CTO.

 

I haven't had issues using external HDD's on the left side of my Envy 17. Although it's not hooked up to as USB hub either. I'll have to try that out tonight. I do have a variety of devices connected to a USB hub, but I've been connecting on the right side.

I'm using a USB 3.0 Western Digital passport HDD. It's a 1TB 2.5in drive. It's never disconnected on me while the laptop was one. It has failed to reconnect once coming out of sleep mode, but unplugging and plugging back in fixed it.

 

I haven't had any issues with any ports with any of my 2.0 or 3.0 drives
Sent from my SGH-i917 Windows Phone using Board Express

 

Did you send yours back in?

 

haha yeah that would've been the icing on the cake if she fought like that in the movie...

 

I was going to send it back in but I need my computer everyday so I ordered a new one to use while the other one goes for repair and they bot have the same issue.

I am using a DOUBLE DECK Hard drive nd I have 2 Harddrives in it each at 3TB 7200 RPM USB 3.0
this device gets D/C once I put a load on it when connected to the Left side USB (opposite of the Volume wheel)

I thought maybe I have a faulty USB HDD caddy so I ordered another brand and same result
works on right but not left .

furthermore I have samsung galaxy s2 that once connected to all the ports on the laptop is recognized and can be used as USB storage but when I use the LEFT BACK port it is not recognized but it is charging with that port.
now this issue does not exist on the LEFT FRONT USB port

never needed to play with bios so not sure what is new in F7

I guess since the 3rd gen intel ivy bridge handles USB 3.o internally maybe HP is using a USB Hub on the left side that is not fully compatible with USB 3.0 of ivy bridge or has a conflict..

I understand my HDD setting of 6TB on one USB port (with external power adapter ) is kindaa extreme but it works on the right side...??!

weird thing is my scanner and printer works on the LEFT USB ports even on the LEFT BACK...

Something is up .. someone got to have the Galaxy s2 or s3 here can you try the LEFT BACK USB port see if you can sync or access your phone in storage mode?
My phone is rooted with phantom Blazer ICS custom ROM in case wondering.

 

As a follow up to my previous post on Eyefinity, there appears to be a problem with Catalyst Control Panel even with the official drivers. There's no option to control monitors/displays which would allow you to configure Eyefinity. The option is supposed to be under "advanced" then "video", but we have a bare bones Catalyst Control Panel.

A friend of mine at work also has an Envy 17 and called HP support because his switchable graphics didn't work. While on the phone, he talked to HP about Eyefinity not working correctly. They told him there should be an option in Catalyst Control Panel. After some digging, they told him something must be wrong, so he sent it back to HP for them to check it.

If anyone has Eyefinity working, please post a screenshot of your Catalyst Control Panel. It seems we may have an issue supporting 3 displays which is supposed to work out of the box.

PS: I'm using an active displayport adapter to DVI, Displayport to HDMI, and an HDMI cable to feed 3 external LCD's.

 

So question: How do I prove that switchable graphics is working as intended ... The only game that I am currently playing is D3 (waiting for Guild Wars 3) ...

Should I do something like run PCMark under low and high performance settings (under switchable graphics config) and mark the diffference?

 

hi guys, will this work on our mighty Envy-17t? Intel 330 240GB for $149.

Buy.com - Intel 330 Series 240GB 2.5" SATA III Solid State Drive (SSD)

also is it a good SSD drive and deal?

 

This sounds like my story..... Go back and read my posts concerning this. The CCC has no options for display / desktop. I have been with HP support and AMD / ATI. They all act like they are surprised there is no option in the CCC. But for how long can all those Techs act surprised. I know of at least 2 or 3 that have called in. Just think how many must be calling in.

If you don't have any success pulling up my posts.....I will write it all out again for ya.

Houston we have a problem.....a BIG problem!!!!

 

Has someone compared the performance of 3D version with Not 3D version with same processor (3D Mark or games benchmark)?
I have read that Enduro penalizes performance of GPU, I suppose that Envy 17 3D hasn't Enduro because only 7850m is working so should be nice to have this comparison.

Eye infinity questions:
I guess the 3D version has not problems with this function, is it right?
When you connect an external monitor to Envy not 3D, is 7850m automatically activated?
The not 3D version can handle an external monitor with refresh rate of 120Hz (in every port or only in someone)?

I'm asking these questions because I want to know if 7850m has directly connection (without passing through the HD4000) to video output port, if 7850m has not directly connections I guess no software fix can solve the problem.

 

anyone? sorry SSD noobie

 

Intel 330 Series 120GB SSD Unboxing and Review - YouTube
Watch this video if he recommends it then I'd get it for that price... I'm a Sandisk guy myself...

 

I have a GS3. Tested both left side USB ports and they're working without issue. Both ports allow me to transfer files to/from the phone. I normally have USB 3.0 HDD attached to the back left side USB port. Again, no issues. The phone is attached to the front left side port normally.

 

I did read your posts. I was just hoping someone got it working. This would be a huge issue if there's no software fix. It would defeat the entire point of having 3 outputs.

 

Thanks for the info

I have the 3610 CPU on both laptops which one do you have?