Envy 15 Dual Harddisk Answer (w/ photo)

I saw so many guys talking about this question, so I opened my Envy 15 1011TX (i7 820m, 500GB HD, 8GB RAM) for a answer.

Please check the attached photo, there's ONLY 1 2.5" drive bay and 2 HDD connector onboard, so it's possible to hold 2 1.8" drive and build a RAID.

 

Thanks for the good work;

Where did this model come from, would it be a built to order from HP, or a direct model from retail store (like BestBuy)?

 

I'm a Envy user from HK, the 1011TX was bought from local chain store.

 

Ahh, I see; this is what I expected, from the retail channel. If you can post some more pictures abou the mount points for the HDD caddy, that would be much appreciated.

 

very nice, r u sure setting up raid is possible? thats not a lot of space...

 

I'm not sure and I can't found any option in BIOS setting, may be it restricted on the model which only got 1 HDD. But I'm pretty sure it can hold 2 x 1.8" drive because it's not make sense to have 2 HDD connector with 1 2.5" bay.

 

I tried to recover the system by the DVD disc (created by myself) with Mtron 32GB SSD, it took around 2 hours to complete and end with a error, so I will try again with another 160GB harddisk tonight.

 

wlcheng,

This is very interesting info! I am considering the HP Envy 15 and having the possibility to run two internal drives is crucial to me.

I have a few questions.

1. I assume that due to the internal dimensions it will only be possible to fit two 1.8" drives in the chassis? Probably stacked on top of each other?

2. If possible could you approximate the available internal height for mounting two drives on top of each other?

3. Would you mind connecting your HDD or SSD to the secondary SATA-port and see if it is detected by the BIOS/computer?

 

If you open it up again can you take a close up of one of the graphic's memory chips. Any one of the 4 samsung chips around it.

Edit: I think I have deciphered the code from one of your picks.

The chip: http://www.samsung.com/global/busin...o.do?fmly_id=761&partnum=K4W1G1646E&xFmly_id=

The speed:
K4W1G1646E-HC12 800MHz 1600Mbps/pin

So should be a free 100MHz overclock on the memory (if HP under clocked it to 700Mhz).

 

Before answer you guys questions, here is some information for who want to upgrade the internal harddisk to SSD:

1, I tried to boot the machine with the recovery DVD, it rejected to restore the system, only "Factory Reset" option, the point is, it rejected to restore the disk image (include the recovery partition) on a disk which smaller than the original disk. Mine is 500GB and I tried to restore the system on a OCZ 60GB SSD, failed.

2, I tried to restored the System on a Mtron 32GB SSD and it's able to run, why?? It's used on my Lenovo x61 with WinXP SP3 installed and I didn't format it before installed on Envy 15, I think the Recovery DVD check the MBR on target harddisk. So I installed a WinXP and changed the boot DVD when it first boot up, IT WORK !! The option enable again and I'm able to restore the System, but it failed with tons of error finally.

3, I used a True Image Home 2009 boot disk on Envy 15, failed, seems it not support the PM55 chipset at this moment.

4, finally, I used my X61 to clone the 500GB original disk to a image file, and only restore the MBR, IOS, C: on the OCZ 60GB SSD, so I'm back to here and post.

 

1, I think HP have a mount for 2 x 1.8" drive and I'm not sure how they mounted because mine is single 2.5" drive model.

2, I can only tell it fit a Segate ST9500420AS drive which bundled with the machine

3, I may try it later because it spent me too much time to migrate to SSD in this 2 days......

 

How can I check the clock speed of the video ram chips ?

 

Here is more photo of the mount and connector

 

Here is a capture from Intel Matrix Storage Console, I'm Chinese so the program shown in Chinese, take it easy, I did the translation ( in RED)

You may found that there are 2 ports available, seems the 2ND HDD connector enabled, I'm not confirm until tested.

 

In the HDD bay, is there room for a larger mounting bracket than the one provided?

I'm hoping that there would be a larger mounting bracket that fits two 1.8" drives on top of each other (5mm or 7mm each) and still leave a little bit of gap between them. So I'd like to have room for a different mounting bracket that would be around 11mm or 15mm high.

 

Not sure if it comes with the ATI Catalyst driver with control center.

If it has the control center there should be a tab in there to view the core speed and memory settings.

It should look something like this if the control center is installed:
http://www.theinquirer.net/img/9313/ati-overdrive.jpg

Otherwise you might try this overclocking tool (just to look at the settings):
http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/
Might have to use the beta version for windows 7, http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Video-Tweak/ATITool.shtml

Edit:
There is also a Beta driver on the ATI site that might get you a full Catalyst Control Center to see the Overdrive stuff.
Beta windows 7 64 bit:
http://support.amd.com/us/psearch/P...ws+7+Beta+-+64-Bit+Edition&keywords=&items=20

 

Why don't you er borrow the iso file and install windows properly with your cd key

 

I also want to know where can I download the Win 7 Professional 64bit ISO....

 

Primary Adapter
Graphics Card Manufacturer Powered by ATI
Graphics Chipset ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4830 Series
Device ID 94A0
Vendor 1002

Subsystem ID 7009
Subsystem Vendor ID 103C

Graphics Bus Capability PCI Express 2.0
Maximum Bus Setting PCI Express 2.0 x8

BIOS Version 011.022.003.007
BIOS Part Number BR33919.001
BIOS Date 2009/07/28

Memory Size 1024 MB
Memory Type DDR3

Core Clock in MHz 425 MHz
Memory Clock in MHz 800 MHz
Total Memory Bandwidth in GByte/s 25.6 GByte/s

 

Ok - here is an answer regarding dual HDD:

"Yes the HP Envy 15 supports dual drives. From what I understand, that option will be available at the end of the month."
"Yes, that is correct. You will be able to get two dual drive configurations:

- SSD/HDD
- SSD/SSD in Raid 0 - killer performance and reliability!!
The HDD is 5400 1.8"

The single HDD shipping now is a 2.5" 7200rpm drive, so no reason to have dual 1.8" HDD. They different configs share the same physical space in the notebook, just different disk holders and cables - very nice.

Should be available on CTO approx. 2nd week of Nov."

based on:

http://www.thenextbench.com/t5/HP-En...-15/td-p/49181

 

wlcheng, would you mind posting some pics of your Envy, just to see the actual product and not press shots. Like screen, KB, how far the screen opens etc.

Also hows the heat when idle, surfing web/office type work and gameing?

How do you find it as a gaming laptop, does the lack of vga/dvi ports and only 3 usb ports affect you?

How does it run in general?

thx

 

Here is some photo for you, let me know if you want more.
I still fine tuning the machine, base on the 64 bit system, it's strong enough but REALLY HOT because of i7 CPU, I need to limit the power with Win 7 built-in "Power Saver" profile and set the maximum CPU to 50%, otherwise the fan noise really annoying. The Envy 15 come with a HDMI to D-Sub connector which let you connect to a external monitor, 2 USB ports built-in and 2 behind the external Blue-ray ROM, total 3 ports available. I didn't try to install any games on it and just migrated to SSD drive, really fast enough.

 

Wait, the HDMI->VGA adapter was included in the box!? That's indeed great news! I hope it's in the boxes shipped from the US hp.com too!

Btw, there should be 3 USB ports built-in. The port to the left of your wireless plug (?) is also a USB port. So 4 USB ports available when you have the OD connected...

 

Isn't the standard core speed 550MHz for the Mobility HD 4830?

 

If you can only run two 1.8" HDD's then what's the point? You won't be able to have much storage since 1.8" drives are still very small, correct?

 

It's primarily meant for dual SSD (as in SSD+SSD or SSD+HDD). It's not meant for dual HDD.

1.8" SSD pretty much have the same capacity as 2.5" SSD, so it's not really a capacity issue there.

 

great thx wlcheng,

the heat is a bit of concern, would you be able to measure the size of the power brick that you recieved? THe manual says there are two a 120w and a 70w which did you get and how big (physically) is it?

 

Thanks for such an informative thread. If you dont mind, Ill add it to the Owners Lounge.

+rep

 

hey Wlcheng is yours Edge 2 edge glass?

Hmm doesn't' seem like it from the pics.

 

Unfortunately, it's not a E2E screen but I feel fine.

 

wlcheng if you dont mind me asking I was wondering what your Envy 15 specs are and how much you paid?

 

HKD18980 at HK local chain store, it's Envy 15-1011TX with
i7 820M CPU
8GB RAM (4 x 2GB)
500GB 7200RPM HDD
ATI HD4830 w/ 1GB RAM
15.6" LCD w/ 1920 x 1080 resolution
Ext. Blueray (read) / DVD+/-RW drive

Free gift: cheap wireless radio mouse, HP w155 4GB USB stick, HP case

 

How is the touchpad?
Looks like a very nice setup

 

The touchpad feel good and sensitive, anyway, I don't use it and always with mouse.

 

Thanks for the great info in the thread and the pics.

Since you have taken the machine apart, just a couple of quick questions:

1) how robustly are the rubber feet attached, what's the safest way of getting them off; would the usual credit-card trick work pretty well?
2) is there any prying that we would have to do to lift the top piece (with the keyboard), once the screws are off?
I just want to make sure I don't put any unnecessary scratches and nicks on the system.

 

1, the rubber feet are quite tough and just stuck at the bottom, it's not easy to damage. I used a finger nail to take them off, easy.

2, once the screws are off, you can easily to take the KB out with paster, just stick and pull, also easy. But make sure you don't miss the screws which under the RAM module cover.

 

thx wlcheng, you've answeared enough of my questions for me to be happy to put my order in, just waiting ona delievery time now.

mines the same spec as yours but i think i got 4x2gb and no bluray, just normal drive. (not a custom build this was the high end standard build i was offered)

How long does your battary last, 6 cell that is? in normal office stuff as well as games/cad/etc intensive stuff?

 

I didn't count on the battery but it can last around 1:45 with Win 7 Power Saver mode, just my feeling.

 

interesting. thought recovery disks should work on any new hdds... which software did you use to clone the 500gb original disk image? thanks

 

I used True Image 2009 to clone it but It's not compatible with Envy 15 (Intel PM55 chipset), so I clone the disk with my Lenovo X61

 

Just out of curiosity, did you try running True Image from a Windows PE-based boot CD such as BartPE, UltimateBootCD, VistaPE, etc?

Over the years I have encountered so many problems with Acronis' Linux-based boot discs for True Image that I don't even try to use them anymore. I use a BartPE boot CD with the True Image plugin and the mass storage drivers for my systems.

When I get a new system I usually just need to add the appropriate mass storage driver to the BartPE CD and everything works fine.

 

Just as a follow up, I finally received my Envy 15 today and have begun to experiment with it. TrueImage does indeed work just fine when run from my BartPE disc. All I needed to do was add the Intel ICH 9/ICH 10 drivers and it detected the Envy's hard drive just fine.

 

Could you explain how did you open the Envy 15?
I need to replace the hard disk but I'm having a hard time trying to open it without damaging it.

Thank you.

 

Going back to the original topic.

If we have order a Envy with only one disk (and with only one disk case (HD Caddy) to hold the HD) how can we install 2 SSD? Do we have to buy a new hard disk caddy to support both 1.8 drives?

If so, where can we find these?

Having a two HDD it's critical for my decision on Envy 15 but I will purchase the one with only one HDD and then upgrade myself.

Regards,

 

Did anybody ever get an answer as to the height of this drive bay, maybe we could fit 2 slim 2.5 in hdds?

 

Hi all,
I opened up my Envy 15 (1011TX) bought in HK as well but the hard disk cable only seems to have one connector? I was wanting to connect two SSDs and thought the cable will have come with two connectors? Does everyone else's Envy come with two connectors? My original hard disk was a 500GB 7200rpm SATA. Much thanks in advance.

 

Hi all:
Can you post an underneath photo, where everyone can see all the screws?

I'd like just to be sure not to spoil anything when taking off the keyboard... I'm having a bit of trouble with this... :-(

 

http://go.notebookreview.com/?id=52...tu.com/2010/03/hp-envy-15-2nd-generation.html

You should visit this site. That's a collection of info Envy related. Its posted by smilepak a user here. That should have links to pictures, some of which should be useful to you.

 

What amount of info!!!

Thanks a lot! I'm checking to see if it's there

 

Did you ever find out? I have a 500GB system on its way and would like to add an SSD later too.
Thanks!