Envy 15 G2 hard lockup/freezing during gaming

Hey guys,

Having an issue with my Envy. As soon as I got the machine I installed a SSD and clean copy of Win7. Drivers were downloaded from the thread in this forum section. The computer seems completely fine, temps are well within normal range (68c load CPU 74c load GPU). Besides the crashes, I have not experienced any other sort of instability with this machine.

The issue is an annoying hard lockup-my games will completely lock up and go into an infinite sound loop. The only remedy is a hard reset-I can not access the task manager or any other Windows functions. This happens at seemingly random, whether it be 5 minutes into a match or 2 hours in. The crash is not being triggered by heat-my system stays very cool, even during gaming.

The crashes seem to happen in any 3D game (but not furmark, for some reason)-at first I thought it was an issue with Bad Company 2, but after having time to muck around, I've realized that it is happening in all my games (including Just Cause 2, Team Fortress 2, GTAIV, Trackmania, Battlefield 2, etc).

I can't think of any reason why this is happening-I have a relatively clean Windows installation (need to save space on SSD) and up to date drivers. The only program I run in the background is NOD32, which has not given me any issues in the past with my other machines (I have tried disabling NOD32, to no avail).

My best guess is that it is video driver related. I have tried the Catalyst 10.4 driver from HPs website, as well as the 10.x ALL 8.74 beta driver-the 8.74 driver unlocks more resolution options and fixes BC2 load times, but both drivers are susceptible to the crash.

I literally can not enjoy playing any game now because of this issue-I'm sure you guys can imagine just how incredibly annoying it is to be crashing CONSTANTLY. Anyone have any suggestions or solutions? I'm all ears.

 

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Have you tried uninstalling all previous versions of the ATI graphics driver before installing the new version? If you tried this and the current version didn't work, have you tried the next newest version posted?

Versions of interest from HP that you can try: 8.701.0.0 and 8.670.5.1000

Also since you are using an SSD, do not install HP ProtectSmart/DriveGuard as it is not necessary and may cause problems.

 

Drivers were fully uninstalled, and I used driver sweeper to clean all the excess files between installations. I have not tried the 8.670 driver...what is that, Catalyst 10.3? Suppose it doesn't hurt, I'll give it a try...

I don't have HP Drive guard installed btw. Just the Win7 driver and Intel SSD Toolbox.

 

Does you envy have 64bit windows 7? i think the crashes are related to 64 bit windows and the ati drivers. If it does have 64 bit windows format and switch to 32bit.

 

nonsense

don't use driver sweeper for win 7 its not recommended at all.

ram an integrity test on your memory

 

Yeah I'm running Win7 x64. I have considered reformatting, but I am going to throw x64 right back on if I do.

I uninstalled driver sweeper. Running a burn test on the CPU, mem, and GPU simultaneously-it has been stable for 8 hours so far (still going). I passed memtest86 no problems.

Soooo what the hell is it

 

Here is an updated driver released by HP that you can try if you want:

Version: 8.712.0.0
Link: ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp48001-48500/sp48247.exe

Good luck!

 

No luck

Clean install of driver. Fired up Just Cause 2...ran nicely for about 20 minutes before crashing.

 

Pretty sure your problem is a compatibility issue with 64-bit windows. Try installing 32 bit, your serial should work, and see if it makes a difference. My friend had the same problem running 64-bit and installing 32bit solved the problem. Those games probably aren't made to run in a 64 bit environment.

 

The games he's trying to play have no problem running on Windows 7 x64 for me on my desktop, unless it's something with the envy I doubt there's an issue with the 64bit version of windows over 32 bit.

 

Just Cause 2 runs just fine on Envy with Win 7 x64. Smooth fps at 1600x900 with 2xAA.

 

Anything in the event logs after a hang?

 

There is absolutely no issues with gaming and win 7 64, actually sometimes they work better. I played bad company 2 in my win 7 64 laptop no issues at all.

The problem seemed to be related to heat. Hard lock ups with black screen but that is not the issue/

So we moved to the memory, no probs there.

We have to try now to install the directx 9c from microsoft, that affects the way games work (goddamn you XP users). Download it and install it directly from there.

If its not it then you can (if you're using steam) close steam delete the clientregistry.blob restart it

verify the integrity of the cache with steam

There were some problems with the latest steam update (which is great I feel like I'm using zune no creativity)

 

I'm in the camp that feels the x64 is not the issue. Can you see what your temperatures are like? It may be tough to grab temps while gaming

You can us CPUID's HWmonitor to look at CPU temp and GPU temp. In my experience a hard lock in a game is sometimes related to a GPU core clock that's higher than it can handle; in which case it may be due to poor heatsink contact or a bad gpu.

 

Nope, that was one of the first things I checked...nothing is getting dumped into the event logs. I tried whocrashed.exe, but that isn't picking up anything either.

My temps are definitely not the problem, my system has below average temps if anything.

idle:

load:

 

Whoa. This thread has gone on too long. I've played BFBC2, Left 4 Dead 2, Just Cause 2 for some extended periods, overclocked all the way to 750/1115 on the GPU and it has been PERFECT. GPU temps max at around 74C gaming at this OC, much lower when I clock it down to sane levels (~650/1100) for games the Envy absolutely destroys already like L4D2.

You have two options.

1.) Do a clean install, install the newest intel chipset drivers (use "setup.exe /overall") Intel RST drivers then the 10.4 ATI Mobility drivers. Also get the drivers for the audio directly from IDT and Realtek (ATI HDMI Audio) Reboot and wait at windows desktop for 30 seconds between EVERY driver install.

2.) RMA the system and tell them it crashes. Get it replaced. The hardware is bad.

 

Can you clarify setup.exe /overall? Should I be adding that as startup parameter to the chipset driver install file? Also, when you say direct from IDT, are you implying to avoid drivers from HP itself?

I am going to do a clean install tonight. The issue *might* be my copy of Windows 7-I am using a hacked BIE nonsense version (with the legit key from the envy). I just got the original RTM x64 ISO (hash confirmed), so perhaps running a genuine OS will solve the issue? I hope so.

If that doesn't work, this is going straight back to HP. My 'C' key arrived broken anyway (broken clip on the underside of the key, won't stay on keyboard)

 

I suspect this is a hardware issue.

With my first Envy received Feb 1, I experienced GPU crashes to black screen and video freezing 10-15x per day, in situations when there was absolutely nothing taxing the GPU (such as word processing or even when no applications were open) as well as at times during video playback. I did not have any heat issues. I installed every possible BIOS and driver update but the only way to solve it was to return it to HP for refund and order another one with the same specs. With the second unit I have not crashed even once since receiving it. Incidentally, with both the first and second units I was able to run ME2, Bioshock 2, DAO and Crysis Warhead at 1080p resolution, max detail settings with no crashes or lags, at 25-45 FPS.

My wife recently ordered a third Envy during the Bing cashback 25% promotion, with the same specs, which is still in the 21-day period, and it has crashed to black screen (GPU crash) about 5 times during random situations and the system has automatically reboot itself (BSOD) 2 times, once during USB 3.0 file transfer and the second during synaptics driver update, both times with CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT error. We will return this one before the 21-day period expires.

I believe some of the Envys have consistent hardware problems and others seem to have no troubles at all.

 

How painful is HPs RMA process? Where will I have to ship the laptop, and how long will the turnaround be?

 

If you are within the 21-day period, it's very simple, just call HP, they will send you a FedEx shipping label by email and then refund the total amount to your credit card.

I got a FedEx shipping label emailed to me while I was still on the phone with the rep, I dropped it off at FedEx and within 2 days the total purchase amount was back in my account, including tax, shipping, warranty price etc.

 

I don't want to return it for refund though, I want to RMA it.

 

Another thing I kind of like to see is what happens if you underclock the card!

The RMA process is not too painful, it's the waiting that stinks. I had about 3 weeks of wait.

 

The setup.exe /overall is just for the first time and only time driver installation. just open a command prompt from the directoyry you extract the intel.

I may have been wrong on the IDT drivers. Can't remember where I got them. The file I am using came as sp47789.exe 27,398 kB.

I suggest following my anal driver install method. Install windows, reboot after install complete. Wait 30 seconds after desktop, install Intel chip-set drivers (I am using newest beta from Station-Drivers: le site de drivers, bios, firmwares avec un forum d'aide - the BEST place to get Intel drivers; don't mind the insane popups.) reboot, wait 30 seconds at desktop, install Intel RST drivers, reboot, rinse, repeat. Once done, apply your personal tweaks, there's a couple services I disable, about 5 tasks worth deleting in Task Scheduler, all your other personal tweaks. then, do the full MS windows update, choosing what you want. Reboot like 2 more times, verify it is good, run CCleaner and manually delete all the temp crap the driver installs create and IMAGE the install drive (I use Acronis Home 2010 - don't install the software, use the boot CD and image from Acronis's OS.) Bam, insta clean install any time you want; just re-image.

On my Envy, this tedious process was actually a pleasure thanks to the insane boot time with the dual SSDs... hell even installing windows 7 only took like 10 min if not less, faster some some folk's machines boot. I use a fast patriot flash USB thumb drive to install Win7.

The IDT drivers may have been the only ones I got from HP. Everything else I got from vendor site including the card reader - Realtek_XPVistaWin7_WHQL_6.1.7600.30118


Honestly, you should not even have started this thread until you ruled out that hacked Win7 install you are running. Try a fresh from MS install before sending the unit back. There is still a good chance it is a hardware issue, but rule out the install / drivers first.

 

Thanks for the clarification, I'll follow your directions exactly and report back. I also install W7 from a usb drive, and yes, reboots are pain free...15-20s ain't no thang SSDs are awesome!

 

Did a clean, minimal install, and installed drivers as you instructed. Fired up Bad Company 2, played a couple of rounds before it crashed again

Time to RMA I guess...dammit

 

I'm pretty impressed by HPs RMA dept. After a hiccup with fedex, they received my envy on Mon 5/17. I just got a shipping notice of an overnight package from HP, should be here tomorrow. I was expecting a longer turnaround than that...hopefully the replacement is issue (and scratch) free.

 

Congrats on the fast turnaround, hope the replacement works perfect for you! Good Luck!

 

Well, I am happy to report that despite the outrageous damage that my envy suffered at the service center, the machine itself seems to be functioning perfectly this time around. The techs replaced the motherboard and keyboard, and flashed me to F24 as well. No more crashing issues at all....now to get this damage resolved

Unfortunately this HD5830 is not a good clocker...I am able to get 530/1050 max before artifacts appear.