Envy 17 3D freezes after enabling hardware virtualization

After enabling hardware virtualization in the BIOS, my Envy 17 3D freezes when trying to wake up after being in sleep mode. The hard drive starts and the keyboard lights up but nothing happens. The screen stays black and the keyboard is unresponsive. The only way out is a hard power off. If I disable the hardware virtualization in the BIOS everything is OK and the Envy comes out of sleep normally. This behavior is consistant and repeatable depending on whether the hardware virtualization is enabled or disabled. Tech support says its a known Win 7 pro issue and directed me to search Google for "Win 7 pro xp mode freezes from sleep mode". Those results didn't seem to fit my situation. Whether I am in xp mode or just in Win7 without even installing xp mode the computer freezes when hardware virtualization is enabled. This is a new system with no other software installed. This is actually my 2nd Envy - the first was returned (per tech support recommendation) for the same issue - they thought then it could be a hardware problem. But now a 2nd one with the same problem?



Any thoughts? Suggestions?

Anyone running with hardware virtualization enabled?



Thanks

 

While I haven't ran hardware virtualization on my Envy17 system, mind if I ask what Bios version you are using? Know what model your system is? 1xxx or 2xxx series?

I say look into trying out the latest bios update, should be able to download straight from HP's site.

 

Thanks for your reply. BIOS is F.15 Model is LM126AV which I asume is 2xxx (how do I tell). System Board ID: 159B. Everything is the same in the new Envy as it was in the Envy I returned. I have not updated the BIOS in the new Envy but did it on the returned one (while on the phone with tech support) and it was no help. All the drivers, BIOS, etc say up to date when I ran the HP assistant.

 

What is the processor of your Envy 17? Sandy Bridge? The 2000 series are those with the Sandy Bridge processors.

 

Sandy Bridge, 2820QM, 8GB ram, 6850M graphics, (1) 750GB 7200 HD, 17.3 Full HD 3D 1920x1080, Win7 pro.

 

I would suggest pressing FN + Esc, should popup a window with your product number. Got to HP's Support and Drivers page and search with your product number.

I found this for basic CTO-2000 models, it's a QFE (quick fix enhancement) that might be related: Essential System Updates HP ENVY 17t-2000 CTO 3D Edition Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

This mentions a stop error involving sleep, hibernate, or restarts.

For CTO-2100 systems: Essential System Updates HP ENVY 17t-2100 CTO 3D Edition Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

This mentions a stop error with systems using Virtual PC...if I recall, XP mode is built and is in reality Virtual PC 4 from Microsoft. So that could be your fix maybe.


I don't believe installing one or both of these will cause you any issues by the way. Also, the difference between a 2000 and a 2100 system is only software revision as far as I know. The hardware is the same.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. Model LQ621AV comes up as 17t-2100 CTO on the HP site. Tried the KBs but no go. Just had a reply on another forum that they encountered this same virtualization problem when they updated their BIOS from 08 to 15. When they rolled back the BIOS all was good again. I looked for the earlier BIOS but it is not listed under my model #. I'll have to research that option a litttle further. I'm not a total newbie but I'm not real comfortable installing a BIOS not listed for my model.
As a side note, started having problems with the wifi (same problem on returned envy). Sometimes the download speed drops rapidly and then freezes. Also I cannot disable the my wifi. Hit the disable and a few seconds later it re-enables. Actually the returned Envy was the other way - could not enable that one. Downloaded earlier drivers as per suggestions in other threads on this forum, but no help.
I've installed firewall/antivirus, a few programs, an HP wifi mouse, and run enough updates/fixes that I'm not exactly sure when the wifi went south. I thought maybe the wifi mouse but I restored the system to the point before installating the mouse and still have the same wifi issues.
Even though I may loose a couple licenses on some of the software, I'm thinking about restoring back to the original image and starting over.

 

FYI, I have the same problem with sleep and Intel VT. It sucks, but I can't go back to Bios F.08 and then have to deal with the horrible throttling. It seems there is no solution but to wait for HP to fix it. Since there are so few people running VT compared to the average consumer, I doubt we'll see a fix soon.

Right now I simply don't sleep my laptop but that is going to need to change soon, so I might have to disable VT.

 

Not sure if I want to disable the sleep mode either.
I've read several articles about MS dropping the requirement for hardware assisted virtualization to run VT and xpmode but I haven't been able to find out how to do that. I was not able to get the last Envy to work in xpmode without enabling it in the BIOS. The MS VT download page lists three parts with last being, I believe, a patch for Win7 if SP1 is not installed. I assumed this was the patch that dropped the requirement and Win7 SP1 already had the patch. I tried downloading and installing the extra patch (even tho I have SP1) but nothing seemed to happen. If I didn't enable the BIOS, I would get a nasty message from xpmode to enable hardware virtualization. Anyone know how to make VT/xpmode load without hardware virtualization? Although not the perfect fix, it might tide us over until HP comes up with an updated BIOS.

 

Finally heard back from HP case management about the hardware virtualization issue. They said they have talked to “engineering” and they are aware of the problem. BUT…… all they could say was the issue MAY be addressed in a future BIOS release. They could not say for sure that it would be corrected or when that might happen.

I’m not sure where I’ll go from here. I think I got the wifi freezing problem solved (thanks to users here in another thread) by replacing the 6200 card with a 6300 and the laptop has been really stable. Other than the annoying optical drive noise on start up being a little irritating (and of course the VT issue), overall I really like the Envy and don’t know what else I’d find (other than a MBP) that would be any better. I may try the software VT or disable the sleep mode. I know those aren’t viable options for some of you.

Thanks again to everyone for all the info provided.

 

Wasn't there a BIOS released yesterday concerning hardware virtualization? F.16

 

Thanks jaguare3! Yes, I saw the post (just after I had posted here) on the Owners Lounge thread page 601 that BIOS F.16 has been released. Thanks to Trader05!
Downloaded and installed – enabled virtualization in the BIOS – it actually appears to work! Haven’t loaded XPmode yet but I did start Windows Virtual PC – no error messages and no freezing after sleep with hardware virtualization enabled in the BIOS.
Got to wonder what’s up with HP. I talked to them yesterday afternoon (5 days after the BIOS release date) and they had no idea it was available or if it would ever be available. HP Support Assistant didn't find it either this morning when I checked. Guess I need to check their download site directly (and this forum) more often in the future. Oh well, I’ll be a happy camper if XPmode loads, runs, and the Envy don’t freeze anymore.

I sure am glad this forum is here. Thanks to everyone for their help!