This is meant to be a general guide for any new laptop, but I can add specifics if you post them. I'll try to add more for dv6/7 as I come across information. I thought it would be a good idea to have an inclusive post on this sort of thing so no one has to wade through hundreds of pages to find a certain answer.
When you first get the laptop:
- Inspect the box for damage, take everything out and make sure nothing is missing.
- Put the battery in the laptop, plug the brick into the wall, then into the laptop. Make sure it turns on and no grinding noises are heard from fans.
- Test basic hardware and necessities: keyboard flex, monitor hinges, trackpad, disk drive, camera, wireless/bluetooth, ethernet, USB, HDMI, etc.
- Check for dead pixels - Stuck on/off Pixel Test
- Create Recovery discs and system repair disc and copy the contents of the 'SWSetup' folder
- At this point I suggest simply using the laptop for an hour or so, get familiar with it and try the programs that are already installed. After doing this you should have a better idea of what you want to keep.
- Download Windows 7. http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html
Clean up Bloatware:
There are a couple of options here. The more advanced users can opt for a wipe/partition/install or you can use Minimal System Image Recovery.
After the Minimal System Image is completed, the recovery partition (D:\) is there and the HP tools and SwSetup folders are still available on C:\.
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To get an idea of what will be on your HP dv6/dv7 hard drive when you get it and after recovery here's a great post.
Install extra software and enjoy!
Nonobligatory Programs/utilities:
Everything - Quick file indexing and searching
Norton - It's included and I've read that this version isn't a hog.
Skype - Videochatting and testing the webcam
Reils touchpad app - (Posted by
teotuf
permalink) With Reil's touchpad app, it is supposed to match Macbook Pro's touchpad (Single tap, double tap and hold to drag, two finger tap to right click, inertial two finger scroll, etc
Download info.
RandyRants: SharpKeys 3.0 Can be used to remap unwanted keys, including preset
f keys, and some of the more useful action keys (volume, etc).
AutoHotkey for Disk Ejector - (Posted by
dgobe
permalink) Here's an AutoHotKey script that will eject the CD if you hold down F12 longer than 1 second like a Mac. F12 will be passed through to the OS if you just tap it as usual.
Code:
F12::
timeout := 1000 ;In milliseconds
t1 := A_TickCount
while getkeystate("F12", "P") {
sleep 1
if(A_TickCount - t1 > timeout) {
Drive, Eject
return
}
}
Send {F12}
return
Note: Disable Action keys in BIOS, but can still be used by pressing fn first. (ex: fn+f12 = wireless toggle)
Just run the AutoHotkey program and you'll see a green/white H in your system tray(might be hidden, click up arrow to far left of tray). Right-click the icon and select "Edit This Script" Paste the code in there and remove the example code for Ctrl-Alt-N etc. (Thank you dgobe)
- You may want to change how your screen looks, Windows has a calibration tool. Start Menu > Write "Calibrate" > select Calibrate screen > Follow on-screen instructions
Post-laptop setup tips:
- For surface cleaning of the screen use a Microfiber Cloth and a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water, Sprayway Glass Cleaner for everywhere else. This is subjective so use what works for you! Using Alcohol to clean an LCD may cause it to yellow over time, so find a brand you can trust that makes something for LCDs.Permalink
- For the advanced pragmatists out there looking for anything at all to gain performance, you can open up that new laptop and re-apply thermal compound (any brand you like) on the CPU and GPU to make sure it meets you specs.
- For adding another drive (SSD or HDD) the dv7 has two drive bays and includes a drive caddy in the second bay. To add another drive you still need the cable to connect drive to motherboard. The SATA cable for a second drive is starting to be manufactured by 3rd parties, so hopefully it will be available soon. One vendor has it showing as available by June 7, 2nd HDD Cable kit, but pricing is still pretty high ($30). Permalink These laptops support up to SATA III.
- Updates to the BIOS are constantly coming out. The current version is F.14 (5-17-2011) and is available on HP's website. It gives you the option to enable Virtualization Technology.
Additional notes:
- Beats Audio only applies to the headphone jacks. Permalink
- The current two options for the 6770M graphics card are 1 and 2 GBs of video ram. The 2GB option has absolutely no discernible advantage. In other words, its a marketing gimmick (unfortunately they got me before I found this out...) so save the $50 and buy the 1GB 6770M.
- Differences between 5400 and 7200 rpm hard drives -
5400 pros(+)/cons(-): +uses less power, +quieter, -slower boot/loading
7200 pros(+)/cons(-): +faster boot and loading time, -uses more power, -louder, -runs hotter, -speed gains versus 5400 are almost never achieved because most occasions can't use the drive at its potential
- Some bumps may be felt on the trackpad, it could be from the finishing process and they may also wear away.
- RAM/Memory can be run in dual channel even with different capacity sticks, it will just run in dual up to the lowest stick. [ex: 6GB - a 4gb and 2gb stick will be run at dual channel for 4gb total (2gb from each stick)] Permalink
The 2630 supports up to DDR-1333. The 2720 and up support DDR-1600. HP puts 1333 in these laptops. If you decide to upgrade this, find memory with better timings but the same frequency to save money.
USB 3.0 ports are on the left and using usb 1 or 2.0 in them will not increase their maximum transfer speed.
- You can change the icon size: Right click the desktop, go to view and change the icon size to however you like it.
New FHD Screen Info:
DV6t: AUO B156HW01 V3, Hardware ID for the screen is AUO13ED, 60% color gamut
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DV7t: Hardware Id LGD0283, 72% color gamut
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Known Issues:
"Screen split" -
picture of issue The user Epistaxis reported that by updating to the 11.5b drivers fixed all clipping issues in games and video files/bluray.
Intel WiDi issues should be fixed by upgrading "[Intel HD] graphic beyond 15.22 and update WiDi to 2.1 (Falco152
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Thank you to all the fantastic knowledgeable people using NotebookReview! If you have anything you would like added, post in this thread so I can add it up here. Please let me know if any information is wrong or needs more detail!
Edit 1, 5-31-2011: Fixed erroneous information about Minimal System Image
Edit 2, 6-6-2011: Added sections (additional notes, new fhd screen info, known issues) and updated/added information
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
