Got My DV8000T! Now what?!

Alright, finally got my new dv8000t

2.0ghz t2500, 512mb ddr2 ram. (awaiting my ram from newegg).

I was going to run some tests with it stock out of the box, but there is so much junk running on it..

Sooooo I'm going to reload it. But, the only drivers on hp's site are the audio, and video driver, and the softmodem. Anywhere I can get the touchpad, lan, wlan and bluetooth drivers?

Seems very fast in general, but can see the bloatware running on it (even after add/removing programs) is going to slow it down.

BTW, beautiful screen, excellent quality.

Will post tests and so forth with it on a clean xp pro install.

 

those are some good questions, I would like to know too because I'm mostly likley will do the same thing, and then install all the stuff I want on it.

what screen did you get btw? Is it nice and bright? Gah I can't wait untill they ship my dv8000t!!! =]

 

Me too! I got the 1680x1050 screen... is that right? Anyway, how would I get rid of the Bloatware when I get mines without "damaging" the system? LOL.

 

You should have a separate partition with all the drivers. HP used to ship two DVDs with the laptop but I hear this changed and now they create a recovery partition

 

So I should be able to cull the drivers from the secondary partition (or in other words, don't delete that partition? )

 

I actually can't get into the recovery partition, anyone know how?

 

go to Programs -> System Recovery

can't belive hp got this much junk, it's not used to be like this before.

 

Thanks Chrish. They are all actually in c:\swsetup Thanks to Flashram for mentioning if, I forgot entirely that's where HP loads it's drivers.

I'm in reloading land right now. As soon as I'm done, I'll post pics, and info, and attempt my first 3dmark tests...

btw, I have 1 dead pixel, anyone else seen a dead pixel on their dv8000t/nx9420?

 

Anyone cleaned their DV8000t and gotten the audio drivers to reload?

I have it all up and running (and flying btw), but I can't seem to get the audio drivers to load, from the backup, or from hp's site?...

Anyone?

 

When doing a clean install, you need to load the "Essential XP Updates" from the HP website (or c:\swsetup if you saved the installation files and drivers) for the modem and audio drivers to function. For the audio driver, without the essential XP updates, the driver will load but the audio will not function. For the modem driver, without the essential XP updates, the driver will not load.

At least this was my experience.

Ron Weingarten

 

Essential XP Updates... K, looking now, thanks for the tip

 

Sweet, thanks Rweingar, that was it.

Interesting you have to have the "Essential" xp updates

 

so what would be the better screen? the Bright 1680x1050 screen or the ultrabright 1400x900 ?

I understand that for 10 dollars HP can give you the system recovery CD, does that include the drivers as well?

 

I would say the higher res screen (bright 1680x1050) is better, simply for the fact that you will be able to view true HD pictures and videos.

i'm not sure about the ultrabright, but Id imagine your eyes would get owned by it, I'm still waiting to see some pictures of these screens and such!! gahhhh

the wait for my own is unbearable!

 

They didn't have an option for me for the discs, and I already have XP Pro discs, so didn't bother. I would just suggest making your 2 recovery discs when you first boot up (only works 1 time), and then putting in another dvd-r and burning the entire c:\swsetup folder onto that dvd. (that's exactly what I did). All of your drivers are in that folder.

I went with the 1680x1050, I run multiple windows at the same time, and after having a 1280x800 screen for a couple of years, really wanted the chance to do some high res stuff. It's an awesome screen btw.

Also, not that I know anymore than just running it, ran 3dMark05 tests:

1977 3DMarks

5640 CPu score

All on 3dMark05. Is there any other tests I should run?

Super Pi to 2M: 01m 13s

Pc is really really fast, totally thrilled with it!

 

good to hear jka/v! I went to futuremarks msg boards to check out other benchmarks to compair.

the CPU score is apparently excellent and the 3DMarks aren't the best, but not bad either

I know nothing of these benchmarks, if there is anyone out there that knows alot about benchmarks, give us headsup

 

jka/v,

I wonder if there is a way to run the recovery disk option more than once. Seems to me that people MOVE, Get divorced, have a disc that get damaged, etc and there should be a way to force it to burn more that (1) copy.

What happens if the (1) copy turns out to be corrupt, the discs not burning right, etc?
* * * * *

I'm thinking that it may be best BEFORE even booting up the first time to use a program like GHOST to ghost the partition(s). I would think that would be a way around the
(1) burn limit on the recovery discs????

I'm also wondering if the OS on the first "boot" after a system "restore" would give that option once again. (probally not)

On the 1680x1050, thats the same screen I ordered. I hope the fonts can be adjusted so I can use it

BTW, do the HP screens "scale" well? I've read some screens do from other mfgs.

Wondering also if a "matte" replacement screen protector could be sourced for those that may find the screen reflections too distracting. Read anything about that? I would think that it would not be hard to replace. I don't think it's intergal to the display itself...

Here's a nifty program for checking for DEAD pixels: No install needed. http://www.laptopshowcase.co.uk/downloads.php?id=1


Here's another that "may" fix a stuck pixel :

http://www.dps.uk.com/freeware_DTP.htm

Dead Pixel Tester - Shows the three primary colours used in TFT screens (Red, Green, Blue) over the whole of all the screens you have connected to allow you to check for dead or stuck pixels. Also has Black and White to check all on and all off. New interface, new features, and even an pixel exerciser to fix stuck pixels!

 

I was told by HP it contains the OS only, none of the third party bloatware, If so it would have to contain the needed drivers and necessary apps needed.

Otherwise it would sort of be totally useless.


BTW: Who here has ordered their dv8000t pre-installed with XP PRO?