*HP ENVY 14 & Envy 14 Beats (1XXX series) Owners Lounge, Part Deux*

So, battery life looks like about 4 hours and takes about 1.5 hours to fully charge it. I am satisfied.

 

On hp's website, the first option for an accidental damage warranty is significantly less than the next option, yet they seem to cover the same thing. Can anyone un-confuse me?

 

right click on the desktop and click configure switchable graphics. Personally, I don't like this approach. I preferred how m11x handled graphics switching.

 

Edit: Was looking at the 3 year ones, I think the more expensive 2 year one just has the option of having a tech sent to your house to look at the computer and fix it if possble.

 

Ok...has anyone here figured out a way to get the 3-finger flick for backward/forward flipping to work?

 

I'm not familiar with yahoo messenger, but there are IM clients that support multiple protocols (including yahoo). I would recommend a different client, ESPECIALLY if you have another IM account. That way you could talk to her without having a separate program window open.

digsby and pidgin are both good if you want to try them

 

I'm behind so this may have been answered already.

Try changing the advance power plan setting 'ATI power play' setting for plugged in to: max power savings. You may have different options with the switchable graphics....

 

I think I'm gonna give this thing another try. It's just too nice to look at, but I don't know if I can get used to it.

The touchpad is super annoying. Anyone who can tell me how to stop this multitouch crap will get endless rep lol

 

So I just got my Envy. I head a soccer game to go to so I wasn't able to stay home with it but I am now testing it out a bit. I haven't had a nice laptop for a good four years so I am a little biased but this thing seems pretty sweet.

One concern so far. The keyboard is very nice to type on but it seems like like on the top of the keyboard, in the top right around where the plus and minus sound part of the keyboard, it seems it is not flush with the rest of the body. It looks nice but it just seems a bit off and don't know if it should be like that. Also with the backlight keyboard, should it as such that some of the keys show more light than others when looking it at a normal use view?

I guess I am just over analyzing it because of everything I have read on the boards. I hear no whine and it seems pretty cool to me.

Gonna run some games on it and see how it goes. After a few days I mgith do a fresh install!

YEY new laptop!

EDIT: Literally while submitting this post my wifi went off, and I had to turn it on. Has this happened to anyone? Seemed really random.

 

you need to update the wifi drivers.

stock ones are very iffy.

 

O_O I can't seem to find the "ATI Power Play" options anywhere.....

 

Here is a link to a guide I posted to help set up the touchpad properly. It won't turn off all the features but it should get it working very well compared to how it comes from HP. BTW the link is posted on the O.P. also.

Hope this helps;

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6468855-post6307.html

 

Quick question about that. I've been reading through that guide and trying to figure out how to configure zones. Are you by any chance using version 15.0.1.17.4 May 2010 of Synaptics?


EDIT: FIGURED IT OUT! JJB YOU ROCK!!! <B

 

Below is what it looks like on the E 15, the same options should be in the ATI CCC panel as the last option under the greaphics tab (2nd pic below). Maybe this feature is disabled with the switchable graphics

 

Received my Envy 14 this afternoon and I must say it is very well made and runs quietly and smoothly. I noticed some CPU whine earlier today, but after a clean install everything became perfect! The bloatware was a major setback though..

 

ok, so I believe the discoloration of the monitor is actually getting worse. Its spreading and I dont know why. I hate to say this but I may have to give this back... and without the 30%BCB, I may not be able to get the envy already at all!!

When we RMA an item, we cant get back the 30% BCB right? Also do I have to restore it to its factory image? I HATE THIIIIIS! I want this laptop but I cant stand the discolored LED

 

So...


This whole port/vent/power placement on Envy 14 was puzzling to me and why the heck the they put dvdrom on the left side, but then it hit me that HP probably was thinking this would be used as HTPC sideways!!!

 

I am considering an RMA as well and hope to keep 30% BCB. I called the cust res line today, and she assured me that an even return / exchange would NOT cancel cashback. I wanted it in writing though, and it would also be good to validate this with bing, but their customer service sucks now that they are ending soon. In the end, it is up to HP and they assured me I could keep by BCB when doing an exchange. I would only risk it if the issue was a real deal killer, which mine might be, but sounds like yours is for sure.

 

I obviously can't say for sure, but you would think that a return for a new unit would not invalidate BCB.

 

Cool, I'm on a 3G modem that's not getting 3G signal right now. it's so slow that I have to wait for the letters onscreen to catch up with my typing. So your edit appeared between my hitting the "quote" button and the reply screen actually poping up. LOL

BTW, yes that is the driver I'm using but the 'zones' have been on all previous drivers, they are just sometimes not in the default synaptics settings options, you actually get 3 different control panels that load with each updated driver, 2 are not available to view. To get them you need to: Dev. Mng. > Driver > update driver > Browse computer > Let me pick from list > then you'll see a list of 3 - 15.0.1.17.4 - drivers. No way to tell which is which, except the top one is the active one your using > highlight the second one > click next and it loads it. Then reboot and go see what new options you have Very screwy way to find new options but that's how they have all been (so far).....

 

My Catalyst Control Center (CCC) isn't that detailed. The best I was able to do was configure some hotkeys (control+alt+a for power-saving GPU, control+alt+s for dedicated). Very limited options.


However, I figured out the problem with the power plan. It's just named differently.

I will experiment to see what happens on reboot.




EDIT: Putting GPU on max battery savings hasn't forced my notebook to start up with GPU. My recommendation is to simply configure your own easy to remember hotkey for switching to integrated. Mine once again is Crtl+Alt+A.

 

what is the driver to add volume box on the screen when we change the level?

 

I asked this question to HP, and just received this email...

"Dear XXXXXX,

Good day!

This is to inform you that you will still qualify for the 30% Bing cashback on your exchanged order. Any return will void the cashback promotion. However, customers who have exchanged an order due to technical issue or defect can still have their cashback honored by contacting MSN at [email protected] and providing all HP Home and Home Office order numbers associated.

If you have received credits on your original order, the percentage of the cashback will be based from the remaining balance. In your case, your order subtotal is $1,259.14 and you were issued with $113.00 credit. Your 30% cashback will be based from the balance of $1,146.14.

 

*POST CLEAN INSTALL - *

Missing that volume OSD?
Well it's part of MediaSmart. Don't want to use MEDIASMART just for a buggy Volume OSD?
Then download 3RVX - thanks to JJB

3RVX: Skinnable Beautiful Volume Indicator For Windows 7


3rvx25 and envy skin.zip (with envy skin)


Imma see how it's done using the envy skin.

 

I have seen a similar discoloration issue on sunlight readable (ultra bright) marine navigation electronics LCD screens. It ended up going away after several hours of use at max brightness, according to Raytheon they discoverd the cause was due to extremely high humidity at the time of display assemble which created a moisture 'patch' between layers of the display panel. The fix was to leave the display turned on at max brightness in a warm area until the moisture evaporated, usually less than 24 hrs... BTW this did not look like moisture, but more like what has been shown in the earlier pictures but without the 'rainbow' colors. Worth a try before an RMA....

 

Could someone please quickly explain how to replace the Macbook Prolike volume control with the Envy skin? Do I just need to replace the contents of both the Default and the Default(black icons) with the Envy's contents???

 

I would try that again but disable that granola (miserware) program first, or at least try it on a power plan that does not have the "MW" after it. That program actually reduced my battery life (details posted here aways back) and it made my computer very 'sluggish', it does something screwy, I got rid of it altogether.

 

Customer Rep is saying that this is a Normal LCD Panel feature (The discoloration). He is saying that on a 160 degree angle there will be some discoloration when you view it sideways.... Please guys, can you check your laptops and see if you guys have this? Cuz if not, ill return this...

 

hey thanks!

got any other recommendations on any other useful programs to install that is in the swsetup folder?

 

JJB, I honestly think you nailed it! It honestly seems like some water did go in because it looks like it does spread when I try to push (Softly) the LED...

 

Yeah I see discoloration when i stand and look down. The white turns purple/pink'ish. It doesn't bother me at all because I only view flat screens that are near eye level to me.

Aside from batterybar taking forever to respond to my battery estimate... my new Envy is pretty awesome!

 

it takes a few on and off cycles to get a decent estimate

 

Got rid of it and tried maximum battery saving. Still switched back to max performance and dedicated GPU.


Seems to me ATI is still finding their bearings.

Dunno if it's just me but it seems like up-scrolling is less precise than down scrolling.

 

Have anyone tried updating to the new ATi display driver released just yesterday? If so, were there any technical issues?

 

So how many people got their ENVY's from the ebay person???

 

Nope.. not on mine.

 

Can someone compress everything in their hp_tools partition and upload it somewhere? I could not get my bios to update to F.05 and I think it might be because I erased that partition. Thanks.

 

Anybody know how to make the buttons such as brightness, backlit keyboard, volume etc. work again? Mine don't seem to be working after a clean install...

 

Read the first post in the "Post Clean Install" section.

It will explain how to get all of them working again.

 

I installed the Quick Launch buttons driver from that page and the volume is now working, however the wireless, backlit keyboard, and brightness all don't seem to be working

 

Did you do these?

 

Yes, I did all these and still only the volume works

 

I did a clean install and everything seems faster. Everything recognized on the device manager and I love E14 better then my vaio F series that I returned because of couple issues it has.

This is a great machine, the only thing with my E14 is minor stuff. Like a small scratch on the hp logo on the back but when it lit up, you cant see it. Minor blemishes that clean-able. No issue so far.

Here is my setup

 

Got my HP Envy 12 hrs ago... after using it for 10 of those 12 hrs (Had to pick up Starcraft II, and eat)

I am convinced that the Envy is price/feature wayyyy better than the Macbook Pro.

Only things I dislike are the position of the CD Drive and Airvent (They should be switched. My hand really heats up when using the mouse.)

and

The incredible brightness of the screen! I have very light-sensitive eyes (like I have to wear sunglasses at all times, unless inside) Even the dimmest of Screen settings is way way too bright.

Oh, and How do I fix my Wifi-light. Its stuck in the white colour, whether the wifi is on or off.

Here is my list of pros and cons that made me buy the envy

Pros
1. Metal Case
2. Screen Resolution
3. Size 14" is perfect, not too big, but not too small.
4. Superiour Build Quality
5. Decent Vidiya Card
6 Price.. So inexpensive for what I get

Cons
1. Ludicrous ammount of bloatware
2. Batterylife
3. Position of airvents
4. risk of getting a lemon

Obviously the cons list is a little useless because that is because i overthink every purchase I make.

So, I would recommend getting the Envy to every single person I see, over every other laptop I have ever used.
Alienware, Sony and Apple can eat the Envys Magnesium alloy dust, because it obviously out does them.

And to whoever was asking and wouldnt buy an Envy until confirmation, SC II will run on all Ultra settings, but will lagg horribly when you have a unit count of 100 or more on the screen. I run Mostly all High Settings, and only get lag during massive Zerg rushes.

 

Is doing a clean install difficult, or does it require that you ordered the extra disc?

 

it's very easy, just download win 7, i tink the first page of this thread or the old thread has all the instructions

 

Battery out, ac plug out, hold down power button 30 secs.

 

So far I have a few issues and questions I wondered if you guys could answer for me?

If you have an issue with your laptop and need to do an RMA but have already done a clean install, will they accept the RMA?

On the right side where the poorly placed fan is. Is anyone elses getting really really hot? The left side of the PC is fine but the right side is quite warm/hot.

Is it ok to keep this thing plugged in all the time?

Anyone have a slight rise in the keyboard in the top right middle?

Thanks any help is appreciated!

 

I got mine!

 

Yea getting a lemon is bothersome, I asked my friend who will be soon recieving my envy for me to check the build quality ^^ and RMA if necessary... Anyway have you ever been on apple forums, you'd think all of apple machines are lemons there and that apple is overpriced cheap crap, but it's not. It's the internetz effect.
By the way 15% is the return rate of apple cosmetics & hardware issues, while HP is 25% (all consumer notebooks included, even the cheapest ones). Their software side being "all perfect and bug free" I'm pretty sure 10% of consumer PC returns are in fact just drivers installations issues rofl...