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

A clean install means you are deleting Windows in its entirety from the hard drive, and installing a fresh copy from a DVD. It can take a while if you're not used to doing it, but I suggest you check the first post and read up on how do to do it.

Yes, there is a thread on it. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I think it's bad for new consumers, since most who want an Envy 14 really want the option of the 1600x900 screen. I'm not particularly bothered since I ordered a little over a week ago and got the 1600x900 screen included in my price.

I'm wondering how long it'll be until HP cuts the price on at least one part of the Envy 14.

 

yup we get screwed since we didn't want to be quality control test subjects...

 

Holy crap! That sucks, man. You could probably call up to get a price adjustment...I can't believe HP did that.

 

Yeah, I know what all it entails, but from a performance standpoint, how much difference is there between the clean install with all of the drivers added and a not clean install with removing all of the bloatware?

 

Almost invariably, a clean install yields better performance. I say almost because the optimization can sometimes depend on the experience of the user.

 

I found that you have to install the HP GPU drivers first, then install 10.7 on top of them otherwise you lose switchable graphics. Probably not the best solution, but it works. Hopefully ATI releases new drivers supporting switchable graphics again with the next release.

 

Hey guys, thinking about selling my ssd on ebay but I have a few questions for you all first. If I sell the ssd and replace it with a different hd will my laptop still be covered under the accidental warranty I purchased? Also is it possible to make a copy of the recovery partition besides just making the discs so that I could have it on the new hd?

My reason for selling is personally I am not being wowed by the ssd, atleast not enough to justify $330 (what I can sell it for on ebay). I'm looking to replace it with a 500gb 7200 rpm drive.

Thanks guys. Oh and if you guys would like me to run any tests or anything I'm glad to do so, I can report now that besides my disc drive going jet engine crazy my machine is very quiet, no cpu whine or even loud fans while surfing or playing sc2.

 

Updating BIOS after clean install directions added to front page.

 

I hope this 100$ price hike is followed by the appearance of some big (300-400$) back to school coupons! Otherwise I'm going to have to argue and complain my way back to the original price.

 

FF i was trying to watch a 1080p youtube video and i saw it not running properly so i went onto the desktop right clicked to turn on the ati graphics card and now the laptop went to a black screen. the screen is off but the machine is still on. what do i do

 

LOL wow hp just RAISED the price by $100 even though it now says $999. The Default Display is now a lower resolution NON-radiance. To get radiance u need +$200 = 1,199 just for the base model compared to 1,099 before =/ LAME, tricky little....

 

whelp.

glad I bought it earlier


though this may mean the onset of some sort of super coupon eventually. *shrugs* ...then again maybe not.

 

Luckily, I still have an E14 configured to my liking with the 1600x900 screen at the original price in my shopping cart. We'll see, I might just order it today.

 

Since I'm borderline OCD about file cleanliness, I pulled a clean install. I followed the instructions through the link on the first post. (Thanks 2.0! Good luck at the 2010 Moderator Awards... the Moddies?)

In my experience I had very minimal problems:
1. HP drivers update page doesn't hide those updates you've already installed. So i had to pay more attention than the whiskey was allowing. Probably installed a few updates more than once, not a big deal but pay attention if you want to save some time.
2. The drivers page didn't include the wireless adapter. There's a link in the posts here about installing the intel drivers.
3. I also had to reinstall HP's quick launch to fix the wifi toggle to work correctly, prolly because my OCD wouldnt allow me to keep the HP Tools partition.

Very minor, Overall I'm very happy with the build quality and performance.

Edit
Tip: press the ESC key to access the BIOS setup.

 

hey just wondering if I can connect my envy to my tv via hdmi and have it display in 1080p? I can only get it to display 1600x900

 

If I'm not mistaken (at least with my last laptop), I'm pretty sure you have to set Windows to either extend the desktop, or set the HDTV as the primary monitor, and disable the Envy 14's display.

Cloning the display output will limit you to the lowest resolution, unless I'm mistaken.

 

it doesn't if you set it up right exodus.

...was kinda surprised too. Short version: "Gotta do some extra stuff."

longer version: "Go to CCC, go to desktops and displays. Right click on little screen icon on the bottom (the hdtv one, not the laptop one). Hit configure. Go mess with stuff in there. One of the options will be adding in more HDTV supported resolutions. Clicking on the stuff up top (or something) adds 'em to your list of resolutions at the bottom.

 

Now that you've said that, I want it to go on the record that I absolutely hate Catalyst Control Center as of the past versions (how many ago was it?) where they implemented the stupid new navigation. It's all pictures, and it's not very intuitive.

Okay, I'm done.

 

yeah it's really a pain.

 

Is the hardware better than a that of a Y460 or Acer Timeline 4820TG? Except for the screen: no. But it's a beautiful machine in terms of design and it's so nice having a nice computer that, yes, I probably would buy it again. I know that sounds superficial, but it's the truth.

The biggest flaws are build quality (my left side is not completely flush with the top), the underclocked graphics card, and the non-neutral audio output (still trying to fix this).

The biggest pros are the design, the 1600x900 screen, and the cooling system (2 fans, very robust), and the sturdiness of the machine (it feels very solid.)

 

K I found that.. now which one do I pick? 1080p60/1080p24/1080p50? It said picking the wrong one can damage your screen so I just want to make sure before I change anything lol

heres the TV I have.. http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/.../LN37B650T1FXZA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail

 

1080p60 will work fine.

1080p24 looks like it'll work since your TV has LCD 120Hz.

mine doesn't and the only issue my tv had was a black screen (I had to go and just move back to 1080p60.

60 is for NTSC

50 is for PAL.

24 is for TrueHD/120Hz stuff and takes more graphics power but is supposed to look better (smoother and stuff)

 

I got it to display 1080p on my hdtv... but is there a way to display 1600x900 on my envy and 1080p on my hdtv at the same time? or is it just one at a time.

 

Argh, just noticed a stuck pixel on the top right of my screen. Anyone know of any fixes besides JScreenFix? It doesn't seem to be working and I really do not want to request an exchange. On the other hand, I'm really happy with my purchase. Aside from a few blemishes along the top edge (line above the power button), my Envy is great. My laptop also has those fan cycles but it doesn't bother me.

 

you guys see what they did to the envy 15? got rid of the beats edition, lowered the price to $1100, and made the cpu options onl the 430 and 520...interesting

 

the configuration options for the beat edition are now the regular version's options... e.g you can only choose 4gb of ram just like the beats edition (you were able to go up to 16 before)

 

Finaly got my Envy from a retail store in Aus

Did a fresh install, and now i can't find the driver for the wireless
I must be blind, but i swear its not on the HP site, i've got all the drivers from there ( i think?)

Any help :S?

 

Page 1, driver link. Broadcom.

 

well you were supposed to save your SWSetup folder.


it's kinda important but eh not the end of the world.

as for wireless. Depends on the version of your Envy. Do you know if it had the intel one or the broadcomm one.

 

Meh, i always prefer to go back through and re download only the drivers i need.

No idea if its Intel or Broadcomm, but i've installed the chipset drivers already, so im gona assume Broadcomm.

Thanks 2.0, ill give that a shot

 

The Intel is the correct one I believe. Broadcom didnt install mine and it ended up being the Intel. makes sense because HP lists it as Intel N with Bluetooth

Intel WiFi Driver
http://downloadmirror.intel.com/19142/eng/ICS_Ds64.exe

 

I thicking of getting in on this.. Corsair 128GB SSD @ TD - $190 +S/H after MIR, 15.2% BCB, entertainment 30 off 300, 20 eBillme MIR - SlickDeals.net Forums

great price for a pretty good ssd, assuming the cupons dont void the bcb like they say.

I dont need a ssd but still want to buy one for some reason.

 

US version will be Intel. Outside the US will mostly be Broadcom.

 

The Broadcomm solution worked perfectly for me

EDIT:
Wierd thing though, i cant get the BIOS update to work ?
It seems to unpack and then run fine, then shuts down the laptop and does nothing ?
If i start the laptop back up, the BIOS version hasnt changed..
Any ideas?

 

Hi, I have been following this thread and the original owner's thread for a while now and I just wanted to thank everyone for all of the information they have provided. It helped me a lot in deciding to pick up this notebook and in getting started with it now that it has arrived.

Figured I could post the condition of my laptop to add to the list.

CPU whine: barely audible unless I am listening for it, and completely inaudible with the air running or TV/Music playing.

Screen: Is Gorgeous. The Brightness settings do drop a bit too much between levels but I believe a fix for that has been previously posted. My screen does have that weird blob of color when viewing the screen from the side up to about maybe 25 to 30 degrees but has shrunk significantly over night so I would not let that worry anyone form buying. I expect it will be gone in a day or two. Probably just moisture as was mentioned before.

Keyboard: A bit of flex but nothing that impedes my normal typing process.
The back lit keyboard is a great feature and i actually prefer the button as apposed to the ambient light sensor.

Aesthetics and Build Quality: I found the overall build quality to be solid and
sturdy. And to anyone being put off by the paisley pattern it is not quite so garish in person as it seems online. Definitely more subtle.

Touchpad: Does take more than a little getting used but with some continued tweeking of the settings to see what all of them do I think it will be more than adequate, and i do love the surface of the pad itself. I am looking back trying to find JJB's post about his synaptics settings those should help shore it up a bit more.

Sorry about the long initial post just wanted to chime in with my initial impressions. I am quite happy with it up to this point. Once again thank-you all for the tips tricks hints and just explanations that us computer uninitiated can follow and use.

 

Page 1, under post clean install is directions.

 

They raised the radiance price just hours after reading all the comments left for them on this page. Maybe its time to complain again...

The Plastiki Docks Down Undah - Page 2 - The Next Bench

 

Wait, wouldn't that prove that complaining is counterproductive?

 

Yeah, if that is true, HP would be punishing us for complaining.

 

Might have been sarcasm. As magusdraco would say... *shrug*

 

See post #4438 of the quasi, mine is shipping forum for a pic

 

Hi guys I'm not sure if this has been answered already but I finished doing a clean install but I dont see anywhere to manager between the 5650 and integrated video card anywhere. Do I need any extra software or is this hardwired into the motherboard like the backlite keyboard?

 

if anyone cares newegg has 10% BCB now..

 

huh? did you look at my pic? (post 4438 of the quasi forum). You're saying this is how it's supposed to be? That's purely false. the left side of my trackpad, there is no gap between the body of the computer and the pad, but on the right there is an almost 1mm gap between the computer and the pad. I can even see inside the computer where there are what appear to be copper wire. this is not normal.

 

How do i reenable the microphones? Dumb questions :]

 

RMA will NOT void bing.

email proof sent to me from HP:

It says I need to contact bing to provide them with the new HP order #, but I told the cus resolution lady that their cust service sucks and asked that she provide them all my info, which she was happy to do. In any case, I wanted to get this in writing just in case there is any sort of problem down the road, I have more than a verbal agreement.

Dear XXxx,

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.

 

I am installing Intel Rapid Storage Technology (SATA AHCI) right now. I was reading the read me file at I am confused if I have to do the F6 preinstallation method described in 5.3. Am I supposed to do this part????

thanks for those who help.

 

no i didn't look at your pic.

Just thought you had it a little bit raised like mine not so raised and out of place that you can see into the computer.

that's messed up

 

yeah, straight up messed up! After using my wifes sony Z, I am spoiled and expect perfection when it comes to build quality.

 

There is truth in your sarcasm 2.0, true that complaining was counterproductive this time, but they did lower the base price. That was a small victory in itself, it came at a cost but it shows that if we push them they will budge, they just didn't move in the way we wanted them to go, with more pushing maybe they would.

And who knows what they are planning to do now with the complaints on the underclocked 5650, they could end up addressing those by replacing the card with a 5470 clocked at full speed, to make people happy they don't get something underclocked. I wouldn't be too surprised actually.