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

Very nice review. Very similar to my HP Envy experience. I wasn't a fan of the HP laptops either. But this Envy blows all competition out of the water!

I actually used Ubuntu when buying the Envy to test it for dead pixels. Funny thing is a clean install of Ubuntu works better than a clean install of Windows (that is without installing any other drivers after the installation). Almost everything worked, Wifi, Ethernet, you name it! For those who are interested in why I used Ubuntu to test the Envy:

Here in the Netherlands we are able to send the laptop back without a reason within 14 days after purchase. However some stores only take the laptops back when the Windows installation hasn't run yet. Because I wanted a perfect Envy with no dead pixels and HP only replaces Envys with 4 dead pixels or more I used Ubuntu to test and thus preventing it to install Windows. First thing I did when receiving the Envy was removing the HDD and booting Ubuntu from the CD, all worked like a charm Tested it for dead pixels and such. Then I put the HDD back in and let the Windows 7 install run.

 

Hi
Here in Austria Envy14 is still not on official web sale !
Just found a Germany online seller promissing to deliver in one month with New i5 560 !
Any Proud owner of E14 with i5 560 pl. confirm if Whine is gone in this
(Gen3 ?) e14.
Thanks

 

- I did a clean Install, I have between 48 processes running.
- My momentum XT HDD seems to be running a little faster, not Super fast, but faster, hopefully over more boots it runs faster.
- My CPU whine because unnoticeable unless you put your ear to the keyboard.

I'm going to see how battery life is used. I'm going to try to mess with the Fan, on/off as well.

Quick questions:
1. How do I make the volume levels appear on the screen? For instance when I press level down or up, there is no screen indicator except for the little volume in the task bar. (I do not want to install media smart, and I already tried 3RVX wit no luck)
2. How do I get rid of the HP quick start thing? You know when you boot up it goes into that screen and the timer counds down from 15 seconds?

*Edit - Nevermind, whine is back

 

Cool idea! Which version would you recommend of ubuntu for running off a usb stick?

 

Based on my own experience, I recommend looking into an RMA or a warranty repair. The webcam was off center on the first Envy14 I bought (one of the first batches). I sent it in for warranty repair but they couldn't (well, didn't) get it fixed, so I RMA'ed it. The webcam on the new Envy14 worked great. Not only was it much nicer having the webcam that was centered, but people also commented that the image quality was better on the second one.

 

But to answer your first question fully, yes, the webcam should be directly dead center.

 

Thanks! If I could get the switchable graphics and trackpad to work properly I'd be ecstatic. Also, improved battery life would be nice.

I'm running 10.04 without issue. It's an LTS release (Long Term Support), which means they try to make sure that everything is as stable as possible on this iteration. LTS are released every two years. 10.10 is being released next month, so if you want to wait a few weeks you can get the latest version soon. But to answer your question, all versions can run a Live CD, or Live USB in this case.

Here's a complete walkthrough.

 

If you want to get rid of the HP Quick start, you have to options Uninstall it, or go to start, go to Hp, and look for quick start, disable on startup.

If you want to see the volume level on your screen. You have no choice but to install HP Media.

 

well hp media smart or make 3rvx work right (you have to configure it after installing it the first time or else it won't pop up)

 

When I look in Start > all programs > hp... I only installed the web cam. there is no HP Quick Start. (I did a clean install)
It's also not in "msconfig".
I's also not in c/Program files.
The only HP related thing in "uninstall/ remove programs" is HP webcam.
I am so confused to where to turn this thing off.

Ahh! .. see I installed it but yet to configure it or do anything with it, thanks for the heads up, it's working beautiful. I feel stupid. +rep.

 

If I remember it correctly there is also a setting of HP Quick Start boot in the bios (press F10 when booting). Disable it from there too.

 

Hi guys,
My Envy 14's fan occasionally gets really loud when its waking up from sleep. This noise is continuous and incredibily frustrating and exists even on low load. Its not the typical CPU whine so I started a new thread, Does this happen for other people? My only solution is to put it back to sleep and wake it up again for it to become normal.

 

no loud fan noise here. I did have an annoying slot load disk ejecting sound but i unplugged the slot load drive.

 

With all windows closed I'm usually around 65 processes. That's good for no clean install right?

 

gods sake HP hurry up and release bios f.13 already!!! If that bios sorts out the cpu whine and lets me use my recovery disks as well, some longer battery life and I will have the perfect machine.

 

I received my Envy on Friday and it came loaded with f.13

 

do you have the cpu whine?

 

My Envy has f.13 and I have yet to hear the infamous whine. But then again, I'm probably just lucky....

 

Mine shipped with f13 as well, and I haven't noticed the whine. I'm not entirely sure what the whine sounds like though.. I hear noises that I think could be the whine, but my 4 year old Dell Inspiron also makes a very similar noise.

Only issue I've encountered is the trackpad noise when left-clicked, or tapped around on the pad.

 

And just for reference to some posts two pages back...

I'm at 66 processes with only FireFox open. No clean install, but I did uninstall a good amount of unwanted software.

 

i've been carrying my envy 14 in the hp case in my backpack and noticed today that the metal on the lid is dented slightly inwards. :'( too bad it isn't supported by anything.

 

that sucks.

I just noticed I scratched mine in a couple spots on account of well..the wya I carry it sometimes I guess. My envy hasn't really gone anywhere in a bag.

edit: it hasn't left the house. haven't needed to take it anywhere yet and ya know..out of college now so it's not like I have classes to go to. work doesn't require it, etc

 

Mine came with f.13 as well. I did have the CPU whine.

I no longer have it unless I watch flash videos. Firefox is the best for me. but you have to configure a setting in "about:config" in firefox for the whine to go away. It seems to be a flash related problem. I also disabled BlueTooth and turned off mic/headphone input.

Here is the link to the firefox fix I did. No more CPU whine unless I watch flash videos or open up chrome. Sometimes it does come back when I plug in USB device.

Heres what to do:
In the firefox address bar type about:config and press enter
Then paste dom.ipc.plugins.enabled.npswf32.dll
Double click it so it says false.
On restart you will no longer have any more cpu while browsing in firefox.

Here's the link (last page), posted by "zer0..."
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-envy-hdx/501749-hp-envy-14-cpu-whine-poll.html

 

Can anyone with the f13 bios comment on what kind of battery life they're seeing? I'm guessing there's a 90% chance that the bios update just does some boring things like f12, but there is a small chance that they somehow managed to increase battery life or fix CPU whine for those that have it or whatnot.

 

f.13 here, heres my experience with battery life:

Also:

 

Haven't noticed it yet.

 

Finally got off my butt and called HP's envy support number. Got a very helpful rep who sent out the replacement hard-drive to me.

estimated to be here by thursday.

Finally gonna fix the hard freezes

 

Dang it. Got an e-mail from HP stating their might be a delay in the repair. No word as to what's wrong with the notebook or why there's a delay. HP rep wasn't too helpful beyond telling me what I already know. A little transparency doesn't hurt.


Starting to feel better about the fact that I spent $130 on a Square Trade warranty instead of $400 for HP's. SQ at least gives a 5-day guarantee.

 

Ahh I dropped my ENVY today bugger slipped out of my hands. Now it has this dent in the corner. Any ideas how to fix it?



A random dead pixel also appeared...any suggestions are appreciated.

 

I don't think that's fixable by yourself... You'd have to take it in somewhere probably. But count yourself lucky that a dead pixel is all that happened. If that was a plastic laptop, you'd probably have a crack all the way through the case and your hard drive might be done for.

 

+1. Magnesium and aluminum are some tough materials. Must've been a hardwood floor?

 

tile

Any idea what kind of place could fix it?

 

Unfortunately aluminum streches when bent and can never be bent back to the same shape and dimensions. To repair that damage you will need to replace the bottom chassy housing and the keyboard surround and hope nothing else got dammaged internally. You can order the parts from the HP parts store and do it yourself if your comfortable with working inside a notebook, or call around to some computer repair shops and see of they will do it for a 'labor only' price if you provide the parts (cheaper than them buying the parts). BTY the user manual has good instructions an how to remove and reassemble everything....

 

Sorry, wish I could tell ya. My laptop's at HP's repair depot and it's probably due for a delay. Makes me really glad to have chosen to pay $600 for a refurbished desktop replacement instead of a desktop as a backup. The Asus has been around longer and has seen more action but it's still holding up strong.

 

Ouch, this makes me want to buy accidental warranty...
Can I still buy accidental warranty if I already have the envy in my hands but under the 21 day return policy?

 

I think the f.13 also fixes HP Quickweb. When your're in QW and click the icon to go to the O/S it no longer prompts you "are you sure yes/no". (after you checkmark the box that says to no longer show that prompt). Before even if you checked off the box, it would still prompt if you were sure.

 

Check HP's terms of service or call them.

 

my hp envy 14 has arrived...

flawless except for some cosmetic dust.

must've been luck? (or shipment to a base lol.)

 

You have up to a year to extend your warranty/add accidental warranty

 

So after like 8 months I can add accidental warrnty?
That doesn't seem accurate.

 

That is what I was quoted by an HP rep when I bought my warranty from costco.

I was worried that I would not receive it in the "30 days" window Costco stated you need to be in to add a warranty, but when I contacted HP, they said you have up to the end of your regular warranty to add additional warranty or acidental damage.

 

I understand your concern. That's why if you ever bash your laptop within the 1-year period, you're best off first registering the accidental warranty and waiting a few weeks before you contact them for accidental repairs. You don't want to set off any alarms.

 

JJB, your registry tweak actually making the CPU whine less audible, good job! I feel bad for the guy who dropped his E14, that's why I plan to keep my E14 at home most of the time and get the cheap 13 inch net-book/laptop to carry around, still haven't find anything that suit my taste yet.

 

Good plan. right before the 8 month period, I'm going to get some accidental warranty, just in case. Hope I never have to use it, I just like feeling secure.

 

Anyone know how to fix this or how to find out what's causing it?

 

Is it a loud buzzing? I have gotten freezes with a loud noise too, but I was listening to the built in speakers. I think my freezes were caused by some HP stuff that was still left over after uninstalling their software. I am still wondering what this buzzing could be too, though it hasn't happened on a clean install like it happened on the minimized recovery. I get a short buzzing sound sometimes (rarely) when listening to music at the loudest volume but no computer freeze when it happens so far on the clean install.

 

Thank you thank you thank you!!!

I tried it on my HP DM4 which had the awful CPU whine that was driving me crazy, and after weeks of searching I finally found the solution using your fix.

The only change I had to make was to change the "Proc. idle promote threshold" to 100% instead of 95%, but since I have only changed this in the Plugged in mode, I dont really care if the power consumption is more because of this.

Thank you again. Makes this otherwise great laptop a lot more usable.

 

How would someone go about finding and upgrading from the base model display to the upgraded radiance display swapped onto the envy 14? What are the part numbers and where do you buy it from at the best price? Also does the swap involve more than just the display unit (ie: cables/mounting/circuit boards/bezels)?

share some of your knowledge and experiences oh wise ones

 

See page 1, first post of this thread for the service manual for procedure and part numbers. Currently, the only place to get the LCD is from HP parts.

 

My Envy started making a loud fan noise after booting it up today, I get this issue quite often and the noise only goes away after I set the envy on sleep and wake it up again, Does anyone else have this problem or is my envy possibly a faulty unit? Only purchased it less than a week ago. Would really appreciate any advice.