*HP ENVY 17 & 17 3D (1XXX series) Owners Lounge*

im having same issues with that also.i need to know if i can do that without deleting hp media center. i like the hp media center tho its pretty sick software. much better then itunes... especially with beats music.

 

You need iTunes if you want to play anything that is an Apple proprietary format. Once you have iTunes installed, you can use the HP Music player to play those formats.

Anyway, you can surely do without those HP programs. I ran my envy with those programs initially and found some of them to have memory leaks. In other words, run the program long enough and you'll see memory usage go from 100MB to over 1GB. Way to suck at programming there HP. IT'S CALLED GARBAGE COLLECTING!

You can control volume without the fancy image. Get rid of the HP Media suite, I mean salt, and you'll be dandy. The HP DVD program is built off of Cyberlink's software, which I found has difficult playing some of the latest bluerays.

 

i didnt noticed about the memory usage can cause problems like that. i had searched my memory stats and it uses like 2gbs of memory. is that normal or do i have to modify few things ?

 

What uses 2GB? The entire OS with all the programs combined or just 1 program?

If you're looking at the performance monitor part of Task Manager, then 2GB is totally normal. Windows 7 is designed to make use of as much RAM as it wants, needs, and deems fit to use. As soon as another program request the RAM, Windows 7 releases its hold. The motto is, unused RAM is wasted RAM.

However, a single program using large amounts of RAM is pretty bad. Unless that program is a photo/video editing program or any program where using large amounts of RAM is justified. An HP program for playing music, video, watching DVDs, or using your webcam that ends up using 1GB of RAM is completely atrocious. It represents poor coding and poor testing.

 

Hi am planning to get this laptop.. What are its drawbacks?

 

the envy 15 had/has the same problem. I read somewhere in one of the envy 15 threads some people found a fix/workaround.

 

a link to that thread would be nice if anyone could find it.

 

its drawbacks are size, weight, portability (all to be expected in a desktop replacement) minor design and build quality issues such as slight wobble and space on the rim, and most of all HEAT. this thing get really hot in the 90s (celcius). other than that its a great machine. i love mine

 

what are you going to do on it mainly?

 

press start -> in the search program and files bar type "msconfig" under the start tab, find and uncheck the "hp mediasmart smartmenu" the volume buttons still work, you just dont get the bar showing you the volumelevel = no minimization of applications.

 

Hey all,

I am going to pull the trigger today on the 1010NR from Amazon... Just to double check before I buy, that's a good place to buy from, correct? It's definitely the cheapest I could find... I buy Amazon all the time, just never bought a lappy there before.

Thanks.

 

Amazon is good. I bought my Envy 17-1011nr from them. The first unit from Amazon had the dreaded wobble. Far worse than the first 3 that I got direct from HP.

I told Amazon and initially wanted a refund since I had given HP 4 chances. Well, decided to try one more time. Instead of having me wait for Amazon to receive it, check it, and then ship out a new one, Amazon shipped me a new unit and just said to return the first within 30 days.

Also, they refunded me $24 for the shipping cost back to their warehouse and their system automatically refunded an extra $17. When I called about this, they told me it was an average shipping cost that the system automatically does on all returns/exchanges. They let me keep the $17.

Two weeks later, the price on the Envy 17-1011nr dropped $50. I called about this and was told that they no longer do a post ship price match. Though the representative said this, she put in for a $50 refund just because it was an expensive item.

Furthermore, one of the representatives I spoke with happened to be a UAG graduate. When I said "To hell with Georgia", he actually understood what I said. So I guess this part of my story is just to show that Amazon has people who are down to Earth. Yes, even "them" Indians. They're my people. Give em a break!

 

Hello everyone, I just receive my envy 1011NR and I love it. However, it is true that compare to my Sony Vaio FE-21B made out of magnesium there are some points that are a bit desapointing like some spaces between parts.

Anyway I had 2 questions:
would it be possible to change the keybord (US) to an international one? or a german one?
the envy 17" 3D is going to be reliesed, would it be possible to get a 3D screen later on and exchange it with the one I have now....?

thanks for you help

 

The 3D screens are not worth it. They are of lower quality compared to the non 3D screens. The current 3D technology for home use isn't anywhere near the level of IMAX 3D.

Take this from a guy who went shopping for a 3D tv and happened to come by a laptop with a 3D display. God it hurt my eyes; even with those glasses on.

 

hmm... didn't work. thanks for the help anyways

 

i'm wondering if this laptop can accept 16GB ram, anyone tried it yet ?

 

It's at least $250 for a cheap 8GB stick. I don't think anyone is going to try 16GB for a long while.

 

It worked for me after the required reboot.

 

Apologies if this post runs a little long - I'm going to buy a desktop replacement laptop in the very near future and I was wondering if you guys can help me! Last week I bought and then returned a Sony F12 because the fans were driving me crazy - at idle (average CPU < 50C) the fans were very noticeable and frequently changed pitch. Under load the fans were very loud and unpleasant. After returning the laptop I found a review on notebookcheck.net ( Review Sony Vaio VPC-F12Z Notebook - Notebookcheck Reviews) that describes the problem pretty accurately. The cooling system is probably pretty effective but it made the laptop horrible for me to use.

My choice now comes down to a Samsung R780 (i7 620m, 6GB, GT 330m) or a UK-spec Envy 17 (i7 720qm, 4GB, HD 5850, 1080p). The laptop will spend at least 50% of the time pretty much idle - browsing, email etc - and the rest of the time running VMs, doing development and playing games like SC2 and Civ5. I've played with an Envy 17 in a local store and I really like the way it looks and feels. Of course, I couldn't help but notice that the display model in the store (which spends all day playing a promotional video) was very warm to the touch...

My concern with the Envy is over the issues that I've seen mentioned throughout this thread - heat and build quality - along with fan noise. The Samsung can't play games to the same level as the Envy, the screen isn't as good and it's *way* less attractive but it should remain quiet and cool ( Review Samsung NP-R780-JS03DE Notebook - Notebookcheck Reviews) while still being pretty powerful.

So, finally, I get to a question How loud are the fans on the Envy 17 at idle and under load? Is anyone aware of a review that has the kind of system noise analysis that the notebookcheck.net reviews feature?

 

Forgot to mention you need to reboot before it works... works for me atleast. Does it work for anyone else?

 

i agree, took a stab anyway to see, maybe theres a serious video guru out there thats done it

 

I am very happy to report my girlfriend's envy 17 from Amazon arrived today. No Wobble, no noise coming from the motherboard, no large gaps, but 3 tiny paint chips, virtually invisible.

 

Hi Iangilroy,
the fan on the envy 17 does some sound but if there is some music in your game you will never be able to hear the fan. It is a soft regular sound so I am quite please with it.

Does anyone know how to change a keyboard on the envy 17? And where I could be able to buy one International, German or French?

 

Check page 50 and onwards for partnumbers for different language models and instructions on how to replace it.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02160120.pdf

 

I received my Envy 17 about a month ago and my girlfriend just got her's yesterday. We are both lucky that we don't have the wobble, noise, and major cosmetic defects. I updated both our units with the latest bios update and I can't even hear the fan under load. I use my laptop for image processing. Don't have time for games.

 

Those of you who feel the color temperature of your HP Envy 17 is to "Cool or Blue" - here is the proper color profile for the HP Envy 17 - HP ENVY 17 Color Profile

 

it works for me now thanks

 

Hey I heard in some forum that the Envy 17 webcam can be used in dark area/night, if so how is it done? I have been messing around with HP Mediasmart Webcam but no result so far. Can anybody please help?

 

I don't remember reading anything about the Envy 17 having special night viewing. The Envy 15 did/does have this feature. Here is one owner's test: YouTube - hp envy webcam

Some have complained about the Envy 15 webcam badly handling color and light. See these two tests:

YouTube - HP Envy webcam color issue

YouTube - HP Envy 15 CAM


My Envy 17 does not appear to have similar issues.

Maybe someone with experience with both Envy 15 and 17 can add to this.

 

If you order this with only the standard primary hdd, do they include all brackets, screws, cables, etc necessary to mount the second hdd yourself? Does that make sense, what I'm asking? Do you void warranty by installing your own hdd?

 

If you order this with only the standard primary hdd, do they include all brackets, screws, cables, etc necessary to mount the second hdd yourself?
ANSWER: NO.

Yes, your questions made sense. No, the warranty allows for user installed RAM and hard drives.

This link points to my post displaying what the two caddies look like (they are different):
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-envy-hdx/484905-official-hp-envy-17-owners-lounge-144.html#post6345922

HP sells ONLY both caddies as a single package.

This link is to an aftermarket maker of the Envy 17 second drive caddy only, but at a more acceptable price:
Hard Drive Caddy & Cable for HP Envy 17 (also works with SSD) [HP-ENVY-17] - $38.55 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks

Note: The newmodeUS page also includes a link to a very good installation instruction with pictures.

NewmodeUs has also produced this youtube video: YouTube - Add a 2nd HDD or SSD to an HP Envy 17

 

My girlfriend's Envy 17 1011nr from Amazon heat test - 1st image without cooler, 2nd image with cooler. - What a big difference.

 

Need advice on whether to order from Amazon or HP.

Amazon model is 1080p, 720qm, 8gb ram, bluray, 320gb 7200rpm hdd x 2. $1529.00

HP model is $2219.98, and includes the following upgrades over the Amazon model: extra 9 cell battery, extra ac adapter, 160ssd + 640gb 7200rpm hdd.

If I got the Amazon model I would need to buy a spare ac adapter (but i could go after-market, probably $80 or so?), the 9 cell battery is $111 (but I could live without it probably). I would probably choose a 256gb A-data sandforce ($509) or 240gb Vertex 2 ($560) over the Intel ssd.

The big problem is HP won't say what ssd you get. I assume it's an Intel X-25m G2. But they won't say that, so for all I know I get one of their leftover G1s, which would be unacceptable. If I could be 100% it's the Intel G2 I'd probably go the HP route.

What would you do?

 

Assuming Amazon is selling the NR-1011, that comes with a 6- and a 9-cell battery (but Amazon sure doesn't make that obvious.) Seems like the better deal to me especially since you will get to buy your own SSD (and with the volatility of SSD prices, the longer you wait, the more you save.)

 

Edit to add a question: are the 5850 (in the E17) and 5830 (in the E15) pretty much the same? If the kb flex on the E17 is unbearable I might flip down to the E15, wondering about that gpu.

Well so I finally managed to read through this thread. I feel like babyhemi or someone should walk up to me and hand me a diploma or something. Took freaking hours lol. And I have two rant-ish comments.

Can I just say, maybe this place might think of a rule where shipping issues either don't get posted or go in a separate thread? Oh man shipping issues is like 40% of this thread. I really don't get why some of you dudes think it's compelling drama to publicly track your laptop hour by hour as it makes its way to you lol. But a lot of good info mixed in there. I'll take all of it, over none of it, obviously. But defintely, this thread would be soooo much better without shipping issues lol.

Second thing is, despite the issues raised here (heat and flex worry me a lot) I decided to get this anyway. It's the best gpu you can get from a major vendor that isn't tanklike and fugly (Sager, Asus, MSI) whose power supply packs the weight of a 15" laptop on its own (Sager, Asus, MSI). It has two hdd bays. It has a backlit kb. It's relatively thin. It's metal.

For all that, $1529 for the 1011NR from Amazon (8gb ram, 720qm, 1080p, 320gb 7200rpm x 2), I'll take a little whine and creak. Seriously some of you dudes have unrealistic expectations. $1529 isn't a premium price tag imho, that's a dirt cheap Mac that can't do anything but type and surf. I have an MSI that cost that much and this thing is so third world lol. Heck even the plastic on the power cord is so stupidly cheap it bunches up like a trash bag twisty tie and if you unbunch it too much at some point it just snaps. Oh and the kb flex... you can bounce coins off this thing. Lol @ MSI, I will write on papyrus before I ever buy an MSI again.

Anyway, my point is, oh man listening to some of you guys I don't see how anyone could ever buy a pc lol. It's good, you get all the issues raised, but at the same time, you guys are real downers sometimes. I don't even have this thing yet and already I regret it a little bit.

Yeah I don't know what I was thinking lol. I didn't know the 9 cell batt came with it, and that puts all debate to bed.

 

Does anyone know if I'm missing much by not using the IDT High-Definition Audio Driver?

In Command & Conquer 3 the sound won't come out my external speakers--it comes out the internal speakers instead. Reverting the IDT driver back to the generic Microsoft High Definition Audio Device driver solved the problem. The one thing I did notice with the Microsoft driver is that the LED on my mute button (F9) is always orange. The mute functionality still works correctly though.

 

The audio chipset on the Envy 17 supports outputting 2 separate audio streams. Only the IDT audio driver is able to control this. You can have 1 program take control of 1 stream and can set another to control the other stream. It's useful when you want to have your game music in the background and have your ventrillo or teamspeak go out to your headphones.

 

i think the idt driver would also control the subwoofer ... it probably breaks away and diverts the frequencies the sub needs to reproduce ...

 

I have been playing RA3 as well and same issue with the sound through external speakers. But all other games and software works fine so obviously not a problem with the IDT Driver, but rather RA3.

 

has anyone noticed that there is an envy 17-1012nr model ... ?
3 usb 3.0 ports, core i5, etc ...

 

Is that a refresh or the spec Amazon has had for a while? I'd prefer an i5 but the 1012NR as listed on Amazon is $30 less than the 1011NR and you get the 1600x900 screen and only 6 gigs or ram along with that i5. (Plus it's an external vendor, so not Prime eligible.)

What I want is an i5 with the fullhd screen but to do that you have to go through HP and you spend a lot more. At HP, it's a base of $1400 and the fullhd screen is +$100, 8gb ram is +$100, 9 cell battery is +$75. So I'd have to pay +$150 over Amazon price to get same specs with an i5 rather than an i7. Iirc the bluray also costs something.

I still can't believe how cheap these Amazon prices are for these specs btw. My pos P8600, 9600mGS cost just about the same not that long ago.

Btw is there a way to set the keypad to numlock off on Envy17? Someone on this thread got his numlock turned off by accident, don't know if that ever got resolved.

 

i have a fullHD screen i bought for my i5, selling on ebay because i went and got a 1011NR, selling my 1010NR too

 

Hi guys, quick question, and I really should know the answer but seem to have a mental blank this morning @.@
If I do a system recovery to factory state, it only wipes the data on my system drive (C Drive) and not the second HDD (D Drive) right? All my user data such as photos and music is on the second HDD d:

Windows 7 takes 3 minutes to startup now and I can't work out what's causing it so I'm considering reinstalling Windows

 

guys if your really nice to hp reps they will give you credit if you have problems with your envy's

i just dont know why some of you guys have problems with hp reps i think they are nice and helpful to begin with..


its official i have a defected screen but thats just a minor issue for me because im using this as a desktop replacement with 3 screen monitors for eye infinity. i have 1 year standard warranty with them so maybe in couple of months like in novemeber i will do a screen replacement. for now i can deal with it..

total partial refund i got back from hp : $100.00
right now they gave me $30.00 back

the key is be nice

 

Didn't a rep tell you before that you were stupid because of your race?

Here is your post - http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...hp-envy-17-owners-lounge-354.html#post6606548

 

Hi Jaxxy,

You are correct it will only wide out your C drive. But if you want to be extra sure you can disconnect your secondary hard drive, to avoid any mishaps.

Before doing a reinstall, you might consider going to msconfig.exe and going to startup tab, uncheck all the unneeded bootup. I've removed most of mine for faster bootup.

 

Hello everybody. I've found this forum a day ago when I came across potential replacement laptops for me. I currently have a Dell Studio 15 laptop, which I am very happy with. However I want to move up to a stronger graphics card and an i7 processor. So I was looking into buying an alienware, but found the HP envy 17.

I immedietly fell in love with the styling. Very simple and elegant. I love simple design that incorporates hardcore hardware. So I went ahead and purchased the Envy 17 using HP's student discount. I can't wait to get my laptop. Here are the specs:

HP Envy 17
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-840QM processor (1.86GHz, 8MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz
• 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
• 8GB DDR3 System Memory
• 1TB 7200RPM Dual Hard Drive (500GB x 2)
• 50% OFF! One 6 Cell (standard) and One 9 Cell (over-sized) Lithium Ion Battery
• 17.3" diagonal Full HD HP Ultra BrightView Infinity LED Display (1920x1080)
• Blu-ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
• Backlit Keyboard

I always liked the MacBook Pro look, but never been a fan of Apple. Finally a laptop with the looks, but the hardware to back up the looks. I can't wait to mess with the system.

 

whats with the interrogations? i was just saying in my opinion.. you know you coudlve quote me so i can see who spoked about me.. do you know how to quote people?

yeah thats was another rep who was mean and abnoxious. i have spoken alot of reps after my first incident about my problem and none of them where not that mean..

i was nice after that incident. so dont just point fingers that im changing my mind about there hp rep support.. i was foolish enough to believe some of you guys with hp rep support so i played fire with fire on my first incident. i just used my own instincts and that made me realize something. not everything you hear or see are claim to be true...

just move on..

 

I feel like I should mention that I had the exact same problem with street fighter 4 when I had my envy 15(the few times i got it to turn on). Sound would always go back to playing through the laptop speakers instead of the headphones or the external speakers. But the only 2 other games i tried (bc2,l4d2) worked fine.

 

Btw could an owner say a few things, if there are things to say, about Beats audio? Is it better hardware or is it just software? Does it apply to everything you do, movies, games, etc, or does it only work when you use MediaSmart? Is it headphones only?

Also, is it possible to get a full movie playback off the bluray drive on a battery charge?