*HP ENVY 17 & 17 3D (2XXX series) Owners Lounge*

I see HP took the SSD off of the lineup of choices… sure am glad I got mine with it; I love 30+/- second boot up time; one day I might actually time it.

 

Got that right. I never contemplated SSD until the Envy. On my desktop, I have twin WD 300 GB VelociRaptors at 10,000 each and they are probably the fastest SATA platter HDD's out there....Can't hold a candle to the SSD. Mainly because of access time...there practically is none...My bet...HP is going to offer a larger SSD, like the 240 GB in the Pavillion, or you may see SATA III drives with much faster speeds.

BTW...did you get the f.15 bios upgrade? Does away with the throttling issue that ALL HP Envy's had!

 

Hi Bobmitch, just wondering out of curiosity, how hot is your envy during light task (browsing the web, listening to music, or maybe a little bit of video playback, etc)? When I use the ATI card, my temp reading is around 60C (GPU), and around 58-60C (CPU) during the task above. When I switch to intel graphics, my temp reading is around 45-50C (CPU). Is that reading sounds normal? I haven't tried gaming yet

I have that exact same gap on that area, bothers me at first, but I guess I'm not willing to wait for another month for a replacement, and the new unit could be worse.

I couldn't find the update from the hp support assistant either, so I looked it up on hp website and downloaded it manually

 

Did you look here?

HP Support Assistant HP ENVY 17t-2000 CTO 3D Edition Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Our one month old systems aren't really different...the 2000 series can all use the same software...and with this version of Support Assistant, you get Coolsense 1.01

 

re-ordering my envy 17 3d tomorrow.. my first one came in with raised keyboard and huge bump out in back.... good news is i got another $75 off my laptop... putting my grand total under $1600

 

What do you mean by raised keyboard? Was one of the corners raised? That happened with my current notebook. No matter how much I pressed it down, it would inevitably pop back up.

Also, what do you mean by huge bump out in back?

What was your configuration?

 

I've got mine on auto update set to check for them daily; so if it was an auto update I got it; I'll check when I get home; I've been gaming with the Envy almost daily with no noticeable slowdowns and only slightly elevated heat towards the front left palm rest area but nothing so hot that it would bother you and I have the extended battery installed to elevate it from sitting flat on the table.

While I like the Envy's keyboard I like my Logitech G15 better and use it when I game as I do my G5 and G9 mice.

If you play Counter Strike 1.6 you can find me here:

IP: 98.119.105.11:27015

Its a Custom map server and I'm the oldest admin at 51... guys it is true... you'll never ever grow up!!

 

Only certain situations will bring on the throttle. Under normal conditions...I think a game like Crysis might do it...but all in all...the cure is f.15. ALL HP Envy's were plagued with it. The engineering team found the flaw and fixed it. So everyone has normal...Envy's.

 

It was elevated near the arrow keys... i believe another member on here had the same problem and they got a hp tech to come to the house and replace keyboard which fixed issue... bobmitch was it yours?

above the keyboard on the back near the screen on the laptop itself not screen was really bumped out.. literally was about a half inch popped up... looked weird like it was bent up... so i could not live with that even though keyboard was fixable considering i had in house call protection...

as far as build goes..

envy 17 3d sandy bridge
i7 2820
8gb ram
1.5 tb dual 750 7200 rpm hdd
full 3 yr on house call accidental warranty
hp 320 gb pocket media drive
hp b210 a printer
2 yr next day printer swapout warranty.

2 day shipping now of course they upgraded me...

final price is $1561.23

 

Yes it was mine. I have the four year at home warranty and called about getting a keyboard replacement. Case manager overnighted the new keyboard and a tech showed up another day later. Machine has been perfect since then. Talk to customer service...tell them that rather than send yours back for a new machine...send someone to replace your keyboard. Too bad you have other issues...it's a really easy fix

 

Bob I just manually downloaded it and installed it, I lit a smoke and still have over third of it left after the whole process, find download, install, verify, reboot and into here... SSD is fast as hell for sure!

Is there something I'm missing on how to do the HP download upgrades automatically? I guess I just have Windows on automatic.

 

Be very careful. As far as Windows Updates...change your settings to "Change for updates, but let me decide what to install" There are certain updates you don't want. You don't ever want Microsoft writing ATI video drivers for your machine. Just be careful. As far as HP Support Assistant...you can change your settings on that too..."Check for updates and let me decide what to install" Support Assistant runs in the background all the time...let it look for updates. The f.15 bios is so new...probably not in the channel yet...but probably one of the most important updates to date...

 

Just FYI, I just upgraded to the GPU driver for Catalyst 11.5b. Some people said they had problems when they upgraded the catalyst software at the same time, so I just did a custom update and unselected the catalyst software during the install. The result is that my catalyst software is the same, but my ATI driver is now 8.850.6.0.

Everything runs just fine and switchable graphics works just as it did before.

This is where I got the updated driver:
download from Guru3D.com

 

Excellent...

The way I was always able to maintain switchable graphics...do a custom install and installl everything but Catalyst Control Center. After the install was done...drivers got updated and CCC was from the HP version...and switchable was maintained...

 

Actually, the windows sound settings are what I am referring to. The Beats audio panel seems to work fine. But the Windows system bass and treble do not.

Also, I installed 11.5 from AMD with the express setup and have no major issues with anything.

 

not its not correct. if you check the Envy manual, you'll find that this display is a 72% color gamut panel. not to make more of this than necessary, but for photographers and others who want the ability to display all possible colors in the sRGB color space, a 45% gamut display just won't do.

 

ya I think so too. and if HP sticks with Intel and offers something cool to distinguish the Envy 17, we may see Intel's 300GB SSD! that would be nice, although not sata III. Note that Intel also has a 600GB if you're prepared to sell your firstborn, lol Anyone for a $3500 Envy?

 

Is the e14 the only computer getting update on June 15. New trackpad etc. What about e17?

 

Bob about the windows update: I had one auto loaded listed below -

ATI Technologies Inc. - Display - Radeon (TM) HD 6850M

Installation date: ‎5/‎20/‎2011 7:41 AM

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Optional

ATI Technologies Inc. Display software update released in March, 2011

More information:
Winqual Help

Help and Support:
Select a Product Solution Center

What is the harm and if any how do you remove it?

 

yea I've got my sights on that clickpad too, anxious to see how it does and what folks think about it. I dont' think its coming to the Envy though, right now, as this refresh is already in progress.

The Envy 17 is in the middle of a refresh now, to the model 2100s. Due to the fact that the support page was updated first (no press release) I'd say the 2100s Envy 17s are a minor refresh with mostly software (CoolSense 2.0, Windows 7 SP1, etc.) but no clickpad update. Since the Envy 17 fully supports SSDs, but those options were recently pulled from the website, I'd say HP is preparing to load up the 2100 model Envy's with new SSD options.

wow. just joined the 700 club lol its says I'm a deity now thats scary

 

:laugh: Just goes to show you that if you toss enough BS in a short time frame you can be moved hrough the ranks quickly!!:rolleyes2:

 

Just go to the HP download page and install their latest drivers...will overwrite the MS ones...

AMD High-Definition Graphics Driver HP ENVY 17t-2000 CTO 3D Edition Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Here you go

 

Thanks Bob.. .you're always on top of things; you should lay back sometime and let the girls have some fun... Bring you a drink... thanks again!

 

BOB its wanting to install in this location on my drive... is this correct?:

c:\SWsetup\SP52242 Thanks Bob I got it done!

 

YES...it basically copies a backup version in your SWSETUP folder in case you should need it again in the future...go for it...

 

Placed order today for new laptop. They upgraded me for free 2 day shipping and 4yr accidental house call warranty. Basically another $150 free. I tried to squeeze in the xbox, but that is impossible to get with using any other discounts.. estimated build date June 10..

Bobmitch. I will def be picking your brain when my machine comes (lol). You seem to know a abundant amount Of info.

Kj, did you get your replacement? How did it turn out? Any defects?

 

yes KJ inqiring minds want to know how your story ends! aays06 congratulations! the 4 yr thing is cool.

me, I'm still holding out for a bigger SSD and a better clickpad lol I suspect the former will appear shortly -- the coincidence is just too strong, in my view, that HP pulled the 160GB SSD about the same time as the model 2100s started to appear on the support site. I'm guessing they are out of 160s and waiting for the 300s lol thats just my opinion

 

Envy 2100 series says upgradable to 16 gb ram. What's up with that. Is that something new? As far as I know only 8gb is supported? Or is 8gb only what hp offers? I asked today and they specifically said only 8gb..

Was on Thailand hp maybe they have dif options...

 

Be more than glad to help. YES...KJ got his machine. He is super busy with career oriented things that he won't be doing much with it for a few days. Messaged back and forth...very exciting time for him. Keep all your fingers crossed....let's hope the machine is a winner for him!

 

Hey, i just upgraded to this driver. Does your F2, F3 brightness keys work after installing? Not working for me.

 

In my experience, that is one of the side effects of upgrading the drivers. HP hotkeys for brightness don't recognize the newer drivers. In my case, I keep plugged in brightness at 70% and battery at 60%...so not a big deal. Depends if you use the hotkeys alot

 

Hi All,

I've just received my ENVY 17 yesterday and have been patiently waiting to join this Lounge, I guess that makes me the newest newbie here.

Anyway, I thought I might share the fact that I bought mine in Japan where they gave crazy discounts (1080p, 1.28 TB HDD, but i5 2410M though) for JPY 100,000 (about USD 1,233.25). But then you'd have to deal with Windows 7 in Japanese though.

So, now that I've just got mine, is there an essential list of programs I need to install to really enjoy it? (other than the obvious anti virus).

Thanks...

 

Hi guys,

I am enjoying my laptop... perfect laptop so far

I just hope that I can install Windows 8 in the future...

 

Had a fat retard buy out my Envy on ebay, and haven't heard anything from him since, no payment and no response to me opening an unpaid item case.
How damn annoying, he just wasted 8 days of my time just by clicking "buy now" on an item he had no intention of paying for.

Think I have to find that "immediate payment required" option once I can relist.

 

Ya, I just noticed too, but I'm not surprised because others had talked about the same issue after upgrading before.

I didn't notice for a day though because the f2 and f3 still work when using the Intel GPU, which I use most of the time unless I need the ATI for games/movies/graphics.

It bugs me a little, but I can live with it since I use the Intel for most daily tasks and the f2f3 buttons still work with it.

 

Back on page 485 i posted up the work around i am using that i played with from fiver5, basically i use ctrl+f2 / ctrl+f3 to increase my brightness, also made a more information link at the end of my post.

Hope that helps ya

 

I can't see why not. My son's Pavillion came with Windows Vista...and he has been running Windows 7 since the day it came out. The caviat is that a lot of his Vista drivers worked on Win 7. Most importantly were the processor drivers for his AMD Turion. Other than that...everything else worked great. The Vista drivers for his CPU worked and never looked back. I will always find a way...lol

 

I've been looking for this, thanks. I remembered it was back there somewhere, but the search function doesn't work too well around here. Thanks, I'll give it a shot.

 

So I have been having some huge frustration with Powerdvd 10 and 3d content. I have some files that I want to play (mostly .mkv files) of trailers and stuff like that. The first time I tried to play the 3D files, they just showed two frames side by side and wouldn't merge to make a 3D picture. But then I played with the settings some (there aren't too many things you can change really), and then suddenly it made 3D picture perfectly.

Now, I've been messing with videos and player for days and it will only play the frames side by side, like before, even though it's the same files that it merged before. The demo 3D movies still play in 3D, but everything else shows up as side by side frames.

Any ideas?

 

Make sure the screen refresh rate is at 120hz, after updating to the same drivers you posted it dropped my rr to 60hz.

Im just hoping these drivers fix my BSOD problem. Im still having the issue with my replacement laptop.

 

Just ran a quick battery test, screen turned down, wireless off, only playing .mkv files -> 3:30h on after market 9cell battery.. not too bad

 

That's all that you've managed to get? Other people were getting around 5 hours on the 9-cell w/ wifi turned on. Do you have the 2nd Gen ENVY?

 

Yeap, well i didn't let it get down all the way, didn't want to kill the battery so it prolly could have lasted until the 4h mark.

I have a 2ed gen, was on intel graphics, SSD+5400 rpm hd, on the newest bios (15).. To be honest for the price i paid (55 before the 25 coupon code i had) i wasn't expecting it to last much longer than the normal battery.

In this case, you really get what you pay for

 

Not to be off topic, but is anyone looking forward to playing ES V Skyrim? Do we think the E17 sb will play it fine? Has anyone played ES IV Oblivion on the E17 sb? If so, how does it play? Can you max out settings etc?

 

Bobmitch, thanks. Yeah, working with a web developer on my website, and work in general. This weekend is when I'm planning on getting her up and running. I did a quick inspection and cosmetically it looks good. No "major" gaps, just the usual one side is a bit tighter than the other, but otherwise looks very clean. Short of a dead/stuck pixel, she's a keeper.

KJ

 

Thank-you aays06 I think you may have discovered something interesting. If this were an error, then the error appears both on the Thailand web page AND in the PDF spec sheet for AP. . Moreover, as I read the text I don't see how this could be an error, as the pdf mentioned above specifically says "up to 16GB max supported for 1333MHz RAM (or 8GB max for 1600 MHz RAM)". That sounds pretty deliberate, and represents a clear change from the Envy 17 1xxxx model specifications for AP , where the pdf simply says "up to 8GB max supported"

So - this doesn't sound like a mistake to me. it sounds like HP has qualified the Envy 17 21xxx models for 2x8GB memory modules, at least for AP countries. 8GB modules are starting to emerge, and I suspect the only reason 16GB has not been supported (so far) is that HP couldn't get the 8GB sticks to qualify, stock, and offer then them on the hpshopping website. I suspect that is changing.

BTW I also noticed that some i5 Sandy Bridge processors are now offered as well, on the Envy 17 21xx.

I suspect that the 20xx models (first gen Sandy Bridge) would work just fine with 2x8GB, although I doubt HP will retroactively test and qualify it (imho) -- it might take an after market company like Kingston to test the waters and produce 2x8GB modules for these laptops, which I suspect they will.

I acknowledge that we don't (yet) have any direct evidence that the U.S. models will support 2x8GB but this is a very cool indication that they may.

 

IF you find one, You might try rubbing ever so gently...I also hear that Pixel Buddy might help exercise it out

Download Dead Pixel Buddy 1.1 Free - Test your LCD screen for dead pixels - Softpedia


BTW...what is your SSD / HDD configuration? Did you get the 160 & 640?

 

pardon my memory lapse: who has a 21xx model now? it seems one of us here got one as a replacement, and this is the first known shipment of a 21xxx model. what is your model number?

 

The model number for the replacement unit (Envy 17 3D) I just received was LM126AV.

 

I didn't even turn her on yet...I know it would be too tempting to stop...but from the spec sheet attatched to the box, it looks like HP honored my SSD/HDD combo.

KJ