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

Does anyone know the space of the HDD used by the Recovery partition?!?!

 

It's 24GB in size and of that is 20GB used on my Envy 17 3D 2090eo.

 

Thanks, caliban25!

 

Ive tried the 14.0 and 13.0 on both the 6200 and 6300 with no luck. I can make it crash while watching netflix. The card also disconnects from my wireless constantly. (its a univeristy logon) and it makes me reconnect.

 

Hi Everyone: it's been a while since I checked in, so I hope all is well!

I am having a problem with my machine freezing (like some others, or so I have read). Periodically, the white hard drive light on the front of my machine will go solid and my computer will freeze. Sometimes I can wait a few minutes and it will unfreeze, but other times I have to do a hard-reset.

I have seen some recommendations to disable windows auto update and to roll back the wireless driver, but nothing seems to help.

As always, thank you all so much for your time and help!!

By the way, I currently have the 14.0.2.2 (1/4/2011) Centrino 6200 driver installed, I am connected using an Ethernet cable (wireless disabled), and did a fresh install onto a Vertex 3.

 

Ifpinheiro:
I have ssd units and I thInk both 2000 and 2100 series had partition sizes under 20 GB, each of which actually use less space on recovery partition than is allocated.2100 series with service pack1 has smaller actual recovery volume used-more efficient or less add on software in the mix.

If you can afford a few extra hours in recovery process if needed you can rely on factory recovery discs or create your own and selct recovery manager option to remove recovery partition completely. If you have hdd, the space recovered is small relative to the size of total disc, if have SSD the %of space recovered on a 160 gb drive is much higher.

 

I think I recall way back when on this forum someone mentioning it's possible to have compatiblity issues between router and wireless card or driver in some cases. Maybe swap router with someone or try using a friends wireless network or a Starbucks or something to see if it's your network (not that your network itself may have issues but you can verify compatibility of Envy(s) when used with multiple different friends or public networks and compare the wireless signal strength, stability or occurrence or frequency of signal dropout).

Also, you could physically swap wireless cards between units. That gets into an annoying combination of cards, networks and drivers you may not want to experiment with all over again. Just something else you could further mess with. Sounds like you already have some efforts like that with different card versions used on at least one unit. I've had other weird unrelatd unexplainable problems with units of identical build from same order that can be resolved on one of two units by swapping hardware from one to the other.

And.......there may be wireless router settings you can select from. Isn't there something like wireless b/g/n...... on Envy? (see product specs) and maybe the router you are using has fewer options or is set to something other than optimal (that is if routers don't auto select optimal configs on their own) This whole topic is not something I've got experience with but you could get more info on from someone else as a path towards possible solution.

Minimally related : I had a wifi card go bad in an envy recently. Spent 10+ hours, 4-5 on phone with HP trying to diagnose issues and finally figured out on my own that card was bad. Once figuring it out I could see what simple steps would have allowed me to verify this immediately but none of the HP reps ever suggested. What a drag that was.

Sometimes hardware is the issue but sounds like you've had multiple cards so I'm thinking maybe compatibility between router, network or router settings and card or drivers. Simple process of elimination by which you can possibly try different networks with other routers in the mix, with different drivers in the mix on your envy. Hopefully there's something new you can glean from this as your quest for solution continues......

Maybe university has bandwidth limit that forces disconnection when transferring beyond a predetermined data limit over a given time to prevent illegal downloads by volume or something. Or campus network is being drawn on by a lot of users at once in the local area between router or repeater and your unit,kinda like when Att dsl used to throttle down when network traffic was congested while comcast had more dedicated individual homeowner lines in my neighborhood years ago. At peak one service beat the other but when volume of users increased the stability of the other was better and had more consistent performance

 

Starbucks was my next idea to see if the wireless was going to act the same way... with my old envy it froze on 2 diff networks. One a school ran one. If my laptop is not compatible with a school network then what use is it?? Ive tried every combo of driver, card, and laptop. and have the issue with all of them.

 

It could very well be the Vertex locking up your system, confirm that it has the latest firmware. An update might help you.
I have read quite a few posts in other forums from people having freezing/lockup issues with their sandforce 2 based SSDs, the Vertex 3 is one of them.

 

Hi guys, completely uninstall your driver you have now, go to device manager>network adapters>6200 AGN>uninstall driver and check to delete driver.. Install this version: Older 6200 Wifi Driver. I forget where I downloaded it but I kept it and uploaded to my hosting site. I had the same issue with system freezes and wifi dropping constantly. See if that works for you guys.

 

Great!!
That was exactly my issue.. Installing a mSATA SSD with around 80gb for primary/system and a 500gb 7200RPM for storage..
Thanks a lot!

 

Brightness keys don't work for me either, no biggie. The refresh rate switches for me automatically though. 120 on AMD and 60 on Intel.

I would agree, sounds like an issue with your SSD. I had some problems with my C300 at the beginning as well. Updating firmware on the SSD solved it though. To all of you, who have a SSD installed. We are at the verge of these SSDs to become usuable, well we might just be at the top tipping point, but they are still not 100%. If you don't really need the added speed for loading files or programs (and it is really only relevant when you open and close tons of programs and files a day, I would recommend you to just get a hybrid drive. SSD are unfortunately still in their toddler shoes.
I don't want to miss mine, but I am opening about 50 files a day that easily have about 1GB each (heavy photoshop and CAD-modeling work), so for me it pays out spending some time to fix SSD issues.

 

When i go to reinstall the driver after deleting the other. It installs but no hardware is there. If i try to run it over the previous install it gives me one from 12/21/10 14.0.1.2. How can i uninstall the old one and keep the device listed as no driver until i install the new one.

 

You have to reboot, i'll probably automatically install that 14.0.1.2 driver even though you deleted it, or maybe an older one. Just select the card in device manager and click update driver>browse>select "let me pick" option>click Have Disk and direct it to the S64 folder in the extract zip file you downloaded. It should give you the option to manually update it to the older version. Should be version 13.0.

 

Try something like Turning wifi adapter off at keyboard, etc...after uninstalling so it can't find and reinstall when rebooting

 

Anyone order an Envy 17 3D lately? There is now an option for the a 300 GB SSD drive....I'm wondering what make and model it is...

 

Only ONE company makes a 300 GB SSD....Intel! It is the Intel 320 Series. They must have fixed the bios to work with the Encryption, or disabled it in the SSD...

 

Guys, does Envy 17 3D come with 4 ram slots or just 2?

I'm planning for 16GB but still thinking whether to get 16GB on my order, or get the ram somewhere else. It's an increase of $600 if I get it from HP, which is quite a budget fluctuation.

*Edit: I notice there are 4 ram slots in Envy 17 3D, which are 2 user accessible and 2 are not. That means if I order 6GB-8GB memory, HP could accidentally or non-accidentally put both rams at user accessible slots. Thus, leaving the 2 user in-accessible slots empty and useless. Is that even possible?

 

Just two. In order to do 16 GB...must have 2 x 8

 

Is it worth getting the dual HD (SSD+HDD) for now? Hearing that the SSD is having several kind of issues. I want to avoid that if I could since I will be getting this Envy overseas and I won't be able to RMA.

1.05TB 7200RPM Dual Hard Drive (SSD 300GB + 750GB 7200RPM)

 

The SSD / HDD combo is well worth it. To purchase from HP...you will have NO problems with issues. I have the 160 / 640 and it is beautiful and fast. Worth the investment. The new config is even better....SATA III SSD will be even faster

 

Is it possible to get the Envy to boot from port #1, I tried to just swap SSD to port#1 and regular HDD at port#0 with no luck.
Maybe a fresh install with SSD at port #1 and port#0 empty would work ?

 

Every time I've looked at the BIOS there hasn't been an option to boot from port #1. Unfortunately, I don't think its possible

 

Ok, thanks trucha !

 

This is a question about powerDVD10 but I ask it here, easier

Suddenly I had a box in the right corner and I just can't get it to go away, I have never had it there before but suddenly BAM and it was there "/ I bet it's super easy to make it go away but I just can't find it, does anyone know how to make it disappear? Attached a picture to show which box I mean, I really want it gone

 

Here's a strange one. Just got my new Envy 17 3D the other day. This thing will not Restart. No matter if you go to Start -> Restart, or if Windows requests to be restarted like when there's an update done, after Windows logs off, the laptop just sits there for about 10 secs then shuts down. I've tried about a half a dozen factory restores, and it doesn't solve the problem. I've tried restarting right after I do a restore before any updates are applied, still won't restart. Is this an actual problem or is there a setting I'm missing? My previous Envy that I RMA'd did not have this problem. This one also takes about twice as long to fully boot up.

Any ideas?

 

Looks like it is possible but only if you do not use port 0 at all which is pretty stupid. I had to put my SSD also into port 1 and the HDD into port 2 to make everything work.

 

1 .Enter setup and load BIOS default settings and see if it helps.
2. Update BIOS to the latest version for your Envy.

 

I see, diden't try that option with just port #1 occuiped, thanks, good to know !

 

So I installed the 13.0 driver for the 6200 and was finally able to test it. Watched 7 episodes on Netflix with no disconnects or freezes. I also downloaded files while watching and left movies playing all night. No freezes or disconnects in 12 hours. I still find it idiotic that to run a state of the art machine you need a driver from 2009.

 

Yes I said the same thing...im glad it worked though! Saves the hassle of sending it in!

 

Hi guys! hope everyone is doing great.

so I've been having an issue with my 6850 on the envy where it cannot send the audio to my HDTV using the HDMI cable + the colors are very bad like grayed kind of... the funny thing is that using the HD 3000 everything is just fine... sound, image, I don't have any issues playing my Blurays/DVDs.

Anyone having the same issue? any solutions? btw I'm using HP's latest Graphic drivers... HP Envy 17 3D CTO 2100.

 

Ok gentlemen. I received my crucial M4 a few days and have installed a fresh copy of Win7 and all the drivers. And sadly I am more confused than ever. The crystalmark benchmarks are as advertised and what others with the M4 have posted, which should be good news(for those that have been following my SSD posts) BUT the OCZ Solid 3 was faster even though its benchmarks were much lower. Photoshop with the M4 takes 7 seconds to load. With the Solid 3 it took 3 seconds. The Solid 3 is faster in everything. 20 seconds to load Win7 vs 28 for the M4. So what is the issue? Did the OCZ just not benchmark well with crystalmark? For others that have the M4, what are your load times for photoshop and Win7? I start counting when I push the power button and stop when the password screen appears.
On another note, I have an issue with 3D. When playing a game or watching a film there are very obvious and annoying shadows around objects. In addition to that, the outside portion of the screen is blurry and hurts my eyes. The centre is crystal clear, but the outside 2 inches or so of the screen is bad all around. I have tried with different games and films and they are all the same. Has anybody else experienced this?

 

Hey Guys.

I have a problem with my Power2Go, same as I had on my HDX one time. It worked fine and then when I started it one day it wouldn't start it just went white and the only option I had was to close the program. Happened on my HDX too after a long time of using it and it worked perfect until then and I never found out how to fix it. Anyone else having problem with P2G or know what is wrong or how I can fix it? I love it for burning music CD's so I really wanna get it to work again.

Thanks.

 

@usafpj regarding 3D issues; Press numpad "0" while in 3D mode to bring up the tridef control panel.
Play around with the settings there and see if it helps.

 

Same here, starting it just ends with the dialogue that it has stopped working..strange..
checking the logfiles..just info about kernel32.dll has crashed, and a lot of other data telling me nothing
Well, was going to install Nero instead anyway, actually I have never used it..

 

Well mine works again, weird.

 

I'm on iPad now and envy 17 is at home. There are settings for hdmi audio. If they can be different for intel vs ati graphics maybe you need only change setting for audio to transfer to tv when using that card. If cables / bad connection is not causing the graphics issue since it works fine on intel graphics, check other settings like power settings when on ati card.

There are a few places for this, in advanced settings in power options in tray at bottom of screen or in the configue graphics settings for ati card area by right clicking on desktop. Check power settings, some of the settings for resolution, fequency, even color settings etc on that card.
Maybe default settings out of whack or somehow mistakenly changed. Don't mean to offend if you've been thru all that already. Or maybe card is just bad. Can also contact graphics card manufacturer direct. I've solved several problems that HP could not solve by contacting graphics card manufacturer directly. Try that and elevate it if can't get info at first. They've been real cool to work with for me. 800 number online on their site

 

Look for "Intel LPM" here or on Google (Crucial forums for instance), there are some registry keys that need to be created or amended and it will solve the issue - it did for me and others here anyway!

EDIT: found the link : http://forums.crucial.com/t5/Solid-...eze-ups-in-Windows-7-solved-for-me/td-p/38766

 

Any news or update on a Fall refresh for the Envy 17 3D? Specifically the possibly updated trackpad and ssd options...

It looks like HP teased us a week or so ago when it had that Intel 300 GB option....

 

Yeah, what was that all about??? Just for giggles, I tried to re-configure the machine I have...and the SSD option was gone, AGAIN! It was there for just a few days and gone. BTW...if you read the reports, the Intel 320 SSD (which was the drive they were using), has major flaws in the firmware, causing the capacity of the drive (upon a crash) to disappear! Goes from 300 GB to 8 MB...no joke! The one with the most issues is the 600 GB...but bad firmware may have caused HP to pull the option back.

Intel Bug Causes Failed SSDs Turn 600GB to 8MB

 

I guess I spoke too soon. I thought my freezing problem was fixed. After a few days of it working I started using my ethernet again (i wasnt so i could make it freeze with the wireless) well i took it down stairs to do some dishes and not 5 minutes later it froze up while watching an episode. Did it twice. Reupdated to the newest HP wireless driver and got it to do the same thing. Trying the 2009 driver again now...

This is ridiculous that such a 'high-end' laptop can't stream video or download large files.

 

HP Coupon. 30% off of a custom laptop priced 1,399+

GEEKWEEK30

 

Just benchmarked my Envy with PCMark7 and the results are impressive. 3637 vs 2350 before the Crucial M4 install. Everything is better or equal except for "Web browsing and decrypting-Web browsing" My old score is 14.33 pages and the new one is 4.38 pages. "Web browsing and decrypting-Data decrypting" are almost identical scores. So does this have to do with my internet service or a driver issue?

*EDIT*
I just ran the test again with the LAN line plugged in(but no internet connection) and laptop wireless still on(but no internet connection). Scored 3941 with "Web Browsing" at 12.85 pages. So what has the issue? Wireless router? Laptop wireless drivers? Something else?
Another strange thing is I get different processor clock numbers. Sometimes 1496MHz. Sometimes 1197MHz. What is that about?

 

Of all times to release this coupon....

 

How long will this coupon be good for? I was thinking of trying to wait until just before it expires to see if they bring back the SSD option.

 

It might expire any day. They sometimes stop coupons after they have reached a certain amount of redemptions. If I was you, do not wait for the SSD option. Even if they bring it back, you are better off buying your own SSD and just drop it into the Envy yourself.
Make use of the coupong while it is out there. 30% off is A LOT. If you think you might get a better deal, start playing the lottery ;-)

 

Lol slotti speaks the truth...

 

Damn and I thought the 25% off coupon I used was sweet... and it was because mine has a 160GB SSD with a second 640GB HDD 7200rpm.

I FREAKING LOVE MY HP ENVY17 3D !!!

 

How is the 6850m? Anyone got vantage results?

Cause notebookreview's results are so bad that it seems like the 6770m is better