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

by key imprints I mean -- how has hp protected the flush glass screen from hitting the keyboard keys when you close the lid. some have reported that the keys touch the screen.

can you shoot a photo of the keyboard? I have no idea what chiclet styling looks like, but I do have my DV7 keyboard in front of me, lol to compare. I don't really have any issue with the DV7 keyboard, but since the two are different I'd like to know how

 

Well, there is a rubber border around the screen that sticks out about the height of the keyboard keys. I'm sure the middle of the screen would touch the keys if any pressure was applied to the center of the lid. I personally don't see what problem that would cause though. Even if the keys touched the screen they surely won't scratch it. It's a non-issue for me personally.

Check this link for a description of a "chiclet" or "island" style keyboard....

What is a Chiclet keyboard, and why is it better? | Blogs - Techinstyle.tv

 

Good to know. DV7 has rubber bump stops, in addition to the fact that the display is not flush. it could have been mfg defect that caused some of the earlier Envy's to actually damage the screen with the keyboard keys. sounds like a non-issue indeed.

so the chiclet keyboard on the Envy has a solid rubber membrane of some sort, so that dust cannot drop down onto the board? I can see that on the DV7, there is a narrow gap around the keys (allowing their movement) whic would gobble up dust.

 

Why is HP's website down? Are they really that busy with traffic? Lol....

Also is anyone in need of the pair of 3D glasses that comes with the Envy 17 3D? I may not keep mine. I know at one point a few other members were asking about it.

Hmmmn....first review I've seen for the new Samsung line of SSDs...looks promising I think...

http://thessdreview.com/our-reviews...-way-for-incredible-performance-lower-prices/

 

In the first week, I had my keyboard replaced. Cosmetically, my machine is about as perfect as can be, except when they put the keyboard in, they twisted the ribbon cable under it and it was not flush. So I contacted HP, with my at home warranty, and they immediately replaced it. Overnighted the new keyboard and tech showed up day 2. The keyboard is all one piece...base with keys as well. Like a little platform. There is no way dust could get to the board through the keys...and it is pretty tight around the edges. My son's pavillion is the dv7TQE...I can only say that the palm platform has holes to allow the keys to rise through it. The platform is similar to that of the Envy...see here:

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02842278.pdf

Pg 67 shows how to replace the keyboard...it is exactly like that of the Envy, with no backlight.

 

I have a slight emergency...I went into the BIOS settings but I can't find the actual place where you change from IDE to AHCI...

Do I first have to enable RAID or something? Or is there an advanced option I've missed?

 

I could be wrong, but I think it's automatically enabled on the ENVY.

 

There's no entry in the BIOS to enable it, I think it's automatically enabled. Alternatively, you can double check it (and enable it) in the registry, but I'm not exactly sure how to do that.

 

Thats what another person said as well in a PM to me. Can a 3rd or 4th person confirm this? Especially people who have installed an SSD and then a fresh copy of Windows 7 on it?

Lastly regarding the CyberLink and Adobe programs...when it comes registering this products and their licenses. Should I say open up

1) Photoshop
2) Premier Elements
3) PowerDVD
4) Power2Go
5) TriDef3D
6) YouCam

and then registered at the websites for all them. THEN after I've installed the SSD and reinstalled all those programs enter the licenses for each of them again? Or should I just not even bother registering them until after I've reinstalled those programs and put the licenses in for each of them....?

 

I'm going to do a fresh install soon (and have a SSD). Only thing holding me back is I want to make the recovery disk set first and I don't have any DVD's that work. Stopped at the store to buy some this morning and ended up buying everything EXCEPT the DVD's. Got home and was like.... DOH! >.<

 

Sweet Please keep us informed. I'll be doing the same in the next few weeks here as soon as I get the SSD and HDD combo that I truly want.

But if AHCI is already enabled in the BIOS then that's excellent and eliminates one potential headache and point of failure for me....

@ dlleno

I just saw your post regarding my PassMark Performance score. For the memory I just got 12GB of RAM. It was the stock HP RAM which I think is 1333 Mhz. I remember a while back they had offered 1600MHz but then it disappeared...

 

Hey guys/gals.

My Envy 17 arrives today and I'm pretty stoked.

Here's what I ordered:

HP / Hewlett Packard ENVY 17-2070NR 17.3" LV046UA#ABA B&H

2GHz Intel Core i7-2630QM
6GB (1x4GB, 1x2GB) RAM
1TB (2x500GB) 7200rpm Hard Drive
Blu-ray ROM with DVD Burning
AMD Mobility Radeon HD 6850M 1GB GPU
17.3" LED Backlit Widescreen Display
Integrated Webcam and Microphone
Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi
Beats Audio System
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit), 7.7 lb

$1,269.95

After much research, this was the best deal I could find for the specs I wanted. I even put together the same machine on HP with the 15% off coupon and this deal was better.

I was a frequent lurker here when I had my last gen HP Envy 14. I decided to sell it when I got a decent work laptop but I was too tempted by the new SB 17" model and decided to jump back in.

I have been lurking this thread for a few days and know a little about what to expect. Pretty sure I'm going to reimage with stock Win7 but I will see how it runs.

Any thing I should know?

 

AHCI is automatically enabled in the BIOS on the Envy 17 SB and there is no option to change that. However, the installation of Windows may not have the correct reg key to enable the technology. It depends on how it was installed by HP. I'm not sure if HDD-based installs are shipping with AHCI on in the registry, but my SSD-based install did ship with it turned on.

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msahci]
“Start”=dword:00000000

 

Don't know if anyone is interested.....I'm looking to sale my Envy17 3d. Only 2months old. Used it for about 2 hours total. Don't have the need for it anymore. This one is perfect! Does not have alot of the problems others are having. PM me if you're interested.


2nd generation Intel Core i7-2820QM (2.3 GHz, 8MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz

8GB 1333MHz DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
750GB 7200rpm Hard Drive
Blu-ray ROM with DVD Burning
1GB GDDR5 Radeon HD 6850M Graphics [HDMI]
17.3" diagonal Full HD HP 3D Ultra BrightView Infinity LED Display (1920x1080)
HP TrueVision HD Webcam and Mic
Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi
Beats Audio System
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
9 cell and 6 cell Battery
Swiss Gear Carry Bag
HP 3-year Care Pack House Call Service with Accidental Damage Protection

 

Hi. I received my new Envy 17 2070NR laptop a couple days ago. First thing I did was install fresh Win7 Pro on it. I'm really loving it except for one thing. The left palm rest gets pretty warm. I know this is where the AMD GPU is located. I can disable the "High-Performance" GPU in the Catalyst Control Center and doing that solves the heat issue in the palm rest. I won't need the discrete graphics most of the time and so running with the "Power-saving GPU" is fine for me.

But when I reboot the machine it switches back to the discrete graphics. I've tried disabling them in Device Manager but they just get re-enabled after a reboot. Is there some way for the laptop to boot up on the Intel graphics instead of AMD?

 

Just checked my ENVY and msahci was set to 3!

I've done a couple minimal restores just messing around, so I don't know if HP had it originally set to 0 or not when it shipped.

Set it to 0 and restarted. All seems normal and the setting stuck.

We'll see what it's set at after a clean retail install.

EDIT: Another thing, Superfetch/prefetch needs to be deactivated. There is also a firmware update for the Intel 320 series SSD that shipped with my ENVY. It came with version 0302 and the current version 0362. I haven't updated yet because I think it wipes the drives and I still need to make my restore disks.

 

As far as I know, the CCC allows you to specify which GPU you prefer to use while on AC and Battery. The boot (BIOS) process may require the Radeon be used but once the window's drivers take over control during the load process, it should switch over to your preferred GPU.

P.S. The palm rest shouldn't be getting hot to the touch under normal everyday load. It can get warm while doing graphic intensive tasks but never burn you.

 

2 questions here.

Is ripping the thing apart and upgrading the processor to the 2820 worth it?

Does anyone successfully use wireless display without freezing? It has yet to freeze when the laptop is plugged into an ethernet port and the Wi-Di is the only thing using wireless but when the wireless is connected 2 places (to the wireless display and a wi-fi network) it wont run for more than a few minutes without freezing.

 

The bigger question is; do you think the 2820 is worth the price? If yes, then the hassle of taking the ENVY apart to put it in is probably trivial.

I have a similiar dilemma (sort of). I'm trying to decide whether it's worth taking the ENVY apart to remove the crappy phase change thermal compound to a more effective thermal grease. Doing so would void the warranty, but would definitely extend it's life expectancy. So is it worth having no warranty protection in the short term in trade for knowing it will probably last longer?

 

I'm sorry but did you get your Envy with an SSD already installed? And I'm guessing you went into regedit to see where msahci was set to right?

@cam123

You got your Envy with the intel SSD pre installed as well right?

I need to find out from someone who did a clean install of Win7 on a brand new SSD if everything went smoothly or are there any things I need to do before hand and/or during the installation as far as the AHCI stuff and anything else not mentioned...?

Again regarding the CyberLink and Adobe programs...when it comes registering this products and their licenses. Should I say open up:

1) Photoshop
2) Premier Elements
3) PowerDVD
4) Power2Go
5) TriDef3D
6) YouCam

and then register all of these products and the associated licenses at their respective websites? THEN after I've installed the SSD and reinstalled all those programs...enter the licenses for each of them again?

OR

Should I just not even bother registering them until after I've reinstalled those programs and put the licenses in for each of them....?

 

Make sure to make a copy of the Program Files (x86)\TriDef folder...it contains your license for the software. When you do your install to the SSD...using Win 7 disk...all your drivers are in SWSETUP and as far as the Cyberlink / Adobe stuff...register after you reinstall. As far as TriDef...copy the folder back to it's proper place and then install the latest version. If it nags you for registration...there is your HP license in a subfolder...you may have to double click it...never did it, so not sure...

 

I replaced the thermal compound in my old envy, and it dropped the temp around 10 degrees overall, there wasnt really even any on the processor or the GPU.

I wonder how they would even know you took it apart.

 

Okay so option 2 then....i knew about the copy of the files and everything. Just wasn't sure if it would be better to register first before installing the SSD.

Thanks.

 

Just did a live chat with HP support after buying new blank DVD's and still having the recovery media creation fail. They are sending me a recovery set for free.

The support agent mentioned that the recovery set has to be created before making any changes and that doing a minimal restore first is what caused the errors.

Well, off to do a fresh retail Win7 install now.

 

So what exactly was the problem with your envy again? You wanted to make recovery discs before doing a clean install but you were having issues doing so? Either it's great that HP is providing them for free.

 

Yeah, it seems that getting an error while trying to make the recovery media is a pretty common problem. Don't know why they made the process so finicky.

Well, they weren't totally free. I just bought a 10 pack of DVD's I will never use thinking the problem was a DVD brand issue. I still have >40 disks from the 100 pack I bought 6 years ago.

 

Only two issues that I can think would cause this.

1. HP firmware on the DVD drive "Hates" Memorex DVD media for some reason
2. Make sure that when you burn either +r or -r, that you consistently use the same media throughout the entire burn...

That is what info I have

 

Haha, yeah Memorex is all Wal-Mart had and they were the only place open when I got out of work. I don't remember the brand of my 6 year old DVD+R's.

Anyway, just finished my CLEAN install of Win7 Ultimate x64 Retail. 58 processes running and 18% memory usage (of 8GB). All is well.

For the record, AHCI is NOT automatically enabled after install. Not a problem though, takes like 30 seconds to change. Also had to turn off SuperFetch/Prefetch.

And fook me, I forgot to update the SSD firmware before all of this.

 

Weird, a fresh install of Windows 7 on a SSD is suppose to (and has been proven to) disable Prefetch/Superfetch. However, the AHCI Detection could be a different matter. When I installed the Intel Toolbox on my Envy, it had detected the services disabled, but that was after a fresh restore from the HP media.

 

Yeah, I installed the Intel SSD Toolbox after all the drivers were installed and it said Superfetch/Prefetch were both enabled.

Maybe it's not recognizing the drive as an SSD because of AHCI? Maybe I needed to preload a driver during setup? I don't know, this is my first experience dealing with an install on a SSD.

EDIT: This sucks, the SSD firmware won't update because the transfer mode can't be changed in the BIOS. Fooking HP! Gonna have to try taking it out and putting in a different machine to update it.

 

That shouldn't matter but who knows...

Yeah that's what other people have said... personally Intel should release an AHCI aware update like other vendors have done. I've never updated my (ssd) bios since I got the machine, not worth the headache.

 

I had to remove the Intel X-25M that came in my Envy and flash it in my desktop. Can't enable simple SATA mode in the Envy...so had to do it on my desktop machine. Flashed it recently...didn't effect the data on the drive in any way...all good!

 

Got it updated.

First I triedit in a HP TX1000 and the firmware installer would freeze at detecting the drives. Then I put it in an Inspiron 1525 and it finally loaded. What a headache.

I'm going to reinstall windows again. I want to see if the AHCI and prefetch settings load correctly if I preload the RAID driver during setup. Plus I broke the sound toggle LED by trying different sound drivers. Wanted to see if there was a compatible IDT sound driver without the BEATS bloat.

 

Which model SSD did you use and what fix did you apply for the AHCI problem? The registry edit fix or just download the auto fix ".exe" from MS direct website?

Lastly even though AHCI wasn't enabled you didn't have any problem with the actual process right?

EDIT: So you could NOT update the SSD firmware after you install Windows 7? Is that common and was it because of the AHCI? I thought it was already enabled....

 

Also...the SATA controller in the Envy is RAID based. Either enabled or disabled...but AHCI is there...so you can't flash the drive while in the Envy. To flash, you need straight SATA mode...which the Envy doesn't have. After install, you need to install the Intel Rapid Storage Technology drivers...that enables Intel AHCI. Now in my case, just to make sure it was all running fine...I also enabled AHCI in the registry (mine was NOT enabled by default). Thus AHCI works in my machine and my X-25 benchmarks then showed the rated speeds.

YES, the drive can be flashed after installing Windows. Intel has a non destructible flasher that will do it (in another machine). I flashed my X-25 to the most up to date firmware just recently, while booted up into my desktop in SATA mode. My OS and all software still intact and working fine. I don't thnk that one has to reinstall after a flash. I know that with Intel you don't. I have read on the Crucial boards that you shouldn't have to as well...

 

Thanks for your response to my PM by the way. Just got back from work and I saw it....

I'm sorry but thats a little bit confusing. So you're saying like immediately after you've done the install you can't update the SSD's firmware via "flashing" because it lacks the "straight SATA" mode?

BUT after you've downloaded and installed the Intel Rapid Storage drivers THEN you'll be able to flash the SSD?

You keep mentioning Intel but what of those of us who aren't going to be using an Intel SSD?

Like I plan on installing the Samsung 830 Series SSDs that's about to come out for consumer retail level. Its already getting nice reviews...one of which I posted a few pages back in this thread....

Samsung 830 256GB SATA 3 SSD Review - Make Way For Incredible Performance & Lower Prices - The SSD Review

So I guess my question is whether I'm following your analysis of the whole firmware flashing issue and then if those Intel Rapid Storage drivers are more for the Envy motherboard and not specifically related to whichever SSD I choose to install...?

 

Let me see if I can coordinate this

1. The SSD will not be able to be flashed while inside the Envy. The Envy SATA ports are locked as RAID controller...whether Enabled or Disabled. I have an SSD and HDD combo, so RAID is disabled. Even said...I cannot flash the SSD while in the Envy, for the controller is AHCI enabled...no way to disable it.

2. When I received my machine on day 1, AHCI in Windows wasn't enabled...it was enabled because Intel Rapid Storage Manager was installed and running...I enabled it in the registry in addition. This just helps get better performance in Windows. The SATA ports and software are separate.
On my desktop, I have two WD Velociraptors in RAID 0. With RAID enabled...AHCI is automatically so as well.

3. To flash Intel or Crucial, or any other brand SSD, you are going to have to physically remove the SSD from the Envy and find another machine that has SATA mode. In my second desktop which has only one drive in it running in AHCI mode...I powered down....disconnected the drive and booted into the bios. Disabled AHCI mode and rebooted with the SSD attached and the Intel flasher in the DVD drive...I flashed the X-25, shut down, disconnected it and reattached my original drive. Powered back up...entered bios and re-enabled AHCI mode....all is good and my X-25 has the most up to date firmware on it

Side note...I did NOT have to reinstall Windows or any software on the SSD. The firmware flasher from Intel is non-destructive...so all data was perfect when I finished. As with all SSD manufacturers, they tell you to back up your data before flashing, "In case" something should go wrong. Nothing did...so all good

As far as the Intel Rapid Storage Manager and drivers...install them....no matter what brand SSD you purchase. A lot of manufacturers are shipping with them installed. Again, RSM has nothing to do with the ability or non ability to flash your SSD's firmware...it is the SATA controller on the Envy, because HP has hidden the option to enable or disable AHCI. There is NO option in the bios do so, thus you will have to find another machine to flash the firmware.

BTW...the Samsung 830 just received a few great reviews. Anandtech recommends, primarily 2 SATA III SSD's...the Samsung and the Crucial M4. Both are very fast (not the fastest but not missing by enough to make any difference) and STABLE. I say that loudly because there is no question that Sanforce based SSD's are the fastest...BUT...they BSOD, are unstable, crash and have lots of issues..again firmware and maturity.

Enjoy the world of SSD. Right now I am contemplating replacing my 160 GB X-25 with a 256 GB Crucial M4. The main reason I am not going with the Samsung after the review...price. Crucial has priced the M4 to more than compete...it is cheaper than competitors in the same class, by design.

 

Let me see if I can coordinate this

1. The SSD will not be able to be flashed while inside the Envy. The Envy SATA ports are locked as RAID controller...whether Enabled or Disabled. I have an SSD and HDD combo, so RAID is disabled. Even said...I cannot flash the SSD while in the Envy, for the controller is AHCI enabled...no way to disable it.

2. When I received my machine on day 1, AHCI in Windows wasn't enabled...it was enabled because Intel Rapid Storage Manager was installed and running...I enabled it in the registry in addition. This just helps get better performance in Windows. The SATA ports and software are separate.
On my desktop, I have two WD Velociraptors in RAID 0. With RAID enabled...AHCI is automatically so as well.

3. To flash Intel or Crucial, or any other brand SSD, you are going to have to physically remove the SSD from the Envy and find another machine that has SATA mode. In my second desktop which has only one drive in it running in AHCI mode...I powered down....disconnected the drive and booted into the bios. Disabled AHCI mode and rebooted with the SSD attached and the Intel flasher in the DVD drive...I flashed the X-25, shut down, disconnected it and reattached my original drive. Powered back up...entered bios and re-enabled AHCI mode....all is good and my X-25 has the most up to date firmware on it

Side note...I did NOT have to reinstall Windows or any software on the SSD. The firmware flasher from Intel is non-destructive...so all data was perfect when I finished. As with all SSD manufacturers, they tell you to back up your data before flashing, "In case" something should go wrong. Nothing did...so all good

As far as the Intel Rapid Storage Manager and drivers...install them....no matter what brand SSD you purchase. A lot of manufacturers are shipping with them installed. Again, RSM has nothing to do with the ability or non ability to flash your SSD's firmware...it is the SATA controller on the Envy, because HP has hidden the option to enable or disable AHCI. There is NO option in the bios do so, thus you will have to find another machine to flash the firmware. RSM helps you get the best performance out of any drive...SSD or HDD

BTW...the Samsung 830 just received a few great reviews. Anandtech recommends, primarily 2 SATA III SSD's...the Samsung and the Crucial M4. Both are very fast (not the fastest but not missing by enough to make any difference) and STABLE. I say that loudly because there is no question that Sanforce based SSD's are the fastest...BUT...they BSOD, are unstable, crash and have lots of issues..again firmware and maturity.

Enjoy the world of SSD. Right now I am contemplating replacing my 160 GB X-25 with a 256 GB Crucial M4. The main reason I am not going with the Samsung after the review...price. Crucial has priced the M4 to more than compete...it is cheaper than competitors in the same class, by design. Cannot lose either way!

Hope this clarified some things for you

 

TheAtreidesHawk,

I just installed a crucial m4 ssd 128 gb on my envy 17 3d (rating is 7.9 by windows). I checked and researched this extensively and as Bobmitch stated, you have to install the ssd on another laptop/computer and then update the firmware from there. You cannot change the srtting to IDE as in the bios it does not let you. I done it in a samsung laptop and I flashed it successfully to the latest firmware.

But I must say, I screwed up majorly and wasted a whole day with constant stress because I installed Windows 7 home premium 64 bit with service pack 1 and the key on the bottom of the laptop wouldn't work. Finally after many hours of trying to activate it, I realised that the product key only works for the normal windows 7 home premium WITHOUT service pack 1. So stupid really especially since it is the same operating system overall and the same edition. Lucky I copied over the SWSetup folder as mentioned in this forum.

Besides that, my pass mark scores are as follows:
Passmark rating: 2326
CPU: 6836
2d graphics: 382
3d graphics: 1417
memory: 1652
disk mark: 2491
cd: 235

BtW, this test was conducted on high performance settings. I noticed on balanced that it was a much lower score especially with the 3d and 2d graphics with 3d graphics being like 800.

Did you guys do you passmark testing on hp recommended/balanced or high performance???

 

Received my Envy 17 yesterday. A few early impressions:

-The trackpad is only slightly less annoying than the last gen model. Two-finger scroll seems to only work when it feels like it. I do appreciate the ridge between the top and bottom of the touchpad though. Will have to investigate the trackpad thread in the next few days.

-you guys weren't lying about the left palm rest getting warm. I wasn't gaming or anything and it was quite toasty. Hopefully it doesn't get much hotter while playing a game.

-the display is stunning. this is my first 17" laptop and i don't think I could go to anything smaller now. i am officially spoiled.

-the battery life with the extended battery is much better than I anticipated. I was downloading a bunch of stuff and listening to kids music with my daughter for about 2 hours yesterday and it was only 50% drained.

-Build quality is excellent though i do see some slight separation in the casing between the top and side panels. Nothing I would send it back for or anything.

-The display hinge seems stronger than my old envy 14. Maybe I just had a bad unit but this one doesn't move much when I'm heavily typing.

-Speakers sound great! Best I've heard on a laptop by a mile. Great for casual listening and movie watching. I don't feel like I have to have my headphones within reach all the time.

I'm loving this laptop. I look forward to loading up a few games and really putting it to work in the next few days. I feel like it will be able to handle everything I throw at it with ease.

 

I don't find the trackpad to be too bad, compared to my last laptop at least. The two finger scrolling sucked so I changed it to one finger side scrolling and like it much better.

My ENVY's left palm rest doesn't even get slightly warm during game play.


After reinstalling Win7 Ultimate with the RAID driver loaded at setup, msahci still = 3. So the comment someone made about Win7 always installing on an SSD in AHCI is wrong.

Anyway, I'm absolutely loving this laptop. The clean install brings it right where I want it. The only HP software installed is the OSD program. No coolsense or HP power management; windows can handle that stuff fine on it's own.

56 processes @ 14% memery useage

WEI Score: 7.1

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2630QM CPU @ 2.00GHz 7.4
Memory (RAM) 8.00GB 7.6
Graphics Radeon (TM) HD 6850M 7.1
Gaming graphics 4837 MB Total available graphics memory 7.1
Primary hard disk 250GB Free (279GB Total) 7.7

 

Sigh a little but it seems overly and unnecessarily a hassle. And there's no way HP can fix this situation? So basically what you and arashyyy are saying is that every time a new firmware update comes out for an SSD we physically have to take it out of the Envy and insert it in another laptop in order to update it?

That's just ridiculous....and very infuriating to be honest. Makes me not even want to get an SSD if I"m constantly gonna be unscrewing the bottom and doing surgery on it all the time just to get the latest firmware for it....

Thanks for breaking it down in simple terms. Just so I know what to search for what general terms/phrase did you use when researching it? Like "flashing ssd in Envy" or "flashing SSD in AHCI mode"?

Finally on other forums I ran across this...."Also, certain drives require the controller to be in AHCI mode in order to flash the firmware of the SSD. Not something you will be doing on a regular basis, but it is something to keep in mind."

So is it more of a case by case basis. Some SSDs (probably the earlier models/lines) HAVE to be removed from the Envy while others may be fine if kept in the Envy?

 

msahci = 3 means disabled? And if so what does 0, 1, and 2 mean then? How can I see where mine is set at?

BUT on the other hand I'm glad your fresh install went perfectly fine and I'm leaning in your direction RE HP programs. I'm not really convinced that I need/want to have CoolSense on the laptop.

Do you find that your fans are on constantly?

 

I have no idea what the other values mean. I set it to 0 and I'm not going to worry about it. Done deal.

The key is in...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msahci

"Start"=dword:00000000

Yes, but I have the BIOS setting to "always on".

 

If you don't know what the other values mean how do you know that it installed AHCI wrong?

 

I don't know for certain, and at this point don't really care. From all the searching I did everyone assumes that it has to be set to 0 for AHCI. If you can find out what 3 means then more power to you.


Side note: Standard DVD's are absolutely unwatchable on this screen. The quality looks like 30 year old beta tape p0rn .

 

if only the 14 model had a better GPU

 

Okay guys, so what happened when you guys were saying to update the SSD firmware before installing OS in the 2nd bay of our ENVY. Are you guys saying that the ENVY won't be able to update the SSD only after OS is installed on the SSD?

This is the page where the 2nd bay thing was discussed.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...ndy-bridge-2xxx-series-owners-lounge-615.html

 

I can't remember exactly but I, like you and everyone else, was extremely frustrated with the idea of having to put it in another laptop to update the firmware. You don't have to update the firmware but I thinks it is always best, especially in the crucial m4s circumstances of apparantly the speed increasing to always update to the latest one. In all honesty, it didn't take long at all but it was just annoying having to open up my brother's laptop just to install a SSD and to update the firmware.

I don't remember the exact terms I used but I used terms such as "IDE mode hp envy 17" and "Firmware update ssd hp envy 17". Pretty much terms like that I had used. And yeh my fans are constantly running. Quite annoying but I think due to the specs of the computer and all, it needs to be running constantly. After all, it is a desktop replacement laptop and desktops are quite noisy and loud.

On a side note, when you guys teat performancetest on the passmark software, you guys all placed battery on high performance to test??

 

I can't remember where the thread was but I remember seeing that you can always flash it after the SSD is up and running but for optimal performance and ease, update the firmware BEFORE installing the Operating system on the SSD.

This m4 SSD I have is absolutely awesome. So quick, responsive and just wow, 7.9 rating (max possible) in the system ratings.