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

Haha, that site says the heatsink is "new", but if you look at the picture it is most definitely used. I would just get the one from the aliexpress link you posted.

The Gelid compound is similar to Arctic Silver 5 (8.5W/mK vs 8.9W/mK). I assume it's easy to spread like AC5. The Prolimatech PK-3 is 11.2W/mK. That's the highest thermal conductivity in a paste that there is. I don't know if an increase of 2W/mK is worth double the price though.

I managed to get it spread out well enough. The included plastic spreader is useless, I just used my finger and cleaned it really well first. If I did it again I would probably warm the CPU and compound up with hot air first. Never really tried the blob method; always worried I won't seat the heatsink evenly and it will just go to one side.

 

The only way is for someone to mod the bios file for the machine and give the user the opportunity to disable the Intel graphics card in the processor. Much like desktops give you the ability to disable it.

 

That isn't the only way.

I am pursuing a lead on how to achieve this via drivers but also via DSDT / loader.

 

@VonCrisp Here are my planned upgrades:

For the heatsink:

http://de.aliexpress.com/item/For-H...1-633852-001/1975505729.html?isOrigTitle=true

Will this fit to replace the optical drive?
http://www.microcenter.com/product/430826/SilverStone_TS08_Optical_Drive_Caddy

And this for memory:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/...el_Laptop_Memory_Kit_(Two_8GB_Memory_Modules)


I finally did the thermal paste fix today, it's like a new laptop now, but that 3 pipe cooler looks a bit nicer.

Is the 2860QM processor the highest one we can put in these laptops?

I'm planning on upgrading my storage drive to a 2TB seagate 2.5" drive to go along with the 2nd SSD (for linux distros) going in the optical drive bay.

This is far from my main computer, but I had been using it even more sparingly recently as the thermal issues had gotten so bad. Now it's perfectly usable and I even was able to game on it and get decent frame rates. Previously it would thermal shutdown after a minute or less of gaming.

Order of upgrades:

1.Optical drive caddy to put another SSD in for Mint and Fedora
2. Memory to 16GB because 8 just isnt enough
3. Processor to 2860QM or higher + 3 heat pipe heatsink at the same time.
4. AC1900 Mini-PCIe card whenever one comes out, or the ac1200 one I can get off the shelf now. Has anybody used the intel AC mini pcie wireless card?

 

CORSAIR Vengeance CMSX16GX3M2B1600C9 is another option; it's what I have. They will both perform exactly the same but the Corsair is $5 cheaper. Hey, $5 is $5... lol.

It's the fastest 45W Sandy Bridge i7. The 2960XM is marginally faster but it's not worth the extra 10W of heat and it's currently double the price of the 2860QM ($150 vs $300).

 

Awesome! Am glad you are running cooler now and are putting this laptop into "legacy" status.
It still is a fairly good machine.

Love the Drive Caddy idea. I do not think that the BIOS has any blacklist.

I still haven't ordered that 3 pipe cooler but now that my UK keyboard has arrived I will gradually do the same as you minus the drive Caddy.

8GB isn't enough? : O

 

I have page file turned off and I can easily go past 6GB of memory usage, so 16GB gives me a nice comfort zone.

 

Hi All,

I'm sure I might get attacked and told to use the search key, but I'may looking for advice. I have read through a number of posts, but can't tell if it's now outdated or right.

Love this laptop (17t-2100 CTO) and got it for a steal right before leaving my job at HP. I still use this as my design laptop for my Adobe products. It's been super slow for sometime and like the previous poster, I have 8GB of RAM, but that quickly gets taken just with Photoshop or Lightroom and one program. I only have 1 HDD and no SSD.

Questions:
- Does putting a SSD for OS and program info really make a difference? What would that cost? I just found our HDD hardware kit for $50 and that's without the SSD. Can we only have the 160GB initially for it and I saw a HDD caddy that may let us use other drives?

- Memory - I remember thinking that 8GB was our max. Can we go up to 16GB or is that only with a model besides mine? I saw the RAM suggestions above, so I'm good going with that if I'm allowed.

- Lastly, I've had so many issues with the USB drives (which I know are an issue). I researched the hell out of it years ago and think I found the issue here with the Renesis (or something like that) drivers. Does anyone have the link to the right drivers again so I can try and fix one of the ports that won't work?

Thanks,
James

 

Hi James,

Yes, photo editing can take up a lot of RAM, especially when working with large HD images. If you think you need 16GB then go ahead and upgrade. A minor caveat there is that maybe there was an early BIOS version that only supported 8GB, so just make sure you're on the newest/last version. I would suggest upgrading to the modded F.1C BIOS if you want full control of your system.

You can install any SSD you want. I have a bias toward Intel for their reliability (530 series is excellent performance vs cost), but Samsung's have a good reputation as well. It sucks the secondary HDD hardware kit costs so much though. I was lucky enough to get one from a member here for like $27 a few years ago.

I've never experienced any problems with USB. Are you having trouble with the USB 2.0 ports on the right hand side or the 3.0 port on the left? For the Renesis 3.0 controller I have driver version 2.1.28.0.

 

Thanks h8isgr8! This is exactly the info I was looking for.

I will upgrade the bios before upgrading RAM, since I think that was the reason. Hopefully this will be all that is needed to make it usable.

Also, good to know it's any SSD. I would hate to be limited to a small size.

Lastly, it's the 3.0 and I will try the driver you use first. It's really just more annoying than anything.

This is a great machine and I knew she still had life in her. I would hate to stop using it just due to RAM limitations or something similar.

Thanks,
James

 

gosh dang it. The windows update automatic bull$hit is messing with my envy bad. It auto installed a graphics card update and made my screen go black until I hooked to an external monitor and downgraded graphics card drivers.

This is like the update cycle of 2011(ish) all over again

 

8GB is never enough IMO. I'd rather have 16 and give windowz more to play with. Is that a bad thought process? I think you should definitely do the 3 pipe cooler mod so I can have a recent guide to do mine after that.

I definitely want to keep this machine going for a few more years. It does a hell of a job running linux mint. Windows 10 is meh on it, really fast but very windows ish and heavy feeling.

 

when I can find a 2860QM at the price point I want to I will definitely spring for that upgrade. This laptop still has a few years for me at this point left so hopefully it keeps up like it has been, especially now that its running a lot cooler.

 

$150 for the 2860QM isn't too bad considering you can sell the 2630QM on ebay for $60.

 

Are you sure that your mobo /AMD card isn't shot?

I haven't seen any blackscreens ever since AMD started forcing dynamic switching with any driver past 14.4.

15.10 is working fine on Win 10 btw. We just released UnifL 15.10 with unlocked profiles and fixes etc.

 

Anyone managed to get latest Win10 upgrades 11-Nov onwards OK? My ENVY 2280NR has just failed after latest update since running fine since initial release. Win10 said new updates ready to install inc some AMD driver, I let it continue then the computer now reboots with Windows icon and revolving circle into a blank screen and no way to continue.

How can I recover from this guys?? Help please...

 

It seems Win10 build 10240 is trying to install the AMD drivers (beta?) for a future release of Win10 build 10560 that it hasn't updated to yet? The newer AMD driver blanks out screen but will let an external screen run in duplicate mode (not extended). I will next try to install 10560 using the ISO download first and then switch Windows updates again to see if AMD works.

Really upset at MS about this waste of my time.

 

On my Envy 17-2190ef, no problem with the Win10 build 1511 (10586.3).
I use the 15.10 Beta UnifL drivers (not yet tested the 15.11).
The only thing that I have noticed is that Microsoft has replaced the Intel driver during the update with the one from WU.
But the AMD one is still the one from Leshcat and no problem so far.

 

Looking like update from 10240 to 10586 is a complete disaster for me if I want access to Windows Store. After initial recovery from AMD driver issue where screen blanked out during Windows update, I now have a running 10586 with latest AMD drivers but with no access to Windows Store or any modern apps - which are all blanked out on Start Menu. If I try a reinstall using MediaCreationToolx64 I end up with only option for a clean install and message "You can't keep Windows settings, personal files, and apps because your current version might be installed in an unsupported directory."

 

A little off topic, but I didn't realize the windows update was basically a complete reinstall. I have a tablet set up to work with some external automotive diagnostic hardware. The update reset the software activation that I just payed for only three days earlier. It was a "one time" activation (based on some hardware/software ID hash) so now I have to pay to have it activated again. Not too happy with Microsoft right now. :/

I hope this type of update isn't a common trend.

 

Also, be very careful with the new build of W10. Does your webcam work? Many complaints in the MS community that tablet cameras and webcams stop working. Something to do with the drivers not connecting to the hardware

 

I finally fixed the missing Windows Store and modern apps missing, by using another ISO from Microsoft. How many do they have?? Previously I had been using Media Creation Tool US English x64 ISO and then I downloaded ISO from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/techbench for same ISO and its 500MB bigger and installs and keeps all my old files/apps well.

* Except it cannot find web cam as mentioned by Bobmitch above! Now to fix that. This update from 10240 to 10586 has taken me over 5 days already.

 

I had this issue. I ran an elevated cmd:

sfc /scannow

Result will report nothing wrong, but after reboot web cam appears in device manager.

 

It's working fine now, after going to the Unfil 15.10. Unfil 15.11 didn't work for me. I had not been running a leshcat driver package before, just the stock windows driver. It was fine until the last major windows update. Now with 15.10 its all good.

 

A lot of the Win10 privacy settings were compromised with this recent update for me. This resulted in multiple background processes I couldn't fathom and high CPU usage. Eventually I killed them all using Win10 ShutUp app. Seems OK now.

 

Guys do not trust the Windows IDT drivers.

They cause some huge memory leaks whilst playing games, in turn dropping the FPS to slideshow levels.

 

16.1 Legacy (for our devices is out).

It has a few issues. OpenGL doesn't work and full screen youtube playing in XAML apps such as the Edge browser doesn't work

WU drivers seem to work fine albeit the application lock exists. UnifL 15.11 seemed to work okay for me. Always remember to clean with DDU. It helps a lot.

We will see if we can fix any of the mentioned issued for UnifL 16.1 but it is a never ending fight tbh.

Did you ever receive that heatsink btw? How did the installation go?

 

I put this project on hold for the moment and bought a bunch of cisco gear to finish studying for my ccna. The laptop is triple booting ubuntu, Linux Mint and Windows 10. It's soley used as a console computer now for command line interface to routers and switches.

The AMD drivers for linux are equally as garbage with the display set to muxless dynamic or muxless fixed and dynamic either one. I leave the video setting special features turned off now in BIOS just to avoid issue.

 

has your audio stopped working in win 10? My speakers don't work at all but when I plug in headphones I get sound. I tried removing the audio driver and reinstalling it and that worked once. I tried that approach again and I still have no sound. Any ideas?

 

Hello everybody,

I own the model 2080en (3D) and i'm looking forward to installing a clean untouched image of windows7 in our laptop. The problem i encounter is the lack of the SATA drivers needed for the installation to recognize the HDD. I tested many drivers but i was unable to find the correct one.
So, if anyone has the correct -win7 install- drivers for our SATA controller, please provide me a link to download.

Thank you guys!

---

Before completing this post, i would like share my experience so far with windows10 (version 10.0.10586)

- Audio drivers problem (as you all know...)
- No 120hz + 3D
-I think the laptop runs a bit hotter than win7 but i'm not sure yet

 

I never encountered this problem when doing a clean install of 7. Perhaps try loading the modified BIOS and changing the drive controller to AHCI...

http://bios-mods.com/pub/donovan6000/Modded Bios/Insyde Bios/sp59847.zip

The SATA drivers are part of the chipset driver package. Try this version...

http://www.guru3d.com/files-details/intel-chipset-software-installation-10-27-whql-download.html

 

Hi I have one Envy 17 3D 2090NR with Intel i7 2720 to 1600mhz, and 16gb ram 1600mhz Latency 11, 2 Disks SSD, one 120gb with windows 7 ultimate 64bit, and 480gb with windows 10, excuse me what is the final solution to install update graphics drivers in Windows 7 ultimate 64bit not Hp windows, is the leshcatlabs drivers 14.4 2.2v or other? because I installed the 14.4 2.2v with legacy intel drivers and work very well if I use switched intel driver , but when i change to amd driver work good and restart windows and start with one flash and staying in black screen and I need connect one external monitor, I want use windows 7 to Tridef 3D, what can I do?


I have a modded bios with muxless

 

Does anyone else having the same model as me (2080en) tried to load a modded bios?
I'm thinking of it but it seems too risky. I would love to have a confirmation that actually works with the model i own before trying it.

 

Has anyone with an Envy 17 2000 experienced 100% HDD usage on Windows 10? Can anything be done to remedy this?

Does anyone have a way of using IDT without the original buggy Windows 7 IDT drivers (which also cause 100% HDD usage in Windows 10) ?

 

No problem with windows 10 for me, make sure your installation is a fresh install (not an update install)

 

Note sure if it finally stopped indexing or if Intel Rapid Storage Tech drivers fixed it. I know however that I never had to install these drivers before on Windows 10.

The only thing left now is trying to mod the newest IDT drivers to support Windows 10 + Envy 17 2xxx.

 

Speaking of Intel Rapid Storage Tech drivers, use version 12.8.20.1002 from sp71552.exe; they're compatible with Win7, 8.x & 10 and are dated 5/22/2015.

And try the IDT audio v6.10.6498.0 drivers from sp65196.exe under Win10.

 

Same thing happened again after the new automatic upgrade to Win10 ver 1611 (Anniversary). More indexing and high CPU, HDD usage for the first few days it seems.

 

I've had this ENVY 17 since 2011 so nearly 5 years old now and going well. But now the rubber trim around the screen is starting to disintegrate. Anyone else seen this and changed the trim?

 

Had mine since Sep 2011 and the rubber is still perfectly pliable; no cracks. It could be your environment (high ozone or UV exposure) or maybe some chemical you used to clean the screen over the years caused it to degrade.

 

Anyone found a way to get 120hz? ^^ Also the link with the Voncrisp version of IDT doesn't work :\

 

OK, must be an environment thing. I am in SE Asia in high humidity and heat. I will avoid laptops with rubber in their design in future. I bought laptop from USA as this model wasn't available in SE Asia, probably for this reason. It's still going strong otherwise and happy for 5 years now with the Envy17.

 

Hi all, just wondering whether anyone's managed to successfully upgrade RAM in a 2199el to 16GB. Is it even possible?

Thanks!

 

I upgraded my 2090NR to 16GB even though HP says 8GB is max. Yours should be capable of doing the same, as it's basically the same machine.

It's been running that way for over four years. I just retired it last week as my primary machine and bought a desktop since I have a company-issued laptop.

I did a clean install of Win10 last night and will set it up for guests to use.

 

I'm out from this forum for a long time..
Let me put some news here about the envy 2xxx series.
1- It's possible to change the AMD to the primary card when using the non Edp/3D notebook. ( The non 3D version use the muxed Pericom PI3LVD400, the 3d models doesn't have this. the Edp monitor is directly linked via VideoBios and maybe hardware)
2- It's possible to use a 3 generation CPU in this notebooks ( 3D and non 3D, we need to change the intel vbios + cpu microcode, worked with a celerom 3 generation in my tests).
3- It's possible to upgrade the MEMORY RAM from the AMD card to 2Gb (We need just change the memory from Hynix H5GQ1H24AFR-T0C to Hynix H5GQ2H24MFR-T0C 64*32 or 128*16 x 8. and change the R540, R530, R532, R528 from 0 0 0 1 to 0 0 1 1. YES, It works perfect.)
The bad side?
You need an external eprom burner and a lot of bios changes..

And YET something is wrong with the INTEL windows 10 driver. Working or not the 3D the monitor is fully exposed by the EDID the frequency of 120Hz and under windows we cant see this.. works perfect under linux.

 

Thanks John, the root of my issue turned out to be stubborn RAM seating after all Can confirm that 16GB is fine in a 2199EL.

 

Did you ever get anywhere with this? I think that IDT driver wasn't any good in the end. I have since tried creating a Frankenmod type driver since editing the INF was way too complex (so that it reflects the newest standards) I simply shoved all the files that could be overwritten from a much newer driver into our old driver (without changing the config file) and voila. It was working fine.

Am not even sure if I have this driver anymore and I fear that once I format this pup I will have to go on this journey of trying to sort out the IDT driver again.

Intel 120Hz only works if you disable and reenable the Intel card via device manager. Not sure about 3D.

 

retired this laptop around a year ago. Ordered a 2860QM off the internet. Now its a dedicated home sever.

 

well it will be once I've got the cooling dialed in. Anyone still around here?

 

I'm wondering with the 2860qm if I can get 32gb since it supposedly supports it.