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

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Various touchpad tweaks added to first post.

 

Just an FYI for the 3D owners. I emailed TriDef support last evening about updating the TriDef software. He says that the OEM license will stay intact, but one must install v4.4 over 3.07 and NOT uninstall 3.07 first. The activation code is built into 3.07...and it will update upon installing 4.4.

He also sent me this post to read...will shed light on a possible issue:

ddd.com • View topic - update preinstalled Tridef 3D Ignition

 

Yeah, I've spent part of the morning wading through the 77 page "clickpad sucks" thread lol.

I think I can get my clickpad to a state where it is tolerable and I don't have a burning desire to smash it with a hammer but I still hate the thing.

Now if I can just get this pixel unstuck I won't have to mail this back to HP and wait what could be weeks for a new one:cry:

 

Cool. OP also has the incorrect processors. Should be:

2630QM (2.0 GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.9 GHz

2820QM (2.3 GHz, 8MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.4 GHz

 

Many people have, but I don't think I could give up my laptop over a single dead pixel.

 

Oh yeah, 2630 should have been 2830. Changed. Strange. Links were automatically converted by forum software from Intel's site.

 

A dead pixel or three I can usually live with.

A stuck red pixel is murder when you are watching a movie during dark scenes. It sticks out like a sore thumb and cannot be ignored.

I'm trying one more long run of JScreenFix, if that doesn't get it out I'm sadly returning it today.

 

I just ordered my Envy 17 3D last week. Sadly my build date isn't until the 28th . I was hoping someoen could answer a question about doing a clean install. I assume the Envy ships with the serial number for Windows activation affixed to the bottom. In this case, I want to do a complete wipe of the drive and install from scratch using the OEM disc I already have for another computer. I know this works since I've done this before.

My concern is with the preinstalled sofware and drives necessary to make the EVNY fully functional, including the 3D and blu-ray playback. It would seem the HP site has most of the basic drives available but it hardly seems complete. Is there a place to download these drivers or a location on the factory install where I can backup the necessary installers? I know they provide a way to do a restore to a level where all the bloatware is removed, but I would feel better going further since I plan on making an image of the drive using windows backup and restore. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

Also try DPT: Dead pixel tester with display aids and illusions. Specifically the pixel exerciser.

You can also try rubbing/messaging the area with a lint free cloth so as to not scratch the screen.

 

Take a backup of C:\swsetup before you do anything else, that is where the install packages are located.

The supplied BD player is Cyberlink which I am kind of meh on.

 

enjoying the data here guys, keep it up. fiver5 as you and KJ know I'm a clickpad guy too - so my sympathies there! With the latest drivers from HP I would expect useable clickpad, and if I couldn't learn how to do things like Edit photos in Adobe Lightroom (as I do today with my trusty 5-yr old Dv8000t) I think I'd send it back and wait for Synaptics IS. whenever that will be...

Also -- A couple of neurons just fired on the heat issue. HP Nate has told us that CoolSense for this release is software only, so for sake of discussion lets accept that. We also know that later 1st-gen Envys were having less trouble with heat. hmm.. I wonder if anyone has popped one open to compare the physical design. what if HP improved the cooling capacity late in the 1st gen product cycle? this would carry forward into the present design with some (minor but not zero) benefit coming from Sandy Bridge, and better fan profiles. This could explain the fact that we are hearing absolutely nothing about heat issues with this latest product.

 

Thanks for the help. Also noticed that the HP page lacks any updates for the GPU and the 3D software. Is either one self updating or able to be update from the manufacturer sites? Dont get me wrong, my tech level is pretty high as i build my own desktop gaming rigs. I'm just nervous with laptops in the beginning because those are pretty much locked down for the majority of "dumb" users. Once I know where to get what I need I can handle it from there. I just dont want to run afoul of any special HP stuff that if installed wrong or circumvented (such as erasing the recovery partition) kills the laptop.

 

I posted this last night. TriDef said that you can update your 3D software by installing the newest 4.4 over the 3.07 that came with the machine. DO NOT uninstall the old version first. The install of new over old...keeps the activation.

As for Video drivers. Just find a way to get each Mobility release without going through AMD. I found a few url's on this site where mobility 11.2 was posted. Downloaded...and installed with no issues

 

Without AMD? So the M releases from AMD dont work?

Also, is the Tri-Def sofware required for games that have native 3D support? I know Nvidia has native support for 3D when paired witha compatible card + LCD + glasses setup. Does AMD have an equivalent or is it entirely provided by using the TriDef software.

 

Did anyone get the ENVYTOUCHPAD.exe program for the touchpad to work? I tried installing it on my ENVY, but i get the error of missing MSVCR100.dll. Running as admin didn't help

 

Its pretty early in the release to expect updated drivers -- At least the majority of those drivers out there probably represent the "as shipped" status. But -- updated drivers will trickle in as they become available, and they tend to appear without notification.

HPs GPU and 3D offerings might be guarded a little more closely than others -- implimentation of switchable graphics is up to HP, and even though the drivers come from AMD I (personally) would be cautious of OE drivers without further information -- which will be coming in, of course: I just think we have to be patient here before we know for sure that the "out of box" driver from AMD will work. The caution in me suggests sticking with the HP drivers, unless some HP driver is known to be broken or not working right, and a mfgs update is available. But in that case I'd be inclined to whine at HP first .

 

How did you update the drivers? I downloaded the 11.2 driver from the site but it said I do not have the correct hardware.

 

I started the install...like Nvidia drivers...The machines actually ship with Catalyst 11.1. So I began the 11.2 install and it asked me if I wanted to install on top of old drivers or uninstall first. I chose uninstall...once done...the installation took place...all smooth. Did you use driver cleaner? I stopped using it a long time ago, because it somehow messes with the registry enough that even Nvidia drivers with my card wouldn't install on my desktop because no applicable hardware.

 

You need MS VC++ redistributable package installed.

 

What is this? And why would I need it?

 

Did anyone order the Envy 17 3D with the stock SSD that HP uses?

If so how quiet is the laptop and does it run pretty cool?

 

Are you actually considering ordering with the SSD spec? Wish I was made of money.....

KJ

 

Just considering the possibility....thats all....

But i'm confused on this one issue. IF I bought the Envy 17 with the 1TB option or whatever regular HDD configuration. And then I bought my own personal SSD from Amazon and installed it myself does that void the warranty from HP?

Specifically if one has the 3 year "Care Package" or whatever they call it now. IF I replace the stock hard drive with an SSD of my choosing will I still receive the same customer support for the 3 years or am I just wasting my money?

 

Oh I see. Yeah, this question was answered by HP Nate, and others. Seems HP is cool in that department TheAtreidesHawk, so you're in luck. They understand the desire that some customers who buy their systems will clearly want to upgrade parts. As long as the new part you install does not damage the rest of the HP components you are ok.

From what HP Nate stated and which I understand, if the part you installed is bad, or if anything is giving you problems later on, you need to take out your SSD or whatever you installed aftermarket, reinstall orginal part/drive, etc.... and send to HP with original parts and it will be coverd, no problem.

So, after your upgraded install, do not sell your parts, keep them for the future incase you need to send laptop to HP for repair. So all is good. Let us know what SSD you are installing and how much, I might be interested later on in buying an SSD.

KJ

 

Sweet...thanks for the answer. At least I know what my options are. Like I said nothing is set in concrete now. I'm more just thinking about what I can/should do.

I so want a 256 STAND ALONE SSD...but I know it will be months (if EVER) before thats an option that HP provides for me....

So I'm seriously considering getting a nice 256 SSD (or if prices are right an even bigger one) and using that as my main OS.

But again the complexities involved are really whats bothering me....having to tear apart the beauty of this laptop. Take the risk thats inherent in replacing the drive. Not to mention doing a clean install of my Windows 7 Ultimate and then getting all the drivers and stuff (while losing the CoolSense software).

And for the record do you guys think that the CoolSense is doing a good job? or is just a marketing gimmick?

 

In for one!

HP Envy 17 3D customizable Notebook PC
• 2nd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2630QM
• 1GB Radeon(TM) HD 6850M GDDR5 Graphics
• 8GB DDR3 System Memory
• 1TB 5400RPM Hard Drive
• 17.3" diagonal Full HD HP 3D Ultra BrightView Infinity LED Display (1920x1080)
• Blu-ray player & SuperMulti DVD burner

I was one of those who ordered the DV6TQE in January with the $500 coupon, so they applied the $500 off toward this laptop, and the total came out to $1,317.38 with expedited two-day shipping and NY state taxes. This results in approximately a $327 price differential with the price of the DV6TQE I ordered. I also got them to upgrade the RAM from 6 GB to 8 GB for free, but for some reason they wouldn't just take it off of the price, so they will be refunding me the cost of that upgrade ($60) after they ship the laptop. I am pleased.

 

months before HP allows >160 SSD as an option? not sure about that. 256's are already in the supply chain for smaller Envy's, so this suggests that its a supply issue, not a design/qualification issue, and that larger (than 160) SSDs will appear in the Envy's near future. It wouldn't surprise me to see a 256GB SSD magically appear in the options list in 2-3 months.

The SSD as the primary (OS) drive is a beautiful solution, imho, especially when HP does it for you (just mho of course) And since you are considering the options -- consider too that the cost of adding the SSD yourself might not be that much less than having HP do it. Sure you will save some $$, maybe a hundred+ or perhaps more if you use an aftermarket cable/bracket for the secondary drive.

And yes of course HP will honor the warranty -- but the support transactions will be more difficult because "your" primary HDD and OS install will come up every time. yes you will be able to argue around it, but all I'm saying is that the pain will be greater. and -- and for serious issues you will have to re-install the OS on the shipped primary drive just to prove that it was not "your" SSD. Also, I'd point out that not all SSDs are created equal and that if you have any problems whatsovever with the Envy talking to the SSD, then you will forever be in the middle of HP blaming the SSD and the SSD mfg blaming HP.

but -- while its my personal preference to let HP install and support the SSD I"m not saying one shouldn't do it. its just not for the faint of heart, imho.

 

Yep....I have thought about all your points and you know my current situation so I'm definitely thinking long and hard about this. The thing is my backup portable external hard drive already has 91GB of stuff on it. Granted most of it is just tv shows that I've obtained over the last year or so which I could store on the other drive and just access them whenever I need to.

But I have a decent amount of music and I'm add more every so often so I want my main OS drive to be spacious enough for all that as well as other stuff.

2 to 3 months though is way too long though....but again it depends on how things work out....

 

Did HP just raise the prices on these recently? Pricing one out seems alot higher than it did a day or three ago. Any discount coupons available? When i priced it previously it was around 1500 putting it in competition with the gt680r msi and g73 asus that id been looking at, but now its close to 2k. Outta my budget.

 

I'm also now 100% certain: I am going to wait for the new ClickPad. I hope they'll have it by fall.

Also, I do want to see pictures of the complete set of BIOS options.

 

Great...my G key is really squeaky.

Edit: Probably sounds like a bad idea but I put some WD-40 on the end of the of a cotton swap and gently padded the hinges on the little plastic thing the key is attached to. Problem solved!

 

Other than the fact that the drive bay cover snaps in very hard, there isn't really anything to tear apart. 6 screws (2 for the cover, 4 for the caddy) and one end of a SATA cable.

You won't lose coolsense if you re-install the HP support assistant.

Since the Vertex 3 is right around the corner (I preordered one, and yes, it hurt), Vertex 2 prices are dropping. $380 for a 256GB on Amazon, down from $399 only a few days ago. We might see another small drop in a few weeks, but I'm not going to pretend to guess the market.

HP's SSD offerings have never excited me in the least. Even if the total cost ends up being more and the HP support team kicks down my door in the middle of the night and angrily rips up my warranty paperwork right in front of me, I will still run my own SSD. But I am a bit of a cowboy and do lots of unpopular / unwise things

 

Has anyone posted idle and gaming GPU and CPU temps yet?

Also, has anyone reported the battery life with low brightness, IGP, and simple web browsing?

 

Haven't used it yet, but I'd suggest that its not a gimick but perhaps it has been a bit oversold, at least as HP has described CoolSense in the context of the Envy 17. I'm sure the software will work well for what it is intended to do, and I consider it an attractive feature. its just that many of us have associated CoolSense in the Envy 17 with additional cooling capabillity (i.e. a bigger radiator lol), which it is not.

I think there is evidence that the legacy Envy's got cooler before SBs came out, and that HP added the CoolSense software on top of that.

 

TBH, I found the fans on my defective dv7tqe SB (pre-refresh) to be quieter. On the Envy 17 3D, the fans were ALWAYS on so I went into the BIOS and disabled the Fan Always On options. The fans pretty much still always run but I've noticed it runs on low speed more frequently. I have HP CoolSense set to the default normal. This is in conjunction with an Zalman NC3000U notebook cooler running on its highest setting and a room temperature of 75 degrees F.

 

Thanks for your input. Although now you're tempting me to be a rebel as well...haha.

What will you do regarding Windows and the drivers? Cloning software or fresh install? I have never really understood this whole "cloning" business. If you clone a hard drive are you making a backup and then transferring it to the new drive?

 

I'm a little confused. I consider myself an "advanced" user. But I suppose, I'm not "advanced" on the level that you all are. Why are you all talking about updating drivers, software, etc. right out of the box? These systems are new, are there things really outdated? I know that TriDef has an updated version of the software that shipped with the Envy 17 3D. Other than that, I was just going to upgrade Windows 7 to SP1 and install Internet Explorer 9. Is there anything else crucial that I need to consider? I do a LOT of editing of pictures, music, and video...as well as casual/hardcore gaming. Is there anything I absolutely must do? I just can't imagine that a company this large would send out new machines that need so much "updating." Enlighten me. I'm having a slow moment...LOL

 

Check out TriDef

TriDef - Stereoscopic 3D Software

I was alerted to the 4.4 version...so I inquired. They told me how to go from v3.07 that ships with the machine to 4.4 In case of any issues they also sent me here:

ddd.com • View topic - update preinstalled Tridef 3D Ignition

As far as most of the drivers...good to go. AMD and Nvidia both release a lot of new drivers that fix small issues, speed things up, etc. Based on new games, profiles whatever...but the new Sandy Bridge ship with Catalyst 11.1, which states Jan 2011. The latest are 11.2 and supposedly they will be re-tooling the catalyst package with v11.4 in a few months. Yes...issues get fixed with each release...and some things break. I like to keep my video drivers up to date. Heck...if you try to access an HP drivers page for the mahine..note that the page is outdated...where you can actually find Windows XP drivers. I thnk that the page isn't created properly, yet!

 

LOL! iwantanenvy, good thing I had breakfast and so... ha, anyway, I think what the rest of the gang is talking about is mostly pertaining to "updating" after you install either a new HDD, SSD, or doing a clean install.... I think Yeah.... otherwise I am gonna do the same as you.... and of course delete a very few bloatware stuff like tool bars in explorer...and well, not much else... if there is Norton, get the Norton removal tool from Norton's site...otherwise, its all good.

P.S. Really excited after all the reviews to get mine soon....

KJ

 

Yea, I'm going to delete ALL custom toolbars, and any program I'm sure I won't use. I will use the Norton removal tool also, and just use Microsoft Security Essentials. I have a genuine copy of Windows 7 Ultimate that I can use to do a clean install, but I can't see how it would benefit me. The Envy can support a maximum of 8GB of RAM, which Windows 7 Home Premium can handle just fine. And I don't think I have (or ever will need) to use the Windows XP mode for any older programs with compatibility issues. Okay. I guess I'll probably just let the HP Assistant regularly update anything it feels that needs it, and then let Windows Update do the rest. I should be good. Sorry for being slow...LOL.

 

Mcchea...

Nice! not the solution I would have thought of but Awesome...

 

Very cool!
I'm still on the fence about doing the same thing. I'm so pissed that the new DV6 (or even the 7) does not have a backlit keyboard....I could scream.

Did you go straight to the resolution center? Did your old one have 8gb of RAM?

 

Seems that way to me as well I did not save a cart to precisely compare though.

 

I have been told that the ENVY 17 3D is shipping with the clickpad upgrade... I am told it is a software upgrade... Are you hearing or have seen different?

 

Awesome!!!! Those of us who just ordered the Envy 17 3D SB will be able to download sometime soon I hope...

What about those who have the first gen Envy 17/3D, will the software upgrade also work for those guys? Thanks.

KJ

 

HMM...
Don't have a definitive answer but this would be one reason to keep HP Updates running... I'll see if I can get any more details...

 

HP Nate, KJ, The driver download described here represents P/S 2 software revision 15.2.2.0 posted February 15, and supported on all Envy 17 notebooks according to the description. So -- clearly HP Nate your assessment several days back is spot on.

As for official support on legacy Envy's I note that the old P/S 2 driver (version 15.1.6.64) is still posted for those models. So-- offically this suggests HP isn't (yet) supporting 2.2 on the legacy Envys which are still at 1.6, but if it were me I'd download and try it! Note that the 2.2 driver posted on the ftp site well in advance of the SB envy's entrance into the wild...

the download page itself is here

As for downloading for new SB Envy 17's it would surprise me if the notebook ships without this driver already installed, but it doesn't hurt to check that out.

 

HP Nate, dlleno, thanks guys.

KJ

 

Thanks for confirming... this is great info...

 

Do you guys want to see the technical update posts anymore, perhaps in this thread (instead of the 'waiting' thread) or not at all?

FYI I figured something interesting out today -- CoolSense cannot possibly use the same accelerometer as does HP ProtectSmart (hard drive protection), becasue one can purchase an DV6 with an SSD and no ProtectSMart, and still have CoolSense! So this means that the SB Envy's have a new acceleromater device, representing the only actual "hardware" or physical thing associated with CoolSense.

trivia for the day :laugh: