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

Thank you for your explanations. I want to learn as much as I can while setting up this system - perhaps more than I originally bargained for. Hope you remain in this august Envy 17 3d SB community.

 

What are you guys using for monitoring temps? I have been running updates for about half an hour (windows only) and the babe is getting hot.

 

I think you all have convinced me. I haven't had a drive failure since a Freshman in undergrad...back in 2001. And that's partly because I spilled like milk, and ketchup, and sweet tea and all kinda stuff down inside my desktop. I used to eat at my desk. LOL. But I think they design the drives better, especially with ProtectSmart. I'm keeping the RAID!!! And partly because I want to start playing with my Envy NOW!! And putting my programs on it. By the way, did you catch my comment? My old eMachine got a drive rating of 5.5, I guess that's pretty good for a 5400RPM. But 5.9 is better.

I'll keep the Raid, and just backup once a month to an external. (I guess that won't be SO bad). If I buy a USB 3.0 external, does that require a 3.0 USB Cable? If so, how much are those?

 

@iwantanenvy:

This is exactly what I was going to say (get USB 3.0 - use that new faster port you have!) and get that discount. Here is the link to the drive - I'm going through their academics program - so it is $78 without any other discounts: http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...tail.do?CTOPopup=Yes&product_code=BR388AA#ABA

Appears it comes with the cable...

 

And another note for everyone looking to buy - all I hear is everyone making those darn systems disks. They have them available in the system configurator when you are selecting what you want for $19 "System recovery DVD with Genuine Windows blah..blah..blah" - well worth it IMO - unless I'm missing something - this is the same thing no??

IDK...maybe I'm not old school do-it-yourself anymore LOL! Just seems better to have it burned at the factory so I can spend my time playing with my new toy!

 

Hwinfo32 is the best to use for HP products. For some weird reason HWmonitor doesn't pick up certain temperatures.

 

Appoxx ..

I have the same issue with my wireless. I researched it... and came up short.

I have since changed my AP from the ancient one I was using (b + g) only to a newer one which does g perfectly.

I went from 800kbs to 2.x MBs ... I am planning on getting a new Access Point sometime soon since the newer AP is my modem/router/ and is located in the basement.

For some reason I do not think that there will be a fix for this. I guess its just down to luck on the right type of AP.

On another note. I also seemed to experience a slow boot up at first. It wasnt dead slow. I have a standart 5400rpm 1tb inside this which I will replace at a later date.

Is there any test that can be run to determin if the MOBO has a bad pathway?!?! to be honest I am getting worried now.

Games work fine (L4D2 3D/no 3D, Dead Space 2, BC2) but

Black Ops has performance issues for some strange reason and it makes me worry!

 

Peaches, they were not available to order with your system a couple weeks ago. So alot of people (including me) who are getting their system right now did not have the option. If would have been there, yes I would have just ordered them. Especially since I just realized I am one DVD short (stupid recovery disks can't be burned on a DVD+R RW).

 

I'm in the HP Academy program also, but it looks like it shows up as $91.90 after HPA pricing and instant rebate. Where'd you get $78?

EDIT: Nevermind, I see... $91.90 - 15% off with custom PC = $78. I'm going to call them and see if they will offer me the 15% off after the fact, since I've already ordered. If not, I'll try my usual: Best Buy, Amazon, and eBay.

 

Good decision to keep it RAID 0. These NBR folks won't steer ya wrong.

Yes, you do need a 3.0 USB cable. The 3.0 external Seagate I bought from Costco who had them with nice instant rebate until 4/3/11. This came with the 3.0 USB cable. I was for $119 for 1.5 TB, which is pretty darn good. Given its Costco, you can always return it if there is a defect. I'd suggest if you have a Costco membership, get it there for peace of mind.

KJ

 

The World of Warcraft downloader seems to be the culprit. Whenever I use it to download it crashes after a short while. Gonna do some torrent tests to see if it's infact load on the Wifi or just the dowloader.

If it turns out it's only the downloader that crashes the computer, I can live with it I think.

 

Are you serious you can't burn recovery disks to a DVD RW? Thats all I buy... So this means I'll have to but some DVD R's then , Correct?

 

Thanks. I guess I'm just scrrrrrrrrrrd because I've never used a RAID before. LOL.

Okay, the one that was pointed out on HP's website...can we ASSUME that the cable it comes with is 3.0? Or is HP being cheap and providing a 2.0 cable? (I bet they are, just like they were being cheap and providing 1333 MHz Memory).

 

The Hard Drive Test....you get to it by going into the BIOS. Should not take more than 1 to 1.5 hours. If it does takes longer, like 4 or 5 hours it may be an issue, suggest to call Envy tech. Keep us updated.

KJ

 

Apoxxx, FYI. I've been home from work about 2 hours now. And here at home, my Envy is connected via Wireless N @ 5 GHz. At work, it was Wireless G, 2.4 GHz. No freezes thus far...

 

Funny...I built two external hard drives...in USB 2.0 / ESata enclosures. I am dying to try out one of the drives in ESata mode.

BTW...I started writing the guide to the SSD / HDD combo. I am on page 4 already and I haven't yet even done the restore yet. Trying to make it so even the least computer saavy person can do it. Also gonna need my Envy for some of the photo illustrations. I think you are all gonna benefit from it...I am adding a second section as well..."The care and feeding of your SSD" Which will be performance tweaks and such to keep it running in pristine shape at all times...

 

Apoxxx, if its any consolation, I admire your stamina and postive attitude. I hope all this nonsense will be sorted out in the next day or two.

KJ

 

Yes but most drives come with their own USB3 cable. You will need to purchase a special cable and/or hub if you want USB3 speeds beyond the cable provided by your initial purchase. Also, you have to use the USB3 SS port on the left side of your Envy. USB3 is backwards compatible with USB2, but you also thunk down to the slower speeds when you use your external HDD on a USB2 port (or hub).

 

Bobmitch, I can't even thank you enough, so I rep'd. I'm sure you'll get plenty more once your guide comes out. +1

KJ

 

I was just thinking that since I have to send it back I might as well play with the factory restore with minimized image it should be just windows. Will let you all know who that works out. I noticed that out of the box it has something like 81 processes running. Using about 22% of the physical memory.

 

Ive been on the pc for a few hours now - no more freezes...so looking good there

Annoyingly - these wont install with error 800B0100
.Net Framework 3.5.1 KB2446709,
.NET Framework 3.5.1(KB983590)
Windows 7 SP1

Its only 28mb of download too!

Tried Windows readiness and check sur shows -
Checking System Update Readiness.
Binary Version 6.1.7601.21645
Package Version 11.0
2011-04-13 22:12

Checking Windows Servicing Packages

Checking Package Manifests and Catalogs
(f) CBS MUM Corrupt 0x800F0900 servicing\Packages\Package_4_for_KB2446709~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.1.1.2.mum Line 1:
(f) CBS Catalog Corrupt 0x800B0100 servicing\Packages\Package_4_for_KB2446709~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.1.1.2.cat

Checking Package Watchlist

Checking Component Watchlist

Checking Packages

Checking Component Store

Summary:
Seconds executed: 115
Found 2 errors
CBS MUM Corrupt Total count: 1
CBS Catalog Corrupt Total count: 1

Unavailable repair files:
servicing\packages\Package_4_for_KB2446709~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.1.1.2.mum
servicing\packages\Package_4_for_KB2446709~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.1.1.2.mum
servicing\packages\Package_4_for_KB2446709~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.1.1.2.cat
servicing\packages\Package_4_for_KB2446709~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.1.1.2.cat


Its alot of work for something that should have been 15 mins out the box...almost daft!

 

Yes, that is what I am saying DVD -R only. No RW

 

Can someone test the 3D demo videos? When I play them back I get double image some of the time mostly on the basketball one.

 

It all depends on the model hdd you are looking at. I just looked at HP's accessory store and found both USB2 and USB3 disks. Check on the spec sheet of each hdd you are considering purchasing and make sure USB3 is listed. If USB3 is not specifically mentioned, chances are the drive is only USB2. Most USB3 drives *should* ship with USB3 cables, but some of the earlier drives (like Seagate) tried to get the person to buy an upgrade cable to get the better speeds. A stupid ploy if you ask me; though once one manufacturer included the proper cable to fully utilize the hardware you were buying, all the others had to follow suit.

I've posted this before, but I personally own the Seagate FreeAgent® GoFlex™ Desk External Drive (2TB/USB3).


P.S. Seagate includes a backup program on the disk, though you can still use Windows Backup if you want.

 

Thanks Killa!

I will run the test tonight. Am on EU time so my answer might take a while.

I do hope the wireless issue gets resolved. Am running 14.0.2.2 drivers. No crashes .. Apoxx maybe I can somehow reproduce them? I do not have WOW btw :/

 

I've gotta step out for a minute, but I will try them tonight. I'm trying to get the 3D YouTube channel to work, but I don't know how to set it up either. Any ideas, anyone?

 

positive? I'm mad as a cat here, haha

Turns out the computer locks up on any load on the wifi like fiver5 figured yesterday. Guess it's going back, gonna talk with hp support now to figure out which way to do it without me being without a computer for weeks.

 

Can you do the recovery disk on a USB Flash drive ; and if so what size of a flash drive is required?

Saying you can do that; could you then move this off of the flash drive to a set of DVD RW's or a SD card?

 

Ok here's the plan guys.

Once someone is able to do the HD test in the boot menu, and tell me the result, I'm gonna move on.

1. If it shows that my hardware is faulty, I'm returning it.

2. If it's normal with 4 hours HD check, I'm gonna format, and then install a pirated version of windows ultimate (yeah I know, we don't condone piracy, but I'm not wasting my legal key on trying this out), to see if it's just my windows installation that's messed up, these things happen as well, and right now, it's my only hope.

So if any of you kind souls could take 2mins to reboot and check the diagnostics menu and hard drive test (ESC during HP logo, then F2), I'd be endlessly in debt to you

 

Give me like 20 minutes, It's updating service pack 1 right now, so I am kind a stuck. 1st thing after that I'll check the HDD

 

Thanks, keeping my fingers crossed. Don't wanna return this computer, I'm so impressed with everything about it when it's not frozen. The screen in particular is amongst the best I've seen in laptops, and it's so fast It's scary.

Do you guys know btw if it still freezes after trying a fresh windows install, do I have to do a recovery before returning it, or should I just be done with the laptop and leave the rest to HP?

 

Apoxxx

Did it on reboot for the update

4 hr 6min 59 sec !!!!

so this seems to be normal.

 

Allright that's good to hear from a symptom free computer. I'm guessing if I have any hardwarefailure at all, it's only the wifi card. If not, it could just be a corrupt installation of windows, this has happened to me before. Thanks slotti, +rep for you

 

I think YOU WANT to send it back with a fully licensed windows 7 install!!!
So my answer would be yes, restore

Different topic: Why are MS download servers soooo slow. Takes million of years to get 87MB.

 

Was thinking about formatting and sending it back empty, cba to burn 3 dvd's just to restore it. And yeah, I spent hours yesterday installing updates from windows, their servers are even slower than youtube, and that's something

Any idea on how I get TriDef software again after formating? Looks like it's bound to one computers, so every time you format you have to buy it again.

 

Somewhere back in the thread it was said that you just download the software off their site, and it recognizes the computer as an envy 17 3d and automatically registers itself, so you have a fully functioning program.

 

Right here:
DDD USA Inc :: TriDef 3D for HP ENVY 17 3D - Welcome

It will automatically recognize your envy for registration.

 

Ah, fantastic, that's a great solution

 

Did you buy the ENVY in EU? What country if you don't mind me asking?

 

So how does the envy beats work. When I just tried some online radio station, it gave me terrible echo and it actually suppressed the vocals (great for karaoke, but not great for listening).
Then I put a cd in, still the same,get terrible echos, sounds like evrything is being sampled in a weird way.

oh god. sound is completely effed up. No matter what medium. Sound like an old tape deck is eating up some tape. Anybody any idea?

 

I read somewhere that if you want ther 3D to work you need to download the videos first? Then have the Tridef convert them..... I watch 3D YouTube videos using the plastic red/blue generics lol.

KJ

 

I'm sorry, but now I'm wondering if what Envy tech told me about the Hard Drive Test supposedly should take no more than 1.5 hours@#!@#@#@# If this is normal at 4 hours, why is tech saying no more than 1.5?

Sorry, but I'm confused as to the answer. I would hate to think I sent in a perfectly good Envy 17 3D SB.... maybe there was another reason as to why my 5400rpm dv7 booted to the desktop faster than my Envy @7200rpm?

Tech only had me run the Hard Drive Test.... no others...with that they said I had a bad mobo...

KJ

 

Yeah that would suck Killa Joe. Mine was slow as crazy to begin with too, but after removing every hp program (except cool sense) and most of the other stuff, it's lightning fast. By far the fastest computer I've ever owned, and that's before my SSD is here

The Windows logo shows for probably max 5 seconds now when booting.

 

Oh nice to hear that, but remind me please...did you do a complete clean install or did you just delete programs one by one?

KJ

 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the rep didn't know what he/she was talking about. Not saying that there wasn't something else wrong with your machine, but IMO it's likely that there wasn't anything wrong with it.

As someone mentioned earlier, there's 80+ processes running in the original state the ENVY comes in, which is nothing short of a joke.

 

I just uninstalled programs. gonna restart and do a clean install now to see if it fixes my freeze issues. If it does then I'll be a happy dude
See ya all in a bit.

 

Great. Hope it goes well, I'm eagerly awaiting the results.

KJ

 

So I just did some research. Looks like W7 SP1 can screw up your sound card drivers. First install of SP1 failed for me, so this might have caused it. I am restoring to first boot up and check sound again.
If it turns out to be a defective sound card, I will officially declare HP to be the worst companies ever.

 

FWIW, my estimated time was about 4 hours, I let it run this afternoon and it completed in about 4 hours.

Course this isn't much help to you since I also have broken wifi but it's another data point lol.

On a whim, I also uninstalled WiDi drivers, no effect.

 

Joe...

I really think that there was something wrong in your machine...BUT...I suspected your hard drive, not the motherboard. Remember...when you ran HDTune...your maximum throughput was fine...your minimum throughput was not, nor was your access time.

Apoxxx

If you get a chance...download HD Tach or HD Tune and run it. I bet your benchmarks look normal.