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

I got the same email as Fiver5 about NOT being able to reinstall TriDef without paying for it. The only way to keep it licensed is to do a system recovery...so in essence...YOU CAN do a clean install...just plan on shelling out $49 to TriDef for a new license. I cannot believe that HP didn't include this in the SWSETUP directory, but they didn't. Five5...time to complain to HP about this...this software is part of the backbone of the machine. Luckily, PowerDVD takes care of the movie part of the equation...

 

And for those who are waiting for your Envy's out of the last Friday Shanghai China shipment; at 4:34 am Hawaii time; 10:43 am Eastern time; they made the flight leaving China and are now headed for us!

 

I am sure an nice letter from an attorney will correct this issue.

KJ

 

Autsch, this hurts. SO basically, you can't do a clean install.
So what if you install an aftermarket SSD as the system drive (which I plan on doing), can I even use the recovery disk to restore the system? I recall reading something that this won't work.

On a seperate note. More to my 3D glasses issue. I actually talked to resolutions and they could not help me either. They said, since they can't outrule the possibilty of it being some issue with the IR transmitter, I'll have to send the system in....
So I ended up taking the glasses apart...turns out to be a cold solder point at the battery connection. 10 minutes of work (and the fear of frying the galsses) and they are working like a charm.

 

Super...BTW...I have thought more and more about the TriDef situation. Until Windows 8 comes out (sometime next year)...just use the Recovery disks. Fiver5...did you try a system recovery with the new SSD???

 

Glad you got everything figured out! Good thing you no longer have to ship the unit back. I can't wait to get mine.

 

Send HP a bill for round trip shipping to Shanghai and your location for your efforts slotti !!!

 

So, will I be able to do a full reinstall from the recovery disks onto an aftermarket SSD?

 

Would you guys mind giving it a shot with this program? : Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done

Basically, it's supposed to crawl your registry and recover and program activation keys that are there. Maybe we'll get lucky and find a tridef key that can be used to reinstall it?

 

I just spoke with Technical support and passed the TriDef issue on. They are going to check into it....but as far as full install with recovery disks...YES.

I will explain further in my next post

 

Haven't tried it but I thought you could download the tridef envy 17 3d checker and if it checks out ok you can install the software. Here is the link. Let me know if it works!!!

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

 

OK...here is the Deal with System Recovery / Clean Install / TriDef

I spoke at length with a couple of techs at HP just a few moments ago. If you have a single drive system or a RAID system, you should be able to use the recovery disks supplied on your recovery partition. Should your recovery FAIL for any reason...tech support will supply you with a generic set of recovery disks...that YES, include TriDef.

Now...for those of us with the SSD / HDD combo...there still may be an issue, not sure because I don't want to torpedoe my fully working system to find out...BUT...there may be a hitch:

I received my machine in correct working order. SSD was drive C and Data Drive (HDD) was D: Now, when I go into device manager...I do NOT have ATAPI controller listed (usually with single drive systems). My SSD and HDD and DVD burner are all separate and working properly...BUT...they are running off the Intel RAID storage controller. So even though the system is configured properly, hardware wise...the software is still a bit off. Now this doesn't make the machine NOT work...but my SSD is about 15%-20% slower than it should be because it is running in UDMA5 mode...and is capable of UDMA6 to achieve the full speed of the drive. If I do a system recovery...I MAY have to use the guide to re-write the Master Boot Record, even though my machine came conifigured properly. YES...the hardware issue is resolved, but not sure that the software recovery issue is. Long and short of it...if you do a system recovery and it FAILS...you can use my guide to get up and working again. At the same time...you can call HP, during the failure...and they will send you a new set of recovery disks...configured properly to your machine.

Now...if you choose a clean install...all of the above is un-necessary...BUT...you lose the OEM license to TriDef 3D software. I brought this up and made sure that the techs understood. We should NOT have to pay $49 to purchase TriDef, simply because you may want Windows 7 Professional, when your machine shipped with Home Premium. OR...to circumvent all the issues with "potentially improperly configured recover disk set"...and do a clean install of your own Windows 7 (or 8 when it comes out). HP is going to see what can be done...My best suggestion was to put the TriDef software as part of the driver updates on the download page for our machines. It might just be easier for HP to send each of us an activation code...whatever...we should have the right to TriDef...since it is so important to the 3D functions on our machines.


Thoughts?

 

It lets you download the software and install...but as Flyer5 found out...no activation. You get a 30 day trial version. Here is the response that I received from TriDef about that:


TriDef OEM software is locked to the hardware of your manufacturers PC. Do not ever un-install or reformat your hard-drive or you will loose your ability to use your TriDef 3D software, unless you either purchase a retail licence or restore your OEM system to its original state via full-system backup.


Please note that pre-installed TriDef OEM software provided on notebooks from Acer and HP can only be restored from either recovery disks, manufacturer backup partitions or full-system backups. OEM software is not available for download from our web-site.



Best Regards,
Wayne,
Senior Customer Services Engineer.

I think that makes it pretty clear!

 

Very easy fix for TriDef clean installs.

Make a backup of the TriDef3d folder from your x86 program files directory.

When you build out the new install, run the file called HP.trideflicense from inside the HP folder.

This will install the license for all tridef products that ship with the envy. I just did this on my SSD install, worked like a charm.

 

That's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard a company official say.
So I can't put another version of windows (without bloatware) on my system without losing the system's 3D?. Tridef was horrible software anyway, no wonder they had to leech on HP to get their company running. I'll find some other 3D software to use. Already switched out their hopeless mediaplayer with Stereoscopic Player.

 

OK everyone...Steak dinner for Fiver5

Good to know...

 

I have formatted and removed that stuff a long time ago. This TriDef company sounds like Microsoft, so afraid that someone might use their stupid software unlicensed that they create tons of trouble for those who actually own it.

 

LMAO. That is funny.
Well, taking the glasses apart you can definately tell the "Made in China" part. Can't believe they are selling them for $99. This is probably the cheapest crap of board I have ever seen. Seriously, the boards in my son's iron man play toy seem to be crafted better.
Nothing compared to the envy itself. Yes, I had some cosmetic issues with the keyboard myself, but it was an easy fix, and actually taking the keyboard out, started to unveal the really nicely put together notebock and materials. The metal chassi is just great. I did notice though, that there was a screw hole at the HDD department that seemed to be drilled in mistake and was unused now. I am wondering if they handtool parts of it.

I second the stake dinner. This is awesone news.

 

Will running the 90w power adapter or 90w auto/ac/air power adapter limit the envy 17? I read somewhere that you lose your turbo mode with some of those travel adapters. That would suck. Need to get a second adapter and am really hoping I wont have to get that 120w BRICK for travel.

 

Amazing how you all discover and come up with solutions for the many undocumented features that HP and others send your way. Any thoughts on how these gems of wisdom could be easily retrieved especially by the newly initiated as reading 2500+ posts is quite a formidable task?

 

I just copy and paste to MS Word and save each gem by name. Keep in an HP Envy folder on my 32 GB flash drive

 

I had been thinking about that.

Bascially we need some kind of Wiki or KB.

Alternatively, someone could run a thread that is howtos / pro tips ONLY with NO general discussion so it doesn't become clouded. People would be sent to the owners lounge thread for questions or converstation etc so the other thread could be kept "clean"

 

Could you share that word doc with us!! Even better, It would be nice if we could get 2.0 to update the first post.

 

Basically mine are all single fixes...TriDef. Most of my work is in the .pdf file that I created on fixing the RAID issue with SSD / HDD. Almost everything I read, learned and shared is in there...

 

Really interesting. I still haven't pulled the trigger on a SSD, but this makes me thinking it might turn out ot be more difficult than I was hoping to get it running.

Personally, I am still debating if it is worth for me to dish out the extra money for Sata III or not. I need min. 160GB

A bit off topic, but here is the list I have it narrowed down to (compromise of speed and price - latter one outruled the intel 510).
Crucial 256GB SATA III > $465
Vertex 2 240GB SATA II > $285 (really good pricing, but I heard tons of horror stories)
Kingston V+ 230GB SATA II> $475
Intel X-25 160GB SATA II(this is basically the one HP ships in the system) > $365

I am leaning towards the Crucial....

 

My opinion, for what it's worth!

Buy a single HDD drive configured machine and upgrade to an aftermarket SATA III SSD. Flyer5 has the Vertex 3 and it flies. He gets over 400 mbps transfer rate across the board. HP offers the Intel X25, which is still SATA II and in "best" cases gets about 220 mbps. Just create your recovery disks...remove the HDD and replace with SSD. Then do a system recovery. I wouldn't delete anything or do anything to the original drive until you are sure that the recovery disks work. The new SATA III drives are rolling out and these are the ones I am keeping an eye on:

Newegg.com - Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC256MAG-1G1 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Newegg.com - Corsair Performance 3 Series CSSD-P3256GB2-BRKT 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

I really like Corsair...just not sure that they are worth the price differential

Good in between drive:

Newegg.com - Plextor PX-M2 Series PX-256M2S 2.5" 256GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

 

Quite a bit I would say.

Yeap, I was leaning towards the crucial as well. Not quite as snappy as the Vertex 3, but it is actually available, and I am still a bit worried about OCZ.
Btw, you can get the crucial threw amazon for $20 less.
There is actually a couple vendors on amazon that ell it under $400!!! I am tempted. Warranty is with the manufacturer anyhow, right?

 

Yes...manufacturer warranty in case anything goes bad. That is another reason to keep your original HDD in a drawer. Would love larger than 256 GB...but prices are crazy. Crucial has great support of their products as well. I have dealt with OCZ tech before and they aren't too shabby, either

 

The original HDD would go into bay 2 for data files. If anything goes wrong, I have an old 360GB HDD laying around, that could plug into the envy just in case (would have to run the recovery and all that, but still).
I know that OCZ support is great, and they replace the drive no question asked, but I'd rather not replace it ;-).

Any thought about Marketplace Amazon Sellers? I usually only buy at the big players, but at $80 difference:
Amazon.com: Used and New: Crucial Technology 256 GB Crucial RealSSD C300 Series Solid State Drive CTFDDAC256MAG-1G1
scroll down to the non featured merchants.

 

Based on what others have told me...Amazon is really great with returns, if need be. I would NOT buy a used SSD. Never can tell how may write cycles have been used up, or how it was treated. I think the best bet is the Crucial....if you have software like Acronis...back up the new drive. Then do the SSD replacement....then the recovery. After that...plug in the D drive and format it from within windows...as long as the recovery with the disks went well...sure enough!

 

Here we go, if we can post it into 2.0's brilliant guide thread, that will do it! Of course it will only point to the TIPS & TRICKS THREAD TO THE ENVY 17/3D SB that we make soon I hope....

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-envy-hdx/562858-complete-owners-lounge-directory.html


KJ

 

Okay...
My computer at work is a 24" 1080p screen from Dell. But now that I have been playing with my Envy for a week, everytime I go to work, my PC monitor seems so dull, dim, and hard to look at. I am very sad. LOL

 

It puts my 23" HD Desktop monitor from LG to shame as well. Almost like the LG is dull and washed out...

 

That's cool/funny at the same time. Why not take the Envy to work....you'll have fun, and probably get co-workers to buy one too!

KJ

 

You can get the Intel for less than $300 from Ebay (and in new condition).

The main problem with OCZ is that they replaced the NAND technology in their older Vertex2 product line without telling the customers. The 25nm NAND tech is cheaper, but has less write cycles and was slightly slower. They compensated on the lower write cycles by setting aside more cells for remapping to ensure the newer SSD's had the same lifetime as the original's, but the end result was that people had less space to store stuff. The performance hit along with the storage reduction was too much given that they didn't tell consumers what they were doing and lead to them getting a bad name in the business. The OCZ SSD's also have a lower MTBF than their competitors, but that only matters if you are excessively wearing your SSD down or expecting to keep it for more than 3 years.

 

Just got my harddrive caddy from newmode. Ordered it last thursday or friday, standard shipping (5-7day) and it got here today. Excellent service!

 

Got mine in one day , but than again, they are only like 50 miles away form me .
So I have the caddy (actually got the caddy before the Envy) and now I need to decide on the SSD.
I'll have to look into the x-25 pricing on ebay I guess, below $300 sounds great.
Bobmitch, the C300 I found on amazon Marketplace was NOT used. It is brand new, just not one of their featured vendors. The guy has 100% positiv feedback though. I might just pull the trigger on it tonight.
Loading my CAD programs on the Envy just takes waaaaaayyyyy too long right now (not much faster than my old laptop). Once it is loaded it is amazingly snappy though. Did some test renderings next to my office desktop, and the envy outperformed by desktop (about 9 months old) by about 10-15%. Not much, but totally unexpected when you see the specs on my desktop (keep in mind my envy is only the 2630). Here are my desktop specs for those who are interested:
Processor: Intel Core i7 [email protected] Ghz
Installed memory: 16 GB
GPU: NVIDIA Quadro FX 1800

 

I was getting anxious, called HP right now....she said a good chance they will ship tomorrow, although I am not due until the 20th. I really would be happy if it arrived this week...and of course no RAID 0 on the SSD/HDD...crossing fingers!

KJ

 

It wouldn't surprise me that you ship a bit early. The factory has been working overtime catching up...I hope you didn't make plans for the weekend...lol

To prepare yourself...go here and get the Intel SSD Toolbox...

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...160GB+SATA+II+2.5in,+MLC,+High+Performanceeng

It tells me that running once per week will keep the drive's performance optimal. Very useful tool, indeed!

 

okay so today is supposed to be my shipping date. i still have not received any emails or updates from HP. what should i do? should i call them or wait till midnight?

 

It is 4:20PM central time. In China...they are ahead by 12 hours. If they ship today...you will see notification this evening. If nothing by morning...I would be on the phone...

 

To KJ

Finally changed my avatar...have one I am NOT sending back. Mine is different from yours...I am left handed...lol

 

what time do people usually get their notifications. i read on this thread that lots of people get their shipping notice in the morning.

 

I got mine around 3:55AM Central.

 

ok i will exercise some restraint and try not to call HP. man this is gonna be tough

 

okay i couldn't wait. i called resolutions. they said that if i don't receive an email by 10pm EST then i should call them back.

 

Hi Acidblast,

I am still anxiously waiting too.

 

Is that the time when his shift is over? lol.

 

well they said that shipments go out between 8-10pm est. so if i don't get an email by that time frame then i should call back.

 

Thanks for another good tip. Thought maybe I was overlooking something built into this forum. Just started my HP Envy Tips file using TextEdit. I have to confess. I am doing this on a Mac.