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

Wow, just called ThermalTake and they were useless. He basically said that most laptop manufacturers refuse to share information with them so they can only design their solutions based on guessing what works and hope it does. What a crappy answer. Oh well; while the TT is a sexy slim power supply, it will never allow me to use my laptop to its limits. Guess I might have to buy another brick from HP. Apparently there doesn't exist a slim power supply guaranteed not to throttle today's laptops.

 

Yes, the power brick that ships with your Envy is 120W and relatively huge compared to most supplies. I bought and carry with me my slim 95W TT adapter. At work we use a lot of HP gear including HP Probooks. I just assumed the large power supplies coming with the Probooks was 120W but when I read the fine print under the brick, they are rated at 90W. In theory the 95W TT (with its 120W peak draw) should outperform the Probooks supply; alas it doesn't.

When I get home tonight, I'm going to dig out my Envy power supply and see what happens when I run the tests.

 

I really think that these machines require the full 120W of the Envy supply...and when it's there...your throttling should disappear. What is happening is you are starving the system. Makes me wonder if Slotti's system has an issue where it won't take the full wattage of his PSU and how he gets throttling. I wonder, now that I set my minimum Processor speed to 50% on battery, if I will see less battery time? I am getting about 3:20 with the 5% setting. Did you find the Intel Windows gadget?

 

Oddly enough, the first PSU in my desktop was a Thermaltake Toughpower 750. First signs that things were going bad...my i7 950 is supposed to run at 3.07 GHZ with Turbo up to 3.4. Never did Turbo work, and alot of times...the processor was less than 3.07. Then the PSU popped and goodbye...took the motherboard with it...nothing else. EVGA overnighted me a new board...got a Corsair HX850 and never looked back. Now, I clock the i7 950 at 3.20 GHZ and turbo takes it to 3.55 or so. Thermaltake has a great reputation, and I guess I'd like to know WHY.

 

Well I just loaded up WoW and the CPU shot down to 800MHz. FPS was 30 standing around doing nothing, down to 5-8 FPS walking. The game was completely unplayable.

So much for this TT power supply. As soon as I quit WoW, my CPU was brought back up to 1.8GHz. Core temps were in the mid to high 60C's. I can't wait to try my real power supply, it's just so big it doesn't travel well. Sigh.

I saw the gadget, I just couldn't download it since I'm writing this from my work pc and my Envy doesn't have all my stuff loaded on it yet. I just downloaded my SpeedBoost Monitor app straight from Intel's website; it's not a windows gadget, just a stand-alone program.

 

That is correct. I downloaded the one you have now and it was big and clunky compared to the gadget one. Get that one...you can drag to the corner of your screen and it will stay there....

 

I've bought ThermalTake before and was never let down until now. You might have just gotten a lemon, it happens unfortunately. Good that you got it replaced though. I got some bad Corsair memory some years ago and had to replace the dimms, but it doesn't stop me from buying Corsair anymore.

You just can't hold a bad item against a company because ALL companies in their rush to produce, release a bad apple; what matters is how they resolve it. If they take responsibility for it, apologize and replace it quickly, well that's a good company.

 

They did replace the PSU. It sits in my closet and is a backup PSU to my wife's or my machine...should something happen. I have other TT stuff, like fans and coolers...they work fine...

 

So after all what you guys have posted a ran a couple more test. But I have a feeling Fiver5 hit it right on:

I ran intel burn with coolsense on performance and standard power settings.
Burn pushed the processor into turbo 2.6 for about 10 seconds and then it dropped to 2.0 and stayed there. Temps never above 70C.
So I switched the powersetting to 100% like Mobmitch suggested.
Started burn, and it after being at 2.6 for about 3 seconds it drops to around 1.3 GHZ and won't go up anymore. Temps are constant at 50C!!!
Powersettings back to standard, run te test again:
Temps at 60C, processor at 1.6 GHz max. Looks like once the processor get's hit at 100% for more than 30 seconds, it simply degenerates on me. No matter what the temps are.
And I was soo hoping.
Anybody any idea what process coolsence is hiding under? I might just have to deinstall the complete HP assistance, but I was hoping I could just complete kill coolsense to give it one more shot.

 

Just realized that on the last test I was not plugged into the PSU.
So let's do it again. Powersettings at 100. Coolsence at Performance.
Start burn tool, and it burned. And I am not meaning this in any good way. Processor goes to 2.6GHz stays there...after about 30 seconds my core #2 hits 89 degrees and the system freezes. Completely unresponsive to anything.
Had to force it to power down and restart.

 

When I ran my tests...90 was my high temp on one of my cores...never froze. Did you try the Intel Burn Test 2.5? I ran normal and High....

When you are at 89C...are your fans going full blast??? Mine were audible and kept the temps regulated between 87-89. I wonder if, when they built your machine, they pasted well.

 

@SLOTTI - any possibility you could call resolutions back and see if they would comp you onsite repair since you obviously got a dud - it has to be either your CPU or your motherboard at this point! Tell them this system is crucial to your business and you can't get work done without it blah blah blah! See if they will do that for you....if they would, I'd be happy with that, even if they only did it until the problem was resolved. I've been retired for a few years from the IT side of things - so forgive if this is horrible advice - but have you tried starting the system in safe mode and then running these tests? I'd love to see if there is a piece of software that might be running that is interfering with the CPU - but my guess is, you have a hardware failure of some sort.

 

Ok so on the regular stress test with standard settings I am freezing (tried twice).
Since I kind a stopped care about this notebook, I fugured, what the heck, just run it on High for the stress test.
Now I am completely confused. Processor betwen 2.4 and 2.5. Temps uo to 92 (constantly at 89), but processor won't freeze and won't go below 2.4Hz.
So under normal stress levels, my envy does not function and throttles like crazy or freezes. If I strees it like crazy, it works, except for getting really hot.
Still makes it useless under normal circumstances.
I will still try to do a fresh install. Should get my crucial tomorrow. They supposedly tried to deliver this morning at 6:05 AM. Haha, postal services never come before in the afternoon in our neighborhood. Guess they did not feel like carrying that package, so I'll have to pick it up tomorrow.

 

Can someone kindly give me the maximum external resolution for the laptop as it doesn't appear on any user manuals?

Many Thanks

 

Hmmm, I should have had that idea before. I will try it later. At this point in time, it won't hurt.

 

◦DisplayPort 1.1 •Max resolution: 2560x1600

◦HDMI™ 1.4a with Stereoscopic 3D Frame Packing Format, Deep Color, xvYCC wide gamut support, and high bit-rate audio •Max resolution: 1920x1200

◦VGA •Max resolution: 2048x1536

 

Fun fact:
HWinfo reports my GPU as Radeon HD6870. Which is basically is as the only difference is 575 OR 675Mhz core clock on the 6850M and 675Mhz on the 6870M.

And mine is running on 675Mhz

Take that into consideration next time you visit AMD Radeon HD 6850M - Notebookcheck.net Tech

The 6870M is far up on the list, while the 6850 (DDR3 version) is far down. Hell, our cards are even faster than the GTX 460 since we have the 675Mhz version with GDDR5.

This just made me very happy, since the only reason I didn't want an envy int he first place was because it didn't have 6870M or better.

 

Nevermind, faulty readings, it runs at 575Mhz, and 900Mhz memory, while the real 6870 runs at 675Mhz and 1000Mhz mem.
Well, performance wise they are really close, and nothing like notebookcheck.net would say. I'm very happy with the GPU.

 

Anyone has the HP Resolution number?

1-866-217-6014 not works anymore it redirects to the general 1800-BUY-MYHP

 

Just got it and everything is perfect except the system doesn't recognize when I plug in a esata drive (same drive plugs & plays on two other computers). I looked around for some way to prod it to scan it's ports but nothing seems to work. BTW, the USB functionality on that port is working fine. Does anyone have a clue what could be going on?

 

Ok, I am hallucinating by now.
So I tried the safe mode as Peaches was suggesting, but I could not find any temp or clock speed monitor that was working under safe mode.
Tried to tinker more with different power settings, etc. Basically all the same.
Since I had to finish up some work for a meeting tomorrow morning I just left it at what it was and started working on my stuff. Intel processor monitor running all the time for curiousity. Same things happening as before, without reason or ryhme, on my quick renderings that I was doing the processor was playing jump rope.
BUT NOW LISTEN TO THIS. And I really think I did not get enough sleep and I am just dreaming this. Since the third day that I had my Envy I had the backlit keyboard off. Just did not seem to have any need for the backlit.
Just about an hour ago, I decided, just for the fun of it, let's see how much this backlit keyboard is worth and if it is actually usefull for real work. So I dimmed the light and turned on the backlighting. Not sure if I think it is all that great but that is secondary.
So I started some renderings again, and was watching TV while it was on them. Suddenly I get almost bothered by this fan noise, that I had never heard that loud and constant from the Envy. So I look back at the screen, and for sure turbo boost is inbetween 2.4 and 2.6, and won't go down. Heating up, but not even too bad. Stays below 85C and is at full throttle.
I can't believe it. What is going on. Could this have anyhting to do with the backlit keyboard....noway. To keep my insanity. I turn off the backlighting and start another rendering. All looks good, did the Envy cure itself? 2:30 min into this rendering, uncontrolled downthrottleing starts again. No I am really loosing my mind. I tried this 3 times in the row. Same result. Throttle is fine with the keyboard backlight on. Once I turn it off, I get undcontrolled down throtteling.
Time to go to bed, this is just to insane to be true. Maybe I am hallucinating and I am only dreaming that I am posting this right now. I'll check back in tomorrow morning and if my post is still there....hell, I might just try this keyboard lighting thing again. And if it stays true to itself....
I will sell the ENVY on ebay as the most unique laptop ever. Nevest technology ever, your processor is solar powered of your keyboard backlighting.

 

So I just installed my Intel 510: 120GB. Everything was going well except that I thought I saved my Tridef folder and I didn't. Would someone be willing to send me the HPlicense file so I can validate my download? I'm not sure if you'd need to send me the whole folder or just the HP license file. PM me if you'd like to help a brother out and see if this can work.

PS: Where is coolsense in the SWSETUP folder?

 

lollllllll@slotti
urs is a truly unique piece if work......one f a kind

 

I can't imagine this being true, but you seem to be able to reproduce it a lot. The only explanation I can think of is some kind of weird grounding/current issue. Just bizarre...

I agree, test it again (without changing anything else) in the morning and see what you find. And don't make it a simple "on off on off" test, make it more random, like "2 test with backlit on, 1 with it off, 1 with it on, 2 with it off."

 

I think I am hallucinating too. My system has finally shipped, estimated arrival, April 28. Now I can finally join the fun(?) you all seem to be having. Killa Joe, Acidblast, bet your systems are on there way too. Hooray!!

 

Hyperboled...I thnik I am dreaming. Your system shipped????? I am so happy for you! Join the fray. Now....it's KJ's and Acidblast's turn. The circle is almost complete. Can't wait to get your take no things

 

Well, happy Saturday news to you hyperboled! Very nice. I'm going to check my status now....

Edit: Nope. Naddaaa. I'm hoping by Monday, or Tuesday the latest (my new ship date) I'll have something. Otherwise....... I don't even want to think about it.

P.S. I think the new season of Doctor Who came just on time to save my sanity, lol. Starts tonight.....Thank you BBC!


KJ

 

Joe....the upside is that Hyperboled has your configuration. Looks like things are back up and running. I have a good feeling about yours!

 

Yeah, next week or BUST! I can hold on for literally a few more days. Yet, if they ship next week it better be by Tuesay with 2nd day delivery or I won't see my rig until the following week.

KJ

 

Does your eSata drive have an external power supply? What model is it?

 

re: Power supplies

I am on the road right now and forgot to grab the 120W power supply before I left the house. So I am using the iGo 90W green power supply that I keep in my magic bag.

This PSU allows turbo boost, but in shorter bursts not sustained. If I peg the CPU for awhile, eventually everything settles down to 2.3 (2820 cpu). No throttling.

Buy one somewhere with a good return policy to make sure it works for you. You want tip #703 Rev C.

edit: Clarification - the no throttling I reported was with the onboard GPU. On AMD graphics I do get a little throttling.

 

LOL - I mean, not really funny, but yeah, funny. I'll give you my real world weirdness like this. On my iPad...if I dim the screen settings the next time I turn it on I will have to go into Settings and re-initiate my wireless as it will not turn on by itself. BUT...if I leave the screen settings to high...nope...never happens. I can reproduce this over and over again. I'm so lazy with it I haven't gone out to do a search (will do it now) but that is just another example to prove that I believe what you are saying.

Either way my friend...you need a NEW computer. I wouldn't settle for them fixing this one...I'd want a completely different one. Didn't you say they would cross ship for you?

EDIT: Just checked it out and this is a known issue with the first rev of the iPad. Apparently it's a power saving feature that mucks with the wireless, just have to slide the screen brightness a tad to the right to keep it from doing it.

Has anyone else turned off their backlighting on their keyboard yet? Just wondering if Slotti's issue is reproducible by anyone else......would be interesting to know. :sigh: wish I had mine, I'd give it a go.

 

My Envy is always plug in power without the battery, so no power saver mode, but once in a while, I notice the sound got muted by itself.

 

It's a self powered LaCie 2Big Quadra. I was surprised when my little Vostro 13 had no trouble detecting it, but the mighty Envy just couldn't be bothered to notice.

 

That's because MPC-HC actively hijacks those global volume keys. Go to options (hit 'o'), then Player -> Keys. Scroll about halfway down to volume down/up/mute. If you scroll right, you'll see the settings. Reset those to blank -- the top of the dropdown list for each item.

I think that's an absolutely asinine, obnoxious default. That'd be like having your car radio hijack your steering wheel to be a seek knob.

For that sole reason, I can't recommend MPC-HC as a "good" media player app. The devs just say, "oh, you can disable it", but I say they should change the **** defaults.

 

That's because MPC-HC actively hijacks those global volume keys. Go to options (hit 'o'), then Player -> Keys. Scroll about halfway down to volume down/up/mute. If you scroll right, you'll see the settings. Reset those to blank -- the top of the dropdown list for each item.

I think that's an absolutely asinine, obnoxious default. That'd be like having your car radio hijack your steering wheel to be a seek knob.

For that sole reason, I can't recommend MPC-HC as a "good" media player app. The devs just say, "oh, you can disable it", but I say they should change the **** defaults.

 

That's because MPC-HC actively hijacks those global volume keys. Go to options (hit 'o'), then Player -> Keys. Scroll about halfway down to volume down/up/mute. If you scroll right, you'll see the settings. Reset those to blank -- the top of the dropdown list for each item.

I think that's an absolutely asinine, obnoxious default. That'd be like having your car radio hijack your steering wheel to be a seek knob.

For that sole reason, I can't recommend MPC-HC as a "good" media player app. The devs just say, "oh, you can disable it", but I say they should change the stupid defaults.

 

Turn on the envy 17 yesterday, its a beauty. Screen was nice, bright and I can see that it has better screen then those laptops they sells on best buy, but seems to be the radiance on my E14 is more sharper. Nothing serious about the build that I can notice, just small piece of gooey which can be wiped off, and small scratch on the hinge, no big deal.

Doing all the updates and all, and going to make the restore disk today and backup all the things, tridef, etc. How do you test the 3D feature on this laptop? If the glasses defective, how would you test it? My first time dealing with 3D laptop.

HP should stop creating useless software like coolsense, and better get something that make sense.

 

There is an icon on your desktop for 3D demos. Put on the glasses and enjoy

 

ROFL, thanks for the laugh
I just pictured somone steering like crazy just to go through different radiostations.

I can totally recommend this mediaplayer though http://www.gomlab.com/eng/GMP_download.html
It's more responsive than most mediaplayers out there, while it plays just as many files as VLC.

 

Havn't done any more testing with my 'special' keyboard feature yet, but just had a nice experience at a client meeting.
Client: "Nice new laptop. Do you like it, looks really sophisticated"
Me: "I have some minor issues, but yes I really like it" (obviously did not want to tell him the full story"
Envy is running right next to us...idle for about 10 minues.
Me: "Let's take a look at the model in the computer"
We both turn towards the envy, I touch the mouse and: BLUESCREEN
Client: "Didn't you say you just got this brand new???.....You should get a Mac"
Just thought it was funny (I am only laughing about all these issues at this point).
Number for resolution routes me to regular sales. Not sure if that is a weekend thing, so I will try calling Monday.
@Peaches, yes they will do cross shipping, but only if I pay for the new one now and they will refund once I return the other....

 

slotti, yeah for sure its a hassle....but if you have the cash/credit I'd go for this, but also, you should try and let them give you a further discount for your troubles, that would be like, "hey we actually care about our customers, here you go." Its really a shot in the dark.

Whatever the outcome, you know we're all backing you up.

KJ

 

I didn’t find this forum until just now as I’m trying to work out a few issues, but I wish I did before doing anything!
Okay… so being the geek that I am, I didn’t bother with backing up anything from HP or swsetup and went about breaking up the raid to put in an SSD and doing a clean install like I always do with other systems. Everything seems to be running great except for my two problems.

1) Tridef activation.
I was under the impression that Tridef would activate itself on an ENVY 17 3D model or something like that after I installed it from the website. I should have researched more. Coming here, I found that it needed to be installed over the OEM install to preserve activation. I also didn’t know about the hp.trideflicence script that was mentioned. If anyone can help me out and maybe send the files I need relating to the Tridef activation that could work on a clean install, I would be really grateful.

2) 3.5 Microphone Jack not working.
There seems to be something wrong with the microphone jack or at least the system is not recognizing that I’m plugging my headset mic in. I tried it with and without the IDT drivers provided by HP and messed with all the settings, but nothing works. I have a cheap USB adapter that allows me to use the headset mic, but I’m annoyed that I can’t get the front panel jack working. Wondering if anyone else is having similar issues with this.

 

Right click your Volume Icon (not the Beats icon) in the notification bar and select "Playback Devices"
(Alternatively, go to Control Panel -- Sound)

Right Click the "Communications Headphones" and press "Disable"
(Should you ever want it back, right click in the box and select "Show Disabled Devices" then Right Click it and "Enable")

This worked for me, but seeing as the Envys all have their different issues, I can't guarantee it works for anyone else.

If not, check your recording devices to see if it detects anything at all.

 

Cheers Slotti, seems I'm snookered as the days of Dual Link DVI-D connectors on laptops are over so my current HD 30" monitor wouldn't cut it with the Envy' as it doesn't have a Display port to get full 2560 x 1600 in 2D.
Even my next Acer 27" 3D monitor doesn't have display port but has Dual-link DVI-D & 3 x HDMI ports.
I take it that HDMI™ 1.4a doesn't support 2560 x 1600 in 2D?

 

Something tells me the HDMI 1.4A should be able to output 2560x1600.
By the way you can always get a mini DP to dual link DVI adapter can't you?

 

I use mini DP to regular DP, 1080P on my NEC IPS screen. Not planning to go more then that. The miniDP dont require any active/passive adapter if you have DP monitor, just need the right cable.

 

I haven't ordered it yet but I'm praying this works at 2560x1600. Otherwise I guess I'll have to buy this complicated adapter.

 

So, download cinebench 11.5, and see if you too can beat my scores...

CPU: 5.63
OpenGL: 55.71

This is with the i7-2820, and the 6850m graphics.

 

Has anyone been able to enable two-finger forward and back (a la macbook pro) on the touchpad? I know there was a hacked driver I found for my last laptop that enabled it, but has anyone been able to do it thusfar?