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

Another issue is Black Ops. In my desktop, I have an EVGA GTX580 card, and the choppiness issue is blatent with everyone. Seems that the PC version of the game, like so many others...is a port from either XBox360 or PS3 version. It is the issue with the game, more than your card. Has Steam updated your game? I would also go to the Call of Duty boards and read up on possible fixes

http://www.codboards.com/forums/index.php?

 

Bobmitch, you are running the 2630, right? Just wondering. I feel like it's becoming more and more rare to see a 2820 without issues, which is what I'm waiting on, and I'm second guessing if I should have just gotten the 2630. I do a lot of CPU-heavy applications though, and with the big discounts, the 2820 sounded great... but now I'm wondering.

 

Man...you guys are starting to scare me...as lot of of these conversations are over my head.

I just want a simple laptop that works...

I'm bummed the new DV6/7's do not have back-lit keyboards....so it looks like I will be ordering an Envy 17 3-D...which is WAY more laptop than I need.

The only question.....left...

Do I spend the $99 on the dual 640 GB 7200 RPM HDD option...or wait and look at an SSD.

I have just under two weeks to figure out what to do....nor is my tech level all that high.

 

Also, for those of you who received credits back after your laptop was delivered, how long did that take for those credits to show up?

thanks,
marcus

 

Maybe you are just being modest about your level, and I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but if what you say is true, you might be better off with a normal 7200rpm HDD instead of a SDD. The 7200rpm is still quick, and definitely lower 'maintenance' than the SSD would be. The SSD will almost always have more issues when setting it up, and then you will need to make sure it's being maintained properly (TRIM, moving your temp/page systems to another drive, etc).

I fully believe that if you don't know how to do these things yet, you are fully capable of learning it quickly. But I also know that some people just don't have the time, or the desire, to problem solve the potential issues that can come up with installing/maintaining an SSD.

Again, please don't take this the wrong way. I'm constantly learning about new aspects of these technologies and how to do/fix things. I'm still jumping into my first SSD and learning a lot about how to set it up and get it working properly and well. So, I'm definitely not really ahead of you on a lot of this stuff.

Marcus

 

Marcus they tried to rob me of my agreed credit until I called them. They still tried to get out of it but after persistance they agreed and I got the email almost immediately. IF you havnt gotten an email telling you you've been issued a credit than it hasnt even been processed. Call them and get them moving on it. They seem to wait for you to call because Ive had to do it twice. One now and once when I ordered the first Envy which I returned.

 

Anyone have a problem with the user account picture on the log in screen looking distorted or of a lower resolution after a restart or cold boot? It looks fine if I lock my computer or switch accounts. Even the default icons do this.

 

Thanks frankieo11. That's basically what I was afraid of. I've been pretty put off by my recent experiences with HP, and I'm not surprised that they would try to let the credit slide, especially after I had to fight multiple times to get the credit after they messed up the order I made using the coupon.

Even little things bother me, like when you call and the system is busy, the music plays and it tells you occasionally to please hold and the next available agent will help you. Well at just over 5 minutes, there is a different message that says that the agents are all busy, and then the music stops. At first I thought the connection was bad and almost hung up but waited anyways, and after a long silent pause, the music starts playing again. After MANY calls to HP to try to get my order issues sorted out, it's the same thing every time, and I believe they've put the awkwardly long pause in there to trick people into hanging up. Seems a little dirty to me. Despite owning HPs for years, I've been very unimpressed with HP during my attempt to purchase this laptop.

 

I have the 2630...I don't know that there is a definite answer to your question. There are people having issues with both processors. I think it is a random issue...not sure why. Someone posted last week that they have been dealing with someone at HP who may have an answer coming soon...

Hopefully, when you get your machine...the issue won't be present...that is all you can do right now

 

From what I understand in 3DMark11 they dumped Physx or any type of NVIDIA tech. In the Physics test (not the combined) they use the CPU only for the physics which is supposed to stress the CPU. So the Physics benchmark in the 11 version is basically a CPU test (The combined test uses Direct Compute which offloads some of the Physics to the GPU). In 3DMark Vantage they do use Physx from NVIDIA.

 

Marcus is correct! I have just graduated to SSD and believe me...they are a bit more work to maintain! Dual 640's in RAID will give you a Windows Index score of around 6.1, where the SSD gives a 7.6. What is that based on??? Access time, mainly. Throughput on two raided 7200 rpm hdds is going to be around 220 mbps. My SSD does 250....not a totally astounding increase. Now...your seek time with HDD is about 13.7, where SSD is about 0.02. That is where the main difference is. Worth it...I continually second guess that all the time.

You have some options. Single 7200 rpm HDD and upgrade to SSD later. Dual 7200's in RAID, which I wouldn't upgrade. I have two WD Velociraptors in my desktop in RAID and don't plan up SSD any time soon.

I got the SSD / HDD combo in my Envy, as compensation for my original Envy order being messed up. Had I had to pay for it...no I would not have done that. Also...if you are gonna do SSD...get the new SATA III generation with throughputs up to 500 mbps...those look great and a few people on this board installed them.

 

Nof fully sure about that. In my Nvidia control panel...I have specifically assigned Physx to my GPU. I score close to 6500 on my desktop...but I also have an i7 950 with turbo enabled to 3.5 GHZ and the GTX580 has alot of power. On 3D Mark Vantage...my score is 30110.

If you intend to run 3D Mark Vantage...uninstall 3D Mark 11 first. Seems that there are some basic files in 3D Mark 11 that totally mess with 3D Mark Vantage and it either doesn't run or reports erroneous information. Once Mark 11 is removed...then install the other and it should work properly...

 

Yes for games/benchmarks that support Physx the control panel for your system with the NVIDIA card will control what processes the Physx, but 3DMark 11 does not use "Physx" it uses your CPU directly or Direct Compute which is a DirectX 11 feature that works with both AMD and NVIDIA. Not all "Physics" are "Physx" lol.

 

i got a call from an HP rep this morning. he said that i should check the RAID in my new hp envy 17 3d. unfortunately i was in a meeting and could not talk to him further. could someone please tell me the procedure for checking RAID in my envy 17 laptop? many thanks.

 

NOT counting the recovery partition. Does your machine show just ONE C: drive or a C: D: and E:

If you have two installed hard drives and they are running in RAID...you will have C: and D: will be recovery.

If you have two installed hard drives and they are separate...you will have C:, D: and E: will be recovery...

 

altas_1, VonCrisp, and Bobmitch: Many thanks for the help!

I called HP ENVY support today and was escalated. They are telling me that the chipset in my system does not support a SSD install using the recovery discs. They also said that the license key is tagged to my motherboard and would not work with a fresh install. They said I had two options: 1) buy a retail version of Win7Pro with a new license key or 2) return the notebook.

I can't believe they really told me to return the notebook. So, everyone that purchases a HP notebook with a HDD can't upgrade to an SSD without having/purchasing another Win7 key? I really don't want to return the notebook, so I am hoping you guys have alternative options for me...

Thanks in advance!

 

Look for Fiver5 and a few others. Fiver5 did a fresh install if I am correct. There may be some others who upgraded to SSD...Telling you to return the notebook seems to be a patent answer from HP these days. They are having issues trying to get machines out on time...and they just keep taking in returns...must be great to have all that $$$...

What about asking them for a $100 credit toward your machine. That is what it costs for an OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. Newegg...Tiger Direct...and more all have it. Sometimes on special...for less than $100...

 

No offense taken....
I know when I'm in over my head. I don't mind "learning" how to install an SSD, but the tweaking and updating will probably result in a bricked computer knowing my luck.

The other problem is that the only way to get a 7200 RPM HDD with HP is to buy two of them (for +$90...which is OK since you get the 2nd caddy and cable).....or buy a single 7200 with an SSD (for a WAY overpriced +$630).

This is what I'm leaning towards right now:
-----------------
HP ENVY 17 3D customizable Notebook PC

Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
No Additional Office Software
2nd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2630QM (2.0 GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.9 GHz
1GB GDDR5 Radeon(TM) HD 6850M Graphics [HDMI]
8GB 1333MHz DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
1.28TB 7200RPM Dual Hard Drive (640GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
30% OFF! One 6-Cell and One 9-Cell Lithium Ion Battery
17.3" diagonal Full HD HP 3D Ultra BrightView Infinity LED Display (1920x1080)
Blu-ray player & SuperMulti DVD burner
HP TrueVision HD Webcam
Intel 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R) with Wireless Display Support
Backlit Keyboard
Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements 9 & Adobe Premiere(R) Elements 9
HP 3D Active Shutter Glasses
HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
Estimated build date: May 12, 2011

$1,861.49 with tax
----------------

I would normally NEVER consider paying almost $1,900 for a laptop. I simply don't use "that much" computer...and for what I use a computer for....a Mac..(yeah, I said it)....would actually work just fine. But.....I don't like spending that much money....for so little computer.

Luckily, the $500 off credit, plus whatever else I can manage (EPP 10%?, Dealigg $30?) will bring the price down quite a bit.

All of this for a silly backlit keyboard that was a $25 option on the DV6 I purchased a few months ago...which is no longer an option.

 

Update on my situation with my keyboard. I just received an email from Customer Response team. They are setting up an in home tech to replace my keyboard. I told them that I was willing to wait to see if it would get worse...and they stated that their goal is to be proactive and fix it and not wait...so I guess I wait for a tech to call and set up a time when they can come and replace my keyboard..

Hopefully that will settle the issue...and not cause any other ones....other than the keyboard shift...this machine is gorgeous!

 

I re-ran my desktop benchmark since new GForce drivers were released...

Result

Check it out...

 

Awesome! I love the "proactive" response...but seriously, the first rep telling you in home does not mean in home....I hope they teach that rep and not end up firing them. Everyone needs to learn.

KJ

 

Agreed 100%. I don't want her losing a job. She just needs to understand the terms and conditions better...

 

If you look on the first page of the envy 14 thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...-14-envy-14-beats-owners-lounge-part-iii.html , go down to 'Guides, Drivers, Software' and it'll have a couple of links to doing a fresh install of windows.

In a nutshell, you download a windows 7 install disk image (.iso format) from microsoft. You can then burn this to a dvd or put it on a usb flash drive. You then install windows to your ssd from said dvd/flash drive. When it asks you for your Win7 key, you look on the bottom of your laptop and type in the 25-digit key that is there. And there is your fresh windows install.

What is most ideal is just to keep the hdd in the second bay, dont erase anything from it yet. Cuz now, you can access it (and the SWSETUP folder) from inside windows. It'll take a bit of time, but just go thru all the folders in the swsetup folder, run the 'setup' file in each of em, and you should be good to go! You'll have to download the tridef program from their site, then run the tridef activation license thingy thats in the program files folder on your hdd (from the original windows install). Also, you'll need to download the older wifi drivers, 13.5 and 13.0.0.107 both are confirmed to work.

I've got finals this week, so I won't have time to do a full, complete write-up of a guide for this, but hopefully this helps

 

Greetings all.

I just received my new dv7t Quad two days ago, and I have to say I am not really liking the screen one bit. It's got that "sweet spot" I kept reading about, where its very picky at which angles the screen should be set to.

My questions for you Envy17 (3d) owners are:

1 - How is the FULL HD screen compared to my 1600x900 screen ? I am having a hard time finding that sweet spot, and hate to constantly have to move the screen back and forth to get colors right.

2 - How is the backlit keyboard ? More specifically, is there any light leakage or light bleeding under the keys ? Dark pics would be appreciated

3 - How is the trackpad ? The one on my dv7t feels completely unusable. I have to press my fingers a few times onto the trackpad before it recognizes that I am trying to do a two-finger scroll

4 - Overall, how do you feel about your Envy 17 3D ?


Thanks everyone. I am about to return my notebook, and I'm looking for something with a nicer screen

 

I received mine a few days ago and am in the same boat with Plumpoint, only that I don't have a ssd to try it yet. I don't want to find out when i can afford a ssd 3 months down the load that i can't install it without buying a new windows 7 license.

Please confirm if any owner has successfully replaced the single HDD with an SSD with just the recovery disks created from the laptop or by other method.

Would the kingston's ssd's cloning software work?

 

i have two installed hard drives on my hp envy 17. one is the 160 GB SSD and the other is the 640 GB 7200 rpm. my machine is showing C: drive, D: drive, and E: for recovery.

 

I ordered my laptop with just the 750gb hdd. Added a ssd as the primary drive, the hdd is now my secondary drive. Did a full clean install of win7 (as have several others, I know fiver5 has, among others). Used the same license that came with the laptop, I posted some general instructions a few posts up that way ^^

 

Then you are set up correctly. Your SSD is C: Your 640 GB drive is D: and recovery, which resides on the SSD is E:

Understand...that HP loads the Intel Storage Manager drivers, which appears to be RAID, but it is not...just running the drives in AHCI mode using the Intel drivers. You seem fine!

 

Thanks, trucha! So, the license key on the sticker will/should work for a clean install? Good news! I am downloading the .iso from Microsoft now and will attempt the process again!

I will provide an update once complete (and hopefully **successful**).

Thanks again for all of your help! (And, good luck on finals, trucha !)

 

Plumpoint, the members we have on NBR/Envy forum are top notch! HP could not afford to hire them. You guys rock!

HP's constant response of send it in, is wearing thin on me, and I hope on others. Where is the serious training?

KJ

 

MyFishWagon, welcome to the Envy 17 3D SB side.

1. The Envy 1080p screen is amazing. Seriously. Has many great viewing angles, you won't be dissapointed.

2. Lit keyboard is great too. Maybe a little leakage, but in a dark room it does work as it should.

3. Trackpad has improved, but I mostly use a mouse.

4. Although there maybe cosmetic issues here and there, it is a wonderful laptop. Will do most of what you wish, even play games, although its not an Alienware. I'd say get it. If not happy within 21 days you get your money back and HP will take it from FEDEX once you drop it off, easy.

KJ

 

Having owned both dv7 tqe (got it 1/21/11 returned 3/14/11) and envy 17 now (just 1 few days) i would say:

1. The FHD screen on envy 17 is brilliant, let alone the higher resolution. Much better than the one from dv7.

2. Peaches0? post 3270 on page 327 has a dark picture of it. I have not tried it myself.

3. Slight improvement on trackpad. I currently use a laser mouse with a tiny usb plug ($19 on sale). work perfectly fine.

4. Personnally very happy with it over the dv7 tqe. I have $200 more than the dv7 tqe and get the FHD, better GPU, 3D capability, backlit kb, etc. definitely worth it. Having tried to reproduce some of the problems the other owners experiement yet (processor throtling, network card issue, etc.). Peaches0? at page325 post 3257 also gave a first impression review.

As KJ says, if you don't like it you can always return it within 21 days. I was thinking about not open mine and return it to get a XPS due to problems reported so far by various owner, but decided to give it a shot since it is already arrived.

Btw, very happy to get > 3 hrs running just the internet with the 6-cell battery.

 

Chances are high that the next time you see a large coupon will be around the time of the Ivy bridge release/refresh. Barring that, probably around Christmas. You might see random $200-$300 coupons during the rest of the year as a catalyst to raise sales during lulls.

Have you checked if your SSD and HDD are raided together? When my Envy was delivered to me, this is the type of horrid performance I experienced until I discovered the stripe (RAID0) and took actions to correct it (which eventually lead to Bob's guide)

1. Freezing is due to a driver bug. Downgrade your driver and your freezing should stop.

2. The touchpad is a known quirk. There is an entire thread devoted to ways to improve it, but if none of those suggested fixed make it usable for you, then that's your personal verdict.

3. Not sure. I'll try testing mine and let you all know. The speakers inside my envy are fine though.

Ugh, I personally think most normal users would benefit from an SSD b/c maintenance is relatively easy. Since most normal users don't push their laptops to the limit, a SSD is likely not going to wear out if they keep their page file on the SSD. TRIM is automatic, no need for users to care that it exists assuming their SSD supports it (and they are running Win7). Most normal users will love the almost instant boot of an SSD. Most user's don't care about pruning their deleted cell's with the Intel Toolbox b/c their perception of a HDD timing still fits within the erase/commit cycle of an SSD write cycle.

 

Nicely stated!

 

That is complete and utter crap. I work with Microsoft licensing all the time and never had anything similar stop me. However, that's not to say there are different ways to solve your problem requiring various technical skill level.

You can backup your licensing before re-installing, but some people then ask for step by step instructions and get lost when something doesn't quite work right.

Personally, the easiest is to just let MS activation do it's thing. Do a fresh install, load up your drivers, get the basic hardware functional, then input the product key from your MS sticker and let activation do its thing. Once done, finish loading up your laptop with your personal software and you're done!

P.S. Or use Bob's guide if you just want to use your recovery discs on your new SSD.

 

So far one poster reported of getting more than 3 hrs battery life while surfing.
How about other ENVY 17 SB owners? What's your battery life?

 

Hmmm I think you're wrong regarding the coupons. HP doesn't release like spam but they do occur every so often.....

I almost just said "f*cK it" and went with the dv7t Quad Edition. Then I saw the lack of 1080p screen, backlit keyboard and I just had sad face...

 

I have only used the battery totally twice since getting my machine. I did more than web surfing. I have business apps that I use and create extensive use of the keyboard...I will use the keyboard for three to four hours straight...typing...hot key strokes..and more. So far, with web and medium work...my battery time (6 cell) using switchable graphics has been 3 hours 20 minutes. I keep brightness on power and battery at 7

 

5 hours~ at around 40% brightness power saver set to 50% max CPU usage and intel hd graphics.

 

That's a good score. Is it with the 9 cell battery?

 

Wow! You really throttle the machine down. I can see how you get that battery time, though. Not sure I could see anything at 40%

 

Thanks everyone for your input

 

I am ready to burn my recovery disks.

Should i remove bloat ware first? and if yes, which ones (i.e which are considered bloat wares)? I vaguely remember someone mentioned about Fences, but not sure if there are others....

Thanks

 

Removing bloatware doesn't effect your recovery disks at all. There are disk images on the recovery partition...when you use them...all the software on your machine gets restored to the condition of the machine from the first time you turned it on..bloatware and all. Just burn the discs...and then remove the bloatware...in case you remove something that might have a negative effect, by mistake

 

We have the same desktop GPU

Result

 

This is going to be my official 700th post here. Wanted to use it to say how much I enjoy sharing this board with all of you. A great bunch comprises the Envy 17 3D club. Here's to learning, teaching, getting past the humps and enjoying these great machines. Thanks to ALL of you.

Bob

 

Nice! I run my processor about 5% overclocked with Turbo enabled...you are getting some serious juice out of that i7 920...

One of Intel's finest chips

Wow...just noticed your clocks on the 580. Are you on water? Mine is using the default fan!

 

At 40% brightness it's visible to me in a very well lighted building.
Yeah I throttle it down when using it on battery, as usually I am only doing web surfing, and or web processing.
Battery life ftw.

 

I think you didn't see my question, are you using the 9 or 6 cell battery?

 

9 Cell battery. Sorry about that.
6 cell battery is around 2 1/2 to 3 hours iirc.