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

TriDef ships with every Envy 17 3D. When you install games...you simply have TriDef search for the game. If the game is covered by TriDef...it will put an icon in the program and assign the 3D profile. If the game is not on the list...you can still get some 3D effect...you import the exe file for the game in and assign it a generic profile...

Let the fun begin!

 

Sweet Will I have to lower the quality of the game to make it fluid if I play in 3D or I can still "Go all the way?"

Cos the weird thing, I was playing Singularity for a while and it had some small lags, I don't think it's cos of the laptop cos it sure is good enough to play that game in high quality I'd say, might be the game itself that isn't really fluid or something, gosh I can tell I'm tired

02:01 am in Sweden

 

Forgot to check box to includ original quote. See below instead.

 

Maybe coincidental, maybe not. I have had modems require replacement every few years and routers less frequently. In each case prior to replacement the web access and download speeds seemed to degrade and slow to a crawl. In my case the modems are comcast supplied and bought my own routers. Didnt know cause of degradation. Comcast did a dance with checking everything and took my request to swap modems as a last resort saying they're training tells them modems almost never go bad. 3 modems in 7 years at least and both swaps resolved the degradation for all networked device immediately. Could just be hardware thing coinciding with introduction of your envy. Not very technical answer but sometimes it just isn't any more complicated than that. Probably not your issue but a thought.

 

Apoxxx.

Mistakenly responded and did not include your orig post. Keeps happening on my cell. No one probably knew what I was talking about on page 410. I'll wipe that post out.

For functional issues if you have record of contacting HP and support tickets to reference they will sometimes extend return. I have heard this from more than one HP rep. Certain exceptions when not simply related to indecision or "did not want" reasons for return. With any record you may be able to explain how you tried to resolve an diagnose an issue with and without hP an did not find resolution despite all your joint and independent efforts. Tech support or case manager thru tech support could probably facilitate, rather than sales. Just a piece of info.

 

Latent,

Thanks so much to you and others who offered ideas. Big world. Always a bonus when people who have their own interests, schedules and problems take any time from their own lives to volunteer to help someone else. Very cool. Detailed responses, etc most appreciated.

F8 was not responsive at cold boot, only when restarting. Bottom line is may have found fix to this. Not sure yet. But initially appears like boot order of envy A is hard drive, internal DVDrom, USB, etc. Same order on envy B of identical config causes delayed boot. Disable DVDrom and other items, no change. Change boot order to disabled item like floppy first (or whatever the exclamation point USB item is-I can't recall I'm on cell Phone now) then dvdrom second, Hard drive next, etc may resolve problem. If so, won't know why machine A requires boot order 1, as shipped and machine B requires oddball boot order 2 to behave as it should on cold boot. Not done verifying but quickly playing around the other day, in combination with Ssd swaps, may resolve it.


Either way. Many thanks to you, peaches, Bobmitch and crimsoned and/or anyone I forgot to mention who tried to help or may have eluded to something that may have, or may still, contribute to resolution. Even if not resolved, appreciate input. Where I can provide any info to anyone I will try. Less to offer but willing to share.

 

Another question, played Call of duty black ops for about an hour maybe a little less on highest settings and checked temperature and got as highest 72 degrees Celsius that's 161.6 in Fahrenheit, are those numbers okay?

 

Do you still have the MyWifi hotspot ability ?

 

Still May 20th. If mine has anymore defects I might have to trade with you, LOL.

Seriously, I may consider getting that In Home Care Pack if there is anymore defects, having read your great experince with that service. I am done sending them back anything. Don't they give the Envy buyer a year from purchase of the laptop to decide if they want to add the care package or is 30 days? ...ugh, I may have to ask HP....

KJ

 

Has anyone installed this update through Windows Update:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Other hardware - HP Mobile Data Protection Sensor

Download size: 91 KB

You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

Update type: Optional

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Other hardware software update released in April, 2011

Had to do a system restore tonight when I booted up for the first time today, installed that yesterday before shutting down. The only other thing I installed yesterday was an update to PowerDVD, but that was earlier on.

 

Actually those temps are pretty good! I don't think you will have any problems with that card...

 

I would think depends on the game. Remember in 3D mode...the video card has to double it's output...so you may see fewer fps...guess you will have to judge that game by game...

 

I believe 30 days...but if you can add on to it before delivery..they send the care pack first...and it will be there with you waiting on the machine. I have to tell you...I want four years out of this machine...who knows that that amount of time will bring. To me, the care pack was totally worth it. If you get a machine with a bad drive...they will send and you would probaby have to install yourself...there are certain "customer installed" things...Hard Drive, wireless card, memory...motherboards, keyboards, screens and the big stuff...is on them. Plus my four year has accidental insurance as well. Only once, would I have needed if some years ago. Dropped my Toshiba and the wireless card came totally out...Sent in and got back within four days...all good as new...Here...they pretty much come to you...

With all you have put in that machine, especially SSD....I would get at least three year coverage.

 

Just for safekeeping...Go here and get it and install on your own...take no chances...

Software & Driver Downloads HP ENVY 17t-2000 CTO 3D Edition Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

 

Okay sweet Good thing I don't have to worry about the temps

Okay yea that makes sense, well I saw that Medal of honor was supported so I'll give it a try just to see how it works. But If I add games not supported will I have to configure anything to make it 3D or it just does it by itself but maybe not as good as supported games.

Thanks for the help again

 

MiRRe89, like Bobmitch mentioned, it really is game dependent......each game will react to 3D so differently. Mostly, you don't have to configure anything really. Just point Tridef to the .exe of you game and you're good to go. It is safe to say, that games which are not typically "written" with 3D code specifics....will not "look" as amazing as those that have specifically been written to support 3D.

A fine example of a game which has been promoted to death to support 3D is Black Ops! Yes, I highly recommend you get Black Ops if you want a really cool 3D game. Others that played it can chime in. In fact, you don't have to wait very long to see the very cool effects that I'm reffering to and I've mentioned it before.... In the very begining of the game after to intro "bar scene," that action starts. Just choose the SCOPE of your weapon while you play it in 3D of course, and you tell me how jaw dropping it is!!! Yes, I give it 3 open mouths of shock! LMFAO! It really is that cool to look through the scope while in 3D. I really felt immersed in the scene/game.

The only drawback, I did suffer from a bit of a headache as others seem to do while playing a bit in 3D. Guess some are more tolerant, and it may take longer 3D game play to get the headache. If you don't mind that little inconveniance you may enjoy your 3D gaming very much.

P.S. Oh, and I played Black Ops on the First Gen Envy 17 3D, so I can only imagine the Envy 17 3D SB will handle it even better. It still played ok on the first generation Envy, so.....all is good.

KJ

 

SO from reading the "Throttling" thread

1) The throttling is occurring and is a real problem. That's confirmed correct?

2) You guys suspect that its related to a bad motherboard

KJ wasn't your first Envy 17 SB also returned because of motherboard issues? When did you order/receive it?

If it is a motherboard issue I hope they have it fixed by the time I order my Envy 17 3D

I will be waiting for a few weeks though to see if there is a coupon offered and for the 8GB 16666 memory option.

Hopefully though HP acknowledges their mistake (if its a widespread serious one) and takes care of its customers in a timely and reasonable manner.

 

Ordered March 25, and delayed until April 27th.... and you know the rest.... I forget what # Envy I'm waiting on now.... Me, yeah, eternally hopeful. Like I posted above, I don't have intentions of sending this back short of a dead/stuck pixel. I might have to get the In Home Care Pack to have the tech come to my place and fix it. I am not sending this sexy laptop back ever again! Just go to CompUSA, Best Buy, or any other store with laptops, run through them all and you will quickly see the Envy 17 3D SB is the really one of the best out there in design and features (short of a fingerprint reader ). Other laptops have keyboard flex, cheap plastics, and displayes you want to puke just looking at them.

Just look at the several NBR members alone who purchased DV7qte or DV6qte and are now defecting to our beloved Envy 17 3D SB.... Smart shoppers know..right? Now HP has to get on the ball and ANSWER THE THROTTLE ISSUE!!!

KJ

 

Awesome well we already have black ops and installed but TriDef didn't detect it when I searched for games as it did with MoH, but I can just put it in there myself

But I think something may have happened since I played in 3D some things just look weird now like in firefox no pictures load and here on the forum is all white and lines you know, it came after I tried the 3D thing, what happened? I have even restarted the computer.

 

Okay a little update to what I said, there was no problem I had gone into right click on the desktop and where you can select you know basic and high contrast or what's its called I must have taken some old windows 95 thing there haha Now it looks good again and everything loads like it should I think I had pressed some old theme thing haha STUPID me!

 

When you see that Dell and Asus owners have also seen the throttling issue...makes somethng very clear to me...HP isn't the only PC maker with the issue...yes...would be great for HP to find a solution...but here is why I question defective motherboards...

Dell and HP both use stock, Intel motherboards...OK...BUT...Asus makes their own motherboards, especially in the G73 series. Asus primary function for a very long time was motherboards. So...with that said...if there is a motherboard defect...then it has to be with the chipset used...the only common amongst all PC makers. Again...I am not a tech, but it just seems logical that if you have different pieces of equipment doing the same thing...made by different people...than there is a common issue...chipset or CPU...those are the parts that don't change..,If Asus follows suit with their laptop boards, then they use their own voltage regulators, etc...on their boards...yet the issue exists...

Just a random thought. If anyone on this board has a Sandy Bridge DESKTOP system. Do the test on your desktop and see if you get throttling....that would speak volumes. Do the test with Speedstep enabled, and a second test with Speedstep disabled

 

Desktops are not throttling, I've already received 2 comments on a different forum running i7-2600 and i7-2600k processors that they are not throttling.

 

Had to ask

 

Another question, cos you can play any game in 3D does that mean you can watch non 3D movies in 3D like in the same way you play games?

 

You very well can! Now, it may have limits depending on the file type. I know .avi works, I've done that with Dragon Ball episodes in avi, and OMG, you can only imagine the fights, the power waves in 3D, lol, its great. Now, not sure with other file types like .MKV, and others. I'd say just experiement. I am not sure it works from DVD...it may have to be on your hard drive to convert, again, not sure...just from what other may have posted here. Good luck. You can't go wrong with the Envy 17 3D SB....

KJ

 

Wow this machine keeps impressing me But what program do you need to convert them into 3D? It would be awesome if it worked with movies on DVD and normal Blurays but it's still awesome

 

3D is software encryption just like Protections built into Movie DVD and Blu Ray. I have a software that I use to back up my movies...and when I play back the DVD backups...Power DVD converts almost all of them into 3D. Straight out of the DVD case...some will and some won't. I watched "61" the other evening in 3D, right off the retail disk. HBO made the movie and distributed on DVD. Perhaps they either used a very old protection encryption or none at all. I was very surprised to see the movie play back in 3D. Other movies that I have, when I load the disk original...no 3D. Someone posted that they tried to play Tron 3D off Blu Ray and couldn't because the protection on the Tron 3D BR disk is really new and only Power DVD 11 would play it back...to get v11...we all have to pay an upgrade fee of $59. No biggie...We got PowerDVD10 Ultra for free...I am happy with that...

 

If you have ur laptop still, as well as any other HP 17 Envy SB owner, try running this, http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...arket-upgrades/531329-throttlestop-guide.html

After I ran it just once, didn't alter any settings. My G73 does NOT downclock until I reboot, I have no clue what throttlestop is altering, but it continues to work even after closing the program, so it has to alter something within the OS(or at least cause a "glitch".)

But this certainly means that a driver could fix this whole mess if a simple program can stop it.

 

For current Sandy Bridge Envy 17 3D owners, besides the throttling, are there any other drawbacks or complaints? In my head I went back and forth between the Envy 17 3D and Sony’s Vaio F 3D for a long time, I purchased the Sony and it came last week Monday. My biggest issue with the Envy 17 3D was the removal of a 7200 RPM hard drive option and the overall build quality appeared not as good as the Sony. But now 7200 RPM drives are back.

While I LOVE my Sony laptop (using it right now to type this post), there’s a few things I wish were different. The glossy finish is a fingerprint magnet and it’s only a matter for time before it gets all scratched to hell with micro scratches. Where I would like gloss is on the screen, I love high gloss displays, which the Vaio doesn’t have. I purchased USB air card from Sprint for mobile internet access on the go, due to the laptops tapered design when the antenna is connected vertically, just the slightest bump jars it loose and I lose USB connectivity resulting in the loss of internet. And I was never too keen on the physical design of this machine, how when closed the display doesn’t cover the entire bottom of the laptop.

Overall I love the performance of this computer, and I do believe Sony makes higher quality machines, but with its design quarks I can’t be totally happy with it. Plus this 16” display is on the borderline of being too small, those 17.3” screens are the perfect size IMO. So I have a little over three weeks to make my decision on if I want to keep this laptop or not, but if I send it back, the sooner the better so I can get the money refunded back to my credit card sooner and purchase the Envy.

With the Envy I’d lose the Blu Ray Burner and the second USB 3 port, but I’d get Windows 7 Ultimate, 750 GB hard drive, a WLAN card with 5.0 GHz support, a better video card, 1.3” larger high gloss display, both the standard and large capacity batteries, the auto/air adaptor and the aluminum unibody design. The HP works out to be cheaper, even without out any discount codes.

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

That's a quote from developer of Throttlestop.

I am going to give it a shot albeit it could be a bit dangerous, however I am unsure of it's efficacy.

Edit: seems to have not caused my computer to crash or do anything bad. More testing will be needed before I even ask people to try it.

Everyone please do not use throttlestop until I figure out if it's safe to use!!

 

No throttle stop, and stopping turbo will not do anything. The CPU still throttles just the same as before however it just takes a little while longer.

 

Ah interesting, yeah it really shouldnt be dangerous since I didnt have to alter any settings within the program for it to stop my downclocking.

I still properly speedstep as well, like right now, I'm idling at 798mhz just surfin the web. I was testing it all night long and my temps seem to be exact same after running throttlestop, which i truly only ran to monitor the cpu speed and the multi better.

So it was quite a surprise to see it stops it from downclocking. Guess that quote will be a good warning for ppl here though, don't mess with any throttlestop settings until you understand what exactly that setting does.

 

I am afraid it didn't stop the throttling. It did of course shut off turboboost but meh. Turbo boost isn't the problem the problem is throttling..

So far I haven't been contacted by HP Research team again, I suspect they found out I was giving information. not sure.

 

Well that sucks then, I know that has happened, took 4mins in this thread.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...asus-g51j-x-cpu-throttling-investigation.html

However, for mine, I've been running it for 30+ min and no sign of downclocking. Guess maybe I will have to try for an 2hr + run to see for sure.

Edit: It shouldnt disable turbo boost, when I run it turbo boost seems to stay working properly, but if the HP techs can figure out a fix, this can possibly lead for other companies to do the same. I'm certain a BIOS update or that the fix will not ask for a recall.(at least im rather hoping it doesnt, dont want to have to send my lappy in )

 

Yes ... I'm having major stability issues. I've narrowed it down to flash media playing, although I'm not 100% sure of this. In any case I've been able to freeze my machine many times now with this. It could even be down to a particular flash player, not sure. But this is pretty unnerving. My previous machine (Envy 15) is now dead and I depend on this new awesome piece of kit so I'm anxious to have it up and running.

When I got my machine I ran all updates including optional ones. Then I started using the system and had these issues. I figured it was down to some driver. After a lot of fidgeting with drivers and such (un/reinstalling Flash as well) I resorted to "recovery" and ditch all I had done in the past couple of days (installing software). Now I found out after tests that it crashes a plain vanilla installation as well. I managed to freeze the system after I ran recovery (it only updates MS security essentials).

I then rebooted with F2 to get to system diagnostics and ran the Run-In tests. Everything passed, so I guess it is S/W, not H/W. Although that is a relief I can't have this continue. Someone at either Adobe, ATI, or HP must be able to reproduce this.

Peter

 

I wonder, I just tried GTA IV and that sucks "/ Like seriously I play and first it's fluid some seconds and then it's a bit laggy like not VERY laggy but a little but it's noticeable and annoying, It's at most highest settings and 1080x1920(120hrz) and I mean on my HDX 16 I could run it with pretty high settings and not any lag, what is this? I'm confused "//

 

It could be throttling. Please see my throttling test thread.
Follow the instructions, and post the results. Thanks.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-envy-hdx/575817-hp-envy-17-sb-throttling-test.html

 

It's just GTA that does the lag thing, and I read others that had the same probs on Win 7, it might not be the laptop after all, since all other games run perfectly on high, CoD Black ops, MoH for example.

What does throttling mean exactly? I have no idea what it means in Swedish

 

COD Black ops hardly takes any CPU or GPU. It is not surprising that it would not lag. It's possible it could just be GTA, it's very badly ported, specially under W7 as I hear as well.

Throttling is when something runs slower then it should.
For example the throttling experienced by many users is that the laptop's processor run at 700 mhz when the GPU is at 100% usage, when it should be running at 2.0 ghz or 2.3 ghz using the corresponding quad core Sandy bridge processor.

 

Ah I see, Well can you fix the throttling if it is cos of it? And I used that ehm turbo boost check I can see that it uses more then that or it has nothing to do with it ?

 

I cannot fix it, the problem is not software (programs).
I am waiting for my contact in HP research to give me a call, to see if I can get some further information from him as well as to give him information.

 

Ah I see, well I keep my hopes that it's not throttling only GTA IV that runs bad like on many other computers with win7, and also like on my HDX16 sometimes the textures goes missing, so I don't think this is because the laptop I think it's the game acting weird, it did on my other laptop after I updated some drivers, and didn't before so I don't know there's something up with that game

EDIT: Read at many places people with the same issues, I'm starting to really think it's cos of the game, would Maffia 2 run similar amount of CPU or GPU or which ever it is that might be the issue? I did some testing and installed saints row 2 which I couldn't run very good on my HDX16 and it ran perfectly here, even tho the graphics are nothing to GTA's it still uses a lot don't it? I might be wrong but I think it does? Well anyway I'll try on my bro's Maffia 2 and I'll see if it lags

 

Yeah, apprently its really some games that just are not programed well. Its tricky then to know which ones just are poorly made games and which games are truly throttling the Envy.... All we as consumers can do right now, is pretty much what Crimsoned suggested and that is to test our systems and see how they compare to others...and sadly, just wait for info to come in.

Crimsoned....I really hope your contact will get back to you by next week. There are a lot of Envy 17 3D SB owners with questions and concerns on their minds.

KJ

 

Yeah you bet I will update as soon as I get any information. So far still no call or anything. I am going to attempt calling Monday to see if I can get my contact..

 

True, since GTA IV is the only game so far that is a bit laggy, and it's not super laggy but still at the point when it's annoying. And since I've read that MANY have the same issues I do think that this case is because of the game rather then the laptop.

But this throttling thing, there's no fix or anything for it like does HP know there's a big problem with it cos it seems it's a problem for many here or? Do they take the laptop back and replace it because of the issue? Just trying to get a bigger idea of this hole thing since I'm not a PRO at computers nor am I a novice but anyways

Cos other then GTA lagging this machine is AMAZING, I have no other problems and that feels awesome, so far at least ^^


EDIT: About the throttling again, I use the turbo boost gadget someone told me about and it uses for now example 2,60GHz, or that has nothing to do with the issue? I'm sorry if my questions are stupid but I'm just trying to understand it Hope you can bare!

 

It needs to be a game that stresses the CPU and not just the GPU.

Mafia 2 doesn't really stress the GPU much. But once you enable the PhysX option in the menu it will lag (at least for me). This stresses the CPU!!!

My friends Sager with a 2720QM and a 6970M radeon doesnt lag. His CPU doesn't seem to throttle.

I haven't had a problem with Dead Space 2, Portal 2 (or any other source game) But I did notice that the framerate would drop from 120 fps to about 30 fps on certain occasions and back up!!! (Portal 2 & Left 4 Dead)

These games do not push the CPU in any hard way.

Natural Selection 2 on the other hand manages to give me a lot of trouble.

Black Ops also gives me trouble during the more intense levels.

 

Hmm I see, I just still can't think that it's throttling issue that I've got. I'm gonna search a little more on GTA lag fixes tomorrow and see if I find anything that works, if not I just uninstall it but every other game I've tried even black ops and MoH in 3D still in highest settings was veery fluid.

It's not like all Envy machines has it is it?

And thanks for all the great help

 

I think the only fix for this is a Bios update from HP.

 

Well Mafia 2 ran perfectly without slightest lag so with that and all the other games that runs perfectly I'm satisfied

But I did get some higher temps this time, played for around 1 and a half hour something like that and got on one core 81 Celsius = 177,8 Fahrenheit is that still good?

And oh, which is the best program to check the temps? Or most reliable so to say

 

For everybody who is getting frantic about this throtteling. I did some real time test. Used FurMark and my rendering program to push the CPU rather than Prime, since I wanted to see real life performance.
Second monitor ran Open Hardware Monitor and CPU-Z.
Quite interesting results. Read here
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-envy-hdx/575817-hp-envy-17-sb-throttling-test-9.html#post7467626