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

Can someone please remind me which driver to install for the Wi-Fi so my system won't continue to intermittently crash? For some reason, it upgraded itself on its own.

 

13.5.0 (13.0.0.107 also confirmed working)

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/con...&OSFullname=Windows+7,+64-bit*&ProductID=3200

 

I have been treating the invisible shield I installed on the touchpad with Armor All to make it "slipperier" and I can confirm that the raised ridge on the touchpad also makes contact with with the screen while closed

SOP for me for the past few years has been to spray my laptop lightly with Plexus and then wipe vigorously with a CLEAN microfiber cloth about every other day or so. Screen, keyboard, outside, everything. I buy them in big packs at Costco and throw them in the trash the second I have a hint there has been a piece of dirt or grit get into the fabric.

 

In my case only 13.0.0.107 worked. Strangely enough. It would be fun to see what that driver has (or doesn't have) which makes it work.

 

Hi...
I've been enjoying my Envy for awhile now. But I have a problem that is annoying me to no end: every now and then my CPU usage jumps up to 100% and the entire system slows to a crawl!! I have the i7 2820 processor, and I haven't done ANYTHING so intensive that it should max out this processor. (In the Task Manager, it will show this as all 8 cores around 100%).

I can't seem to determine what is causing this. At first I thought it was YouCam and/or Oovoo (a video chat program, basically the competition to Skype.) I uninstalled Oovoo, and the problem still persisted at times. Once while playing a game today. Every 10 minutes or so the CPU would show 100% usage. It will remain this way for 1-2 minutes before the system resumes normal operation. This is so annoying, and I wish I could pinpoint exactly why/when this happens.

Is anyone else having similar problems, and if so, please offer suggestions!! I'm going to call HP about it tomorrow. But I don't want to return my system, because it is PERFECT cosmetically, and has no dead pixels. I'm thinking about adding the 3-year Care Pack with at-home service, so they can come out and fix it and I won't have to mail it in.

Please let me know what to do!!

Also...I've been getting some BSODs. These usually occur when I'm doing nothing. E.G. tonight, I was using it while watching TV. Then I fell asleep on the couch and just had the Envy on the coffee table, not doing anything. When I awoke from my nap, it had crashed to a BSOD. Then when I restarted, I got the typical "Windows has recovered from an unexpected error" message. Any clues? Here's the exact error message:

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 3b
BCP1: 00000000C0000005
BCP2: FFFFF88004AE2267
BCP3: FFFFF8800CD5F7A0
BCP4: 0000000000000000
OS Version: 6_1_7601
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 768_1


Thanks.

 

TriDef Player does not play 3D MKV movies :-( Any idea how I could get that working again without recovery? BTW.: I just wanted to update to the new HP PowerDVD version :-/

Same here :-(

 

Hi guys, just got HP ENVY 17-2090NR, somehow I cant get webcam to work, everything is fine with drivers and laptop detects webcam, but when I run CyberLink YouCam it says that cam is turned off, it's all the same with skype, Yawcam etc. I tried to reinstall, update CyberLink Webcam Virtual Driver nothing helps. Sometimes webcam enables automatically when I launch YouCam and starts to work, but it only lasts for a few sec, then it goes crazy and restarts webcam few times, after that YouCam is unable to see webcam.
It's exactly the same with integrated mic, except microphone is always mute.

This is a great laptop, but this thing about webcam and mic really bothers me, any help would be much appreciated.

 

Oh you get the exact same? "/ Well I've tried a lot and nothing helps So I'm gonna do a full recovery now feels like it's the only fix But since I've only had my laptop for a week I don't have so much on it yet so for the the full recovery isn't the worst thing, I don't know about you but I'll do the recovery and hope it fixes the problem, I'll get back in a few hours

 

I was talking about the WiDi (Intel Wireless Display) Downloaded them and was all set!!

 

Recovery done powerdvd 10 is working again

 

Whooowowowoowow!!! Nice. MiRRe89....lol, now walk very very carefully with that beautiful Envy.... Hope it stays stable for the next 4 or more years of use.

KJ

 

Haha yea thanks well I'm pretty sure I screwed it up myself with the uninstall, install, trial install, uninstall etc things But anyways it's working again But ehm since I have it fresh again, which programs do you uninstall that comes with the laptop? What is not needed?

 

-----------------
Help

 

I have gotten periodic blue screen reboots while doing nothing too, not sure why. Seems to be sitting idle and just happens. Maybe some kind of auto update process occurring we're not noticing. I've done full recovery and selected every option to defer any updates and still have updates occur when shutting down or i get the HP popup saying updates will occur with a predetermined timeframe or I can postpone temporarily if choosing so. Even Had the blue screen pop with no programs running while on hold with HP. They just suggested ensuring all windows updates be performed after telling them I just did a clean recovery and it happened shortly thereafter.

Did you check processes tab in task manager when at 100% and sort to see what's taking most processing power at the time?

I've had 100% shown when just moving files between USB drives and playing one or two videos simultaneously even on high performance settings, plugged into wall outlet, etc. Frustrating. Or have had video lag and stutter with very low processor use on discrete graphics.

 

Check out my thread on random reboots.


Anyone try to hook up a microphone to the left jack and actually get it to work? Mine keeps defaulting to speakers.

 

Could anyone like, maybe write a list of all the bloatware ( is that what it's called? ) The programs that's not needed on the laptop that's just laying around taking up space (but still comes installed), cos I found some myself of course but then I get insecure in what programs that are actually stuff that's being used and not, so if anyone could tell that would be awesome

 

I know someone posted it a while ago. I am sure if they see your post they will post again. In the meantime, why don't you post your list of what you think is bloatware and others will help you sort through them. Just an idea.

KJ

 

It depends...I have checked the processes tab in task manager, and it's not always the same program. Sometimes it's been Oovoo or YouCam. Once it's been a game, Roller Coaster Tycoon 3. Once it was Unreal Tournament 3. Once it was Skype. I wish it was consistent, so I could pinpoint it...

 

Just ran home from family members house. Left machine sitting idle, doing nothing at all, I think even in standby and I hit power button and centered on screen is message saying windows recovered from unexpected shutdown, again. This was just hours after a bunch of auto updates from Microsoft occurred as part of a shutdown earlier today, even though I selected option not to install. I booted back up, install finished, or at least I think so as part of reboot. Left it alone and led house. Had just recovered to factory a day or so ago and loaded absolutely nothing onto the machine. Put a couple vid files on desktop

 

Great idea I'll do it tomorrow, so gotta get some sleep now freaking late in Sweden and I hate the big time difference!

One program I do have in mind, Windows Live Essentials, what does that include? Cos I don't need MSN on my PC so I could easily uninstall WLE if it was only MSN, but does it include other things that like, are important in any way?

 

Windows Live Essentials is good to remove!

I also removed

Roxio CinemaNow
Stardock (many here liked it...I don't use)
Microsoft Security Essentials (I use Kaspersky)
Skype (although I may use at a later time...)

 

You need to use a special adapter to plug just a mic into that jack. The Envy comes with a TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) jack for normal headphones and a TRRS (tip-ring-ring-sleeve) jack for headphones+mic.

 

Ok, at least that works. Can you update to the latest HP powerdvd 10 version now which will be shown if you select "update" and then "patch" in PowerDVD?

P.S.: Something positive to mention: The 3D Display is awesome! Much better than the normal screen. Definitely better colors and the brightness is impressive!

 

My tracking number for my envy has been produced. Estimated to be here on the 19th. KJ, when is yours coming?

 

Just checked...again...nothing...its not due to ship until the 20th...so...let's hope they ship it on time, that is all I ask for, oh, of course no defects please.

KJ

 

Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

 

Guys I received my Envy on Friday, and I must say I love this notebook. The screen is significantly better than the dv7t I returned.

 

+1 bobmitch -- WL essentials is just a horrible, imho. even if you use just the messenger component! its so unreliable I uninstalled and use yahoo messenger now for my unsecure IM, and all is well, once I remembered to opt out of the other trojans in there, toolbars etc.. ... .

 

That sucks that there is so much bloatware, I was hoping it would be minimal on a higher end machine, guess not. Three years ago I purchased an almost $3000 HP Pavilion desktop, a month later a former co-worker of mine purchased a $600 HP Pavilion desktop. He had about 25-30 things that had to be removed all I had was Norton, Yahoo Toolbar, MS Money, MS Works, MS Office Starter and MuVee. Takes less then 5 minutes to remove the crap.

Why does HP have to load up PCs with all this crap? For what we are paying for the Envy it should be mostly crapware free. Sony has a ‘Fresh Start’ option that basically includes no crapware, including no anti virus, which is awesome. If Sony can do it, why can't HP? When I booted up my Vaio F 3D for the first time all I had to remove was Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements, while I appreciate useful software like that, I already have the real Photoshop and Premier Pro CS5.5. I can't wait to see what kind of junk HP includes with the Envy when I get it. Do they still include all those stupid games that are borderline Spyware from Wild Tangent (Polar Bowler, Otto, Five Card Frenzy, et al)? Aside from my current desktop, just about every HP I've seen and worked on has them.

 

Two questions:

1- Exactly, what is the purpose of Windows Live Essentails ?

2- If I uninstall Microsoft Security, will I be fine with just an antivirus ?

 

Thanks Then I'll uninstall it, I didn't get skype on mine actually, good thing cos I don't use it anymore but it's not on here

I don't know if I dare to update it I don't want it to stop working again

 

Honestly...I didn't update mine. I have the download...but I just know that the minute I update it...it won't work and I will be where you WERE! If it works and does what you want...leave it alone! Much agree with you on that

 

Shem...

Actually the Envy doesn't come with a lot of bloatware. Pretty clean. Two or three things and you should be good. Windows Live Essentials...waste for me...Security Essentials isn't bad as a free Antivirus...I use Kaspersky so I didn't need that, either.

 

Live Essentials had nothing I would use. Chat software and some other apps.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a B antivirus. It is free and pretty effective. I already had Kaspersky Internet Security....so I uninstalled. If you want free antivirus...the MS SE has a small footprint and is pretty effective. AVAST makes a good free antivirus as well. If I didn't have Kaspersky...I probably would have left Microsoft Security Essentials alone...it's AV track record is decent

 

Microsoft Security Essentials is an anti virus program. So if you install another one it’s recommended to remove MS SE as two AV programs can cause conflicts. Personally I’d keep Security Essentials. It’s a very light weight program, and doesn’t slow or bog down your machine at all, and it integrates nicely into Windows. It doesn’t have the bloat or lame cartoonish interface of Norton or the like. MS SE is the only consumer grade antivirus software I’d ever consider running, in fact I like it better the Symantec Corporate.

 

Right now I've uninstalled Windows Live Essentials too, and other programs that I uninstalled before is:

Adobe Premiere elements 8 and 9, or what it was called, I only use Photoshop cs5 so I didn't need those, and some bing bar? Probably something that's in internet explorer but I only use Firefox so didn't need that either, other then that there wasn't anything else I took away, but I found something called: Smartsound quicktracks for Premiere Elements 9.0, is that something that only was to be used with elements or do I need to keep it? Cos if it's only for that program i can uninstall that too since I don't have the elements anymore.

And oh, what is Microsoft Silverlight?

 

Here's a good article on Silverlight

What is Silverlight, really? | Webware - CNET

 

Quicktracks is also for Premiere Elements...you can lose it! I kept, because I use both programs. I am not big on Google toolbar, or Bing or the like...so they are GONE! I updated to Internet Explorer 9. Found one "odd" thing about that. I went to uninstall IE9 and IE8 is gone as well...I had no way to go back...so now I keep IE9...and there are some "small bugs" in it that effect my Flash player

 

Hmmm, I have Microsoft Defender work side by side in peace with my Avast Home Edition free antivirus. I love it when the programs play nice with eachother.

KJ

 

To me...it's a pest, BUT...everytime I uninstall it...it gets reinstalled. It is always there....I have never seen it's practical use...

 

When my Kaspersky IS license expires next year...I will also join you with Avast.

 

I suspect its a way for HP to cut costs. these teaser apps probably pay to get their bloatware a free ride into your home

 

Oh, by the way, for the gamers I'm sure you'd like to know that Avast Home edition (free) comes with the " silent" mode so you can play/frag along with no interuptions from Avast.

KJ

 

Thank you!

Oh then I'll go ahead and uninstall that one too Where can I uninstall IE? I've never found where to do that cos it's not in remove programs in the control panel right? Cos I never use IE so I wouldn't need it to be laying around either

Oh I see, then I think I'm just gonna leave it.


And about the Microsoft security essentials, it worked fine with AVG too, I had both cos I didn't know how good MSE really was, but when I read on the other page that it was good I removed AVG even if it worked together. Maybe I should ask just to be sure, is it good enough to only have MSE?

 

Why can Sony offer a similar laptop, with a better build quality for a similar price? The Fresh Start option Sony offers costs nothing extra.

 

MSE by itself is good enough. It has never been a good idea to run two AV programs on the same system. Problems will arise!

 

Haha yea Well I only have the Microsoft one now Think I'll work fine, I hope at least

 

Hmmm. I think some people would argue that the sony is not a similar laptop nor better build quality and generally costs more money. Just remove what you don't need and be happy you have a sweet envy laptop. HP used to offer a $100 option back in the day to have no bloatware installed. Pretty comical.

 

Found a strange issue with skype. For some reason skype is excluded from the "mute' function of the laptop. When my envy is muted (shown in the taskbar AND orange light on the quick key) all sounds are muted properly until I open skype. I even found that all the sounds stay muted while in skype. Found out a pretty embarrassing way. At work I booted up skype and to my surprise it played the goofy startup noise at FULL VOLUME while muted. Had about 10 people over to see what was going on.

 

My repair guy just left - should have laid bets on whether the problem with my USB/mem card reader not working was simply the fact that the cable wasn't plugged in. After he removed 42 (thousand) screws...indeed...that was the problem!!! He went ahead and swapped the card anyway just to be "safe" because he didn't want to have to remove all 42 (thousand) screws again to get to it.

Still have two issue left for the system to be "perfect". My up arrow key buckles up - seems like it wants to pop out, but it doesn't. I saw that when the repair guy removed it and placed it on the counter, the key was perfectly flush. The keyboard base layer is pretty flexible and flimsy, so I can easily see how if anything underneath is out of place it is going to cause the keys to buckle upwards. Will have them fix that on their next trip out.

Second issue is the system will wake up from sleep if slightly bumped, even with the screen down, but ONLY when plugged in. Very weird. Just a slight annoyance and I'm not sure I want "help" from tech support on it as they will probably want to do a system restore, which I'm not really into since I have xferred everything over and am fully functioning otherwise. Just annoying when I bump the bedside laptop table in the middle of the night and that lovely HP logo shines so brightly like a beacon in the night...grrrrr!

I am also getting the full service manual from an unknown source later today....PM if you would like a copy.