*HP Envy 15 (11XX / 12XX series) Owners Lounge!*

Rumor has it that the Elitebook 8540w will be getting an option for a FirePro GL M5800 GPU based on the Radeon 5xxxx series.

 

Nice, Johnnobts seemed to get the same score on his, curious considering all the ram should be the same for the second gen Envy( using pc 8500). I however recieved my Envy with a Memory score of 7.0 (7.3 when i upgraded to pc 10600(hyperx)) on my core i7 820qm.

 

the i7 720qm gen 1 machine I returned came with 4 x 2GB 1333 samsung, started WEI with a 6.8 then reran test a week later and it was 7.5 I don't think the WEI is a very reliable 'benchmark'.

 

Just wondering: would the Envy 15 gen2 support 1600MHz mem?

 

Don't know but anything over 1066 is pointless since that is the max speed supported by the i5 CPU's. unless it would cost you less money..

 

Why is the frequency limited by the CPU?
Shouldn't be the motherboard limiting the memory frequency?

If the CPU is really limiting the memory frequency, then that means the two frequencies (CPU & mem) are linked.
But in this case, when the CPU frequency is going up, the memory frequency should go up as well...

I am missing something there...

 

I just installed windows ultimate in about 5 minutes using the windows anytime update. Very fast update, would highly recommend it without doing a clean install to the system (I do like corel paint shop pro x2 ( just upgraded to x3), and video studios x2 pro). I didnt find much bloatware that came on my Envy, but I highly suggest that if people wanted to update to ultimate, that they should use the anytime update, its so fast and easy without losing any drivers or programs that comes previously installed on the Envy.

 

Guide to get back OSD
1) MS Silverlight
2) MSMenu
3) MSWebcam, or at least one other MSxxx software

I think most people that had a problem didn't install at least two MSxxx things. I tried only installing SL and MSMenu with no luck. Once I installed at least one of the other MSxxx things such as MSLiveTV or MSWebcam, etc. it worked.

Hope this helps cause that was the only thing I couldn't get working right away and every time I asked nobody was giving the complete correct answer.

 

The stardock theme is super ugly.

 

It is customizable.

 

I'm a little upset with mine. I'm getting a very audible capacitor whine from somewhere on the right side of the keyboard. Its slowly eating away at my sanity.

 

Call them up Twilight. They are exchanging mine for me.

Mine isn't very noticeable unless I pay attention to it.

 

Well after heckling you about needing the OSD for volume control I ran in to my own sound related problem.

I am doing a battery test and started windows media player streaming music videos, the phone rang and I hit mute button which worked, after the call I hit mute again and sound started but the mute button light stays on. The button functions for mute/unmute but the light is always on ??

Any Ideas??

PS; at 45 minutes on 6 cell streaming SD video and surfing with some lite downloads. battery is at 75%

 

Someone posted the same problem and then fixed it by moving his USB wireless mouse reciever to another USB connector. if you have one give it a try...

 

The memory controller is on board the CPU (actually the IGP side), there is no longer a 'front side buss' in the old sense. Intel set the controller on the i3/i5 family to support 800 and or 1066 speeds and the i7Q's at 1333.

 

Yea, I dont have any USB devices plugged in right now. Plugging them in doesnt make it go away either.

 

The Front side bus is the pipe from the CPU to the Northbridge (memory controller). The speed is determined between 3 components (CPU, Motherboard, and Memory). The component with the lowest of the High speeds (lets say i5 cpu but the ram runs at 1066mhz too), will bottleneck the entire system should the motherboard (p55 at 1333mhz), and ram (pc 8500 at 1066mhz). The frequencies of the 3 components are linked and must be a universal frequency thus the lowest of the highest is picked. In your case the frequency is limited by your CPU and Ram. In my case I have an i7 Processor which has a FSB of 1333mhz, with a p55 1333mhz motherboard, but has the PC8500 ram which runs at 1066 thus bottlenecking my system. If I upgrade(replace) the ram to PC 10600 1333mhz I would raise the universal FSB to 1333mhz and this should theoretically gain a speed bonus.

 

So is everyone with their Envy's getting lower quality reception than their previous laptops? It seems that the Envy has terrible wireless speeds from the other owner's lounge. I want to confirm that this is an issue with all Envy's rather than a defect.

 

Man, where are you getting your huge generalizations from L3vi.

Not everyone is experiencing "terrible wireless speeds".

Mine is getting maxed signals at full speeds.

 

I'm not saying you can't get fast speeds, but people are saying that it isn't picking up the same amount of reception at the same distance from the access point as their other laptops. Of course if your close enough you will get max speeds all the time. Someone should benchmark this stuff

 

No problems getting reception, even in the hardest of areas (I.E. Classroom).

 

*facepalm*

I'm not asking whether you get a connection or not. I'm wondering if the speeds of the connection at farther distance is comparable to other laptops. No doubt people are getting a connection, but some people say it is just less than their other notebooks. I believe someone said in the room adjacent to the router, his old lappy got 20 Mbps, but is envy was getting around 8-10 Mbps. If that's what you meant, then nevermind.

 

There is no northbridge on the arrondale family, the memory controller is on the 45nm graphics portion of the chipset. Here is a brief overview quoted from Toms hardware:

( http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mobile-core-i5-arrandale,2522.html)

"Like Clarkdale, Arrandale includes two die on a single package—the 32nm silicon consists of the dual-core, Hyper-Threading-equipped processor, while the 45nm die includes graphics, memory control, and PCI Express. Integrating all of that functionality into the CPU negates the need for a traditional northbridge. So, again, we’re presented with a two-chip platform, akin to Lynnfield/P55 and Clarkdale/H55/H57. Axing the middle chip—the GM45 graphics and memory controller hub, in the Montevina platform—eliminates a component that uses up to 12W. So, while Arrandale itself doesn’t represent a huge power savings, the platform it enables has the potential to both outperform and outlast any comparably-equipped notebook today."

Maybe you should do a little research before posting.

 

Nevermind, I did a bit of searching and figured out it isn't a defect it just is the way the laptop is. LaptogMag reported below average Wi-Fi benchmarks, especially at long ranges. Tsk, tsk.

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptop/hp-envy-15.aspx?page=4

 

That is using the 5100, Gen2 uses the 6200 which is 2x2 Antenna Config vice 1x2 that the 5100 used. WiFi performance should be a little better.

 

People have just started recieving the new 'gen2' models last week and it seems a large percentage have had a lot of issues from doing a clean install without copying the drivers needed and that aren't available from Hp yet. i would take a wild guess that for every complaint you see here there are 100+ others that are getting perfect performance with the wireless, thats the nature of forums, most don't seek them out unless they have issues.

I am sure there will be lots of 'benchmark' type testing results in the near future. So could you please be patient rather than bouncing around all the envy threads repeating the same questions? I believe you have had more positive replies regarding wireless the negative but you seem to ignore those.

Another option is to just buy one, play with it for 21 days and if you don't like it return it 'no questions asked' they even pay shipping. Great return policy from HP.

 

Ok that was from the first batch of envy's in november and a much lower spec'd wifi card. Enough whining.

 

I've had 3 Envy's and they've all had pretty poor range compared to every other laptop I've tested. This is on factory untouched installs, and clean installs using the correct drivers.

 

I think the wireless issue is probably because of a combination of drivers and the router being connected.

 

Okay I'm trying to figure something out. Based on what I was reading in the other thread the i5 doesn't benefit from 1333 memory but would the i7? My system came with 1066 memory and I'm wondering if I should complain to HP since mine is an i7 820 and see if they will either send me replacement ram or send it back and have them replace it or is it much ado about nothing?

 

It's mostly much ado about nothing AFAICT: http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=3589&p=7&cp=2

I'd honestly rather have 1066 at a lower CAS latency than 1333 at a higher CAS, especially since you can't change those in the BIOS of the Envy (or any notebook that I'm aware of...)

 

I ordered my HDMI to VGA adapter today through the HP parts store but they wouldn't let me use the $50 coupon. Hopefully HP shopping will credit it.

 

HP should be putting 1333 on i7 quads. I'd complain if I were you. My last two 820qm envy systems have come with 1333 ram.

 

Which number should I call? The Envy specific one or or main CS? Also if I do call should I hold out for a swap or send back and wait? Fortunatly haven't put too much on this guy yet so seems swapping would be faster.

 

I'd call the envy line and ask for tech support. However, be prepared to be in hell for a few days. The sales people won't have any idea what you are talking about. And tech support is very frustrating too, they may not understand what your issue is.

They may also "agree" to exchange it, and you may still get a new laptop with the same 1066 ram .

Whoever is putting these systems together seems to have a huge basket of mixed 1066 and 1333 ram and whatever comes out of it is what they install.

 

can someone shed some light on which programs are safe to uninstall ? my Envy CPU sits at 1% but my ram is always at like 28-30%.

i want to know what is making my Envy use that much ram when i am not even doing anything.

Envy 15 i540 matte

 

FYI guys, when I asked for a DIMM replacement, it was a Samsung 1333.

 

I just installed menu. So now I didn't have osd for bright but volumn.

I have two questions
1. how to change the setting of the mediasmart menu? I don't use wmp and can we change the default program by ourselves?

2. the adjustment of the bright will make your fullscreen game jumped out
to the desktop....any solution?or just my problem?

 

That's not a bad thing. As you open files and such, Windows keeps them in RAM so the next access is faster. Unused RAM is wasted RAM. Uninstall programs if you don't need them, but don't try to clear RAM out... you never will, and you'll actually make the performance worse.

 

You went thru the Envy number concerning the replacement? Have a feeling, since it would be all 3 dimms in my case they will want me to send it back and wait...and wait...and wait.

I just plan on keeping this for a couple years and want the most for the money I shelled out and if they gipped me with the memory I'm not happy.

 

I went through the Envy line for the DIMM replacement, but ultimately had to call HP Shopping for the Envy replacement. Sounds simple, but pain in the like no other.

I called this sunday (01/31) and recieved the 2gb dimm on Tuesday (02/02). Fast.

 

Thanks Pita, my unistall question was in reference to other members using revo uninstall and it delete other system files.

I want clear out bloat as much as possible. will try a fresh install later on.

 

i used revo for my first machine... i ended up just doing a clean install with my new envy.

 

Great!

where is the 'Envy line for the DIMM replacement'?

I think I have to mail them talking about the 1066 problem with the rams.

 

Does HP cross ship exchanges?
My touchpad has a horizontal line close to the top where it is not responsive.
I'm debating whether it is worth exchanging because everything else is perfect on the laptop.

 

I tried all places but I cant find a place to order a second 6 cell battery for my ENVY 15(i5-540)?? Can someone please direct me where to look. Im new to hp and my options are limited. Any ideas are appreciated.

 

it's the # located in the box. the group is support for HDX and Envy models.

 

I assume you've already reinstalled the Synaptics driver as well as poking into the control panel for it?

 

Yeah, adjusted sensitivity, updated drivers, etc.
There is a definite horizontal line across the entire touchpad that is not responsive. If I push hard and lay my finger flat it works but I think it is because the flat of my finger is making contact wider than said unresponsive region.

 

try rebooting into splashtop and see if your touchpad works there.