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

This may be a dumb question, but where is my Windows key?

I want to make sure that if I want to re-install windows I have the activation key available. For now, I'm planning to use the Win 7 Pro retail key that I have bought for my desktop on this computer and install Linux on my desktop, but I'd like to be able to go back to Win 7 Home Premium if I change my mind. This is my first HP laptop, my Dell and Sony laptops have had the Windows key on a sticker on the bottom or side or in the manual, I don't see that for this laptop.

 

under the battery

 

It's under battery.

 

You should use the utility found in the original post of this thread to backup your original Windows activation.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=432564

 

Quick question.

Has anyone else been having problems with getting temperature readings from the GPU?

Hwmonitor, GPU-Z, AMD GPU Clock Tool, none of them are able to read the GPU temperature. AMD GPU Clock tool even says that the sensor has been disabled. :?

 

Hi All,

I did a clean install of W7 Ulitimate. installed allt he drivers from the SWSetup folder and I have an Issue.

I can't get the brightness controls to work at all. All the other HP hotkeys work as they should, except for the brightness. Anyone got any ideas?

 

Okay, I've basically been playing with this one while my replacement was being built. Other than doing a complete format & reinstall is there an easier way to reset the computer and wipe out all my stuff?

 

Use revo uninstaller. It will get rid of all that bloatware and properly delete unused registry files.

 

I missed out on the intel i7 620M on my order as well . There is a new rumor that the new MBP will have this processor as an option.

http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/view/210968

I wonder why HP got rid of it? I checked out the HP Envy 15 geekbench result and it shows 4797 in a 32 bit version:

http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/view/210797

So the core i7 MBP scores better than the Envy and it only has 2 cores.
Man this thing should be amazingly fast... MBP Core i7 - 5280 > 4797 - HP Envy 15.

The new MBP leak results are impressive. Compare similar laptops with core i7s, and you'd be shocked to see that the MBP 6,1 leak is faster than most. It scored 300 points higher than quad core i7 Dell studio xp 16s, and over 1,000 pts above the new quad core i7 Sony Vaio Fs.

As for graphics, the Envy's ATI is a beast! Current ATI cards destroy their Nvidia counterparts! I cant wait to get my hands on it! I wonder if HP pulled the trigger too fast again as NVidia is set to introduce their new Optimus GPU technology on Feb. 9 that will allow switchable graphics for intel i5 and i7 processors. Sony has a i7 model with a physical button and I believe they will be using this as well. Maybe the Envy's 3rd refresh? will have an NVIDIA graphics card. 3rd time's gotta be a charm right?

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mobile...duce_Hybrid_SLI_Under_Optimus_Brand_Name.html

People who ordered Lenovo ThinkPad T410s which has NVIDIA switchable graphics have received ship dates of 2/12/2010 and 2/16/2010.

I am worried about my new Envy's battery life. I ordered the i5 with the understanding that it would get 3 hours. But if the new MBP has switchable graphics, add in the fact that Apple spent tons of cash and engineering to enable a 7 hour battery life on the old MBP, and we can all safely assume that the new MBP will retain, if not grow the current excellent battery life while adding the raw power of the i5 and i7's. Apple has updated their MBP every 8 months since Oct. 2006 and they usually releases products on Tuesdays. MacWorld starts Feb. 9 although this year Apple is not attending the event.

So the fact that HP just released this 2nd Gen Envy 15 without any technology for switchable graphics is really a bummer. My Envy 15 is on order and should be here in a month, so Ill just wait and post a comparison of the Envy and new MBP side by side for all to see.

I have an idea HP forgot one letter...

iEnvy.

 

Just run the HP recovery program from their software (assuming you didn't delete it).

Type 'recovery manager' in the start area search bar > select recovery manager > choose system recovery (under 'i need help imediately) > follow on screen instructions.

This will restore computer to exactly how it shipped from factory. Just double check that it deleted all your data files.

 

I just received my Envy yesterday. The only issue I'm having is with the fan. The one on the left makes a slight ticking noise. Has anyone else had this issue and do you think there's any way of making it go away?

 

does anyone know if there's a discount coupon for use in the uk? like the $350 dollars off one in the usa

 

Doubt there would be. Seems to be only the US that get these awesome coupons. Try checking online for a coupon website for the UK. Australia has one, im sure most countries do.

 

I just finished calibrating my display. I have the matte one, but there shouldn't be much difference between this and the glossy as they are both the same panel with a different finish.

 

Thnx, that sounds like exactly what I want.

 

My brightness keys work but there is no on screen feedback/slider as seen with the volume. Is that how it's supposed to be?

 

Same here. I just assumed they figured you didn't need a visual bar when you can see the screen going brighter or darker

 

I think I may have had the same issue. My noise was by no means faint, but it was coming from the same area. I opened the computer and was able to identify the issue with the 2nd fan on the left (the one closest to the trackpad). When I stopped the fan, the sound would stop, and would start up again as soon as it started spinning again.

I tried "burning in" in the machine to see if it just needed time, but it didn't work. I called HP, explained the situation, and sent it in for repairs. They got the machine Friday morning, so I'm going to call Monday night to see if they've done any work. The person I spoke with on Wednesday said that it should be a quick fix and I'll have it back early this coming week.

 

same issue. that plus mine arrived with scratches and I am returning it and rebuying a new one. my third envy and I am not happy about it. not to mention they wouldn't do a full price match so I am being charged 140 dollars more FOR their incompetence.

 

any idea when the core i5/5830 model will hit the UK?
also, can the i5 models switch between gpu's? ie arrandale for windows and then 5830 for gamin?
soz, but thread far to long to read form beginning to end

 

Unfortunately the refreshed Envy's with i5 arrived without the ability to switch GPUs.

 

very unfortunate back to searching for a directx11 laptop

 

I'm having intermittent but annoying problems with the keyboard -- the Ctrl and Shift keys, primarily, which become unresponsive.

I forget who it was in the old thread who had advice on situating the keyboard ribbon in the Envy so that it doesn't get pinched.

I really can't do without this, my only machine for a couple of weeks as it gets repaird. I'd rather open it up and at least try to adjust the ribbon myself.

Does anybody remember what exactly should be done to it to keep it from getting pinched?

 

Thanks for the tip about the Windows key and backing up the activations..

Does anyone know what I need to do to get Rivatuner to display the tweaks menu?

 

How do you install this? I right clicked and clicked install, and it shows up as a profile. I can't notice any difference between the original and this though. It may be because I'm on battery right now so I'll try it again when I get home.

 

You need to install it as system default.

 

i'm kinda bummed. just packed up my 2nd envy for the return. they claim they will expedite my 3rd envy's build, but I am not holding my breath.

 

I just pulled the trigger on the Envy 15 i5. It currently only has a 320gb hdd. Is it possible to add a 2nd hdd (non raid)? has anyone done this after purchasing it?

 

No idea on the i5 in UK. Switchable graphics been covered a whole lot in the threads. Currently the answer is "No switchable graphics" with the current i5 Envy's

 

I also bought a Envy 15 i7, 5830, 320GB hdd 7200rpm. The carriers tracking site shows that the box will be here tomorrow. I was going to buy the Alienware M11x, but when I realized it comes with the old SU7300 and PM45 chipset I backed out. I will get a SSD later on.

 

Hooray -- the problem with my keyboard was software, not hardware.

This may interest those of you who have installed KeyTweak in order to re-map the HP quicklaunch keys on the left of the keyboard. That was the culprit. It's strange, though, because I had installed that program -- and remapped only the bottom 2 quicklaunch keys -- the day I got the machine. It has been running for weeks without a hitch; but for some reason it just now started to screw things up.

It wasn't enough to turn all of the re-mappings off with the program. I had to remove the program it entirely. (I used Revo uninstaller to wipe all traces of it, just in case)

 

Seems lots of folks on here are having troubles reaching decent speeds with normal USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports. Here's a new report from TechCrunch (CrunchGear) stating eSATA is faster than USB 3.0.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/02/05/esata-is-faster-than-usb-3-0-at-least-right-now/

My Envy i5 has terribly slow speeds over USB 2.0 (problem both before and after fresh Win 7 re-install with proper drivers). My eSATA was broken and am waiting on my 3rd replacement .

Anyone consistently getting USB 3.0 speeds on their i7's that trump eSATA or is it another marketing spec from HP that doesnt seem to pan out ?

 

You can only install two 1.8" hard drives.

The 320gb hard drive HP installs is a 2.5" drive. Only one will fit.

 

How about i7 Envy 15?
Does the i7 envy has onboard GPU?

 

How long does it take you guys to charge fully the 6 cells battery when it has been emptied?
Is that with the laptop turned on or off?

 

i7's dont have a GPU built in with the CPU. If you get an i7 Envy it will run the 5830 24x7. i5 has it but HP hasn't enabled it. Not sure if its a design issue or just a change HP needs to make to their bios to allow it.

 

Yeah it would be super cool if it could be enabled via a BIOS update. Personally I plan on clocking it as low as possible regardless whether its plugged in or on battery. I'm hoping I can hit 3 hours of battery life with my lower CPU (i5 430M) and with the ATI GPU clocked down. Throughout my day on average I need about 2 hours of battery before re-charging.

 

90% charge in about 1.5hrs last 10% another 1.25-1.5hrs do to switching to a 'equalizastion charge' at the end.

Actvating the IGP on the current envy i5 models is impossible due to the PM55 chipset which does not support integtrated graphics. No BIOS change can fix this.

The 5830 automatically clocks down (throttled) when on battery to base of 99mhz core and 199Mhz mem and can only go to a max of 299/299 unless you disable the power play settings in CCC which can get you full GPU performance. The CPU on the other hand is throttled to a max of X9 or 1.2 Ghz (on the -540M assume the -430m will be the same) with no way to get higher performance.

3+ hours with light usage wifi off should be no problem. Get a spare 6 cell and you can double this with adding only .8 pounds to you bag.

See this benchmark thread on the envy 15: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=453084

there are some battery life revews on it.

 

gotcha, I'm hoping I can throttle both CPU and GPU down to their lowest values. Most of the time I'm in remote desktop or telnet so I don't need most of the power and heat by-product. I admit I bought this laptop 90% because of it's looks Anyways thanks for your input.

 

I read that your eSata was broken same as mine. When you say its broken do you mean it does not recognize a plugged-in eSata drive? Mine also does not recognize a eSata drive.

 

Okay, I guess I'm gonna bite. What are ppl referring to when they talk about typing ribbon. I know my old manual typewriter used a ribbon but computers are digital so no ribbon. Am I being stupid or what?

 

LoL, I was thinking of asking the same question brat.

 

Your correct threeply, eSATA just does not work. All USB's are slower than my 3 year old Dell, wireless is slower than the 3 year old Dell.

The fact Nvidia is coming out with switchable graphics for i5 & i7 makes me feel that HP pinpointed Envy buyers as guinea pigs. Too many problems, too many inconsistencies, and too many excuses. I knew that HP has the lowest quality ranking out of all laptop brands. I knew 1 in 4 HP laptops experience some kind of problem according to Squaretrade, but I expected HP's premium laptop to do better than below average. Im on my 3rd Envy!

http://blog.squaretrade.com/2009/11...e-most-reliable-study-has-people-talking.html

http://www.squaretrade.com/htm/pdf/SquareTrade_laptop_reliability_1109.pdf

Between the 1st thread and this one, there are almost 1000 pages of dialogue about HP's Envy, with most of it being negative about either poor support, broken machines, problematic bloat-ware, or misinformation by both Envy support or Thenextbench. Im sure Notebookreview loves the usage , but in all honesty, IF HP provided a quality built Envy, this forum would be almost empty.

 

I think you're referring to my posts ('tho I never said anything about a "typing ribbon"). I was referring to the ribbon cable that communicates your keystrokes to the motherboard.

 

I have not been ale to run undervoltage programs, but HWmonitor did work on my Envy 15, i7-720, 4g, 500. I maxed out 1st cpu at 79 degrees C. after 6min.

 

Sad, no coupon for Superbowl Sunday. And double sad, Colts lost

 

I've pushed over 210MBps sustained through both the usb3 and esata port, I don't have any faster medium to test them with but that's plenty fast for me. Usb2 ports dow what they usually do, about 30MBps sustained.

New wifi card is doin 13MBps+ sustained over 5ghz N. What do you get? What did u expect?

I have had zero issues with my new envy.

 

In your sig you say ACHI/TRIM, what does that mean? Have you found a way to run TRIM on the raid0 setup?

 

@lsramair

You need to make a USB 3.0 to eSATA cable and send high speed data from one intel ssd to the other LOL

Got my drives seperated and trimmed but I think they seem slow, especially the 4K R/W speeds. Here is a screenshot, how does this compare to what your getting?

That's from drive D, completely empty after Unraiding and trim, C is about the same

 

Has anybody else noticed that the Catalyst Control Center takes a really long time to load on startup?

About 1 minute for me, and it's noticeable because I tweaked the color settings, so when my desktop first appears, it looks a bit washed out and then a minute later, my customized CCC settings kick in and take effect.

I can't figure out how to make Windows load with my customized ATI settings and not have to wait for CCC to load.