*HP Envy 15 Owners Lounge! PART 1*

Wipe clean your partition and delete the recovery as well to gian the space, but before you do that:

1. Use disk2vhd to create a vhd of your computer
2. Use Gimagex to create a "install.wim" file from the vhd file created earlier
3. Put that install.wim on any downloaded windows 7 image file replacing the one already there- Inside sources folder.
4. Save image again and burn it and then you have yourself an exact copy of your system on a cd available to install anytime ( activated & doesnt need activation)
5. Enjoy!

 

No imaging for me.

I like to do clean installs. Just need drivers

 

good info. most appreciated!

 

Select your model at: http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...TypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=3995936&taskId=135

which will lead you to something like this (New ones are apparently the 15t which is at the very bottom): http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...Id=3995936&swLang=13&taskId=135&swEnvOID=4058

 

How would I get the windows key from the HP factory install? I don't mind installing a confirmed Microsoft ISO, but I just need the windows key from HP somehow.

Thanks!

 

Thanks man! Rep added!

 

oh for Graphics drivers you could probably use

http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonmob_win7-64.aspx

for the 5830, if you're worried about the older 4830 driver listed on the site

 

It will either come with your product or you can use "Magical Jelly Bean Software" which is a keyfinder. You can run it on any windows machine and it will tell you the installed Windows key. Considering you'd be running it on your own machine, there are no legal issues or anything like that. (So this post shouldn't be a problem either... if i'm not allowed to talk about software like this, feel free to delete this post. I'm just trying to help someone out!)

 

Using the Part number from my invoice I get a model of:

HP Envy 15t-1100 CTO Notebook PC

From there it displays no drivers on the website.

 

try the beta drivers

http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonmob_win7-64.aspx

 

I think he means drivers in general. Not just graphics.

 

No image with the method I provided. You can do your regular clean install and install all your drivers, apps, updates and then when you think your system is all set. Do the steps I provided earlier. Then you will have a cd to install anytime without worrying about reinstalling your apps or anything else. Like a factory image.

 

In my experience, Windows 7 is pretty good at finding all of the important (sometimes generic) drivers and installing them automatically. You can either try using the drivers from the 15t-1000 series or wait until the 15t-1100 series is listed on that page.

 

Wait. So I can use this with the factory install or just a clean install? In other words, what ever system you use it on, it will restore it completely? So if I do that when I get my system, before I clean install, I'll have a factory image of the original install?

 

Usually HP has the Windows Key on the bottom of the laptop on a sticker. That's where I've always gotten it, but becareful because sometimes the numbers can get worn off, and then you might be screwed. lol Not sure if the Envy 15 has a sticker on the bottom, might look tacky considering it's aluminum finish.

 

Yes. You can create those discs, put in a new hard drive, and restore it to how it was from the factory.

 

You said it

 

For people planning to do a complete fresh install; remember this little nugget of information posted a bit earlier in this thread about the instant on solution. If you don't back this up before doing the format / install, you wont be able to use the instant on solution. Of course if you are using an SSD it'll probably be no to little benefit to have the instant on solution, but even so.

 

I've noticed a trend with notebooks having these under the battery instead to avoid it being rubbed off and also to prevent potential theft of keys I guess.

 

Ewww, 9.9 version. Must get newer ones than that. I don't think DX11 support was even added till 9.10 or later IIRC

 

ah interesting. at least its newer than anything on the HP driver support site..

 

Well I'm not sure concerning DX11. I can't recall exactly when support was added in all honesty.

 

shafted again. delivery date, feb 4th. I'll just add a week because fedex has been pretty sketchy as of late as well. so i'll file complaint if i don't get my laptop feb 11th-18th otherwise i'll just resign myself to the fact i can't wait to send this laptop back after i've opened it up and popped its cherry.

 

Catalyst 9.12 is the latest version.

There are no Mobility Radeon 5000 series drivers yet. Just INF mod the desktop one and it should work for the Mobility Radeon 5830.

 

wait....did you already receive a notification saying that you'd be part of the 28th group?

if so, that's pretty jacked.

 

hp places this underneath the 6 cell battery. it's out of sight and out of mind, i would be pissed if they put any kind of sticker on the outside of the machine.

 

no but its a 'shipment exception' and everything I have ordered through hp, laptop, warranty, flash drive, have all arrived behind schedule. I have totally given up on this laptop I needed it last week and now I won't have it for another week, so about 3 weeks late, and I have papers to write, presentations to work on, and models to make and all I can do is be pissed off over HP's horrible CS and fedex's horrible shipping time estimates. I doubt it will show up on the 4th. I'd be pretty impressed if it showed up next week at all really. This wouldn't be such a big deal if I hadn't sold my other laptops in anticipation that HP would get some crap right.

 

check my sig. all in the last month. that's why i'm sitting on an EEE pc right now.

 

lol thats what I need an asus eee, lol, it seems like everything fell apart for me all at once I have an iphone, but I'm waiting on parts, and i got shafted by a guy in hong kong for parts so I've been waiting over a month on parts but if I had that at least I wouldn't have to drive 30 miles to be like 'uh hey, no computer can't help right now.' Whatever though...I'll just manage til the 8540W comes out. It better come out this week or next. I don't want to sit on this envy for too long.

 

Ok I think what I'll do is go with the clean install instead of factory. But I do want the ability to revert back to factory install if any happens.

So here's what I'll be using to clean install and backup factory image:

Guide to image entire factory install:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5786635&postcount=7054
----------
Backup original OEM cert and key for clean install:
http://www.gazup.com/PT6Ml-win7activator.zip-download-mirrors

Backup (C:\SwSetup) for instant-on OS, original software and drivers.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5786891&postcount=7071

 

Not to be a jerk at all, but I can just see you in 3 months still waiting for delivery of the EliteBook...

 

thats my plan too. I enjoy a clean install just as much as the next guy but its good to have everything at your fingertips if you need it.

 

AMD does not post the mobile drivers for most laptops. you will have to get those from HP or try the mobilitymodder software to make your own. on my envy 15 with the 4830 it took a few steps and some trial and error to finally get the drivers to work so be prepared for some time playing.

I am also slated to get my new envy on friday. I have still not decided if I should send it back or keep it and live with the power issue. if it has the lines in the screen it goes right back... the only other laptop I would consider is the sony F11 and it seems to have the same problem.

 

yeah im sure that is what will happen at which point i'll happily own a sony.

 

I bought many computers from HP. Every now and then they have these shipping delays but as I said in one of my prior posts, usually their delays are for a week. And they always give a $50 coupon for their site. So all and all, it is not that bad. At least they are not giving 2 months out for estimated shipping and make you happy when they ship in 6 weeks. (ie Dell. ASUS. Lenovo etc)

 

Well good to know its not a normal thing. I've never bought an HP so its a poor first impression and I was heavily relying on this notebook to arrive last week so im super annoyed and up the creek right now grr

 

Dammit, too short.

 

Is under the battery on my Envy also mine came with no ugly stickers on the machine by the keypad.

 

I wasn't thinking about buying a SSD until a fellow employee at work showed me a video of an alienware using one side by side with an alienware using a standard hard drive. But damn the technology is still expensive per gigabyte. Are the people here installing a SSD next to a standard Hard Drive?

 

The Envy can do either 1 2.5" drive, or two 1.8" drives. Most people I've seen have a dual 1.8" SSDs. Most haven't opted for the 320GB platter + 64GB SSD or whatever it was. Either way, I think I'll be fine for a year or two with my 500GB drive and then I'll opt for an SSD and doubling the RAM for a quick system "makeover" to hold me off from buying a completely new machine

 

I got the factory Dual SSD option. IMHO, its the best bang for the buck out there. You get a total of 320gb of raw SSD power for approx $1.72 per gb. The intel x-25s come out to about $3.61 per gb.

I realize that the drives in the Envy are the G1 drives that don't support trim but it doesn't really matter since it is RAID0 and trim is not supported in RAID0 anywhere (that i know of).

 

Agreed. I figure the SSD upgrade cost me only $0.625 per GB after using the $350 coupon. Great deal!

 

I got the single SSD and 250. Couldn't justify the cost for 2 G1 drives at the moment. I'm sure I'll upgrade both within a year or so (G3 or G4?), but it is my first SSD, so I'll be happy for a start.

I worked for HP for 10 years, all of my 20's, and I'm glad I am gone, as of May. Althought I don't believe in the way they treat their employees and often their customers, their products are strong.

 

I think I should've went with the 1.8" 160GB SSD + 250GB HDD option when I bought the Envy. That seems to be a better deal than most SSD's I'm seeing on Newegg. Guess I'll look into getting a SSD this summer if I keep the Envy.

 

I think SSDs are still too expensive right now. I'll probably jump on the SSD bandwagon when Intel releases its 3rd generation SSDs.

 

I feel like the only one that got the 1920x1080 glossy screen lol.

 

To be honest I'm not sure how different the screens really are. I only opted for the matte version because I plan to use it a lot outside and I know how my ZuneHD is in bright sunlight.

 

glossy here too.. I like the look and use it mostly indoors.

John

 

Hey, whatever it takes to justify a purchase to your significant other.

Me, I got a free upgrade to an Envy from a basic HP.

 

In mid to late 2010 Intel is releasing a 600GB SSD. The 160GB will probably get a speed increase and they'll drop the price on the 160GB to around $230. The 600GB will be over $500.

I got the i7 with base RAM, CPU, and HDD. I'll throw in an X25-m 80GB G2 with TRIM for now and run an external HDD for storage space.

In Q1 2011 I'll sell this and get the Envy 15 or 17 (if it has dual 2.5" HDD's) with brand new Intel CPU, SATA III, all ports USB 3, 600GB Intel SSD + possible second HDD.