*HP Envy 15 Owners Lounge! PART 1*

85 processes...BQ is NOT top notch. Bezel has a plasticky sound that bother me, the laptop is running on the hot side.

 

What are you doing with it? Mine, which was presumably built around the same date, runs nice and cool. I will do some, ahem, scientific research with graphics-intensive games tonight and see how it holds up then.

Even during the install of Windows, which is something that tends to heat up laptops, it was completely cool. I wonder if it has to do with SSDs versus HDs? In the first days of use, Windows will index the disk and do other I/O intensive operations that often produce both lot of noise and heat.

 

Not good Serg

Doubt it has anything to do with this.

Typically, HDDs stay between 40-50 degrees Celsius. Even when I hammer the heck out of my 7.2kRPM HDD running huge procedures on a SQL database of over a hundred million records, it still sticks around 42 degrees ish.

 

HP has failed me again.

Not only it is hot, but I dont feel it as responsive as my old AMD Sempron SINGLE core...no idea what this laptop is doing...seriously, HIGHLY disappointed so far.

I am still cleaning it and hopiong that helps, also a BIOS update? But this is not lukewarm, this runs on the hot side.

 

True, but its additive. I remember installing win7 on my old MBP and seriously thought the HD was dying on me because it kept making that high-pitched sound for a few days. Then it stopped and everything was fine.

 

It's not really additive in terms of temperature though - which is one of Sergs main complaints it seems. Cooler components may heat up to the same temperature as the hottest component, but two components that are the same temperature will not create a higher temperature than either of the individual components.

It is entirely possible though that the indexing is making the processor work harder though - doesn't Windows get it working on the indexing in it's "down time"? Therefore it doesn't really get much time to cool down per se, and is heating other components up as a result.

 

Suggestions? This thing is burning hot, and I could fry an egg here...

How odd, HP failing...sigh

I plan to keep it, but this is a fail in my book.

 

This is not true. Let's do a thought experiment. Put an energy source of temperature X in a perfectly insulated space. Eventually the space will heat up to X. Now put 10 more of the same energy sources in the same space. The space will be hotter than X, otherwise, where did the energy that the sources produce go?

 

The heat dissipates is what it does. We're talking about a notebook - not a perfectly insulated space........

Heat is one of the waste components of electronic components. Heat is actually the transfer of energy from an area of higher temperature to an area of lower temperature. It does not transfer from an area of lower temperature to an area of higher temperature (second law of thermodynamics); although it can do with the aid of a heat pump, such as those seen in refidgerators and freezers.

If I have two saucepans of water at 60 degrees and I put the water together, it does not heat up past 60 degrees now does it. It will heat the air above the saucepan, and heat the saucepan itself, which will then heat the area around the saucepan itself.

The same principle will happen with this notebook. The heat will dissipate to other components of lower temperature than the object generating the heat energy.

 

Serg whats your room temps?

Maybe list what you have removed and done so far?

I only had mine for 3 days before i needed to send it to he get the KB repaired but it was running about 45c at idle. Gameing (borderlands on highested setting except 2x AA and 1280 res) and it peaked about 60c.

the clause Aphyrax put was "in a perfectly insulated space" in this case the internal temps will continue to rise, as the heat is still generated but not dissipated.

In real world situations, the environment will dissipate the heat.

 

75 processes running.
Temps:
55-50
All HP bloatware and crapware using the HP Guide on the forums.

Planning to defragment, update all.

Where can I find the latest BIOS?

 

Placed my order today at HP.com

Got it with the dual SSD.

Reading as much as I can find it seems that there are 2 Specially designed for HP Intel X18-m G1 drives. I really wish they were G2 versions, and i guess I will find out for sure when i get them.

Has anyone witihin the last week that got their Envy determined which drives are shipping now? I wonder if they have been updated to G2, or at least received the latest firmware...

The unit i have been playing with for the last couple days is the best buy display unit. It runs very cool at idle, barely warm and then while messing around it gets "warm" but nowhere near what i would call hot or too warm. If mine seems warm then i will be opening it up via the service manual instructions and applying arctic silver.

 

Temps just dropped with BIOS F.06, but it is somewhat louder now...will continue investigating.

 

Happy to report that my screen is perfect BTW. No lines whatsoever here, only some extra heat, and I am fighting it witht eh F.06 which has the fans on more time...:S:S

 

Very true -- but I had taken it as read that when you need full performance you should just switch your power profile to "high performance" or anything that keeps "active" CPU cooling on.

Let's face it -- this thing is a monster; even with the slight hit you get with "passive" cooling, most activities on the laptop will not notice it. I would think only your heaviest apps should require you to switch to "active"...

 

Update: My issue got escalated within HP and they are actually sending me a new keyboard (part 576835-001 and 576836-001 - they're in the maintenance guide). The parts should arrive before next Friday. They also offered to do an escalated repair instead (I send in the whole laptop, they fix and send it back) that would've taken less than 1 week. It would've been pretty amazing with 1 week repair, but I didn't want to risk slipping on the time. Note that this isn't their normal customer service procedure; they normally don't send out keyboard parts (for free), as I mentioned in my earlier post.

Again, the warranty isn't voided just because you open up the Envy. Only if you break something while doing it, and it would only be voided for the specific part you break - everything else in the machine is still under warranty. In fact, if you call technical support they will help you open it up and guide you over the phone (to replace the HDD, for example).

Btw, I also described the manufacturing problem in detail and made sure that the engineers get notified so they can update the manufacturing and QA process.

(Edit: Heh, the parts are already at Fedex and should be delivered the next business day, Monday.)

 

wow how'd you manage that? might be an option i could take if they cant repair in time

 

Well, having the option of a full refund probably helps I guess. The tech support girl asked if I wanted to escalate and one day later they called me up. Now, the keyboard doesn't seem like the easiest part to replace - I mean it's got 60 screws just by itself and is sealed off with tape that you won't be able to put back on again (the 576836-001 part includes a new tape though), so it's much preferable to let them repair it if you have the time. Besides, just handling that LIF touchpad connector inside the Envy is a total biatch and really needs a special tool.

 

The instant on feature is pretty amazing!!

Got online in a matter of seconds

 

Does anyone know where to get the updated firmware for our hard-drive--although our harddrive is the same one mentioned in the post above, I'm having trouble finding a direct link from Seagate.

Perhaps we can apply the Dell update to our computers . . . I don't know whether this is possible or not? Any input from anyone . . . perhaps this could help many of us out?

Thanks
N123

 

i too have webcam problems, mine seems very purpleish. updated FW with not much improvement.

 

Mine is black and white...and when disabled the low light thing, it gets good colors...besides the small creak of the bezel, this laptop has no noticeable problems so far.

 

Hi,

Serg, I'm so happy to see you finally have your Envy and hope the issues you have are resolvable.

I'm writing to ask if anyone knows for sure that this audio adapter that someone here kindly mentioned definitely works with Envy 15: http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-droid-2trs.htm The description says it's for a 'Droid, but I'm hoping it and the Envy use the same connector???

I'm not familiar with the TRRS connector and can't find any Envy doc that mentions what that jack is. All I could find was this reference in the maintenance manual (go to page 115 at): http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01911053.pdf

Other than still waiting over a month for my defective optical drive to be replaced (HP claims it's out of stock despite the Envy showing same-day ship and all of you receiving yours with your new orders!), and the worst customer service experience I've ever had, my Envy is doing well. I've already steered others away from HP because of this experience.

Thanks for all the help here, as always,

Larry

 

I asked a week ago about the HP recovery on the Envy 15 and I have an answer for those who want to know.

The HP recovery is VERY destructive, it will literally remove any custom partitions and give you no option at all to save anything.

Some recoveries allow you to restore to a specific partition or even save data, not this one!

Just a heads up.

 

If you upgrade the webcam firmware you should get color even when the low-light setting is enabled.

 

I want to get a different power supply for my envy 15... I saw something about the kensington 120w... does anyone know if this is a good one and what power plug i would need for the envy... I would like a smaller power supply on the road... something that would charge in the car would be helpfull too. is it better to get a higher voltage one? any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

 

beau21, post the spec of the kensington 120w power supply.

Just cause its 120w does not mean its compatible.

You have to have exactly 18.5v and 6.5 ( or greater) amps.

If the PSU is 20v and 6amp its still 120w but will not work on our units.

[edit] ok did a bit of a search and found a review of this PSU on NBR

post here http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1942913&postcount=20 has a link to the manual.

in there it says max 6 amp. This is to low for the Envy 15. If you put the ENvy 15 on load with this PSU it the PSU most likly will short/cut/blow depening on what sort of protection it has.

 

I don't know. It should work. I ordered one the day it got posted and it should arrive in a week or so. I'll let everyone know how it works out. I do agree that the 4 connectors have to match, and I hope they do.

Edit: I did a little more research on the matter and also found an iphone trrs adapter.
http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-2trs.htm
I looked up pinout schematics and found that the iphone and droid have the mic and ground connectors switched. The website I ordered from says Pinout: 1-L, 2-R, 3-M, 4-S for the droid. Many sources ( http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5262651) says 1-L, 2-R, 3-GND, 4-MIC for the iphone. If mine (droid) doesn't work I'll send it back for the iphone one. I'll let you guys know how it works out.

 

@thebranded: I believe you mentioned earlier that the maintenance manual lists a 90W power supply as compatible as well. 90-W PFC HP Smart Adapter 463955-001.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01911053.pdf page 33

 

thanks for the response... I need to have 2 power supplies... does anyone have any recommendations... i need to buy one soon... I would like to have one that travels which hopefully is smaller... would it be better to get the 180w which hp says its compatible (woudl that cut down charging time?)... I really just want one that will give me the car as an option and isnt too tough to carry around... let me know if you have anysuggestions... thanks again for the help. Leaving for africa in a couple weeks and need to get this ironed out.

here is the 180w one
http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/computer/categories/ac_adapters/1/accessories/GL690AA%23ABA

why would the regular 90w version be compatible and not the air version
http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/computer/categories/ac_adapters/1/accessories/KS474AA%23ABA

compatibility chart
http://www.shopping.hp.com/shopping/pdf/HP_ACAdapter_Compatibility.pdf

I really just want something that will charge this thing quickly.... wherever i might be.

 

Found these specs in thd service manual:

Input power:
Operating voltage 19.0 V dc @ 3.42 A - 90 W
Operating current 3.42 A

(page 85, see link to PDF above)

These specs actually indicate a 65W power requirement.

 

your right larsv, i believe the 90watt rating is for the laptop alone, and you need 120w to charge the slice battery.

I'm sure the 120w charger says its 18.5v though?. My Envy has been sent to HP for repairs so cant check right now.

@beau21,

http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/computer/categories/ac_adapters/1/accessories/VF685AA%23ABA

seems to be the ideal unit, from the compatibility chart you posted. Out of stock though.

btw the 180w charger listed might actually be bigger than the one that came with the Envy, im not sure but it does look big.

 

lpb5555,
I e-mailed kv connection:

We have to order the iphone compatible one here:
http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-2trs.htm
I'm hoping mine has an exposed wire system where I can unscrew the inputs and rewire them. Otherwise I'll just return it and wait another week

 

Hi guys, have been reading about people having temperature problems with this machine. Haven't seen many people actually say what the temperatures are except that the machine feels hot to touch.
So here are the temperatures I was getting before I returned it.

Low - 37 C
High - 96 C

Bascially all four cores got up to 95 C after a bit of a stress test. I have never seen temps like that before.


Please post if you have also been checking the temps.

btw the room is pretty cold (17 celcius) and the machine is resting on a wooden table with all the vents clear.

 

someone466,
Did you install the F.06 bios? That seems to have lowered the temperatures significantly.

 

My machine is at ~45 C during normal use, and can get as high as 55 C. With demanding applications I use a notebook cooler -- as I always have with any laptop -- and the temps never get above 60.

 

The machine should have shut off well before 95 C, imho. That is _not_ a healthy temperature. Are your fans even turned on? Or is the monitoring software just buggy?

I've found the fans in my Envy extremely efficient - impressively efficient even. Having the notebook in my lap I can feel it cool off within seconds after I've run something heavy. The fans will slow down and go quiet shortly after (a few more seconds). Both the surface temperatures and the air blowing out on the sides get much cooler within those few seconds. Very impressive.

 

Hello there someone466, and welcome to the NBR Forums!

I know what you mean, and most here I think read my anger on that moment. My laptop was idling at 62C when I first got it, so this are my suggestions:

Erase all the bloatware from the machine, I used Revo Uninstaller and cleaned it even the registry, so no memories of those programs.
I flashed the BIOS to the F.06
Updated all drivers using Windows Update tools
Defrag'd the HDD

And my temps went from 62C idling to 48C idling...not that good, but it is a large difference. I have yet to get to 40C, but it is a long way, and I havent stopped setting mine yet...

Hope this works!

 

i really think that with the specifications the envy has. temperature will always be of concern. i don't think any other laptop manufacturer can solve this. with that kind of power, heat surely comes with it too. i guess a cooler needs to be paired up for it specially when running big apps on the envy. i'm dying to get mine this 23rd. i'll probably loose some sleep just to test it the whole day.

 

Gabe, Thanks for this excellent post and the previous one. Sorry to hear you ended up with the wrong one. I really appreciate your posting about this, and I look forward to your post once you get it, then I'll place my order.

Both products appear to be pretty high quality connectors from the photos and descriptions which is nice.

Thanks again,
Larry

 

Serg,

Thanks for your report and all the work you have done on this thread. To update the drivers did you just use the standard Windows update or did you use 3rd party software to check for drivers?

 

Hi all - a mini review for you and a question at the end.

I just bought the Envy 15 (european model) yesterday.

I was actually looking for another notebook, but they didn't have that in store, so I thought "what the H" and used too much money :-D

Spent the remainder of the day removing junk software (sigh!)

My first impressions:

"Highend" impression from the lavish packaging. I've always hated that stuff, since I find it more difficult to throw out than regular brown boxes ;-)

Love the external DVD drive. They are going the way Floppy drives did.

The SD card was a nice touch (a higher capacity card with the re-install would have been double plus good...)

I was surprised by the metal housing, and I dig the pattern they put on it.

Grey is a little boring though (as boring as Macs.. But I guess people find it high-tech and stylish (how 90'ish)

The screen is good and colorful and the keyboard has a good response. Takes a bit to get used to them though. In one of the reviews, someone ed about the lefthand shortcut keys being in the way when touchtyping ?! They're not - perhaps she had weird extra fingers or something.

I've never like touchpads, but this one I can actually use... I had a really crappy one before, so anything would be better for me

Power brick is huuuge ! But has no highpitched whine as poor quality ones can have.
__

It's great for cold hands in the winter ! It certainly runs pretty hot : CPU 40 Celsius when surfing and light use, to a whopping 70+ when running L4D 2 !!
Assembly temps stay around 40 though, which I guess means good fans. It also cools down quickly after heavy use - another indication of efficient cooling !

This thing is fast. Really fast. No. I mean it - really really fast :-D

Audio sounds very good.

Lack of a microphone jack is a little weird - but I'll get over it ;-D

___

After a little housekeeping, I'm down to about 38 running processes from the desktop. Which brings me to the MASSIVE useless junk HP installs !

It takes forever to get rid of, and some of it de-installed incorrectly and is stuck in the control panel program thing. Grrr.
___

All in all - this is an AWESOME little notebook. Fast, small, and... fast !

____

I do have problems though :

Some of you mention running L4D2 without problems. I loose audio as soon as the game starts, and the ATI graphics driver stops responding every two three minutes or so..

Any ideas on what to do ? The HP updater didn't find any updates for me, so I'm guessing it's running as current as possible...

__

And a great thread ! I read most of it and learned much - thanks

 

I uninstalled almost all HP something software. Using win7's proper ones, it works a lot better.

Got my GPU to 9.9 from 8.3, my WiFi, touchpad and BIOS all updated.

Hi there and welcome to the NBR Forums and to this small Envy 15 Owners Lounge.

I know what you mean, out of the box, the amount of crapware is huge, and makes the laptop SLOOOW and sluggish, and non working and hot. I uninstalled everything, used the Win7 Updates, and I am running F.06 after a BIOS flash.

My ATI GPU is using 9.9 drivers, from ATI themselves, no modding nor anything, and it runs well....yet I have not fully tested it.

 

Wait when are we getting new drivers then?!

 

Drivers for?

 

The graphics card? is yours newer than ours? I have 8.6......

 

Received my Envy 15 w dual SSD on Friday and have spent weekend updating using Windows Update, setting up my software, moving over documents, removing some bloatware etc. My Envy had the F.06 BIOS already installed.

So far I am generally pleased:
* Extremely fast compared to my prior computer, a Lenovo T61p, which took about 10 minutes to fully boot until hard disk quieted down. Envy takes about 30 sec!
* Do not have lines on the screen.
* Is warm but not hot. No more so than T61p. However, note that I do not run games.
* Fan can be heard but is not loud. About same as T61p.
* Screen angle is not an issue for me in the position that I normally use the computer.
* Have connected my 24" external display using an HDMI to DVI cable.
* Have the video dock and use it for extra USB connections for keyboard, mouse, audio output, etc., but not for the external monitor (which connects to the HDMI output).
*External HP BD has worked fine as I have used it to install some of my software.
*Since I use an external mouse, I have not only very limited experience with the trackpad but it does not seem to be bad. Will test it out more thoroughly over the holidays when I am away.

Problems:
*Occassional freezing of computer and individual software, especially IE8. Based on an internet thread, I realized I was using 32bit version of IE8 and have switched to 64bit; only did this recently and so I don't know to what extent that will solve the lock up problems.
* Webcam shows monochrome only. Have tried to download and install updated drivers. This process did not go smoothly and problem is still there; perhaps the correct drivers were not actually installed. Since this is not an essential computer function for me, I have put off trying to fix it.
*Downloaded and installed updated ATI firmware. Again, too early to be sure whether will affect some of the problems I have been seeing.
* With the slice battery attached, this is a heavy computer. Fortunately, I only rarely have to transport it.

As I use the computer over the next few days, I am eager to see whether the driver and firmware updates and the switch to 64 bit IE8 have solved the software and computer lock up problems.

Question for Serg and others:
I do not wish to do a clean install as the computer is not working badly enough to justify that. I have only uninstalled a few items of unnecessary bloatware that were obvious to me. Can you identify what you think are the most useless items of bloatware and the ones that are the most important to get rid of in terms of performance? Thanks.

Also - did anyone else have problems installing updated webcam and video drivers & firmware from the HP Envy site?

 

Where are you guys finding the new ATI firmware?

 

I think this is what Serg is referring to for the updated ATI driver:

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

Is this really new . . . it looks like it was released in early September for the beta version of Windows 7 . . .

 

Thanks, well it's still newer than our 8.6 lol.