*HP Envy 15 Owners Lounge! PART 1*

Hi All !

Im thinking of buying an Envy but I cant seem to find anywhere to buy the HP Envy 15-1080ea in the UK, You dont seem to be able to spec you own hp envy on the UK website like you can on the US site?

Does anyone know where I can get the Higher specced models in the UK?

Thanks
Mappy

 

Because the Envy uses a metal case, I think a notebook cooler is beneficial. The metal case gets very hot when stressed so it must be using it partly as a heat sink. I have a CRYO NZXT notebook cooler which blows air onto the metal case.

 

Unfortunately HP, like many other notebook vendors, distribute different models to different countries. As at present time, the 1080 display / 2xHDD are not available in the UK. There are eBay sellers in the US that will ship them to the UK - but other than that you are stuck with either buying through someone you know in the US or buying from a third party vendor in the US.

 

I re-ran 3Dmark06 and it won't let me change the screen resolution since it's the trial version. With the screen res locked at 1280x1024, I got:

SM 2.0 Score: 3096
SM 3.0 Score: 3236
CPU Score: 2986
Total Score: 7845

I just realized I ran this test in "balanced" mode...but it's a modified balanced mode that is a little more performance oriented when plugged in (over stock).


As for my W7 performance scores, I am getting:

6.9 (CPU)
7.3 (Mem 8GB)
6.8 (Graphics)
6.8 ""
7.7 (SSD)

I believe my CPU score used to be a 7.1 when I first checked this score when I first got my Envy last month. Weird, but not a big deal if it still performs as good as it does now. I don't trust the Windows performance scores anyway...my desktop's score is always fluctuating a tad.

 

Rifter and JJB -- your take on Envy 15 and heat? Do you use a cooler, if so which one, does it help much?

 

No cooler for me, It seems like it's not needed since the hottest temps I've seen are 70C (core temps) when running full tilt. Idle temps in low 30's and right now I'm editing in photoshop CS4 and nikon NX2 (large RAW files), have a window open with CNN live video feed and listening to music and downloading a movie at 425Kb/s in itunes, all while typing this. Temps are 52 on average.

I'm actually trying to see if I can over task this thing and so far not even a hiccup.

After all the complaints and gripes on this forum it is still an amazing little machine!

 

when editing you photos do you see the horizontal lines in thngs like daytime sky?

 

weather in Juneau Alaska, is currently 2c

would this have anything to do with your cool temps

nah seriously whats your room temps?

i know i hit mid 70's in a 30c room so i dont believe the Envy 15's are that bad. its just you cant use it on your lap and after a while the KB gets rather hot too.

 

Room temp is about 20 or so, using on a marble table top that is warmer (maybe 25) since it's over the heater. My keyboard get warm but not uncomfortably so, maybe just used to my old Dell 1705 which now seems very warm compared to this Envy.

 

My temps are anywhere from the mid 40's to the mid 50's normally (doing school work on One Note, Word, Excel, PPT...sometimes all at once) while searching the web with a dozen tabs open. If a particularly flash heavy tab is open, then it'll get up to 10 degrees hotter (all in Celsius BTW). I have yet to really tax my system since I've been traveling so much this past month. So with the couple benchmarks I have run, I have not seen it get into the 70's except once...

Almost 2 weeks ago, my wife closed the laptop and set it on a pillow (on my couch) for while. That in itself is no big deal except I had a flash-heavy site open that was in some sort of loop. My poor baby hit 80 but it held steady at 80 since my max temp never went above that (according to CPUID). When I finally came back to my laptop and saw it on the pillow, the first thing I noticed was the fan noise was louder than I had ever heard it before. I thought it was about to take off!!! Needless to say, it freaked me the heck out!! I immediately opened it and put it on the glass coffee table to see the temp and not but a few seconds later, the temp dropped and the fan throttled down. A few seconds after that, things were back to normal temps. I definitely applaud HP's cooling design if it can cool off the system that fast.

But normal school work and web browsing is no problem for me. I leave it on my bare legs without problem. I just make sure that the vents underneath are not blocked so that they can suck in good cool air (no cooler).

Oh, and since I have an SSD, the right side is always much cooler under my palms. I can feel the warmth under my left palm right now, but the right side temp is actually cooler than my hand temp. Room temp is about 21-22 right now.

 

Nope, first thing I checked when I turned it on.

 

I tested my E15 pretty thoroughly when I bought it, and webcam as far as I remember worked quite fine.
Now that I am trying it out once again in my not-brightly-lit room the image appears bluish, which I think is probably due to the IR? Does anyone know how it can work normally?

Cheers
Calvin

 

I find the volume on this machine extremely low. Unless the room is totally quiet I can't hear a thing. Is this normal on this system, or could it be a driver issue? I am running the latest sound driver from HP's web site.

 

It took me awhile but I now have the sound level about 3x what it was to start with. Try these tweaks:

Control panel (all items)> Sound> Playback tab> Highlight speakers & Headphones> Click configure (button at bottom)>

New window 'speaker setup' > Test (should hear sound L/R)> next> Uncheck 'front L/R if it's checked> next> finish>

Back at 'sound screen'> Highlight 'Speakers'> click 'properties (button at bottom)> Enhance..tab> check bass boost> settings> set at 80hz / boost 3 db>ok Tone control tab> Bass +1 treble +3> Advance tab> default format drop down> select 24 bit 96000Hz > Apply

After this DO NOT use the Beats control (Fn + B) or it will reset the tone controls. Note: all the Beats does is set bass to max and treblr to max or when turned off it sets bass to min and treble up (it's a marketing scam by HP)

Now to increase volume level you need to boost the signal level by going to the 'beats control panel' which is really the IDT audio driver with a beats logo. Should open from control panel or hidden icons tab in task bar. Once open go to playback tab> Speakers and headphones> hit arrow above speaker symbol and select small speakers> ...

Select Equalization> Select 'custom'> Adjustments for this are mainly to boost the signal level in the preamp so we get higher volume while not distorting the sound from the tiny built in speakers. My setting values are as follows: left to right;

-1, +8, +10, +8, +9, +9, +9, +8, +9, +10

MAKE SURE TO CLICK SAVE WHEN DONE!

Note: Do not crank up the Bass (31hz) control or it will overload the speakers which can't reproduce this anyway, you can even turn down more if you have distortion at high volume.

Check that the slide controls for 'master' and 'speaker symbol' are all the way up.

This should make a big difference in sound volume and quality, and there is one last way to get louder sound. Depending on what you use to play back your audio you can adjust the programs sound settings or EQ controls also. In itunes the eq has a 'preamp' slider which I boost to about +6, this increases the output level while leaving the EQ settings alone (make sure to check the turn eq on box). Windows media player you have to raise all eq levels equally (not to much) to boost without affecting sound quality. In general it is not a good idea to use more than one EQ system in an audio signal or you get more distortion, so don't adjust the EQ curves or bass/treble on more than one device. I chose the Beats / IDT EQ to make the tonal adjustments because it is the audio driver program and preamp that outputs to the speakers, so it should have the best sound quality. Any adjustments before the preamp that add distortion will just be amplified, so go easy on adjustments in your play back programs.

Finally when you play your audio make sure to click the speaker logo in the taskbar so the slider pops up> click 'mixer' and then you should see all the sliders for your devices; you can independantly adjust the levels for the right mix. If you open the Beats panel and minimize it then a mixer slider also shows for this and you can dial in the effect of the EQ settings.

One last thing; When listening to headphones you will need to increase the bass EQ setting (since headphones can reproduce the low freqrencies) in the Beats panel or I just change the drop down selector to the one with a flat curve (beats studio I think) -- the volume for my headphones was not an issue so I defeat the EQ for better sound quality.

Whew...didn't think it was this complicated when I started typing....

Hope everyone enjoys better sound with this.

JJ

 

Wow! Thanks JJ. I can finally hear this machine

 

I installed them. A couple of issues. The .cab file didn't extract into the proper subfolders when extracted directly in Windows. After that I tried installing and it crashed the system. I recovered and tried again (the .cab contains 4 .infs for our mode) and it worked. Runs well, but not earthshatterlingly different frpm the hp ones in my experience. So worth it if you are comfortable with the issues I mentioned.

 

Did this just change the CCC version or did you also get the new video card driver (8.68?) running as well?

 

This gives you 8.681.0.0 drivers.

 

I got my envy today finally!

Couldnt get the Catalyst 9.12 to install properly, tried many different ways. When i try to use the device manager it gives an error and says "file not found" Any ideas? Thanks.

Sticking with the HP ATI driver however, and adding a little GPU overclocking, I was pleased with the 3Dmark06 result (default 1280x1024):



Overall the laptop runs cool/warm (noted at 50c) unless i start pushing the cpu/gpu hard and then i hit 84c CPU and 72c GPU.

I have the 720xm, 6GB, DualSSD CTO version.

Ill keep toying now!

 

To install the 9.12 drivers, copy every file from the .cab into a folder. Then create a subfolder named B_92022 and copy every file there as well. Then install with the .inf in the main folder.

 

I just wanted to add my name to the list of people with the horizontal line issue.

I'm in Australia and only received my envy on the 24th.
I have purchased the higher spec version-i7-820, 8G ram, 1080 screen.

I can't see the lines with normal web surfing but become particularly noticeable when photoediting with lightroom/photoshop.

I have updated to the latest f.07 bios.

 

Thanks! That worked just fine.

My 3Dmark score is now 9450... so an extra 100 points from the new drivers alone.

 

Hey what did you use to overclock? Also can you keep me posted if the drivers corrupt overtime or not? Thanks!

 

I used the newest ATI GPU Clock Tool found here:

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1641/AMD_GPU_Clock_Tool_v0.9.26.0_For_HD_5870.html

The highest stable core/mem combination i found was at 640/900.

The program also logs the gpu temps, which never get much over 70c, since at that heat the fan kicks into high and keeps it right there. The envy GPU cooling system is great.

 

I'm having trouble with my video card performance. Averaging 6500pts on 3Dmark06 scores at default settings (for test), CCC and power plan settings etc. make very little difference. My CPU scores are highr than average (~3200) so I'm pretty sure it's the GPU.

Have reinstalled the HP video driver downlaod twice with no changes. Now I've noticed in device manager that if I 'search computer for new driver' and 'check from list of available drivers' that I have 3 versions of the '4830' to choose from plus the VGA choice. Is it possible that the multiple versions are causing a conflict?

In running the free 3DMark06 tests before I bought the program I was getting an average of 7100pts (highest 7500), so I know something has changed.

I have tried installing 9.12 drivers with several failures. Could someone please elaborate some more on the exact steps to take to do this properly ?? (I think I may be extracting the files incorrectly.)

Also Does anyone get GPU temp readings in CPUIDHW or other progams?

Thanks in advance.

 

I am typing this from a 800x600 resolutions since I have no video driver installed

I would also like to know the process. when I look in the cab there are at least 20 inf files. and they all look alike with no specific driver info in the name.

My hope is that after installing this driver I will be able to set the hor freq. to 60hrz instead of 59. that may help fix my lines... or at least make them not as noticable.

 

Does that ATI overclock utility contain a virus? My virus checker says it does...
Anyone else find that?

 

As I posted earlier, you need to copy the files both into a main folder and a subfolder (technically you only need the .infs and security files in the main folder, but the other way is easier).

Regarding the many .infs, it shouldn't matter. When you point the device manager at a directory, it will scan all .infs for applicable drivers. There should be a grand total of 4 in the package. I remember trying one and it crashing then trying another and it working.

 

Extract all the files from the download at http://strags.com/ to a folder. then create a folder within that folder and name it "B_92022", extract all the files to that folder as well.

In your Device Manager, find your HD4830 and choose update driver. pick your own driver, and browse to the folder you created. click on any one of the files and say ok. it will offer 4 4830 options, i used the first one with no problems. This will update the driver.

After that, you can use mobility modder on the full catalyst 9.12 suite driver and install the rest of the 9.12 updates without a problem.

I am able to run my BluRays out of the HDMI port at 1080p/23.976hz with 8Ch PCM audio @24b/92khz without any problem. Everything works great.

I have been benchmarking, rebooting, overclocking, switching displays, you name it... and have not had a video driver problem yet.

Using AVG9, i see no viruses/malware within the driver pack, or the ATI GPU Clock tool.

Im loving this laptop! Hope they iron out the SSD issues sooner than later. I want to run the drives independently in AHCI mode, and also get the newest firmware on them. Neither of these are possible at this time.

PS: I found that most programs wont show the gpu temp, but both MSI overdrive and the ATI GPU Clock tool will show them in realtime. MSI will not overclock the gpu however.

 

Final numbers for my Envy 15:

3DMark06 (default, free): 9,450

 

Thanks for the info. But I am still unclear about creating a 'B_92022' file because that file name already extracts in the 1st folder extracted to from the strags.com download. Do I create a second one? and if so do I put it inside the first B_92022 file or just in the main folder so there are 2 files w/ same name?

 

I said create a folder named that, and paste all the files in there again. dont make a file.

 

Sorry, it was a typo, I mean that thier is already a folder with that name when I extract the download to a folder, it has 37 files which are mostly .dll .

Just recovered from the third attempt, got the driver (8.861) loaded twice but crashed both times. Now seems like device manager won't recognize any drivers in that folder, I get the 'best driver already installed' message. It seems like windows learned that that driver causes problems, even tried to update driver from the defualt VGA driver and it went and loaded 8.632 again even when it was not in the folder I chose.....

Also tried modding the files (even though it says they are) and that didn't help....

One other question, in the AMD clocking tool when I reset to defuault settings it loads 299Mhz for core speed yet the specs and CCC info say it should be 400Mhz...Any thoughts on that?

 

Ok when you update the drivers make sure to select choose from a list of drivers then when on that page select have disk and point to the folder with the drivers in it.

it has been so long since I had to install drivers manually I almost forgot the procedure.

 

Yes, I had the same question; when you extract the strags download, it already creates a populated folder called "B_92022", so you can't create a new one with that name...

Thanks for doing the research on this!

 

So I got bad news from HP today. As I mentioned in a previous post, I sent my Envy in for servicing because my 160gb SSD + 250gb HDD was sent to me configured in RAID 0 and I (with help from HP tech service) was unable to disable the raid and install the recovery OS on only the 160 SSD (this is how I want/expected it). 10 days after sending my computer to HP for reinstallation of the OS, I was told by one of their tech people that the configuration I ordered (160 + 250) can only be set up in RAID 0 so they are sending the computer back to me the way I got it (RAID 0). I argued that there were other people (on this forum) who received Envys with the dual 160/250 config with the OS only installed on the 160 SSD. Two separate Envy tech people stated what I was saying could not be true and that ALL dual drive Envys can ONLY be set up in RAID 0. I asked the last person I spoke to if I could install a newly purchased Windows 7 myself on one single drive and she stated that the motherboard would not allow it (RAID 0 or nothing...).

Can any of this be true? It just doesn't make sense to configure the 160/250 in RAID 0, but everyone I have spoken to at HP has stated there is no other option.

This poses a problem for me because I am moving from the US to Egypt in two weeks. There is not enough time for me to exchange the computer for a new one. Would people on this forum advise me to purchase my own version of Windows 7 and try to do a clean install? Is it even possible (as HP tech people suggest) that the motherboard is configured so RAID 0 is the only option?

I have to decide what to do in the next 24 hours (21 day return period is coming to an end) so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Would anyone know how to re-configure the HP quick launch buttons?
Here I can't even find the supposed 'HP Quick Launch Buttons' programme...

 

No, my hard drives show up as separate entities - no RAID. OS (C) 136GB (SSD), Data (D) 232GB (HD) and Recovery (E) 11.7GB

 

Does this machine have DDR3-1066 RAM? I just realized that's what I have. I thought it was supposed to be DDR3-1333.

 

Can be configured with both RAM speeds, 1066 is default. I remember that because I didn't know whether 1333 would make a difference but it was like $25 or $50 so I did the upgrade. (I ended up canceling order for now, want to find out some more. But man it's a nice machine, I keep going back to Fry's to play with it.)

160 ssd + 250 hdd in Raid 0? I must be missing something here, because that plain doesn't make any sense.

 

guys. is there a way to increase the speed of the fan by default? please help thanks.

 

The build wizard does not show the speed, only how much ram you want in how many sticks. I would have definetely chosen 1333.

 

How can I know my ram speed?

 

You can use cpuid-z. If you have HP support assistant, the system information area shows that as well.

 

Thanks man, mine are DDR3 Dual PC3-10700(667 MHZ)!!! <---??? 667 Mhz that's because are dual right?

 

Looks like you got DD3-1333. That's great. How did you get that? Did you place order over the phone? How much RAM did you get? Maybe HP chooses the speed based on the ram config you order? I asked for 4x2GB

 

You're right, I got it mixed up with M15x. Do you have a Quickship or custom?

 

Custom. But as you customize it one is not given the choice of memory speed, so I was wondering how some folks got dd3-1333

 

You may want to take another look at CPU-Z and look at the 'speed or spd' tab. On mine it gives not only more info on each module but it shows the manufacturer and part number etc. I have Samsung 1333 modules in each slot and I believe we have the same configuration of computers (except drives). Their is info someplace on HP sales pages which says 1333 ram speeds for the Envy 15, I think it might be on the .pdf datasheet link on the bootom of feature page. Either way if you really have 1066 they owe you upragded memory, how much of a hassle it would be to replace it is another matter. good luck.

P.S. for reference I get a windows performance score of 7.5 for memory.

 

yes the spd tab shows I have 4 sticks of pc3-8500 which is ddr3-1066. This matches the running speed on the other tab of 533 MHz.

I am unable to find anywhere on their web site any advertised speed for the system RAM. All I see is DDR3, nowhere I see them listing the speed, so I don't know what to base my complain on if I call them.