*HP Envy 15 Owners Lounge! PART 2*

I don't know what the limitations are. I went ahead and just played with the customizer and using a i5 it would actually let me chose 16g for the memory but it says thats with 4 slots. The i5 only lets you have 2 slots of memory but, since the only way you can get 16 with 4 slots is if they use 4 gig sticks, it would seem like you should be able to get 8 gigs (2x 4gig). Best to, can't believe Im saying this, either call or use the livechat feature and ask CS to confirm.

 

hello, just got my HP Envy 15 Version 2 i7 720, 300gb hd. I am fairly happy with my purchase, the laptop is very light and stable. The only design flaw I can see would be the plastic frame around the screen and the plastic hinge, these parts could have been made better.

I just did a fresh install of Windows 7 x64 Pro as HP sure knows how to ruin a good OS w/ branding and bloatware. I am having two problems with this install. I have installed all the drivers from http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=426181, but the Turboboost driver will not install and the USB 3.0 ports are not recognized in the device manager.

 

FYI- I did install the chipset drivers first. I am wondering if the drivers listed on the page I used are for the generation 1 envy.

 

Have you changed the BIOS setting to disable the 'fans always on' feature? If not do you hear the fans changing speeds as it gets warmer?

There are 2 intake vents on the bottom of the Envy, were those being covered when it worked for 2 hours last night ? Even with those blocked it should be able to get enough air from the front intakes to not overheat the CPU as long as the side exhaust vents aren't blocked.

Try downloading this free temp monitor: http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php

You can leave it running in backround and it will keep tabs of min and max CPU temps so you can see whats going on, CPU should be able to operate up 100C without shiutting down, in light use you propably shouldn't see above 65-70C. If the right side gets hot it would be the GPU and the only thing I know of that reads GPU temps is the AMD clock tool: http://downloads.guru3d.com/AMD-GPU-Clock-Tool-v0.9.26.0-For-HD-5870-download-2383.html

Hope that helps

 

I wouldn't count on it...took 3 weeks for mine to ship.

 

Actually the latest HWMonitor Pro 3.8 and the latest GPU-Z both seem to be able to read the temp of the 5830 GPU. At least both of them are giving me temps.

 

Yeah I didn't mention HWmonpro because I always seem to get 'trial' in the reading I want to see and have to close and reopen to get it to display what I want. Also it only shows 1 sensor and seems real slow to respond on the GPU. The AMD clock tool shows 3 sensors and you can set the sample rate.

GPU-Z didn't work correctly on my last i7 machine, kept locking up or took forever to change a setting etc. Is it working well for you ? Which version are you using?

 

This machine has a good cooling system. No heat issues, here. Rock solid so far. HP has a painless return policy. You can try the machine out and return it within 21 days. No re-stocking fees. They pay shipping too.

 

It seemed to work fine. I'm using the most recent version. I can't give you the build number because other half has swipped it to do homework but once I get it back I'll update this post.

 

can anyone help me find the correct intel chipset driver for the generation 2 i7 envy 15? my usb 3.0 drives are not being recognized.

 

well i downloaded the driver from gigabytes website as they have a motherboard that uses usb 3 worked great.

 

now that i have had the machine for a day I have noticed how amazing the screen is on this laptop. The black levels are just amazing for a laptop display no backlight bleed and great viewing angles. I own a HP lp2475w and while the envy doesn't have to color gamut of the h-ips display it is just as crisp.

I have come to realize that the HP support page is worthless and that is a big issue for a laptop. I have always built my desktops in the past and have been lucky to have Asus motherboards and nvidia gpus with wonderful driver support.

 

Which screen did you go with?

 

Has any1 gotten dual SSDs lately? Are they G2?

 

Does anyone know of some sort of wifi reciever / analog stereo preamp out device ?

I would like to be able to wirelessly stream high quality audio from my envy directly to my audiophile preamps analog RCA inputs (or balanced line).

FYI; I've found that the envy's audio out (headphone jack) has amazing sound quality with all controls set to flat. When connecting from the jack to RCA inputs my iTunes lossless audio files sound 10 times better than when played through the ipod / dock station. The envy must be able to process the full recorded bit rate and not the 320Kbs limit of the ipod, also stereo seperation is much better even with the crappy 3.5mm to RCA cable I'm using.

 

@bratboy I got the ultrabright 1920x1080 glossy display

@jjb if you have a reciever that has hdmi then that would be the best option. If you do not then Logitech Squeeze box is good option.

 

What is the link to the fresh install guide?

 

should be this one: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?&p=5496472#post5496472

It's from the first page of this thread. If you haven't done so already make an copy of the SWsetup folder before you start, it has drivers you can't get from HP yet. Good luck.

 

So that *is* the guide. I thought there was one specific to the Envy.

 

Thanks. That looks interesting but more features than I'm really looking for. Just need a high quality receiver / d/a converter / decoder with analog out. I'll see what kind of pricing I can find e-tail....

 

Not one that I know of specific to the envy.

Also in case you missed it, when you load windows you'll need to do it through the esata USB connector as the drivers for the USB 3.0 won't be loaded until you do it after install.

 

Anyone for another tale of a pinched keyboard cable?

I've just sent my machine in for repair. The keyboard problem that I thought was a software issue -- falsely maligning KeyTweak -- never really went away. It seemed at first to be a matter of randomly unresponsive keys; but as the problem worsened, it was clear that Q,W,E,R were the most unresponsive. Cable, clearly (not to mention the fact that an external keyboard worked perfectly)

Even apart from that, the one thing that has always disappointed me somewhat in the Envy is the keyboard quality. It's fine -- just not great. I'm typing right now on my wife's new MBP 13. I would never swap my Envy for a Mac, but... man, these keys are heaven. Nice weighty action and "hard" response.

I've even noticed on my Envy that the left Ctrl button actually sags slightly to the left, especially if you've just happened to hit the left side of the key. Sad.

 

To be honest with you, I got my Envy brand new out of the box with MANY sagging keys... At least they work, so far... *knock on wood*

 

Yes, I think I remember you (or somebody else) mentioning that earlier. Is it just that each key has too narrow a connection underneath, do you suppose? so that the wider keys can end up tilting?

Or can the whole matrix be sort of tightened? maybe with more upward pressure from below, as it were?

I'm just wondering if I want to bother formally adding to the work order on my machine: "tighten up the keys!"

 

My keys on my Envy too are all Helter Skelter. Some up some down. Some are actually hitting the screen. So I will be asking for a repair when I get back home from this trip..

 

Okay semi stupid question. I don't mind, and even like sometimes, the OSD stuff like the little image that pops up when you turn off the track pad or adjust the volume. However there other times when it can be a bother. Is there an easy way to turn the feature on/off? I know I could just format and do a clean install but since I do like having the stuff available sometimes was hoping theres a process or service I stop/start instead.

 

Hello there, have been following this thread for a while, and was really happy to see that my Envy was pretty much problem-less, up until now. It's a minor issue, but still a pretty annoying one.

Every now and then sound (be it music, or games) stutters for a half of a second or so(I just hear constant even noise). I'm not sure what might be causing it, any ideas?

 

Click teh Start Orb > In eth search feature at the bottom Type MSCONFIG
Open MSCONFIG.

Under MSCONFIG go to the startup Tab, and look for a service called "HP MediaSmart Smart Menu" and deselect the check box to the left.
Restart your PC and voila, the menu shoudl be disabled now.
You can also dsable the quick launch buttons also(the ones on the left of teh keyboard). Deselect the service named "HP Quick Launch Buttons"

 

FYI...

I put together a single post containing all of the links to threads, posts, FAQs, etc from all of these 1000000 posts we have. So far, I've only gotten through 100 pages of the posts .. Lol!!!

But at least there is one page to find all of these formation instead having to search through it when I my laptop arrives...Lol!

Let me know if something is missing and would be helpful for other people that should be on there. Point me to the answer or send me the info and I can update it.

http://mobiletech.knguyentu.com/2010/03/hp-envy-15-2nd-generation.html

Thanks,

 

Thanx, do either of those control that silly screen pop up you get when you turn off the touchpad. Yesterday my partner had turned it off then closed the laptop which put it in sleep mode and when I woke it up had the little graphic constantly blinking and had to reboot to clear it.

 

Finally managed to source a HP Envy 15 1104 here in Australia! There's a massive shortage unfortunately out here. Wasn't cheap, but is being brought in from another store in NSW. Should be here by tomorrow, so I am very happy. Taken me long enough!

Now to find a bag, and a cooler. Also might grab a 24" monitor for using with it when home.

 

Nice Pommie, were you able to find one with a full HD screen?
Have fun with your nice lappy.

 

Has anyone figured out if the 10.2 or the 10.3 ATI drivers work with the ATI 4830? Or are we being left behind by HP.

 

“May I have your Customer Service number please?”

“Yes, it’s RRT3T43”

“Ok, your Envy just came in. How can I help you with this repair order today?”

“I’m wondering if I can add to the work order. I had forgot to mention when I sent it in that there are a couple of sagging keys on the keyboard. The left Control key, for instance, dips slightly to the left, and I’m wondering if it’s possible to fix that or just tighten up the keyboard generally, in addition to fixing the problem with the keyboard cable.
...
…. hello?"

“Yes, hello sir, you’re having a problem with the keyboard, is that correct?”

“Yes, as I was saying, a couple of the keys sag a little bit and I’m wondering if I can get them to look at that as well.”

“Yes, malfunctioning keyboard, that is what I’m showing here. They will certainly address that problem as soon as possible.”

“No, but I’m talking about another problem with the keys. Did you hear what I was saying about the sagging key?”

“Yes, do you mind holding on one moment, sir?”

“ok”

…

“Sir, are you there?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you very much for your patience, sir. Ok, our service department will fix your malfunctioning keyboard as soon as possible.”

“Ok, yes – but will they also be able to look at that other thing, the sagging keys? It’s a separate issue.”

“`A separate issue’. Ok, yes I will write that down on the order here… Ok. Is there anything else I can do for you today sir?”

 

@Wretched Gnu

LOL, can those ppl at HP do anything without putting a person on hold first. Well hopefully when their looking at it, if the person you spoke with doesn't input things in the system right, they will still notice & address the issue themselves. Gotta love HP CS tho, they actually make me feel intelligent in comparison.

 

Where was the rep from?

 

anyone have problems with there Windows 7 x64 fresh install with 10.3 beta Catalyst drivers? I think that the drivers have messed up my Media Center. I ran it for the first time last night and it crashed my computer. Upon restart media center will no longer startup, brings up a message stating "Media Center Has Stopped Working" then says it is checking for a solution which it doesn't give. Any help would be great other wise I will have to reinstall windows.

 

I assume he was Indian; but that doesn't normally translate to bad service, at least for me.

But surprise surprise, I just got an email saying they've fixed it and FedEx will deliver it tomorrow afternoon. If so, that will have been an insanely fast process. Maybe they made it top priority after I made the second request, so they could say the machine was out the door before they got it!

yes, I'm a cynic.

 

I don't recall reading what the issue was you sent it in for. Maybe, whatever the issue was, it was simpler for them to just swap out the keyboard in the first place. I haven't taken mine apart yet but assumed the entire keyboard was a single assembly.

Anyway, hope they got everything fixed for ya.

 

I started a thread on the Next Bench forum regarding the Black Screen problem
iMaxx claimes 'Looking into it'
http://h20435.www2.hp.com/t5/HP-Envy-Notebooks/Blank-Screen-Problem/td-p/53319/page/2

 

Fortunately, so far at least, I haven't ran into this issue with my replacement Envy yet and its using F18

 

I have experienced this issue last nite on Gen2.

 

Anyone up for a hardware-moisture question?

My Envy has been away for repair for a few days, but I still have the power cord/brick. I left it outside a couple days ago (long story) and it got snowed on. I've hung everything upside-down to dry, but water definitely got into every available aperture.

So the question is: Can I trust everything to dry out and be useable? I assume after 3 days it'll be as dry as it's going to get -- but does that mean it'll still be safe to use on my Envy when it gets back?

How many here would risk it...?

 

It will either work or not, OK let me explain; the standard 120W adapter has every available safety feature built in: surge, short circuit, overheat, voltage regulation etc. etc.... So bottom line it won't blow you or the envy up and it won't start a fire so I would try it.

I would plug it in while your waiting for the envy to come back, It should produce a little internal heat that may help dry out the components inside.

 

Good idea -- thank you. At least the brick light still activates...

 

is the slice battery addition worth the money?

 

I have to say so far I really like this machine. As I stated before the screen is the best I have seen on any laptop, and certainly better than a macbook pro as they have terrible viewing angles with a yellowish tint. The i7 processor with the ati 5830 is unstoppable, so far Rhino3d, Illustrator, and Left 4 Dead 2 have not even made this thing hot or bogged down. The keyboard is very nice. Only thing I really dislike would be the use of plastic around the screen, looks like it will scratch, fingerprint, and collect dust. The trackpad is as good as the macbook pro and works better than my Wacom Bamboo.

Anyone know the warranty length on this machine?

 

I was able to disable the cores and thread on i7 I suppose, msconfig > boot > advance > set number cores to 4 ( 2 cores 4 threads). I have not figured what are negative impacts it may causes yet.
Task manager and CPU ID show 2 cores and 4 threads

 

1 Year Standard Warranty if you didn't upgrade or purchased any addition warranty packages.

 

I do not believe that HP is taking this issue seriously. In fact, I think they believe we are making it up.

I have just had to call HP again, after they were unable to find the fault, as within 5 minutes of starting the machine and transferring back my files and hello black screen.