*HP Envy 15 Owners Lounge! PART 2*

Don't see a TRIM function anywhere? You mean the management tool in the toolbox? (sorry those are my first SSDs)

Well I ran the management routine in the ssd toolbox both drives passed and it recomends running it once a week. It didn't help much with the scores tho... Very similar if not slower in some of the tests. (ran at 1000mb)

 

@JJB: Got this from reading the intell ssd toolboc manual:

Guess we don't need to schedule the tool then.

 

It looks like TRIM in RAID0 was a scam according to this post:
http://www.techreport.com/discussions.x/18653

"Here's what Intel told us before the update hit the web last Friday:

The latest: Intel® RST 9.6 will be released this week which includes TRIM support for SSDs. It will support TRIM with SSDs in an AHCI configuration, or with the RAID controller enabled and the SSD is used as a pass through device. An example of this use case is for users that want to use the SSD as a boot drive but still be able to RAID multiple HDDs together to allow for large protect data storage – a great use for the home theater PC. TRIM support for SSDs in a RAID configuration is under investigation and is not included in Intel® RST 9.6."

I didn't see anything explaining this in the release notes.

 

still no Catalyst driver update...starting to have problems w/ this Preview driver.

 

its here hoping it is more stable then before...

http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_catalyst.aspx

 

Looks like people are having issues according to this post:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=470403

 

Eww I don't know whats wrong with my system, If I install any drivers other than 8.632.0.0 A for Video Card it won't work. I was installing 10.3 catalyst and it doesn't want to work Any idea how to fix it ?

 

Those are the wrong links. they are desktop graphic card driver links.

The mobility 10.3 drivers are on AMD's main web site:

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

Includes 10.3 driver 8.712.0.0 and new CCC. Does not have HDMI, Hydravision or Avivo in the package yet...

 

But it gave same error with 10.2 as well. Will download from your links and see if they work. Thanks.

 

Question: Is there a noticeable increase in performance of the Envy with newer drivers? Which are the newest drivers that currently work?

 

Okay so download from your link and then, if we want the other stuff, run a custom install of the regular driver pkg?

 

Noticeable as a huge improvement? Normally no. Just tweaks and some improvements, but its not like a 5830 will out of the sudden be like a 5870 lol...:wink:

The 10.3 for the GPU are the latest ones, but it is tricky (read a !@#$%) to install them. Tomorrow with patience I'll give them a try and report back

 

Er.. do the 10.2 drivers work? I'd rather just have an easy install

 

Should work. I mean, the 10.3 work too, but it is tricky to install them...dont know why...normally it is foolproof but this time around it disabled my GPU and had to restore my laptop...twice! grrr

Give it a try. Just read how to and it should be ok.

 

(deleted - wrong thread, whoops)

 

Hi, first post here.
I bought a Dell Studio 15 with i7-720QM, 6GB RAM, HD 5470, 1080 display and so on.. I like it but returning it since i think it's too noisy. The fans are constantly running even on idle with core temperatures at 45-55 C. I've been reading this 200 pages long great thread now and can conclude that this seems to be a nice laptop with some flaws (which every laptop has off course). But what concerns me most is the black-screen issue, because I actually saw it at a store when I checked the Envy 15-1190 out. My questions are:

1. Has anybody actually received an Envy 2G that does not suffer from the black-screen issue?
2. Those of you that had the black-screen issue, was it fixed by any of the updates (GPU, BIOS), or did you have to send it in?
3. Also, how noisy is the Envy 15 i7-720QM at idle (and when browsing with a couple of tabs)? Please compare it to MBP (the model before unibody) since I'm using it at work and find it quiet at idle.

Thanks!

 

This 10.3 CCC is absolute balls for my FIRST GEN ENVY. Installing, and then blue screen of death 'to prevent damage' during it.
Anyone same situation?

 

I don't tend to notice it much when I use it at the coffee shop or even the library. It is noticeable if you are using it in bed and the house is silent. I have never had any problems and build quality is good.

 

EDIT 3/25: WARNING: IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THE FOLLOWING IS NOT WORKING WITH THE AMD 4830 GPU's. SO THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE 4830 MODELS UNTIL A FIX IS MADE BY AMD OR HP. ATTEMPT AT YOUR OWN RISK.

5830 models seem to update without problems with the following method.

The 10.3 Mobility driver and CCC package are working fine for me but missing a few features like Hydravision, Avivo and new HDMI driver. This driver package is WHQL'd and is compatible with the 5830 and should install and work just fine for all envy's.

Suggestions for installing 10.3 ATI Mobility driver package

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

The problem a lot of you seem to be having with installs is, I believe, conflicts coming from your older driver packages. ATI specifically recommends unistallation of previuos versions prior to installing new ones (it says "it is not required but recommended to avoid conflicts"). Also with each new package from ATI that includes a new version of CCC they are recommended to be installed at the same time to "maximize stability". The 10.3 CCC is designed to work with the 10.3 drivers. If you have multiple previous installs of ATI driver / CCC packages I think most of your problems with the installs not working and instability are due to a conflict with an older version.

Unfortunately removing the older versions of ATI driver / CCC packages is not as simple as most programs. The standard uninstall apps (windows uninstaller, REVO etc.) leave a lot of garbage behind that still needs to be removed. To do this you need to use at a minimum a free app called 'driversweeper' found here: http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/ (there is good info on this site)

After you unistall ATI from the ATI 'Install manager' restart the computer. Basic components of the old drivers are still left in there so you need to run Driver Sweeper, just check ATI and click analyze then click clean. Restart the computer. The computer will go to low resolution with VGA drivers from MS and you can increase screen resolution by right clicking desktop (if windows auto loads an older ATI driver see below). Then install mobility 10.3 driver package.

The above method should be sufficient to remove most leftover ATI files according to several forums I've read. In addition to driversweeper I run another app called DriverCleaner (from the same guy who wrote the original mobility modder). This is a $10 app and is available here: http://www.drivercleaner.net/

EDIT: Make sure to select all ATI / AMD choices to 'analyze' and remove (except the AMD IGP option)

I ran this after driversweeper and was amazed to see that it found an additional 114 items to remove from ATI. This was from removing the 10.3 preview driver that was all I had in my system after my clean install of win7.

If you use this make sure to follow instructions exactly and make sure you don't select the remove ATI IGP option (that's the chipset firmware).

If you go through this process and on reboot (from driver sweeper and / or cleaner) windows loads another older ATI driver then you need to repeat the process for that driver as well by unistalling the driver from device manager and running the apps again. This is common if you have installed multiple ATI drivers without uninstalling the old ones.

FYI I have now had 5 versions of ATI drivers on this computer and never had a BSOD or crash other than from OC'ing to much. I am not sure if this will solve all your problems (especially you 4830 owners) but it has worked reliably for me

PS: It should go without saying but just in case; 1) create a restore point before you start and 2) make sure you have a copy of the driver install package that is currently working for you (or access to a download of it) in case the 10.3 just won't work for you.

 

I'm having the problem with the Envy locking up and freezing. This happened twice yesterday. No black screen just the machine freezing up tighter than a drum. I have the notebook flashed with the F19 BIOS. The older BIOS is no longer availiable on the HP Drivers Site.

 

Spoke with HP Envy tech support. All BIOS options are gone from the website for now due to an upcoming critical Microsoft update that they are reviewing. Apparently it may require BIOS adjustments.... They should be back up with a new BIOS 'shortly' along with the MS updates.

 

DO you mind posting a link to the speaker adjustment instructions by JJB? Also as far as color calibration for glossy, any suggestions?

 

This critical MS update, does it happen to be the SP1? I heard some time ago it was getting ready...me wishes a few things to be fixed around...

 

Here is a link to the speaker tweaks: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5668647&postcount=3614

And here is he newest color profile for the glossy HD display: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5990480&postcount=2644

 

That's all they could tell me, no other details except there may be a seperate BIOS for i5 and i7 models when they finish the changes.

I did get 'unofficial' confirmation of a 14" model with 1366 x 768 res and a 9 cell internal battery, and 17" with 1920 x 1200 res and > 7 lbs. w/ 9 cell battery. Both to be released this year, when pushed she said "sooner rather than later"

Please everyone, let's not start a run of wild speculation about this info, that's all I could get.

 

BTW, I do warn that upping the volume to the max has some consequences. The highs make the speakers literally shake and distortion appears at 80% of maximum volume (granted I edited some stuff in the beats audio system to enhance the bass - now I have real bass).

Something else, have you noticed how the ATI Audio HDMI out cannot be edited? The 3.5mm is easily changed but the HDMI has no options...

 

You da bomb man. Thanks.

 

Off course they won't tell about the new "critical MS update", they can't. But by just saying that it is enough to hint that a major overhaul of Win7 is coming. Some time ago the MS roadmap was leaked with no info about it, but less than a year from Vista launch the SP1 was out and same for XP, around a year after XP was launched SP1 came. Now this is pure speculation since only 6 months have passed, but what kind of "critical update" would require a BIOS revision, and called "critical" if it wasn't that important (coming from the OEM this is). Ok, enough, won't go off topic anymore.

WOW! The 13 has 1600x900 and the 14 no? hahahaahah very HP'ish.


There are already threads on this topic, such as HP lineup refresh on the main forum. Please head there to continue discussion of what's to come.

 

Actually upping the bass is what has consequences, lol. The last octive (>90Hz) uses 80% of the power output of the amplifier. The speakers cannot produce any significant sound below ~100Hz, if you boost the lower frequencies it is just adding distortion to the higher frequencies. You can test this by cranking the volume up and slide the 32Hz beats EQ slider to the max. both + and -- , you won't hear any difference in the bass, just less distortion in the output of the higher frequencies. Keep in mind that if you lower it way down then it will sound bad on headphones, my solution is to just select the 'studio' (flat) preset EQ curve when I am using headphones.

Never played with the IDT HDMI settings.

BTW, the envy 13 no longer has the 1600 x 900 radiance display option, only 1366 x 768, it went away when they dropped the pricing. Silly choice by HP IMO, it was a beautiful display that I would have no problem paying extra for as an option.

 

There is nothing to play with the IDT HDMI settings, only volume...I tried using the HDMI with my LG HDTV and nothing...only editing was using the TV's built-in....

Really no 1600x900 on the 13????? WOW HP really dropped the ball there...

 

I would keep my eyes open for something around June.

 

Did try all of it and still the same; after Starting Windows screen either goes blank or BSOD.

 

'Same here

 

Despite all the blood, sweat and tears that have been shed -- for months -- to install new ATI drivers, I still haven't heard or seen any evidence that they provide actual, discernible improvements on screen.

I think it's one of those things where people just want the idea that they have the latest update, whether or not it has any real effect.

 

bshaun, what GPU do you have ? 4830 or 5830 ?? I see bfaber has the 4830, maybe it's an issue with the 4830 (but it is listed in the release note as compatable)

That makes no sense because windows should default to the generic MS VGA driver when there is no ATI driver. Are you sure youre running the Mobility driver package?

The only other thing I could think of to try is to start up in 'safe mode', confirm no ATI drivers / files remain and try to load new package from there.

Does anyone with the 4830 have the new 10.3 driver working wothout issues??

 

This new release is supposed to provide a 4 - 8% improvement on most new games over the 10.2 release which also was supposed to have a performance improvement over earlier drivers, etc, etc....

As far as day to day use, your right, we will probably never notice a difference. Is it worth the effort? maybe not unless you can get a more stable running machine (ie no BSOD's) or if you are a serious gamer.

 

As an odd question, what version of bios do you have? (F19 here)

 

Exactly the same situation here. Rolled back to 10.2. I got a gen 1 with 4830 tho. Posted about that a few days ago.

 

Yes, F19 here also.

If you are still in VGA mode try doing a search for "ATI" on C: drive, maybe it will show something that wasn't cleaned. If the uninstall / cleaning worked correctly thier should be nothing left for windows to try and reload other than the VGA driver. From your post on the drivers thread it sounds like this was happening to you. I am now wondering if it may be an issue with some part of the HP software preventing the upgrade on the 4830.

 

Posted this on the drivers thread, copying here in an effort to narrow down what 'setups' are having the issues with 10.3 driver installs.

IF YOU HAVE A 4830 PLEASE REPLY :

Has anyone got the 4830 up and running sucessfully with any version of the 10.3 driver package??

IF YES:

Which version, 10.3 preview, 10.3a or the 10.3 'final' version ??

Do you have HP factory software or a clean Window 7 install ??

What BIOS do you have?

 

Hard to say.. I got windows back to the point where the display was listed as a device under 'Other', with just 'generic (VGA)'.. (I removed all display drivers from c:\swsetup\ where HP downloads service packs too)..

So unless something odd is going on, I had it back to raw VGA.. On the surface everything appeared to verify that. (Short of hooking up a kernel debugger to verify, which seems overkill)

 

Firstly, sorry for posting the wrong link to the ATI driver.

Secondly, I have really grown to hate the wifi receiver in this machine. I often use the coffee shop close to my University for study. I got flawless service from my Universities wifi on my old Dell Mini 9 hackintosh. Now with this expensive beast of a laptop w/ flashy wifi N I get low signals and problems connecting even when a signal exist. I have notice the same at home, on my old machine I would see almost 15 connections now only 3 or 4. I have the lastest drivers, please let me know what you experiences have been.

Thanks
Doug

 

Answered in there

Aaah... the joys of tracking those threads.

 

Thanks, I agree, to many threads lol.

I am still trying to find out if anyone with a 4830 has gotten the bloody 10.3 drivers to work, if not I want to update my 'instructions' post with a warning so other don't go through all the effort to find it won't work.

I am also beginning to wonder if the gen1 4830 may be an HP branded version (like the SSD's) that is causing the problems. If ATI has the 4830 listed for this driver package and it is WHQL'd it should (in theory) work properly.

 

Since when did the dell studio release ATI 5470? They are still on the 4570...

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/note.../pd.aspx?refid=laptop-studio-1555&s=dhs&cs=19

 

For the i7 I can tell you that you cant hear it, in complete silence you hear the fans go as a whisper, else it takes a lot of concentration to hear the CPU over the HDD and over the 3 fans...

Idle temps 45-55 are ok for an i7...you can drop it more, but it depends on loads of variables, such as surface, room temp, load, cooling plan, etc.

 

If you go to their i7 page there is only 5470 to choose from for Studio 15, same as here in Sweden.

 

That sounds good. Noticeable is ok, but my Dell is more than noticeable I'd say.

Well, actually I meant how noisy the whole laptop with i7 is. Was that what you meant to?

 

10.3 is not working for me even after cleaning up using DriverSweeper in safemode and had to go back to my old drivers that came with notebook.

Config:
Envy 15 1007ev
BIOS: F.19A
GPU: 4830

 

Thanks for the info. I am going to add a warning to my original '10.3install suggestions post' that it appears not to work with the 4830 GPU's.

I also posted a generic message on the AMD / ATI driver support site, you may want to do the same. The more reports they get the sooner they may come up with a fix.

Here is a link to the 'report' page: http://www.amdsurveys.com/se.ashx?s=5A1E27D27E29B0E3

If anyone knows of a better method to inform AMD of this problem please post it.