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    *HP HDX DRAGON Owners Lounge, Part 1*

    Discussion in 'HP' started by J-Bytes, Sep 14, 2007.

  1. xanlexian

    xanlexian Notebook Consultant

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    Okay, I've downloaded the "sp40001.exe" softpaq and it keeps asking for a BIOS Setup Password...

    I don't have one.


    Uh... help? Thanks!
     
  2. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    Wha? That shouldn't happen. Try a reboot, hit f10 @ boot screen and see if it'll let you get in.
     
  3. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    It's handled by what Nvidia calls "pureVideo."

    Here's some text about it: http://www.nvidia.com/page/purevideo.html

    It works very well.
     
  4. AlphaHeX

    AlphaHeX Notebook Consultant

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    Are you trying to tell me that for X9000 processor multiplier change is not available in BIOS? Can someone with X.... processor check it to confirm?
     
  5. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    It's a fact. Even on HP's website.

    http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/popups/moreInfo.jsp?category=PROCESSOR&catUid=m_c_1

    certainly not worth the price of admission with this feature not enabled. Buying it off ebay for $300-$400 might be worth it. But not the $700 premium over the T9300 HP is charging.

    If one finds the PLL clock chip manufacturer code (clock generator), then perhaps the HDX would be overclockable using software. Such as SETFSB. http://www13.plala.or.jp/setfsb/
     
  6. iliketechnology

    iliketechnology Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi 2.0,

    thanks I checked the Oure HD website and I am happy that 8800M GTS supports all Pure HD feature and that interpolation seems to be correct in case of video playback. But on german forum they claimed that you can switch of interpolation even for games in the driver control center of nvidia. Do you confirm this? you said that there is always full scale in games.

    On which page was the CPU exchange mentioned?

    Alexander
     
  7. rumba

    rumba Newbie

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    Yes, this is missing, as is Hardware Virtualization on the HDX (no change if you enable it in BIOS--the option is dummy).
     
  8. xanlexian

    xanlexian Notebook Consultant

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    Get in no problem. No password or anything. The update still kept asking for a password. Sooooo....

    I gave it one, then entered that password I set in the BIOS into the update program, and that seemed to work. After the update, I went back in and removed the password.

    Absolutely no clue as to where it thought I had a password originally. Go figure. HP and their WONDERFUL software...

    Such a shame. Fantastic hardware, but I swear, they hire idiot monkeys for their software coding departments.
     
  9. AlphaHeX

    AlphaHeX Notebook Consultant

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    Do you mean that VT is not working on HDX even if CPU support it?
     
  10. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    It's game dependant. Modern games (mostly 2005 and later) don't need it as they are programmed for wide screen resolutions and proper aspect ratios. Older games may need their aspect ratio adjusted as well as hacking to allow for the higher resolution. It's done in the game's config file not in the Nvidia control panel. The advanced section of the Nvidia control panel can control other options on a per game basis.


    I'll give you two for examples of older games I play:

    1. C&C Generals and Zero Hour do not support widescreen resolutions natively. You have to edit an .ini to force 1680x1050. Then you have to adjust the aspect ratio and camera height to get better non-stretched visual.

    2. Call of Duty and United offensive do not support widescreen resolutions, so I had to add it as a custom resolution in an .ini file as well as a custom aspect ratio. UO has issues with Nvidia 8 series on some maps.

    Here's a good wiki that has instructions for many older games to run in widescreen format: http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page


    Lastly, not sure what you mean about which page CPU exchange is mentioned. A couple of members on here have done it. All you need is the service manual for the HDX so you can properly disassemble it. It's a must read. Whole process takes about 4 hours. Could go a little faster but it pays to be diligent and careful. The entire motherboard has to come out because CPU and GPU are located on the bottom side. I only disassembled the unit to apply arctic silver 5.

    Anyway, URL to PDF version fo service manual: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01279508.pdf
     
  11. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    Glad everything worked out.

    Concur wholeheartedly about HP's software team.
     
  12. AlphaHeX

    AlphaHeX Notebook Consultant

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    I'm totally :mad:

    I've asked someone to buy one for me in the US and send to Poland, now I'm awaiting the delivery and if I would knew earlier about non overclocking of X.... processors and VT problems I would buy Gateway :(

    If that VT option is in BIOS but is not working isn't it a point to complain to HP and ask them for new working BIOS?
     
  13. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    Agreed. I'm using VMware 6 to run an XP guest and it runs as fast if not seemingly faster than Vista Host. So the VT-x missing is a non-issue.
     
  14. oritpro

    oritpro Notebook Enthusiast

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    I was searching the net today looking for MCE plug-ins and found this aticle:

    Windows Media Center TV Pack was released yesterday
    http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/07/17/windows-media-center-tv-pack-was-released-yesterday/

    http://www.geektonic.com/2008/07/microsoft-fiji-release-this-week.html

    Evidently the TV Pack is only available through OEM's and might possibly require a fresh Vista install. My two-week old system does not have it and from what I can see, it's no big deal.

    I wonder though, if anybody has the TV Pack and if it's worth pursuing from HP?
     
  15. CompTrekkie

    CompTrekkie Notebook Consultant

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    alright I just got my first Blue Ray movie and I am unable to play it. Quick Play gives me thw error "playback in not allowed because vga resource is not available". Any Ideas?
     
  16. redperson

    redperson Newbie

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    Well after many months of thinking, I've decided to buy the HDX from newegg. It should be here in a couple of days.

    Even though this is my first post, I've actually been on this site for several months doing all of the research mostly from this topic.
     
  17. MatsudaMan

    MatsudaMan Notebook Consultant

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    Hey Everyone!
    I just got my HDX in the mail today from newegg and I'm typing on it right now and I absolutely love the thing! First of all the display is better than I even imagined - just gorgeous. It came it flawless condition, not a single dead pixel or scratch or anything. I just can't believe how beautiful this thing is - I even named it BigandBeautiful! I also couldnt' be happier with the performance, especially after I got rid of all the bloatware and things running in the background (one of my only gripes). Actually, my only other gripe is that the keyboard is kind of loud and a little cheap feeling, especially when compared the extremely high quality of everything else. But all in all, I'm extremely pumped and happy to have this awesome machine in front of me! Can't wait to game on it!!!
     
  18. netarchy

    netarchy Notebook Enthusiast

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    You officially have my jealousy, I'm not getting mine till later this week, most likely Wed or Thur from newegg. Lookin forward to playin with this beast of a machine ;D
     
  19. ScooterHead

    ScooterHead Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have the Nvidia 8800M and I just had that problem too, It happened when I installed the newest unsigned Nvidia driver. I fixed it by reinstalling "NVIDIA NB8E-GT VGA Driver" from here...

    http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=2100&lc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=3547191&dlc=en
     
  20. ScooterHead

    ScooterHead Notebook Enthusiast

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    So I just went and checked my system and The blu-ray won't play while I'm using the 177.83 Driver. If you auto update the graphics drivers it installs 175.16 From my (very) limited experience it's either use 177.83 and have PhysX enabled but no Blu-Ray, Or 175.16 with no PhysX acceleration but have Blu-Ray playback.

    Does anybody have a driver that runs both?
     
  21. ScooterHead

    ScooterHead Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've been looking for a indoor antenna upgrade for my HDX and settled on the Terk HDTVa. My station is 30 miles away with some mountains in between but even with the amp off I recieve a great HD picture though directionally it's very finicky. I found it for $75 at best buy then came home and bought it online for $40 shipped.
     
  22. Teletran

    Teletran Notebook Enthusiast

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    ALRIGHT!!!!

    Ok... first, the bad news. I tried buying from Buy.com. But it didn't happen because:
    1. They automatically cancelled my order sometime after I placed it since the order request came from a non-US country.
    2. After talking to them by phone, we agreed to get my aunt (who lives in the US) to transact for me. A new order number was given. Things seemed fine now.
    3. They requested for Driver's license and more identification cards of my aunt. I emailed them back and said that they already have her phone number, her address, etc. Why the need for all these other security measures when I bugged my aunt enough already.
    4. They cancelled my order saying that the cardholder's identity and my email address is not the same.

    ??? :( ??? I emailed them again about this and didn't get a reply anymore. Apparently, they are now "temporarily sold out" and perhaps, chose to exclude my order especially since it had a $15 off coupon tied to it.

    I don't think I'll bother to check out that site anymore. It's really BAD customer service. Different people handled my inquiries and didn't get the history of the order.

    Anyway... it was time to go try with Newegg instead. My loving aunt does the transaction in one smooth setup.

    Thanks Newegg! I only wished the free shipping coupon was still available.

    I will soon be a happy HDX-owner. :)
     
  23. asuhoru

    asuhoru Notebook Consultant

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    Just curious- did you use a hp.inf or the tweaked one from laptopvideo2go? Because if you haven't, theres a link to a hp specific one here somewhere in this thread. I use 174.74 with that inf because I couldn't get my bluray movies to show up using that drivers moddified inf. I think these drivers suck and I get constant rundll (documented) errors at startup.

    I might try 175.16 now- I dont need that Phsyx stuff.
     
  24. xanlexian

    xanlexian Notebook Consultant

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    This has absolutely nothing to do with the HDX, but I just wanted to pipe in and also mention my absolute disgust with Buy.com. My little circle of family and friends never purchase from them due to my horrid experiences with them.

    Sort of comforting to know I'm not the only one. I purchased my HDX directly from HP (since I had some coupons at the time).

    Buy.com is worse (a LOT worse) than the HP Software Developer department.
     
  25. ValmonNR

    ValmonNR Notebook Consultant

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    Totally - I second that.
     
  26. TheOriginalGiga

    TheOriginalGiga Notebook Consultant

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    you know, I've only bought a couple things from buy and I'm in the US so I've never really had a problem with them. It's really sad to see a company treat their customers like that. Glad to here that your HDX if finally coming.
     
  27. TheOriginalGiga

    TheOriginalGiga Notebook Consultant

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    Ok, to all of you who wanted an HDX hard drive cage from me, I've placed the order and they're on their way. Please PM me with your address so I can start getting the costs of the shipping and total price. Because they're so small and light, I doubt the cost will be much more than $11 for anyone inside the US. I'll ship to outside the US, but it'll be more expensive, I believe I still have 2 unspoken for if anyone else is interested.

    Just a reminder, PM me please. thanks!
     
  28. CompTrekkie

    CompTrekkie Notebook Consultant

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    I got Blue Ray to work last night, just did not have time after watching it to get back online and post. :) Looks amazing by the way. I have HD-DVD with my Xbox 360 but this looks better. As said here the problem was the drivers. I had used the 177.83 drivers. I got the latest ones from HP’s site and problem fixed. I also noticed that with the other drivers that when I would display through the HDMI to my big screen that even though I had 1920x1080 selected it would not fill the screen. Another item of interest is that with the 177.83 drivers I had better performance for 3D games. My Vista 3d score went from 5.7 to 5.9 with these drivers. So I will play around a bit to see if I can make some changes.

    It is still a little buggy though, trying to display it on my big screen. It will only work if you use the FN-4 button combo. If I manually go into Display properties and extend it to my dig screen, make it primary, and uncheck extend to my laptop it will run but with no video, almost like it is trying to display it on my laptop. This would not be a problem but the FN-4 does not always work. It is a bit buggy and changes my resolution on my screen and sometime will not display on the big screen at all. But if I play with it enough it eventually works.

    The conclusion here is that in order to Play Blue Ray (at this time no solution has been found) you need the HP Display drivers. To play Blue ray through your HDMI you need to use the Laptops FN-4 switch to change screens, not windows display properties. One other item due to licensing issues with blue ray you cannot display on 2 monitors at the same time.
     
  29. wolfskinbjc

    wolfskinbjc Notebook Geek

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    i have the windows media center tv pack. i found it using google, typing in windows media center tv pack x64 rapidshare. it is NOT worth it for ME. I use strait up regular cable. the ONLY difference for me is that now there is a constant green circle wmc icon that says its downloading guide updates that will NOT go away. I'm about to delete it. right now actuallly. hope that helps.
     
  30. ScooterHead

    ScooterHead Notebook Enthusiast

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    I was using the tweaked laptopvideo2go .inf
     
  31. wolfskinbjc

    wolfskinbjc Notebook Geek

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    wonderful. apparently you CANNOT uninstall the tv pack.
     
  32. Miver

    Miver Newbie

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    From Page 160


    Looks like case #3 isn't an option anymore. I can't find it anywhere. If someone knows where I can get this. Please let me know.
    Mobile Edge Alienware Aurora mALX Backpack

    Love the forum. Thanks!!!
     
  33. AlphaHeX

    AlphaHeX Notebook Consultant

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    Uff, THX for the information, I'm much more relaxed now :)
     
  34. iliketechnology

    iliketechnology Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello,

    ordered mine with 1920x1200. We will see if I like it. I can check it before I take it.

    Did you get HD audio (DD True HD oder DD Plus) via HDMI in your blueray playback?

    all CPUs use have 800 MHz, but mainboard as RAM has 667. Run the CPUs with 800 Mhz or only with Frequency x 667/800. Anybody managed to use SetFSB? Should not be that difficult. Many opened their HDX - nobody wrote down PLL manufacturer?

    Alexander
     
  35. MatsudaMan

    MatsudaMan Notebook Consultant

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    Hey All,
    I want to check my gpu temp. Anyone have any suggestions on software that for this? Oh, and Mass Effect runs nicely on this machine!
     
  36. allen.g

    allen.g Notebook Guru

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    I'm getting closer to hitting the buy button. What kind of warranty, if any, do you folks suggest? I don't usually buy extended warranties, but feel that this might be worth it. That said, I plan on using this machine for the next 2-3 years. Also, how many of you lucky hdx owners here purchased an extended warranty?
     
  37. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    If you have Mastercard/Visa Platinum or AMEX, you get an automatic 1 year warranty extension through a free program that comes with these cards. Check the literature that came with the card of call the bank directly for details. This is one of the most overlooked perks of having these cards.

    The programs are excellent.
     
  38. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    Hwmonitor.


    http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php
     
  39. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    No one's done it yet. I'm not all that big on overclocking notebooks. But there was a discussion around page 70 or so. Didn't think to look for the PLL code when I opened 'er up. Next scheduled open is around the holidays when i'll have 4 hrs to kill. Plan on cleaning the fans and fins.
     
  40. TheOriginalGiga

    TheOriginalGiga Notebook Consultant

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    Due to the nature of the locked BIOS overclocking doesn't seem possible, or at least easy. I've tossed in some DDR2 800MHz stuffs I had laying around and I believe it was still operating at 667MHz which means it's a limitation of the board. I'll play with it tonight in class to see if I can get it to cruise a little quicker using that software (mind you, the last time I changed the clockspeed on RAM there were still dip switches on the mainboard haha).
     
  41. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    Hey! Long time no hear. How's things?
     
  42. MatsudaMan

    MatsudaMan Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks 2.0, cpuid works great.
    Just to let y'all know, 8800gts gpu temp at idle is between 40 and 45 and after playing Mass Effect for about an hour it rose to between 60 and 70. Is this about what I should expect?

    Heard people talk of installing new bios, mine is pretty old, but everything works so smoothly, I'm not sure if I want to screw anything up.

    Please, let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
     
  43. oritpro

    oritpro Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the response and taking one for the team :D

    No seriously, that bites. :eek:

    It's possible that HP felt that it wasn't worth the hassle either so they chose not to make it available, especially since you can't uninstall the darned thing.
     
  44. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    YW.

    GPU temps are good. That's pretty much where it should be playing a game like that.

    As for the BIOS update, you can't go wrong with F.39. Lower's CPU temps by about 3-5 Deg C because the fan is set on it's lowest setting all the time. It's more or less inaudible at that setting. Can't hear it over the hard drive spin.

    And I'm a freak about excessive fan noise.
     
  45. oritpro

    oritpro Notebook Enthusiast

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    My 8800 runs around 58C with a room temp of 24C That seems kind of high based on what I've seen so far. It rises to 60-70C after playing TF2 for a couple hours.

    I am running a second monitor on my system that I use as an extended desktop to monitor my CCTV system and watch TV/movies. Unplugging the extra monitor only drops the temp 2-3C, so I might crack this thing open one of these days and re-install the heat sink.
     
  46. MatsudaMan

    MatsudaMan Notebook Consultant

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    I'm thinking about updating my graphics drivers but not sure where to get them and which to get. If so, how much of a difference in fps increase should I expect? I also want the drivers to be compatible with everything on the computer - I'm not incredibly computer smart, so I probably don't know what I'm talking about.
     
  47. ct9a05

    ct9a05 Newbie

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    I'm having trouble running easybcd on XP (I get an application failed to initialize error). I need easybcd so I can reset the MBR to be able to dual boot XP and Vista.

    There's no search function on this site.. What's the other way around this?
     
  48. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    Add an astericks (*) for the fact that you have an X9000 chip. Nearly everyone else is using a P series CPU.
     
  49. 2.0

    2.0 Former NBR Macro-Mod®

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    Drivers don't necessarily increase frame rates. They mostly fix problems you might be experiencing with certain games or other software. So for certain games they may increase frame rates.

    So when you might see someone post that by installing a driver they got 100 3D MARK06 points, that is basically immaterial game-wise as that hardly represents even 1 frame rate or average frame rate more. 300-400 points more may boost minimum frame rates up a small notch which may mean the difference between stutter and no stutter at certain resolutions and graphic settings @ certain points in the game.

    So my general advice about drivers is, if it ain't broke... ;)

    Or if a updated driver adds a feature (other than a fix) it may be worth it.

    Some of us tweak for tweak sake. I'm guilty of it from time to time.
     
  50. TheOriginalGiga

    TheOriginalGiga Notebook Consultant

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    Ok, I got the hard drive cages in this morning and am starting to send them out. here's the list of people that have wanted to get a cage from me:
    Comptrekkie
    AspenWiedii
    SF_beachbum
    Boddy008
    Brembrad
    AlphaHeX
    Alanoftulsa
    If I forgot anyone or anyone else wants a cage, it should be around $10 assuming you live in the US. and I have at least 1 left, maybe 2. PM me if you're interested.
     
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