*HP HDX DRAGON Owners Lounge, Part 1*

I noticed that there is no more 32bit vista as well.
Ordered mine with 64bit and think I made a mistake after reading all the problems with 64.
However, on the HP update site for the HP Pavilion HDX9000T CTO Notebook PC it shows you can order restore disks which used to be an option when I ordered mine and I did select them at purchase.
I also noticed that between the two update sites:
HP Pavilion HDX9000T CTO Notebook PC Vista
and
HP Pavilion HDX9000T CTO Notebook PC Vista 64
It appears as though most of the drivers are the same size, version number and date. The exceptions being:

Silicon Image Sil3531 eSATA Driver (Not on 64bit updates at all)
HP Help and Support for Microsoft Windows Vista
DigitalPersona Fingerprint Software for Microsoft Windows Vista

I'm now wondering if I should wipe the beastie when I get it and do a clean install with Vista Ultimate 32bit?

Question for anyone with an Extreme CPU:
Can you change the multiplier in the BIOS to OC it?

FedEx picked mine up in SHANGHAI CN today so I should have it soon?

 

If you ordered it with 64bit I don't believe you can downgrade. I think the license will only cover the 64bit version, that is of course unless you already own a 32bit Vista install disk with it's own individual license number. At least from what i've ready about the HP restore disks every version is there, but you are limited to what you purchased actually installing correctly. Someone correct me if i'm wrong please.

 

What troubles with 64bit did you read about? There aren't too many. Older games mostly. But the grand majority of 32bit software runs fine on it. Some might require that you run them as administrator.

The other problem is with drivers, and this may apply to some modded Nvidia drivers (not the ones on laptopvideo2go), is that you can only use signed drivers with Vista 64bit.

Last problem might be drivers for peripherals. But pretty much all the name brand peripheral makers have signed 64bit drivers.

As far as downgrading to 32bit, not sure. Might be able to do it through the anytime upgrade program. (Edit:ignore that)

Edit: it is possible to downgrade. The OEM reinstall disc comes with both 64 bit and 32 bit. It's a little bit of a task to do but you can find instructions here in this thread as well as other useful info:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228

 

Thanks 2.0
I'll know more once I get it and install my most used/important s'ware and hardware.

 

Yeah, apparently anyone who orders a customized notebook, no matter the model, from their website should expect a shipping delay. the good folks at HP's location in Shanghai can't get it together enough to have the proper paperwork ready and available to US Customs when a order ships. I've read lots of complaints about this. Part of it is HP's problem for being a little slow, then add on top of that all the custom issues here in the US and expect a nice delay. Mine has been sitting in Alaska now with 2 or 3 other pallets waiting for customs to clear it for 4 days.

If yours was shipped from Shanghai in the last few days don't expect it until sometime next week....if you are lucky. I've made calls to HP, FedEX and customs. HP and customs are useless. FedEX wants to move the stuff, but it is beyond their control. HP says they sent the paperwork, US Customs says they haven't received it. Both of them are very lacking. I ordered items from Apple 2 months ago and it went the same route. Twice I had two different items go through customs in Alaska and they both we cleared quickly. So i'm not sure who to blame on this one. Both have mishandled it poorly.

 

What an awesome thread this is, I have subscribed to the this forum just to be able to write this post!

Earlier today I was just about to click "buy" on the HP UK website to purchase an HP HDX (for use as a home desktop replacement, and occassional portable), and before committing I thought I would have a final - trawl around the net to see if there were any issues with the product, and thank goodness I did as I found this thread!

It has alerted me to certain issues regarding the HP HDX that at the moment are causing me the level of concern where I am now undecided whether to purchase one or not. Specifically, as I understand from spending 2 hours reading this thread the following are what I would consider a summary of issues and potential issues. If I have got it wrong or misunderstood then please correct me. Please excuse me for writing all this, its a sort of catharsis to get my mind straight as to what the "risks" are.

- Out of the box problems. There seems to be a high ratio of show-stopper problems with brand new HDX, and HP quality control issues - dead pixels, buttons not working, graphics drivers not loaded.

- Short term reliability. Buttons failing to work. Potential fan noise.

- Appalling HP Support.

- No configuration purchase options. The two choices from HP in the UK both ship with the now defunct HD DVD, no offering of an alternative. Both ship with 32bit Vista yet the higher spec'd version has 4 Gig of memory installed, so 1 Gig is not addressable. No choice for 7200rpm HD's. No choice on the higher resolution screen available in the USA.

- Bloatware installed. I really dont want to have to re-install Windoze to get rid of it.

Every single purchaser seems to have some sort of problem with their HDX, even the happy ones either have lingering small problems, and have spent a lot of time and effort in getting problems fixed.

The HDX seems ideal for me, and what I require of a Laptop/PC. I like its looks, its function and facilities, the price is fine and I really want to get one! Just there seems so many problems I am now at the stage of dithering!

I am afraid this post doesn't really add to the content of the thread in any meaningful way. I just had the urge to post after spending the afternoon reading all through the thread.

I just want a solid, reliable Laptop, thats well spec'd with large screen, thatw orks out of the box, doesnt require me to have to work at fixing the thing, and is robust and reliable. Is the HDX and the fossil Dell M2010 the only real choices?

 

Can't do much about Bloatware. Just about every company you buy from puts it on there. They claim it's so they can bring you equipment at a lower cost(if you believe propaganda).

Drivers, well every new system that runs vista just about has had problems with drivers at one time or another. Certain Dell and HP models have been plagued with minor driver issues. A lot of it is that people don't have any real experience working around these machines all the time. So little problems can become huge really quick. And the big ones can be solved by asking the right people how to fix it.

As far as button problems, keys etc. well most all stuff is made from cheap plastic these days. It happens. Some people mash these things thinking they are as durable as the old Nintendo game controllers were back in the late 80's. They aren't!

If you take your time and examine the issues you are having they can usually be worked out with a little help from someone on these forums. After all, most common issues have been run into quite a few times and people here are always happy to help. Anyway I chose the HDX over Dell because the design looks better and the specs are what I need them to be.

 

@Golfmad

Yep, the HDX and XPS 2010 are the only choices currently.

One thing you have to consider about forums is that there is a disproportionate number of people with problems than people with praise.

There are other customer reviews around the web that paint a rosy picture of HDX ownership.

So it comes down to (as with any computer purchase) the old axiom, "you pays your money, you makes your choice."

I'm as worried about the prospect of getting dodgy service for small problems as I am about getting an outright lemon. So much so, I started to look into getting a small form factor desktop as a back up plan. But having owned many computers over the years, I've never had the same problems as some of the horror stories I've read with people with the same hardware. I've had smallish problems here and there but I never found customer service of either Dell, HP, Sony, or Sager to be on the low side of things. Always worked out in my favor. Perhaps it's the way I approach them or maybe it's my outlook beforehand.

Or perhaps I'm just lucky.

But statistics suggest that you have a 10% -15% chance of encountering a hardware problem in the first few weeks to 1 year of ownership.

Roll the dice.

If you could wait a few months, the next iteration of the HDX should have a bit more of its kinks worked out. First run products tend to have the most issues.

Thanks for posting though. You brought up and verbalized a subject that many others wonder about. So I'd say it was a positive contribution.

 

@ Vanzant and 2.0

Many thanks for the follow-up.

I have sorta decided I would really like a 20inch, and with the choice of just Dell and the HP, its kinda gnawing away at me that sod's law says I will be one of the 15% whose life turns into one string of frustrating phone calls to the Indian sub-continent.

I guess I can put up with some of the risks, I think what is doing my head in is the lack of any choice in the spec. Not that I really need much choice, but this HD DVD does worry me, and tales that I wont be able to get the media for it, just seems ridiculous to buy a brand new state of the art laptop and one of its major components is already defunct. Plus that the Op system wont address all the memory on board!

The trouble with waiting for a new model is as its always been, one can wait ad infinitum, there is always something better around the corner, and if we all waited we wouldnt have any laptops or PCs

I dunno. Experience of life tells me if one has a doubt then to leave it out. On the other hand just about every product made seems to have issues or one kind or another, so I guess its a balance between fear and paranoia on the one side, and the stark reality of thats the world we live in on the other side. I need someone to push me one way or the other!

 

QFT 2.0...in fact I would like permission to use this in my sig(s). This succinctly states what I wrote to 'creek' in another thread. Sums up my thoughts to the doom/nay-sayers in many forums I frequent.

Not that I'm calling you one Golfmad, cause you seem to get it. But there are plenty out there that just complain seemingly for lack of something else better to do, or to rile the masses.

 

I think I am trying to convince myself that despite trawling through 30+ pages about this beast, with many, many problems reported, that all will be ok despite my resultant concerns and natural feeling that the whole thing will turn into a dog's dinner
There is always risk, but balancing the risk and likelyhood of problems, versus the cost and potential agro is important to me. I hope I am not being paranoid!

 

Thanks. Sure, all yours. All my quips and musings are open source.

 

Please excuse me for thread hogging.

I just went to HP USA and configured a HDX based on the same spec as the one available here in the UK (T9300, 1680x1050, 8800M GTS), but with the following "enhancements":-
-64bit OS + SP1
-7200RPM HD's
-Blue-Ray ROM

The price before any voucher is the same as the UK price, plus I also have the option of the 1920 display for an extra $200 US.

Now, prices in the UK even allowing for the exchange rate tend to be higher, and that I understand and accept. But what I fail to see is when the product is manufactured in China and Fedex'd to the customer internationally from China then why cannot I spec the HDX in the UK? It cant make any real difference to HP whether they ship to the UK or USA. So why in the UK is our only option to have a defunct DVD, no 7200 HD, no 1920 screen, and an op system that cant address the memory that is supplied?! Now that is just plain silly.

So bottom line for me is if HP will sell me the same system that I can order in the USA then I shall buy one, if they wont then I shant buy.

 

Nah, you're just being prudent.

And yeah, lack of choice is a serious downer. I'm not used to it. But that's what happens when you go to either end of the bell curve. I just wish one more manufacturer would come out with a 20 incher. There is currently no viable competition to the HDX.

But it sure is sexy out there all by itself.

 

LOL, he said "shant." That's awesome. That's good stuff.

I had a look at the UK site. I feel for you. No WUXGA? No SP1 or even Ultimate. HD DVD? I can't breathe right now.

Offerings in many markets are lagging the US. In Canada, one cannot even buy off the site. In France, same offering as UK.

I think the WUXGA (1920x1200) is exclusive to the US. Will most likely change in a couple of months. International offering with HP usually lag the US by about 3 to 6 months. Not sure why but it's been this way for a while.

 

You think this one is bad you should check out the 700+ pages of the XPS 1730's Owner Lounge. Like I said they all have problems when you look around. That's part of the price you pay when you try to shove some of the performance of a desktop into a notebook. I'm dying to get mine so I can play around with it and let you guys know what I think about it.

 

@ 2.0, or anyone else that knows.

I guess I am between a rock and a hard place, so may as well examine exactly what potential probs I would be giving myself by purchasing the lowly UK spec HDX. So....

What exactly will I have issues with on the HD DVD player? I mean will it be able to load all my old CD games disks, DVD's, and be able to write to ordinary DVD's? Or will I have problems in that I will need to get special HD DVD blank disks to be able to write DVD's?

Will the system access 3 Gig of the installed 4 Gig?

If I wish to upgrade to 64 bit would I have to buy a copy and install it. Would the installation be reasonably painless, in the sense that it would upgrade the Vista version, or would it require a clean install?

Thank you.

 

Well to start off, HD DVD is no more. There are still plenty of movie titles to choose from and yes they would load anything made from regular cd or regular dvd you already have. They would continue to play or run anything new that's put out on standard cd/dvd as well. They just won't play blu-ray and the actual HD DVD player is now extinct. They lost the war so there won't be any new HD DVD releases or players made. Support for them will be around for a while, but it will dwindle.

Second yes you can update to Vista 64 and yes you would have to pay for it, but you wouldn't have to buy the disk. You can use the anytime/anywhere program and it will do the update for you and provide a code. 32bit from what I've read will only recognize somewhere around 3-3.5 GB of RAM. 64bit will see 4GB or more. Hope that answers some of your questions.

And anytime you do a new system or get a new machine, i'd do a clean install of the OS. I don't know about everyone else but bloatware is unbearable and usually new system are full of it.

 

EDIT: Vanzant beat me to it. So think of this as confirmation.

No issues*.

It'll play and write DVD-R, RW, RAM, of the +/_ variety. CD-R/RW also. It will also write HD-DVD media. *But that media may become hard to find.

Yes, that's about right. It'll probably be a little under 3GB given the size of the video card's memory.

It would require a clean install.

 

Hey guys,

I know 3dmark isn't the tell-all in performance, but I got a 9252 in 3dmark06 after some tweaking and OC'ing. Does that sound about right? Or is there room for improvement? Thanks in advance...

 

Thats pretty good. I've seen machines with SLI 8800 GTX score a bit higher, but for having a single car that's pretty decent I think.

 

I have 7500 points in 3dmark06 with this system AVILION HDX 9350 EB (Notebook Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 • 4096 MB RAM • HD 500 GB (2x250GB) • Nvidia GeForce 8800M GTS (512 MB dedicated) •
Vista 32bit)
Can I find a good link to tweak my notebook
to get more performance, or OC this thing,.... but my bios is locked.
(sorry for my english, i'm from Belgium).
thx

 

Well, first, I used the vista tweak guide on these forums, here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=166532

I haven't done a clean install as suggested by some, but have manually got rid of most of the crap I don't want/need.

Then I went to laptopvideo2go and downloaded the 174.74 drivers. before I installed them I got a HP specific INF on the same site and placed in the folder. Then installed the drivers( make sure you follow the INF directions IRT setting GPU memory size).

Then downloaded ntune and did some OC'ing based on some settings I have seen in other places. Right now I am at 600/850, but pretty darn sure I can go higher. I'm waiting until I have a better workspace for cooling though. It's very stable at those settings, but did bump up GPU temp about 5 deg C. I'm probably going to make a homemade laptop cooler pad this weekend...we'll see. HDX is currently sitting on a glass tabletop that I used before and it really holds the heat, so I need to change it.

That's about it so far. I don't plan on getting real anal with the whole thing, just checking things out a bit.

Hope this helps.

Also, thanks Vanzant, for the reply. I did see one of the Gateway guys with same card and the extreme CPU have about a 9800 score, but he didn't say what his clocks were set at.

 

I'm one of those guys who when I purchase a custom or expensive piece of equipment I always feel it a necessity to buy accessories to go with it.

For cooling I figured I would try out the Zalman NC2000.

http://www.sharkacomputers.com/zancbl1.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU1Y-7xPjqQ

Never hurts to have addition cooling especially if you are even thinking about over-clocking.


Secondly I had to consider comfort and space for cooling, so I also purchased a notebook tray.

http://www.breakfasttray.com/store/plex.htm

This way I can use my notebook in the bedroom, recliner, or in the car and not worry about space or my legs getting fried from the heat. This particular tray will be a tight fit for the HDX, but it's another option for those wanting to move a beast notebook around.

I'm going to check mine out before I wipe it, but I will be doing a clean install on Vista for performance reasons. I usually give any machine I use for gaming or multimedia a good wipe around once a year to keep my performance levels up and keep the machine clean. But that's my personal preference.

 

I couldn't really decipher if you had actually received and used them yet. If so, are you happy with them? Do you expect to use the Zalman on top of the tray? Both cool concepts, but I agree, size may be tight.

My wife has a cheap, some kind of plastic tray on adjustable legs from walmart for her 17 inch HP that she uses in the living room. It's white, about 2 inches thick, kinda like Igloo cooler material. My HDX sits on it with just enough room for a mouse pad on the side ( I think about 28 inces wide). I was thinking of using a hole-saw and installing a couple of fans, about a 1/4 inch drill bit (20-30 holes) for a ventilation hole pattern, and then routing out a drink holder slot above the mouse pad area. Sounds cheesy and won't win any artistic awards, but I think it will work. I'll post a pic when I get done so everyone can have a good laugh.

What I need is a good place to get some USB powered fans from.

 

I've got the cooler and the tray. I also have a MacBook Pro 17" that I use with it. Both fit fine and the temperature is kept down a good bit. And yes I stack the cooler on the tray. The HDX will probably overlap the sides of the Zalman cooler, but barely. Not enough to make a difference in comfort or safety. The HDX will fit on the tray fine.

I've already done the measurements it may have to have some adjustments to the side panels depending on where I try and sit with it. That's one thing I like about the tray was the adjustable side panels and room enough for a usb mouse if I desired to use one. My wife hates when I buy new computer equipment because it always becomes a little project for me

 

Hey Hover,

How stable are those drivers? I've been eyeballin those for a few days now and want to make sure they work well specific to our machines. Any (AT ALL) crashes while gaming etc?

Vanzant-
Thanks for the idea bout the Zalman. I just may order that cooler. Any possibility of a picture of it on top of it for us HDX owners? I work for the fire department where I live and have access to a Thermal Imager camera and promise to post a pic using it on our HDX if you do! I tested the camera the other day and it's pretty cool showing the hot spots on the laptop.

2.0-
Dude, love your posts. Learn alot and you save us a lot of time with your thread links. Aloha.



Aloha guys

 

As soon as the HDX gets here(stuck in customs for 5 days now) I'll be happy to post a few pics on the setup. I'll try running some temperature apps as well with and without the cooler. I think about the average range is about 15-20F degrees cooler than without using it from what i've read.

 

Something I meant to ask but forgot

What is the noise like on the HDX? Is it quiet? Is there a noticeable increase when its under load such as running games?

I realise noise is a very subjective, but I am sure you can give a feel for its noise level.

Thank you.

 

Very stable...have played NWN2 and oblivion (with most eye candy turned on) for 2-3 hours apiece last 2 nights with nary a hiccup. Stable in ntune and ati tool for 2 hours a piece, no artifacts. The HP specific INF on the site is needed to run the advanced settings for ntune, or so I understand. Didn't try it without. All in all, the best drivers I have used for any setup I have had in the last couple of years. But have only used them for 4 days, so keeping my fingers crossed. My experience is there are usually problems noticed pretty quick though. Hope it works for you.

Vanzant- thanks for the feedback bud. My wife is funny like that too. I'm sure she would like diamonds and cruise ship vacations more. Go figure...she's gone to get me some beer right now though.

 

Golfmad,

Oh Big Bertha is vewwy vewwy quiet. I don't notice a thing.

Then again, I keep her at work in the dorm in my cubicle. Joe Blow in the next cubicle down snores like a mofaka so ..

Naw, its pretty quiet. This is my 5th laptop and I don't notice anything out of the ordinary or extra loud. I don't hear any difference really under load either.

 

Is the HDX 15 lbs with the power brick or without?

 

Without the brick

 

Thanks Vanzant

 

All the reviews I've seen that examine it's sound report that it's practically whisper quiet with the exception of computer shopper's review.

Here's a few sample reviews: (The quiets)

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20070921/hp-pavilion-hdx-9000-review/

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4041

http://laptopadvisor.blogspot.com/2008/03/hp-pavilion-hdx-review.html

http://laptoplogic.com/reviews/detail.php?id=169&part=full&page=3

http://www.laptopsrace.com/hp-pavilion-hdx-review/

The computer shopper reviews: (The louds)

http://computershopper.com/reviews/hp_pavilion_hdx_entertainment_notebook_pc_review

http://computershopper.com/reviews/hp-pavilion-hdx-entertainment-notebook-pc-penryn-edition

Oh, here's another that says that they are a bit loud:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,137361-page,1-c,notebooks/article.html


Subjective? You bet. But figure it's between whisper quiet and dull hum. Probably doesn't break the 30dB barrier. (For ref, a quiet office is around 40dB).

 

they are very stable i have been using them for a week now nd haven;t experienced any crashes or probelms...they also improve crysis performance in the benchmark i got an increase of abt 1.5 fps...

 

Hey guys,
Great posts since I have been gone. Was skiing in Tahoe and still 10' of snow and pretty good snow.

I have decided not to try to keep all of the driver #s and tweaks and so forth in my head. It is just too much information, awesome information to be sure but a lot. My brain bucket can only hold so much so hopefully my system comes sooner than later at which point I will start tweaking. I have a good idea where to start now and the clean OS install looks a bit daunting as long as I have the recovery discs (newly made of course, not the ones HP send) so should be ok.

Which brings me to my point. If my system is scheduled to ship April 9th is that shipping from Shanghai? I had originally thought (naive fool) that that would be ship date from HP in the US somewhere. What have your average in transit times been?

Thanks

 

hey guys anyone tried the clean install? cuz i did it and after installing all the drivers i found that my memory used was actually 44% compared to 34% with the normal bloatware HP install...so now i have reverted back to the HP install using the recovery discs i made..

 

@ 2.0

Thanks. If you say its quiet thats good enough for me.

Ho hum, still cant decide

 

I have 8500 score 3dmark06 now with ntune, thats ok for me.
thx

 

The transit time for me receiving my HDX's in the Las Vegas area is around 2 days. I have always received my HDX's before the scheduled ship date. The last HDX I ordered arrived in one week exactly from order date with similar build specs as you.

 

Well mine shipped from Shanghai on March 30th. Once it got to Alaska it got held up in customs for 5 days. It finally cleared yesterday afternoon. It shipped to the main hub where I live earlier today. But since it arrived late I won't get it until Monday. They won't let me go pick it up, so it's going to sit in the FedEX warehouse until early Monday morning. Another two days wasted. Total ship time from start to finish will have been 9 solid days. Overall total from order time 12 days. If not for HP mishandling the paperwork and the customs buffoons I would have had it 2 days ago. Hope that gives you a general idea on what I went through.

 

Phinfan,
Good news, but begs the question, how many HDX's do you have or have come through your hands? Hope next season is better for the fins and the 49ers (I live in the SF Bay Area) sure couldn't get much worse.

Vanzant,
That gives me a good idea. I wouldn't be able to wait for Monday. Commando raid on the warehouse.

 

I thought about it, too bad I'm sick or I would have put up more of a fight with them. HP has a contract with them that requires one delivery attempt before pickup is allowed. So I called HP and chewed CS out again just for good measure. Hoping maybe to get a 64bit upgrade maybe

@ 2.0(and others) They changed the 64bit packages and now they say SP1 next to them. No recovery media available to purchase atm though. They'll add that next week after they test and rip a few copies I'm sure.

 

Hey Hover,

Any chance you can post or direct me (us) to that hp specific inf at laptopvideo2go for the 174.74 driver? I searched and couldn't find it.


Thanks in advance,
Mits

 

Just been reading an interesting article from Feb 15 2008, at Tom's Hardware about Vista Ram and Speed. I'm unsure if external links are allowed here, so I wont link to it, but if you wish to see it, go to that website and search for an article "Vista Workshop: More RAM, More Speed".

The bit that I found most interesting and relevant to my current HDX situation of only being able to order a 32 bit Vista HDX system in the UK is the following, which I quote:-

"The upshot is that it doesn't make sense to install a 64 bit version of Vista in order to better utilize 4 GB of memory simply because the 32 bit version would only recognize 3.5 GB. The problem is that while it is true that you would "gain" the missing memory, you would also immediately lose it to the system due to the 64 bit version's larger memory footprint. Thus, using a 64 bit version really only makes sense with larger memory sizes."

 

http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=18049

here u go asuhoru

 

Does anyone knows what the 3D Mark 6 score would be for a HDX9280 (T8100 GEFORCE8800GTS) -

Thanks

 

honestly what the fk is wrong with hp. im from uk and they bloody still advertise hd drive and one blu ray rom. when will fkin hp release bluray writers. hp r really stupid dont they want sales?
some1 plz tell me when roughly do u think we will se bluray writers in hp hdx plz?

 

I am finding this very frustrating. I am in the UK also and there are is no option to configure a system, one is stuck with 5400RPM HD and HD DVD which is now defunct, and no 1920 screen option. Its disgraceful for a top of the line system. And all the more frustrating because in the USA one can configure the system. Just shows that HP don't really don't give a rat's arse about their customers and potential customers in the UK. Its an attitude of "let's just flog off the pre-built obselete crap to the useless sods in the UK".

I would really like to buy an HDX, the money is sat here for spending, and I am not buying because I cannot get the same options that I can get if I am in the USA. So much for living in an international world. The bloody things are built in China and shipped out, so what difference does it make to HP to offer the same options as in the USA?

End of rant! But it is a legitimate rant