*HP HDX DRAGON Owners Lounge, Part 1*

Idk , I only gave a suggestion hehe.
Grtz

 

REALLY??? The WSXGA+ (hp doesn't have a wxga...) is better than the WUXGA? Say it isn't so!

(of course, I'm being a bit facecious, here...but thank your for the validation and your input! It's nice to know I'm not crazy!)

 

How about this from Falcon Northwest:



No Quad core but has DUAL SLI 9800's and a THREE hard drive capacity!! Ain't cheap, though.

 

That one is quad core ... You can put Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 in there.
Grtz

 

A desktop CPU in a notebook? Blah! That's reminiscent of the old days of desktop Pentium 4's in notebooks to save money. The problem was, they ran super hot, got no battery life, and ultimately, due to the heat, caused premature failures.

EDIT: I just did a sample "configure your PC" and noticed all the CPU's in this beast are desktop cpu's...no thanks--ignore my previous post!!

 

So I have the 9494nr with the Mata Blu ray drive. Funny thing about this is it will read all of my writable media just fine, but when I place a factory DVD in it, it does not find it. Has anyone else experienced this? I searched for drivers on HPs site and Panasonics and I can't find anything. Looking at the driver in device manager shows that the driver it is using dates back to 2006. Seems kinda old to me.

 

Okay, I need to find something out, I was telling a buddy of mine about this "laptop" but, neither of us can find a new one forsale, does anyone know of anyplace that still has any of these left?

 

It's been discontinued for months. If you're in the US, eBay.

 

In Belgium, a shop called "Vandenborre" still has the HP HDX 9494EB for sale.
Grtz

 

If by 'factory' you mean a store bought DVD movie or game, then I had this problem, but only with one disc(so far)...Rise of the Argonauts, DVDrom. I have the standard LG super multi drive, not BluRay. But I searched hi and low for a solution, and never found one. The game's publisher had some sort of disclaimer, if I remember right, that their game disc may not work in all drives. So it was just a crapshoot that is not fully disclosed on the box. They don't care, because generally they get their money, as most PC game vendors don't accept returns for refund. Fortunately, my Gamestop did. But I digress...

My point being, cd/dvd drives don't always have recent firmware/driver upgrades. Usually there is a glaring problem, or a few, that cause a firmware upgrade relatively soon after it goes to market, and then it is 'forgotten' about, since they usually put something newer/better on the street anyway. But I certainly agree with you that 2006 seems awfully old...didn't realize portable Bluray drives existed then. Anyway, what exacy model number do you have? I don't know if they differ or not in the Dragon.

Also, I would assume you have tried multiple discs and formats in your drive, yes? Only experiencing DVD problems? Rom, ram? What about CD's?

 

CDs seem to work ok. I have problems with several games. COD4, Rainbow Six Las Vegas, WoW:Wrath of the Lich King, and Warhammer Online. I even have problems with DVD movies. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. But it seems that the games I have listed off never work in my drive. I can't find a firmware update anywhere and going to the Panasonic Maa website only refers me back to the laptop manufacturer's site. And HP does not list an update.

 

Apparently, the Dragon is not only HP affected. This link to HP forums lists others and HDX with same problems, but no resolution.

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/psg/board/message?board.id=General&message.id=714&query.id=304408#M714

 

Thanks for the help. Kinda sucks that this is such a big problem and HP doesn't have a resolution for it yet. I want to install some of these games and try them out but this drive just won't read them. If you ever find something or HP finally releases a fix please keep me posted. I will continue to monitor the forums here in the meantime in hopes that some resolve can be found.

Thanks!

 

I don't know if you've done this or not, but CyberVisions recommends updating quickplay software...may be a glitch there that is causing conflict. It may not even be applicable to your problem, as QP shouldn't affect games, but here is the link:

http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=1272938

 

Thanks. I just updated Quickplay to 3.7. Didn't show up in HP update. Took some looking, I never use Quickplay, but found out I needed to update it through it. I will try the DVD games out when I get home from work.

Thanks. I appreciate your help!

 

Anyone have a good nvidia control panel advanced configuration to get better performance for World of Warcraft?

 

Update on my Dragon keyboard problem. I spilled wine on it on Christmas eve. Not a lot. Most of the keys work, but some are messed up. The y key outputs y56t, for example.

I removed the keyboard. I'm operating my Dragon with a remote USB keyboard. I've removed the plastic on the back and soaked it in water several times. No joy. Yesterday I soaked it in vinegar and rinsed it with water. Now my laptop won't even boot... it beeps and goes straight to the BIOS. Obviously another key is sticking.

Any ideas on how I could fix it ?

I suspect that there were crumbs and dust between the keys before I soaked the keyboard. Even though I vacuumed the keyboard off before I soaked it. Now that crud is shorting out my keys !

FWIW, the keyboard doesn't contain any electronics, only contacts.

Anyone know how much a new keyboard is and how I would get one ?

Thanks

 

I vaguely remember there being some instructions in this forum for upgrading the HDX's cpu. I searched the thread and can't seem to find what I am looking for. Does a guide or some set of instructions exist for this?

 

I don't recall there being any instructions, per se, but it is necessary, according to user 2.0, to disassemble whole unit, as the CPU is on the bottom of the mainboard.

You can download the HDX service manual and follow those instructions...it's available for free download at hp.com.

 

Here's one place: http://www.pchub.com/uph/laptop/605-40695-8979/UPH-For-Laptop-Hp--Keyboard-OEM-.html

You can use the part number they use and google on the web for another vendor if this one isn't to your liking.


As for fixing it, wine or whatever you bathed the keyboard in may have gotten into the demultiplexer circuitry. Not all keyboards have it. But if the HDX's does, it's a small bit of circuitry near where the end of the ribbon cable.

You're probably better off with a new keyboard.

 

Lancorp's right. require's entire disassembly of the HDX which takes about 4 hours start to finish with new cpu installed. There wasn't a guide. Just the user manual which details the disassembly. The link to the manual is on page 100 in blacknight's post.

 

Seems like the difference between the Sagers and Falcon is the fact that they test it like crazy, yet I wonder how long the the lifespan is of the notebooks even though they will overclock your notebook while making sure it never overheats. Sagers I hear mixed reviews on the lifespan.

 

Do you know if there'd be any backlighted ones available that would fit the HDX and actually work?

 

What's interesting is you would believe what a Level 1 Tech has to say! I'd bet a Level 1 tech has never TOUCHED a HDX Dragon, let alone seen both a WUXGA and a WSXGA+ side-by-side in order to make a comparative statement like that!

 

That'd be cool right? Unfortunately, HDX's keyboard is proprietary and there are no 3rd party manufacturers.

 

Hi Dominik 7 I'm not an expert, I like to set the screen to maximum resolution, my eyesight is 20/20, my daughter's eyesight is also 20/20. And I telling you I put all three laptops toghether for the benefit of some friends that weren't sure what model they would try go get, Here in the Australian e-bay there's plenty of dragons, and with our dollar at approx 66 us cents they are a bargain....

 

Maybe it's time one of us made one!

 

ok i tried outputting my screen on the hdx out of the hdmi port, into the hdmi port (i tried all 4) of a full 1080P hdtv (large screen) thats 120hz at that......however, when i go to personalize>display settings to extend monitor, i do have 1920x1080 option for screen resolution of my tv, but when viewed it cuts off the top title bar and the bottom taskbar and a little more.

also, i think at that resolution it supports 30hz for lcd refresh. what gives?

it appears 1368x7?? resolution is the only support for 60hz refresh and does not cut off any image.

yes i tried the aspect ration button on remote to full, 16"9, etc. but to no avail. could it be the new nvidia notebook driver?

anyone else having issues outputting from hdx and not getting the full 1080 on a 1080p tv? my tv hdmi is 1.3 version btw, if that makes a diff.

 

I've just installed Windows 7 and it works like a charm (dual boot)
Grtz

 

No offense, but this post is super hard to read. I think I understand your question though.

Try setting your TV as the primary display, instead of in extended mode. That's how I always set mine up, mind you, I don't run the HP driver.

 

thanks. i can try that. how do i set it up as a primary display if you will step by step.

 

As long as we are talking about TV hook-up, I have hooked mine up, so I know it works. But it was only temporary and I used the HDX keyboard and mouse. I would assume I can hook it up and close the lid, and use a stand alone wireless usb keyboard/mouse setup, right? Are there going to be any cooling issues and does the HDMI audio work correctly for output to TV? I didn't check the sound at the time. If yes, then I would assume I can also send audio from TV to my home theatre system. Sounds like pretty basic questions, just never done any of it before. Without big details, I know my TV supports the connections.

 

well when i outputted it, i could only hear the audio thru the hdx. i'd like to know how to have the tv speakers active.

 

Go to display properties.
Right click on the TV (monitor #2) and click "attached".
Right click again and click "primary".
This will make the TV icon #1.
You should be able to see an output on your TV at this point.
Right click on the laptop monitor icon (which will be labeled #2 now) and disable.

After this, you should have a display on your TV only, and your laptop screen will be blank. Set your lid settings to "do nothing" and close the lid if you like.

Now you can select resolution and everything else on the TV screen.

As far as I know, the HDX doesn't have audio pass through over HDMI. Or at least, I've never used it. I just run a RCA > 1/4" stereo cable from the headphones to the TV.

 

The latest Official Nvidia driver, 179.28 allows you to adjust the size of the HDMI screen output. If you're in advanced mode, it's the last option under Video and television.

Driver located @: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

 

It does. I'm listening to it now on my Sony TV. All one has to do is select Digital output device as default.

Right click speaker icon in tray, select playback devices, click digital output device then hit set as default. Cuts off HDX internal speakers and outputs to TV via HDMI.

At least it works with Sony TVs and sound driver 5607. I haven't tested it with any other TV manufacturer.

 

Thanks guys. By these two posts, I should be good to go. Will test the other TV maufacture theory as I have a Sharp 52" 1080p LCD. Just gotta get a good wireless keyboard and mouse for game playing. Not optimal to do wireless for gaming I know, but allows for more freedom of movement and there are some good products out there. It's not like I'm aiming for top of the leaderboard in Halo3 or anything.

 

Well that explains why the SPDIF output was there, when there clearly isn't one on the unit. I was always looking for a nvidia output in the device manager. I'm have to try that next time.

You wouldn't know how to over-ride a docking station's speakers with the 7.1 rear output, would you? The front jacks mute the speakers, but plugging into the back does nothing while the dock is attached.

 

There is a new WHQL HP driver, 179.32 at LV2go: http://laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=22803

What's interesting is the forum topic says for HP, but there are a whole lot of desktop/mobile card models listed in the .inf.

One user says it opens many new HDMI modes, whatever that means?!?

 

That's what the official Nvidia 179.28 does. So I guess it based off that one. It allows you to select the output modes like 1080p, 1080i, 720P, 480p to scale any resolution to. Also color mode. It also allows you to shrink or expand the size of the desktop in HDMI mode. Some TVs seem to overscan by a few pixels. This allows compensation for it. Nvidia did a nice job.

 

That's what I figured too, but the .28 only is only for mobile platforms, where this one has about the longest list of applicable GPU's I have ever seen. Many that I wasn't even aware that HP puts in their desktops/laptops. Still, probably is based on same driver set. Glad to hear they made useful improvements though.

 

They had them right next to each other, they were testing units but whatever I know you guys are on crunk juice or put curry on the WUXGA through the comparison but that's ok lol. I've actually called several times where other techs have had test units to work on and try to replicate certain problems before, and the last techs were pretty intelligent, but I know what you're saying, many techs are clueless in many companies.

 

What's "crunk juice" and "curry"???

How was it you came to talking to level 1 techs that were "testing" Dragons? I'm not doubting, but I talk to techs alot, and mostly you have no idea what they are doing on the other end.

Did you call just to ask them their opinion on the quality of WUXGA vs. WSXGA+ lcds?

 

Stupid joke. Curry is a delicious indian spice. Crunk juice is an energy drink with Red Bull and Cognac. I was saying youre all drunk or put curry on the UXGA to make it look darker than the SXGA Joke. Anyways, all I do to get to level 1 techs in any company is ask a few things of level 2 and 3 techs I'm pretty sure they won't know, then I ask my main question of level 1 techs when I get them. Would you believe the tech actually said that the UXGA was sharper and brighter than the SXGA, with wider viewing angles, but I don't know if they calibrated them differently or didn't. I wonder if some got different quality ones over others or some got messed up somehow. I don't think Mobile was saying the UXGAs were better than the SXGAs but were just as good, yet different. This tech said something different. I also really just wanted to retract what I said but someone already replied to it as soon as I said it practically, because the topic I think has gone on for a while/long enough.

Either way I must say I'm very happy with my purchase, but it wouldn't hurt to have a few other machines down the road..a super duper gaming/video editing machine w the 2 GPUs, 3 hard drives, 2-3 memory slots, blueray burner, hdmi recording, backlighted keyboard etc

In light of that though did anyone else get a heart attack from looking at the total cost of a suped up Falcon gaming notebook?? Mine was between 7000-8000 dollars!

Also any one know of a hard drive data recovery company that is affordable?

 

Got it! Not a stupid joke, just one that I didn't get!

In any case, I can say, unequivocally, that of the 4 Dragon' that have passed through my hands, the WSXGA+ is brighter than the WUXGA, and has better viewing angles. The WUXGA may be sharper because of the higher resolution, but either the tech had different brands of panels in his Dragons than all the ones I've had, or they're the ones suckin' up the Crunk Juice and curry!!

It really doesn't matter though, because, as I said before, there isn't a universal answer for which is better. Most haven't seen a side-by-side comparison with their own eyes, and like you and MA, are going by soley what others have said. "Best" is subjective, for sure, but attributes like brightness are hard to have a different opinion on (unless you're blind!).

 

You know, you'll rarely ever get a reliable answer from anyone on the business end of things. It's called a conflict of interest. And companies and sellers will invariably try to upsell, gloss over, or obsfucate. Many reviewers are paid for their review of a product and are not allowed to make comparisons to other products which cost less or which cast their product in a less than stellar light.

The internet has empowered consumers in that it allows us to gather less biased information about products. Just look at Amazon, Newegg, etc.

When Dell was having grainy/dull screen issue problems with one of their XPS notebook back in '07, their techs denied it up and down saying they "couldn't reproduce the defect." reviews didn't note the screen as less than "beautiful." But thanks to forums, namely this one, consumers banned together, shared their observations, and subsequently sent back their XPS's and demanded Samsung screens. Just one example.

This forum is littered with many more examples like this and has proven to be a real asset. I don't think we could all enjoy our systems as much without the collective knowledge and sharing that goes on here.

 

My keyboard is unfixable. I'm done with HP and laptops. You can read about it here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4429069#post4429069

 

sorry to hear about that. i do have a different experience with the HP service center here in my country and thus far, i am very happy

 

Hi guys,

Did anyone tried wake-on-lan on these STUPID HDX? There are no BIOS settings, and the driver for the ethernet card has some options to wake on LAN, plus the Vista "don't shut down this device for power", but STILL, the card gets disconnected from the router when going off (sleep, shutdown) anyway. I think that the BIOS setting should be first enabled to allow wake on lan, then the drivers settings would kick in.

Well... anyone? Thanks.

 

Not many have a need for the capability, so likely you won't find a first hand answer.

But you can try the following:

In NIC properties, advanced tab, set Wake from shutdown to enable, and wake capabilities to pattern and magic.

On another computer, connect it to the HDX via ethernet, download the following program to test it out:

http://www.programurl.com/wol.htm

You'll need to find the MAC addy of the NIC.