*HP HDX18 Owners Lounge*

I have a new HDX18t, Vista 64 bit, with 8gb of RAM. System Information shows Installed Memory as 8gb, but Total Physical Memory is 3gb. Available Memory is about 5 to 6gb (which is normal and understandable).

Is there some kind of glitch in the way that System Info is reporting the RAM? I believe that Vista 32 bit users can't utilize more than 4gb, but 64 bit users shouldn't have this issue. My System Info shows that I have 64 bit Vista.

 

There is alot involved in this answer, according to what I have read. Basically it's in the way that vista deals with it, and it varies, as you say, with your system properties and your task manager giving different numbers.

EDIT - run c:\windows\syswow64\systeminfo.exe from a command window. This is a 64 bit app and will give you the accurate number. MS is a bunch of idiots, (some times) Badwolf mentioned this earlier, to you, in fact, er, uh? on page 559

 

just ended a win7 64bit installation
took quite a bit to find every driver, but everything is working atm
wanted to signal this driver
http://drivers.softpedia.com/progDo...DEC-Driver-61061590-Rev-A-Download-77871.html
audio card
newer than the one on hp.com, tested and working

 

Hey that's cool. The IDT stuff is the hardest to deal with.

How are the overall volume levels and controls compared to the other drivers you have used?

EDIT driver removed due to multiple users having problems

 

I ran the systeminfo.exe as you suggested, and it showed 7.164gb of Total Physical Memory (yay), and the System Info in Vista was showing 2.97 of Total Physical Memory.

FYI, I upgraded my BIOS, and it showed 2.97gb of Total Physical Memory,also, but then I upgraded to SP2, and it now shows 6.97gb.

Thanks for the help!

 

on my HDX X18-1024CA driver page the HP ITD may 6 2009 audio driver is not there any reason why? should i install the may 6 2009 driver? or the other ITD diver u have listed? any improvements with either or issues?

 

Good question. The official word from HP is only to use links on their particular site. But that being said, there are a couple things to keep in mind.

There is no XP or Windows 7 support. (windows 7 was the OS we were discussing with that May 6 IDT driver.)

Also, HP is responsible for updating their driver and software links not just for our HDX, but for thousands of other machines as well. So naturally, the driver page on Hp.com is not perfect (where is digitalpersona software for instance? ) Also, drivers are written usually by the vendors who make the individual parts in your notebook. For a driver to become an HP "SoftPaq" it must be packaged in that nice little HP .exe file. Which is more work for HP. So they might not keep up with the "ACTUAL" drivers being updated at the ridiculous rate like, for instance, the Nvidia drivers which get updated near weekly.

Hp's position is that for them to put it on their site, they will test it out and verify it's functional, and then package it in a neat little softpaq and distribute links around the site to all the hundreds of different model pages out there. They recommend you do not use drivers unless they are approved by HP, and they have vouched for them. There is nothing to gain for HP to go and check each and every new driver that comes out, as alot of updates may not necessarily affect us. The mentality here is if it's not broken or disfunctional, don't mess about with new drivers. And for the less advanced or comfortable user, there is an advantage to this policy. It's up to the individual user. You have to wade in to the waters as deep as you feel comfortable. Messing around with drivers is not for everyone, but to me it's a matter of math. If HP sells hundreds of thousands of machines, and I bought 1, who is going to care more about my 1 machine. Me or them? It's not a knock on them, I am rather pleased with HP tech support.

The link I posted is indeed provided by HP's ftp site, and is written for the sound card in the HDX18. (hardware id) The sound card is a bigger deal with most because it is the weak, more troublesome part of the machine, and there are some really great IDT drivers out there, just not anything yet for the HDX that really are top notch (in my opinion).

Don't forget about the mischief either, a softpaq from HP's website is usually a safe bet. Manufacturers sites same thing. BUT SOME LINK SOME OTHER PLACE THAT ANOTHER USER HASN'T TESTED OR VOUCHED FOR IS AN INVITATION FOR WORMS, TROJANS, NOT TO MENTION SWINE FLU, SO BEWARE.

As always, there are enough of us here and elsewhere who are glad to assist fellow owners if they wade in over their head.

 

Microsoft recently anounced a Windows XP Mode (XPM) for Windows 7. I've read that having a CPU which supports Intel-VT technology should grealy improve performance when using XPM. I have the HDX 18t with T9950 CPU,which supports Intel-VT. Does anyone know if HP disabled this feature in the BIOS, or is it enabled? I read that SONY disabled it with teh VAVIO notebooks, without the option to enable it in the BIOS.

HDX 18t has a very limited customizable BIOS... Maybe someone can shed some light on this?

Thanks

 

It is disabled by default in the bios but is still available to enable. I have used the XP Mode in Windows 7 on my HDX18T.

 

I wrote up the simple procedure at http://www.hdx18.com/Forum/tabid/55/forumid/11/threadid/253/scope/posts/Default.aspx

 

Please could someone post the latest on the SATA cable and bracket for the HDX 18 second hard drive bay? It is empty in mine. The part 536519-001 is known on the HP parts website but not orderable. Any alternatives out there? At a minimum, I would like to procure the cable. For the bracket, I can improvise. Also I cannot figure out how to search a thread on this forum and cannot read 572 pages again! Many thanks.

 

What Device in Device Manager does this driver update?

thnx

 

It is my understanding, that quick launch controls the quicklaunch keyboard keys, and not the top row of buttons above the keyboard, which are controlled with the mediasmart software. There have been about 30 pages of discussion on this in the lounge, with the bulk at around page 330.

EDIT - as far as any devices, I see none listed in the sw folder, and no inf file, so I would guess this is a software update only

 

Another question: I installed the latest Quick Launch Button driver after doing a fresh install. The volume buttons do work, muting and volume up & down, but nothing is displayed on the screen, so i cant really see the how far the volume is up? Do I need to install something else to see the volume control thingy on the screen when pressing the quick launch buttons/

Thanks

 

Maybe a link to these thread?

thnx

 

Drive caddy kits This link will show both the 2nd bay kit, and the optical slot kit.

 

did u install the latest Media Smart software as well. i have no problems with my HDX18 1024CA, iv installed every update available for my HDX18 from HP driver page. but HP does not have an updated audio driver posted for my unit bit ive seen an audio driver here released May6/2009 not sure if i should install it

 

I would but it's a conversation that literally spans over 20 pages. It comes down to smartmenu.exe, which is located in the program files / hewlett-packard / HP MediaSmart folder - (thanks to Vistabad)

When I iron out for certain the quickest, least bloated way with the most recent HP downloads available in 32 & 64, I will link to it in the Complete HDX Guide.

 

This was a very excellent Post , well written and very informative thanks. I just want optamum performance

 

Hey, thanks for that comment.

For optimum performance, I use the following strategy. At some time you determine appropriate, (monthly perhaps) go to your source(s), and look for updated drivers for the following devices.

1. Motherboard/Chipset
2. Video & related software
3. Audio & related software
4. Media reading & burning & related software

The sources could be your OEM provider (HP / Dell, etc) but I would recommend going to the manufacturer of that device, for any that support the device.

In the HDX for example, Intel supports their chipset, Nvidia supports their video cards, and IDT tell you that you MUST go to the OEM. The Optiarc drive, which doesn't need drivers (unless you are installing XP), will get firmware updates probably for the next year, and those MUST be garnered from HP, as anything else will either not load or shut down your HDX. (don't try it)

Now about the other drivers in your machine- You figure your lan card isn't going to need any adjustment, or your fingerprint reader, or any other what I call "accessories". Items 1-4 (above) are related to media, they all function as a team to handle it, and as a rule media is constantly being updated and upgraded. Video and audio codecs are being written as I type this, and they will be intending to squeeze more out of your machine, and in the process your drivers will have to be updated. Similarly, your media reading & burning (usually based around your optical drive) is going to be constantly updated, but more so for purposes of what they jokingly call "copy protection." Same principle.

So I would worry about those 4 groups of items only on a regular basis, and the other stuff not so much at all. Hope this makes sense.

 

As far as the May 09 IDT driver is concerned, it was perfect in 32 bit Windows 7, but in 64 bit Windows 7 it was problematic.

For 64 bit W7 stick with the IDT Driver from the HP driver page - 09-2008

 

HDX 16t use main PM45. Is it suport DDRAM3?

 

yeah got some problem with those drivers too in win7 32...

tried them in vista64?

 

Does anyone have problems with the fan on the 1180?

My fan is on/off/on/off........... all of the time, even when the laptop is sitting there idle, doing nothing! It will come on for about 10-20 seconds and then go off for about the same, then repeat!

Idle temps are around 50-55 degrees.

It's a quad core Q9000.

The fan is also quite loud.

Any ideas?

 

You are the second person to mention a problem in 32bit, I am going to pull mention of them. Well that's what a forum is for.

 

Nature of the beast. I have a T9600 CPU and my fans run practically all the time (especially after it's been on for a while). I had a QX9300 based HDX18t, and the fans in that ran a lot also.

Solution: Turn UP the music!!

 

im sry i wanted to say that i had some issue with those drivers and win 7 64bit (not 32bit)

its normal that ur fan goes on and off(fan off = heat going up = fan on = heat going down = fan off = repeat , this happens in idle, while working the fan should go and stay on), but in the bios settings u can set the fan to never go off, and yes this laptop is noisy, annoying.

 

bah im having a lot of problems with win7 64bit and the audio drivers
anyone installed it ? what drivers are you using?

 

I'm just using the generic windows drivers until HP releases new ones

 

Hmm i have 2 problems with the generic drivers.
First the mute button doesnt change colour.
Second the speakers do a wierd sound when shutting down.

 

this is correct. these issues will be corrected in one of the forthcoming driver releases. I will post them as soon as I find them. After having battled with this IDT garbage and XP for over 6 months, these are really insignificant issues to me.

 

Hello all! I am new to forums and I bet there is an answer to my question somewhere on here, but I would like to ask anyways.

I just rcvd my HP HDX18t 4 days ago and it is beautiful (other than just like everyone else I got the mix-matched HDX 16 touchpad). All seems to be going well except my wireless internet connection. Sometimes I can connect and sometimes I cannot. Here is what I know:

.We are using an slightly older Linksys Wireless-G router,
.Several other wireless/wired computers/printer are working just fine on
same router,
.Can establish a connection w/Guild Wars online game everytime,
.Updated to IE8 after noticing issue,
.Bluetooth has been used/paired with my cell phone (on and working),
.Don't always need to reboot to re-establish a connection,
.Rebooting doesn't always solve the problem,
.Sometimes just clicking the "Diagnose Connection Problems" it will tell me
that Windows did not find any problems, but then I can connect.
.BTW, it loves to be plugged in and seems to be just fine if the Ethernet is used.


Like I said, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Any ideas?

Thanks,
TranCea

PS... I just want to say that I appreciate having a place to go to get help and information for my HP. Thanks to all!

 

i also have the wrt54g linksys router, and had constant disconnection problems with any of the secure connections, so i flashed it with DD-WRT, and took off the security and just enabled mac address filtering. Never had another problem, and although my network appears open to anyone searching for a network, it will only allow mac addresses I specify.

DD-WRT is a free app which overwrites your existing linksys router's firmware and gives you an incredible, near commercial grade router gui and control panel. I just ran the thing and was completed in around 15 minutes. You can check out the site HERE and see if your particular router is compatible, but i would bet it is.

I hated constantly having to re-connect. 3 Laptops in the house with wireless cards. Argh!

 

HP and W7 thought this may be usefull
http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/mda/windows7/index.html

 

Anyone found a way to move the mouse's cursor with the remote controller?

 

Have you looked at your neighborhood competetion for the airwaves? Other nearby routers can impact your router performance. Look at your neighbor's signal strength and see what channel they are using. Try setting your router to a different channel. I now use channel 6, but I had better luck with channels 1 and 11 before there were so many stinkin routers in my neighborhood.

Have you tried turning off everything else but your router and your laptop that can affect the 2.4 GHz band? This would include any of your other computers with a wireless connection. I had a desktop with a wireless card that was jamming everything nearby. Also watch out for cordless phones, internet cameras, baby monitors, video repeaters, X10 remote controllers, and so forth.

Here's a link to a Linksys discussion that offers a few more solutions.

http://www.anetforums.com/posts.aspx?ThreadIndex=29876

best regards,
Mike in Sacramento

 

Wow, is that even possible?

 

What are you proposing, the HP Wheel?

 

Actually using this software is possibile to do it.

http://melloware.com/products/intelliremote/

It just check the ir signal incoming, and then you can assign any command to it.

Its easy to use but is a pain to set up every controller button, thought there could be something faster.

Edit:
Found another program, its nice cause it uses the MCE buttons from the remote controller so it doesnt need to be setted. Im testing it but it seems to do what i needed.

http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/topic17580.html

 

I don't know about the remote but I did run across the fact that my bluetooth cell phone can connect and become a pointing device for multiple apps if that sounds interesting. After pairing, my cell offers the options: Presenter, Media Player, Desktop and will move the cursor. I know this doesn't help you with the remote issues, but does offer another option if you have a compatible cell phone. My cell is the Sony Ericcson Walkman W580i.
Cheers!

 

Every review i've read complains about the overly glossy screen and how its like a mirror. What is everyone's thoughts on this?

 

i have no problem with the glossy screen unless im in bright sun lite

 

The best thing is to go in a store and check some monitors ( just monitors not notebook).
Usually hp's monitors are Glossy, while samsung's montirs aren't.

I have a Samsung 2253bw 22" not-glossy monitor and this notebook.
I prefer the not-glossy screens generally, but really i can't complain about this notebook monitor, the colours are better and more shiny in a glossy surface, you pay this with reflection, and there is a lot of reflection really, but it depends from the light, usually it's just annoying when you are watching a black screen with a lot of light coming directly to the monitor.

Let's say that the monitor is one of the good thing on this notebook overall.
If you want a thought about buying the notebook or not, its another story.

 

I too have no problem with this screen. I could not live with the loss in image quality going with a non-glossy replacement. This screen is gorgeous.

 

Everything is working fine at last! My thanks to Daniel_Potyrala, Toronto699, and Petemichaelw without their help I would still be looking at a useless computer. I have copyed all of their links below in the hope that it will help the next person to have it all in one place. So, with that in mide I will mark this post as the solution even though I did not do the work. Thanks again for all of your help.



How to install XP on Your model from Daniel_Potyrala



First make Vista backup. All informations how to do it here.

Now You need to slipstream Your Sata drivers (only ICH9M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller) with nLite.Here is guide how to do it and here are Sata drivers for You.

Just unrar this drivers with winrar.Be sure also that You are using WinXP SP2 version. If you haven't got SP2 version here you can download this service packand here You have got guide how to slipstream this file with Your system again by nLite.In this program You can even burn Your new XP cd with this driver.



Drivers:

Intel Chipset,(install and reboot before other drivers) here

Intel Matrix Storage Manager here
NVIDIA GeForce 9650GT here

Note: I had to change configuration settings after I installed this to get the external VGA port to work (NeedLotsHelp)

Intel Wireless 5100 here

MS-UAA (required with a reboot before Audio driver) here

IDT High-Definition Audio CODEC Driver,

1. sp41693, vista driver, reported work in XP here

2. sp39671, vista driver, reported works in XP here or here

High-Definition Audio (HDA) Modem Installer and Driver here

.Net Framework(required before HP Quick Lunch Buttons) here

HP Quick Lauch Buttons here

Realtek RTL8168C Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIC herei

f You have Bluetooth here

Synaptics Touchpad here

if You have web cam Cyberlink YouCam Software here (Your Vista driver)

If you had for 7 unknown devices (buttons drivers), here

Do manual installation

Go to device manager, right click unknown device,

Choose to update driver, No to connect,

Choose install from a list or specific location,

Don't search, Have disk,

Browse to the location of machine.inf.

Do it for the rest of unknown devices





xp pro 32 bit information from Petemichaelw through Toronto699

Upon installation of XP 32 bit with SP3 you should see the following "other devices" in the device manager.
(right click my computer -> properties -> device manager)

Quote:
1. audio device on high definition bus
2. audio device on high definition bus
3. base system device
4. base system device
5. base system device
6. ethernet controller
7. hp integrated module
8. network controller
9. pci data acquisition and signal processing controller
10. sm bus controller
11. unknown device
12. usb device
Drivers In the order I would recommend installing them - you may have to right click and "save link as"

Chipset / Motherboard
1. Intel Chipset Identification - from intel's site
2. Matrix Storage Manager - also from intel's site

Video
9600M GT - (straight from the nvidia website) this works absolutely fine, and includes the hdmi audio driver.

SD Card
JMicro

Audio
IDT High Definition Audio This is an HP release - May 6 2009 (IDT is the devil as far as I'm concerned, no support from the company itself. This driver package has no bass treble adjustment (but it's not like there aren't 1000 other software EQ's to use) it does have is a functioning amber light when the sound is turned off with the button.)

Network
1. Ethernet Controller - (the easy way is the file on the first row)
2. Wireless - from intel
3. Bluetooth "integrated module" you should see this after you activate your wireless (above the keyboard) - do not run setup - just direct driver update to the 32 folder.

ENE CIR - (infrared receiver)
Infrared this is a 7z file - will open with winrar or 7z (a free zip tool)

TV Tuner
Avermedia

Fingerprint
Validity

HP Quicklaunch Buttons
Quicklauch

Software

Fingerprint Download this package (from stefanotn68 in the dv5 thread) and run setup32.exe to install digital persona 4.0

HD DVD
There are 3 parts to getting XP to deal with HD content.
1. The UDF File System
2. A Method of dealing with the copy protection scheme.
3. The proper Video Player and associated codecs (codes used to read / write video)


1. The UDF File System
Blu Ray & HD DVD use a different file system than DVD/CD. This standard is called UDF 2.5, and is available here.
Download, and unzip.
Then rightclick the .inf and select "install".
Reboot. These drivers will allow you to explore HD content, drag and drop, etc.

2. A method of dealing with Copy Protection
This is alot of shenanigans. You bought a disc and you have certain rights with that disc. The people who made the disc are constantly messing about, and in their general opinion, they would really prefer it if you just played the disc, and never backed it up, or stored the information on your computer. As a result, they are constantly messing with the copy protection code built into the HD content, and that leaves us having to periodically update our players, as they suddenly may not be able to deal with the content. There is a solution, and it happens to be in my opinion (and MANY others) one of the most essential apps in existence) ANYDVD - residing in a legal loophole, by not being a dvd burning or ripping application, this software is dedicated to rendering any and all protection methods on your HD disc useless, and it is the king and simultaneously the standard. The content is immediately playable, burnable, rip-able, etc.

3. A proper Video player and appropriate codecs.
HP has chosen to leave XP users high and dry by making Mediasmart disfunctional in XP. There are 2 other possibilities. If you are only interested in playing HD discs on your notebook, and want the most simple solution, I would recommend just using a decent HD player, such as POWERDVD, which works fine in XP. I personally have used POWERDVD, but I prefer a free, more powerful, and more frequently updated alternative. Media Player Classic.

Media Player Classic Home Cinema is a free program, that uses the classic look of the early windows media, and yet is loaded with all the latest codecs, including the latest hi def ones, and gets updated much more often than any of the commercial software. It is part of the K-Lite Codec Pack. That is all you need for any media saved to your HDX, and DVD.
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/psg/board/message?board.id=OS&message.id=11479

 

The HDX18 glossy screen is no doubt a beautiful sceen, but it does reflect quite a bit when it is turned into sun, or a window, or any source of bright light and even refects your image when it is not facing direct light, but this only happens when the screen is black. Most TV's do the same thing so I wouldn't judge it too harshly if you consider buying this type of screen. If it is positions correctly there will be no reflection to worry about and you will get a beautiful image. Go for it.

 

I've got a question regarding backing up. I just got my HDX18 and Ive finally got all my data i wanted from my old machine on to this one. I recently just bought a 1tb mybook external drive, the software that comes with it is terrible.

What software or methods do any of you guys use to back up your system. I'd like to do a full pc back up or image, plus i'd also like to back up my music/pictures and documents seperately.

I know you can do this with vista ultimate, which I have, but I don't just picking the file types. I wish wth the vista back up I could choose which files and folders I want.

If any of you guys could enlighten me on this subject, I'd really appreciate it. I don't know a whole lot how to do all this back up stuff so, any info would be great!

thanks

 

Hi All,

I have been trying to connect both my Hannspree HF259H 24" monitor and my 23" Acer H233H to the HDx18T via the HDMI and VGA ports.

It seems that I can ONLY connect one @ any given moment - Menaing I can view my laptops screen + ONLY ONE more screen but not TWO external monitors + My laptops screen.

I went to the configuration setting on the Nvidia Panel which ONLY shoed my multiple option of Laptop+ Hannspree Monitor , Or Laptop + Acer monitor , or Hanspree + Acer monitor (but then I cant see my Laptops Main Screen)

I was reading a few months back that some1 was able to hook up TWO external monitors while seeing their laptops main screen as well = EXTENDING your desktop to THREE screens (Not sure but it could have been Lancorp that was able to perform this)

Any insights? I am using the Hdx18 with the Quad Extreme Cpu + Nvidia 9600M GT card.

Thanks in advance,

Steve

 

I called HP support and they said the GBW-B10N only burns to BD-R disks not BD-RE. So I googled slimline internal serial ata's and found this: Lenovo Thinkpad Blu-Ray Burner Ultrabay Enhanced Drive (serial ata) Part number 43R9150 Installed it in my HDX18t and now I can burn to BD-RE disks. Go to the Lenovo site to see the specs.

HDX18t CTO 1100 /windows vista ultimate 64 bit/Intel (R) Core (TM) 2 Quad Processor QX9300 (2.53ghz)/ 4gb ddr3/1gb nvidia geforce 9600m gt/1tb 5400 sata dual hard drive (500 gb x2)/18.4" display 1920 x 1080p/Lenovo Blu-Ray burner/HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid tuner/ webcam/ fingerprint reader/ Intel Next Gen Wireless-N Mini-card swith Bluetooth

 

I just got my beautiful beast today!! I am loving everything about it thus far. I like the docking station too! Finally I can toss my external speakers in the garbage The only thing that sucks is the fingerprint smudges a lot on the surface, I may start to express OCD-like symptoms constantly cleaning it. I was skeptical about the glossy screen. Now that I have seen the difference, I can handle the little bit of glare, I wouldn't go back, it's just gorgeous!

Did anyone purchase the TV Tuner? I'm having problems getting channels. My HD satellite dish is right outside my window so I thought it would be a piece of cake. I'm using the antenna and would prefer not to hook it directly to the box. Just wondering if anyone else had experienced the same problem.