*HP HDX18 Owners Lounge*

If you're using laptops for Photoshop, just remember almost all the panels out there are 6 bit color.

 

What? 6-bit?? What do you mean?

I usually hook up the laptops to my external monitor to do any real work but sometimes I use just the laptop monitor...it's a pain and much more dull but I try to deal with it...I never heard of laptop panels being 6-bit?

 

I will post this in the HDX 16t thread as well but just FYI.

You can buy the HDX16t at Staples for $1,155.98.

http://www.staples.com/office/suppl...ies_1_10051_SC3:CG71:DP4118:CL161747#desclink


If you configure the SAME specs on HP's site it comes out to: $1,308.99

 

It's better to work off an external monitor, but be advised some cheap crappy LCDs are also 6 bit. Most are 8 for external LCDs.

 

eSATA is required, and one is not included but they are cheap cables.

 

WOW, I totally missed the 6-bit part that Lancorp posted....jeeez....

 

It seems HP has raised price on HDX18t. This must have occurred in the last couple of days, which is surprising as the good coupons/promos pretty much all expired a couple of days ago too. Maybe HP is setting up for an even bigger promo/coupon.

 

Yes, they raised it by $100 and are throwing in a "free" upgrade to 320Gigs from the 250gigs.

In other words, you are paying for 320gigs no matter what...

Would be nice to choose 250gigs and subtract the $100 huh?

 

HP doesn't provide whether their 24" monitor is 6bit or 8bit..

Am I just being blind?

http://www.shopping.hp.com/shopping/data_sheet/gm712aa.html

 

Hey guys I need some help. I am looking at the HDX18t. I am wanting to put this in my bedroom. I am hoping to be able to hook up a reciever and to the TV (22in LCD)? Is this possible with the HDMI connecters? I am hoping to cut down on all the accessers if possible. That way I can use my compueter as well as everything else. I need to have it in my room as I am a single father. I use my computer to play games as well as bills and what not. DOn't have a lot of room in my bedroom so trying to keep stuff down to a minium. IS this even possible?

 

It took away the free upgrade to 3gb RAM too. So, the upgrade to 320gigs is a wash. I am mostly surprised that there is not any good promo/coupon on this model vs earlier, why the price hike? It's an impressive model, I guess the demand might be higher than HP expected.

 

I tried searching for previous posts on this and only found answers that didn't work for my particular problem on the ASUS section of notebookrview.com

Apologies if this issue has been tackled here but I was unable to find it!

Anyways, this is the second HDX18 that I order from HP that has the same unusual noise coming from the hard drive.

The noise: It is like a dull "ding" type sound that happens sporadically a few times per minute when the hard drive and/or processor are idle. It is not incredibly loud, but it definitely is audible when the room is quite. It is driving me insane. This is not the usual scratchy clicky sounds that a hard drive makes when it is reading. It doesn't sound like that AT ALL. It is definitely like a "ding", or a small tap inside the chassis.

I have tried the following:
1) Clean reinstall of OS
2) Disabled some services and background programs to eliminate software sources (the noise sometimes occurs right before BIOS shows up when I start the PC)
3) Ran hard disk tests and everything shows up fine.
4) Fooled around with energy settings.
5) Tried installing NHC and hdparm and no luck.
6) Called HP (no help as usual)
7) Reinstalled BIOS and the older BIOS available on the HP site and nothing
8) Muting the volume and turning BIOS system sounds off. Switching around BIOS settings.

Does anyone have this problem? I think I'll have to return this one and order another one... I can't believe my bad, bad luck. Argh.


Both HDX18t I've tried:
2.26/250GB and 2.8/320GB running Vista Home 32bit and Vista Ultimate respectively (both with 3gb RAM).

 

They both have the unusual noise with different hard drives? That's some bad luck, indeed, because it's sounding like the HDDs are what's "dinging"...

 

Yes, the exact same weird noise TWICE. Maybe I am cursed... Or maybe I should stop ordering with coupons... Does anyone know if HP recycles returned CTO parts? They don't usually ask many questions when you return a notebook.

I already got an RMA and ordered a new one. They say the third one's the charm... We'll see. *sigh*

 

Sounds like a physical HDD issue, not a software issue.

Perhaps the HDD's are not secured correctly in their cages....

 

Is the xpress card size remote control standard issue? Or does it only come with the tuner option?

 

Lightscribe instead of bluray... dealbreaker for me

 

actually, as of yesterday you can get the Bluray lightscribe super multi rom, for only $15!

 

hopefully you ordered the new one separately- otherwise they might just poke at the one you returned and decide to give it to you again!

 

But the point is that one is able to buy this from Staples, Best Buy at much lower costs when compared to the same specs via BTO..

Usually you get less value at retailers than BTO....

 

If these systems have the features you want then you get a good deal.

The low prices come from the mass prodution of one configuration with no customization options.

 

I was just looking through the BIOS options and I was thinking that I would like to see an option on which hard drive to boot from.

Was thinking about playing with OS X and if I were to have an OS on each hard drive a BIOS option that allows me to pick which HD to boot from would make life so much simpler.

 

Understandable..

When the HDX Dragon came out, Best Buy had them on display. So I went ahead and configured the exact same specs on HP's BTO and they were much cheaper through HP. What I figured was that retailers add about $300-400 ontop of what you could build yourself via BTO.

I am just stunned that lately I have seen better prices via retailer, that's all...

No biggy....as for the specs, no they don't suit me, I want BR drive, higher resolution display...

Decisions decisions........economy economy.....

 

Wow, there's no option to set which harddrive is active?

I too want OS X on my HP. In fact, more and more PC vendors are supporting OS X...you just have to go out of your way to put it on...

Ever since OS X worked on Intel and Apple started supporting Windows hardware via bootcamp, it's all interchangable...

 

A bootloader on the primary drive is enough to load an OS from either drive. The BIOS probably chooses the first drive with an MBR, so it could be either. Point is, though, you only need one bootloader for any number of OSes.

For example, I'm sure a lot of us here use the GRUB bootloader to load Linux and Windows - all it's doing is choosing a bootable partition. Easy as pie.

 

Interesting, I never messed around with the bootloader, I'm not brave enough even if it may be easy to do.

If you can load OS X on your HDX 18t, I am buying an 18t TOMORROW....

Let's face it, Leopard is a beautiful and easy to use interface. Just don't set it to update automatically or it may break on the next update.

 

Well, you'll need the "fixed" version of OSX, and I'm not sure if it supports x64... although I have a Mac Pro running on 64-bit Xeons sitting next to me, so I guess it's a matter of whether or not it's only hacked for x86 systems. Or I guess you could just run x86.

 

Ohhh!!

I almost bought the new Macbook the other day but I just couldn't pull the trigger.

Can you right click with your mouse on OS X?

OS X running on HP 24" monitor with HP hardware would be HOT!!!

 

By the way, Snow Leopard sounds really promising....

I like how they are making it easier for software developers to access a new API that would take care of all the multitasking/multi-cores on a system.

I pray that Windows 7 will be just as good....Windows 7 will be the last OS to support 32bit software...

 

Yes, I use a two-button mouse on my Mac, which happens to have a 30" cinema HD screen, and it's very nice

I have no idea where you heard that but it's completely wrong. Running 32-bit applications will always be important for legacy and performance reasons. Sometimes 32-bit mode is faster, especially when you don't need 64-bit memory addresses for certain applications. This is why most 64-bit OSes still run 32-bit core services, because that's all they need.

 

I actually heard the same thing regarding Windows and 32 Bit...from Engadget...multiple people have said it.

Whether it's a good thing or not I can't say but it does make things simpler....

 

But this is without an HP coupon, just be patient, I am sure soon there will be a HP promo/coupon that gives you a better price. BTW, that's a Staples promo too expiring 11/1/08.

 

It was an article I read last week.

The question was brought up because Apple's Snow Leopard is supposedly making a "clean" break from all 32bit software. Companies will have to find a way to support the 64bit OSX or they are left in the dust I guess?

I'm sure there will always be emulators or some kind of virtual machines that can be loaded to run old 32bit software for Apple.

As for Windows 7, same thing....I guess they are hoping that at some point, all "current" companies with software running on Vista and Windows 7 will eventually have 64bit components....

So think of Windows 7 as your "buffer" before all 32bit support runs out?

We'll see I guess...

 

Good point. Something like Partition Magic. Its been awhile since I've used something like that.

Which brings me to another point.

Anyone do a clean install on the HDX18? I am having a hard time finding the mediasmart application. I copied the SWSetup folder and I am chaulking it up to operator head space and timing.

 

Yes. I ordered a Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit Recovery Disc from HP ($16) and did a fresh install with it and now I have Vista Ultimate fully activated (save $160 upgrade cost) ... yay My HDX18t was pre-configured with Vista Home Premium 64-bit from the factory. After reinstall, all the original factory sw are there. Thanks HP for the SLIC BIOS

 

So wait, does the recovery CD come with bloatware or is it a super clean install?

 

It comes with bloatwares (Slingbox, muvee, cyberlinks, etc). But I don't care as long as I can "upgrade" to Vista Ultimate for a fraction ($16) of the cost (compared with $160 upgrade for Vista Ultimate). I can just uninstall the bloatwares if I don't like them.

 

I dont understand; you said that you upgraded to Ultimate by simply ordering a Vista Ultimate disc ($16) from HP?

EVERY Vista disc has ALL VERSIONS of Vista on it, your Product Key is what determines your installation, NOT the disc; please explain to me how you managed to pull this one off, I'd LOVE to save $160 on my purchase!!

 

Nope, no need for product key for Vista activation through SLIC-enabled BIOS. SLIC-based activation is basically volume activation for OEM computer manufacturers (HP, Asus, Dell, etc) to save them hassles. All HP BIOS has SLIC table that has an ID which Vista reads/checks for activation. This is an agreement between Microsoft and PC manufacturers.

If you want to find out more about SLIC BIOS, read this:
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/showthread.php?t=1730

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/...n-or-acpislicbin-bios-file-for-oems-download/

 

Any chance of telling us what the part number is for the Vista Ultimate 64-Bit HP cd? And if not. Should I just call HP and request a Vista Ultimate 64-Bit Install cd? I currently have Vista Home Preminum 64-Bit as of now. Thanks!

 

It's true, in fact Vista was only going to support 32 bit to about the halfway point through it's lifecycle but software makers have been slow to switch to 64 bit because they say it's costing them too much to do so.

However Vista 64 supports 32 bit apps just fine.

 

I've never heard of that, that is pretty slick.....maybe that's why it's called SLIC BIOS...hahaha...

 

I did the same thing. Got the Vista Ultimate SP1 Recovery DVD from HP here:

vista ultimate 64b sp1 recovery kit

I installed yesterday on a new 320GB/7200RPM drive in my HDX18t, as a test.
The format takes forever (I think they do a real full drive format), but after that, you wind up with a fully working Vista Ultimate installation.

Dell has the same thing...their OS CD's and DVD's don't ask for keycodes either...if it sees a Dell BIOS, it installs and internally activates.

Nifty. I'm surprised HP doesn't check your S/N (which you must provide when ordering), for what version of Vista you have...

In any case, since this is not really legal, of course I will be reformatting with VHP and chucking my VU Recovery DVD's.

 

So I guess no one uses this notebook with any sort of cooling pad? If you are using a cooling pad, which one are you using and is it a good fit for the HDX18?

 

Like I had reported when I first got mine, the HDX18t is extrememly cool on the bottom, except around the area where the exhaust is (to be expected).

I see no need to use a cooling pad because there is nothing to cool! Cool?

 

Any chance HP throws a backlit keyboard on anything other that the 3500?

 

I doubt any current models can be retrofitted, because a backlit keyboard requires a separate power cable, and I don't know that any of the HDX system boards have the corresponding jack....

 

I must say that I am impressed with the QX9300 chip after working it in my HDX18t!

I use a multi-cpu capable audio/video transcoding program called Tunebite. The program allows me to simultanously re-record up to 28 songs at up to 2x normal speed in Vista.

On my desktop, which is a Quad-based QX6800-based Dell XPS 720 with RAPTOR hard drives, I can do 24 simultaneous songs @ 2x and my CPU is pretty much at or just below 100% the whole time.

The same test on my HDX18t, with a 2.53Ghz QX9300, runs around 80-86%! That leave room for me to go to 28 simulatenous songs (Tunebite's maximum)!!

This is obviously nowhere near a scientific comparison, but just doing what I do a lot of, it seems the HDX18t breezes through what my more powerful desktop starts to choke on!

Nice.

 

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=2100&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3769214&lang=en

There's a link there and u need to enter your notebook's S/N.

 

If you have the QX9300 with your HDX18, a good cooling pad will be the MTEC docking station from CoolIT made specifically for core 2 extreme mobile processor.

http://www.coolitsystems.com/

I personally don't need it since it's not overclockable from the BIOS, unless you want to do software overclock from within Windows.