*HP HDX18 Owners Lounge*

Ok. are you willing to open up your laptop?

 

ouch that's hot. I'm sort of glad I didn't go with the quad if those temps are normal.

 

actually beta offered better quality, with a smaller tape, but vhs had the studio support.

 

Blu-ray has more capacity, which means more ability to provide better extras, etc. quality was absolutely identical for both hd dvd and blu-ray, the problem with blu-ray is that Sony has been super slow in lowering prices (as we all expected) and have been super crazy about their DRM (also as we expected) to date, the PS3 is still the best blu-ray player on the market because of these issues, and it's quite sad really. Sony and the Blu-ray consortium are going to end up killing their own format by taking too long to lower prices and getting their DRM worked out.

 

Actually the audio for some HD DVD movies was not as good as it could be. The studios chose lossy audio as opposed to lossless audio because of the size of their discs.

Can other people with the Quad Core in their HDX comment on temps?

 

Well I do various things with my laptop where I like having the Quad as an option, but it all depends. For powerusers, I say the Quad is the way to go. I say that because chances are powerusers will not use the notebook on their laps. I certainly don't, and most people I know with desktop replacements don't either. That's not to say you can't, but just most of us don't. Also I have a pad that dissipates the heat some if I were to use it on my lap. It's not a USB notebook fan or anything, it's a pad with some materials inside that help dissipate heat.

 

For those that may be interested in reading up on removing DVD/Blu RayCorporate "encryption", try Doom9, CDFreaks, VideoHelp and my fav Afterdawn. There's a wealth of information out there.

Al ..

 

Yea I just saw that also. In particular I like the vague "The promotion will restart in the next day or so. Again, we apologize for our customers' inconvenience." I don't suppose anyone would have any news on when it would restart?

 

Yes. I tried already removing the internal battery but that didn't work. Is there a jumper or a button to reset the BIOS settings in an HDX18T? Thanks...

 

unplug, remove battery, press down and hold power button for 30 seconds.

 

I have had a few times where the treble/bass touch buttons start going off on their own without me going near them. Anyone else experience this?

 

I tried your recommendation twice, once with the CMOS battery in and once with it out. I still couldn't get basic functionality such as entering the BIOS setup utility or giving me a boot menu list I guess it is time to send this machine off to HP service. Thanks for the suggestions....

 

Ok, after thinking about this, the only thing you could have messed up without opening the machine, is the hard drive/s. So if the 30 second reset doesn't work, I would say the next logical step is to just disconnect both hard drives. If it will not bring up bios with both drives out, then it must be returned.

If it does come up to a bios screen, then you know it's a drive issue.

But this is another thing that pisses me off. The bios is more than dad handing off the keys to the car. It is primarily a troubleshooting tool. If the drives were of issue in a desktop for instance with a generic bios, there would be a notification at startup, letting you know you had a hard drive failure.

I was really hoping one of the seasoned notebook pros in here would say, oh yeah, just hit F3 at startup and it will display any failures.

 

Did I forget to mention you have to turn on the notebook?

 

Well, apart from Jonathon360's response, I was hoping for more results after being away for a day (away only because I never got any emails informing me of new posts until this moring, and it is for a post from early yesterday! Lots of posts I missed!).

Where's all the Quadcore guys out there??

EDIT: Can anyone find the specs page for the MOBILE QX9300 on Intel's website? It seems dorked to me, cuz when I get the Mobile Extreme page, any tab or link from there takes me to the DESKTOP Extreme stuff.
I'd like to find some datasheets or something on the MOBILE QX9300....link?

 

hi everyone,

hoping you can help me. just bought a hp hdx18-1013tx here in australia and only have one problem that needs addressing.. (so far).

the touch sensitive media buttons at the top of the keyboard seem to have a mind of their own.. the blue wireless button turns off and on when i press the mute button?!? also the treble/bass switcher doesnt work all the time. everything else seems to be in order.

the wireless button is really irritating... turns off when i'm recording hd tv also. i have no idea if it's faulty or just something that needs to be tweaked or updated. any help would be appreciated.

 

I never really felt that way about BR being better because of disk space. What percentage of viewers actually watch all the extras? I know I don't...I can barely make it through the whole movie considering the quality of movies nowadays! So all that space for EXTRAS? Personally, I'd prefer a smaller capacity with the best quality video and audio and less fluff!

I'm still amazed at people who would plunk down $400-$600 for a BR player when there was an $199 HD-DVD player available (usually at the opposite end of the store, in the back, like at Circuit City). Even the stores were in cahoots with Sony...did you notice the cool, expensive living room surround setups with BR players, and no HD-DVD in sight? (They were at the back of the store, mixed in with the aisles of DVD's). I hated CC for playing that game.

But, on a positive note, I was able to pick up a couple highly rated Panasonic 35's (blu-ray player) last week for $149 each at Sears. Great 2.0 profile players, and cheap. Finally.

 

No new date that I'm aware of. I wrote to Microsoft yesterday and have not even received a responce.

--Rocco--

 

That sounds faulty. I've never had those issues. I suppose you can try to update or reinstall those drivers?

 

Yes yes, it runs great! It runs a little warm but that's to be expected. And in the winter, it actually keeps me warm.

My tablet on the other hand, will run HOT, and I would barely have to do anything to get it to run hot.....

 

Is it possible you could have bumped a cable loose like the SATA cables?

Why don't you try juse 1 harddrive? Remove the secondary, and just try to boot with the original harddrive to see what happens?

i've never seen a PC not ever at least allow you to get to the BIOS, so this is a curious issue...

 

Have you removed one or both hard drives as others have suggested? It's possible the POST is hanging when trying the drives for readiness. Pop those bad boys out and fire it up!

(actually, just disconnect the cables to the drives...no need to remove the drive!)

 

mara_d, F10 would be the key to get into your BIOS FYI.

Your first post, you got an option to press ESC.
Your second post, you don't see anything anymore on bootup correct?

Well, this is a long shot, but could it be your backlight is dead? Try putting a flashlight to your screen and see if when you boot up you see anything.

Another suggestion (I think someone mentined this already) disconnect all your HD, and see what happens when you boot up. If nothing shows, and it is not a dead backlight (or even a dead screen), then you probably need to return it.

 

http://www.intel.com/products/processor/core2xe/mobile/index.htm

 

OK. I finally heard back from Microsoft regarding the 40% cashback offer. They are giving me 25% cashback with no explaination as to why I'm not getting the 40% back. I'm writting to them again regarding why I'm not getting the full amount. Has anyone else had this problem? If so what have you done to get the 40%?

--Rocco--

 

I dont fully trust live.com and HP when it comes to getting the cash back!
i had the 20% offer back in october when i purchased my wife's hdx16.
last week received the email from microsoft that since i cancelled and/or returned the item, the cashback was also cancelled..
last i checked, the hdx16 is in my house.
so i have had emails back and forth.. and blah blah blah

 

My HDX18 arrived last week, but unfortunately it has a few problems. As soon as I took it out the box I noticed several very small but deep stratches in the center of the cover. There is considerable vibration and distortion in the speakers with certain songs - esp. the upper right hand side of the laptop which vibrates.The bass and treble controls have also gone crazy several times -clicking up and down on their own nonstop as other posters have experienced. It also has the fairly loud crackle noises as it runs that others wth the 1TB 500x2 hard drive have noted. (Don't know if anyone knows for sure if it has anything to do with the hard drive or if it is the speakers). The final thing is the release for the battery doesn't work. It only pushes part of the way, but doesn't release the battery.

I want to send it back for an exchange and spent an extremey frustrating hour and 35 minutes on the phone with two HP customer service reps. One cut me off after 20 minutes on hold and another 25 minutes trying to get the exchange processed. I then had to call back to go over everthing again with a new rep. The first rep said that if I exchanged I would not lose my 30% off coupon discount, but the 2nd one said I would have pay the difference of the cost without the coupon since it has expired -an additional $600! I need to either contact the Ryan guy (or group) and see if he can help me or I'll just send it back for a refund and get something else. Could someone please let me know how to to get in contact with the famous Ryan?

 

I'm sorry to hear that as well as some other who have recent problems with the HDX.

I really don't know what to say. If it was based on my experience with the HDX, I would recommened it a million times over because I love this thing.

But based on OTHERS who have the HDX, it seems to have been a horrible experience. As well as improper builds...scratches/dents etc....

Just on this thread alone, there's just too many complaints about it.

I guess I should be happy I got a very good build, or the group that put my laptop together had a good day!!! (knock on wood)

 

I would say HP 18T has a larger than normal problem with.... the speaker grill plastic part that is above the keyboard. Almost all reports of scratches or dents are in this area, specifically the left and right side that dont' sit flush.

The crackling sound seems to be a 'newer' development, possibly to do with dual HD configs or a driver issue.

I've had all the above happen to me

 

That's a good idea. It didn't occur me it could be a screen issue...

 

What's wrong with the speaker grill?

 

I had the 9400 version for about a month until getting the offer to get the quad at the original price plus discount for the PITA it caused when cancelled..
still waiting for the quad to arrive, but had no problems with the 9400 ... neither cosmetic or internal.

 

Sorry to see your having such a tough time. I hope you get some luck soon. I'm sure your like me and wish you could get a phone number of someone in Live Cashback that you could speak to. Many of these problems could be resolved in minutes if you could just get the right person on the phone.

--Rocco--

 

by the way. my quad which was to ship 12/2, now has a scheduled ship date of 12/16!

 

Hi !

Thanks’ for a great forum !

After looong time searching after new laptop I came home with a HDX18 It's great...

My question/problem is that I have problems finding a bag for it, is there any for you if I ask nicely being able to post a picture of your HDX18 in bag ?

I just want to hear your experience....

Thanks for your time

Greatings from TBP (Denmark)

 

Well, I just ordered the target 17" backpack 2 days ago and it just arrived today! My HDX fits into it PERFECTLY.

I got it on sale for $35 and I see that it just got bumped up to $50 now...

http://www.amazon.com/Targus-TXL617...=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1228336744&sr=8-1

 

Did you use the right software? AnyDVD HD.

 

Well, if anyone was wondering, a replacment keyboard costs $60. I also had to order it from spare parts warehouse, because they were the only place I could find that had it in stock.

 

i've looked on their website.. i can't figure out which driver to install could you point me the right way?

i love this laptop... but it's frustrating how little things like this really get to me.

thanks for your help

 

Vistabad, you mean TarGUS right? I'm glad the backpack I recommended worked for you! I always feel guilty when I recommend something and the person doesn't like it. Ever since I got the Targus XL, I couldn't be happier with a backpack to lug the bigboy around.

 

haha I wrote TARGET? hahaha....brain burp!!

it's a great backpack, of course I haven't tried it yet. but I did put the HDX in it to see if it fits, and it fits perfectly....

Especially with the winter coming, I can't afford to use my regular messenger bag anymore incase I slip or fall, I need both my arms for balance...

And if I do fall with the backpack, it will be every direction but backwards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

What version OS do you have?

 

It's the quick launch buttons you will want to update.

For your model it is:

sp40139.exe

 

Guys:

i sent a message to newmodeUS.com about getting the HDX18t caddy. I did get a response. Here it is below:

So they are atleast now aware of it!!!

 

Thanks for the link. The same page, a few days ago, would give you desktop processer info if you clicked on any of the tabs.

I see they fixed it now. Thanks!

 

Alright, one of the updates I did for windows has now got my fans running on my notebook computer 24/7, and the cpu/gpu isn't even warm. :/

Has anyone else run into this and figured out which update it is that's causing it?

 

Has anyone used this coupon code for the HDX18? hphotbargain.com

I went through the customization process, etc. and it seems like it replaces the automatic $200 rebate with a $400 savings.

Wondering if I should pull the trigger or wait for another(?) MS live.com promotion?

 

Sooooooooo sorry about not responding. I'm on the road headed slowly to the Seattle area. I'm in California at the moment. It was a long haul from Florida. I'm stopping for a couple days before moving on.

I'm not really doing anything computer related right now since I have bigger fish to fry.

I'm slowly working on a document in PDF format for this. When I get settled, see above, I'm going to start a new thread for installing XP on the HDX 16/18.

Partially agree. I wish I could leave XP. The problem is I run specialized third party programs that will not run on any form of Vista.

The programs I run are developed by the US government with tax payer dollars. There is no incentive to migrate to a new platform when it takes additional funding to do so.

In fact, I still use one DOS based program that was replaced by a newer program. But the program had some bugs that still require the use of this DOS based program. Since there is no additional funding to fix these issues I am stuck with XP for these uses.

I use Vista for my personnal stuff and XP for my work stuff. No way around it.

 

My temps are right in line with yours...

 

i ran that night before last... didn't seem to have any effect. i guess it's just faulty... thank you anyway for your help. no other ideas?