*HP HDX18 Owners Lounge*

My hope is that since HP is now including the recordable Blu-ray as an option for the HDX, that I will be able to buy this seperately from them in the future.

--Rocco--

 

Lucky you!!! Let me know how it goes. I'm not a technet user, I used to be back in the days....

Had boxes and boxes of those technet CD's!!!!

 

if I had to guess, I would think so. I think the optical drives are different from the dual HDD caddy kits that we have been trying to buy aftermarket. the optical is too common to not offer as a separate purchase...

 

Okay everyone, I'm kind of pissed. Maybe you can explain this to me.

I ordered 2 day shipping with my laptop. It shipped from China January 7th yet has an estimated delivery date of January 12th. According to my calculations 2 day shipping should place the package on my door step no later than Saturday. Should I call HP and demand my money back for the upgraded shipping?

LS

 

You may have to deal with the "clearance delay" that a lot of people have had. Some didn't, but some did. If you get clearance delay, expect the delay to last about 2-3 days.

And that has nothing to do with your 2 day shipping. In fact, we kinda discovered that 2 day shipping verse regular shipping has no difference.

So you actually may want to try to recover what you paid for the 2 day shipping....

 

Thanks vistabad. Yeah, 31 dollars is a good sum of money for a college student like me. I think I'll make the call and request my money back.

 

I gotta say, I love the HDX18! I am even more satisfied in getting the Quad after seeing the ridiculous price increase (WOW!). I have not had many issues...just one that lancorp assisted with as my dvd drive was not being recognized. But since I ended up getting the Quad for under 800.00 no way I ever return it.

Is it possible to ever upgrade the graphics card or is that a motherboard issue too?
I think I have read that the bluray drive could possibly be swapped out?

Oh, I know it is a different model, but my wife has the HDX16. Will that Kensington 120Watt adapter work with hers as well?
thanks!!
love the forum!

 

Alright! Another HAPPY HDX18t owner!!! Great!!

I would have to bet that you CAN eventually swap out the optical drive. Why not? Just as long as you can buy the part separately.

I'm not sure about the video card. I think someone answered that question before and I forgot the answer.

lancorp could answer your question about the kensington, but I can't see why not? I beleive you will need the N30 tip which lancorp has mentioned to me COMES with the adapter.
So I don't see HP using different plugs for the HDX18 and HDX16...it's really the same laptop....

 

New HDX18T owner here. I've had mine for a few weeks now, and I'm liking it a good bit.

I'm still grabbing a couple parts for it though, a case (MEV17P), thanks for suggestions, and a second hard drive from Newegg for raid use (WD 2500BEKT). It'll be a fresh install once I get the second drive. Right now, I'm playing with it as is. So far, the only thing that's annoyed me was the SmartMenu thing, well, the pop-up screen. I just had to get rid of SmartMenu.exe to stop that. The functionality stays, but the pop-up goes bye bye and no longer kicks me out of games if I try and adjust volume.

This laptop is replacing my pretty old Dell 9300. The whole thing is about the same size, just a tad wider and heavier.

I like the screen. The refresh is noticeably faster, nice for gaming. The sound is pretty darn good. However, HP wants to be "smart" and keeps re-enabling the Natural Bass thing. I've always liked Altec Lansing's speakers, and they do well with the HDX18T too.

It's kind of weird having a laptop with no case latch. However, the design functions well enough to not really need one.

 

Yes, the Kensington works equally well with the HDX18t or 16t. Same plug, same adapter.

 

Yes. I have zipped the entire MSMenu direcotry and am uploading it now to RapidShare. Once it's done and I have the link, I'll post it here.

Anything to help my HDX 18 brothers (and sisters!)

 

HP MEDIA SMART install for the HDX 18

http://rapidshare.com/files/181213002/MSMenu.zip.html

Unzip this into a new directory. It includes the x64 and x86 (32 bit) install and support files that came with my HDX 18 in the SWSETUP directory. Use at your own risk. No warranty expressed, written or implied. It worked on my PC, it should work on your HDX 18.

I would suggest creating a recovery point before you run the MSI file, just in case there is a problem. Make sure you use the correct MSI file for your version of Vista.

Please report back if it works (or if it doesn't)

 

Thanks! Just wanted to be sure before ordering!

 

You purchased the case yet? Here is one on eBay for $42.08 with shipping: http://tinyurl.com/75tl99

 

What do y'all think about this hard drive? I am going to buy two of 'em when I can find them at a good price. http://tinyurl.com/5bogda

Seagate Momentus 7200.4 SATA 3Gb/s 500-GB Hard Drive

 

Seems good to me. Did you get your HDX with the dual drives?

You can have 1TB!!!

 

How do you like Rapidshare? I don't have an account. I always leach off of it, then have to wait an hour before I can download anything else....

 

I did get mine with dual drives.

 

There was no "Quickplay" group neither in HKLM or HKCU, but what there was a "Quicklaunch" one that, the clean Vista installation was missing EXACTLY the key for the TV button! It's a group of parameters with an aparent action for the button. That would reference a .dll that, if I misspelled on purpose would stop the TV button from working in the original HP image! So I'm assuming that this is what controls that button...

Now I'm doing a couple more stuff in my last time at the original HP image, but when I go back to a clean Vista install I'm going to import those keys and pray the gods above for the button to work! If it does, I'm going to post what I did, in order for other users to use them in the future (sadly, no what AspenWiedii did... ) And if it doesn't work... then I'd be clueless again and wouldn't know where to keep looking!

I'll let you know tomorrow; wish me luck!

 

I hate you!!!

Good luck! You should have gotten that guys email address so you can ask him privately. He probably won't be back on this board unless there's a need to.

 

Good hunting! Hope it works out for you. IF you do solve it, if you would, please post your solution in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=169232

 

That's what I got and who I got it from.

My biggest question now is XP going to go on or Vista after I set up raid. I've got 4gigs ram, but only having 3 isn't a big deal when XP = 300mb used and Vista = 2gigs used at idle. Vista's neat and annoying at the same time. I can't wait for Windows 7 to finally come out, but even then there's waiting for drivers, compatibility, update fixes for missed problems in the beta, etc...

Is any of the HDX18T software Vista only?

 

:laugh: Oh, how I love this group.

 

Mine, with GROUND SHIPPING, left Shanghai, China on 01/07/09 and is in San Diego today (01/09/09) for delivery! Two days from China to San Diego, including customs clearance is unprecedented!!

 

Plus, remember these are only "estimates". It may actually be on the truck for delivery today. Probably not, but maybe.

 

Lancorp,

Have you tried Win7 yet? How is it?

 

Not yet. I can't decide which computer to try it on!

 

Anyone know what this means?

Jan 9, 2009 12:36 AM Int'l shipment release INDIANAPOLIS, IN

LS

 

It has cleared customs.

 

Hi all,

I am new to the forums so apologies if this is in the wrong section, I am just about to place my order for my shiny new HP Pavilion HDX18t the specs are:

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80GHz)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) - For 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
HP Color Matching Keyboard
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
Lightscribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
No TV Tuner w/remote control
8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

All the reviews I have read for this spec suggest that it will handle gaming such as Call of Duty and MMO's such as WOW and EQ2 comfortably and also be able to handle the photoshop work I do - as well as music and movie storage/playback.

My one main question is I am ordering this model from the US (as I am unable to find the spec I want in the UK at a sensible price) then having it shipped to the UK. Is there any fundamental differences in the US and UK models apart from slightly different keyboard layout and power supply plug - I recall reading somewhere that the voltage on the UK and US power supplies differ. Will I need to buy a new Power cable/power supply?

Does anyone have any experience in shipping a US model to the UK and could advise before I finalise my order.

Thanks very much in advance
Hopeful future HP HDX18t owner

 

If you're going to buy an HDX now (coupon expires 1/12), use stackable coupon NB4361 to get an extra $150 off any customized model.

That'll be a total of $350 off with the automatic $200 discount.

If you have a while to wait, another 30% off coupon should roll around in the next month or two. They also have $450 - $500 off every couple of months.

 

I have a US spec 18 and use it everyday off of 220V 50Hz. Works fine, the power supply is rated for 110V- 240V & 50-60Hz. The only thing that you'll need is an adapter to plug it into the wall.

 

Thanks for your Info. I should wait for a next around. And I will get it with T9600.

 

You're starting to sound like a veteran around here....

 

My HDX18 just came today! I have so much more to look at and mess with, but so far, I think it's awesome!

This is first laptop and my first new computer in a long time. Are there any important first steps that I should take in setting up this thing? Is there, perhaps, a guide somewhere in these forums that addresses this? Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks very much for the response, I have just placed the order - can't wait for it to come through, very excited

 

Enjoy it.

About the only thing that bugged me was the pop-up screen when you adjust volume/bass/trebble. It's fine on its own, but if you're in a game or something, it will kick you back to Windows, and that's annoying. You just have to stop the SmartMenu.exe process (Ctrl-Alt-Del --> task manager) to stop the pop-up. The functionality remains but no pop-up screen. If you don't want it to start again, you'll have to remove it from the registry "Run" folder. If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's best to leave the registry alone.

 

A registry key edit example would be nice for those of us who don't. Why wasn't it programmed to deactivate while in "fullscreen" mode? My old 2005 laptop operates that way.

 

It's really not hard to use REGEDIT for this type of thing.

Start REGEDIT

Start expanding the tree by clicking on the "little triangles" to the left of the directory structure as follows:

HK Local Machine

Software

Microsoft

Windows

Current Version

then click on the "Run" folder (no quotes)

On the right side window, you will see the programs that start when windows starts. Just right click on "SmartMenu" and select DELETE.

You're done!

 

@oblio98

Yeah I know how to use REGEDIT but I didn't know the location of the key nor what to change (I actually haven't gotten my laptop yet but I knew this was something I'd want to do almost immediately upon arrival). Thanks for the tip!

 

Hey vistabad are you gonna try out the Windows 7 beta?

 

Well... in short: it didn't work. After a whole day of trying and testing, I finally give up. I'm so frustrated that I'll write a good long thread about all the things I've tried, entirely dedicated to make the TV button work in a clean Vista installation. Maybe then, if other users are willing to work with it too, we can reach a solution.

On the positive side, I managed to send a PM to AspenWiedii... hope he sees it though. His last log in here was, apparently, 12/12/08.

 

That number is also customer support. He was wrong (thought so!) No need to run restore before returning. I'm exchanging it for 64 bit version.

Good thing I ordered a restore disk for $19 as I decided to make one and it rejected double layer disks from three different manufacturers, including Verbatim, before I gave up. It wont let me use regular DVD+/- R because I started with DL.

 

Hey Guys,
Hopefully I speak for many users who would like to know the following:
What is the difference between doing a "HP Backup and Recovery Manager" backup of the system software or purchasing the $19 System Restore (?) CD? I'm sitting out here.........somewhat uncomfortable that I have NO CD that contains an original version of Vista Home Premium. That just doesn't seem right. Is that what the $19 CD provides? Or did the "HP Backup and Recovery Manager" DVDs that I burned contain everything that is provided on the $19 CD? I just checked the HP website and I don't see any of those $19 CDs offered at all!

 

Try this link to the Recovery DVD: http://tinyurl.com/9yz7yc
Select your operating system then scroll down to "CD-ROM order page - Recovery Discs".

 

I'm pretty sure the $19 restore DVD is the same thing as having the restore partition. It's not a "clean" version of Vista, nor is it an "Anytime Upgrade" disc.

 

Little ole' me, a veteran? Aw, shucks.

Vistabad, you are one of the superheroes of the forum in my book. Spending all that time and effort helping people with a problem you didn't even have -- and being so cool about it -- wow!

 

Exactly. It's no different than factory settings.

Well let's hope when you get yours, you will not have a single issue with it!!

 

Thanks for your interest in the Windows 7 Beta. The volume has been phenomenal—we're in the process of adding more servers to handle the demand. We're sorry for the delay and we'll re-post the Beta as soon as we can ensure a quality download experience.


When it's available? I'll give it a shot. I have a HP tablet PC that runs Vista and always runs HOT.

According to Win 7, it's designed to run on netbooks, so in theory, I should be able to load it on my tablet and it should run cool....

 

My HDX 16 was scheduled for delivery on the 9th. It was delivered on the 8th. Too bad I was in NY, but I did have a signed note to have my neighbor sign for it. I got home last night and all I can say is WOW!!! My HDX 18 is in NJ as of this morning having already cleared Customs. I just got off the phone with FEDEX customer support. I asked if I could pick it up and was told the shipper (HP) doesn't allow that. How sad is that? It is scheduled for delivery on the 13th. I hope and pray it shows up on Monday the 12th and is in great shape like the HDX 16.
When I have both I will write a quick review.