*HP HDX18 Owners Lounge*

I'm wanting a quad processor (ie QX9300) to run multiple virtual machines (vmware mostly but sometimes virtual pc, etc.). I think that you can designate and dedicate an entire core to a particluar virtual machine.

 

You can try to use the proprietary windows drivers and install them under Linux.
For example the nvidia drivers install under Linux.

 

I am using Pinnacle's USB tuner. I would take a look at Pinnacle and Hauppage.

 

That's cool.

If so, it seems like the quad would really be worth it for you.

Seriously, those 30% off coupons come back. There was one two weeks ago (when they had the quad, I'm pretty sure), though it usually takes longer than that. If you can wait, my vote is to hold out for what you want.

And when you're getting your quad with the 30% off coupon , check out cashback. If you have Discovercard, they give you 5% cashback if you buy through shopdiscover.com. Ebates has 3% cashback. So does fatwallet.

 

Laura,

I am amazed but my HDX 18 has the QX9300 and twin 7200rpm drives, and it runs MUCH cooler than my dv9000 by a huge margin. I expected this thing to be hot right off the bat, but it runs quiet and cool.

My dv9000 used to warm up my left leg right through my lap desk. The 18 seems like it's not generating heat at all!

Go figure!

 

Laura,
Indeed true. I used the 30% coupon and got the quad 2 weeks ago. Yes I did also use fatwallet for 7% cashback at that time too.

 

oblio,

Same here.
Not hot and very quiet too.

 

Morning.

Thought i'd add my 2 cents in regarding the HDX18 & Ubuntu.

Everything works absolutely perfectly with the following exceptions.

There still isn't a great deal of driver support for Ubuntu Linux. the only version (so far) that i could get running reasonably stable are the version 177 drivers. Also, powermiezer is locked on for both AC and battery power. I did find a script on ubuntuforums.org to fix this up so just search for "powermiezer disable script" or something similar and it's sure to come up.
You'll especially need this if you want to run Compiz (Desktop effects, cube etc) as powermiezer really cripples its performance.

secondly there seems to be a slight problem with the sound driver as well.
within Ubuntu but upon restart (possibly when the driver is shutdown) it sends a rather concerning, loud crackle through the speakers. normally i wouldn't really flag this as a major issue but the crackle is quite low frequency and i'm sure it puts some serious stress on the sub.

Hope this helps y'all out a bit

Cheers,

Valen

 

Valen,

Thanks for the input.
I started a thread for HDX & Linux in the HP forums section here.
Trying to pool input, resources, experiences, and solutions.

 

Don't do this to me! The quad is totally awesome -- and now you're telling me it's cool and quiet, too? How can I not want to get one after hearing that? This is all your fault.

But, seriously, thanks, oblio and HatesBSOD, for sharing your real experience with the quad. It's very helpful, even if it does torture me.

 

Well, you can at least enjoy the fact that (at least) I am in the "don't do this to me" mode when it comes to the fact that they upgraded the RAM to DDR3 and added 1Gb of Video RAM in the thing a few weeks after I ordered mine. Not to mention a BD burner!

So we can all be bummed out together!

 

Nooooo! I don't want you to be bummed. I don't enjoy your suffering -- I want you to be a happy!

It sucks to have stuff you want come out shortly after you order yours.

I'm pretty sure the 21-day return policy starts when you receive the computer, so you may still be able to return it. If you can wait for the quad to come back.

I'm thinking of waiting until there's a DDR3 memory option without the crazily expensive $249 graphics card upgrade.

I want DDR3 for future-proofing reasons, mainly. From the little I've read, it doesn't help performance much.

Any thoughts on reasons to get DDR3 (or not)?

Again, sorry that HP is torturing you with new options right after you ordered yours.

 

Man, I'm in awe of the deal you got. And that was before the quad's price was jacked up to $1500 or whatever crazy amount it was last week.

Inspiring!

 

Laura! Just kidding! Really just wanted you to know you were not alone.

As for the DDR3 Motherboard, I would REALLY be bummed except for the fact that they jacked the price of the QX9300 so high when that new MB came out that I would have never spent the cash for it at that level. I can't see spending $3500+ on a laptop, even with a "discount" coupon.

Mine is here to stay. No one's getting this one back, even if the speakers rattle a little!

 

Newbie here....lots of experts here, I'm hoping someone can help me.

Bought HDX18t and its due to arrive Friday. I ordered 32bit Vista Home Premium. I wanted to get Vista Ultimate, but HP only offers it for 64bit, which I cannot get since I'm a CPA and my tax software will only work with 32bit.

If I pay for the Ultimate upgrade elsewhere, what is the best way to install on my new HDX18? Should I follow the Clean Vista Install method? Or do I just install it as normal? Or can someone recommend a better way?

From what I read, the HP Quickstart and HP Media Smart would not work after a clean install.

Thanks!

 

64 bit is backward compatible with at least 95% of 32 bit programs. I would just give it a google search to make sure.

 

Hey who was it that was telling me about AnyDVD? I just bought Dead Space: Downfall from BB and I got it because of the Digital Copy. I THOUGHT I could play it on my brand new iPod Touch.

Yet it didn't come with any code like the other ones. When I put the digi copy in my laptop it popped up and set about acquiring some drm bull from EA and then downloaded the movie to a folder I chose on my laptop.

However I tried moving that video into iTunes so I could put it on my iPod but NOTHING happened. It says the movie is in WMV format. I'm guessing that's a format that won't play on iTunes and iPods?

What can I do in this situation to remove the DRM and allow this to be played in iTunes and allow me to move this to my iPod? Do I need AnyDVD? If so is it free and will it allow me to do this without any trouble?

 

I did my homework, and was patient.
When the coupon showed up I pulled the trigger.
You will do the same.
As far as the memory and graphics chip...
Maybe I will wait for them to upgrade the 16 or 18 even more and get another.

 

CK,

Try one of the free programs to convert it from wma to mp4.
It may work.

 

If you go to Sams or BJs and get the Vista Ultimate upgrade (both 32 and 64 are in the box), you can install that "clean" on your HDX 18 using a slightly different method, but it will work fine. The Media Smart will work on a clean install, not sure about QuickStart, as I never looked for it. I wanted my Vista to be as clean as possible, and it really is. The thing chugs away using 0%-2% CPU usage at idle.

My dv9000 would slide up to 50% on it's own at times and I had no idea what the hell it was doing, and no, there were no viruses or spyware on it. It was mostly attributed to "SYSTEM".

 

oblio,

Earlier today I was surfing the web, listening to music and replying here and also was 0%-2%. What is your free ram %?

 

This AnyDVD thing is not working on Dead Space Downfall. I right click on the fox icon and hit "rip to hard drive" yet it says "Drive E: not ready!". Even though it's not pale and is full red which means everything should be fine.

This is so annoying.

 

I have the "All CPU Meter" gadget from 'Addgadget' on my sidebar, so I watch the 4 CPUs all of the time. When I'm just internetting (like right now), the CPU usage is 1%, and fee memory is 2508MB out of 4GB.

 

Thanks for your reply and input.

 

CK, Check your PM's....

 

Has anyone installed Windows 7 on the HDX18? I would be very interested in their experiences with the HDX18. (What works, what does not work. Did you partition the drive and how etc)

Thanks

 

Rocco,

I believe Vistabad is trying it out.

 

I've got. The quick launch buttons are a no go. So is the fingerprint reader. Not sure about what else doesn't function. I'm mainly using it just to get a feel for how it performs.

My WEI is kinda weird. I get high scores for everything save the graphics.

 

Cassilineknight,

Did you partition your Hard Drive so that you could use either Vista and Windows 7?

--Rocco--

 

Ordered my HDX18, and now I am unsure if I am just going to return it and reorder. I ordered it with 32bit VHP (as I have a few work applications that won't run in 64). And have since decided I might want to nix the work usage and go 64bit VU/8gb... Will it save me huge headaches with reinstallation/activation etc if I just ship it back and get another with the 64 bit key already on my laptop? I am not one that is good with waiting for shipping so was just curious how much of a headache it will be for me to do this on my own.

Thanks!

 

Yep. Whenever I turn on my laptop it asks which OS I want to boot up which is amazing.

Technology is just simply great.

 

Hi Guy's.

I hate asking this question but i really can't find a decent answer anywhere.

What temp is your video card running at (idle & load) with your HDX 18?
I've got the 1013tx with T9400 & the usual 9600m GT.

I've had a good play with drivers and am currently running the DOX Optimized 181.2 Drivers.

Just a little concerned that there may be a problem with my cooling as i'm idling at between 50 & 55c. Load temps blow out to up to 80ish but average around 70-75C while gaming (this driver made the temps go up from about 48-50C idle and ~ 65-70 Load with the default drivers.

Can someone please tell me if this is stupid high for this laptop or should I stop being so paranoid. I haven't really had much experience with lappy GPU's, i know they generally run hotter than their desktop equivalents (my dekstop 9600GT rarely gets above 60 under load) but if my desktop card ran this hot i'd be seriously worried.

Thanks heaps for any input!

Valen


Edit: Also i'm sure this is a hardware lock but has anyone had any luck getting fan control working for the GPU... would be great to crank my fan to help compensate for the heat

and no i haven't overclocked (yet )

 

C&C,

I saw this Video on cnet via download.com back in October.
The sources referenced as well as the tips helped me make my decision to give 64 bit a shot.
Check it out here: http://cnettv.cnet.com/2001-1_53-50004090.html

Good luck and I hope this helps you.

 

If you are able to install your own memory, just go ahead and order the 64 bit recovery discs from HP (cost like 14.00) and then order the RAM.
lot cheaper!

 

darengibo,

I have no problems installing memory but if I ordered my laptop with 32-bit VHP and the restore disc is for VU 64 then I am assuming that my key will not work for the difference in Vista versions (HP to U and 32 to 64) wouldn't this cause issues with the activation/verification/enabling? (I am not entirely versed in how that works.)

Hates BSOD,

Thanks going to check that out now.

 

Just order the 64bit version of the restore CD for $16. The activation key is embedded in your BIOS. You will not have to do any activation.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not think there will be any difference whether you use a 32 or 64bit Vista....key wise...

 

Vistabad,

If that is true it will be great news. I ordered the restore dvd (just entered zeros since my system isn't here yet.) and that would save me the time of cancelling and resending not to mention I can make a restore dvd when I get it and that way can always roll to 32 bit if the urge strikes. But if anyone can verify VB's statement I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks all for the replies, now if my system would just hurry up and get here (only ordrered it two days ago so I have a bit to go...)

 

yes, i ordered the 32 bit and then did the restore with the 64 recovery disc with no problems!

 

Great news, thanks darengibo! Hopefully once it is in and tested I'll have nothing but good news.

Appreciate all the great assistance as well as the wealth of help from all the previous posts.

 

You can probably find it cheaper, but hp shopping has one "Supports NTSC analog cable TV, HD6 digital ATSC3, and clear QAM digital TV" on sale for $100.

 

C&C you are most welcome.

Enjoy the ride.

 

Hey lancorp please check your PMs...

 

New SSD's on the horizon...gotta get one of these:



Look at those speeds:



Review: G.SKILL TITAN review

Price ain't bad for the capacity and speed, either!!! ($299=128GB, $499=256GB)

 

Lancorp,

Sweet thanks for posting.

 

ok, small issue, the scroll part of my mouse is not working... what would i re-download to fix it?
quicklaunch does work fine.

 

Just a hunch does it work after a reboot?

 

CassilineKnight,

One final question. How did you partion the drive so it prompted you for which OS you want to boot?

1) Did the Windows 7 install make do this for you as an installation option?

-or-

2) Did you use some other tool to do this and if so what tool was it?

Thanks

--Rocco--

 

Great find!

I was JUST reading a blog from my hosting company who has begun transferring their shared MYSQL hosting to SSD's and they were absolutely shocked by how much faster it was.

Basically, MYSQL would always be the top process using up all the CPU and IO. When they experimented with SSD's, not only was it dropped from the top spot, but it moved down to the 3rd, 4th spot...

SSD's really are the way to go, no moving parts, less chance for HDD failure......and if you want to get really crazy, you can do RAID with SSD's.
100% uptime is practically guaranteed...

The only thing left is a way to cool PC's without using fans and you eliminate all moving parts entirely....(oh, except for bluray players)

 

This mornings re-boot fixed it. I had a huge scare as I had the HDX hooked up through the HP docking station and the screen would flutter and I couldn't click on any drives/folders... when i rebooted it had this constant loud beep... it could not start up... it attempted repair, but same thing.
i unhooked it from the docking station and no problems.
i then called HP to return/exchange the dock station and was at first told it was beyond the 21 days so no can do (for the record it was day 28). I asked to speak to a supervisor and within seconds a refund will be granted.

 

You can buy Pinnacle or Hauppage for cheaper than $100. I'm sure there's a markup when buying HP accessories....