*HP HDX18 Owners Lounge*

I posted about this a week ago, nobody seemed to say it fit correctly fom them though. I went to sam's club and examined the hp's, they had the same diameter connecter (dff models) but the plug fit better. This is after calling tech support that said there was play in the units they had... since mine is so loose and just doesn't seem right, I think it's going back!

 

I have gone through allmost every model in the new line, and they all have a little play in it. This is done on purpose to take some of the force off the connector in the even that someone trips over it.

 

I see you have a few posts on this subject. I too am having this same issue. Have you found a resolution yet? My HDX also seems to have a grounding problem. When I have it in lap, my wife touches me and we can both feel a tingle sensation. I wonder if that is the cause of the erratic quick launch buttons?

I got my HDX around Christmas time. I haven't yet called HP support.

Dean

 

I've noticed some price changes on the HP site.

Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth only a $25 upgrade, rather than the $50.

To upgrade to the 1g GPU w/ 4gigs or Ram is only a $120 upgrade now, rather than the +$250 it used to be.

That's a pretty sweet deal for the 1gig GPU. Although, there is no reason for me to order it. I will be sticking w/ the 512mb.

 

I can see it now... New HP commercial in the making!!!!!

 

Update after one month of ownership...

Best $1290 SPENT EVER!!! Even though this is a 18.4 laptop, it's already travelling in between the living room, kitchen nook and upstairs bedroom.

My major prob right now is keeping my wife away from using my HDX!!

My numkeys are flexing a little bit but it's not a bother. Other than that, luv the 1080p display and excellent sound.

SS

 

What does the shipping box look like? I wanted to get an idea of its size. A picture preferably...

 

what brand/model external HD do you have?

 

Right now the only external HDD I am using is the HP EZ297AA#ABA ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ackard_EZ297AA_ABA_300GB_Hard_Drive_Kit.html). Do you have Vista Ultimate x64 installed on the external HDD via USB?

 

Wow, what a thread! I'm looking at buying the HDX18 to replace my current desktop system. I am not a gamer and will be using it primarily for editing digital photos, etc. I run Photoshop CS4, Lightroom 2, ACDSee 2009, etc.

My mind is just swimming with different ways to configure this unit. Would anyone be willing to offer me some advice?

I was thinking of ordering it through Costco just because I love their return policy; however, if I can get it through HP at a similar cost, I'm all for that. Here is the configurator.

I'm not in a huge hurry to get this and I've read many posts about great coupon deals through HP. I'm not sure how to find those deals though.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

 

This is just one place to get coupon codes: http://www.techbargains.com/vendor_detail.cfm/296/HP-coupon-code I'm sure others will be able to give you some links.

 

I got on a chat with HP sales support this morning because I wanted to see if they would confirm who makes the SSD they just started offering in the HDX18. The response was, no they can't, because that information is "proprietary" and they cannot divulge their manufacturers. Umm...do they expect people never to open the bottom of the laptop? Geez. I assume it's an Intel, since it's 160GB and that is a fairly non-stanard size except for Intel.

 

I will say that going thru HP you do get a free printer (w/ mail in rebate).

Man, Costco does have the 660GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (Solid State Drive 160GB + 500GB 5400RPM) option. That's killer, although out of my price range.

I think you can get it through HP for a better price though. At least that's what I found using the same configuration on both sites.

Does Costco's return policy warrant the price difference? I don't know, I've never bought anything at Costco.
----------------
Listening to: The Offspring - Me & My Old Lady
via FoxyTunes

 

You're right...that is a good price. I am looking at getting an HDX18 with a Q9100 and the SSD option. Costco wants about $2900, which is a lot cheaper than full price at HP.com, but I plan on waiting until the next 30% coupon. It will save me like $900 on that setup.

 

My hdx18 has two, 320 GB drives: Drive 1:OS/Progs, Drive 2: Data.
Vista Ultimate is installed on drive 1. From what I've been reading ,the slow bootup while an external hd is plugged in might be a 64 bit issue.

 

hmmm..., interesting. I'll have to check into that. I have also booted with a Seagate external hdd and a hdd based camcorder plugged into USB with no problems with speed during boot. I have Vista Ultimate x64 installed... Where have you read that it was a 64 Bit issue?

 

I just ordered a HDX 18t. I am having second thoughts on the CPU that I ordered. I ordered the T9600 duo 2.8 Processor. I am thinking that I should have ordered the P8700 2.0 duo instead for the time being. Later I would pick up a QX9300 2.53 quad on ebay for much less. Has anyone done a seamless CPU upgrade on the 18t? Do you have update the bio's or O/S when making the swap or is it automatic?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

Cool, thats great to here!

 

Most if not all of those cheap QX9300 CPU's on ebay are test units, not production CPU's. It's a shot in the dark as to whether you'll get one that actually functions as a production unit would. I bought mine with the P8400. I'll wait for the prices to go down then upgrade to the QX9300. It will still be a while before most software is upgraded to function with 4 cores.

 

Just got my new HDX18t from hp.com website. I went through the usual initialization process when you first boot up. Everything looked great until it came time to using the remote control that comes standard with this unit. I tried using media center. Then I tried using media player. I tried this and I tried that but no go. Mind you I only wanted the remote to control videos off the HD or DVD drive. This has nothing to do with a TV tuner because I dont have one. So finally I called tech support and told them about this problem. After the fourth tech support person I said look. While I've been on the phone with you people I discovered that there is an error in the Device Manager under Human Interface Devices/ENE CIR Receiver. Under the Resources Tab Vista Ultimate 64bit states that there is a conflicting device. I/O Range 0380-0383 used by Motherboard resources. I thought this odd because all I did was boot-up the new laptop. I didnt update any drivers and didnt install any additional software yet. Now, the only solution from the fourth and final support person was that it is probably the remote. Now I might not know a whole lot about this new laptop, but when each and every support person tells me quote "We dont have the technical capabilities to help you with this particular model laptop. Let me transfer you." Yeah each one had me go through the usual lowlevel support. "Are you facing the laptop. How far away are you from the reciever? Is it blocked by anything?" That kinda support doesnt sound good to me. Anyway, so I suggested how about we change the I/O address in the Device Manager to avoid the conflict? So I proceeded to do this. Funny thing is even though I have Admin rights, the option to change the address range is grayed out? Tech support could not help there either. Hmmm...

I'm gonna download ALL the updates and specifically the updated driver for the ENE CIR Receiver and see what happens.

My final thought on this is that it just might be the "Consumer Infrared Lens Reciever".

 

I know, that everything about overclocking 9600M GT has already been told in this thread, but i would like to direct you to an article at lowfps.com, which includes pictures and everything.

 

Here's the deal. I have a new 18T with twin 320GB 7200RPM drives, 512MB video, 2GB RAM, Q9100 quad core CPU and Windows Vista Home Premium 64 installed.

I own a legit DVD of Vista Ultimate 64 that I would like to use to upgrade my Home Premium 64 insallation to.

The problem is.... No matter whether I start the install from within Windows, and attempt an upgrade or if I boot from the DVD and attempt a fresh install using an unused chunk of space on the hard drive, the installation gets all the way to the end where it says it is Completing the installation then it dies with the error message:

The computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error. Windows installation cannot proceed. To install Windows, click "OK" to restart the computer, and then restart the installation.

I have googled 'till I can google no more to no avail....

What is REALLY weird is that I had another HDX 18T with a T9400 dual core and a single 250GB 5400RPM drive; and THAT computer had NO problem installing from the exact same DVD! (I never activated the installtion, and returned the notebook due to other problems)

Any thoughts?

 

Regarding the refurbished Kensington Universal power adapter from JR Electronics for $30.... they DO NOT come with the N30 tip people are using for the HDX18 and they are not for sale in a seperate pack from Kensington's site. You HAVE to get them from customer service or buy the $150 version from a retailer.

 

Are you reformatting before installing?

 

Yeah, I know. I've been using the N19 tip. It's about 3/16" longer than our standard plug, but works fine.

 

When Upgrading, no.

When doing a fresh install, yes, on a 100GB brand new partition on the hard drive.

 

Actually I ordered a refurbished Kensington Universal power adapter from Fry's (As members of this sight suggested) and it does come with an N30 tip. I however can not speak for the deal that J&R is offering.

--Rocco--

 

Hey... about the HDX18 in itself... how does it compare with an HP EliteBook? Which would be better for gaming... besides lack of a second hard drive slot (which i could deal with) and seeing that both notebooks have different types of GPUs... im not all that sure which would be the best to go with. Here's a link to one i was looking at in particular

http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/rts_notebook/rts_notebook/1/storefronts/EPP_00_KS076UT%23ABA

 

Well, I had to create an account just to tell you guys what happened to my HDX18.

I bought my X18 a few weeks ago at Sams Club. Wife and I were going to get a typical 17" to replace my Macbook, but noticed this laptop with a mark down price sitting around the corner.
We got 2 320GB drives, Blu-ray, 4GB mem, duo core for 1075.00 as it was a return, I was not going to pass that up.

So, I take it home and start using it.
I start having problems with the audio, I would need to reset the bass/treble each time I restarted the computer, changed the volume, opened or closed the lid, so I called Tech. After several calls I gave up, it is not fixed, but that is not the problem.

Lets face it, this thing is a desktop that you can fold in half and take with you, so once my power setting in Vista were set, shutting the lid on battery power would turn off the drives, screen and put it to sleep in 2 minutes were set, I was transporting it with no problems for 2 weeks.

3 days ago I was in the office, used the laptop while plugged in, unplugged it, closed the lid, and put it in the bag so I could go home.
The laptop stayed in the bag for 5 hours.

When I got home, I wanted to check my email, so I started to take the laptop out when I noticed my bag was like an oven, as I pulled the laptop out I set it partially on my hand, where I was promptly burned pretty bad, the fans were on and the laptop was so hot, it could not be touched.

I managed to open the screen, waited for it to let me log in, logged in and found the lower left 3rd of the screen was almost black, and the casing starting to warp.

I yanked the battery out, oped the laptop all the way and placed it on the table on it's edge so air could flow across maximum surface.

I called HP as soon as I was done tending to my hand which was pretty burnt, they told me I did the right thing, unplug battery, etc, and asked me to call them when it cooled off and see if it would turn back on.

3 hours later, 3!!! it cooled off enough to use again, the laptop had a nice BBQ'd hardware smell to it, a slight Blue Smoke smell but started up. it seemed to run fine, only visible damage was in the center of the hinge right below the HP logo the plastice was warped, and where the connectors are for the battery (the metal contact points) the plastic under that was melted.

I searched the internet looking for similar problems, not finding one I did find the CEO office and called them instead. I told them what happened and gave my contact info, told I was going to be called by someone in the next 24-48.

Harry from the Health and Human? division of HP in Houston called me yesterday, and I repeated the story, we went over all things with the laptop, and started the ticket.

Harry is waiting to hear from Engineers before starting the process of sending me a box, I am told Engineers want to inspect the laptop due to the situation of me getting burned, then we talk about whether it is fixed, or replaced, harry has authority to upgrade or compensate me for my pain.


So, now that I spilled all the beans, anyone else have a situation like this? I love this laptop, but am now worried about this specific one (mine) not the model. I would like a new one and not mine repaired, i am gun shy with this one now. My hand constantly hurts, and I have been on Hydrocodone for 2 days and have "grill" marks on my palm where it rested.

Dont get me wrong, the HDX18 is a killer laptop, but this is goofy, I know that like anything else manufactured, at least 1 out of a thousand is going to have an issue and I will not hold this situation over the HDX brand's head.

This is my first "PC" I have been a Mactard for 15 years and have switched to Windows 6 months ago, I am typing this on a first gen macbook running Widows 7.

 

Wow!! $4,199.99 What what would you be doing w/ the Elitebook?

It's over 2X the price of the HDX18. That's w/ no Blue-ray drive, TV-tuner, like you said, no Dual-HD's. No speaker set-up w/ Sub woofer. No 16:9 resolution. It just doesn't seem to compare to the HDX, except for the GPU.

I don't know, unless you really need that GPU, then I'd say max out the HDX18t before even considering the EliteBook.

Of course, the EliteBook has a better GPU, but the 9600m plays all games out there. Even Crysis. Maybe not at the maxed out setting you want, but still it plays it.

----------------
Listening to: Black Stone Cherry - Soulcreek
via FoxyTunes

 

I should add that the EliteBook comes w/ a 3 yr warranty. That's cool.

 

That is a rare case in a thousand. I don't think that I have ever head of the HDX18 ever burning up like that.
But in all case, it was probably just that model you had for some odd reasons.
Don't give up on the HDX18 just because of that particular model.

Get Harry to get you a new HDX18. See if he can deck it out for you to compensate for the damage to you and the notebook. If case managers can do those things, so can he.

Good luck. Make sure you let us know how it went down.

 

Dont get me wrong, I love my HDX18, Love it, and just like Apple, or any other manufacture, happens sometimes.

I told Harry I did not want "mine" back, that I would prefer a new one, regardless if they can fix it, I also mentioned compensating me by upgrading me to the Quad fully loaded, which would make me very happy, of course who would not be happy with an 18" laptop quad core loaded.

I just got a call, A box will be here tomorrow, Harry seems to think this will be resolved in a week, I am skeptical and will probably be down 3+ weeks without my computer, especially if they upgrade me and something needs to be built.

 

well i just received mine this week and i have to say i love this machine. It does everything i want it to do.

 

Who is Harry and how do you contact him? Just wondering if he could help get a backlight keyboard replacement, my laptop not two months old, all these newer, cheaper base models, options, I'd pay the $50 though rather not. I don't see well and it would help at night.

 

Greetings, all - I have had my HDX18T-1100 since Feb. 10, 2009, and I absolutely love it! I did uncover several things that people might find interesting, so here they are; First off, here are my specs, as I bought this unit already configured from eBay;

Model Name: HDX18T

Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8600 2.40GHz with 1066MHz FSB + 3MB L2 Cache

Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (64-Bit)

Memory
4GB DDR2 Dual Channel SDRAM at 800MHz (2 Dimms)

Graphics
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT

Hard Drive
250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard drive
(Now 160GB/7200RPM SATA drive*)

HD Connection
Built-In HDTV Hybrid TV Tuner with Remote Control + HDMI 1.3 Connection

DVD Drive
Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer

Wifi
Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN
--------------------------------------------------------------------


-The sound corruption issue has been discussed here previously, but I just wanted to point out that mine was working fine until I turned off the Dolby Sound Space Expander, under the IDT Audio Control Panel.

-*I was planning on trying to get a refund for the Vista Ultimate OS, as I had planned to either put XP Pro on this, or Ubuntu 8.10, but I couldn't wait, and ended up booting Windows, so I'm stuck with it. I mentioned this in an HP survey they sent me, and someone actually called me back! I didn't get a refund, but they did send me a 250GB/7200RPM drive - and didn't send me the address label to return the original one, so I have 2 drives now. (The new one came with the caddy, bumpers, and cable, too, so I'm quite happy about that.) I ended up buying 2 160GB/7200RPM drives anyway, so I'm using one as my main drive, and backing up to the second one externally via ESATA, and the 250's are on standby for other installs or what have you.

-When I first booted this beast up, the Windows Experience Index was 5.0; I'm now fully patched, and it's down to 4.8; what settings/drivers should I try to increase this? I do have RivaTuner downloaded, but have not made any adjustments yet.

-If you are using Windows Media Center for watching digital television, you may have issues with not finding the complete channel listings in your area, because the guide data may not be correct, like it was for my zip code (55117); the following site will help you fix this error;

http://thegreenbutton.com/blogs/pnear/archive/2006/09/12/202708.aspx

-Many of you have wondered what case to use for this beast - here's the one I bought, from Amazon;

http://www.amazon.com/Miltigiant-La...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238017959&sr=8-1

It's a big case, but it works for me - besides, it *is* a huge laptop!


-------------------------------------------------------------------

As it stands right now, I am totally in awe of this machine. I've had lots of fun exploring what it can do, and I really enjoy using it. In case anyone wondered, I paid $1457 for it - and if you take off the $600 I got for my 4 year old ThinkPad when I sold that one to my sister, I think I got one hell of a deal!

Thanks for the great forum - and if anyone has a detailed way of successfully getting XP Pro on here, I'd love to hear it!

 

Harry is the guy who contacts you when you have been hurt by one of HP's products, much like I was contact by Apple when the powercord exploded and burned up (faulty cable). I dont think you want harry to call you.

Now that I have had time to think about this, I am pissed, I was burned by this laptop, and even though I would take another one, HP wants me to send this in first, my bargaining chip. I bought it on the 14th and on the 23rd I was injured from it due to a possible defect in who knows what, bios, software? what?

Can some of you guys set your power settings up like the following, and use the computer on battery for 20minutes, then close the lid and wait an hour, or keep an eye on it and tell me if it continues to run? I am not sending this in until I have a confirmed replacement coming my way, i think HP knows something is going on.

Here are my settings...

Under power settings I selected balanced for battery use, I use high performance when plugged in, I had it plugged in then unplugged it prior to closing the lid, so..

I have the power setting on high Performance, but went into Advanced settings to adjust what it does when running battery, that way I get the best of both worlds.

Advanced power settings..

turn off hard disc, 5 minutes
Wireless Setting, maximum power saving
Sleep after 3 minutes
USB Suspend Enabled
Lid close, Sleep
Power Button, Sleep
Sleep button action, Sleep
Start menu power button, Sleep
Processor Power management, min 5%, Max 100%
Search and Index, Power Save Mode, Power Saver
Display:
Turn off 8 Minutes
Adaptive, On
Brightness, 40%
Multimedia Sharing, allow to sleep

Any help from you guys would be great, I find it weird that HP is treating me like this, my attorney is not to pleased.

 

This is your problem. You left the laptop in the bag for 5 hours, its not wonder it was like an oven in there! The laptop would be pumping out air at over 200 degrees f probably around 300 or more from being in there that long.

Also, you mentioned above that you have it set to automatically go into sleep when you close the lid. This does not always work! This is how it is with every Windows Vista laptop. Sometimes when the computer attempts to engage sleep mode, a program or process continues to run and refuses to quit. The OS then does not go into sleep because it cannot get it to stop! It is also not uncommon for laptops to awake by themselves while in sleep mode. This is caused by the same reason I mentioned above, applications or processes not exiting completely and then causing the computer to awake.

There is no reason HP should be at fault for this! It is purely a Microsoft issue. If you are going to be taking legal action against anyone, you should go after Microsoft as HP is not the culprit here.

 

You know, i've had something similar to this happen to me before. Except mine was that it turned on while it was in the bag. Almost as if the heat from the screen was tripping the touch sensative button that turns on quickplay when the unit is off. But since this happens rarely, i just look the other way.

 

I'm sorry but that plain funny.

 

That post above was pure spam. Please remove it and this one too.

 

Wow! i thought i was the only one this happened to.

Didn't get burned or anything like that but i've officially stopped putting my hdx into my laptop bag when it's on hibernate. i don't know what it is but something i've updated either HP or M$ has caused my HDX to randomly switch itself on when in hibernate. I got away pretty well i think, no warping or other horribleness but i tell ya what it scared the crap out of me!

lucky i didn't have my rivatuner set to auto-overclock my GPU when windows starts.. i'd be up s$$t creek otherwise!

 

OK, I just priced out an HDX 16t and an 18t. With everything being equal except better processor (16t-2.13GHz vs. 18t-2.53GHz) the 18t is $24 cheaper. Is it common for the 18t to configure less than a 16t even with a better processor? I almost bit on an XPS before I stumbled upon the HP HDX series. I'm glad I didn't. Trying to decide between these two machines now. Anyone own both? Can't figure out why the bigger laptop is cheaper. Thoughts?

 

Not sure why it is cheaper, but when I have put together sample configs the 18 is usually less than the 16, with better specs on the 18. Perhaps there is just more room for all those goodies!

 

I guess so!! How much larger is the 18t in overall size? I am sooo tempted right now. Just don't want something "too big". Also, I notice not too many people chose the Blu-Ray Burner? for those that have, how well does it work? I will be doing some light HDV editing, just straight cuts. And then burning 30 minutes of HDV video to BR discs. I know with 2X it will take a bit but that's OK. I just haven't heard much about the BR writing capabilities in this thread. And for sure I have looked. I'm hoping one of these two machines will do the trick.

 

I think I know why the HDX18 is cheaper. Because its bigger. Think of a desktop. You can get a powerful laptop with duo 3.0Ghz and 8GB ram and 1,000GB hard drive for less than $1000. But if you try to get those same specs in a laptop, it will be over $3000. I know cuz I bought both, laptop and desktop with similar specs.

It costs money to shrink all the technology is what I'm thinking. Granted the HDX16t is only 2 inches smaller but still...

 

I have had this happen too! If I'm going to use hibernate, I take the battery out before I put it in the bag because of this. I think it is a Microsoft Vista issue. I've heard this kind of thing has happened with other brands as well. I have to say that I didn't have the problem with my HP dv9500t though.

 

I'm pretty convinced that the reason it turns on has to do with the MediaSmart button. It's the only one that doesn't need to be pressed to turn the system on (because it's touch sensative). There really needs to be a bios option to turn off the ability for any other button to bring the system on besides power.

 

Not taking Legal action, no reason to take legal action. I am taking advice from my attorney. I am the one talking to HP, very polite conversations, and I have not once been disrespectful to them at all, all I want is a replacement, not mine repaired.

As far as this happening to every Vista laptop, does not do it on the Macbook, or macbook pro, or the HP 6710, or the HP 8530, and it did not do this for the first 2 weeks of ownership.

I see what you did there. However if by some dumb chance it was left overnight in the bag, overheated and caught fire, burned the house down and killed me, my wife and baby, would it be funny?

The way HP has been talking to me, the Engineers involved/etc points to the fact that they know this is a problem, and that from the hints and subtle points made, this has happened before. I might be the only smuck lucky enough to have been hurt by it so far.

When I get my new one, I might just remove the media smart software for the volume/media controls and set custom keys to do those tasks.

 

Both of the remote controls can turn the power on without touching the power button thru the IR sensor.