HP NC8430 review

To burn recovery discs you simply go into Start, All Programs, HP Backup and Recovery then finally click on HP Backup & Recovery Manager and the wizard will guide you through.

 

WHOO I GOT IT XD I ****ING GOT IT!! LMAO must be the only person here to get it **** near 10 oclock at night XD. just doin discs now, scared about programs thing lol.

 

Glad you finally got it. Let us know how you like it after you play with it awhile.

 

im just getting the system all backed up. had to get a lend of 2 dvds from my dads pal.

 

is it just me or does the keyboard dip slightly in the middle? i've just looked at this picture and it sort of looks dipped around the pointing nub, can anyone verify this for me?

 

what are the essentials i need to install system software wise? where is the swsystem file kept so i dont go to the installer instead, i really want to avoid all that unwanted garbage.

 

swsetup folder is in c: drive

if you don't want the hassle of trying to work out what is what, then you can use the installer and uncheck what you don't want

i installed all of it so i don't really know the absolute essentials, though the only things i've used are:
- adobe reader
- windvd
- hp protect tools security manager
- credential manager
- hp wireless assistant (optional but i find it useful)

plus you can always install them as you go along and find you need them (i think)

 

what do you think i should do? install all or do manuelly?

 

On Laptops Direct the nc8430 bundle has a 1.66GHz processor - i'm sure that it used to be 1.83GHz. What model has everyone been receiving?

 

it depends, if you're like me and you can't stand all these processes then proably a manual install is better. if you don't really notice these things in the background, then installing all probably won't bother you

i know this doesn't help but its hit and miss really, i'm not that confident about choosing what to install. when i read the list of recommended software, it all looked okay, though some i probably wouldn't use

 

for a short while, laptopsdirect offered the 1.83GHz because they ran into stock problems with the 1.66 but now they're in stock so the 1.83 bundle is gone

 

i didnt want to mess around with all those programs so i just installed recommended, its not a big deal im sure ill manage. another step there after this. and this the internet and maybe a few games...new WOW maybe

 

Hey, hard question but, what is the lolol port used for exactly?

 

May I direct everyone to this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=77186

This is gonna be a long long night Restoring from restore discs atm...man is it slow!

 

WHOO INTERNETS WORKING XD. best thing ever, go to microsofts system analysis for games and look at how up there our lappys are, this rocks. im installin titan quest now XD

 

Who what where how now?

 

According to HP Compaq nc8430 Notebook PC, - Multimedia manual,

" Using the internal microphone or audio-in (microphone) jack: When an external microphone is connected to the computer, the internal microphone is disabled."

However, on my HP nc8430, the internal microphone ALWAYS REMAIN ENABLED and NEVER TURNS-OFF when a cable with a 3.5-mm plug is inserted into the audio-in (microphone) jack.

So when copying lectures from a cassette player to the notebook using the appropriate cable, room noise is also recorded because the internal microphone will not turn off, rendering the recording useless.

Can someone please see if their internal microphone turns off when an external mic, or cable is inserted into their mic/audio-in jack?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

I have had my HP NC8430 for about 2 months now, and i love it with a passion, it plays every game i install and any program i am required to use....

HOWEVER,


My biggest pain, is my DVD writer..... No matter what disc i put in it, the device is Uber slow.... it's supposed to be an 8x dvd writer... and the fastest i can get it to write at is 1x... this means, that every dvd i write, ends up taking forever to finish.... plus, when watching dvd's, the drive is too slow to buffer enough information, that every dvd i watch stutters, jitters and does not play correctly...


Does anybody else have this problem, and/ or is there a setting i'm missing or software that might be causing this or what????

PLZ help... any info would be appreciated...

 

Update the firmware. That usually does it. You'll need to google for the model no. and the procedure for that brand

 

or just clean up the lens with dry soft cloth, but be gentle !!

 

Does the nc8430 has a spdif out (through headphone out) ?

 

Hi guys,

Just wanted to share with you, that I got my nc8430 yesterday. I'm really happy with it, although I'd rather have recovery dvd's instead of a partition on my hard drive.

 

Tell me about it. It'd probably cost these companies £1/$1 to inc a proper XP disc.

Anyway create the recovery discs (see my reinstall woe thread for why). It'll take up 2 DVD-R's, and will inc the bloatware however it will be a lifesaver

 

Sorry for double post, but you'll understand why

How in God's name am I meant to register online my 3 year warranty if in the required 'country' field, 'England', 'Britain', 'UK' or 'United Kingdom' isn't on the list?! I got the link off the email laptopsdirect sent me. Did they send the wrong one or am I blind now?

Edit: It's under Great Britain. Now don't I look stupid

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/games/gameadvisor/default.mspx

THAT ONE, CHECK OUT HOW HOT OUR LAPPYS ARE XD WOOOOOOOOOOW!!

 

The software could be at fault and the amount of disk caching. Also DVD's don't burn as fast as CD's in case you were wondering.

 

I've got the bog-standard 1 year warranty so do I still have to register for it to take effect? I'm guessing not as it is a 'normal' warranty

 

You got it right, you don't need to register

FYI, on the invoice, the 3 year warranty is just over £100, with the laptop listed at £670....so kinda feel bad for people who paid £800 for tha laptop on it's own!

@ DVD writer speed, mine works fine at 8x when I backed up the swsetup folder

 

Yes true, but this was a very special deal, I dont think we would see such low prices on this laptop, A visit to pc world would fetch you a normal core duo with integrated graphics n 1 year warranty!
Even on HP site this model is ard £1000 inc vat.

 

Hey guys, just got a NC8430 myself. Fantastic machine.. it has the 15.4" I wanted at nearly the weight of a 14". The build quality is just impeccable. For the same price as an Asus, I get business class build quality and a higher resale for later. Great stuff!

 

for those guys who ordered from laptopsdirect, when registering the hp care pack, what do you put for date of purchase, date you bought it or date you received it?

 

Receive date

A couple of days make all the difference if it breaks down Likelihood of the warranty running out the day before your laptop breaks down I suppose are pretty slim. But still

 

okay, just tried to register it but its telling me that my care pack isn't valid for this product??? help!

edit: very annoyed, it seems they have sent me the wrong care pack, after i googled my pack product number, i found out its for hp printers. not very happy at all, unfortunately i've opened it, will laptopsdirect still exchange it for me?

 

Wrong care pack?!

What you're meant to get are 2 links (2nd is for if 1st link doesn't work for you). All you get is a code to enter. Then it's onwards to choosing an 'unregistered' pack and entering the deets

I'm sure they'll replace for you

 

i have same problem, it wont register the product number, says it isnt valid. but meh.

 

okay, just to make sure before i call laptopsdirect, what care packs did you guys receive?

you can find the pack product no. on the certificate, mine is h5465a

 

Can't get the product code to work when i activate the 3 year warrenty with the laptopsdirect bundle. The one on the bottom of the laptop won't work.

Has anyone worked out how to get this to work.

 

what's your care pack product no.?

 

Serial Number (S/N) = 10 figures
Product Number (P/N) = 11 figures*

It is printed as so on laptop and box, however you only enter the digits upto the #

Now for some reason the page won't work on firefox - you gotta use IE. On the page where you enter your details (name, address etc), if you can't see a mini-selection box next to the date, close page and start again. Yes, really

If you don't print now, next time enter code to log in again. This time don't choose an empty care pack slot (I presume laptopsdirect only got 70 for stock, £56,000 of business). Instead choose printing at bottom.

If you view every order, you can see everyone's warranty, inc address. Well done HP! Jot down your care pack s/n, click on browser back button, then filter printing by individual care pack s/n to only print yours

 

tried that and i can't get past the bit where you enter the product number

i'm guessing everyone's worried about posting the pack product no. (do not worry, its basically a catalogue number to identify the type of product care, if you want to try it out, google it and you'll see its not a serial or anything) mine is h5465a, if you see this code let me know, i just want to check before i call laptopsdirect in case i'm demanding a replacement for something that works

edit: LFC, what links did you use?

 

I can't get to the page where you enter your details as it says my product is not valid. And it actually says "laserjet" on my warranty card. I reckon I've been sent the wrong one as have others it seems.

Edit: I have h5465a as well.

 

Link 1
Link 2


Enter code sent to you then you get this. Tick unregistered box then click on 'proceed' at bottom of page


No mini-box graphic next to date, start again. Bad coding maybe from HP


If you don't print straight away, enter code again to log on, but choose 'printing' on next page . Then view all care packs to find yours and your s/n. Then click back button on browser to filer by individual s/n to print yours

I gave laptopsdirect my email and I got the code sent to me that way. No snail mail for me

 

what code?

 

Obviously they sent you the wrong type of warranty through the post and/or you didn't get an email. Sorry, can't help you there. Just to add, it's a 5 digit number code

 

I never got any email and to be honest I'd rather actually have a copy of the warranty card. I'll phone them in the morning and get them to send me the right one.

 

i haven't got any email about the 3 year warranty
is there anything in the box about it? (i havent read any of the bits of paper in there)

 

There should be a small white booklet covered in plastic that was packaged seperately to the laptop.

Does anyone else's DVD drive really suck? Mine just seems to take forever to read stuff and is really picky with DVDRs.

 

how is everyones temp, mine is steady at 55oC but when i play titen quest it sky rocketed up to 70 and then i got a msg saying it was at 90 or something and needed to restart...any ideas? what can i do to cool it down?

 

Buy yourself a cooling pad. It really helps with me (although my temp has never approached anything that'd worry me). I've learnt to adjust the position so the left fan is actually under the top-left of the laptop - where the HD (and/or GPU) is - that's where the most heat is generated

I suppose if you're at home you could take a cover panel or 2 off and really feel the benefit of the cooling pad

In the meantime I'd suggest using a normal fan and blow it over the lappie

So let me see if I got this right...I've got sata driver woe, Wiggi has temp woe, brain has a dodgy drive and ludo can't find the warranty!

brain have you tried updating the firmware? e.g. on desktop after updating to 2006 from stock 2001 firmware of Nec drive, it was able to read newer Sony 2.1 discs, as well as offer all increments upto 24x burning, whereas before it was only upto 4x

 

GAH.... well ive now actually found the warranty card... which is good... but it seems also to be for a printer and wont register

'Error: This HP Care Pack service is not valid for this hardware product, please re-check your hardware product number. If you feel your hardware product number is valid, please contact the company that sold you the service to resolve the issue.'

i wasnt sure whether it was a O or a 0 in the product number, but i tried both
the warranty pack number is H5465A - the same as the1's