*HP dm3 (1XXX series) Owners Lounge*

Hello All
This is my first post because I pulled the trigger on a DM3, specs. to follow. My eyes are bloody reading as much as I could , but did not see any kind of FAQ to help me out with this. I paid $370 OTD for an open Box at Micro Center. This thing seems slow, but I know it needs to be tweaked. Also, I need to work out just to press the touchpad buttons! I can't say if I have any warranty left either... What do I need to do ASAP to speed this thing up? Did I do the right thing?
Thanks very much!

Pavilion dm3-1035dx L335/3G/13.3/R

Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Processor AMD Athlon™ Neo X2 Dual-Core Processor L335
Processor Speed 1.6GHz
Level 2 Cache 512KB Level 2 Cache
Front Side Bus Up to 1.6 GT/s
RAM Installed / Max RAM Supported 3GB DDR2 RAM
Memory Configuration (1) 2GB SO-DIMM Memory Module; (1) 1GB SO-DIMM Memory Module
Memory Slots Available (0) Available 240-pin DIMM Slot
Hard Drive 320GB 7,200RPM Serial ATA Hard Drive
Video Card ATI Radeon HD 3200
Video Memory Up to 1470MB Total Available Graphics Memory

 

Most people do a clean install to quicken things up

 

OK, I get it. Wipe and start from scratch. Any other tips?
Anyone ever take any springs out of the touchpad buttons???

 

Try installing a new driver for the touchpad if you're having trouble with it. However I have not had any issues with the actual buttons; though they are pretty hard to press. You'll get used to it over time.

Btw: Max RAM supported is 8gb because you're running 64-bit

 

V- Yes, the thing that bugs me is how hard the buttons are to press. I feel like opening them up and fooling around with them. Did you wipe the drive and start over with yours?

 

I actually don't mind how hard the buttons are.

No actually - mine was pretty snappy upon opening and initial set up. Though I did rid it of all the hp crapware.

 

I would uninstall the touchpad drivers and use the default Windows touchpad drivers and use tap-to-click to use the mouse. Basically you just tap the trackpad and it acts as a left mouse button.

I would definitely do a fresh copy of Windows 7 without any of the HP bloatware... I instantly noticed how much faster it was after I did this.

 

if you dont want to reinstall (clearly the best option), you can try CCcleaner its freeware. i used it before on my dell 1330 in the vista days.. I dunno how it works with windows 7...

CCleaner 2.0 Decrapifies Your PC

 

The current version of Ccleaner (3.00) works fine on windows 7, but nothing can beat a true clean install

 

I read a few posts earlier on about the possibility of having a monitor brightness indicator on the screen. I found a Windows gadget that shows the brightness level and also lets you adjust it, here:

Windows Live Gallery

 

Thanks. Rep added.

 

Here's a gadget for volume level display and control:
Windows Live Gallery

Brightness and volume are 2 levels that are nice to have on the desktop IMO. It took me a while to find them.

 

so i got the three dollar keyboard silicon skin i ordered from ebay. ended on the 25th or so and got too my home on dec 3rd. (pretty quick from china)

so far im just getting used to typing on it. it fits almost perfectly, one issue it ends before the rim of the keyboard does (so its not fully waterproof) it will surive spills on the keys themselves so long as it doesnt reach the edges. i can pull it off and clean it easily enough.

no smuges from the keys on my screen and its not a huge difference for typing

for three bucks including shipping from china it was a great buy as far as i can tell so far.. ill update in a few days (as well as to add some pictures) if my mind changes or when i have a more clear opinion. feedback from the keys is still excellent, occasionally the non smooth surface means i cant slide over keys to my intended one as easily as i used to.

 

hi all,

does anyone know where i can get one of the motherboards with the Core 2 Duo 2.26 and the nvidia 105G option.......(maybe even a part number?)

thanks

 

From the repair manual

Google came up with this: http://www.sparepartswarehouse.com/HP,Laptop,Part,580663001.aspx
and
http://www.dectrader.com/580663-001...t-and-the-ICH9M-SFF-Enhanced-Southbridge.html

But I wouldn't even considering paying over $300 for a new mobo. You could part out the rest of a dm3t and buy a new laptop for less.

 

hmmmm.....both those links you mention the 2.26 Ghz CPU, but neither mention have the Nvidia 105G onboard.....any others?

 

That's just a crazy price, you could get the new DM3 with the Core i3 for that price ($600)

 

Sorry to go off topic, but I have a question:

When I plug an HDMI cable from my dm3 into my Samsung LCD HD TV, I don't get any sound from the TV, only from the laptop.

Anybody know how to fix this? Thanks!

Btw, I have tried several high-quality hdmi cables, but still no TV sound.


EDIT: Nevermind, I found the answer in a previous post. You have to right-click on the volume icon, select Playback Devices, and set HDMI as default.

 

For some reason my fan on the DM3 has just been blaring nonstop even when not doing anything. Anyone have any ideas? The notebook to the touch isn't hot at all.

 

Check for dust in/around the fan. Or see if you've installed anything new or done any new updates.

 

Hello all! I cracked my hp dm3-1040US screen and planning on buying a replacement from amazon. I came across one with the following specs "HP PAVILION DM3-1039WM LAPTOP LCD SCREEN 13.3" WXGA HD LED DIODE" for $105. Unfortunately I dont know much about screens but I would like some advice on whether it will work for my dm3-1040. This is the link http://www.amazon.com/HP-PAVILION-D...2ZHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293107645&sr=8-1
I'm worried because am shipping this to someone to send all the way to Africa and I would "kill" myself if it arrives and it doesnt fit!! Waiting on some advice from anyone asap before I pull the trigger. thanks, and do you guys think if I make the order today, I can get it by 30/12 (it says shipping takes 3-5days, but with all this holiday rush...). Am just wondering if its worth it, paying extra $20 for 2day shipping!!

 

I don't see why it wouldn't fit. Everything matches(Size, Resolution, etc)

 

Yeah, the screen is the same on the 1000 series, the numbers refer to different specs internally.

 

Has anyone found a way to fix the chrome chipping on the laptop yet?
I've only had it for about 6-7 months now, and it's really looking bad. Imagine what it'd look like after a year or two. I use my laptop outside and bring it almost everywhere I go so it's not sitting on a desk, so I know that thats one of the reasons, I'm getting chips everywhere.

 

Nah I haven't found a way out of it yet either. I don't carry it around to much; maybe once or twice a week to school, but when I do it's usually in a case. Mine is just as old as yours (maybe a little older) but it chips pretty easily. Once it starts to look REALL bad I plan to take it apart and spray some Rhino (truckliner paint) on it. Nike might have something to say.

 

Personally if it is terrible just chip all the paint off and it'll be pure black - it would actually look not half bad.

Unfortunately my DM3z was bought the day they came out - October 22, 2009 and the fan is extremely loud and it doesn't turn off. I can't bring it to school to take notes anymore because it's such a distraction.

I'm thinking of just turning off the fan in the BIOS until it dies or just putting it up on Craigslist for $200 and waiting until the refreshed Thinkpad X201 comes out.

It's a shame. I was extremely pleased with this computer for the price until this happened... It's snappy, looks awesome, the keyboard is awesome, and the battery life isn't bad. And it was only $500.

 

Have you tried using any programs to adjust the fan speed? Or even using CCC to?

 

Yeah, I have. It still makes a god-forbidden terrible noise no matter what.

 

How about cleaning the fan? You can probably grab another fan assembly off ebay or someone else and install it yourself, no?

 

Would that be hard to do?

 

You could at least spay up the exhaust vent with a can of air whilst
opening any relief vents/cover plates from the underside...with the battery out of course...

 

You could do that but it won't be effective enough because it still pushes the dust in the computer... Best bet is to take the keyboard off, and disassemble the laptop just enough where you can clean the fan and then put it back together.

 

Alright, how do I turn the fan off in BIOS?

 

I have the dm3 3012 (newer model) and the HP support assistant proggie upgraded my bios to F05 and then to ver F08...once that was done there's an option in the bios for "fan always on" under system config.

Personally, on my brand new dm3, I don't notice the fan being that noisy even when it's running full out....yes I can hear it running but not at an obtrusive noise level that bugs me....has yours always been that noisy or did it become noisy later on?

 

My dm3 has started overheating and turning off. Will this be because of dust build up? I've got a can of compressed air on order but don't fancy taking my dm3 apart!

 

You may have a hearing issue and/or not working in a silent area. The fan beginning at medium speed and higher is definitely obtrusive on the dm3-3012nr in a quiet room.

 

What did you say?

I'd still look into shutting it off in the BIOS.

 

V Chip: haha, I have disabled it. The latest F.08 Bios has apparently addressed the fan constantly running issue. It's better, but it isn't completely fixed from my experience. After monitoring the temps, the fan still needlessly runs on medium speed even after the temperatures drop. I believe they still need to tweak the "Thermal Assistant" fan controller or raise the temperature thresholds.

Would you mind checking idle (power saver) temps using CoreTemp X64 ( Core Temp)? I get around [core#0 28C & core#1 37C]. It's curious that my cores are off by 9C.

 

Hi there. I picked up a DM3 (3010CA) today and I'm just messing around with it. Got it for taking notes in class, but I thought that when I had some spare time I could mess around with Minecraft or something, but I'm noticing that even that is chugging rather drastically.

The graphics is currently set at 64 megs. Is there a way of increasing the amount of memory dedicated to graphics? I've looked around the graphics options and in the BIOS, and while they're willing to tell me quite a bit about minimum graphics, maximum graphics, etc, etc, they doesn't seem to be an option to change it.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

It automatically adjusts the amount of system ram to use as video ram as your needs change.

 

I have the HP DM3z with the dual core AMD turion processor and AMD IGP and it has never been loud or overheated on laps with stuff stacked on top of it or otherwise. I actually just ordered the new Fusion DM1z to replace it though. Better performance and battery life and smaller and lighter. I cannot believe its low price too.

Is this overheating and fan problem on AMD or Intel models? Since they dont sell the AMD version anymore I am guessing Intel.

 

Ah, thanks for the reply.

So the computer gets to decide? I'm not that fond of my computer deciding for me what it needs, especially when it's having a bit of difficulty with Minecraft of all things.

Also, is there any way to permanently uninstall the Webcam? I uninstall it, but every time it comes out of hibernation mode it tells me that it's reinstalled it.

 

Is it the driver of the HP media webcam program?

 

Yeah. In the device manager I disable it, then unstall the driver from the same tab. Then whenever I reboot or wake it up, it reinstalls the driver. I've currently just left it disabled and that seems to be sticking.

 

Hi folks, first post here.

I am the recently new owner of an HP DM3 2010US, purchased from Office Depot. I was hoping to get some insight in a few technical questions.

first and foremost, the display brightness is all kinds of wrong on this laptop. I was wondering if anyone could direct me to a good color calibration for this particular laptop? presently it is extremely... florescent. with washed out colors and too much brightness. to compensate i have to drop the gamma very low in windows' calibration tool. but this doesn't really help me enough, i would prefer to get an actual color profile if at all possible.

next, i have some questions about my hardware. It's a 1.3 ghz dual core processor with 4gb ram and an ati 4225. having done my research, it seems that my graphics adapter is actually a step down from a 4200, running at a lower clock speed.
so the question is this, is overclocking a possibility on this laptop? i have a great deal of overclocking experience with desktop pcs but with a laptop the bios is limited and there is a lack of software support for obscure hardware... such as the AMD k325 processor, which CORE TEMP reads as a amd e3300 processor that idles at 45C.

suprisingly, the 1.3ghz dual core seems very efficient by design as i can play starcraft 2 in a full sized 8 player game on the internet with virtually no lag. (low settings of course, 1280x720).

i have a 64Gb solid state disc in my desktop as a boot drive that i have considered putting in here, but the 7200 rpm 320 is a pretty nice drive to begin with.

all in all i love this laptop. i bought it to replace a compaq CQ60 that i bought last year, which was a clunker in size but all in all an awesome machine as well. the processor was more powerful (intel T4200) but intel graphics are depressingly bad, so that seems to actually be an upgrade.

i got my DM3 for 136 dollars and some change as a 3 month old floor model, and am awaiting a 50 dollar mail in rebate on top of that, so great buy. My case is a Kenneth Cole REACTION black vinyl with leather accents shoulder case, which i got for 4$ and my mouse is a Logitech M305, 15$. I'm sure some fellow laptop enthusiasts can appreciate these prices. To top it off, 640 Gig portable hard drive cost me 54 and change. Free agent GoFlex limited edition piano black model.


anyway, thanks for reading my book, and thanks in advance for responses.

 

I have the older one wth HD3200 and dual 1.6Ghz cpu and have not tried overclocking it but that would be nice. If I find something will let you know.

 

I fixed the fan!!!

I tore basically the whole computer apart, took the whole top case off, then unscrewed and unplugged the fan out of the computer. I then took the fan, washed it off, then sanded both the fan and the fan compartment down, sprayed WD40 basically into where the electromagnets are, then put it all back together, and I fixed it! Woohoo!!!

 

Hows it now? Silent like the day you brought it?

 

Yes. Very. It's actually probably slightly louder when it's not under load, but A LOT quieter when it's under a heavy load.

I thought at first that the fan wasn't working at all but the software is telling me the fans are going all the way and I can feel a lot of hot air coming out, so, I'm not complaining.

 

Hey hello Guys. I own dm3-1032wm. I have couple of questions

1) Sticker on back with the serial key has gone old and I cant read all letters properly. Anyways to retrieve it ?
I have made the Recovery discs though

2) I have went for clean install and now using Windows Professional . I want to keep minimum softwares in my laptop. Anyways to find out if the drivers are latest without install crap from hp ?

3) Trackball disable/enable button is not working. Its enabled. Anyways to disable it without installing its software ?

4) after clean install, I have four partitions, Is it safe to delete other three
Recovery, Hp Tools & System ?

Thanks in Advance