*HP dv4t (1XXX series) Owners Lounge*

My CQ45 (practically the same mainboard as older DV4) had a lot of flex on and around the 'X' key. After running the notebook for a couple of weeks and making sure there was nothing wrong that would require returning it under warranty I took it apart and I'm not sure if it was because the BT cable wasn't originally run properly or just the re-seating of the keyboard after reassembly, but the flex disappeared.

 

Just got this in the mail but I don't know if I should install the Windows 7 RC on there or just go with the Vista.

Pros for Windows 7
-Remove the junkware
-Most likely will run faster

Cons for Windows 7
-Can't upgrade to the full version when it comes out
-Have to make backups/reinstall everything

 

hey has anyone tried dual booting with xp? i'm not a big fan of vista so i was following a tut to do so but i got BSOD when i tried to boot from the xp install cd. any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Give Vista a chance... or just install Windows 7.

There really is no need to still be using XP...

 

Speed? Uses less resources to run? Really i don't see anything that Vista does that XP doesn't thats worth taking a speed penalty for. I tried to install Win XP Service Pack 3 OEM but during the installation I had a hard drive failure and had to have the hard drive replaced under warranty, so i won't try that again.

I have a dual boot with Ubuntu 9.04 and with it I get to appreciate just how fast the hardware is. With Vista it just feels less responsive.

 

.... ahhh. Whatever man.

Enjoy XP.

Oh and the installation of SP3 has absolutely nothing to do with your hard drive failure... but then again what do I know, I think Win7 is better than XP. lolz.

 

i 2nd on that...
as soon as W7 releases im upgrading from this vista crap.. im telling you W7 is better than XP i mean its more updated and runs just as fine as XP does..just give the RC client a shot and see how you like

 

You need to get an image of Windows xp and use Nlite to intergrate the driver for the intel sata controller. By slipstreaming the driver in, you will install the necessary driver to get past the BSOD.

However, I never figured out how to get the audio running.

Also, winxp took a VERY long time to boot up with nothing installed. one to two minutes. This could be due to the audio issues.

If you get the audio working please let me know.

BTW guys i am also running Windows 7 RTM and its freaking awesome. the only issue I have is that it seems the driver that controls the fan speed (reports sent to the bios) seem to be set at a higher threshold and is getting closer and closer to 85* while playing games. However it is hot as hell here.

 

Hey dv4t owners,

I have a dedicated driver thread now up for this notebook series. Please feel free to reply to this thread if there is anything that I need to add or modify.

Link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=405790

 

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to purchase a dv4-1430us from an online retailer since it will only be $670 after the mail-in-rebate and it has free shipping and no tax.

The problem is that I want to have integrated bluetooth, but this prebuilt model doesn't have it. Does anyone know if I buy the bluetooth module from HP, will it be easy to install it myself? Is the port for the module easily accessible and are there any antennas that I would have to deal with? Thanks everyone!

 

Finally my laptop arrived yesterday...it really looks good at the first glance..
just wanted to ask which all pre installed software should i be removing?
that HP advisor is so annoying..

 

I have received a defective laptop on Monday...talked with customer care for about 2 hrs! and finally i got it to return and replace.

hope the new one is not defective. Gosh why dont they check the visible hardware before shipping!

 

hey i was wondering if you can tell me how that works , thanks

 

Check this link out Occult:

http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/11/20/windows-readyboost.aspx

 

just checked out the HP website to see if anythings new and i noticed that the LED dislay option for the DV4 is gone..now only the infinitive and the regular brightview options remain..aside from this HP is throwing a HUGE sale off the HDX 16X... man i wish i had the cash cuz if i did i would deffinitly have ordered one..those notebooks are NIICCEE especially the raw power they can potentially have..depending on the config

 

man i got a defective notebook but i cant get it replace cuz i used paypal to get it bad mistake im thinking about ording the dv3t now since it is still offering the led display

 

So I was thinking of getting the DV4T with the following config:

HP Pavilion Entertainment dv4t customizable Notebook PC

NS270AV


* Espresso Black
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
* FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (1 Dimm)
* FREE Upgrade to 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* 512MB NVIDIA GeForce G 105M
* 14.1" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Infinity Display (1280 x 800)
* Lightscribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
* [For BrightView Infinity Display] Webcam Only
* Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
* No TV Tuner w/remote control
* HP Color Matching Keyboard
* FREE Upgrade to High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* No Modem
* Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

With the 30% off coupon it comes out to be around $950-ish.

I was still confused about weather or not to get the geforce 105M.

My question is how much heavier is the laptop with the geforce 105M as opposed to the GMA 4500MHD. Im not much of a gamer and need this laptop for school starting in september. Also would blu-ray movies work fine without the geforce 105M or would it be a better option to get the 105M to future-proof it? Also does the infinity display make it heavier? They currently dont have an option for the LED display. That would have been my first choice but the only option they have is between the infinity display and the regular brightview display.

 

Weight wise it won't make a difference at all. But if you don't game then I highly recommend going for the 4500MHD as your laptop will run cooler and give you better battery life. It will be able to handle HD video and can even handle some decent older titles so there's no worries there.

Blu-ray will work just fine with or without the 105M. The 4500MHD is more than capable of handling it. Well, in regards to the future, the only thing you're future-proofing is handling games. If you don't plan on gaming then well, you're not going to need the 105M down the line.

The infinity display does not make it heavier.

By the way, you may want to look at the DV3 as you seem to be concerned about weight as it is smaller and weighs a bit less, although if you use the weight-saver and remove the DVD drive on the DV4 it might end up weighing a tad less than the DV3. Also, the DV3 has the combo LED/Infinity display and the backlit keyboard.... and everything else the DV4 offers.

Really, the DV4 only has 3 things going for it over the DV3: Expansion Port 3 for the HP QuickDock, built-in TV tuner, ability to add in a second hard drive in the DVD drive bay. If you don't plan on using any of these, then I would recommend going for the DV3 and picking up the LED/Infinity display and the backlit keyboard. It's smaller too so it's easier to carry around and use in lecture halls and what not. G'luk.

oH. I would wait till the 10th to make your purchase as Live cashback will be twice the current discount amount, which means it will give you another 10% off what you pay (currently it's at 5%)... so you could be looking at another $90 in savings.... check out the thread here and look into it....

 

This is awesome thanks a lot for all your help. However I was looking for a 14.1" laptop since 13.3(dv3) is a little to small for me to use both at work and school.. Thanks for the tip about the live cashback.. But im afraid that if I wait till the 10th, the 30% discount coupon might expire. However currently my bank (bank of america) has a 7% cashback offer from the HP store

 

I dont know if im being too greedy but im not sure if I would get cash back from my bank and live cashback from MS .. does anybody know?

 

nope only one would apply.
I just got my laptop using bank of america add it up though it was 5% at that time. So saved about 40$.
So either BOA or Bing cashback would apply.

 

Any replies for my above question guyz?
what all bloatware should i remove?
thanks

 

Is it safe to turn off the always on option in the BIOS for the fan? Maybe this has already been answered but I don't want to read 153 pages.

 

Rmm:
That's cool. IMO, 14.1in is the perfect size...
It won't expire till the end of the month but usually they have a usage limit. But since it just came out like 3-5 days ago you should be good to go till the 10th, though there are no guarantees. But do know these discounts hit at least once a month...

I really don't know about BOA but I don't see why not? You're going to have to do some reading to know for sure but I would apply for both and you just might get lucky.

-------------------------
I would remove everything. Most here actually completely format their laptops and do a fresh Windows install. You might want to keep the MediaSmart programs or whatever... if you remove something you later realize you want, you can always download it again.

Yes, it's safe to turn the "Always On" option in the BIOS off. It will still kick in when the temperatures get high, they just won't always be on...

 

there is minimal weight difference

 

i recommend the 105M , if you want to play better games like crysis

 

well i suggest you use it for a moth and then go to the add/remove soft where and set to organize bye date used and the ones you use lest delete them, but make sure you do not delete any vital software , read the description carefully or look it up online.

 

You know, you don't have to quote the entire thing. See, I didn't quote you and you know I am talking to you.

Oh and you don't have to quote the entire post and make different posts to answer different questions. You can just make one post and target several questions!

 

advice not asked for is best not given , i dont have to but i do.

 

yeah.. i currently have the DV4 with the g105M graphics and the P8700 CPU.. i also brought it to use for school and i myself wasnt a gamer either..but after getting this notebook i began gaming lol idk why..but pretty much as was said if ur not a gamer its not worth the Extra cash for the G105m.. the notebook with the G105m is still REALLY Light. but make sure that your not going to be gaming from here untill the end of the lifetime for the notebook because u wont be able to just add on a Graphics card later on..ur decision on wheither u want a graphics card (dedicated) or not is final upon building ur DV4... but with the G105m its still light i mean i dont think it makes much of a difference wheither u have it or not..also the notebook weights about 5lbs but u can remove the Disk drive which slides right out via a switch on the bottom of the notebook and slide in a space saver (a plastic dummy) and the weight drops down to a little over 4lbs or u can add an extra HDD with bigger capacity if ur running low on space..the DV4 is a great notebook indeed overall

and just to add on if u get a higher processor and dedicated graphics..ur deffinitly going to sacrifice battery life..my 6 cell battery lasts about 2 hours on power saver and even less on hp recormended ( balanced power and performance) thankfully i got a 12 cell as well which last about 5-7hrs..i highly recormend it

 

Hey theintoxiactedmofo..thanks a lot for you reply.. The 6 cell battery that you have, is that the High Capacity or the regular 6 cell? Also does the plastic dummy drive come shipped with the laptop?

 

Yes the dummy drive does come with the laptop and does help a bit in making it lighter. Most days I am not burning or reading CDs so I leave it out for easier transportation. also, the high capacity 6 cell battery lasts a while for me on the highest use.

 

Occo:

Dude. You were looking absolutely ridiculous with your multiple posts and more importantly, making the thread down right annoying to read for the rest of us. That is why I said what I said, so your little philosophical enclave sadly doesn't apply in this scenario.

---------------
Do note however that the 12-cell adds a lot of weight, we're talking at least a pound? 2? And it juts out the bottom by a good inch. IMO, it takes a portable laptop and makes it.....a brick. I bought one but I never use it just because it's so bloody big/heavy.

If you stick with the integrated GPU and the P-series CPU, you should get 3-3.5 hours of battery life in Power Saver mode.

There's only a 15-20 minute difference between the normal and high-cap 6-cell btw.

 

Bloatware? Vista

 

yeah the 6 cell battery i have is the regular standard 6 cell it isnt the High capacity which is a bummer...i got it as a deal %50 off on hp.com one 6 cell and one 12 cell battery..if you do go 6 cell go high capacity for sure..the 12 cell battery is REALY great and i do recormend but dont get it as ur primary battery because it tends to stick out of the bottom of the laptop and also adds like 2lbs to the total weight of the notebook..theres photos on this thread.. a user posted photos of how much and ugly the 12 cell battery is..its pretty ugly and heavy but deffinitly worth the extra weight and hassel it might create lugging it around.. i mean it isnt that havy but compared to the laptop its self and the 6 cell battery..its heavy...it also makes the laptop stand up on its back since its so huge which allows for better cooling since the vents are practically facing straight downwards which doesnt provide as efficient exaust release as one that would be facing away and out of the laptop...it also elevates the keyboard so that it slants towards you...i personally liek the way it does this

 

Guys, i just received my dv4t that was bought in the US. It was actually a gift. Apparently i can't find my dummy drive, i think my friend lost it. Can i separately buy a dummy drive bay?

 

well im not sure if you can buy parts off of HP.com.. ive checked but couldnt find anything because i myself wanted to upgrade my hard drive from 320 to 500GB however i wanted to buy a smart drive..you should be able to find it on ebay for rather cheap though..and the dummy drive is just a plastic tray incase u never seen it before

 

Umm, so u mean i have to buy a smart drive instead? Hmm, i jst need a plastic tray jst in case i'l be travelling.ü any sightings on ebay?

 

Man, why does HP keep changing the available options on the DV4T??? Any thoughts as to why the LED screen is not being offered any more, and any chance it will come back? I was just getting ready to place my order this week and really wanted the LED screen, but now I'm torn as to what to do. I can wait if it looks like it may be offered again, but by that time the 30% coupon may be gone.

And wouldn't you know it, while looking at laptops yesterday at Frys, the wife is saying she actually prefers the HDX16T. Very nice machine, but it seemed to feel pretty darn warm (especially for lap use), and it has the Infinity display which would make me worry about dust getting behind it.

 

noo noo i ment i am not sure if u can buy parts for ur DV4t from hp.com because i checked since i was looking to upgrade my Hard drive lol.. i checked on ebay but havnt seen anything.. im not saying u have to buy a smartdrive it already has a smart bay..which is the bay where the optical disk tray is and where the weight saver slides into.maybe amazon might have it or some random computer site

 

You guys would never make it as Spies! Krazee, I popped my cover out, got the part number: AP03V000F00 and Googled it (actually I "Binged" it).

Here is one of the links that came up:

http://www.laptoprepairparts.com/html/details.asp?ref=2692&category=misc

$9.95

By the way, searching with Bing on Mozilla Firefox makes Google on Internet Explorer 32 or 64 bit seem Glacial in speed

 

does anyone know the bluetooth module for this laptop? just a part number would do, ive tried looking. im hoping it wont cost so much..

taking out the DVD drive would save on battery and make the whole thing a little lighter, i got the dummy cover. and thats cool.

 

Lokster,

Click on this link, then click on the part number (website says "model number") for your PC (white label, under the laptop, starts with p/n NS...)

http://h20141.www2.hp.com/hpparts/S...41AEB7FD58D38056A534&SearchCriteria=DV4T-1400

Select "List all parts for this product" then scroll down to "Wireless Interface." Bluetooth module is there. The one for my part number was around $40.

 

i only see

486847-001 Part is in stock.
Bluetooth circuit interface cable - For UMA system architecture

is that it? its 43.7$ pretty expensive for a bluetooth module.

know where i can find info on going about installing it?

 

@SlipSlyden Thanks a lot for your help! Looks like the item is on stock.

 

Just get a bluetooth dongle- it's not worth taking apart the laptop.

Get something like this and save yourself the trouble.

 

Hi, even I am facing the same problem. I contech tech support. They reinstalled drivers, also reimaged the system to factory settings. It works fine for some time. When I restart the system, I see the issue again.
No luck so far. I still have calls with tech support. I am not sure if they can fix the problem.

 

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Hi, even I am facing the same problem. I contech tech support. They reinstalled drivers, also reimaged the system to factory settings. It works fine for some time. When I restart the system, I see the issue again.
No luck so far. I still have calls with tech support. I am not sure if they can fix the problem.

 

I agree with nu D....not worth the hassle of cracking the case to install blu tooth capability. The work around he is suggesting is the way to go if you don't mind tying up a USB port. Here is a picture of the part for my DV4t:

http://h20141.www2.hp.com/hpparts/PicPop.asp?mscssid=F19EAD96804A41AEB7FD58D38056A534&PN=483113-001

Mine was $40 and appears it would pop right in, just don't know where.

 

This appears to be a BIOS problem which HP don't seem interested in fixing and unfortunately has led to many people wanting to use XP reverting to an unofficial BIOS release. However AFAIK there is a patch using Devcon.exe to restart the device when you reboot, if you google something like DV4+XP+Audio+devcon.exe you should find some further info.