*HP dv5t (1XXX series) Owners Lounge*

Except for issues with some dead pixels, I'm happy with mine too. FedEx tried to deliver my replacement today but I was at work. One day early again. I'll get it tomorrow.

You're seeing more issues reported because this is a forum where we talk about the issues. I bet the number of people with issues is actually a small minority. It just doesn't appear that way when you read page after page of people having problems with their new notebooks. That's not to say HP doesn't have some QA issues in this initial run. Overall, this notebook is a great value and a solid performer.

Do you need to burn new recovery disks or can I reuse my current ones?

 

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I know, i know...i posted this a couple of times and thought that no one else was interested

for whatever reason, i thought that this "right angle power adapter plug" would be de riguer for many folks!

i hope someone would be able to help find one.

thx in advance!

 

i need to disagree. the 3 gb comes from one 2gb one 1 gb so yes in the future you can just buy another 2gb stick

 

I stand corrected. Thanks for the clarification. Is it ok to mismatch memory brands? I guess as long as they are the same specs, it shouldn't matter.

 

I wonder if they would know if you don't return some of the things without the laptop. Things like the battery, charger (actually the CSR i spoke to said i didn't need to return the charger), and the more discrete things like the little remote control and the ram.

 

Yes, it will likely work. On the other hand............ 4GB mem so cheap that it doesn't seem to be worth the risk of "issues".

You might want to consider waiting. I'm betting that within 6 months we'll be able to get 2x4GB for around $100.

ciao
JohnG

 

Lets say if i have my own copy of Vista home premium, can i format the dv5t(like how its done to a desktop) and install my own Vista if i have all the essentials drivers download from hp support website?

Its obviously taking up lots of space with the preloaded unnecessary programs.

Pse advice, thanks!!!

 

Oh it wasn't for me. I already have OCZ 4GB in my notebook. I think it was AshleyinVA that was asking. I agree that it's best to get aftermarket memory. It's much cheaper.

 

You've got to be kidding.. I would listen to your conscience on that one lol.. if you have one? sorry.. ugh

Do you think there is more of a risk of issues with two different brands? The dv5t would handle 8gb? LOL and would I ever want that

 

For what its worth, I just did a system restore before I'm returning this first dv5t and it takes about 1 hour from start to finish

I have the P8600/2GB/250GB HDD

 

is there a list of recommended drivers for xp (i see there is a sticky for vista but not xp) for a clean install? usually the first thing i do when i get a new computer is reformat with my custom xp

 

Thanks for the info. That's what I'm thinking about doing before returning my first dv5t.

 

Can anyone with a DV5t use CPU-Z and see what speed (mhz) is the ram running at?

 

Anyone able to successfully undervolt their dv5t? I wasn't able to, my temps actually went up ~9C.

 

Under maximum bandwidth is says PC2-6400 (400 MHz). When I had my last laptop I learned that I didn't get screwed but that the number is half of what it is. I remember seeing the 333 MHz and being angry till I asked here.

 

Is there any way to tell if my laptop truly has the infinity screen? It doesn't look like it and I just want to be sure I wasn't sent the wrong thing. I wasn't able to find any information about it in the specs -- not even sure it would be there. Thx

 

My computer says test mode in each corner. Anyone know what's wrong and how to fix it? Thanks.

 

as for the infiinity is the lcd screen lower then the bezel or is flush. if it is lowered it is not infinity. another fun way to tell is to push on it if you are pushing the actual screen and there is lcd distortion it is not infinity.


btw does anyone know if another coupon such as the 30% off or the 400$ off will come buy again. i returned mine as it was defective and now there is nothing. HP coupons come pretty regularly right?

 

I doubt anyone knows when the next coupon will occur but they are very frequent and as seen with the $400 off to 30% they get better quickly.

 

The chipset can handle 8 GB. Yes, you will want 8 GB (assuming you're running 64 bit) ....................... when it gets cheap enough.

 

I just saw in another thread about 8 GB of ram that it is almost $350 for 8 GB of ram. I'm still deciding if I want to get that G-Skill 4GB for 64.99 without rebates.

 

I need to amend my earlier comment re hoped for price of 8 GB. I think we'll see 8 GB in the low $200 range in ~6 months.

JohnG

 

this thing is bad ***. i got it earlier than i expected. it's so much better than the dv5z i had. i can't wait to see how it handles these games im downloading.

 

just a note about HP customer service:

during the $400 coupon, they said they couldn't give it to me on the first call. On the 2nd call, they agreed to give me $150 back and said that was pretty close, since to do the $400 they would have to remove my $100 instant rebate and $50 monitor rebate. SO I got $300 off, and thought that was ok.

Then they came out with the 30% coupon, and I was hearing on this board how people were getting the discount. I called back and on the first call they quickly forwarded me to the resolution department and the rep quickly gave me the 30% discount, no hassle. I was now about $400 off my original price ($500 if you count the original $100 instant rebate).

Then I discovered that Cisco's VPN client doesn't support vista 64 bit (I need this s/w for work). After multiple calls of trying to get HP to just send me a vista 32 disc so I could do a clean install, they said my only choices were a) buy the vista 32 upgrade or b) exchange the laptop for a new one, with the 32-bit OEM OS, at no charge.

So Monday night I agree to exchange, and the rep tells me that there should be no additional charges to my credit card.

Tuesday morning I check my online order history before packing up the laptop for return, and it shows a pending return for $850, and a pending order for $1250. They were trying to take the laptop back at the discounted price, but then charge me full price for the "free" replacement.

It took an hour on the phone to get this resolved, and it is a bit sketchy, where the rep said there is a "note in my file" to credit me the $400 when the new laptop ships.

I am not sure if I have already been charged the $1250 or if they have given me the credit for the return, but it looks like I will have to float the $400 and hope things work out.

One rep had also told me they would expedite the return and the build, but when I called in to do the exchange, they said they could only expedite shipping of the new laptop. the return is going ground to memphis and they are telling me 4 business days.

The last rep I spoke to thanked me for being calm and not yelling at him.

This is all a mix of reps in the US, India, and Phillipines. I can't say any region was better than another. India gave me the no hassle 30%, but India was also the one that used the wrong prices on the return. All were fairly nice, but some were more protective of the company's $$$ and some were more protective of their reputation.

Bottom line: if you do an exchange, make sure to check the credit & recharge amounts before you get off the phone!

(and check notebook review to find out the latest coupons and discounts)

----
dv5t (coming soon?): vista 32, p8600, wsxga+, 9600m gt, 3GB, 250GB, fingerprint, 5100AGN+BT, modem, ltscribe, hi-cap battery, ms office (home & student)

 

so did anyone else get a warranty plan?
i got the 1 year pick accidentdal damage and pick up and return one

 

you are lucky you got the instant rebate and the 30% coupon credited. when you added the coupon it took away the rebate.

 

Can anyone advise?

Iif i have my own copy of Vista home premium, can i format the dv5t(like how its done to a desktop) and install my own Vista if i have all the essentials drivers download from hp support website?

 

Yeah, you can either use the key from the bottom of the notebook or use the abr tool as mentioned in the Vista installation sticky. A copy of the installation files for the drivers & the software is located in the C:\SWSetup folder, you can either use these to install the drivers or download them from HP's website. Do remember that if you need any of the pre installed software like Quickplay, fingerprint reader, then they are available in this folder and usually not available for download.

Also, remember to burn a copy of the restore DVD's before doing the clean install since you can only burn them once and the only way possible to get back to factory conditions once you have done a clean install.

 

HP will honor whatever coupon you used - if your laptop is defective, they're not going to charge you more for their goof up.. the coupon won't work, but they will credit you.. this I DO know

 

is there a list of recommended drivers for xp (i see there is a sticky for vista but not xp) for a clean install? usually the first thing i do when i get a new computer is reformat with my custom xp

 

how do i get the mic off the cam i am new at this i have a hp laptop with window vista and Will keeping my laptop plugged in hurt battery?

 

I bought the 2 year accidental p/u & return. I'm not a big HP fan, this is my first Laptop with them. I had no luck with their desktops. That is why I bought their warranty. I always buy Dell computers. But I've been hearing a lot of good things about the dv5t. I haven't heard any real negative problems. So I figured I give HP a try. So I'll see how it goes. I've read a ton of problems with the Dell Studio which I was orginally going to buy. All the negative reviews kind of turned me off. So I hope I made the right choice. If so HP might be getting a loyal customer back.

 

I think CCleaner has given me OCD lol...just knowing there is always some crap to be cleaned.

 

I'm planning on buying the dv5t, and I just posted this same message in the 'what notebook should I buy' section, but I thought I might post it here as well to get some potential feedback from some of you who already own it.

()()()()
I Need a portable laptop to use for music production/creation and possibly performance with the program ableton live 7.
It needs to be able to effectively play several MIDI instruments at once while utilizing various different effects (reverb, ect.) So it's pretty processor intensive. On the desktop I currently have, it maxes out the processor pretty easily, although it is a 1.8 ghz amd athlon xp, which obviously isn't anything to brag about.

++ These are the system requirements for the program:
1.5 GHz CPU or faster, 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended), Windows XP or Windows Vista, Windows compatible sound card (ASIO driver support recommended), QuickTime 6.5 or higher, DVD-ROM drive
++

----The configuration I'm planning on choosing:

_core 2 duo p8600 (2.4ghz)
_15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050
_FREE Upgrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
_Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator X4500
_160GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
_High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

--------

***Questions:

{---Is it worth going with the T9400 (2.53 GHz) rather than the p8600(2.4 GHz)?

{---I'm planning on doing the intel graphics media accelerator because of the potential increased battery life; can anyone tell me how much of an increase this would produce? I'm not really planning on doing much if any gaming on this laptop, but is the intel graphics card COMPLETE ****? I mean, would it be able to quickly run flash applications or any recent games on low-medium settings? I have no problem dropping an extra $100 for the Geforce 9200
if the battery life increase is minimal with the intel card.

{---Is the 7200 rpm hard drive a good choice- ie: noticeable performance increases?

{---Vista 32 bit or 64? I hear some programs wont run on 64, and I'm getting 3gb of ram, so is there any reason for me to go with the 64 bit version?

{--- Do I need to look into buying a different sound card?


))))
Now, If anyone has taken the time to read through all of this and can offer me some advice, I would greatly appreciate it.
I want to have 2 1/2 to 3+ hours of battery life because I plan on taking it on coffee shops, forests, or other public places to work on music where there are potentially no outlets.
Thanks again,

Jordan


(( http://www.quadramoray.com))

 

1) The T series CPU's will run a little hotter, and use up a bit more battery. If you are going to be using very CPU intensive programs, it may be worth it for you.

2) My girlfriend has the Intel Gfx, Low-end CPU, and High Capacity 6 Cell Battery. She is getting almost 4 hours battery life. You should expect at least 3.5 with the intel gfx, probably the same with the 9200M. The 9600M Gfx card is what will knock off battery life.

3) I am not to familiar with HDDs, I know alot of people really like the 7200RPM, I personally never used one..

4) Only reason I got 64-Bit was because I am looking to upgrade to 4GB+ in the near future. If you are sticking with 3GB, maybe 32-Bit is all you'll need.

5) Can you upgrade the sound card on a dv5t (or laptops in general)?

 

I was just checking the thread for some info on the big issue of the dv5t - the HEAT it produces. Is the heat produced primarily from the 9600MGT or is it from the hard drive which some people claim.

For my notebook, I was looking to upgrade the card to the 9600 but with the heat issues which could damage the system, it seems that the 9200 is the better choice. However, the 9200 has a lot weaker performance than the 9600. I primarily am using the laptop for entertainment purposes as well as some encoding, etc. Will the 9600 help at all with these apps or will the 9200 suffice?
Thanks!

 

Heat will come from the processor (25-35 Watts) and from the GPU (xxx Watts). HD power is very low............. ~ 2 Watts.

The faster GPU won't help much (if any) with the encoding. Get it only if you are going to use the computer for gaming.

FWIW, I ordered the dv5t with the 9200 and plan on using the computer as a remote video server.
JohnG

 

Thank you for your response.
As far as the sound card goes, I'm not really sure how it all works, but I think you can get (smartcards?) or some kind of sound card that you attach to a port on the side. I don't really know anything about sound cards, so whether it is or is not worth looking into is not something I'm aware of.

 

Thanks Alex. I'll try this evening when I get home. Those coupons seem to come pretty regularly to me. At least monthly I think...

 

Can 9200M GS users share their Vista's Windows Experience Index scores for graphics and gaming?

Mine got 3.5 and 4.7 respectively.

 

Hi, so i can insert my vista cd to format and key in the serial key located at the bottom of the notebook and then as for drivers, i will get them from C:\SWSetup ya?
Alright! Thank you so much!

 

Yep. Same here

 

Would be glad to but I have no clue on how to begin to test the scores. Or how hot my laptop gets. Is there a program I have to download. I just received my laptop today.

 

Use the ABR tool to get the computers serial number. Using the one on the bottom of the laptop will require you contacting MS to activate it. With ABR, it retrieves the serial # put in by the factory (an OEM number), and you wont have to contact MS (yes, you have two Vista keys).

 

For the op of the question, you can just enter the key on the bottom. After you install and get everything working, you can activate it. It only queries out over the net, you won't have to call them.

 

About number 1), then what would be difference between T9400 and T9600 besides those 0.27 ghz?

and about number 2), if I buy with the 9600M Gfx card, but dont use its power much, just normal applications, does it still knock off the battery's life? or I have to be playing some 3d game to whack it? I'd like having the T9600 for some 3d things I do, but I mostly use low-graphics software :/

 

is there a list of recommended drivers for xp (i see there is a sticky for vista but not xp) for a clean install? usually the first thing i do when i get a new computer is reformat with my custom xp

 

When I called in about getting the $50 refund, they said I couldn't because I had the 2GB instead of a 3GB. I had said well you now have a 3GB for free so can you do something and he said no. So do I call back or what???

 

I'd called HP for refund for the free upgrade of 3 GB ram as i had specifically added it for $50 and they've agreed to credit the difference into my account.
They have given me a credit reference no. Can someone tell me how much days it takes for the refund to be credited?

 

Just got home and looked at my replacement dv5t which was delivered today. Wouldn't you know it! A freaking deep scratch to the left of the touchpad in the middle. No way I could remove it so I simply took the Energy star sticker and relocated it to cover up the scratch. What a pain! At least the speakers look aligned and keyboard sounds good. Hopefully, I find no other issues, especially with the display.