HP dv5z - Touch Volume Controls Freaking Out

I have recently purchased the dv5z, AMD notebook and have really enjoyed it. Its been a great computer until yesterday.

The volume control just started to freak out, it would constantly jump in volume amount up and down, ie going from level 49 to 50 then back down over and over - at least 3-4 times per second. There was nothing touching the touch controls. I tried restarting the system and same problem. It is really annoying because you have this constant clicking sound, so I had to mute the whole system which kida sucks.

I did notice that the top part of the notebook got pretty warm. I tried again today and it was fine at first, but once it heated up again the same thing happened. I am using the computer on a desk and the air intakes are not blocked or anything.

Any of you see this happen? Any ideas? I would hate to have to return this thing.

 

i havent had that happen but a few days ago my volume controls stopped working...everythings back to normal now but that scared me a bit.

 

Sounds like the QLB ribbon cable is malfunctioning under heat stress.

Or you have a virus..

 

Sounds plausible (not that I know much) anything I can do other than return it?

 

i have the same volume issue. first off it doesn't work that smoothly... second, there have been cases where it randomly pops up and changes the volume. it's not often but still...

 

I agree - even before this problem the touch controls did not seem to work that well - I am not sure why all the new comps have them I would much rather have tactile buttons...

 

i also had the same problem, and i think it is associated with the heat, because, dont you notice the touch panel is abnormally hot when you try to press it? it probably can not distinguish between a human touch and the heat around the mechanism. Although it only happened to me twice, i find that when the volume rocker is unresponsive (the whole crazy clicking thing and it wont let you change the volume as intended), i pressed the STOP symbol, and that seemed to reset the panel somehow. I've yet to reproduce my findings because my computer hasnt been on long enough much to start having this problem. If you can confirm this as a fix, please let us know!

 

i had exactly the same problem, and I've found a way to get by it for me atleast. Similar to what ludevious suggested, I usually press the QuickPlay (next to the mute) button, close QuickPlay once it's opened and everything works fine after.

On a similar note, that on-screen indicator which pops-up whenever the volume is adjusted is quite annoying. Anyone know if there is any way to disable it?

First post by the way and I love this pc... aside from this volume control issue.

 

I had the same problem with my dv5-1002nr. The problem isn't the heat, as I've had that problem almost immediately when i boot into windows and having the computer on for a mere 5 minutes.

From what i've been able to figure out, the problem is with A) Touching the volume control bar in multiple places/really quickly and B) the Quicklaunch software that displays the volume control. I think the problem lies in HP's software that displays the volume and NOT a hardware issue.

Uninstalled it. It should be called Quicklaunch buttons D2 or something like that. The problem with the volume fluttering like you guys described also vanished. And to tell you the truth, do you really need a freakin' on screen display to tell you the volume level? You've got the speaker icon in the taskbar. That's more than enough for me...

 

Decided to follow suit with uninstalling that program. Everything seems to be working fine so far. Will update if there are any problems.

Thanks mattbieg!

 

Not regarding these buttons but my wireless one doesn't work and the rest do, it used to work and switch wireless on and off but now it does nothing. Does anyone have any ideas what can cause this?

 

Have anyone tried cleaning the QL strip?
Apparently if you get too much oil on the touch sensitive parts and the computer heats up the oil will trap heat and register as a touch.

 

ive had the quicktouch software uninstalled for a few days now, i still get the touch button problem as well.

 

Just as a side note for those with this issue - hp support was no help so I returned the pc and purchased the Gateway M-6862 from bestbuy ($750) which is a great deal. Am enjoying it much more than the HP. It is nice because it has real buttons for most of the media controls - although the volume controls still are touch sensitive but seem to work better...

 

I started seeing this problem on my dv5z also. Hopefully it does not get worse. I am out of return time so i would have to get it fixed.

 

Anyone have a problem with their speakers? The speakers on my dv4z will sometimes just stop working temporarily. After a few minutes of seemingly being muted they'll just start working again. A reboot also solves the problem so it seems like a software issue... Also, weirdly enough, they weren't working the first time I powered on the laptop and ran through the initial HP setup.

 

I have a dv2700 and have the same problem. I don't have quickplay installed. Is there some way to disable the touch buttons completely? The only one I use is the mute button anyway really. And it is definitely not a heat issue. Happens in frigid temperatures. Perhaps the oil does have something to do with it who knows? I almost always have the laptop on mute so I don't know if it did this when new or not.

 

I apologize for resurrecting an old thread, but I was having similiar problem with the volume controls not working. When I tried to adjust volume it just when up a little and when back down to where it was... it was so frustrating and just starting to happen today, so I went on here and noticed what the guy said about oil. I cleaned it with a damp napkin and viola!! Works perfectly again... The oil was entirely the problem.

**Quadron makes a mental note for future reference to avoid future frustration.

 

is it possible to put a clear skin cover over the controls to prevent oil from getting on there? (and also have the controls work)

 

I have no clue. I think if you just wipe it once every few days you should be good, at least that's my guess.

 

I've found simply wiping it with my shirt doesn't do anything. perhaps i need some solution and then wiping it. I've also started to have a similar problem with the scroll function on the touchpad where I will swipe my finger and the screen will lag for 3 secs and then scroll.

 

I had this problem on my HDX16, seems related to a bug in the software, its sometimes if the volume is at MAX or MINIMUM, i havnt worked out which yet, but touching the - or + one way or the other seems to stop it. Buggy buggy . .

 

I know exactly what you're dealing with. When I first got this computer, I noticed right when I opend the box. I called HP and asked them "What the heck?". They told me to restore the drivers for the computer (basically return the computer back to factory settings). I did that, and it worked. Every once in a while though, I try to use the sound buttons again, but it starts to freak out. I set my computer to sleep, and when I log back in, it's not freaking out anymore. I usually try to stay away from the buttons next to the key pads and just use the volume control in the control panel. It's kinda annoying, but I put up with it. : \

 

I just wish somone knew a way to disable all the stupid touch buttons. I don't use any of them, nor is quickplay installed so none of the keys besides mute and volume do anything at all. I set the volume either on a USB keyboard connected to laptop or with mouse anyway. I would jsut disconnect the ribbon cable, but experience in the past tells me cracking the case open is a PITA.

 

FYI, i solved my problem by upgrading the bios.