*HP dv6t & dv7t Select Edition / Quad Edition (6XXX series) Owners Lounge*

Why are you not just doing the "Minimal Restore" method that is an option when restoring with the HP restore? You dont have to round up drivers or anything. It restores the system without all the bloat and its easy one step type thing. I did it and works great.

 

I have the screen door effect where I can see individual pixels. Makes looking at the screen painful
Also the hinge is really loose.

The dv7 also has the 2 year warranty and the dual hard drive bays.

So in a lecture hall you think the dv7 is too big?

 

Well it looks like HP has dropped the price of the dv6tqe by $100, putting a $200 difference between it and the dv7tqe for all of the same specs except for screen size and free blu-ray and the subwoofer on the dv7tqe (though the latter doesn't really count).

 

Rhys thefifference between the 3xxx and 6xxx series dv6tse's?? And are you able to predict which one you will get?? I did the CTO method and I would like to know if there is anyway to tell which one I'm going to get.

 

Pretty simple to tell the difference between the 3000 and 6000.

The 31xx can plug into the hdmi, vga, and rj45 at the same time and dual band with wimax support + backlit keyboard. Production discontinued like 6 months ago and the product is only 1 year old.


100% chance you got a 6100 CTO if you got from HP directly.

 

Yup I customized it and all that on June 3rd so I guess I got the 6100 one. Thanks for the info!! Still doing research on modding the bios for 3rd party WLAN cards.

 

The black levels on the 1600 x 900 monitor, that came with my original model dv7tqe 6000 that I got back in March, are criminally bad. It took so long to get the damn thing that I didn't return it like I probably should have. Has anyone with the original dv7tqe found any tweaks to improve the usability of this crappy monitor? I've updated everything but the bios (don't want to do this unless it's known to help). Has the 1600 x 900 monitor improved any on the new 6100s or are they the same? What about the black levels on the new 1080 monitors? HP's tech support did say they might replace the monitor, but that's a lot of hassle for only the possibility of improvement. I wouldn't recommend anyone get the 1600 x 900 monitor unless it has been improved.

On another subject, anyone know if the recovery partition that is created during a system restore from dvd is legit or just a place holder? It says there's 13gb on the partition, but there doesn't seem to be any files on there, hidden or otherwise. Just to be clear, I originally erased the recovery partition. The other day I did a system recovery from dvd and it recreated the recovery partition.

 

the black levels certainly still leave a lot to be desired but its otherwise very bright and colorful with plenty of customization..i have my contrast up a hair and it makes it look really nice imo

 

I don't believe much can be done to improve the screen. The new dv7s have the same 1600x900 screen, but have the option for the 1080p screen with much better picture. If HP has offered to replace your monitor with the 1080p one, do it. Don't order a new one or you will be stuck with the switchable graphics issue.

Windows System Restore would probably not properly restore a deleted partition. It's main function is to fix registry and driver issues, and tries to leave programs alone if it can.


As for myself, I have decided that tomorrow I will ask for a return on my dv7. In a last ditch effort, I asked a Sales Rep if I could still buy a dv7t-6000 series notebook. It turns out HP cleared their entire USA database of any info regarding the 6000 models. The only dv7t Quad Edition models on record are the 4200 series (with the recalled chipset issue), and the current 6100 series. Curiously, she found that the 6000s were also gone from the Business Support database. So I hope no firms bought a bunch of dv7s in March or April.

For everyone who's staying on board, I hope the graphics issue is resolved soon. It is an otherwise really great laptop which I know will even have a few form and build advantages over the ASUS G73SW I'm upgrading to. It's just a shame that HP and AMD had to ruin the actual guts of the computer.

 

guys... I just spoke to an HP tech. support rep.... he said that Memorex brand of blank media is not compatible with HP laptops for making recovery disks... also only dvd+r is compatible for the recovery process, no rw or dl..! just check out the following link and let me know how much of its info is actually true..

Creating Recovery Discs or Saving a Recovery Image to a USB Flash Drive in Windows 7 - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Thanks

 

Haha, that's rich. I bought a pack of Memorex DVD-Rs for the sole purpose of making the HP Recovery backups. They're useless to me now anyway though, as I'm returning the computer; I guess it's a moot point, but just how many hardware restrictions are in this laptop that HP never advised anyone about?

 

These restrictions sound like "cha-ching, cha-ching"

 

so should I abide by those restrictions and buy the HP recommended blank media or..?

 

I can't imagine that is true. You should be able to use any media the writer can write to. I'm using a flash drive, but maybe I'll try using a few DVD-RWs an see what happens.

- Qlippoth

 

I tried Memorex DVD-RW discs that I had purchased just a few hours ago, no joy. Then I tried Memorex DVD-R discs that I've had since '03 Those worked just fine.

The software says it will use flash memory, as well as single and dual-layer discs non-RW discs.

 

That's interesting since I burned 4 Memorex Lightscribe DVD+R for my recovery discs. hmmm

 

Must be incredibly unlucky to have a crappy dvd burner this day and age.

 

Don't worry too much about branding. If you burned your discs to Memorex and the process worked successfully..you should be good to go. Remember...that after the burn...the program checks the integrity of your disks...if they failed...you would know. BTW...most Memorex media is "Ritek" or "Prodisc" Those are the manufacturers...

I think the HP tech is programmed to tell you that, so you run out and purchase HP disks...which are also, most likely, Prodisc or Ritek...

 

she didn't really recommend me to go for HP brand media.... she just said go for any brand but Memorex because it won't be compatible.... I think HP has some internal tiffs with Memorex...

She also advised me not to go for usb flash drives to make the recovery media because flash drives will get corrupted if kept unused as recovery media overtime... really?

I have to make a decision what will I make the recovery media on in a couple days before my dv7tqe gets to me...

 

Funnier still, I used 4 Memorex DVD-R for my backup and they work flawlessly

 

Good to know. It's kind of weird that HP support would be spreading totally pointless misinformation like that.

 

Hi, am a newbie.
Have just bought a DV6-6100 series laptop in Canada.
It has got Adobe Premiere editing software that I want to keep.
Is there a way to do a clean install and keep the software, or what is the best way?
Thanks

 

How do you check your catalyst version (ex. 11.4, 11.5, etc)

 

I also made a set of recovery disks last night with Memorex DVD-Rs. I hope that I don't have any problems since I'm planning on deleting my recovery partition tonight.

 

Why does someone delete the recovery partition?... for the extra 14.5gigs on the hdd? if that's the reason, then I'm good... I have 640gigs which is more than more than enough for my needs...

 

Need a partition to install Ubuntu.

 

If someone was using a SSD drive where space is at a premium then maybe that could be a reason to get rid of the recovery partition or maybe just move it to another drive.

 

How is the 1080p screen?

I have my reservations about matte screens.

 

So Notebook Check just posted a video preview on youtube for the DV6T so hopefully we can expect a review by them in a few days. It will be interesting to see if they will mentions the gpu switching problem.

YouTube - ‪HP Pavilion dv6-6008eg (HD 6770M) HD Video-Preview‬‏

 

Definitely worth the money! I have the DV7T with the 1080p LG panel (same as used in the Envy only in the antiglare version), and I have been extremely impressed with its brightness, contrast, color accuracy, and viewing angles. Here are the shots I rattled off the day I took delivery. Note, the 5th shot down from the top is with a flash directly on the screen.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...-order-status-discussion-165.html#post7553910

 

Has anyone compare the DV6T screen to the DV7T screen? As I'm slowly reading through all the DV6/7 threads it sounds like the the DV6 actually has the inferior of the two screens? I'm just wondering if anyone has seen both and if there was enough of a difference to sacrifice weight savings and portability. I'd rather not go to a 17" but will consider it if there is a noticeable difference in screen quality.

 

hi all i got the dv7t..but it has the US keyboard on as i am more comfortable with uk style one...my question is if i get the uk style keyboard..will it just clip in and work or is there some difference in the laptop?????

 

You should have the CD for the software with your laptop. In fact, it was not factory installed at all on mine. Get your laptop, do the minimal install, then install adobe premiere from CD.

 

Mine was factory installed so no disc come with the laptop.
In Canada this is the DV6-6195ca model.

 

Does everyone with a dv6t have the issue where the lights on the right-hand side show through the gap in the case?

Attached is an image of it.

 

I didn't notice that, even when using mine in a darkened room.

 

It's common.

 

Did anyone notice the frame around the laptop monitor to be lose, making the backlight visible if seen from a very steep angle? the frame is not really stuck to the screen glass....
Did anyone notice the quality of the optical drive tray to be really unacceptable? I mean it feels really cheap plastic with no sliding capabilities...I have had notebooks in the past in which the optical drive tray used to slide out swiftly giving a very rich feel.. this feels crap... doesn't it? or may be I'm the only one (it also takes a lot of time to eject!)
There are loads of gaps on the laptop body making the internal parts and lights visible through those gaps.... don't we deserve a little perfection for over $1000...
But yes, overall the built quality is awesome (baring the above flaws) and the machine feels very solid.... but always leaves something to wish for....
One more thing, I really miss the touch-sensitive media and system controls above the keyboard that HP used to have it on the earlier versions of the dv6/dv7... that add-on makes the laptop look even cooler... instead HP put a useless neon light around the touchpad...!

 

Everytime I see the glowing LED around the touchpad and the HP logo on the lid, while I think its cool - I want to punch HP in the throat for not giving us a damn backlit keyboard.

 

Oh...interesting. Can't say I've got any advice for ya then! Sorry

 

I do on my DV6tqe 6100

 

I have the DV7-6000, it's a common build issue. I did have a problem, but only because I put it right next to the side of a blonde wood cabinet, so the light reflected for the wood was noticeable in dark room (Bluray over hdmi to my bigscreen). Didn't realize the light issues with light wood electronics cabinet. My bad. ;p

I put a bit of dark cardboard to block the reflection and now I don't notice it. All the money went into hardware, not build quality. I'm happy with mine and gross issues are seemingly rare. Is the issues you are having are too troublesome I would have them swap it out after you list your complaints to them.

- Qlippoth

 

Thanks anyway

 

My DV7TQE 1080p panel lines up perfectly, and I get no light leakage anywhere. I likely got a different optical drive as well, since I ended up ordering the BD burner. Mine is an LG BT10N, LG BT10N Blu-ray Writer - Plug-In Module, and has the built in slides that you were referring to. I was pleasantly surprised that it was a 6x BD burner for less than $50 more (after coupon). I do get the same light bleed through from the white leds on the right hand side though. Otherwise, my keyboard wasn't fully snapped in, but that was a simple fix, and I don't have any flex issues.

I also wholeheartedly agree that they should've included the backlit keyboard with as much other lighting as they have on this thing! However, really it's the only option that makes the Envy desireable at the moment, so I understand their decision.

 

From the gaming forum, possibly related to my graphic switching issues?

I'm wondering if that is what is causing the video card switch (I have a 6000, manual switching) to fail in some circumstances... Seems like:

1. Sometimes my graphics card fails to switch from the Intel to the ATi or the reverse (Couldn't get Duke Nukem to play smooth like normal, when the setting panel SAID it was using the ATi, which it was NOT), and

2. The Intel won't play back video properly, either FLV or AVI... Lots of macroblocking. Maybe it's NOT really switching? When I switch back it was fine.

Anyone with the 6000 might see if staying with the default factory drivers solves their auto-switching issues...


- Qlippoth

 

The 6000 only have manual switch. The 6100 have the auto switch.

If you are using other than HP stock drivers, there is a rare glitch where it does sometimes incorrectly state what mode is it.

Trying switching a few times to make sure its running off the AMD card.

 

Yeah, that was the problem. I can't reliably switch between the card manually, even after switching several times. It seems fine now, but this still occurs. I'm going to try going back to the factory default drivers and seeing if my issues go away.

Hopefully I can determine if it is the Windows Update ATi drivers, and if so what other driver update options I have.

- Qlippoth

 

Coming from a Dell XPS with an Nvidia graphics card, the Catalyst Control Center (CCC) from AMD and this driver is missing a ton of options and settings.

Man, the Nvidia software panels from what I remember had a plethora of options!

 

To maintain switchable graphics on my Envy with the 6850, I first keep the HP drivers installed. Then I install the ATI Catalyst that I want (example mobility 11.6). During the install, I choose Custom install...and choose everything EXCEPT Catalyst Control Center. The drivers and everything else install over the old drivers. Drivers get updated...I get improved 3D and switchable graphics still work. The CCC from the HP drivers is specifically written for manual switching...as long as you don't remove it or install the newer one...you should maintain that control. Try that...

BTW...the Windows update drivers are the WORST! So many people on the Envy forum were getting blue screens, black screens, etc. Had to remove in safe mode and reinstall the HP drivers.

 

I'm about ready to purchase the Dv6t Quad Edition. Its is by default 1366x768 Glare, but is upgradable to 1980x1080 Anti-Glare for $150. Is this worth the upgrade for a casual gamer and photo editor? I've heard the default screen has received terrible reviews, but I have yet to see any of these terrible reviews.