*HP dv7t (1XXX series) Owners Lounge*

At Pyrii...you're first mistake is dealing with Paypal. They're annoying as HELL.

I hate Paypal with so much passion. Unfortunately eBay is teid at the hip with them so I've got to have an account with them just in case I spot something I want to buy on eBay for a really good price.

Not to mention it's full of scammers, it's unsecure, and ultimately a joke of a website. That's just my opinion. I'm going to close my account in the next few weeks but first I want to purchase a router off eBay and some other things as well. Then I'll see about looking into other forms of payment for eBay.

 

Steve,

Will do man. I will have it this weekend and I'll be sure to post my experience with it as soon as possible. I have never had a laptop before this one and obviously no reason to have a case/bag for one. But, just thinking about it I am sure that I will prefer the backpack over the briefcase/shoulderbag. I just think that it would be more cumbersome than a backpack. Although, I am a student so I also have to have space for books/supplies as well; probably another reason I am biased towards the backpack.

Never-the-less, I'll be sure to let you know how it works.

 

I agree wholeheartedly, which is why I only add my card info when it's needed and don't keep my bank information on my account. Unfortunately it seemed like the only available option, as the HP US site doesn't like cards which aren't US-made. (Makes me wonder how xenophobic US shopping sites are... hmmm)

 

I have noticed something about Internet Explorer since I got my dv7t. IT CONSTANTLY "STOPS RUNNING" AND I HAVE TO "CLOSE THE PROGRAM"!!!! This really gets on my nerves; especially when I have multiple windows or tabs open and just one screws up ALL of them wind up getting closed!!! Has anyone else had any problems with this? I have Vista 64 bit, don't know if that makes a difference.

Anyone know of any fixes?

Thanks

 

What are some Windows Experience scores?

 

Gemiar,

while i have not experienced IE hangups, oddly enough, my screen saver always hangs! i just have a screen saver to go on after 5 minutes of being idle. when i get back to my machine, i get a prompt saying this application has stopped responding and i get an option to close the application and some other option.

out of all the applications that can hang -why a screen saver? lol

go to windows update and see if there are any patches for it.

 

TSD,

Yea man, that is wierd... screen saver??? But I'll definately check for some updates.

Kylerg,

Regarding performance numbers, mine are as follows:

Index score is 4.8

Other number are:

Processor: 5.4
Memory (RAM): 5.9
Graphics: 4.8
Gaming Graphics: 5.3
Primary Hard Disc: 5.2

What are yours?

 

That's weird. I have a 5.0 on graphics but we have the same card.

 

Because you and I have the updated laptopvideo2go video drivers... He does not

 

Fixes? Use FF3!

I used IE for about 2 days after I got my dv7t, and did not have any problems. I prefer FF3, so I switched back to it and it has run flawlessly. In fact, I have not had a single program hang on me, yet. Of course, this means that I will have an evening full of BSODs tonight!

 

Just catching up on the thread here. Gemiar, WinRAR = Free = Win! You'll get a nag screen after a month, but it's very unobtrusive and the program works great.

 

Which driver did you get? I am assuming it's from laptopvideo2go, but I couldn't decide which one to get since only a few supported the dv7's card and most appeared to be OEM anyway.

So did you just get the latest and it worked?

 

TIMESQUAREDESI:

Thanks for the advice regarding waiting for a good coupon for the dv7t. I usually keep an eye on some coupon sites like edealinfo.

Can you please PM or email me if you find out about any such offers.

Thanks
PureRide

[email protected]

 

Actually I did't. The index rating was 5 straight from the box.

 

Hmmph...Now thats odd, mine was a 4.8 out of the box as well. Oh well its only WEI

 

Yeah. No big deal really, it's only for running Aero afterall and anything above a 3 or 4 is pretty good.

 

RealtoKen,

What did you download from the laptopvideo2go site to get your numbers up?

 

I think the screen resolution may effect whether you have a 4.8 or 5.0 WEI. List your resolution and see if that is where you two vary. The x900 should be the one with the 5.0 WEI, I believe.

 

I have a 4.8 with 9600GT and a 1680 x 1050 screen

 

I am the same as mattmcss.

 

Does anyone know if there is going to be a higher capacity battery released for the dv7?

 

This exchage is taking forever and HP is really starting to **** me off.

I mean you'd think they'd make this a top priority. They screwed up and yet I end up having to temporarily pay more money to them AND wait a whole week and half for the replacement to be built.

Anyways...about drivers and the such...do you guys rely on Windows Update for all your updates? Or does that only entail 1 piece of keeping your computer up to date?

I guess my question is how do you keep your system up to date and what different places do you go to in order to do so.

 

Windows update and HP update is probably good enough. Aside from that graphics drivers are only really important if you are doing a lot of gaming and you can get those at laptopvideo2go.com.

 

A question for those with the laptopvideo2go drivers:

Do you have the option to set the desktop color balance? The HP driver only allows changing brightness, digital vibrance (which is a bad idea if you're a photographer), contrast, sharpening and gamma.

I need to change the RGB/HS values like I was able on my dv8000t, with the same control panel.

I don't know if anyone has noticed, but the color balance on the dv7t is too far on the cool (bluish whites) side.

 

Well I'd be owning a dv7t if HP actually wanted to send me one, there was no problem with the money getting to them, but just because I'm British they denied my order.

This seems to be a growing trend, what on earth is going on over there in the US.

 

Do you mean they rejected the money because it was British currency?

And that does suck....

But my question is would a laptop bought in the US work over there in the UK? In terms of the internet I mean.

 

Yeah, we use ADSL over here, and I use a router/wifi box for my broadband so I wouldn't have a problem with internet, their adapters are rated for 240V and the slight keyboard changes can be reversed or adapted to.

They refused the money(which was converted by paypal to USD), first claiming there were transaction problems, but they just didn't accept the payment. So after spending 1 and a half hours on the phone to them (internationally at 5p a minute), 2 phone calls to my bank (Natwest, who were extremely helpful) and one to paypal (who weren't in the slightest bit helpful), and sending over 10+ e-mails to them I got:

And they spelt my name incorrectly =P

 

My wireless connection on my dv7-1020 seems to be quite slow. It's the Intel 4965AGN connecting to a N-draft Netgear router. Files only transfer at around 2-3 MB/sec

 

i have had my dv7t for 2 weeks now and i am absolutely in love with it! ;-D

everything runs soooo nicely and quickly. no hangs ups at all.

i am considering buying another HP laptop (im thinkin the dv4t or dv5t) and having that replace the last desktop i have here at home. I am converting to an all laptop shop!

i hope everyone that got their unit is having as much fun as i am with it.

 

Yeah I'm loving mine as well. Vista seems to be much faster with file transfers then my old machine with XP, I mean I can literally copy a 6-700MB file over USB in a matter of seconds.

Fantastic, very happy with my purchase.

 

Best. Laptop. I looked very long, and decided this was the the one. I missed the coupon code by 5 minutes (literally) but decided to buy it anyways. It was truly a magnificent laptop. It has the fanciness of a Macbook, but it packs a lot of power. Doesn't run hot at all, hardly warming my lap and makes no noise. I don't have much more to say than you will awe people with this laptop. Look no farther. The dv7t is it. I am proud to say I am now an owner.

 

Do they have the Intel Matrix system?

 

I've had my dv7-1020us for about a week now. It's an outstanding computer. I purchased it from amazon.com for $1,317 and am waiting for a $50 mail-in rebate check. This configuration includes the P7350 processor, 4GB RAM with Vista 64-bit Premium, 320GB 5400RPM HD, 512MB VRAM, built in HD TV Tuner, Blu-ray.
http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-DV7-1020US-Laptop-Processor-Premium/dp/B001BAWK4W

It's extremely fast, stable, and capable. The TV tuner exceeds all my expectations. Even here in Montana I can pick up several HD stations over the air, and the recording capabilites work flawlessly. The Blu-ray quality is excellent and only uses about 25% of the CPU's power due to nVIDIA's PureVideo HD processing power.

Only complaints: HP bloatware. Laptop is gorgeous but extremely prone to scratches and fingerprints. Some Blu-ray discs don't work or require downloading the latest QuickPlay upgrade. I can only get BD's to play on QuickPlay, which is pretty crappy software even compared to Windows Media Center (which plays DVDs perfectly).
Blu-rays I've played: Transformers, The Invasion, SpiderMan3 (only with QuickPlay update, didn't play with stock software)
Blu-ray that hasn't worked at all: The Golden Compass

 

Hi All, I am the proud owner of a DV7 1090ed (This version is a preconfigured DV7 sold in The Netherlands).

Everything works great, except....the Quickplay button on the left upper corner, next to the power button. It does not respond at all to touching (it is lit white). All the other touch sensitive buttons work and when I start up the Quickplay software by remote or in the start\programs\quickplay, it works, but not via the button on the laptop itself

I tried everything:
- upgraded the software (HP Quick Launch Buttons 6.40 F1, HP QuickPlay 3.7, HP Quicktouch 1.00 D2)
- full system restore
- the remove battery / press power button trick

I cannot think of anything else to do. Am I missing something? Is this a known bug? Did I receive a faulty laptop? I hate to go back to the store....

Can anyone comment / help me out?

 

Wait does the dv7t come with WinDVD or any of those other programs that plays back DVDs/Blurays

From the previous comments it seems like HP has created its own program or something...

 

it comes with HP quickplay which launches when a dvd is inserted. it also comes with cyberlink dvd suite. and then you can also use windows media player to play dvd's.

so that's 3 different ways you can play a dvd.

 

Is there a way to set it up so that it ONLY launches CyberLink DVD? Sorry but I've never heard of this QuickPlay and it looks pretty so so from reading everyone's comments.

 

yeah - you can definitely change the default player to whatever you want.

the HP quickplay software isn't that bad though. that's all i've been using to play dvd's.

 

I'm hoping someone can help me with my dv7-1020ea. I can't get any external drives to work via the esata. This is a "clean" install of vista 64, using all drivers from the hp website. I've updated the bios. I've got a few external drives, and windows reconizes them, installs them, but they're not there to actually use. I went in to computer management, and it wanted me to initialize one drive

 

However, for Blu-ray playback, it appears you have to use HP QuickPlay. It definitely doesn't work in Windows Media Player/Center. Other third-party software might work, but on the sheet HP sends you with the laptop, it says BD will only play on QuickPlay. Has anyone tried using different software?

 

I use Cyberlink PowerDVD Ultra (the last version) for BD and SD and it works great on my dv7.

 

I just started using my Swiss Gear Ibex backpack and it is awesome. Fits the dv7t perfectly. Plus there are a lot of pockets and a lot of space for other stuff. Great backpack/laptop case. Would definately recommend this to anyone here.

 

I saw it the other day at Best Buy. It did look beautiful. I love Blue backpacks. My problem with searching for bookbags that can fit 17' notebooks is that so far all of them have looked fugly as hell.

Just no way around it. Other than a few items I've seen online the vast majority of bookbags just don't appeal to me when it comes to getting one for my laptop.

Anyways thanks for letting us know about it. Does it provide good support for your back? Like do you feel any stress when you carry it or do the pads really help you?

 

Anyone else getting random faint clicks (clunks-maybe even a slight ding) from their hard drives?

I've got the (2) 160GB 7200RPM

Seems to be coming from both drives... I don't think both would be dying at the same time. I've had the notebook for just a week now.

 

I'm hoping someone can help me with my dv7-1020ea. I can't get any external drives to work via the esata. This is a "clean" install of vista 64, using all drivers from the hp website. I've updated the bios. I've got a few external drives, and windows reconizes them, installs them, but they're not there to actually use. I went in to computer management, and it wanted me to initialize one drive

 

CassilineKnight,

Yea, this backpack is great. It perfectly fits the dv7t into its secure padded pocket. It is JUST big enough to fit it secruely. One thing I was worried about was zipping/unzipping the pocket where the computer goes and having the zippers rub/scratch the computer, but this is not an issue; perfect size. Very good support for the back. There are three very nice pads on the back that make this backpack really comfy. Don't feel the notebook in it at all except for the weight. Straps are really nice as well. I saw them at best buy but they were like $100. I got this one on Amazon through Ritz Camera for like $63.00 + ~$7.00 shipping.

nixt3r,

I have the same dual HDDs as you (2x 160gb @ 7200 rpm) and hear the same clicking/beaping you do. I didn't know what it was until I read your post. I hope this is "normal". Anyone else know anything more about it?

Also, now that I have a means of transporting my notebook I plan on taking it to class a lot. One of the things I plan on doing is recording lectures while in class onto my unit with the built-in microphone. So, my quesetion is: does anyone know of any programs (free, downloadable ones are the best) that I can use to record lectures? It would be really cool, but not necissary, if I could crop out portions of the recording that I don't want after they are recorded. Any input would appreciated.

Thanks

 

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger but have a few questions.

1) What is the speed of the ram? The 4GB ram from newegg isn't much more expensive and is 5-5-5-15. If the HP ram is 6-6-6-18, I think I'll just replace it.

2) Is it confirmed that if you order with only one harddrive, you can't add a second harddrive? Apparently a bracket is missing but can you order the braket? Assuming you can, how do the 7200 drives from HP compare to 320 GB 7200 drives available? Does anyone know the actual part numbers and/or avg seek time/ latency etc.?

3) Does the integrated tv tuner and/or wifi card take up PCIe slots? Basically, if I opt for both, will I still have an empty slot? I'm intrigued by the intel turbo memory and think it could be pretty cool if the kinks are worked out. Certainly not a deal breaker and more of a question out of curiousity.

I'm going to best buy tonight to check out the infinity screen and will hopefully be ordering tonight. Thanks for any and all help!

EDIT: forgot a question... I think a post fairly early in the thread mentioned that the integrated tuner only got standard def with the cable plugged in. Is that true?

EDIT #2: From my understanding, a vista activation key is good for the version of vista regardless of bit. So a 64 bit ultimate key can be used for 32 bit ultimate and vice versa. I ask because I am going to opt for 64 bit ultimate but want to be able to install 32 bit if I want/need to for some reason.

Sorry for all the questions but I don't want to spend that much money without knowing exactly whats up. With only reading the forum a week or so, I already trust you guys/gals more than I do a random sales rep that happens to answer the phone. Also, if anyone hasn't noticed, there is a new coupon code for 500 off 1399+.

 

Gemiar, that's good to hear (if it's normal). I called HP and they wanted me to take out one of the hard drives, to see if the noise stopped.

I might try it later.

I've done some reading online and have found articles related to other drives. They say that it may just be the heads on the hard drive parking.

 

nixt3r,

Keep me posted with whatever you find out and I'll do the same. If the is heads "parking" on the drives (don't know what that is) is it a bad thing that we are able to hear it?

Note: My roommate told me about a recording program called "Audacity". It seems to work really well. Best part: FREE. You can also crop sections of recordings out very easily and can export them as different formats and load them into iTunes or on your iPod. Don't know if anyone else was looking to do this sort of thing, but the Audacity program works awesome.

 

Does anyone know where I can get the maintenance manual for the dv7t?