*HP dv7t Quad Edition (3XXX series) Owners Lounge*

So what happens to all of the PCs that HP sells, and then the buyer decides they "just don't like it" for reasons that are not related to hardware failures?

Do they clean it with an alcohol swab and send it back out?

Do they throw it in the garbage and increase the price for people less prone to buyer's remorse?

Just wondering...

R

 

I'm assuming HP must have some refurbished options on their site. That would be my guess.

 

http://www.shopping.hp.com/outlet

 

I received my 3080US two days ago and it is an awesome machine.

I have the keyboard flex problem but I do not use the keyboard much as I plug in two external monitors and use external keyboard 95% of the time.
If i did not 'dock' the laptop then i would certainly be annoyed enough with
the flex problem to return it.

So for anyone wondering:

1. You can display two external monitors - one via the VGA DSUB and another via the HDMI (Samsung 1920x1080 23")
2. I am running Windows 2008 R2 (great OS) and all the drivers are working
perfectly (havent tried bluetooth)

On a final note I replaced my HP 8510 W business line notebook for this one
and this is way faster, QUIETER and less hot, better screen. The only thing I miss is the docking station.

 

I think dv7t also uses DDR3 1333MHz Ram and not 1066MHz. See my post in this thread @ http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5657144#post5657144 and download the file to see what's inside dv7t.

 

Mine had DDR3 1066 (I checked with CPU-Z before I returned it).

 

Lancorp --- I am wondering if I made a good decision here after reading everyones comments. I had an HDX16T fitted out with:

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
- Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P7450 (2.13GHz)
- FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
- FREE Upgrade to 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
- 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
- 16.0" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
- FREE Upgrade to Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
- Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
- Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
- 50% OFF!! HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
- Full Size Backlit Keyboard
- 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

I bought this back in April, received it with 3-4 dead pixels all lined up vertically. That one was replaced with little to no hassel. New unit had an indentation near the power button and the casing wasn't put together correctly. Also had a terrible issue with the TouchSmart buttons. Any pressure on the palmrest, or moving the laptop at all would cause the computer to read that all of the TouchSmart buttons were being pressed. So the volume, bass, treble etc would go up and down and the Wifi would go off and on until I pulled the battery. Sent it in for repair, got it back same problem within days. Sent it in again and even though the information in the previous ticket said the problem was clearly hardware related; the tech wiped my hard drive and sent it back. Didn't correct or look at the issue at all.

I gave a call to HDX support on Christmas Day. The rep sent out the part to me that the last rep should have used to attempt the fix. That didn't work either. So HP finally agreed to replace my HDX16T with a Dv17 Quad:

• Moonlight White
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-720QM Processor (1.6GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 1333MHz FSB) w/Turbo Boost up to 2.8 GHz
• FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 3GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• FREE Upgrade to 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 230M
• 17.3" diagonal HD+ High-Definition HP LED BrightView Infinity Widescreen Display (1600 x 900)
• LightScribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
• Webcam Only
• Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
• HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
• HP Color Matching Keyboard
• 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

This is because the HDX series was discontinued. (the Dv16 and Dv18 are now the replacements for the HDX from some HP marketing information I have read). A few reasons that I got the HDX was because of the 1080p Infinity Display and the Backlit Keyboard. I was also going down in size from my Toshiba P100.

From what I am reading the LED Dv17 screen is going to be a let down. Since this laptop is still an upgrade specwise I think I still got a good deal. The day after HP offered the Dv17 the Envy series went down $500! I thought about those but I didn't like the idea of a USB Blu-Ray Drive.

 

The HDX series was great. Typically, it had excellent build quality, but sounds like you has some issues with build quality. All in all, I think you will like the dv7t, except for you are not getting a 1080p display and you will notice that the dv7t display is not as sharp as you had with the HDX16. Performance-wise, you are definitely gaining an advantage with the dv7t considering your HDX16 CPU was on the slow side.

Try the dv7t QUAD for a while and if the display is not up to par, try to get HP to upsell you the dv8t QUAD for free or minimal charge, as the dv8t 18" LCD is the same panel used in the HDX18, which was a suh-weet LCD!

 

Now that I read all of the reviews maybe the 18 would have been better. To match my original cpu the case manager offered the dv8t since it had the 1080p display but my main reason in getting the HDX was it was smaller than my P100. A close to 10 lbs beast of the dv8 would be too much for me. Your right the HDX lcds were sweet.

 

Yes, the dv8t is a better unit, but the size is an issue for some people. Of course, I had the HDX Dragon, a 20" real beast, so the much smaller dv8t Quad is relatively teeny-tiny!

 

The "Bass Management" option will only appear if you configure the speakers - see attached image.

 

How many people have sent there dv7 back because of the screen ??

 

What kind of configuration did you do to get that? I still don't have it...

 

^ Under control panel, you open the sound settings.

 

I meant, what kind of configuration once you click that button did you do, because I did it any I still don't have this elusive "bass management" box?

 

I bought my DT7 from the local Micro Center computer store (note it doesn't have a "T" in the model number - I don't know what that stands for, but I've come to the conclusion it's a nearly identical model?). The speakers says SRS Premium Sound on the lefthand side of the grill and it uses the IDT drivers version 6.10.6225.0 as from the factory.

If you turn the laptop over there is a speaker (subwoofer?) on the righthand underside.

 

Yup, got the subwoofer. I'll check IDT drivers when I'm on the laptop later tonight.

 

Ah got it... had to choose "Full Range" speakers. But it says no subwoofer present while i have it.

 

My dv7t freezes. Crap. Within a 2 weeks it froze 3 times.
I had to remove the battery and re-start it once and the other 2 times i played with the power button and other keys and it shut-down somehow.
The volume increase-decrease image sometimes doesn't appear when I slide my finger on it.
Is it normal?
What am I supposed to do with this?
Also I'm using an hp bluetooth mouse and it stops working half of the time and comes back after some time.
I wonder if I received a lemon...

 

Are all the USB ports on the same channel?

On my desktop when I want to copy from a USB device to a USB device I always make sure to plug one into one of the front ports and the other into the rear that way it copies files at full speed. On the DV7 all the USB ports seem to be on the same channel because going from USB to USB I get half the speed (18 MB/s) as I do going from USB to HD (30+ MB/s).

 

i'm having a problem with the built in webcam...

works fine in mediasmart webcam, but when i try and use the flash app on youtube's upload page, it crashes the browser. i've tried this IE and chrome. help!

 

Looks lkike blu ray is no longer offered on the customizable version on hp.com

I wonder why? Any theories?

 

The first one I got had defective pixels and so I returned it. The screen is not great on the replacement but it is ok for me (I have infinity display).

 

I noticed that too over on the Costco HP-Build It page. My guess is 1) not enough demand, or 2) a better BR drive is in the pipeline. I didn't opt for a BR on the one I ordered.

 

I have a dv7t with 8 gb. Is there a possibility of upgrading it to 16 gb. I use a lot memory intensive apps.
Also I noted that when I connect the dv7t to a TV display, and watch a BluRay Movie(I was trying to watch District 9), it says something like "not eligible to play this in formate" or something to that effect. When I disconnect the HDMI cable the movie plays fine on my laptop.
Is this a BluRay thing with all movies or something else? Is there a way around this issue?

Thanks

 

No, there is no possibility of upgrading the RAM to 16GB because the Chipset only supports a maximum of 8GB. The only HP Consumer laptop capable of doing that is the ENVY 15.
My guess about your TV problem is that your HDMI cable or TV does not support HDCP. You can only output protected media, such as Blu Ray, if it has HDCP(High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection).

 

Thanks Striker. I purchased my HDMI cable only last week through a online vendor. I have a Sharp lc37db5u LCD TV purchased way back in early 2006. Is it possible that the TV's back then didnt have HDCP?

Thanks

 

Hi All,
Just purchased a new dv7t quad edition, with these specs.
dv7t quad edition
• Espresso Black
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-720QM Processor (1.6GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 1333MHz FSB) w/Turbo Boost up to 2.8 GHz
• $100 OFF! 8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• FREE Upgrade to 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 230M
• 17.3" diagonal HD+ High-Definition HP LED BrightView Widescreen Display (1600 x 900)
• LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
• Webcam Only
• Intel Wireless-N Card
• No TV Tuner w/remote control
• HP Color Matching Keyboard
• 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
• No Modem
• Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
• HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope


Ship date is Feb 1st.

I started to read this thread from page 1, only 99 more pages to go.

Well anyway, any words of wisdom from owners of the dv7t quad edition?

Thanks

 

Welcome!

1) Enjoy the system and judge it for yourself - don't read too deeply into the forums.

2) Download pc decrapifier and revouninstaller and clean up the bloatware that comes with laptop. The HP was actually not too bad, but you will need to do some cleanup.

3) Test the system and make sure everything works as advertised.

Load'er up and get to work or play!

Regards,
R

 

Be easier to wipe it and do a clean install of windows 7, 64bit.

Is there a list of drivers I will need in a central location on HP's site?

PS
Your response doesn't seem like a ringing endorsement.....

 

I love this computer.... read over the thread and you will see what I mean.

I dissagree about it being easier to reload Windows... it took me about 45 mins to go through and decide what needed to go.

You will want to hold on to some of the HP stuff (I like the system update checks and some of the quick buttons), but there are a few trials that will need to go.

If you do decide to do a reload, there are drivers on the hard drive under c:\swsetup, but you can get the most recent ones from here - http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=404164 or the HP website http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=4063&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=4011370 .

Regards,
R

 

Yea, your probably right on the reload.
I just like a clean fresh copy of windows.

But would also like to keep the HP stuff.

Thanks RhyStar

 

If you chose to do a clean install remember to backup the SWsetup folder in drive C. This will contain all the original software

 

anyone have any idea as to the new graphics card the dv7t quad is now sporting
apparently it now has a geforce gt 320m (or is that just a typo on their part)

couldnt find any info abt it
except
on reading a description of the new gt 330m on noteboookcheck i found the following comment
" A low power version of the GT 330M is also available for laptop manufacturers featuring a minimal slower clock rate and less power consumption (Codename n11p-lp)."
which might be talking abt the gt320

thanks
adi

 

I plan to create a drive image using Acronis upon first boot when I receive my dv7 this week. I do this so I'll have an easy way to restore it to "new" if I decide to return it, need to start over, or eventually dispose of it. Could someone tell me what key is used by HP to access the BIOS, as I've seen conflicting advice on the web?

 

Lancorp, have you compared the standard screen that comes with the dv7t with the Infinity screen. Other than edge-to-edge on the infinity, is there a difference in viewing quality?

 

If it makes you feel any better, when I had my Dv7t with non infinity display I could tell no difference between that panel and the dv8t lcd screen. Others say the dv8t screen is much nicer. All looks the same to me

 

Thanks Matt. You say "had", what are you using now? Also, did you compare the non-infinity vs infinity screens?

 

I had the DV7t Quad without Infinity and I can say now that's the one thing that only bugged me about the screen. I prefer the infinity screen. It looks so nicer. Some say dust gets trapped inside. I don't see any just take care of it ya know. IMO the infinity is no more glossy than the regular non-infinity LED display. The dv7t quad gives off an amazing picture with either screen IMO. However I think the infinity looks nicer. Some also say with the DV7t screen has washed out colors. Once again I didn't notice that at all and it looks all the same to me. I can't notice any difference between the dv7t and dv8t panel. That is me though, others claim the dv8 offers a much better panel as its the same as the hdx 18t. Reviews claim it had a wonderful screen.

 

I have installed Fedora 12 on this. It was a bit of a pain. The main reason was that the HD already had four primary partitions defined on it. That's the max you can have. What I did was boot from a Knoppix CD. (Press <esc> when first powering up, then select to boot from the CD). I used fdisk to change what was the Windows D: drive to an extended partition. I then make an equivalent FAT partition within that extended partition with the same start and end as the original D: drive. I did nothing else. This basically left the data alone and so did not affect the Windows system (as best as I can tell).

I then used ntfsresize to shrink what was the C: drive. I had to use this rather than the build in Windows function due to some sort of "unmovable file" which made my free space much smaller than I wanted. Once I had done that, there was one primary partition left and some room. I shut down Knoppix. I put the Fedora DVD in the DVD drive and booted from it. When it asked, I did the manual partitioning and told Fedora to use the free area. A normal Fedora install worked fine. Grub knew about the Windows7 system already installed and put in an "other" selection, which I changed to "Win7".

Rebooting Windows7 worked and automatically did a chkdsk on the C: drive. There is a known bug this, I found out. Luckily, I rebooted and used "ntfsfix" on the C: drive. I again booted Windows7 and it then came up fine.

--
John

 

I press the esc key when the message is on the bottom left hand side of the screen.

 

I posted this in the Dv6t but i will repost it here as well
" Don't get upset, the GT3xx is the same as GT2xx. Actually GT230 should be better than GT320 as per the ranking in http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-230M.17646.0.html

Also, you can overclock the GPU to be better than GT330 using Nvidia system tools. I reached a 700/1540 and 948 for the memory.

With all this said, there isn't a huge difference between the whole series from GT230 to GT330 that you have to pay money to get.

Here is a quick guide to overclock GT230 .
"

 

I think the D: drive is a recovery partition, and should allow you to get back to square 1 without making another drive image.

Not sure what you mean about a key for the BIOS.

Regards,
R

 

I meant what key do I press to get into the BIOS at bootup, as it might be Esc, Del, F10, etc. I actually saw F10 on the HP website but bb5ch above said it's Esc. I wanted to know this for sure so when I unbox it and boot the first time I could get right into the BIOS and set the DVD drive as the first boot drive.

I understand the D: partition has a restore, but I will probably remove it when I do a fresh install of Win7, so I wanted to have a separate image file, as it existed right out of the box. I will also be making the restore DVDs and I read that you can only do that once, so I thought having an image might be handy if for some reason I needed to make a second set.

All in all, maybe this is wearing a belt and suspenders, but will help insure when I screw up (or return it, or sell it) I can get back to start without a doubt.

 

Hi All,
Thanks for all the great info on the thread. Just placed my order yesterday and I'm looking forward to receiving it...though it might be a while. I do have a couple of questions, though!

1. For those of you who are running dual monitors (not using the laptop monitor + 1 external...but 2 external). Can I use the run-of-the-mill HDMI to DVI adapter, and then just use the VGA port)

2. I didn't get the TV tuner, but based on this thread it seems like I still get a remote. What functions can you perform from the remote?

Thanks!

Specs if anyone is interested. Total was $1242.00 (Auto $200 off + $350 off coupon)

dv7t quad edition
• Moonlight White
• Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-720QM Processor (1.6GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 1333MHz FSB) w/Turbo Boost up to 2.8 GHz
• $100 OFF! 8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 640GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (320GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 230M
• 17.3" diagonal HD+ High-Definition HP LED BrightView Widescreen Display (1600 x 900)
• LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
• Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
• Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
• No TV Tuner w/remote control
• HP Color Matching Keyboard
• 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
• No Modem
• System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
• Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
• HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

 

Don't know the answer to your first question, but the remote lets you control the media center applications, and I also tested it with PowerPoint. I was able to advance and go back on the slides.

Anyone using the HDMI and the VGA ports at the same time? By the way, you may want to check out the prices for cables and adapters at http://www.monoprice.com - I use them very often and you can't go wrong.

R

 

a couple more kinks to sort out

a) how do i fix the nvidia driver crashing & recovering? seems i have the latest driver installed already. i know it's been dealt with, but the search function is letting me down

b) the fingerprint reader takes a while to load after coming back from sleep mode, and sometimes i have to re-wake it to get it to work. when that happens i can't put in the p/w either, cause the cursor keeps flashing to the beginning of the line. fix?

many thanks

 

Thanks for the info RhyStar!

Much appreciated if someone can shed some light on the multiple monitor Q.

Cheers

 

lastest not necessarely means the better one.

 

You probably have a botched driver install, or more likely, leftovers.

Try using this; http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/

Some people do this on EVERY video driver update - I have only had to use it once.

I think you want to uninstall the drivers completely, then boot into safe mode and run this software.

Then boot regularly and reinstall the new drivers. Review the instructions first - it has been a while since I did this.

FYI, I have no problems at all with the 195.62 drivers.

Good luck,
R