*HP dv8 Owners Lounge*

ATTN memnon79 frankybones
Backlit keyboard. Let's Make it Happen!

UPDATE 11/24/09: GO HERE FOR THE LATEST ON THIS MOD!

I've ordered the backlit keyboard for $30 also. Haven't received it yet.

1 Are you sure that's the right pad. Can you provide a picture?
2 Check to see if the pad is energized with a voltmeter
3 What's the pitch and width of the flex connector.
4 We need to figure out which pins are positive - negative -ground. (that's if you can't check the pad on the motherboard)
4a Easiest way is to have someone with an HDX check (any HDX owners willing?)
4b Hard way would be to energize the keyboard directly with a power supply using trial and error
5 Here's a possible part number from digikey. I don't know the size or pitch of the flex cable so it's only a starting point

 

Weird. My post disappeared.

Anyway my dv8t was due to arrive tomorrow (shipped early) and i checked fedex tracking and its on the delivery truck and should be here within the hour.

So not bad. A day early. Wasn't in a real rush but its funny how I keep looking out my window for the FedEx truck.

 

Call the HP parts department. They will tell you how to do it. They have a backlit keyboard to fit the DV8T for $76. This is what I was told two weeks ago.

Larry (Ocean)

 

I think DV8 has 1066mhz clocked memory. Anybody can say what is the windows 7 evaluation in memory section?

Dell Studio 1747 has 1333mhz clocked memory and has 7.4 on memory section on windows 7 evaluation (WEI) .

Is there a lot of difference between these notebooks?

PD: Sorry for my bad english.

 

The memory registers as a 7.3 for the DV8.

 

Another thing I just thought about.
Of all of us who have "delayed shipping" who upgraded to the "Long Life Battery"?
I did and I wonder if that may be the issue.

 

Just talked with CS and they checked my order, originally for 11/17 shipment, now scheduled for 11/27. As for changing my shipment option to 2-day instead of the free 7-10 day, they suggested I call again on 11/27.

I'm not good at waiting . . . Miss my Hong Kong computer guys who even delivered my last laptop up and running and ready to go at the airport as I was leaving for a biz trip. Sigh.

Oh well, this one still looks like it's worth the wait.

CS wouldn't say which parts are delayed in shipping from mfg in China to HP warehouse. Did say that other stuff tho -- being made in China. natch.

 

Does anyone know what long life battery from HP does? According to their website it says that the battery is coverd for 3 years. Has anyone confirmed this by calling HP?

 

UPDATE 11/24/09: GO HERE FOR THE LATEST ON THIS MOD!

I just spent 1 1/2 painful hours on the phone with HP. They said that a backlit keyboard for the dv8t DOES NOT exist with no indication that there would be.

I talked to parts, tech support, sales. They all confirmed that there is no backlit keyboard for the dv8t.

But if you can get a part number, that would not only disprove what they told me but it would be great too

 

Yeah Larry, i hate to break it to ya, but the HP parts dept will tell you anything you want to know if it makes you buy an HP. I guarantee they aren't computer experts, just experts at transferring and putting your call on hold. In order to do this it has to be done independently, just like any other computer mod. But I like it better that way anyway. Adds to the learning process

 

No battery upgrade here. Just BT and TV Tuner (and the free upgrades).

 

I'm in. We need good pictures, so lets try to get memnon79 to open his keyboard again. Idk where the hell my dv8 is (still in production), so I'm going to do some further research. Even if OR784TR-ND is the right part, can we just order one or two, or is it bulk only? I don't have any good parts stores by me, but I'll look into it.

Oh, and I'll ask around if anyone I know owns an HDX with backlight that they'd be willing to rent out in the name of science.

 

UPDATE 11/24/09: GO HERE FOR THE LATEST ON THIS MOD!

Here are pics. 4 contacts 2 outer have continuity and 2 inner have continuity. No DC voltage even after fn-space key press. However 1.7V AC which may indicate logic. (could be noise too)

Hard to tell with with just a voltmeter. Once I get the keyboard, I might hood up the o-scope.


Best would be for an HDX owner to probe it (longshot I know)

 

I received my email regarding the delay today. The only add on I got (besides the free upgrades) was the bluetooth to make the computer eligible for the $500 discount. I received the $50 coupon because of the delay, but I didn't think that it was enough so I spoke with a rep online and kindly asked them for $50 more because I needed the computer right away, which is true, so they gave me an additional credit of $50. So in all I got $100 back for being misled when they told me the screen LED backlit, $50 coupon for the delay, and $50 additional credit for the delay in production. They will most likely upgrade my shipment from regular to 2nd day also. I was told to contact them again about this at a later time. I love the hassle free HP service. I just hope the computer ends up being as good as people are suggesting.

I've read some things on this computer and some older 18" model computers and there seem to be quite a few people with defects. For example, I saw a few computers on youtube with the display completely warped (concave to the keyboard). Anyone have problems like this with their computer?

 

Only upgrades i got were the tv tuner and blue tooth. I just got this email today.


Due to product constraints we will be unable to ship your order on the original estimated ship date. The revised estimated ship date for your order is 11/30/2009 or no later than 10 business days from the original estimated ship date.


whats even more lame is that I am at school and the only place they would ship is to my house back home about 3 hours away. I came home this weekend thinking it would be here. now i get to drive back and forth some other time.

 

Did you have to ask for the inital $50 discount or was it just given to you through email?

 

I received a $50 coupon code through email, but I had to ask for an additional $50 credit. The rep had to ask her supervisor for approval, but they didn't argue with me on that at all. It was pretty quick and painless.

In all I received the $500 initial discount and $200 additional discount. So I ended up paying about $840 for this computer not including tax. Not bad.

 

can someone with a dv8 take a look at their 'F7' key? mine sort of dips down like there isn't anything supporting it. and when you press on the blank dividers between the 'F' keys, the keyboard flexes a lot. almost as if the keyboard isn't quite seated in there correctly along the top. i know some other people have complained about the keyboard flexes a lot on the keypad, which isn't a major deal for me, but the 'F' keys just don't quite look right. anyone's keyboard flex along the F keys?

 

oh, and all you guys trying to figure out the backlit keyboard.. AWESOME! you guys rock. i will be following this closely.

 

My f7 key does not dip down. I checked it several times.

Larry (Ocean)

 

Have any of you guys purchased the hp extended warranty? Do you think the 2 yr HP total care is worth purchasing?

 

I purchased the 3 year accidental damage. I absolutely think it is worth it. If anything happens to the computer even if it is due to accidental damage like dropping it, HP will repaire it or HP will ship a new computer you.

If the computers cost only $500 to $800 I would have to say no it is not worth it. Considering that the screen alone will cost $400 it is certainly worth considering.

I purchased a warranty for a high end HP printer some years ago. I had it three years and just two months before my warranty ran out it crashed and would not work. I contacted HP and they replaced the printer with a new one.

I would buy it.

Larry (Ocean)

 

Damn! I've just officially joined the "your computer is delayed here's $50" club:

(for the record, I haven't received the coupon yet)

And I just got off the phone with HP (I actually didn't even see the email until the rep told me that they sent one). I'm disappointed now, also because I didn't even see johnriba's comment and I asked HP for more $$ off and they denied me. I spoke with a supervisor to have him guarantee me that my order would be bumped up to 2day/overnight shipping, and he said it would (in an unsure tone). Maybe I'll call back in a day or two and insist that they compensate me further.

All that the supervisor wanted to let me know was that the "10 days more" Nov.30th date is most likely an overestimate, and that when they get the necessary parts in it will be completed promptly and my order status would be updated immediately. He made it clear that I would not get any more emails come Nov.30th saying it was pushed further, but instead that Nov.30th is the latest possible day it would be shipped. He said this after I had threatened to cancel and buy elsewhere. **edit: Just looked closer at the email and it says in pretty plain English: " 11/30/2009 or no later than 10 business days from the original estimated ship date" So mine should be shipped anytime before 11/28, a week from tomorrow. I guess I can wait.../edit**

I also tried to get it out of them what the component delay was exactly, and even asked if I were to re-order without options like BT etc, if it would come any sooner. They said there's no way of telling, but the manager told me it was a delay dealing with the model. Don't know how accurate that is, but whatever. Grrr.

 

The delay is prob due to the number of people buying the dv8 during the 500 off promotion.

 

yes! my F7 does dip down a little. I put a straight edge across the function keys and there it is. Can hardly see it. I have to take out my kb now anyway, I'll let you know what I find if anything.

 

Next time, try talking to the rep online through the chat window. That's what I've been doing. So far it's worked out great for me. I always tell them what an excellent job that they are doing and how kind they are in helping me. I use a little positive reinforcement to "encourage" them to help me out a little more. Now I just have to work getting the 2nd day shipping. I'll try tomorrow since they told me to wait on that one.

 

thanks for checking! It is very slight and i was beginning to wonder if i was just making it up. it doesn't bother me too much, it just makes me wonder what it will look like 6months to a year from now. yeah, i'm going to have to probably have to take mine apart when the wife goes on a business trip in two weeks so she doesn't flip out when she sees the computer in pieces. :/ maybe we can just wedge something under there?

 

The way the rep AND the supervisor were explaining it, the expedited shipping should be automatic regardless. You might want to double check, but when I asked for better shipping he said that it would be done anyway by the factory once the production is finished (b/c of the current delays).

 

I took out the keyboard and discovered that one of the mounting tabs where where a screw goes is right there so when the screw is tightened it dips the kb down a little. I'm not gonna worry about it.

 

found some pics of an hdx with a backlit keyboard





UPDATE 11/24/09: GO HERE FOR THE LATEST ON THIS MOD!

Note that there is a + and - signs on the outer traces on the ribbon cable near the contacts[/s]--I'm assuming this is the juice. This is not consistent with the probing that I did. These two points have continuity (they're connected to each other)

So this means the circuity just ain't there. BUT....

That little connector that has cable going into the connector facing the other way DOES have 5V on it. Which means if the keyboard is 5V we can tap that and have the the keyboard lit ALL THE TIME. I don't know if I'd want that, I might and then again, I might not, you never know with backlit keyboads.

That other connect is the connector for the touch pad. How much juice can we pull from that? I don't know. A usb port might be safer.

Any thoughts?

------------

edit:

If the keyboard on/off switching is INSIDE the backlit keyboard, THEN we're in business as far as turning the backlight on and off. memnon79 has got the keyboard, do you have a volt meter?

edit:

those are not + and - signs on the cable, they are the numerals '1' and '4'

 

I thought the same thing. Only to support that spot under keypad, because there's the place where it gives in most. It doesn't look good now.

 

I have good news for everyone...hopefully. I just spoke with someone else from HP and they told me that most of the computers on delay are scheduled to ship this coming Monday. (I have a feeling that this rep just said that to get rid of me). I got anxious and called to get expedited shipping and the rep told me that everyone automatically gets better shipping just like Frankybones had indicated in his post. I have a feeling though that it won't come before Thanksgiving, though. I asked if they can send it next day air and he said that he will put a note in the system requesting it but that it's not up to them to determine what the best shipping method is. He told me that it's up to Fedex to determine the best shipping method. I don't understand why they can't request next day air from Fedex.

 

Oh, thanks! That is good news, compared to what we knew before.

Might have something to do with customs clearance and/or final destination of the shipment.

oooohhh I hate waiting and I have soooo much I want to do on this machine

 

Bummer dude! Mine's still on target for original ship date of 11/27, but I guess we'll see what happens... crossing my fingers that I don't 'get' to join this club!

 

how is that? I was afraid from what you said before that we would either have a constant backlight or a dimming backlight (dims with screen brightness. How does the HDX's baccklight work? When does it come on? Ambient sensor? Software controlled? I wouldn't mind a backlight that came on when I started typing and then turne off after a minute or so. Is that how the touch buttons on top work, or when are they lit? Constant neverending light might be pretty bad for battery, depending on what kind of led and how many.

And btw awesome pics. Thanks.

 

Well, mine had a ship date of 11/19/09 and here is my delay email. So looks like they may be shipping tomorrow. Hope this is right!!



Due to product constraints we will be unable to ship your order on the original estimated ship date. The revised estimated ship date for your order is 11/21/2009 or no later than 7 business days from the original estimated ship date. If you prefer not to wait you may cancel your order and receive a prompt refund by either replying to this email message with your order number or calling our toll-free customer service number at 866-288-1610 between 7:00 A.M. - 2:00 A.M. (ET) Monday through Friday or on Saturday between 10:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. (ET).

 

HDX is FN + Spacebar ON/OFF.

Every key has it own light. The letters are clear and the light goes through the letters only, so you only see lights on the letters themselves, not the entire key. IT IS GREAT!!

 

Got my Dv8t yesterday. One day earlier than it was supposed to.

Been busy cleaning out bloatware (i'll do a clean install on the next big SP) and transferring DVD's to the HD to prep for a bluray burn.

All in all everything is running well and smokin fast. Kind of took me by surprise at how fast stuff opens up. Still I don't think its optimal and could be better but thats later once I figure this mofo out.

Aloha

 

you're such a tease.

What's it look like when the keyboard lights are on in the daytime?

 

UPDATE 11/24/09: GO HERE FOR THE LATEST ON THIS MOD!


the keyboard backlight toggle is controlled soley through the manual key combo of fn-spacebar. so you hold down the function key and press the spacebar to turn the keyboard backlights on and off.

the question is "how does hp handle it?" is it a logic thing (which I must admit, it probably is) where you press the key combo and the computer reads the key press and sends a logic signal to some ic to turn the juice on/of to the backlight ORRRRRRR.... since they had to build a whole new keyboard and added a bunch of physical components anyway (namely all the little leds and/or fiber optics) did the go the semi-analog route and add a couple of more components to pick up that particular key combo and have the "switch" inside the keyboard itself? Anyway, I'll probably find someplace to stick a mini-button switch somewhere, maybe between the esc key and f1...don't until I get the keyboard

Won't know until I get my keyboard (might be another week or 2 or 3)

Unless rageman would be a kind sole and pop his keyboard up and do a little quick probing for 5 minutes

 

whats your config?

 

you can probably stick a couple pieces of thin plastic between the tab and the screw hole.

Mine's not THAT noticble but if your's is then there probably a wire or cable that's mis-routed.

Taking out the keyboard is pretty easy. Get the owner's manual from the website and it has step by step instructions... MAKE SURE YOU READ IT and follow the procedure. Make sure you're patient with popping out the speaker cover and piece that goes around the keyboard. Using a stiff plastic something might help. (I just used my fingers and a little jiggling).

The first time it took about 5 minutes. The second time took about 2 minutes to get the keyboard out. It's pretty quick.

 

the price on the dv8 jjumped up $200, there isnt any rebate any more...

 

Kinda useless I'd say.

But in dark situations, it can't be beat. And if you play games on the PC (Modern Warefare, Borderlands come to mind) it's great in fact for me, not so used to using a PC Keyboard for gaming, the backlit helps me SO much I couldn't even explain.

Want A PIC??

Click here for a pic (the picture is too big to post on this thread).


More pics and links.

 

just ordered my 1st customized laptop hp pavilion dv8t ...
with the i7-820qm at 1.73ghz and an 8gb ddr3 memory
and a dual hard drive 640gb ( 320 X 2 ) ... these all seems to be gr8
am just worried about the nvidia gt 230 m
will it be able 2 load crisis at high resolutions ???
one more question guys what the difference between having a dual hard drive
and just having a single one .. does it speed the performance of the laptop?

 

DO WANT!!!

I did read a thread yesterday about Fn Space not working on a modded dv3 or 5 keyboard. I didn't know what they were talking about until now. I can't get the link right now for that thread; I'm at work typing this from my iPod, but I think it was a thread from this site. Google it if you'd like. Not a good sign though if dv3 keyboard switchers couldn't get fn space to work.

 

Welcome to the dv8 club! Hope you love yours when it comes.

As for crysis, I don't have my dv8 yet but from what I've read in several reviews it will run best at medium settings. It may run an high res, but I seriously doubt all shading will be perfect or even good. Most games should be Ok. But if there's one thing I could change about this computer (besides ship times) it would be an upgrade to the 250m gpu, which isn't possible unfortunately.

And dual hdd vs single? Dual has more opportunity! Read/write speeds all depend on the drives you put in it, so 2 of the any old hdd will be just as fast as one of the same drive. Now if you swap one of your hard drives for a solid state drive (like I and many others are doing) that will increase performance GREATLY. Probably the best upgrade you can possibly do. Read back a dew pagesvin this thread, others have talked about there's.

 

And what about 3d mark 06 score?

 

UPDATE 11/24/09: GO HERE FOR THE LATEST ON THIS MOD!


I took a quick look around and I didn't find the one you were refering to but I did find someone would said that his keyboard backlight shuts off automatically when the battery is low. Which almost, for sure, puts the on/off switching circuitry on the motherboard and not in the keyboard. I don't care about the auto-shutoff but I'd like to turn backlight on and off.

Not until I get my keyboard will I know for sure how to handle it.

 

I just got my dv8t today, I'm impressed by the feature set for the price. The screen is perfect, the keyboard doesn't flex and is huge. I love the touch controls, the fingerprint reader works flawlessly, and the webcam actually looks pretty good.

So I think I can say that after using Business Grade laptops for a long time, I'm really impressed by the build quality. I think I've been converted to HP laptops.

My only complaints so far, are the lack of a backlit keyboard, battery life seems to be average, and the touchpad could be bigger (but I do have big hands).