*HP dv8 Owners Lounge*

Good you checked.. I don't think mine burns Blueray.. only reads them.. but it burns everything else.
I too have never tried to burn a blueray....

I need to change my signature a bit it looks like...

This is what I ordered " • Lightscribe Blu-ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support"

This is how they describe it:

 

I am starting to think that optical media is perhaps on the verge of becoming obsolete. I almost wish the DV8 didn't have an internal burner, or offered the option to use that bay for something else like some of the Thinkpads do (or did). For example, on my T61p, the optical drive is removable (just as easily as opening the drive bay tray) and an additional specially sized battery or a second hard drive (using a proprietary adapter) can be installed in the optical drive bay instead of the optical drive. It's a cool modular concept.

But nowadays, most software is downloaded (at least I get most of mine that way) and same for movies and TV shows. And hard drive storage has become so cheap with reasonably fast 2 TB drives available for ~$129 and 3 TB drives on the horizon (according to Seagate). So I stopped burning my video files to optical disks a while ago and just store them on external hard drives now. I keep my windows install media and Acronis rescue media on SDHC flash memory cards. (Much faster to install W7 from flash media than optical media.)

Maybe it's just me but I just rarely seem to need to use the optical drive anymore.

 

I agree for the most part. However, I think blu-ray helps change that a bit. 25 and 50gb discs (larger on the way?). Once disc prices drop, those that have BD drives will be happy they got them.

I have a few discs myself - and find it rather convenient to be able to backup 1 or 2 seasons of shows on a single disc

 

I've never had the guts to try anything else for cloning as I too have used Ghost with excellent results. Knowing what a good cloning program has to pull off.. I just wouldn't trust anything else.
I used it back when they were the only one doing it.
Only Techs knew how to get it and it was very very expensive.... sometime after that Symantec bought them if I remember right. "normally, not thrilled with symantec products".

But while the whole ghost program can be quite big, the executable that does all the work is very small and concise.

When I see tiny programs that do miracles, I see the handiwork of programmers that know what they were doing.

While they are different animals.. I was playing with "As-cleaner" (AS Freespace cleaner v0.5) last night. I ran it and while my performance score didn't change.. I do notice a brand new "no hesitation" feel again to everything....

Pretty amazing considering that little program is only 15.5KB in size!..... thats nothing!

Enough water has gone under the bridge now that there are several good cloning systems out there... but few do it with so little. Having a program thats pure and simple and doesn't need future updates/money to keep working has merit!
Especially if you can get it for free.

I agree.. insisting on it being free is like looking for a bargain on eye surgery... the money is not so much the issue as much as the quality of the product.

Ghost has been around a long time... I use version 6.5 for XP.... what a deal to get 11.5 for free!

 

I totally agree! I have an 8-year-old IBM T30. I love to pop out the DVD-R/RW drive and pop in the adapter with another HDD in it and run an imaging program (DriveImage 5.51) to make a backup very fast.

 

It would be nice if the DV8 had that ability, but on the other hand HP has fortunately provided it with esata and firewire ports which also offer high speed connections to an external hard drive or a hard drive in a dock. I do view my HD Dock as a replacement (and a worthy one, since it can accept both desktop and laptop drives) for the IBM ultrabay 2nd hard drive adapter. It's just not quite as portable as IBM 2nd hard drive adapter was, but still quite nice.

 

I hope you'll continue to enjoy it in the future ... I agree with the point about cost ... it's not being free that matters most to me, either. I like specialization in my tools so I can learn to use them quickly and, later, can grab just the right one for what I want to do. I can probably afford the cost of the full program but I wouldn't use most of the features in these big or bloated programs and resent paying for what I won't use. I really think that's why I like shareware - usually they're compact and efficient programs designed to do ONE or TWO things easily and really well.

 

Phil, check your PM.... While downloading I had a glitch I wanted to ask you about.

 

I can certainly live with the more flexible connectivity offered in the Dv8 by firewire, eSata, ExpressCard, and USB for all sorts of universal non-proprietary devices and probably prefer it! What I miss, which sort of comes with the Dv8, is the lightweight package and cleverness in the way that IBM achieved so much flexibility in such a portable package (3-4lb. plus carrying case for everything)! Now, my Dv8 is a desktop replacement so the ability to connect to everything is more important than portability. It's still portable enough to be readily taken from one place to another but it's a bit heavy after a while.

 

Sure... I will do so right now.

BTW, my HDD is now recognized under HP 3D DriveGuard as "SUPPORTED"!!! Yippee!

 

I found this drive (on ebay of all places) for a reasonable enough price. I am assuming that the dv8t has a 12.7mm optical drive. But, was wondering if any of you more technical guys here knew "off top of your heads"?

Here is the reply I received from the ebayer who's selling the drive:

"the internal BR-TD01HA can fit for other laptops which the original drive is 12.7mm and SATA interface"

I am also assuming I can swap my faceplate so that the notebook still looks decent, wouldn't want to have an ugly white or black faceplate! HE HE...

Thanks for the help, you guys are great!

 

See my earlier post:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6145258-post2979.html

 

I would agree, except that I still find it hard to find blu ray movies to download (and have not succeded in ripping them) and I just LUV to kick back, stick a blu ray disk into the dv8 and watch the screen become magical before my very eyes. Between the excellent resident video and the audio, the dv8 really is a replacement video entertainment device and, watching with my honey in bed, with the dv8 parked about 2.5 ft in front of us, the size of the image is larger relative to our location than is the 46" XBR in our room, 15+ feet away. With the wonderful screen (sure, it could be better, but with a beautifully shot blu ray it leaves little to be desired) and surprisingly "big" audio (with full tuning ala IDT/SRS) there is a combination of sensory thrills and an intimacy just not achieved by the big, state of art HD with 5.1 Dolby.

So, until it's easy to get blu ray-recorded content other than through rented discs (where would I be without my Netflix acct?), the on-board BD-ROM on my DV8 is one of its key assets. But that's just me...

 

Now, that's something I could easily sign up for: swapable drives to make the DVD drive more versatile. Personally, I'd opt for a second battery (a la Fujitsu) most of the time, with BD and other drives ready to swap in as the need arises.

 

RE: GPU behavior and driver. I don't know think my driver set (197.45, but with older versions of PhysX and nTune) is functioning properly. Have no idea if it is under/overclocking properly on the fly. But greater concern is BSOD every time in nVida Control Panel I click on: View System Information and Launch NV Monitor and a few others, I think. Now, otherwise the gpu seems to be performing fine. No overheating problems, excellent HD Video and gaming benchmark/stress test results, etc. But I have a number of basic questions, some relating to the issues mentioned above, some just general questions about care and feeding of the GT 230M GPU. Thanks in advance.

My questions, then, are:

1) Is there definitely a problem if launching certain (admittedly adjunct) control panel options I get a BSOD?
2) Does it need correcting, if I don't need to access those functions and everything else "appears" to work fine?
3) Is the use of nVidia's "Tune System" recommended? What does it do?
4) Same question for "Perfrom Stability Test" and "launch NV monitor"
5) I have fooled around a bit with "adjust GPU settings, just to see what overclocking/underclocking might do. I haven't noticed any changes, and returned it to default settings. Ideally, as a non-gamer, I would like to undervolt and/or underclock the GPU to improve battery life; would any settings under "adjust GPU settings" achieve this result? Are there other ways to underclock/undervolt the GPU to improve battery life?

Sorry for such a long laundry list, much of it Noob level stuff. This has long been an "Everything you always wanted to know about nVidia 230 GPU, but were afraid to ask! Much obliged.

(In return, I'll tell you everything you could ever want to know about laptop coolers ) Jeff

 

Thanks, Jeff. I think we all like the BD recorder/player in the Dv8 but wish it were flexible as in "swappable" for devices with other functions and features.

 

There is definitely a problem - the BSOD tells you a lot about the cause of the problem and identifies the offended software or driver. Often it's a memory violation where the software tries to write to an area in memory that is already reserved or in use by something else.

No in the purest sense. As long as you can boot up and successfully use your machine for everything you need it for, you can 'ignore" or postpone fixing the underlying problem. Your choice. Keep in mind that this issue may come back and bite you in the backside when you go to install some other program later.

Perhaps, to remedy the problem, you should uninstall the drivers and uninstall the Nvidia control software with RevoUninstaller, run scandisk to verify all files, and then reinstall everything. It runs fine on so many other Dv8 laptops - it probably is a glitch thing and not inherently a problem in the machines.

Haven't used it.

Haven't used it.

I think Peter (pae77) is probably the best one, active here, to detail that for you. If it were only me, I would just stick with the default settings as I doubt that you'll see much improvement in battery life from such minor adjustments.

Thanks, Jeff, but I'll pass on that...

 

Rec'd brand new DV8T today! Love it so far. How do you set up the fingerprint reader when you log onto windows?

 

Congrats! I hope you enjoy your Dv8t experience!

Open Programs, execute Digital Persona, set up and configure to get started. It'll take you thru multiple reads of two of your fingers and then you are set up. Whenever you are asked for a login, it'll prompt you to set up a new online account, etc.

 

Thanks! Fingerprint login is pretty cool :yes: very fast and easy

 

Yep... speed is much quicker than typing... only about 2 seconds slower than no longin at all!

 

Alan, I just hope it doesn't become 'just another thing to go wrong'...

Get your Hiren's BootCD downloaded?

 

Yes, the simplicity and speed are great! I have 26 character passwords on my online banking and financial accounts - it saves a lot of time with them and leaves NOTHING on my hard drives (in case they are ever stolen!).

 

Hi All:
I was successful in updating the Firmware on my Samsung SSD ... WOW! It really wasn't difficult once the bootable DOS UFD was prepared. Took less than 2 minutes after booting up with the UFD, My Firmware is now version VBM1901Q.

I shall now apply Secure Erase to it and then pop it into my Dv8t to determine if it now supports TRIM under Win 7 Pro.

 

@PMorgan:

Perhaps, to remedy the problem, you should uninstall the drivers and uninstall the Nvidia control software with RevoUninstaller, run scandisk to verify all files, and then reinstall everything. It runs fine on so many other Dv8 laptops - it probably is a glitch thing and not inherently a problem in the machines.

Thanks Phil. Pardon my ignorance, but are you suggesting that I uninstall the nVidia drivers (with Windows, cc:cleaner, Glary?) and then uninstall the Control software with Revo Uninstaller (not cc:cleaner or Glary?), then run scandisk (for the entire disk, right, you can't specify files, can you?) and then reinstall "everything?"

After you clarify the above, I need to ask:

1) where do I get the Nvidia Control software to reinstall? Does it automatically install when I install the drivers?

2) What about PhysX? It seems to be a separate software program as well. Should I uninstall/reinstall that as well?

3) These three: drivers, Control Panel, PhysX seem to be the only nVidia software I have, are those what you mean when you say: "then reinstall everything?"

4) Does it matter in which order I uninstall and reinstall these components?

Sorry for so many detailed questions. Your answer was very thoughtful, but you either skipped a few details or they are things that anyone but a Noob would know - don't know what that says about me

 

I'm shocked Phil, and most perplexed; you just don't know what you're missing

 

Jeff, I hope THAT won't keep me up nights!.LOL! .. Sorry you're perplexed, tho.

 

I did get the CD downloaded.. just haven't burnt it to check everything out... its got a goldmine of programs on it though.

As far as the fingerprint reader..... I like it. Saves tons of time logging in and you can set the sensitivity of how picky you want it to be for accuracy.

Also just want to say for that sake of others, the computer has "3" places to set power settings and the fingerprint reader will take priority.

1. Fingerprint reader has a setting that overides others and as far as setting how long the computer sets idle before it logs off forcing a fingerprint scan to log back on.

2. The screensaver software also has a similar setting.. Note, that just because you don't have a screensaver assigned as you may have it set to "none", if the little box is checked it still logs you off based on the time you have set for the screensaver.

3. The regular power settings in the computer.

I simply turned off the first two and let the computer handle things as for when to log off or go to sleep etc.

Just wanted to throw that in for folks who are scratching their head as to why the computer logs you off earlier than you think it should.

I had my fingerprint software set to log off in 15 minutes and it took me a while to realize it took priority over the other settings I had....

Second, seems the screensaver settings take next priority and lastly the power settings.

Thats why I just turned off the settings on the first two.

Unless I misinterpreted whats going on.. that what It seemed like to me.....

but I misinterpret alot!

 

I didn't know the firmware was released yet.. don't you have the same drive as me?

 

Actually, if you want to get to the bottom of the BSOD issue, yes. I'll try to clarify it a bit (I had tried to summarize a complex sequence in straightforward fashion).

1) remove the Nvidia drivers through Device Mangler to roll them back to the original drivers
2)Reboot and check for Nvidia in Control Panel-Programs and Features ... if you find anything, remove it with RevoUninstaller
3)Run Scandisk (it'll reboot to run) on C: partition.
4) Install Nvidia drivers and check for BSOD in Nvidia Control Panel

I presume it comes with the drivers - it did when I went through this entire process to get to 197.45

If you installed it, and it requires the Nvidia drivers to operate, then I'd remove it in the uninstall process and reinstall it after reinstalling the Nvidia drivers.

I think so.

Already answered but I'd do it in the same order I described.

In its simplest sense, i simply said R & R the Nvidia stuff - I hope it's clearer to you now.

 

Samsung had released the firmware for our drives months ago. I referred to in in one of my posts, in fact, before starting the petition to HP.

I've been chewing over the 'how to apply it' while waiting and hoping that HP would issue an update package to use.

After several weeks of preparations (detailed here as I did them), and culminating in creating the struggle to make a suitable UFD for conducting the update in the last few days. In each of those messages, I described what actions I was taking to prepare for the "big day" and that came today. Seems a bit anticlimactic now, really.

 

Whew! Glad to hear it!

I haven't tweeked it (been focused on the SSD firmware matter) but have been very happy with its behavior and convenience (if it doesn't go bad at some point!).

 

The samsung drive isn't the greatest in the world (even after TRIM, it still loses like 15% of it's pre-used speed state, and the "new" state still doesn't really put it up there with other manufacturers (OCZ, Intel, etc).

Why not ebay it and pick up an OCZ or Intel? Obviously I'm not knocking you guys since it's HP who puts stocks these drives, but I just thought I'd present the option (just in case it helped). Seems to go for a nice price on ebay too

 

I like its size 256gb and cost ($350). I've found it at least 3 times as fast as my HDD so I've been happy with it since I got it a couple of months ago. Benchmarks so far don't show any speed degradation in the Samsung SSD. Today, I got its firmware updated for TRIM but I haven't benchmarked it since doing so. i may like it better now that it supports TRIM (confirmed with CrystalDiskInfo BTW)'

Why sell it ?!- I have no reason to replace it and am happy with it! Everything else out there, like the brands you mentioned, seem overpriced or much lower in capacity. This Samsung is "Goldilocks!" - just right!

Which one of the ones you suggest do you use, if any?

 

HP released BIOS F.24E for the DV8T

 

Perhaps benchmarks you've ran so far don't show performance degradation, but according to anandtech - the samsung ssd is the most vulnerable to degradation, even with TRIM.

In my dv8t - I have the Intel 160gb G2
In my vostro 1400 - I'm going to be putting my Intel 80gb G2 in it

Startup takes about 20 seconds I'd say, even with having to use the fingerprint reader

 

Thanks for the update... I just updated.....

I started with F15, then F17, then F21, now F24.

Really no worries IMO to updating.. just can't freak and be presumptuous.

First.. this is one install that I do turn off my Antivirus.... don't need anything sticking its paws into the install process at all... no mistakes here!

1. When I first started the install, the installer said it has an error.... that was a lie.. just waited about 30 seconds and it continued.

2. Then the bar slowly went across indicating the progress... once it reached the end... it was maybe 4 more minutes!!!
It appeared all was locked up as even the mouse didn't work.... then finally it said "updating EC"

3. Then it completed.. and the machine autorebooted.... but it appeared to turn off and stay off.. just about the time I hit the power button it came on and went immediately off again.. but then restarted on its own.

4. I hit "esc" button and picked option F10 and went into the bios and set my custom settings.....
I turned the fan off of being all all the time to not.... this way it only comes on when needed.

The update was rather frivolous as to what it did.. but I still like the latest firmware.

 

I have done the F24 update , I used to have issues with Wifi going off , let's hope they fixed it .

 

Oh, Goodie! Another BIOS!

 

I concede that it may be too soon to see any significant degradation. I am not very concerned if it takes months or years to degrade. According to Samsung, these drives have an MTBF of millions of hours.

Both of those are good fast SSDs. Good choices but I like 256gb better than 160gb.

Mine starts in less than 30 secs, too. So much faster than when was running on an 500gb HDD.

Regards,
- - Phil

 

Gads! You are certainly FEARLESS to update a BIOS for "frivolous" improvements. According to the HP site, all that F24E does is correct an error in the BIOS display date!

What did the last two BIOS updates actually do for you?

P.S. note my revised sig

Regards,
- - Phil

 

I am having that problem too - just kept forgetting to post about it. I have tried rolling drivers back and forward, still get random cut-offs of the wifi.

Please let me know if that took care of it.

Anyone else with the wifi problem know the fix?

 

I've never had a problem there... I"m sure you've thouroughly tested it... but if it helps I running
1. +HP Wireless Assistant v3.50.11.2 04-2010 "sp48392.exe"
2. +Intel PROWireless Drivers for Microsoft Windows 7 v13.1 2-26-2010 "sp47546.exe"

 

Yea, but my F# is bigger than yours!

 

WOW!! I hadn't thought of that!

It makes much more sense to me to risk my Dv8 NOW for that! ~ ~

 

Have you tried uninstalling the drivers, running scandisk, and reinstalling the latest drivers? (procedure explained in an earlier reply to you on Nvidia)

 

It feels great to have such a fast computer with a huge screen. My old Acer Aspire 5520 was having trouble running a few applications at once and was very slow videoconferencing. I can do so much at once with this computer (leave tons of windows open) and it doesn't slow down at all. This is as powerful as a desktop.

 

I'll send you an email about how to do that.

 

Alan:

Oops ... I reviewed the WiFi drivers listed in the Drivers thread and found I'm running v.13.2 of May 14th - so I withdraw my query ...

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp48001-48500/sp48482.exe

Regards,
- - Phil[/B]

 

I did the F.24E bios update and it nearly gave me a heart attack. My computer bluescreened right at the end of the update process and then shut down. Fortunately, it powered up fine when I pressed the power button to restart and the bios did successfully update to F24E.

I sure hate these bios updates but I too also like running the latest versions of everything.