Modding - dv6t/dv7t Quad Edition (2011)

Not necessarily hi res, but look at post 675 here.

 

He was the one that tried, couldn't get around the security or something like that.

 

What bios version do you have? I cannot find mine on hp website F.0A
and bios updater says cannot read bios and closes.

 

Kinda bummed about the back-lit keyboard...
And with the Envy finally offering 7200 rpm HD's again (Two 640GB 7200rpm HDD's for an additinal $99), I'm about 95% sure I'm gettting an Envy at this point. Which sucks....but the $500 coupon (from the Sandy Bridge issue) will help.
I'll wait a bit longer to see if a way pops up to make it all work. I really don't want or need a 3-D laptop....but the lack of a back-lit keyboard is a deal breaker on the DV6/7 for me.

 

insyde F.23

 

Okay so this is weird (I don't know what to think)

I was looking on eBay: New HP dv6t 2nd QuadCore i7 2630QM 2.9G 8G 750G BackLit - eBay (item 330557657315 end time May-25-11 22:32:44 PDT)

And this is listed as the New DV6 model (has i7-2630, USB 3.0's) but has the 6570m and not the 6770m. The seller also mentioned it has a backlit keyboard. When I read it I called him out (that HP doesn't even give that as an option) and he replied:

Dear xeroenvy,

Hi, I paid for more than $60 for it from HP, thanks!

- axxii

​

This guy has to be confused right, would he be able to have HP do that for him, and I just asked to see if he modded it, in which case that would make things very nice for us.

 

Sounds like a scam to me!

 

maybe we can play along and sound intrested in buying it and ask for a picture or a video of the backlit working!?

 

I contacted that guy too. Here's my interactions:

Me: Is this the latest model, the DV6-6XXX series? Also how did you get HP to give you a backlit keyboard? Did you ask for it over the phone because I don't see that option online.
Thanks

Him: Hi, yes it is latest customized model and I order it from HP with backlit keyboard, thanks!

Me: How did you manage to customize it? I don't see that option on their website. Did you have to contact them for this special upgrade?

Him: Hi, it was there when I ordered it, so it could be the last chance for you to get the backlit, thanks!

I'm pretty sure it's a scam too. We all know that it was NEVER an option online. My guess is it is a previous gen or some guy will receive it w/o a backlit keyboard and the seller will never respond to complaints. But then again this guy seems like quality seller. (1654 sales and 99.7% positive) Who knows.

 

Usually not really a scam, most of them are ill informed.

A friend of mine brought an refurbished model from an auction site (ubid?), which turns out to be brand new with different yet better specs with full 1 year warranty than posted on the site.

 

I sent him a question and here is the answer I received:

"Hi, man you need to trust me, I did order one without backlit and that one was sold already, but all the rest the backlit was added because I think that is a good feature, if you need a picture, I can send you the picture after your payment, otherwise I can not move the factory seal to take picture for you, thanks!
- axxii

Sounds to me that he knows what his game is!

Oh, and he does not allow returns for any reason. Hmmm...

 

LOLOLOL""..."....."....

His is early SB dv6 ,it's not 2011 dv6.
Noting special, he just put the wrong picture

 

No, he also says USB 3.0, Dark Umber color, i7-2630 etc, I know he is mistaken but that a lot of mistakes.

 

My DV7 is shipped. It should arrive on May 6 or 9

Please ask me any question about modding the backlit keyboard from ENVY 17

I will also post some pictures about the machine...

 

I understand there has been a minor bios update on later shipped models. I just wondered if this had made it possible to install the intel 6230 or 6300 wlan cards. Anyone any idea or even if it's likely?

 

My 6230 work fine on the F.06.

 

wpeng5040, did you happen to have any delays like everyone else? Reason i'm asking is because my dv7tqe estimated build date is May 9, and like you and everyone else here, i'm all for opening it up and hopefully getting this backlit keyboard to work

 

Sounds like he's getting mad

 

I knew he might but it is sure worth it if it means it can be done. Just trying to outsource and see what people not on this forum are doing so I could help you guys...

 

How does Bluetooth figure in?
thanks

 

He changed the graphics on the page. Now it appears to be the previous generation model. The strange thing is that it still says USB 3.0 and Dark Umber. I believe the graphics card that he lists is also for the prevision generation. The 6XXX series uses only the 6490M and the 6770M. I'm going to contact him to see what's up.

Edit:
I think I figures out the problem. He might be getting some of his information from the DV6 Quick Ship model. This information is listed on HP's site incorrectly.

 

Have tested the DV7 with a 6250 Wimax wireless card. No go,,,the ba$tard$!

 

When you people post ... make sure to list BIOS rev(/date). I would like to know IF the dual band cards ARE supported, how that figures in with BlueTooth ... especially if you ordered the option to begin with ...
thanks

 

Ok guys, here is my final interaction with the eBay seller
Me: Thank you fro adding the pictures. However, there are some problems with it. The graphic you posted is for the previous generation. This version did not have USB 3.0 ports nor was it available in Dark Umber. Also the graphics card you listed is only on the prevision generation. The current generation uses the 6490M and the 6770M. You might want to verify which model you have and what the specs for it are.
Thanks

Him: Hi, I order it recently and I do not know which version it is, but it comes with latest i7 sandy bridge, the video is 6570, and I did not see the blue usb 3.0 so it should not have usb 3.0. I guess HP do some change and now you can get dark dv7t from HP but no backlit anymore, thanks!

It seems like this was the last generation model and it won't help us in out endeavors.
Sorry XEROenvy if I stole you thunder by running with your lead.

 

No probs dude! We're on the same "gotta get the backlit keyboad working team"
Notebookreview users ASSEMBLE!

 

Intel 6250 WiMax wireless card popped out of my Asus G73, HP DV7tqe w/ BIOS rev 07 (came on laptop - not available for download yet). I figure the wireless card manufacturer must be HP to pass whitelist check. Part number for HP 6230 wirelesss card is in the reference guide, however, HP does not stock (or make) it yet. Unobtainable. Bull$hit. Just bull$hit. Are you telling me we are stuck with the single band 1000?

 

Wouldn't he need to see the laptop to know if it didn't have USB 3.0? When before he said he couldn't break the seal to take pictures to show us the backlit keyboard?

 

And also if he opened it he can't say it was new, although he has a couple he says.

 

Yeah, he sent me an email saying he posted new pictures of it. Just got home from a long day and have not yet had an opportunity to look at it.

 

Hey guys, I've been following this thread for a while and just yesterday ordered my dv7tqe. I'm pretty excited and definitely want to help with this project where I can. A backlit keyboard would be a great mod.

 

The ebay user posted a picture of the backlit keyboard and no USB 3.0 now....

 

The photo he referenced is about 2/3 of the way down his posting.

 

Okay so the 4 pin connector on the MB for the back lit keyboard.
Does this run off of usb? can anyone with an envy find out for us?
Anyone have a multi-meter so they can check the voltages?

It would make sense to use a usb connection as a controller otherwise they would have to manufacture a custom controller just for this which seems like a waste?

Any one else have these thoughts?

 

Sorry man, but what's the link between a USB port and a power connector? The missing connector simply delivers +V and GND to the led, no data transit involved and NOT a USB bus...

 

Just ordered one of these, and I was wondering if anyone has tried to upgrade the screen to a 1080p model, pref with a Anti-glare coating!

 

I haven't seen any mods for 1080 screens, but I bought mine specifically for the 1600x900 option. HP really should have given people more options in this category. Both you and I have different opinions and preferences yet we both only have one option. I hope you find a way to replace your screen.

 

Thanks for the update Biolib, over here in the UK we cant customise any of them so kinda stuck with the rather rubbish 1368x768 jobby! id take a 1600x900 to be fair! will have a hunt about keep up the good work guys.

 

the mobo connector for LED backlights have EVERYTHING to do with a USB port. all LEDs and USBs driven from the board have a logic controller tying them together. Techies would know this as the ACPI bus. This is why modders who accidentally short circuit some non-critical device on the low-power circuitry experience the PC force-killing itself immediately to prevent damage. ACPI's magic at work.

the backlit keyboard is driven off of 5VDC current, the same voltage used on every USB device today. In theory, you could solder the plug from the keyboard to V+ and GND on the nearest USB port or PCB trace/solder junction. (outer USB pins are power, inner pins are data) For those looking on specs for HP, the reason HP uses a 4-pin connector for LEDs that only require one +/- is because your keyboard actually has 2 backlights. well, half of your keyboard is designated to Circuit 1 while the other to Circuit 2. If you were to actually only hook up 2 of the 4 pins, half the keyboard would light, half would not. This is a design for capacitance reasons although LEDs don't draw much so I don't see the logical reasoning behind this. Anyways for reference to everyone else...

the pins on the keyboard itself:

-outer pins = 5VDC+
-inner pins = 5VDC-

when looking straight at a USB port from the outside:

P1 = 5VDC+
P2 = D+
P3 = D-
P4 = GND

P for pins, D for data.

I play around with my old, rock-solid dependable HP HDX16. It has a backlit keyboard, and I've killed and revived it several times to master modding HPs, which is where the above info comes from my experience (and many internet resources as well)

Hope this helps everyone. happy modding!

~Corey~

 

Anyone trade out the crappy screen panel yet on their DV7 for something decent? The auo139e screen I have is atrocious.

 

Will a DDR3 1600 ram work with dv7t quad? I have the i7-2720qm processor upgrade but I don't know if HP limited the ram speed to 1333.

 

Memory Spec's for the dv7tqe. Unfortunately Redskins0, it seems that way, according to Crucial it's maxed out at DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600), and also supports DDR3 1066 PC3 (8500) But hey, they could be wrong, I've seen it before. Unless someone else has tested it, it's probably a safe bet that Crucial is right since they get their information from HP.

I really hope they at least ship it to us with DDR3 1333 and not DDR3 1066, that would be mega lame. I wish HP could be a little more specific when listing there components, or at least give us the option to pick either or. I can understand that not everyone knows about the technical in/outs of the parts and what not, but simply doing a google search never hurt anyone. I think HP should give us a little more credit in my opinion.

Hope this helps

 

I just got my DV7 Quad yesterday from an ebay sale. The shipping on it was delayed because they said HP had delayed it. The guy gave me a free upgrade to 8 gig of ram though, and after talking back and forth for a few days he even included a second HD sled before he sent it off to me.

Anyways funny thing though it's got no model label on the bottom, only a windows key. Has anyone else noticed this who ordered direct from HP? I mean even if it's hot (which i doubt) I could pull that info from the bios or using the support assistant. I just thought it was odd, comments?

I wanted to comment, i saw someone mention a newer revision of the bios and i can confirm. Mine came with F.08, and the newest i see on HP's site is F.07 so far.

I unfortunately don't have the Intel cards you guys are testing though. I'd be happy to dump the F.08 bios though if there's a tool to do so.

Void4ever

 

Nevermind on the label question, i just watched an unboxing vid posted to youtube today (5/6/11) and this guys didn't have one either. Must be how HP is doing it for the dv7 Quads. That makes me feel better!!

Void4ever

 

Corey, I can't doubt on the HDX because I've never seen one opened, but some pages ago I've posted a shot of the motherboard, the zone of the "incriminated" missing connector. Following the tracks on the copper layer, it result that the pins are connected 1+2 and 3+4 (two pairs), I think for the current needed to the backlit that might be over the maximum per-pin available to the zif connector. I've seen a close up shot of an Asus backlit keyboard cable and it only has two big track (to keep power dissipation low), each going in TWO pins at the end of it... So, are you sure of what you're talking about?
The various intensity might be done via PWM modulation ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-width_modulation), with no other circuit needed and the ability of fine-tune the delivered illumination power if the manufacturer would.

 

Look in the battery compartment. It's stenciled (not a label) there on my dv7.

 

Edit: Posted in wrong thread

 

My dv7tqe just got shipped today! 2 days early from estimated build date of the 9th! Whoo, can't wait to post pic's!

 

Double post sorry.

 

Thats what I was thinking. I just really wanted to know if that 4 pin connector Hp uses was usb. I might take the plunge and try it out. Has anyone confirmed this with a multimeter?

 

Well can you check it out with a multimeter?