*HP EliteBook 8740w Owners Lounge - PART 2*

[galdre]

I'm joining the club - considered waiting for the sandy bridge model to come out but don't want to wait any more than I already have been and would rather stay with the 1200 monitor anyway

so now the waiting game - DC, i7-840, ATI M7820, 4g ram, 500g hd

[sdaigneault]

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[VisionLight]

So I clicked "CHECK UPDATE" on the Mobile Display Assistant and was notified of and then installed the new version v2.03 (from v2.02). Did so on both the 8740w and 8540w. Guess it's only a minor update because, so far, I'm unable to see any difference in either the program or on the screens. Anyone else update and notice anything?

Edit: Ok, so the first time I ran through my test series of images (in this case, my fall series which contains highly saturated yellow/oranges), I continued to notice the over-saturation in full native mode that I've talked about before. But, I had not re-booted the machine since installing the new MDA. No re-boot was called for in the process. However, remembering that the update installed a new driver, I thought maybe I should re-boot and try the series again.

Now, it's subtle, but the images do appear to be slightly less saturated than the first pre-boot run through. Went further and checked my GretagMacbeth screen test images and the results appeared truer than prior tests. So, either my eyes, like my body, are just tired after dealing with the ice all day (and a couple of hours ago having everybody run towards the front door as it sounded as if the roof was caving in. Luckily, it was just the wind blowing up the ridge and causing the heavy ice in the 90'-100' trees that surrond my home to come crashing down on my roof. Just a few tense moments, to say the least) or the decrease is real and this is encouraging news. I'm finally getting tempted to do a full hardware calibration. Just waiting to do so when it can be loaded into the newest FirePro driver, which hopefully, HP, is soon.

Once again, anyone else update and notice anything?

[ProdTog]

Once again, anyone else update and notice anything?

I did the update, but didn't notice any color changes. I was pleased that it left my previously-edited settings intact. Was disappointed to see that the "if you type too quickly in the color temp field it gets hosed" bug still seems to be there.

Thought I would try some nVidia driver updates to see how they would react with the new MDA. For a while now, Windows Update has been telling me that there was a new nVidia update available, but I've just been skipping it. So I finally let it do the update tonight, and it appears to have updated my graphics driver to version 261.28. Minimal testing with that version so far has shown no particular changes that I can detect (MDA still works, ramp.psd still showing banding, PhotoShop CS5 doesn't seem any different).

I tried installing the latest drivers (266.58) from nVidia's site directly. Bad problems with that... MDA stopped working altogether, but that didn't really matter because those drivers totally blew away the 8740w's internal display. My external display still worked, but the internal one couldn't be detected at all -- totally black.

So, I still had an installer around for nVidia's 260.99 drivers. Tried installing those, and was at least able to get the internal display working again. But the MDA was back to its old problems with only showing the settings tab now (effectively killing it's use).

I ended up going back to the System Restore point I set just after doing the Windows Update, which has now left me with 261.28 again. Having done the update through WU only affected the graphics driver itself. So I don't have the other software that nVidia normally includes with their installers (PhysX, 3D, etc.).

I'm inclined to think that the 2.03 update for the MDA doesn't really do much, as things seem pretty much the same to me as they were before.

Edit: also, with each driver attempt I tried viewing ramp.psd to see if banding was still present. Every time, banding was still there. So even with the full nVidia driver install of the latest release (266.58), 30-bit wasn't working properly. I'm beginning to wonder if there's something more fundamental going on that's disabled 30-bit, at least in my configuration.

[Koshinn]

Is it possible to install a mxm gpu that isnt one thats offered on the 8740w? I know it's physically possible, but does the bios white list gpus? Will the dc2 not work?

I want an nvidia card, but dont want to pay a huge price for a quadro.

[Aikimox]

Is it possible to install a mxm gpu that isnt one thats offered on the 8740w? I know it's physically possible, but does the bios white list gpus? Will the dc2 not work?

I want an nvidia card, but dont want to pay a huge price for a quadro.

There's a big chance that a BIOS update is necessary along with modified drivers to make it work in 8740w + DC2.
I have bigger hopes to make the upcoming FirePro work in 8740w. It's cheap and there will be modified drivers from both Dell and HP)

[faunus]

Thought I would try some nVidia driver updates to see how they would react with the new MDA. For a while now, Windows Update has been telling me that there was a new nVidia update available, but I've just been skipping it. So I finally let it do the update tonight, and it appears to have updated my graphics driver to version 261.28. Minimal testing with that version so far has shown no particular changes that I can detect (MDA still works, ramp.psd still showing banding, PhotoShop CS5 doesn't seem any different).

I tried installing the latest drivers (266.58) from nVidia's site directly. Bad problems with that... MDA stopped working altogether, but that didn't really matter because those drivers totally blew away the 8740w's internal display. My external display still worked, but the internal one couldn't be detected at all -- totally black.

So, I still had an installer around for nVidia's 260.99 drivers. Tried installing those, and was at least able to get the internal display working again. But the MDA was back to its old problems with only showing the settings tab now (effectively killing it's use).

I ended up going back to the System Restore point I set just after doing the Windows Update, which has now left me with 261.28 again. Having done the update through WU only affected the graphics driver itself. So I don't have the other software that nVidia normally includes with their installers (PhysX, 3D, etc.).

I'm inclined to think that the 2.03 update for the MDA doesn't really do much, as things seem pretty much the same to me as they were before.

Edit: also, with each driver attempt I tried viewing ramp.psd to see if banding was still present. Every time, banding was still there. So even with the full nVidia driver install of the latest release (266.58), 30-bit wasn't working properly. I'm beginning to wonder if there's something more fundamental going on that's disabled 30-bit, at least in my configuration.

Hi!

Finally received my 8740 and I am still testing. Overall a great machine and monitor.

However still some issues - including video drivers!
I recall a note from SioRah who seemed to have found an Nvidia driver that was working at 30 bit.

I will be loading CS5 Premier Production Pro and need to test the driver. I fully intend to use this machine at 30bit - irrespective of what HP does.

Siorah - any further news. Best driver for 2800m? And as a CS5 user your advice is much appreciated.

BTW I use CS5 on my desktop (i7 and Nvidia 1800) in 30 bit color with my dreamcolor 24 inch monitor. No banding on the test file.

So... it works on the other Dreamcolor monitor. Why not DC2?

[ProdTog]

So... it works on the other Dreamcolor monitor. Why not DC2?

Your success on your desktop system (and others I've read) are part of the reason I've been especially puzzled about the apparent lack of functionality when using my 24" DreamColor with the 8740w. When I mentioned in my previous post that I was still seeing the banding, I didn't clarify that it was on both the internal DC2 as well as the external DC displays. I also tried with Aero turned on and off, and put PhotoShop in full-screen mode (as I've read that to be required in some sources). None of those things made a difference; the banding was always there.

It occurs to me that I might try one more thing. All of my testing thus far has been with the 24" DC display connected to the DisplayPort output of the 230W Docking Station. When I get the chance, I might try connecting the external display directly to the laptop's DP to see if that makes a difference. Doesn't seem like it should, but it would be one more thing to try.

Siorah: I recall you mentioning that you had seen 30-bit working with your 24" DC/8740 combo... which GPU/drivers was that with again?

[faunus]

Your success on your desktop system (and others I've read) are part of the reason I've been especially puzzled about the apparent lack of functionality when using my 24" DreamColor with the 8740w. When I mentioned in my previous post that I was still seeing the banding, I didn't clarify that it was on both the internal DC2 as well as the external DC displays. I also tried with Aero turned on and off, and put PhotoShop in full-screen mode (as I've read that to be required in some sources). None of those things made a difference; the banding was always there.

It occurs to me that I might try one more thing. All of my testing thus far has been with the 24" DC display connected to the DisplayPort output of the 230W Docking Station. When I get the chance, I might try connecting the external display directly to the laptop's DP to see if that makes a difference. Doesn't seem like it should, but it would be one more thing to try.

I am still loading CS5 onto the 8740... takes forever. I'd forgotten how long it takes to set up a new laptop.

The 8740 keyboard is excellent.

I intend to take a photograph of the two screens side by side, with the 10 bit greyscale image file showing on each

[Charles P. Jefferies]

Ditto - just ordered two days ago. If you're looking for a sweet laptop sleeve, check out Waterfield Designs:

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Touche. I have one for my 8740w, works beautifully. I suggest the vertical sleeve with the flap, d-rings, suspension strap, and piggyback. It will come in at over $100 but the quality is well worth it. You don't see craftsmanship like this every day.

I have bought one of those sleeves for every notebook I purchased over the last six years; I have never had a single notebook develop a scratch, dent, or anything related to wear and tear while in the sleeve. Through airports, in the crazy backseat of my car, etc. And the sleeves look brand-new to this date.