*HP EliteBook 8740w Owners Lounge - PART 2*

[RampageII]

If you know how to slipstream, then you should know that the xp lite program automatically looks for the proper drivers and hides the rest.
Simply download the latest intel SATA/AHCI drivers from their website.

The usb floppy should work similarly. I didn't mention it because I figured not many people use those anymore.

[Raelin]

Success. I was able to get AHCI at XP bare install with F6 via a USB floppy drive, but it took some simple modifications:

1) read this HP support post SATA drivers for XP (solution on 0x0000007B BSOD) - HP Support Forum to identify that XP Pro SP3 x86 needs "5 Series 6 Port SATA AHCI Controller" to work
2) found a more robust version of Intel AHCI drivers that included our QM57 express chipset here http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sear...ntel%AE+RST%29 which were specifically put together for F6 installs (but will work for slipstreaming as well)
3) after a bit of face-palming from a few BSODs, found the TXTSETUP.OEM file from the download is not set by default to load AHCI drivers by default for selection at install (instead loads RAID), so I changed it so they would be; Modified line 11 of TXTSETUP.OEM to read:
"scsi = iaAHCI_5_1"
instead of:
"scsi = iaStor_8ME9ME5"

This allowed me to select the appropriate AHCI drivers at install. No more blue screens


BTW, anyone have my USB issues?

[Thecla]

Great to hear that your long standing problem is fixed

I could've sent the notebook in earlier, but it was more of an annoying problem than a critical one, and I kept hoping it would be fixed by something simple like a bios/driver update...

For repairs, I try to tape a sheet of paper to the laptop, so I have a direct communication with the repair team, hoping that will enable them to fix it more quickly and get it back to me.

Yes, that's an excellent idea. I nearly included written details this time since I wasn't confident the phone support people had understood the problem properly, but didn't bother in the end.

I have never had email contact with a repair team.

I was actually quite impressed that they contacted me --- maybe in part it was because the repair guy I spoke with on the phone had worked on the notebook the first time I sent it in and remembered it, so I guess he wanted to know what was going on.

Anyway, it's been completely fine since I got it back, though I doubt it was just a problem with a hinge...

[Maru]

Collected 8740w Owners Benchmark Data (as of 2010.11.27)

Now includes some Crystal DiskMark data (thanks to Thecla, NotebookGrail, adshaki), and also adds other datapoints from DeTomaso, RampageII, Koshinn (thank you!).

Aikimox's Tom2D data showed GPU driver optimizations make a big difference in graphics benchmarks, so the GPU driver version (or space for it) has been added to some graph labels.

Tom2D  1.04
 840QM	M7820	743.3.2	DC2:10	)))))))))))))))) 1623
 840QM	M7820	743.3.1	DC2:10	)))) 419

* With old M7820 Driver 8.743.3.1
* With new M7820 Driver 8.743.3.2

Benchmark contributors, please provide the version number of the GPU driver used to produce your data. If you've upgraded the GPU driver since the benchmark, then replacement benchmark data with the new driver number is welcome.

[stug]

I received my machine on 11/25. My first impressions are than this is an sturdy machine, with very good construction and a great screen.
It came with BIOS F.09. Untill now i have had one "not awaking from Sleep" where the HD led remained off, and the fan was spinning (the screen was black), and two BSOD, one of them "MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION 0x0000009C". The three times the machine rebooted OK. I have tested the wake up from sleep about 10 times, and only once had the problem.
I have the backlit keyboard, and i must say i am happy with it. I have to say that my actual keyboard (Toshiba M60) may be the worst keyboard ever made. It has a lot of flexibility and misses some key strokes. May be this is the reason why i am not too sensible with the backlit keyboard. The bump on the F6 is barely visible, but it is there anyway.
I took a macro photo of the screen. It is not very clear, but may be someone can find out what kind of IPS is the screen.

[Jethro81]

Hello everyone,
I am strongly looking at the 8740 i5 with the ATI. Does anyone here use this machine for solidworks? Also anyone play BF2 with this machine. I use to have the 8510w and loved it until it was stolen Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Jethro

[Thecla]

Not sure if this is linked elsewhere, but there's a sizable recent review of the 8740w here:

The HP EliteBook Mobile Workstation project Icrontic Tech

and most recent update here:

http://tech.icrontic.com/articles/re...tebook-review/

[stug]

Not sure if this is linked elsewhere, but there's a sizable recent review of the 8740w here:

The HP EliteBook Mobile Workstation project Icrontic Tech

and most recent update here:

Back in business: Day 5 of the HP EliteBook 8740w review Icrontic Tech

Thanks Thecla. I think it is interesting to follow this review.


FYI Brian Ambrozy (the reviewer) says:
"If you guys have any questions for HP or NVIDIA for this project, we have a direct pipeline to them, and they are all really cool. Let me know!"

[Wizman]

FYI...
HP released the latest version of its QuickSpecs (Technical Specifications) guide for the HP EliteBook 8740w Mobile Workstation

North America — Version 12 — November 23, 2010

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/q...a/13543_na.pdf

[sinitar]

Got my 8740w! Really a solid beast. I replaced the hard drive with an OCZ vertex2, and added another RAM. I am looking for an upgrade bay to put a 500G hard drive but can't find one online. Does anyone know how to get one?