dv6000 Display Adjustments & Video Card Upgrade

[williston]

I just purchased this notebook and have a question regarding adjustment of the display. I am able to so a side-by-side comparision between this notebook and a dv5000. [side note: my new system has an AUO panel; the dv5000 has an LPL. The AUO is significantly brighter than the LPL panel on the dv5000 at the highest settings...] BUT: The display on the new
dv6000 seems more "grainy" when running the videos that come with MS media center and the colors are not as rich or saturated as on the dv5000. You can see that "patchy" effect especially on the people's faces in the videos. It almost seems like the display is -too- sharp on the dv6000. Any ideas? I can live with it, especially given the big difference in the brightness of the AUO screen. I have checked all the settings on the card and they are matched on both systems. Thanks

[JM]

I have an AUO screen on my dv2000, but haven't noticed the problems you mention.

It could be a video card problem. Perhaps the drivers need updating?

If not, the video card could have a problem, or maybe the screen. Not entirely sure. I'll let another user who has more info on the screen and video cards to inform you on the fact.



Hope what I provided helps.

[summiter]

I just received my new dv6000t and have the problem you describe. At first I thought it was driver related, but I've had several versions of the Nvidia driver installed.

I also installed Linux and see the same display weirdness. In the background of drop-down menus I can see a distinct pattern, even though the color is solid. I've seen similar issues in the past when a vid card is going bad or there are other hardware problems.

This sucks because I just waited 3 weeks to get the thing via CTO, and now I'm looking at sending it in for service... Anyone know how long warranty repairs take?

PS: Don't live with it..it's not normal.

[williston]

Thanks to all who replied with their ideas. My DV5000 was replaced under warranty due to a bad DVD drive (part was back logged with a minimum of a 30-day wait for the replacement) and I also waited almost 3 weeks for this
DV6000 replacement. I'll start with tech support and go from there but this is very disappointing. It's a shame because this AUO screen is clearly superior to the LPL screen on the 5000 in all aspects.... Please post any solution or fix and I'll do the same.... Thanks again....

[williston]

Can anyone tell me what's involved in a R&R of the video card? Since they are the same in both units I was thinking I could try swapping them and see if that would fix the issue (I still have the DV5000)

[williston]

My DV6000t came with the standard Intel video card/chip. I would like to upgrade the video card in the near future. Is it possible to upgrade the card to the optional Nvidia (or other) and install it myself? I have done this in the past with the desktop system I have. Thanks

[Greg]

No...the integrated use a different motherboard anyway, so you don't even have an accessible PCIe slot (which mind you would only take a GPU made specifically for that HP notebook).

Even then, you can't upgrade most laptops (some Dells and MXM notebooks are the exception). Notebooks aren't like desktops, not even close...most can upgrade the RAM, HDD, and CPU (that last one will void the warranty), but that is it.

[williston]

Thanks for the quick reply. I appreciate it. I'm going to stop by Staples and see if any of the units on display with AUO screens are showing the same patchy video symtoms I'm seeing on my dv6000. If they are, I'll chock it up to a normal characteristic of this screen. If that's the case, I can live with it given the vastly superior appearance (especially the brightness: it is much better than the LPL screen on the dv5000) of this LCD.

[williston]

Follow-up: Intel has a newer driver for this video chipset so I downloaded and installed it: It made no noticable difference. To get good idea of what I'm talking about, run the Alanis Morrisette sample video that comes with Media Center. You'll see this patchy/uneven skin tone in her face right at the beginning. You will also see it in other close-ups of peoples faces later in the video.

[Greg]

Next time I'm at BB I'll see what the display model shows...should be going there tonight.