Nx8220 : Any Infos About It ? - Page 2

Hmm so this laptop has some kind of build-in adapter? You only need a cable for power? Or am I wrong?

FoxHunter
No - there is no built in adaptor - it comes with a small power brick like pretty much every other laptop.

Hey nx8220 users.

I have some questions before I buy my nx8220:
- How good are the speakers?
- Can you play games like half life 2 etc?
- Is it noisy?

I recently bought a nx8220 less than a month ago at Hong Kong. The first time I used it, it already had some problems... nothing big for me. In particular the OS DVD was defective, driver.cab can't be copied. The OS DVD was in good condition and no scratches. I am lucky that I am technical person and use linux primarily. I then tried to salvage the contents of the OS DVD and wrote a slipstream CD under linux, I was successful and able to install Win XP. I also noticed that one of the screws on the heatshield was not screwed properly, I screwed it and fitted the heatshield properly. This also fixed the left speakers being misaligned.

I ask for a replacement for the OS DVD disk from HP Philippines, they didn't know what to do since my notebook was relatively new. It dragged on for more than 3 weeks. On the fourth week I woke up and resumed my hybernated nx8220 about 1-2 mins into my email the notebook turned off. After that no more power, I checked the adaptor, battery etc.

I went to the service center, I also asked that my OS DVD issue be resolved finally. After 2-3 days I called HP, they said that it will take 1-2 weeks for my laptop to be done. I am very disappointed with HP customer service and somewhat on their build quality.

Any owners of nx8220 has a similar problem where the processor board died?

I just got back my nx8220 from HP. Its a bit disappointing. I powered it on in front a HP customer rep, after 1-2 mins... power off. I am glad it powered on again. The laptop is dirty especially the screen. The engineer even put a masking tape label on the exhaust port, what the heck is he thinking making the laptop to an oven. I filed in another ticket after complaining to the manager that it seems my power problems might still be there. They did replace the system board, but maybe the cause for it to be blackout is not within the system board itself. I filed a ticket now, so in the future if my laptop dies again I have strong case that they replace the whole unit.

I went home and more disappointment. I was putting back my 1GB Kingston ddr2, and it seems the engineer forgot to replace 1 screw. He also used different screws, this are not the original ones. Some where shorter and longer and the head is now star. That is what appendix C of the service manual is for. Some screw covers are not even replaced back, so screws are now exposed.

Even more problem... All my right side usb, audio ports and speaker are dead. On the right side for the system board according the service manual you plug in the audio cable and right side usb. The freeking engineer forgot to probably plug it in!!!!

I rate HP support to be poor. They also just gave me a burned copy of Win XP since my OS DVD was damaged. I don't need another copy, I just already did it myself while waiting for them to decide what to do with my OS DVD issue for 3 weeks. The HP customer service also has not yet contacted me as promised on email.

I could not believe that I will be writing horrible tech support stories since I normally read them and think that that can't happen to me.

HP has serviced my laptop at home. I also talked to the engineer about how things happened like this. In a way management also has fault since he said there are times a lot of work load is given, even their quality checker does help them in fixing stuff.

I rate HP support to be fair.

external battery blocks the bottom fan air intake

I got a nx8220 also i dont know how much you guys got it but i got mine cheap.
nx8220
1.73Ghz
2Gb ram
1680x1050
x600/128mb
100Gb Hdd
PB993A external battery
US$2070 / SGD$3500

the stupid thing is that the external travel battery blocks the fan. so the laptop runs about 5 degs hotter.. 1 of the things i decided to get this laptop model vs acer was the external battery support. dont bother with the speed ball. with the batt, it's higher than the speedball on.

another thing is that the external batt is 14.4v at 4a. vs the internal 14.4 at 4.8a.. the external is 0.8A lesser.. i was hoping it's more rather than less. hope this helps for those planning to get the external PB993A. i just ordered the advanced docking. the adaptor 120ws should charge faster since i have to charge 2 batteries now.

1 more thing about the CPU..
1.73Ghz. P-M 740. is it possible to upgrade to 2.26? worth the money? speed difference alot. maybe i should be asking if it is possible to upgrade.

oh, i am wondering how do you guys know it's chasis is magnesium alloy? where do you read that from?

Im sure its possible to upgrade, but i dont think its worth it...


This tuff!... Thats why they use it on business class laptops... BTW: Its not cheap...

what's not cheap? which? o.O

The case, to make it... also the P-M wont be cheap either... so both really...

sigh. i guess i have to dump the idea of upgrading the cores. oh well. at least i dont really have to worry about the upgraded core overheating with the stupid external batt blocking the vents.

Thats too bad...

Any of you guys with nx8220 noticing the heat on the front vents under the touchpad? It seems on my nx8220 that is the hotest spot, that is a little off from the cpu. The cpu is closer to the fan and on top of the vents near the fan.

I did not notice this heat prior to the repair, although I just had my laptop 3 weeks before it was sent to have the system board replaced.

There are 3 temp sensors I read on acpi, on the cpu its cooler by 4 deg than region B. region C is cool. How about you guys what temps are you getting in the different temp sensors? Is your nx8220 also hot below the touchpad near the front vents?

Its not pentium 4 hot, but its a lot hotter than my toshiba m35x.

I'm currently looking for a low cost laptop, I've found a CM and a PM model:

EK087ET#AK8
CM 360 1.4 GHz
512 MB RAM
60 GB HD
DVD-RW
1200x800 display
X600 64 MB
µ$ Windows XP Home

Price: 6000 SEK = €640 = $777 (excl. VAT)
______________________
PG801ET#AK8
PM 740 1.73 GHz
512 MB RAM
40 GB HD
DVD-ROM/CD-RW
1200x800 display
X600 64 MB
µ$ Windows XP Pro

Price: 8480 SEK = €905 = $1098 (excl. VAT)

For the extra money I get SpeedStep, faster CPU with more L2 cache, smaller HD, no DVD burner, and XP Pro.
But, if I upgrade that CM to a 725 or 735 and overclock it I'll get much more for less money.
Even if I would fail overclocking it or maybe not even trying I'd still be pleased. I'd upgrade later on only if I think I really need it.

Now some questions..

1. What do you think about the idea? Seems ok?

2. Do you know if fans, Vcore and multiplier can be controlled with software like Speedfan, CrystalCPUID? Any luck undervolting it?

3. I've heard that the fan spins constantly when not running on battery. Is this true? Does it run even if SpeedStep kicks in and speed goes down?


I hope someone can answer my questions, I'm a real n00b when it comes to laptops!
Thanks!

Bump!
Nobody? Especially curious about question 2 and 3.
(The first one is just speculation if nobody have tried.)
NC8230 and NW8240 user opinions are welcome as well.