Death of a HP, any chance I can fix this cheaply?!

[Phil-O]

this

 

You said you can't boot in safe mode with network. So try to boot in safe mode without the latter and uninstall it or disable through device manager (Windows key+R key and type: devmgmt.msc). This might fix a first issue (BSOD) and give you a chance to boot like in the past days. In case of success, apply whole of the process I gave you in my previous post.

 

I'm convinced issue comes from your network device according lags and all the last probs you got and described. Fix the latter might allow you to fix then all the rest.

 

Unfortunately safe mode without network doesn't work either, because in the meantime I had tried to reset the machine to factory settins. Since then it won't allow me to boot to windows at all.

 

I'm trying with a bootable Windows7 DVD now and no luck. It seems to be stuck at this screen, the loading bar is moving from left to right, there is no noise from the DVD-drive or fan.

 

Edit: tried it time and again and now it's working! Windows is being installed after I erased and formatted the whole g*ddamned thing (I have an own windows license), and I sense it will be great fun to find all the relevant drivers Fortunately I didn't have plans for tonight... Fingers crossed it was all just a driver thingy and no hardware failure!

 

Btw, in case this thing gets back to work, do you think it would help the heat management if I replaced the fan and get some thermal paste on the heat pipes, or would the effect be rather homeopathic?

[Ann!b@l]

Edit: tried it time and again and now it's working! Windows is being installed after I erased and formatted the whole g*ddamned thing (I have an own windows license), and I sense it will be great fun to find all the relevant drivers Fortunately I didn't have plans for tonight... Fingers crossed it was all just a driver thingy and no hardware failure!

Glad it worked!

 

To make it easier, use this software (it's free) and update your drivers: Slimdrivers

 

Better if we first see how it goes. But later if you still hear noise and\or that heat goes over some limits, then yes you will have to do something about it.

[Phil-O]

So... The following happened. I installed all the drivers, and everything seemed to work OK. Booting after restarts was going well. However after installing the AMD GPU driver, the newest one directly from the HP website, restart was a failure again. I could not boot, I couldn't even access the safe mode nor the HP recovery thingy on startup (pressing F11). The computer was frozen on the opening screen or I was stuck at a screen where I could choose between System repair and normal boot. First option (system repair) lead to nothing, it got stuck at the "loading" stage. Normal boot lead to a never ending black screen.

 

I have now managed, thanks to the boot DVD, to restore the system to a point prior to the AMD driver installation. Now the computer works OK (it seems!). However I can't seem to be able to install the onboard intel GPU. I get an error message saying that the system does not meet the minimum requirements.

 

If at least that would work that would be a huge relief because I can't afford a new laptop atm. It would mean not playing ET, but at least I can get my work done.

 

In your opinion, does all that sh*t hint to a hardware problem with the Radeon GPU? If so, is that something that can be replaced rather cheeply? At least it looks like network isn't a problem, both LAN and wireless work perfectly without a single problem. Even the function key to activate the wireless adapter works, including the LED.

 

And one more thing... I keep on getting this error message. It keeps on popping up several times in a row (like 10 times in 1 minute), and it translate to something like "USB device could not be installed". This kept coming up for a while after I had spilled the beer on the keyboard, then it vanished. Now it's back.

 

Thanks again everybody who has been or still is helping with this!
Phil-O

 

PS: should I run windows updates?

[Ann!b@l]

In your opinion, does all that sh*t hint to a hardware problem with the Radeon GPU? If so, is that something that can be replaced rather cheeply? At least it looks like network isn't a problem, both LAN and wireless work perfectly without a single problem. Even the function key to activate the wireless adapter works, including the LED.

Yea, re-install Windows and so also the network driver probably fixed half the problem.

 

Can you access the desktop through safe mode? If yes, try to get the infos of the driver version installed for your AMD card through device manager. Once you got these infos, post them and then uninstall this driver.

[Phil-O]

Yea, re-install Windows and so also the network driver probably fixed half the problem.

 

Can you access the desktop through safe mode? If yes, try to get the infos of the driver version installed for your AMD card through device manager. Once you got these infos, post them and then uninstall this driver.

 

HP has graphics 3 drivers for the Pavilion DV6-6B55SG:

1) AMD High-Definition Graphics Driver

2) AMD/Intel Switchable High-Definition (HD) Graphics Driver

3) Intel High-Definition (HD) Graphics Driver

 

Not sure if I expressed myself well - i tried the AMD driver installation (number 1 in the list, includes catalyst center). The installation itself seemed to have worked well, but afterwards I could not boot windows anymore, not even in the safe mode.

 

Therefore I reset the system to before the AMD driver. So right now I have no GPU driver installed.

 

I then tried to installt ONLY the onboard intel graphics (number 3 in the above list). But when I start the installation I get the above error message, that my system does not fit the minimum requirements!?

 

Any suggestions why that might be? Should I re-install the AMD driver and deactivate the GPU before I reboot windows - is that even possible, I mean do the GPUs show up in the device manager after installation but previous to reboot?

 

Thank you!

Phil-O

[Ann!b@l]

HP has graphics 3 drivers for the Pavilion DV6-6B55SG:

1) AMD High-Definition Graphics Driver

2) AMD/Intel Switchable High-Definition (HD) Graphics Driver

3) Intel High-Definition (HD) Graphics Driver

Yes, I saw that last time I searched for some hardware infos on the HP website me too.. That's why I asked you the version number of the driver you installed. This would have helped to know which driver causes this issue.

 

 

here is the latest driver on AMD\ATI website:

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/mobile?os=Windows%207%20-%2064

 

give it a try please and let us know if this one works.

 

 

note: the first driver you should always install after a clean install of your Os is the Chipset driver. This driver contains all the hardware infos needed for your system.

[Phil-O]

Yes, I saw that last time I searched for some hardware infos on the HP website me too.. That's why I asked you the version number of the driver you installed. This would have helped to know which driver causes this issue.

 

 

here is the latest driver on AMD\ATI website:

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/mobile?os=Windows%207%20-%2064

 

give it a try please and let us know if this one works.

 

 

note: the first driver you should always install after a clean install of your Os is the Chipset driver. This driver contains all the hardware infos needed for your system.

 

I got all the drivers from this HP support website: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-Pavilion-dv6-Entertainment-Notebook-PC-series/5145688/model/5205567#Z7_3054ICK0KGTE30AQO5O3KA30R1

 

The AMD driver that caused my system to fail is this:

AMD-High-Definition-Grafiktreiber

8.882.2.3000 339.0 MB 11. Sept. 2015

The file is called: sp55092.exe

 

About the chipset: I know it is the first thing that should be installed. I installed these from the HP site:

(1) Intel Chipset Installation Utility and Driver

(2) Intel Management Engine Interface (MEI) Driver

(3) There are 3 USB 3.0 Host controllers, I wasn't sure which one to install: Renesas, NEC and Fresco. I installed Renesas because a software called "Driver Booster 3" told me to.

 

Because all of the drivers from the HP website are old (from 2011), I suspected maybe my chipset isn't installted correctly. I went to the Intel website and ran the Intel Driver Update Utility. It told me to install "Intel Chipset Device Software (INF Update Utility-EXE only) installed version 6.1.7600.16385   latest version 10.0.27.

 

However when I run the installation, it says "Failed".

[Phil-O]

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/mobile?os=Windows%207%20-%2064

 

give it a try please and let us know if this one works.here is the latest driver on AMD\ATI website:

I have installed the driver, but after a system restart it says that the GPU cannot be activated due to to a fault (code 43).

 

Here's a screenshot from the device manager and catalyst center:

 

[Phil-O]

I found out that the intel HD graphics driver was for Windows 32bit, so I suspect the error "your system doesn't meet the minimum requirements" might have been related to that. No idea why HP only supply the driver for Win7 32bit.

 

So I manually downloaded the intel HD graphics 2000 driver for Windows 7 64bit and installed it. Installation went fine, but following that the restart was unsuccessful. These screens came up:
- system32/WinSat: Windows Systembewertungstool (system performance assessment?!?

 

- just an underscore blinking endlessly in the top left corner

 

- When I forcibly restarted the system, I got a black screen followed by a split second BSOD, and another restart.

I then gave the motherf***er another last chance, just to make sure it wasn't due to a faulty chipset installation on my part.

- I did a clean re-install of windows 7 64-bit

- installed the chipset drivers: "Intel Chipset Installation Utility and Driver", afterwards Intel Management Engine Interface (MEI) Driver

- then the AMD driver, as previously the installation went OK but after I had error code 43 in the device manager, but at least it didn't make the system freeze

- finally I installed Intel HD graphics 2000 for 64bit. The install itself went well, but once again after the restart the screen went dark I was so frustrated I left the room, but when I came back after 15 minutes something had happend: I was on my desktop, resolution was set to 1366x768 and everything seemed fine! The system asked me to do another reboot due to changed graphics settings. When I did the reboot, computer froze for a short while during the "Welcome Screen", after 5 minutes showed the desktop, and then froze completely, with the fan getting noisier from minute to minute. Forcibly shut it down, when I try boot in safe mode it gets stuck at loading stage.

 

So is that it now? I think I'm running out of hope and options.

 

Does anybody have any thoughts on the above?! Why would it work shortly only to then freeze to death? Does that point to faulty hardware? And if so, is that something that can be fixed (by a hardware noob like me)?

 

Right now I'm desperate

[Ann!b@l]

 

Does anybody have any thoughts on the above?! Why would it work shortly only to then freeze to death? Does that point to faulty hardware? And if so, is that something that can be fixed (by a hardware noob like me)?

Ok, after some searches, seems that you're not the first and only one to experience such issues with some models from HP and their drivers. This is a known issue with some of those products. BSODs, freezes, black screens ,so on.. You will have to find the driver making your notebook stable. (http://leshcatlabs.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=11 , http://leshcatlabs.net/downloads_unfil/ )

 

 

Try those ones:

-Catalyst 14.4 WHQL UnifL v2.2 (Last known "Fixed Mode" driver - Advised!)

-Catalyst 14.4 WHQL UnifL v2.4 (Last known "Fixed Mode" driver)

 

-Catalyst 13.9 WHQL Update 3 UnifL (reported as BSOD-free)

 

And don't give it up mate!

Edited October 12, 2015 by Ann!b@l

[Phil-O]

I was aware of the fact that there was a driver issue but I didn't think it was so bad as to cause BSOD etc.

 

But please remember I am NOT able to go into safe mode, for me that is a sign that it is not just a driver problem?!

 

I will try that stuff tonight though, provided I understand what those nerds are talking about in their forum...

 

And don't give it up mate!

 

Thanks mate I admire your positivity and patience with me I was already starting to cross out some finger foods and cakes for the wedding in order to be able to afford a new laptop

 

I hope I can come back to you with positive results soon!

 

BTW in case this shit gets fixed to the forum's help I will donate 25€ as a humble sign of my gratitude.

 

Phil-O

[Phil-O]

Try those ones:

-Catalyst 14.4 WHQL UnifL v2.2 (Last known "Fixed Mode" driver - Advised!)

-Catalyst 14.4 WHQL UnifL v2.4 (Last known "Fixed Mode" driver)

 

-Catalyst 13.9 WHQL Update 3 UnifL (reported as BSOD-free)

 

And don't give it up mate!

 

 

I installed the driver you told me. It was the best I've tried until now. both GPUs work, and the switching between them works also.

 

Two things that still frighten me:

1) I can only change the brightness of the screen AFTER having switched GPU, before that it just won't react if I change the brightness in the energy options

2) When I don't touch the notebook and just leave it be, the screen will turn black and the fan goes absolutely crazy, system is stuck. The only way to stop this is to force shut down. unfortunately then it is back to the usual endless boot freeze loop, which can only be stopped by restoring the system (which I did twice already).

 

Could it be that the driver is OK now, but there is a hardware problem also? Would there be a way of finding out if the hardware is faulty, e.g. run some sort of diagnosis software or maybe a benchmark tool?

 

Cheers

Phil-O

[Ann!b@l]

I installed the driver you told me. It was the best I've tried until now. both GPUs work, and the switching between them works also.

 

Two things that still frighten me:

1) I can only change the brightness of the screen AFTER having switched GPU, before that it just won't react if I change the brightness in the energy options

2) When I don't touch the notebook and just leave it be, the screen will turn black and the fan goes absolutely crazy, system is stuck. The only way to stop this is to force shut down. unfortunately then it is back to the usual endless boot freeze loop, which can only be stopped by restoring the system (which I did twice already).

Ok then this is a first good thing if you don't get BSODs anymore.

 

 

Have you tested this one:

-Catalyst 13.9 WHQL Update 3 UnifL (reported as BSOD-free)

and for this one make sure it's set on dynamic mode in your bios.

 

A dying card would display errors in the render (texture, stutter,..), might be also the fan of your gpu like it could be a prob with the memory of the latter. BSODs could indeed be a sign too, but since these GPUs had already such probs. That's why I will not jump on any conclusion about it.

 

Still, you can run some benchmark:

-http://www.3dmark.com/

-https://unigine.com/products/benchmarks/heaven/

Edited October 13, 2015 by Ann!b@l

[Phil-O]

 

Ok then this is a first good thing if you don't get BSODs anymore.

 

 

Have you tested this one:

and for this one make sure it's set on dynamic mode in your bios.

c03933981.jpg

 

A dying card would display errors in the render (texture, stutter,..), might be also the fan of your gpu like it could be a prob with the memory of the latter. BSODs could indeed be a sign too, but since these GPUs had already such probs. That's why I will not jump on any conclusion about it.

 

Well let me tell you that right now the notebook works well, and it's even quite good in terms of noise & heat. Last night after the last freeze-and-restore I had switched to the Intel GPU, and since then the system seems very stable to me.

 

When I have more time I will try to switch to the AMD again, and perhaps run some benchmarks or try gaming. Should I encounter more problems I will do another clean windows install just to be sure, and try the Catalyst 13.9 WHQL Update 3 UnifL in dynamic mode.

 

What's funny is that playing ET last night with the Intel graphics was more fluent than it previously was with the Radeon! Before this whole mess, playing ET with the Intel graphics was impossible due to massive stuttering.

 

I'm not much of a gamer... Except about two years ago I played Crysis 2 and Battlefield 3 for a little while (2 weeks or so, 2-3 hours per day on average) and it was never really fluent even on low settings. I thought that it was normal that way, that the CPU/GPU combination just wasn't good enough. Then I played only ET for about 2 years, always with the Radeon. About 1 month ago, I felt like playing mirror's edge, and roughly 3 missions into the game, at a part where lots of ennemy troops show up, the fan always went mad and I think the system overheated, massive stuttering ocurred and there was no way I could continue playing.

 

Time will tell if this was a driver problem or if the Radeon is really damaged from the heat or whatever. I've had this notebook since 2011, and I got so used to it that I cannot remember how it performed when it was new. Could be that it was underperforming from the start, or it could be that it slowly deteriorated with time and I just got used to it and therefore I didn't realise it.

 

If this whole mess was a driver issue, the BSOD was actually a blessing in disguise, forcing me to do something about it... But right now I'm still reluctant to cheer too soon.

 

PS: I realised I made a backup of my ETprofile and config but forgot to save my ET key bye bye XP...

[Ann!b@l]

Glad to hear!!! For the rest, take your time even if we both know that sooner or later you will have to fix this issue. For my part, if you feel it's ok for now, then it is for me too buddy. All what matters to me are the bucks you save for your wedding in waiting much more appropriate days for maybe spend some in a new pc for your work. Once all this behind, then maybe we will take the time to fix here what will be later an old pc.

 

 

And congratulations for your future wedding!!