The HP – Windows 8 Launch Guide

[#1]

So, here we are, launch week for Windows 8 (on 10/26 if you’ve been living under a rock). Regular blog visitors have seen a bunch of stories around HP’s Windows 8 product lineup. Well, considering the big deal this week, we figured it’d be extra handy if you had one go-to story that can point you to all the products and things you need to know about what we’ve got coming up for the rest of 2012. So, without further ado, here’s the breakdown.

Here are the Windows 8 laptops and desktops that I’m the most excited about (and will probably be digging deeper into on the blog….)

The ENVY x2 Hybrid PC – At first blush, it looks like a thin, brushed-metal machine. But when you flip a slick magnetic toggle and lift out the 11.6-inch display, you suddenly get it – this Hybrid PC packs all the important guts you need behind the screen. For a LOT of people – like me – who can’t decide if they need a tablet, laptop (or both) for the day, will find a lot to love in this Clover Trail driven laptop. In fact, Brooke Crothers over at CNET had a few choice words on it. If you want an even more detailed look at the ENVY x2, we went behind to scenes to show you some of the prototype designs in this story. (Available 11/14; Starting at $849.99)

The Spectre^ONE – This has some pretty impressive lines for an All-in-One PC. It’s sporting new tech (like NFC) and makes room for discrete graphics horsepower lodged in the arm between the screen and the base. In fact, I recently sat down with Peter Lee to go over the design process for this artful-looking machine. (Spectre^ONE - Available December; Starting at $1,299.99)

The Spectre^XT TouchSmart and ENVY TouchSmart 4 – If you wanna add a little more touch to your laptops, I’d recommend looking at these two guys. They offer more processor power than the ENVY x2, but still let you reach out and touch the bigger screens. Things to know: The Spectre^XT TouchSmart runs the latest Intel Core processors…and rocks a Thunderbolt port. The ENVY TouchSmart 4’s strong point, in my humble opinion – you can opt for discrete graphics in a reasonably small form factor. Check ‘em out. (Spectre - Available December; Starting at $1,399.99) (ENVY TouchSmart 4 - available for order now; Starting at $799.99)

The ElitePad 900 – Yes, yes, I know. This is more of a business tablet. But it looks cool. It has that jacket attachment system. It has an 8mp camera on the back. It’s got Gorilla Glass 2….and it offers an optional self-service tool. Say, when was the last time you upgraded a tablet by opening the case? And if you got the time, I’d recommend you jump over to this story where I got Stacy Wolff to open up the top-secret design studio’s doors for a look at various ElitePad prototypes.

ENVY 20 / ENVY 23 TouchSmart – The sleek all-in-one desktops that you know and love, now offering touch panels. Pair this up with a good discrete card under the hood and you’ve got an awesome touch experience on your hands. So to speak. Windows 8 supports up to 10 separate points of touch on these ENVY TouchSmart desktops. One more thing I almost feel obligated to metion: HP has been in the “touch” game since 1983, when it created the HP-150. So, there’s that. We’ve pioneer touch on consumer PCs. We know what we’re doing. (Available now; Starting at $799 and $999, respectively)

The ENVY Phoenix h9 – HP’s mainstream gaming-grade desktop got a couple key nips-and-tucks under the hood so that you can do more with fewer hassles. Want to drop in a new graphics card or extra hard drives? Not a problem. The redesigned insides make this easier for you to upgrade after the fact. I’ve been using this machine to do my initial tests….and it is hauling ass in Windows 8. (Available now; Starting at $899)

But those are the high-profile things that we’ve been talking about on the blog – because, well, I like them and they are pretty sweet. But there are plenty of other options out there for you as well.

For example, The HP ENVY m4 notebook balances mobility, performance and entertainment in a thin and light package. It’s going to be available in the United States at Best Buy, starting at $899.99. Then, something like the HP Pavilion dm1 now offers up to 200 MB of free data per month for two years of fast 4G mobile broadband service operating on the T-Mobile network—all with no contracts or commitments. It’s currently available in the United States, starting at $499.99.

And, if you check out this story below, I’ll be updating that with more information (and pricing) for our new machines sporting Windows 8.

STORY: Which HP PCs Offer Windows 8?

Questions? Comments? I’m here for ya!

[#2]

Hi,

I really need some help on this. Its regarding my HP Phoenix h9-1110t. I recently updated to Windows 8 Pro. All drivers install perfectly fine from HP site accept for the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver. It comes up with the following error from this HP article. https://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c01727084&lc=en&product=3892964 Please help asap if you can. This has to be effecting my ssd as its using the stock ms storage controller. I also done some google work and found the following on the error. Since HP is vague about it.

Your system does not meet the minimum requirements for this update.
Update has been cancelled. (9996)Error 9996: The installer has a list of supported hardware that this update is suitable for - and your hardware (including your HP model) is not on the list.

Sounds like to me something is not right with the drivers. Hardware id numbers can be off or something and that is why its not detecting? I also emailed James about this. Have not heard anything from him though. Please look into this asap if you can. Even if you can have someone call me. I left James my number.

[#3]

Hey there,

Just so you know, I'm investigating this on my end as well...but have you tried contacting any of the guys on the @hpsupport channel as well? 

If I hear anything, I'll update you.

-Darren

[#4]

Thanks buddy! @hpsupport channel? What exactly is that? Something to do with social media? I don't use twitter or facebook. In the mean time while you are looking into this for me. I made a thread about this ordeal on the HP forums. Error Thread To much explaining on here and in detail. Which is why I linked the thread for you. For now. I found a temporary/solution to the problem. Its still a major issue that HP needs to fix. Specfically for people running raid. I am not and luckily. I can get by it seems using the updated Intel AHCI storage controller. As explained in the thread. I cannot confirm if it is the same exact driver as HP's. Even though both have the same version number. 

[#5]

i have The HP – Windows 8 Launch Guide thanks !!!

[link removed]

[#6]

Any update yet? I am actually kinda surprised no one else has come to this site and posted about this. Some times I feel like I am the only one with a Phoenix. Even when I post on the HP forums. This is a really serious driver issue for potential Windows 8 upgrade customers. In the mean time. If other people might see this. Get them from the Intel site right here. http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=3409&DwnldID=22036&keyword=rst&lang=en...

The file you want to download is iata_enu.exe Eng version. For multi language you want this one iata_cd.exe multi language I am personally usually always against this. Since we are dealing with HP being the OEM that provides the driver. But, this is a extreme case that effects performance in Windows 8 and stability. The driver versions are also the same between HP and Intel. BUT. Going back to being against dl these. I cant confirm or deny just because the driver numbers are the same. Usually in OEM cases like HP. The drivers are customized compared to the actual Intel drivers. Intel even says the following:

IMPORTANT:
Before installing this application or requesting technical support from Intel, first contact your system manufacturer. They typically provide software which is specifically configured for your system.

I really hope the right people are working on a fix for this asap.

[#7]

Hey there,

I actually saw your question / solution / whatever in the forums. On my end I've been notifying people about what's going on as well. Don't worry, you're not the only Phoenix owner out there (I'm asking them the same questions....and I feel like we're going at the same rate), but rest assured, I'm letting all the right people know about what's going on.

-Darren

[#8]

Excellent. Hopefully we will have a full solution by HP very soon!

[#9]

Hey,

I need you to do me a favor: email / PM me with your contact information and the serial number of your PC.

I got the right guys on the case...so to speak.

-Darren

[#10]

How can I send you a PM? I misplaced your email address. Have my serial number ready.

[#11]

Email sent!

[#12]

Hi, I recently upgarded to windows 8 pro and everything is working fine except none of the live tiles will open after being clicked on. I have spent several hours and remote sessions with microsoft, and they say that I probably need to update my display drivers. What is especially frustrating is that my computer is a few months out of warranty, which leaves me with no option to contact HP. Will the drivers for my »HP Pavilion Elite HPE-180t CTO Desktop PC ever be updated for windows 8? I would really appreciate your help because I am at the point where I may just replace this computer, and it won't be an HP.

[#13]

hey adgersten,

Sorry to hear about the headaches. Just out of curiousity, what graphics card are you using in the machine? AMD? NVIDIA? or is it Intel integrated graphics?

Here's a link for you: 

Helpful Windows 8 Information & FAQs from HP

While I'm not support, more than happy to try and point you in the right directions....but you're far from being left high and dry. Start with the forums (and answer the above question). and let's see what we can get set straight for you.

Cheers,

Darren Gladstone

TheNextBench.com

[#14]

Thanks for your assistance! My card is ATI Radeon HD 4600.

[#15]

OK, so I did a quick look at the AMD site (http://support.amd.com/us/Pages/AMDSupportHub.aspx) and I didn't see drivers available for Windows 8 yet. That could be the culprit....so we'd need to keep checking in with AMD's site.

You could also try opening the catalyst control panel on your PC and see if there is some unlisted Windows 8 update for your graphics card.

(or if it's time to upgrade your graphics card, that's always another solution)

also, one last question that may sound silly, but before you bought windows 8, did you run the Win 8 compatibility checker? http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8

I know it's not the silver bullet you're looking for, but hopefully that helps.

Cheers,

Darren

[#16]

Someone gave me a tip that I did not even think of doing. Extract the files from that particular HP driver. I know exactly now how this driver package works just like 7. It comes with a Intel RST exe package. Then there is another folder with the drivers below it. HP has set the package to just install the driver. Only if you are not running raid setup. If you are running raid. I would imagine the package would install the Intel RST as well. Getting back to my setup and particular package for my machine. I compared the drivers from 7 and 8. That is how I found setup wise.

They are exactly the same with how they install. I remember with 7. Only the driver installed and I never seen that additional Intel RST program installed.  HP has screwed up the driver package by not having proper hardware id with in the driver package it seems. Naturally it can't verify my system meets the requirements if the id's are missing or numbers are off. Solution for current owners. If you do not have a raid setup. Install the drivers through device manager and it will prompt for a reboot. Drivers are magically accetped. Getting back to the hardware id's. I say they are off but then again.

Why would the drivers install manually? Maybe its not that and the package is set to look for a raid setup only and not both? Single/raid. Only HP knows this and has to fix it. I am so curious what these guys are going to tell you and the problem. It seems to simple yet its taking so long to fix this. I know you can only do so much and I really do appreciate it. But, this is absolutely ridiculous a customer has to figure this out. Yes Windows 8 is new but that is not a excuse. HP tests drivers for compatibility and yet. Some how this major issue slips by where it cannot not even install. And such a major driver. Common. 

Cliff Notes For Other Customers Upgrading to Windows 8 And Need This Driver

1. Extract files using Winrar or 7zip

2. Go into device manager and manually update drivers

3. If running raid. Run the Intel RST setup as that also installs the drivers as well. (DO NOT quote me on this as I am not 100% sure. Only you would know if you are running raid or ordered the pc in a raid setup. Look under uninstall programs and see if you have Intel RST. If so. Then continue and install package which includes driver as well)

5. This is a TEMPORARY SOLUTION. HP still needs to fix this and is apparnetly on the case looking into it.

4. Be happy and give yourself a cookie. As you are now running "official" HP drivers.