Solved Windows 8 tribulations on HP touchsmart Tx2z

corax

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Well I have just recovered from another major crackup with my laptop. I have really no idea how I did it. My system is a HP Tx2z Touchsmart with a Crucial SSD, 8 gb, Win 8 Pro 64, Win 7 HP 64, Ubuntu 12.10 64, multiboot all on separate partitions. This crackup makes it about 4 or 5 times since Oct 26 since I installed Win 8 pro. What happened this time was, I was using Windows 8 and everything was working good, nice 'n slick, I wasn't installing anything not doing anything radical or weird and decided I would restart into to go into another OS. I logoff, hit restart and wait for computer to reboot(I was taking a chance but I'll get into that later) I pick a different OS(Ubuntu 12.10, but doesn't matter get similar results for Win7 other times) and reboot begins. Reboot goes through grub and part way into Ubuntu then stops, Caplock light blinking. After waiting a minute or two I power the system down. Now I use the power button again, indicator lights come on, fan comes on, but black screen, no bios, no cursor, no nuthin. Power down, pull off battery leave things to cool off a while. Restart black screen again but after waiting a little there's printing on the screen. HP's menu comes up,and a "No Boot device"message. Running HP's HDD test got "No Hard Disk Detected". I shutdown and powered up again, this time things look normal, go into Win7 and everything works OK do sfc scan no problems, scan disk no problems. This is fairly routine now.
Other times if I tried to restart into Win 7 in similar circumstances I would have to do a system recovery from Win7 DVD. So far it works and it actually surprized me how well it works but I always lose something because it deletes the latest restore point, if Ubuntu's grub has a problem usually it's easier to get things back to normal.
To the best of my recollection this doesn't happen rebooting from Ubuntu, or Win 7, and never happened before I installed Win 8 Pro
When I use Win 8 now I never hibernate, sleep, or restart when I quit, always shutdown. Win 7 is default boot. Quickstart on Win 8 is disabled. If I see the blue screen Win 8 start menu on startup I quit and restart til I get text based menu to start OS. I have all updates, latest firmware on SSD, use MS antivirus, everything vanilla as possible. I've had all 3 versions of Win 8, (Dev preview, Consumer preview, Release preview) on this machine in dual or multiboot and never had any problems like this. This is hairiest most delicate version of Win 8 I've run so far. I can hardly wait for updates.
The HP Tx2z was a test platform for Win 8 while it was in development. Now HP says it won't provide Win 8 support for any system built prior to 2011. Which I guess means no bios updates or driver updates. Oh well, a lot of the Win 7 drivers work fine. N-trig provided a beta digitizer driver in Aug 2012 but nothing since. I used to go to Touchsmart Dev Zone web site to get the latest on this computer for tips about using Win 8, that's been shutdown since mid October 2012(nice timing). Of course this site had no official affiliation with HP. Googling "HP Tx2z Windows 8" doesn't get me near the number of hits it used to a few months ago. Puzzling that.
If I could, I think I would buy the Release Preview version of Win 8 from MS but that's a slim chance. I think maybe one of these times my machine is going crack up for good if I keep using this version of Windows 8. Windows 8 is starting to look more & more like shelfware to me, for this machine anyway, it's just too risky. I think I've just been lucky so far. Do a search on this website for "brick" and you'll find others with similar or worse problems than I have.
I like the concept of Win 8, but what I think I'm going to do is try to make my Win 7 more touch friendly, get some kind of shell to make it resemble Win 8, metro-ize it so to speak. Talk about going against the grain eh? Ubuntu is actually starting to look fairly good. It's pretty quick and after updates it boots into kernel panic only 1/10 the time instead of 1/3 time and it looks more similar to my Win 7 setup than Win 8 does. It also only takes up about 4 gig of space. But on the other hand the touch aspect is deficient, no scrolling, zooming etc touch is just to select progs and configuring it looks like steep learning curve.
IMHO probably the best way to get Win 8 is installed on a touchscreen computer that was designed to run it and I'm not sure if that would be worth it. Touchscreen is nice but it's really no big deal and it kinda gets boring after a while.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7, 8.1, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP tx2z
    CPU
    AMD Turion x2 Ultra 2.4
    Motherboard
    Quanta
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon 3200
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256gb ssd
I would try disabling Hybrid Boot in Windows 8. My bet is that might be causing an issue with your multi-boot setup.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Is that the same as "Turn on fast startup" under Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Power Options\System Settings | Shutdown Settings. Because if it is I've already done that. That's what meant to say when I stated I disabled Quickstart in my first post. Thanks for your reply.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7, 8.1, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP tx2z
    CPU
    AMD Turion x2 Ultra 2.4
    Motherboard
    Quanta
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon 3200
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256gb ssd
I'm no expert but that sounds like the beginnings of the GPU overheating errors especially with the blinking CapsLock. I had to have the GPU replaced and resoldered over the last several months and I've only just got it back and decided to install Windows 8. Are you under warranty, if so insist on a GPU repair if not then and you live in the UK I can recommend an excellent and reasonable cost repairman if you PM me?
In the meantime how did you get the windows seven 64-bit software (not drivers) like the software to control the screen rotation button to work in Windows 8?
The drivers Windows 8 installed for the most part were fine but the the Windows 7 software from the HP website I downloaded and tried to install isn't working on my Windows 8 pro installation.
any help appreciated.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Thanks for the reply your info was very interesting. In regards to the first part of your post getting my gpu replaced sounds like a bit of a drastic measure and I'm not sure who I could get around here (in Canada) to do that, it sounds expensive too. Warranty won't work because unfortunately in my case I purchased my computer reburbished with only a 90 day warranty which has long since expired. As for your kind offer concerning the repairman, considering my location I don't think it would work out, but thanks for the offer. However it still puzzles me why these problems if they are related to gpu overheating seem to have started only after I installed windows 8, maybe Win 8 puts extra strain on the gpu, or it could be just a coincidence I suppose. I think what I am going to is to is try to find a program that can monitor the temps and fan speed of my gpu & cpu like the one I have in my Asus based desktop and see what that tells me. I'm open to recommendations for what program could do that.
One thing I neglected to mention in my original post was that I regularly blow the dust out of the little fan assembly on this computer as HP recommends and I had done this just a day previous to my latest supreme lockup so that I had kind discounted overheating as a cause in this episode.

About that HP Quick launch Button screen rotation software. It was easy for me to install and I can't recall any problems in that regard. When I flip my screen over and press the screen orientation button it works as expected. However your mentioning it gave an idea and I had a look into my error logs I notice I now get driver install failed/keyboardfilter error warnings on startup and it seems to have started shortly after I installed that Quicklaunch software so I guess it may not be totally compatible. THAT may be a part of my latest problem here. So actually I can't recommend installing it because even though it works (and I hate to part with it, it's handy to have). it can't be a good thing if it gives errors. I am going to try running this machine without Quicklaunch and see if it makes any difference in the error logs and stability.

I wonder if HP will ever bring out some Windows 8 drivers and software for this computer. A bios upgrade would probably be in order as well. It doesn't look very hopeful it seems they are only giving Windows 8 support to systems built after October 2011.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7, 8.1, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP tx2z
    CPU
    AMD Turion x2 Ultra 2.4
    Motherboard
    Quanta
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon 3200
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256gb ssd
get a new PC. It's time to retire the HP. There are some really sexy machines out there. I was playing with the Samsung ATIV with Intel Core i5. That is a beast of a machine. It felt so fast. It works great as a tablet. And you can dock it and have it behave exactly like a laptop, even folding closed like a notebook. Plus, it has a capacitive pen. 9 hour battery with a Core i5!

it's never cost effective to repair a laptop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
get a new PC. It's time to retire the HP. There are some really sexy machines out there. I was playing with the Samsung ATIV with Int Cfor afor at is a beast of a machine. It felt soother estimateer estimatecan dock it and have it behave exactly like a laptop, even folding closed like a notebook. Plus, it has a capacitive pen. 9 hour battery with a Core i5!

it's never cost effective to repair a laptop.

That samsung looks sweet but how much and how heavy, I find my Samsung Note 10.1 tab just on the border of heavy for a tablet in one hand.
I got my tx2 repaired for £40 labour and £30 for a replacement GPU but that was fortunate as other estimates were triple that for the labour alone so you may be right. If he can find a local repairman who resolders / reballer it might be fortunate on price, mine was a recommendation from a friend on ebay.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
#1. However it still puzzles me why these problems if they are related to gpu overheating seem to have started only after I installed windows 8, maybe Win 8 puts extra strain on the gpu, or it could be just a coincidence I suppose.
#1. Unfortunately thats sounds like how it started with me and as you bought it 2nd hand you may have not been aware of the "big stink" over the high failure rate of many manufacturers soldered parts directly soldered to the mobo like this gpu that resulted after they switched to lead-free solder. Youtube shows many temp fixes like a "cooper penny" and oven baking of the mobo which I tried.


#2. One thing I neglected to mention in my original post was that I regularly blow the dust out of the little fan assembly on this computer as HP recommends and I had done this just a day previous to my latest supreme lockup so that I had kind discounted overheating as a cause in this episode.

#2. That will help but if the gpu solder has failed in the past, causing a hair line gap, after heating up and cooling after normal use the gpu will need to be completly "REBALLED" as mine was. So all the good house keeping by dust removal will not reverse the solder issue.



#3. About that HP Quick launch Button screen rotation software. It was easy for me to install and I can't recall any problems in that regard.

#3. HP Quick launch....Did you install the hp win 7 software from their website after windows 8 installed the drivers automatically or did you overwrite the windows 8 drivers with hps win 7 drivers then install the hp win 7 software as hp dosnt provide win 8 software for Quicklaunch after October 2011 tx2's models?
Was your w8 install 64bit or 32bit?
Also which hp sw includes QL, if you know, as I cant see it specifically listed on their 1015ea model I have?


#4. I am going to try running this machine without Quicklaunch and see if it makes any difference in the error logs and stability.

#4. That would be much appreciated if you let me know how that goes.


Sorry for going more off topic but the fingerprint sw manu Digital Persona was gobbled by Apple so its looking blick for a w8 update.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
In reply to Optical 10 about #3 HP Quicklaunch.
My machine is a Tx2z 1000 CTO, with Win 8 64.
HP changed around the site!
It took a little digging around but it's under Driver - Keyboard and mouse inputs here Software & Driver Downloads HP TouchSmart tx2z-1000 CTO Notebook PC | HP® Support . I just downloaded Quicklaunch for Win7 64 and installed it after Win 8 was installed. Yeah I took a risk, I know.... but it worked, sort of.

About all that other stuff, "the big stink" I didn't have a clue.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7, 8.1, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP tx2z
    CPU
    AMD Turion x2 Ultra 2.4
    Motherboard
    Quanta
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon 3200
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256gb ssd
get a new PC. It's time to retire the HP. There are some really sexy machines out there. I was playing with the Samsung ATIV with Intel Core i5. That is a beast of a machine. It felt so fast. It works great as a tablet. And you can dock it and have it behave exactly like a laptop, even folding closed like a notebook. Plus, it has a capacitive pen. 9 hour battery with a Core i5!

it's never cost effective to repair a laptop.
dirtyvu I didn't forget you. You're right but win 8 on this machine, when it's working is a thing of beauty, it flies, trouble is it's tempermental and unpredictable and I can't trust it with anything important. As for the Samsung I got this in my email the other day is this the one you mean? Samsung’s Windows 8 Ativ convertible grossly misrepresents available storage | ExtremeTech
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7, 8.1, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP tx2z
    CPU
    AMD Turion x2 Ultra 2.4
    Motherboard
    Quanta
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon 3200
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256gb ssd
yes, that Samsung is pretty amazing. actually, there are 2 models. the one in that article is the Atom version. I think the i5 version is better and worth the extra $400. though the Atom version is pretty cool. but with laptops, you have to get as much power as you can afford because they're not upgradable.

it is a step down in size of the screen versus the TX models (11.6" versus 12.1") but it's a much nicer display and is 1920x1080. though things will appear tiny at that resolution with this screen size. I definitely bump up the size of the text and menu items if I get it.

As for the article, I'd either get it at the Microsoft store where all PCs are sold completely clean, with only Windows. Or I'd wipe out all the junk on the system, including the unnecessary partitions. Heck, I'd even considering buying the upgrade Windows disc in case I ever had to recover from a major system problem rather than waste all that space for a recovery partition.

I really suggest going to stores and playing with as many models as you can. I've visited the Sony stores, the Microsoft stores, Fry's Electronics, Best Buy, etc. It's really the only way to get a feel for whether a machine matches your workflow. Like I didn't think I'd like the sliding screen on the Sony but after playing with it, it was nice (though it feels like it weighs a ton). Same thing for the Surface RT (out of contention because I want full Windows). I was expecting a bad experience with the keyboard due to average reviews. But I was flying on the keyboard. I don't think I could reach max speed on that keyboard (on a regular keyboard, I can do 1 minute drills at about 110 wpm but regularly type around 85 wpm) but I was definitely near my normal speed. Then again, I took a real typing class and learned proper technique. A lot of people have really bad habits on the keyboard which is what you pick up when you self-learn.

i have an even older machine than yours (an HP TX2000) that's being retired due to too many problems. as least you're lucky and have a capacitive screen. I'm still poking with my fingernail.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
Yeah the Samsung sounds nice alright, the trouble is I'm slightly impoverished. What I usually do when I see computer hardware I like is tell myself I'll buy it later when the price comes down but when later comes I'll see something I like even better and I'll tell myself I'll buy THAT one when the price goes down and so on. Every once in a while I'll see what I think is a hot bargain and grab that. That's how I ended up with this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7, 8.1, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP tx2z
    CPU
    AMD Turion x2 Ultra 2.4
    Motherboard
    Quanta
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon 3200
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256gb ssd
In reply to Optical 10 about #3 HP Quicklaunch.
My machine is a Tx2z 1000 CTO, with Win 8 64.
HP changed around the site!
It took a little digging around but it's under Driver - Keyboard and mouse inputs here Software & Driver Downloads HP TouchSmart tx2z-1000 CTO Notebook PC | HP® Support . I just downloaded Quicklaunch for Win7 64 and installed it after Win 8 was installed. Yeah I took a risk, I know.... but it worked, sort of.

About all that other stuff, "the big stink" I didn't have a clue.

Thanks, that worked & i'll keep an eye on it stop/starting in "msconfig & services" after restarts.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 7, 8.1, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP tx2z
    CPU
    AMD Turion x2 Ultra 2.4
    Motherboard
    Quanta
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon 3200
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256gb ssd
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