 HP Pavilion dv9380 | |
| Developer | Hewlett-Packard (HP Inc.) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Quanta Computer Inc. |
| Type | Laptop/notebook |
| Release date | July 12, 2006 [1] |
| Lifespan | 2006–2008 |
| Discontinued | September 2008 |
| Display | 17.0" |
| Predecessor | HP Pavilion dv8000 series |
| Successor | HP Pavilion dv7 series |
| Related | HP Pavilion dv8000, dv6000, dv5000, dv2000, dv1000 series |
The HP Pavilion dv9000 was a model series of laptops manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Company that featured 16:10 17.0" diagonal displays.
First introduced in July 2006, [1] the HP Pavilion dv9000 series was a series of high-definition capable widescreen laptops using the HP Imprint finish. It featured 17.0" 16:10 LCD displays housed in a clamshell-type case, measured 15.16 x 11.65 x 1.57 inches, and weighs anywhere from about 7.7 lb (3.5 kg) to 8.4 lb (3.8 kg). Specific internal components can be custom-chosen by the customer as build-to-order configurations or pre-selected by the manufacturer for the retail market.
Unique to this model series (as well as many other laptops in the HP Pavilion laptop line at the time) was HP QuickPlay, which allows the user to view multimedia content without booting into the operating system. On models preinstalled with Windows Vista, the QuickPlay boot option was removed due to compatibility issues, however the main features are still available as a separate application from within Windows.
The closest competitor to the dv9000 series was the Dell XPS M1530, which was a 15.4" laptop released around the same time as the dv9700 series in November 2007 and had similar features.
The HP Pavilion dv9000 series was succeeded by the larger 17.3" dv7 series in July 2008, and sales were stopped in mid-to-late September 2008 alongside the related dv2000 and dv6000 series as they were being replaced with the dv4, dv5 and dv7 series, with the remaining stock of laptops being cleared out afterwards.
The Pavilion dv9000 is the first model of the Pavilion dv9000 series of laptops, introduced in 2006. Two models released within the dv9000 model series were the dv9000t and dv9000z, differing with their options of processors and graphics hardware as well as their feature sets. The dv9000t series featured Intel processors with Intel chipsets while the dv9000z series featured AMD processors and Nvidia nForce chipsets. All models from this series came preinstalled with either Windows XP or Windows Vista depending on the time of manufacture.
Model numbers for the dv9000 series range from dv9000 to dv9499.
Model introduced in September 2006. [2] Uses Intel CPUs and an Intel Calistoga 945PM motherboard.
Model introduced in July 2006. [1] Uses AMD CPUs and an nForce 430M C51M/C51D motherboard.
The Pavilion dv9200 is a variation of the Pavilion dv9000 series of laptops, which became generally available in 2007. It is based on the dv9000t model series, exclusively using Intel Core/Core 2 Duo CPUs with discrete Nvidia graphics in most models of this series. All models of the dv9000 series came preinstalled with Windows Vista from this model series onwards.
Other models within the dv92xx-dv94xx range were also available with AMD processors and Nvidia nForce chipsets.
The Pavilion dv9500 is a variation of the Pavilion dv9000 series of laptops, which was introduced as early as May 2007. It succeeds the prior Pavilion dv9000 model series. Two models released within the dv9500 model series were the dv9500t and dv9500z, differing with their options of processors and graphics hardware as well as their feature sets. The dv9500t series featured Intel processors with Intel chipsets while the dv9500z series featured AMD processors and Nvidia nForce chipsets.
Model numbers for the dv9500 series range from dv9500 to dv9699.
Uses Intel CPUs and an Intel Crestline GM/PM965 motherboard.
Uses AMD CPUs and an nForce 630M MCP67M/MCP67D motherboard.
Source: [3]
The Pavilion dv9600 is a sub-brand of the dv9500 model series, itself a variation of the Pavilion dv9000 series of laptops. It became generally available in 2007. Two models released within the dv9600 series were the dv9600t and dv9600z, differing with their options of processors and graphics hardware as well as their feature sets. The dv9600t series featured Intel processors with Intel chipsets while the dv9600z series featured AMD processors and Nvidia nForce chipsets.
Model numbers for the dv9600 series range from dv9600 to dv9699.
Uses Intel CPUs and an Intel Crestline GM/PM965 motherboard.
See "HP Pavilion dv9500t" specifications above.
Uses AMD CPUs and an nForce 630M MCP67M/MCP67D motherboard.
See "HP Pavilion dv9500z" specifications above.
The Pavilion dv9700 is a variation of the Pavilion dv9000 series of laptops, which was announced sometime in 2007 before being released as early as November of that year, with the models becoming generally available to retail by January 2008. It was the last model of the Pavilion dv9000 series of laptops, succeeding the prior Pavilion dv9500 and dv9600 series. Two models released within the dv9700 series were the dv9700t and dv9700z, differing with their options of processors and graphics hardware as well as their feature sets. The dv9700t series featured Intel processors with Intel chipsets while the dv9700z series featured AMD processors and Nvidia nForce chipsets.
Model numbers for the dv9700 series range from dv9700 to dv9999.
Uses Intel CPUs and an Intel Crestline GM/PM965 motherboard.
Source: [15]
Uses AMD CPUs and an nForce 630M MCP67M/MCP67D motherboard.
Source: [16]
Quanta Computer Inc., an Original design manufacturer (ODM), manufacturers the hardware, motherboard, and design of the dv9000 series of laptops alongside the dv2000 and dv6000 series (as well as other HP laptops made by HP at the time). This was a common practice by many other brands of the era.
 | This section possibly contains original research .(January 2025) |
Note: current listings are posted from independent testing by author. Updates/revisions are requested from verifiable third-party websites.
| This section contains instructions or advice .(January 2025) |
Note: current suggestions are posted from independent testing by author.
Windows 7
Windows 7 has been known to work flawlessly on the HP Pavilion dv9000 series in several tests, especially when using the official Windows Vista drivers provided by HP.
Although the laptops supported 64-bit processors, and Windows 7 (and by extension, Windows Vista) was offered in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, a handful of dv9000 series owners have opted to use 32-bit versions of Windows over the 64-bit versions purely for reasons such as less memory overhead, reduced OS footprint, and much greater compatibility with software and drivers. This is especially important for older computers manufactured in the early-to-mid 2000s, which typically had 32-bit only CPUs prior to 2003/2004, as well as low-end to mid-range computers such as the dv9000 series. Despite this, however, there are some limitations when using a 32-bit OS on a 64-bit capable hardware like the dv9000 series, and therefore it is generally not recommended for those specific use cases.
However, if for whatever reason the user should run the 32-bit version of Windows 7 on a dv9000 series laptop, then certain prerequisites must be made in order for 32-bit versions of Windows to be able to run just as well as the 64-bit versions on the dv9000 series. For instance, a PAE patch is available that allows the operating system to use up to 4 GB memory configurations on 32-bit OSes, as it uses up to 3 GB by default (this patch is also confirmed to work with the then-new monthly update rollup model set by Microsoft in 2016 for Windows 7).
For drivers, the fingerprint scanner drivers with DigitalPersona only works with 32-bit versions of Windows, however 64-bit driver packs are available (see the "Windows 10" section below). The (laptop-only) video drivers for Windows 7 from Nvidia's site can also be used, however version 341.81 (released August 15, 2015) and later is not recommended for models equipped with the GeForce 8600M GS graphics chips due to sleep and hibernation problems. The last known good version of the graphics drivers as of August 1,2018 [update] is version 332.21 from December 19, 2013. This version is particularly important for 32-bit OSes with PAE enabled, as PAE support is broken on later 32-bit drivers. Version 179.48 of the graphics drivers is recommended for models equipped with integrated Nvidia graphics chips, and is also the latest version.
Also, some drivers (such as the graphics driver) may have to be installed manually as the installer on some drivers will not be able to detect drivers for the correct operating system that is being used, however they will still work. This is achieved by bypassing the installer and then extracting the files from them using file archiver programs such as WinZip or WinRAR so that they can be installed directly via Device Manager.
An SSD is preferably (but highly) recommended for better performance in modern times; see the "hardware" section below for more information about SSDs.
Windows 10
Windows 10 has also been known to run just as well as (if not better than) Windows 7 on the HP Pavilion dv9000 series of laptops in various tests despite running on the older hardware.
As with the "Windows 7" section above, the same general consensus apply to those using either the 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows 10 on an older laptop like the dv9000 series, including their aforementioned advantages/disadvantages. The aforementioned PAE patch for 32-bit versions of Windows 7 has since been updated to provide compatibility with 32-bit versions of Windows 10. Again, an SSD is preferably (but highly) recommended for better performance in modern times; see the "hardware" section below for more information about SSDs.
Nearly all the drivers meant for the dv9000 series are included by default in Windows 10, however some drivers must be installed beforehand. Those installing the fingerprint scanner drivers with DigitalPersona must follow the Windows 7 installation instructions for DigitalPersona in order to install it on Windows 10; 64-bit versions of Windows 10 will likely need separate driver packs, and in the case of the fingerprint scanner drivers with DigitalPersona, these driver packs include sp35583 (drivers) and sp48018 (DigitalPersona). The Ricoh SD card reader will likely need driver pack sp45112. The Synaptics touchpad driver has driver packs in both 32-bit (sp37065) and 64-bit (sp51647) versions; one of them needs to be installed for the appropriate CPU architecture. The drivers for the HP Quick Launch Buttons (QLB) will need the sp40139 driver pack.
The same graphics driver versions for Windows 7 also applies to Windows 10. Version 332.21, dated December 19, 2013, is highly recommended for 32-bit versions of Windows 10 on models using discrete GeForce 8600M GS graphics chips, as later 32-bit drivers have aforementioned issues with PAE support as well as sleep and hibernation problems starting with driver version 341.81 and later as mentioned in the "Windows 7" section above. Models with integrated Nvidia graphics chips should be able to use the latest (and recommended) drivers available, that being version 179.48.
Again, some drivers will also need to be manually installed as the installer would not detect the current operating system being used; the same methods as mentioned in the "Windows 7" section above would also apply here.
The user will also need to exclude driver updates from Windows Update by editing the registry using the registry key "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=dword:00000001, which must be placed at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate. This method will also apply to Windows 7 as well, however it is unnecessary to do so.
Third-party and open-source utilities like Open-Shell, Desktop Gadgets Revived, and ExplorerPatcher can be used to achieve a Windows 7-like experience on Windows 10, and several tools and utilities are also available to transform Windows 10 into Windows 7 even more, including bringing the Windows 7 look-and-feel (complete with the Windows Aero interface and icons) into Windows 10.
Wi-Fi wireless cards
The Intel PRO/Wireless 7260AC 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) wireless card is known to work well with the dv9000 series of laptops, especially for Intel-based models. It dramatically increases wireless connection speeds of up to 866 Mbit/s (2x2), much higher than that of the provided Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN 802.11g (Wi-Fi 3) wireless cards included with all Intel-based models. These wireless cards consumes less power and heat than the 4965AGN wireless cards, which were known to get hot under normal operations, and is also half the size of said wireless cards. The Intel AX200 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) Gigabit wireless card is also known to work with the dv9000 series of laptops under Windows 10 64-bit as of April 27,2018 [update] , which also provides much higher connection speeds than the 7260AC and 4965AGN wireless cards.
In order to use these above mentioned wireless cards, a modified BIOS with the whitelist removed (which is specific to each model) must be used. The BIOS for each specific model can be determined by checking the SP number for the BIOS, which can be used to find an equivalent driver pack (with the format "spxxxxx.exe") containing the modified BIOS with the whitelist removed.
Solid-state drives
Solid-state drives (SSDs) are a popular upgrade for older computers and laptops, especially in modern times. They provide several advantages over the once popular hard disk drives (HDDs) offered during the lifespan of the dv9000 series, including a much quieter operation and less heat generation, as well as (in some cases) being more reliable than with standard hard disk drives (see Comparison with other technologies under the Solid-state drive article for more info). While they still remain costly compared to traditional hard disk drives, it remains a highly recommended option for data storage, and most if not all of the solid-state drives on the market today are affordable enough to buy than with earlier solid-state drives released during the heyday of the dv9000 series.
Any SATA-compliant solid-state drives of any type regardless of revision using the 2.5-inch HDD form factor will work on the dv9000 series (as well as many other laptops using SATA connectors), provided that the proprietary hard drive connection adapter specific to the dv9000 series is used. Solid-state drives using the M.2 form factor will also work, usually with an M.2-to-SATA adapter to facilitate connectivity to the laptop.
Despite running at the slower SATA-II speed due to the way the laptops were designed in the first place (see the Backward and forward compatibility section of the SATA article for more info on compatibility between SATA-II and SATA-III devices), they still provided a dramatic performance increase over the standard hard disk drives of the era using the same interface, allowing these laptops to be used more effectively (and efficiently) in the modern world.
USB 3.0 expansions
There are several third-party USB 3.0 expansion cards using the ExpressCard format, which are available on several sites like eBay. These expansion cards uses a Renesas (formerly NEC Electronics) μPD720202 chipset.
Most USB 3.0 ExpressCard expansions on the market are two-port ones, which provides up to two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports and one power jack port to supply additional power for the USB 3.0 ports. A power adapter is included with these cards, and is usually plugged into one of the USB ports on the computer. There are also three-port USB 3.0 ExpressCard expansions available, providing up to three SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports, however these tend to be more problematic than two-port ones as many USB 3.0-compliant devices require much higher power requirements than that of USB 2.0-compliant devices, which can exceed that of three-port USB 3.0 expansions.
It is important to note that these USB 3.0 ExpressCard expansions listed in this section are not specific to the dv9000 series, as they are designed to be compatible with every other laptop and notebook computers available with ExpressCard slots.
Between November 2008 and May 2009, HP recalled many notebooks made by the company due to a design fault that would potentially cause one or both of the hinges to break off or fracture. The use of thin flexible aluminium within a critical location of stress and tension to hold up the large LCD screen was considered a poor choice for a product designed to be opened and closed frequently, resulting in fractured hinges. The right-side hinge will most likely fail; it is not a question of if, but when; but it is not difficult or expensive to replace it as long as no other damage occurred to it when it broke at the time of failure. One sign of a failed hinge is a slight cracking sound when closing the lid of the laptop. If the user stops using their laptop in the event either one of the hinges fail, no other damage is likely to occur, however reopening it back up will permanently destroy the rear cover due to the failed hinges, which will make repairs very difficult and expensive.
These issues (among others) led to poor customer service from HP's warranty department; one disappointed customer even reported to a service representative warning them to just "leave the laptop open and don't close the lid, or it may break".[ citation needed ] Many customers also believed that HP is not standing by with their products, only offering a short 6-month period for repairs; which will simply reoccur due to the poor design of the hinges.
OEM hinges are made of aluminium, which can be distinguished by the shiny silver quality of the lower hinge assembly. Aftermarket replacements are made out of cast with a dull gray color and will not fit properly, nor are the threads properly tapped into the right side mounting holes. This can make replacing the hinges a non-trivial task.
This defect is found on the HP Pavilion dv2000/dv6000/dv9000 series of laptops, and was partly remedied with the later models of the HP Pavilion dv series of laptops/notebooks (e.g. dv2/dv3/dv4/dv5/dv6/dv7), as they used a different design for the hinges.
The HP Pavilion dv9000 series, along with other laptops designed by HP of the era such as the dv2000 and dv6000 series, are known for having overheating problems. This is caused by the cooling fan having no filter and sucking up foreign debris and materials (e.g. dust, dirt, etc.) from dirty environments, which can clog up the heatsinks and exhaust ports and block the fan intake vents, leading to the computer overheating. Worse still, the entire laptop has to be completely disassembled in order to clean up the affected areas.
Using a can of compressed air to blow air into the exhaust port on the left-hand side of the rear portion of the laptop (below the VGA & expansion ports) while it is running can help, however the fan must be cleaned if idle temperatures rise up to 115-120 degrees (in Fahrenheit). Placing a 2" square piece of speaker grill fabric between the fan and the intake vents on the bottom of the chassis can alleviate this problem, with idle temps of up to 85-95 degrees (in Fahrenheit) depending on the processor.
Furthermore, the discrete Nvidia graphics chips (GeForce 8400M and 8600M to be precise) offered in the high-end models of the dv9000 series (which included some dv9000, dv9200, dv9500, dv9600, and dv9700 models) as well as some integrated Nvidia graphics chips (such as the GeForce Go 6150) are also prone to overheating problems in addition to the aforementioned problems above, which can eventually lead to graphics chip failures. Combined with the fan and the intake vents eventually clogging up with dust and debris from inside the system, this can accelerate the overheating problem, leading to premature failure of the graphics chips. This problem is also common on several laptops made by HP at the time that featured said Nvidia chips.
HP has since acknowledged these issues as a common "hardware issue with certain dv2000/dv6000/dv9000" series of notebooks in 2008/2009, with the affected models being eligible for repair under their limited warranty services. [17]
In some cases, the wireless card on some dv9000 series models may cease to stop functioning at certain points, which can be identified by the computer losing all wireless connections along with the wireless adapter not being detected by Device Manager or other computer hardware information programs. Other problems include receiving no video from either the LCD panel or an external monitor, to the laptops not receiving any power or not starting up properly. [17] Some of these issues may also be linked to the overheating problems mentioned above.
