Unpacking a HP Envy 15" 15-1066nr recertified from Newegg.com

Here's a quick video of my new recertified HP Envy 15" from Newegg.com being unpacked. There are MANY variations of the Envy 15 out there and the 1066 isn't the most popular or best documented. This is one of the biggest bargains for an i7 computer.

If you're curious about what you get when you buy a refurbished computer, be my guest. This shows my experience of receiving a HP recertified computer from Newegg.

For disassembly hints, check out: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y05sYNkzSLc

It's important to remove ALL* the bottom screws. That includes under the rubber foot pads, under the battery, and under the narrow bottom plate that covers the RAM. Then carefully lift the lid and undo the first ribbon connector.

*Note: there are 5 screws under the battery. The one that is particularly small does not have to be removed since it's not holding the chassis.

For a peek under the hood, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zRuccnz15E

The RAM is near the front left corner, while the HD is at the front right.

If you're considering a HD upgrade, I recommend the FREE version of HDClone to clone your bootable drive. In addition, if you are upgrading to a smaller drive (SSD for example), I have good results "shrinking" the drive with Easeus Partition Master.

HDClone: http://download.cnet.com/HDClone-Free-Edition/3000-2248_4-10504284.html

Easeus Partition: http://download.cnet.com/Easeus-Partition-Master-Home-Edition/3000-2248_4-108...

Take care all!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• HP
• Envy
• 15
• 15-1066nr

[boskobear]

@aneveningsmoke

I'm also wanting to upgrade my hdd to a ssd (ssd1/hdd2) but cannot find any good step by step directions on the web. What combination of ssd did u choose to go with? what do you recommend?

[aneveningsmoke]

@boskobear

download.intel.com/support/ssd­c/hpssd/sb/performance_ssd_ins­tallation_guide_320169.pdf

[aneveningsmoke]

@boskobear

Mine is a 160 and I've loaded Visual Studio, Photoshop, Expression Ultimate, Cubase, Miroslav Philharmonik, Sample Tank, and quite a few other programs on top of the 64-bit os with about 60gb to spare. If you run a leaner machine, you'll be good at 80gb.

Let me know if you find any of those brackets available. I did a brief search but ran out of patience. I'd love to mount a second one and use it for recordings. Even a small 40gb would be great! Just can't find brackets!

[boskobear]

@aneveningsmoke

What size ssd did you choose to go with? Mine is the same model envy 15-1066nr with a single 500gb hdd... I am planning on making my primary hd a 80gb ssd with my secondary a 500gb if I could... i know that I may need to get a special bracket in order to have daul hd's for it to fit. Thanks for the quick response.. appreciate your help with the steps I will use.

[aneveningsmoke]

@boskobear

I have found best prices on those drives by putting the model number into eBay search and clicking the search description box. I got this drive for around 1.50/gb by purchasing it as an OEM Lenovo drive and not a retail packaged Intel. Using the Intel SSD Toolbox program, it seems to be running 100%. Kingston has been dropping their prices lately too, and might be a better and more economical choice depending on the deals you can find.

Take care.

[aneveningsmoke]

@boskobear

...

6. attach the cable that connects the hdd to the computer

7. secure the hdd to the chassis/motherboard using the original screws

8. close the hdd access point (keyboard/backplate)

If properly cloned, it should boot up. If not, don't panic. Try a different copy setting or use a different free hdd cloning program. Remember, there is a difference between "copy drive" and "copy disc". Not the same.

I now use an Intel SSD X-25M SSDSA2MH160G101, and am looking to esata a second.

[aneveningsmoke]

@boskobear

The Envy 15 that I purchased only has a single hdd. Do you have a model number?

Essentially, to quickly recreate step-by-step instructions of the procedure:

0. clone/ghost/copy the hd that you want to replace.

1. access the hd (under keyboard or beneath a back plate

2. remove the screws that hold the drive to the chassis/motherboard

3. remove the cable that connects the hdd to the computer

4. remove the hdd from the hd tray (side screws)

5. attach the new hdd to the hd tray ...

[aneveningsmoke]

@ReoSonoma

I like it a lot. I upgraded the memory and threw in an SSD and life is good. How about you??

[aneveningsmoke]

@boskobear

Very cool! Good luck with your new computer!!

[boskobear]

I called my local best buy 3 weeks ago to purchase this hp envy 15-1066nr. I told them that I found the exact same model thru google shopping for $887 from another website (that i had never heard of b4... & really didnt want to buy from)... they searched and found it & price matched it!! its worth a try to get another $112 taken off this great computer.