SmartMenu causes Vista 64-bit to freeze after coming out of sleep mode: computer = HP HDX 18T

[ROA78]

Hi All,

I see to be having a problem with HP's SmartMedia SmartMenu.  Every time my machine (Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition with SP2) wakes out of sleep mode - my smartmenu starts to operate erratically in that the volume will jump up & down (the volume screen will appear showing this), I hear the 'clicking' sound associated with the volume control - then all of a sudden my computer freezes.  I found that if I end the SmartMenu process (smartmenu.exe) - I can continue one without any problems.  However this in itself is a problem as I should not have to end a process just for coming out of sleep mode!  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not suggest updating the drivers from the HP website or making sure I have the latest updates from Microsoft as I do that on a regular basis (I even have the latest BIOS update published on July 2009).

To anyone from HP who may read this - PLEASE update your software/drivers more often to keep pace with Microsoft's updates & service packs.  For example: it's August 2009 & the last update for smartmenu is dated back in January 2009 (not to mention that the sound card drivers have never been updated for my notebook (HDX 18t) (though I have found updated drivers on the web...))

Any suggestions on how to fix this would be greatly appreciated.  (I'm not afraid of editing the registry btw.)  Thank you all very much!

[oscaroxy]

I've got a HP pavillon 3550EL with Vista 64-bit, I've yourself problem... some advice?

Message Edited by oscaroxy on 08-19-2009 02:58 AM

[ROA78]

Hi,

In terms of any tips - the only thing I can think of is to stop smartmen.exe from starting at startup (go to start - Run - type in msconfig - go to the startup tab - find the entry entitled HP MediaSmart under the startup column (make sure that the entry under the Command column says %Program Files%\Hewlett-Packard-Packard\HP MediaSmart\SmartMenu.exe)

I've been checking the log files under the event Veiwer and I didn't see any events prior to my machine freezing up (perplexing to me).  I've googled the heck out of this problem and I have not been able to find a solution at all.

I hope this information helps.   If you find anything - please be sure to post it here.  I'll be sure to do the same.

HP - we need a response from you guys please  

[PixL8]

I have been having the exact same problem since I purchased my computer almost a year ago.  I have emailed Support a few times and received a fix that worked.  Temporarily.  It is now doing it again, strangely just before my warranty is about to expire.  I am very frustrated, as there is no way to use the system when it is doing this.

I wish that I could get a response to this.   

[ROA78]

The best remedy (that I've found) is to use my suggestion (see my reply to the 2nd post) in disabling the HP SmartMeneu.exe program.  Since all the program does is give you a graphical display of the volumen level and bass/trebel controls - there are other means of controlling those levels.  For the bass and trebel controls - do the following: go to the Control Panel (best viewed in Classic View) - select Sound - then highlight the audio controller (in thise case it would be the Speakers and Dual Heaphones) - click on Properties (Properties will be greyed out until you select an audio controller) - then select the Tone Controls tab - and adjust your bass and treble levels as needed.  For the volume control - you can use your volume slider on your keyboard or by way of the speaker in the system control panel or the Levels tab on the Speakers and Dual Heaphones Properties dialog box (the same place where the bass and treble levels are).

This seems to have resolved my issue until HP comes out with a permanent fix (HP I HOPE YOUR READING THIS - THIS IS JUST PLAIN REDICULOUS)..

[PixL8]

Thank you!  I will give that a try.  It's more frustrating that it's -never- worked properly than the fact that I'm having problems. 

I hope HP is reading this too.  If this fix doesn't work and I have to buy a new laptop, it won't be an HP....

[ESinNica]

Hi all,

I used the "HP Health Check" program on my Pavilion dv3000. It suggested that I updated certain drivers on my system.

I did this and I'm now paying the consequences. My notebook freezes. I updated the sound driver. The funny thing is that the "HP Health Check" does not register that my driver is updated. It still suggests that I download this driver. Anyways, the way to stop that my computer freezes is to disable HP Smart Menu.

HP, please comment.