HP Compaq Presario breakdown

[Onkel Neal]

Back in March 2007 I bought a pair of laptops to send my kids off to college with. Last week one stopped working. After checking with the HP tech site, I found there is a known defect with a long list of HP laptops.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=ca&docname=c01087277

I checked and the product numbers checked, so I called their tech support. Naturally this program ended 8 days ago, so HP will not repair the laptop. After speaking to a supervisor, he was pretty blunt about it.

Just a little feedback about HP computers for you. Operating life of 2 years is pretty bad.

[AVGWarhawk]

Makes you feel insignificant in the world, no? The warranty always runs out just as you need it. Two years is awful for a computer to last. Although, a laptop suffers a bit more as it is carried around. We would look awfully silly with a desktop under our arm heading to class Live and learn as they say.

[SteamWake]

Was it an 1600-1800 by any chance?

I need some parts, specifically a display

Compaq Presario?
had one,insured it for 3 years,
having it insured was the best safeguard I took,
First in 3 months the drive went,
had it replaced,
in its second year
then the graphics card went,
when replaced the Realtec audio went missing,
figure that one
as I had it insured for 3 times the value,
knowing computers get cheaper,
I got a new Computer in the store,
Not Compaq Presario,
lesson learned.

[Onkel Neal]

Yeah, I completely understand computer warranties are pretty brief, no problem with that. However, I am not satisifed when a complete line of a particular product has a widespread and known defect, and the company extends the warranty basically to do a product recall, but only for a window that is significantly shorter than the expected life of the product. If the problem is random and rare, ok, I can handle that. If the problem is systemic, the remedy should be too. Basically what they are saying to me is "yes we sold you a PC with a design defect, we know they all have this problem, and 2 years is about all you can expect for your money".

That's not acceptable. This isn't over yet.

Originally Posted by SteamWake

Was it an 1600-1800 by any chance?

I need some parts, specifically a display

It's a V6205.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Yeah, I completely understand computer warranties are pretty brief, no problem with that. However, I am not satisifed when a complete line of a particular product has a widespread and known defect, and the company extends the warranty basically to do a product recall, but only for a window that is significantly shorter than the expected life of the product. If the problem is random and rare, ok, I can handle that. If the problem is systemic, the remedy should be too. Basically what they are saying to me is "yes we sold you a PC with a design defect, we know they all have this problem, and 2 years is about all you can expect for your money".

That's not acceptable. This isn't over yet.



It's a V6205.

Rats...

[AVGWarhawk]

I agree. A defect is a defect is a defect. Announcing it as a defect and will cover the product under the defect should carry on as long as that particular product is still functional and will remain functional when the defect rears its head and repairing the defect will have continued use of the product. In short, HP is saying grab your ankles and tough sh!t. Bad business. I would go after them if for anything some sort of satisfaction. A nice discount on a new computer or something of that nature. Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead.

[Arclight]

Aye, rip them a new one.

[Peto]

Yep. I have had a few brawls with HP TS. Their on-line driver support is iffy as well--often missing drivers and you have to research what other HP model has them. HP typically won't tell you. When they dropped support for 98 they immediately removed all 98 drivers for all their products from their web-site. It wouldn't have been that big of a burden to leave the drivers up for people to DL. I've recommended many companies for people to use but I will NOT recommend HP.

As for the broken Laptop: ebay is your friend. Someone is always looking for laptop parts.

[Peto]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I agree. A defect is a defect is a defect. Announcing it as a defect and will cover the product under the defect should carry on as long as that particular product is still functional and will remain functional when the defect rears its head and repairing the defect will have continued use of the product. In short, HP is saying grab your ankles and tough sh!t. Bad business. I would go after them if for anything some sort of satisfaction. A nice discount on a new computer or something of that nature. Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead.

Been there--done that. And I'm good at getting what I want from TS CS people (I've been a manager of both so know what to say). Trying to get satisfaction from HP isn't worth the frustration you'll have to endure. I get angry everytime I read about them sticking it to another customer. Let your next purchase do the talking as well as what you tell your friends.

[Onkel Neal]

Seriously, the HP laptop problem is epidemic.

I suppose there are pages like this for every computer manufacturor, but this indicates a core issue at fault.

[Peto]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Seriously, the HP laptop problem is epidemic.

I suppose there are pages like this for every computer manufacturor, but this indicates a core issue at fault.

True. Every company has a lemon from time-to-time. Some of those companies contact their customer directly. HP? I don't know how they stay in business. Printers work well (although the software packages for those are ridiculously huge). But how they continue to sell computers they won't support is beyond me.

Seriously Neal--take a look on ebay and see what they're going for. Since this notebook is known buggy and the extended service for them just expired, there's likely to be a demand for parts. It often amazes me that we can get a couple hundred bucks for some old piece of Bantha Poodoo. And your XP/Vista license is worth a few bucks too (~75-100 to a system builder)--but don't sell the notebook without it (unless you mention it ebay notes).

You're not the only one that's PO'd. I fought with an HP reinstall today because they hadn't posted the drivers on thir web-site.

Lenovo is my current favorite for notebooks although I have nothing against Dell's either. My kid has had his Dell through the burning desert in his ruck-sack and in nice dusty FOB's--some of the worst environments imaginable for a PC--and it's still working great. And Dell always has the drivers posted on their web-site to make OS reloads a snap.

Or you could order a nice PetoPC system . My desktops are reasonably priced but if you want me to build you a notebook, they start at $30,000 (tax included) .

[Onkel Neal]

What is an FOB?

I plan to take my Dell laptop on the motorcycle trip. It wouldn't surprise me if the laptop decides it doesn't like motorcycles

[Peto]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

What is an FOB?

FOB=Forward Operating Base. They are basically military outposts.

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

I plan to take my Dell laptop on the motorcycle trip. It wouldn't surprise me if the laptop decides it doesn't like motorcycles

Well--it might depend on the roads you travel and the company you keep (ie--don't spill beer on the keyboard ).

[AVGWarhawk]

In trucking FOB is 'freight onboard'