Computer Help Needed!-*Update* Replaced with new model

[clarkshel]

I have the computer back now!

They replaced the hard drive and the motherboard. Also says they replaced the tattoo motherboard? Never heard of a tattoo motherboard.

Who ever was setting the computer back up forgot to add in the free games so HP is sending out some disks and will help me load them on if I need help installing.

Still the computer has trouble when I leave a tab and go back it sometimes is blank (white). I have also had it say This page cannot be displayed and Internet Explorer stopped working. So far it is better than before but still not great.

So far I have removed Norton and reinstalled McAfee - not sure how to turn on Defender. Still having trouble remembering how to change the sleep mode!

I reinstalled iTunes and will have to add my files from the flash drive as everything was wiped off when they replaced the motherboards and hard drive.

Glad you got it back. I hope it doesn't give you further grief. I would keep a close eye on it. Of you have any little issue, call HP. You shouldn't be having any issues with a brand new computer. The issues usually start a year or two down the road. . It confuses me on why they didn't just give you a brand new computer to begin with instead of all the repair work they did.

 

[squirrel]

I got the back up disks last night but I haven't had time to look at them yet.

 

[nd5056]

... It confuses me on why they didn't just give you a brand new computer to begin with instead of all the repair work they did.

It's called the profit margin.

When they repair your PC or even replace a part that failed, like Hard Drive or Motherboard, they replace it with "Recertified", not a New part. Read the fine print...

Recertified = they have many returned PC's they can't sell as "NEW" anymore, or some that were replaced because of problems with some working components in them. the parts are Free for them.

 

[squirrel]

It's doing it again!

I haven't even had it back for a week and it started off small again with giving me messages that Internet Explorer stopped working, the white webpages and then just frozen webpages (not as bad as the whole screen freezing, but still annoying) and then last night it went to a dark screen and I couldn't get anything to work so I shut it down.

I've had more than enough with this computer. Re-setting it up each time takes hours. I haven't even bothered to see if the disks contained the games that were suppose to be on the computer.

Does anyone know how to turn on Defender with Windows 8? That will save me a step as I won't even bother adding McAfee next time.

 

[squirrel]

HP is taking it back to the shop for repair again. I hope this is the last time it needs to go in. They better get it working properly.

I will be without a computer again for a week. So not impressed!

 

[manning]

Yep, I've asked for a supervisor to arrange a return. I was suppose to get a call on Friday, called again today. Was told it takes 24-48 working hours. So maybe someone will call tomorrow.

Problem is all the information (data) from my old computer is now on this one. I have no way of storing it other than to buy an external hard drive. I don't want to have to spend $60 or more for something that I won't use again.

Actually you may use an external hard dire more than you think. I have several and one of them is for info that I keep on it that I don't want on the computer. Hook it up only when I need the info.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

You should tell them you want a new box, not having yours repaired. If it hasn't worked right from the start, you should demand it. If they won't, then see if you can return it.

I would disable the Widows 8 Defender. Then install your own Internet Security software. I recommend Kaspersky. I find it better than McAfee and Norton. I don't have a Windows 8 machine, so I have limited experience with it. Maybe the Defender software is good. Not sure.

Another vote of love for Kaspersky; that piggy-backed with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will kill just about any nasty.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

HP is taking it back to the shop for repair again. I hope this is the last time it needs to go in. They better get it working properly.

I will be without a computer again for a week. So not impressed!

Can you get them to re-image it to Windows 7? Windows 8 has not impressed me thus far.

 

[clarkshel]

Can you get them to re-image it to Windows 7? Windows 8 has not impressed me thus far.

Windows 8 is good. It is just that it is a change from the traditional Windows Start menu. I think people just have to learn how to use it. When I first started using windows 8, I hated it. But within a couple hours of playing around with it, I actually prefer it to windows 7.

 

[squirrel]

I bought a Flash Drive for about $12 and stored the information on it.

Knowing the computer, I didn't put the Flash Drive back in as I wanted to make sure it was working before spending more time adding on anything other than a good Anti-virus program.

I should have the box and label to return it at my house today.

Does anyone know how to turn Defender on, with Windows 8?

 

[rock_doctor]

Does anyone know how to turn Defender on, with Windows 8?

Nope, can't tell you as i have classic shell running and therefore have the start button on the desk top but here is a link to a website telling you how to do it.
http://windows8tipstricks.com/turn-windows-defender-windows-8/

remember to close a window with surface, move the cursor to the top and you will get a hand. Click to grab the page top and drag it off the bottom right corner. This will close the page...

This is one way to get to defender, on the desktop move mouse to upper right corner, side menu will pop out click on settings and then control panel. At the top right of the page you will see "view by" change this from categories to small icons. On the bottom row you will see Windows Defender. Click on it. I am also not impressed with win 8 and do not suggest upgrading but they say it is much more secure...if you had a computer with a touch screen then i could see it but with a normal computer, just don't. good luck.

 

[cglaura]

I didn't click the link in pp, but here is how I got to it:

Hover your mouse over the right side of your desktop screen (or whatever side you have your menu set to).

When the menu pops out, click Search.

Search for Defender

Right click the icon for Defender and you will have options below to open the file.

You will also have options to pin to Desktop or Tile. I pin to Desktop as I don't use the tiles. (I click the Desktop icon as soon as Windows loads).

Now I have and icon for it on my Desktop taskbar and can easily get to it to update or run scans manually if I want.

 

[squirrel]

Thanks rock_doctor and cglaura when I get the computer back again, I won't bother installing any anti-virus programs I will just turn on Defender. I'm sure I will still have to remove Norton again.

I also don't use the tiles, I just go straight to the desktop.

 

[squirrel]

The computer is on it's way back! The bad news is someone sent it standard UPS so now I won't get it until Tuesday afternoon.

I am and would like to do this It better work this time!

 

[clarkshel]

The computer is on it's way back! The bad news is someone sent it standard UPS so now I won't get it until Tuesday afternoon.

I am and would like to do this It better work this time!

Sorry you are having so many problems with your new PC. Have you demanded to speak with a supervisor on this issue? You should be nice with them but firm with them. I find this ridiculous that you keep getting your machine back repaired. Fight for a new one.

I had to do this with Dell. My new laptop kept blowing the network card when I had a network cable plugged in. I sent it back twice, each time I got the laptop, within a couple days, the network card would be gone. This was back in early 2000's. anyway they finally sent me a different model, with different specs on the 3rd time I returned the laptop. I never had any problems with it after that. At least with Dell, the turnaround times where really quick. I think I had the laptop back within 3 or 4 days from when I sent it.

 

[cndij]

Just a suggestion when you get it back, check to see if it has Google Chrome pre-installed. If it does you might want to un-install it, it didn't sound like it was your preferred browser anyway. I work in the IT department of a large company (2000 users) and our desktop people say 25% of the issues they run into are related to users having chrome on their computer. Once you uninstall it, you still need to go back into your settings and make explorer or firefox, whichever you prefer your default browser, or it will reinstall again.

 

[squirrel]

Finally got the computer back. They added something that when I clicked on the icon it installed something. It was HP connected remote.

I have tried to turn on Defender but it just gives me a message that Defender is turned off. I have searched for how to turn it on and my computer doesn't give me the screen that it shows. No settings tab or any tab. Just the message that Defender is turned off.

I have a call into the Tech # that came with the computer but it will be about 25 minutes before I get a call back.

They didn't re-install any software-no games (hopefully it's on one of the disks that were sent out) and no Norton 2 month trial (yay). It says on the service slip that on fault was found.

So far the computer froze on the search page when I was looking up how to turn on Defender. Haven't done much with it since I just got it at about 1:35pm PST.


I did a search and nothing came up for Google Chrome.

 

[cglaura]

When the box opens for Windows Defender...

If you get to the Defender program...Click the Settings tab. Make sure box is checked "Turn on Windows Defender"

Here is another way that might help get there.

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Windows Defender icon.

2. In Windows Defender, click/tap on the Settings tab, Administrators in left pane, check the Turn on Windows Defender box, and on Save Changes.


The way I found it:

Hover on your desktop right side until menu pops out. Click the magnifying glass and search defender. Click the program (might ask to run as administrator, click yes/ok), then make sure the settings are correct.​

Did you try clicking on the notification bubble down by the clock? Sounds like there might be a warning there about not having it installed. Maybe if you click that it will open the proper Defenders box where you can adjust settings.​

 

[squirrel]

I don't get the window that should open up for Defender. It just gives me a message that it's turned off.

Would having another anti-virus program on cause it not to open? Or do you think something wasn't installed properly with the software.

I have the defender icon on the toolbar, but it gives the same message that Windows Defender is turned off and isn't monitoring the computer. I can't find any way to get to the settings for Defender.

The computer is still giving me blank webpages and now I'm getting a circle with a ! in the middle. That's a new one.

 

[OklahomaTourist]

If you're searching web pages and getting blank results, that sounds like a DNS/network issue, not a computer hardware issue.

How are you connecting to your network? Wifi? Hardwired ethernet cable? Is IP v6 turned on? Win7 and later can act VERY strangely if IPv6 is turned on in an environment that doesn't support it.