Hewlett Packard Desktop is a piece of junk!

[luvmyfam444]

Soory you didn't have any luck. I've been using HP for years now - and have called their support several times over the years & they have been very helpful - though it took a while - checking lots of steps. I even have 3 HP printers & a laptop. LOVE 'em

 

[cdepauli]

In truth, computer selection isn;t what it was years ago. The only major players left are Dell and HP, other than having something custom built locally.

There are certainly other large companies producing computers right now, like Apple, Sony, Toshiba, and Compaq to name a few. I think selection is much better now, especially with the addition of netbooks. The average consumer will be able to get what they need on a computer with many different brands to choose from.

I've owned two Toshiba laptops that I've been quite pleased with, including the one I'm currently typing on. I also had many Toshiba's, as well as other brands, to choose from while shopping. My brother, on the other hand, custom built his own computer. We've both had our computing needs met by different sectors of the market.

 

[maelstrom]

Our brand new HP desktop has a whole slew of problems as well. Welcome to the club.

 

[Imzadi]

Our brand new HP desktop has a whole slew of problems as well. Welcome to the club.

Make sure you get them all repaired before the warranty is up. Otherwise, you will be charged the useless fee of a $50 diagnostic only - no other services included. See 6 posts above.

 

[torinsmom]

I have an HP laptop that I bought in December 2007. It has been a paperweight since July. Between the time I bought it and the time the warranty ran out, I sent it to HP three times. There had been a problem with the power supply since it was about 2 months old, and the hinges for the screen kept coming off as well, causing a problem with some of the functions. It also managed to go through 3 hard drives in a year and was on its fourth when it died for good. I still don't know what's wrong with it---it won't even power on most of the time and if I do get it on, there is nothing on the screen. Of course, my warranty is up, so HP is no help.

I will never buy an HP again. Their customer service is horrible. I have nothing against non-Americans, but to be put through to someone with an accent so heavy that you can't understand a word they say(and they don't seem to understand you) is really not going to help resolve an issue. Besides, it seems like they are reading from a script, and have no more computer knowledge than me.

Marsha

 

[maelstrom]

Make sure you get them all repaired before the warranty is up. Otherwise, you will be charged the useless fee of a $50 diagnostic only - no other services included. See 6 posts above.

The tower itself is probably being sold/donated and replaced by a Mac Mini. Not dealing with HP anymore.

 

[Micca]

We've had great luck with HP desktops and my Sony laptop. I'm wondering if there is a difference in quality between starter/basic products and more expensive premium models? None of our stuff is basic inexpensive stuff, maybe that's why we've had no problems?

 

[Imzadi]

and the hinges for the screen kept coming off as well,

Ah, yes, that is another problem with my laptop. I actually Googled and found this particular model has a hinge problem on ALL the laptops with this hinge. You'd think they'd do kind of a recall, or at least send new replacement hinges for free, knowing this is a global problem with this hinge.

I can get a cheap replacement off eBay, but it's not worth it as I'll be junking this as soon as I can get a Win 7 laptop.

Also, one shift key on this laptop has NEVER worked right. I have to manually go in and re-do the capitalization on ALL my typing. It isn't a problem of just changing the one key top. I take them off all the time. It is in the electronic touch sensor pad under the key. I have to slam on the key to make a capital letter. The only way it can be fixed is by replacing the whole keyboard.

 

[torinsmom]

Ah, yes, that is another problem with my laptop. I actually Googled and found this particular model has a hinge problem on ALL the laptops with this hinge. You'd think they'd do kind of a recall, or at least send new replacement hinges for free, knowing this is a global problem with this hinge.

I can get a cheap replacement off eBay, but it's not worth it as I'll be junking this as soon as I can get a Win 7 laptop.

Also, one shift key on this laptop has NEVER worked right. I have to manually go in and re-do the capitalization on ALL my typing. It isn't a problem of just changing the one key top. I take them off all the time. It is in the electronic touch sensor pad under the key. I have to slam on the key to make a capital letter. The only way it can be fixed is by replacing the whole keyboard.

There WAS a recall on some of the HP DV6000 series that involved the power/screen problems. Of course, mine(DV6633) was not part of the recall and I got nowhere calling them.

Check here......

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

Marsha

 

[Imzadi]

There WAS a recall on some of the HP DV6000 series that involved the power/screen problems. Of course, mine(DV6633) was not part of the recall and I got nowhere calling them.

Check here......

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

Marsha

Grrr! Mine is a DV5000.

 

[Chuck S]

There are certainly other large companies producing computers right now, like Apple, Sony, Toshiba, and Compaq to name a few. I think selection is much better now, especially with the addition of netbooks. The average consumer will be able to get what they need on a computer with many different brands to choose from.

I've owned two Toshiba laptops that I've been quite pleased with, including the one I'm currently typing on. I also had many Toshiba's, as well as other brands, to choose from while shopping. My brother, on the other hand, custom built his own computer. We've both had our computing needs met by different sectors of the market.

Compaq IS a Hewlett Packard brand.

 

[N.Bailey]

snip

In truth, computer selection isn;t what it was years ago. The only major players left are Dell and HP, other than having something custom built locally.
snip

Alienware, but not without a hefty price tag attached.

We got the kids an HP last Christmas. About 2 months ago or so, it started really acting up and after trying to figure it out for a long time, I ran a search at start up (not a computer genius and not sure how I even got into where I was), and was immediately prompted to call tech support. When we called, the tech guy said he'd be sending us out a new hard drive because ours was destroyed beyond repair. He mailed it, we got it 2-3 days later, installed it, then sent the old one back in the Fed Ex packaging HP provided (at no cost). It's been running perfectly since (though the kids lost a lot of data because nothing was accessible and they hadn't backed anything up).

Had they not received the old hard drive within X amount of time (I think that was 10 business days for it to be postmarked, but wouldn't swear to it), they'd have billed our credit card that they had to have on file before sending anything. They added, if it wasn't back in time and they charged the credit card, there would be no reimbursement. They stressed to make sure we got it out ASAP. We did, there was no charge, and I can only say good things about our experience.

I do think you have every right to be angry at how it all played out for you though. That's awful and it should have been replaced with a new computer, not repaired, IMO.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Alienware, but not without a hefty price tag attached.

We got the kids an HP last Christmas. About 2 months ago or so, it started really acting up and after trying to figure it out for a long time, I ran a search at start up (not a computer genius and not sure how I even got into where I was), and was immediately prompted to call tech support. When we called, the tech guy said he'd be sending us out a new hard drive because ours was destroyed beyond repair. He mailed it, we got it 2-3 days later, installed it, then sent the old one back in the Fed Ex packaging HP provided (at no cost). It's been running perfectly since (though the kids lost a lot of data because nothing was accessible and they hadn't backed anything up).

Had they not received the old hard drive within X amount of time (I think that was 10 business days for it to be postmarked, but wouldn't swear to it), they'd have billed our credit card that they had to have on file before sending anything. They added, if it wasn't back in time and they charged the credit card, there would be no reimbursement. They stressed to make sure we got it out ASAP. We did, there was no charge, and I can only say good things about our experience.

I do think you have every right to be angry at how it all played out for you though. That's awful and it should have been replaced with a new computer, not repaired, IMO.

Don't forget ASUS! I am a proud member of the republic of gamers!
the hardware and price are very competitive.

Mikeeee

 

[N.Bailey]

Thank you for the advice

I know that ALL companies are going to have good and bad experiences out there but these big companies need to know that while you can sell a bad product you still need to back it up with good customer service ~ people who know when to stop analyzing things over the phone and get someone experienced in that field to correctly diagnosis & fix the problem. That a "what can we do" attitude vs. tought luck attitude. Talking to some guy named "Bill"....boy are there ALOT of men in India with the name bill who cannot understand you and tells you to do the same thing 15 times is not going to resolve the issue. I can turn the system on and off as many times as you want but I have done those steps 20 times and the outcome is the same....that is NOT working. To expect a consumer with a brand new system to open the tower & fiddle around inside is completely unprofessional. I have no plans to let this go and will keep going up the ladder till it is fixed/resolved to my satisfaction ~ I want a working system that I already paid for in a timely manner ~ which according to them a month to fix is timely I have checked my local state laws regarding returns and want to read through them some more but it appears that as long as it is clearly stated in writing they can enforce the 21 day thing. Again I am fine with that as long as they replace the broken part ~ in this case I believe it is/was the hard drive. But I am not going to accept a computer back that does not perform to what I ordered and I will be going over it with a fine tooth comb when it comes back. I am not a computer "idiot" in the sense that I know quite a bit of programming and have worked with/on computers for years. However I do not put them together structurally and don't like to play with the wiring. Once everything is installed and in the tower it's like opening Pandora's box and you can't fit everything back in or at least not in correctly.

I think you have EVERY right to be angry, but far from being a techie myself, I think the thought of opening them is much more intimidating than it should be. You really should open them up from time to time to vacuum them out and just make sure there isn't a lot of dust built up inside. It will keep the system running much cooler and operating MUCH better.

Opening them really won't effect the hardware, unless you start tugging at wires and such. Getting the outside casing apart is really the hardest part, IMO, and you do run the risk of snapping some of those clips off if you're not careful.

I'm not trying to suggest that asking you to fix a brand new computer is acceptable, because there is nothing acceptable about it. I think most anyone would be angry if they just bought a brand new computer and got the response that you've gotten. I'd be livid!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

A good desktop brand that I use is the shuttle. they are small form factors (SFF) and will sell a "bare bones" one if you like to build them by yourself like I do.

I have three and they are still going strong!

 

[Planogirl]

You never know. Our two HP's were pretty good computers. Our last Dell was a nightmare that had everything from a corrupt mother board when it arrived to video problems and sound problems and...the list is endless. Ironically DH showed up with another Dell because it was a good deal. So far so good but the last piece of garbage makes me worry!

 

[HOGFAN]

HUMMM

Our Dell was a piece o junk, barely lasted a year.

Our HPs on the other hand have been wonderful

 

[donaldduck352]

This is my 2'nd HP,I won't buy anything else.The only reason its my 2'nd cause lightning wiped out the 1'st.It would have cost more to rebuild then too buy new.Plus I got A 20'' flatscreen with the package!!

 

[N.Bailey]

I really don't think the point is that HP is a horrible computer. Any product, be it a computer, a TV, or even a hair dryer, could have a manufacturer's defect in it. I think the point is, the OP bought a brand new computer and is really not getting much in the way of cooperation in getting the problem fixed on a brand new computer. That's just downright unacceptable, IMO. I don't think it would matter which company it was, we would all be livid if we were given the run around under such conditions. And this is even more so when you're not talking about an inexpensive product.

 

[LindaG4458]

We've had great luck with HP desktops and my Sony laptop. I'm wondering if there is a difference in quality between starter/basic products and more expensive premium models? None of our stuff is basic inexpensive stuff, maybe that's why we've had no problems?

I think that is true with Dell at least. Last year we bought a new desktop for NH, one of the Dell XPS series. When I called customer service at the regular number (India) they took my information and told me I was supposed to call another number for XPS service. That was answered by a person without an accent who could solve my problem immediately.