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Send your Hard Drive or Else!
By -

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA -- This is a two-part review of the Compaq Presario 8000. Hardware: This computer was the Wal-Mart $498 special, so I didn't expect it to be a powerhouse. I just needed a computer for my daughter's college work. I have been a computer support tech and programmer for many years and usually build my own, but I went against that rule in the name of simplicity. That was a mistake.

As soon as I got the computer installed I realized that something wasn't quite right. Windows XP took over five minutes to boot and another five minutes to get to the point where I could actually click on an icon. For a 1.8 GHZ Machine, that seemed pretty slow. I did some (slow) research and discovered that the 128 MB of RAM that Compaq puts in these machines standard is not really enough to run XP well. So I went out and bought another 128 MB of RAM the next week. As I said, I knew it was a basic machine when I bought it, so I didn't complain much.

About five months later my wife was going to check her email and it wouldn't boot. The fans came on but I got no video and it never attempted to access any of the drives. I opened it up and reseated everything, but it refused to do anything. "Good thing it’s under warranty", I thought. Wrong.

Support: My wife called me at work the next day and told me that there are no local service centers for Compaq anymore. The deal is that they send you an empty box and you send them your computer. They "fix" it (which means it is sent somewhere to be refurbished and resold) and they "send it back" (which means you get a different computer). She was concerned about sending our hard drive since all of our accounting and banking information and passwords were stored on it. I agreed.

I called Compaq support and they told me that I had to send the hard drive even though I offered to purchase an identical drive and send it in. When I explained that I could not afford to lose the data I was told to back up the drive to another drive and send in the original. When I expressed concern about sending my personal data to some repair center in (where?), I was told I should format the drive. I asked him how he wanted me to back it up without pulling it out (which would void the warranty according to him), he actually told me to "find a friend who will let you install the drive in his computer and just do a drive copy. It really isn't that hard. Really."

I told him that I had no friends that were trusting enough to allow me to take their computer apart so he then told me that I should make a backup to CD. I pointed out that the computer STILL wouldn't boot up, so that still didn't solve the problem. How could I burn it to the CD drive if it wouldn't even boot?

The next ingenious suggestion was that I should remove the drive and take it so some shop in the area and have them back it up to CD. I pointed out that I had been told that if I removed the drive (just took it out of the PC), it would void the warranty. The tech said that it was OK to pull it to make a backup. Go figure. I asked him if I took it somewhere and they did make a successful backup, wouldn't that prove that the hard drive was good?

I told him that whether I made a backup or not, I was not going to be able to run any of my applications when I got the new machine back without reinstalling them all and copying thousands of files over. I thought that this was pointless when I knew that the problem was not the hard drive. Besides, why would I trust the underpaid tech down the street any more than I trust the underpaid contractors they used to "repair" their computers? He told me that if the ORIGINAL drive was not in the computer, they would not service it. When I pointed out that I could have upgraded the hard drive. Would that void the warranty? I was told it would.

After three days our case was forwarded to someone named **(Extension ** at Site 79. He refused to give his last name). He was a "case resolution manager" for Compaq. We got an email telling us that he would call us, which he did several days later. Since I run several web sites and all of my maintenance software was on the hard drive that they insisted they needed. I couldn’t afford to have my computer down for two or three weeks.

I started looking around for a replacement Compaq motherboard on the Internet and made a very interesting discovery. The Compaq Presario (maybe others?) uses a generic design motherboard. In the past, name-brand computers required factory-supplied parts. However I took the bad motherboard out of the Presario and took it to a local computer shop. They had a motherboard in stock that fit it perfectly.

The only differences were that the backplane did not line up with the factory backplane and the power switch plug required an adapter to fit the plug in the Compaq chassis. The backplane was no problem because the new motherboard came with one and I just popped the old one out and replaced it. The adapter was also a very easy swap. This self-fix cost me $90 for the motherboard and $90 for the processor (they were both bad, it turns out). So now my $498 deal was a $678 deal.

Two days after I replaced the motherboard and chip ** from Compaq called me to “resolve my complaint”. I explained the situation and he wasted no time telling me that since I did not return the unit as required by the warranty rules (i.e. with the ORIGINAL hard drive), there was nothing that they could do. I asked them if they could reimburse my expenses, replace the bad motherboard, or do anything at all and they said that there was nothing they could do to resolve the problem.

In fact, I specifically asked him "“Are you telling me that there is nothing that can be done to resolve this problem”?" He said “"There is nothing".” His justification was that I didn’t do it their way, so they didn’t have to honor the warranty. Thanks for nothing Compaq. My advice for anyone who is looking for a computer is: "Steer clear of the Compaq".

If you already have one and have discovered how useless their support is, or you are like me and refuse to send your bank account information on a hard drive that is just going to be sold off to a refurbishing company (and then maybe found by a dumpster diver in India), my advice is to get a motherboard from a computer store and chalk this one up to experience. The motherboard I purchased is a very common Asus A7V8X-MX. They run about $90. I know for a fact that they work in this machine because I wrote this review using it. And it is even much faster than the original motherboard even though I got the identical processor for it.

I now have a new motherboard with a three year full replacement warranty from Asus that doesn’t require me to send in a hard drive with it to get service.

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Defect in the Computer
By -

I am a 20 year old college student who purchased a Compaq Presario 2100 laptop in May of 2004, and after only a little more than 2 years it has completely stopped working. When I took the computer to Circuit City to be diagnosed, they informed me that it had a faulty motherboard, which resulted in the computer no longer turning on. When I asked what would cause this kind of problem after only 2 years, the man told me that it is not a common problem and it is a defect in the computer, nothing something I did to it at all.

This made me even more infuriated knowing that my computer is not working due to something Compaq did when manufacturing the computer. The man from Circuit City informed me that it would be quite costly to fix this problem, and may be wise to buy a new computer for a similar price. As a result, I called Compaq because just the thought of having to spend that much money on another computer made me sick. After waiting on hold forever, I was finally transferred to a woman who had a very thick accent in which I could hardly understand.

Eventually I had to just get the case number and have someone else call back because I couldn't understand what she was saying anymore. At the next call, the woman became very snippy and irritated with the call. Even after telling her numerous times that the computer would not even turn on she still proceeded to try to get us to pay $45 to try to fix it over the phone. Eventually she told us that it would cost at least $650 to replace the motherboard and possibly more depending on what else they would find.

I realize that my warranty is up because it was only for one year, but still this seems outrageous because it was something they did in the first place. For all I know this computer could have slowly started to die during the period my computer was covered, but just fully stopped working now. This is completely ridiculous, for all I know this Compaq could be manufacturing computers that only last for a couple years, in order to make more money. I am a college student who does not have extra money to buy another computer because Compaq is careless when manufacturing their computers, and ultimately I get screwed because of it.

Compaq needs to acknowledge their mistakes and fix them. Its not like I'm asking them to fix a 3 or 4 year old computer, this is a 2 year old computer that should still be in perfect working condition. I have no idea where to go from here or who to contact, I feel like Compaq has left me high and dry. I have no idea what I am going to do for a computer for school this semester and feel its all because Compaq will not take responsibility for their actions. Please help a poor college student take on Compaq and make them take responsibility for their mistakes!

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The Compaq Presario Wasn't What I Paid For
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In fall of 2004 I ordered a Compaq Presario desktop computer online. I waited two weeks for the company to build my computer. When it arrived, it wouldn't boot up. I called tech support and spent hours talking to them. Their ultimate suggestion was that I wait two weeks for an appointment with an in-home technician. I asked if I could receive credit time on my warranty and virus software updates and was told "no", but that I could pay for the technician myself and receive faster service. I demanded a new tower.

After two hours on the phone with customer service, Compaq agreed to send me a new computer, but they wanted me to pay more for it because, "that sale is over, ma'am." Finally, I got someone to agree to send a new computer at the same price.

Two weeks after that, my new computer arrived. It booted up! But it never worked nearly as well as the Micron I'd purchased 6 years earlier had worked, despite the fact that the Presario was supposed to be a much more powerful machine. Worn down, I just dealt with it. I had to replace the modem almost immediately. I emailed Compaq about the modem and never received a response. And so I chugged on for over a year until the computer crashed and prompted me to use my recovery disks. The recovery disks didn't work.

To my local computer repair shop I went. There, I was informed that I'd really gotten ripped off. The version of Windows XP on the computer wasn't the correct, more expensive, version that I'd paid for. The motherboard was junk. The fan that cools the processor hadn't been screwed down properly. A screw had snapped off during installation. The fan was never cooling the entire processor chip.

A few hundred dollars later, I have a computer that works better than it did when it came from the factory. I'm reading a lot of similar complaints about Compaq and HP... computers that just don't work at all and support that is most unhelpful and certainly not apologetic. I'm hoping that adding my 3 cents will save at least one person from the grief I've had. As for me, I plan to purchase next computer from my small local shop. Because customers can complain personally, because small local shops have a reputation to uphold in the community, and because they actually UNDERSTAND the products they sell, I feel it is the safest way to go.

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Hp, Compaq, Recovery Disks, Vista & the BSOD
By -

I've been trying to fix my Mom's computer for 2 weeks. It's a Compaq 32 bit with Vista preinstalled. 4 Calls and 14 emails later, I have it finished finally. It's not just a problem with an update, it's a problem with the recovery discs as well. I paid for 1 set, they sent me a free set after that, never acknowledging there was a blue screen of death. I guess I just wasn't asking the right questions, though I explained to them time and again that I had an installation stuck at the blue first time installation screen for hours, numerous times.

Both sets of discs arrived between the 2nd and the 9th. I also downloaded their disc fix. No luck. Now I have XP Pro on it and its fine. There is NOT a problem with the 32 bit, unless it's a compatibility issue with 32 bit and Vista. They've known this for a long, long time. Years. Mom's computer is 2 to 3 years old, I bought an HP 64 bit with Vista loaded on it last year. All I can say at this point is Thanks Microsoft, and Thanks HP. For nothing!!!

Oh and let's not leave out customer support, but of course they are trained to first try to sell you things you don't need. Second try to give you generic garbage as a solution to your problems. Third say it's a hardware issue. Fourth accuse me of NOT buying disks, then trying to sell me more. Guess it's time to learn Linux. That's real sad considering all computers come preloaded with all that garbage.

My Mom couldn't learn it and why should she? Good luck Windows 7 users! By the way is it just me or did I read this right… ”Forum posts complaining about the problem mostly coming from XP users but there are a few from Windows 7 customers too.” Add Compaq and Vista, and recovery disks to that list. Goodbye Vista, hello Microsoft's next fumble! I think I will go fill out my customer support survey now and take Mom back her computer.

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Never buy a Compaq!!!
By -

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK -- I purchased a Presario this computer in may 2003. For 6 months it worked great, then crashed - giving a message which said, basically, that the hard drive had been wiped out. I called Compaq/HP, which was just a sign of the trouble to come - it took forever to reach someone, who just said to send it back, and they would send a box for it and pick it up. Almost a week later the box arrived, just left at my door - no one even bothered to knock - it would have taken only 2 minutes to pack it and then it could have been taken immediately. It took another week for someone to come pick it up.

After 2 weeks I called them again - the SAME person told me ALL these things - 1) They hadn't received the computer yet; 2) They received it but hadn't fixed it yet; 3) They had fixed it but not returned it; 4) They had fixed and returned it.

I was completely unable to get this person to understand that these were 4 different conditions - English was not his best subject. Nor was I able to find out which was the truth, or talk to someone else. Finally he said the computer was being sent back to me that day and I would have it in 3-4 days. The very next day a complete stranger walked up to my house. A box addressed to my address had been left at her door several days ago - YES, my computer, just dropped off at a stranger's house, BEFORE I had even talked to Compaq about where it was! Inside the box was a brief note that they had reloaded everything and couldn't find anything wrong with it.

I had copied and sent to them the entire message I had received about why the hard drive was deleted - all of the numbers and computers that don't make sense to an only moderately computer literate almost 60 year old - but not a word from Compaq about that. The laptop has never worked "great' again. For example, Outlook simply will not send email. Contacting Compaq is useless. I have only spoken to ONE person who spoke English well, and she was the person I ordered the restore and update disks from. I have better results talking to my couch than to the tech people. I will NEVER NEVER NEVER buy another Compaq or HP product.

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Great Computer for the Price
By -

I purchased this computer on July 4, 2011 at Walmart and basically it just what I need to do my school work in the semester. It has wireless capability which I can go to any Wireless hotspot and search the Internet and Submit my work. I have Dial up and Home And probably will never have Broadband in my area. It only has 2 GB of memory which I will expand to 4 GB in the fall and a 250 GB hard drive and AMD Vision Dual Core Processor. On Broadband it is fast and even on dial up it is pretty fast. Just say no to the Norton's Anti-Virus Software and you won't have a problem.

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Very good product
By -

I would like to comment on your laptops, this is my second one. I bought one two years ago and I loved it, but having kids and well liquid messes, it shot the hard drive and the mother board. So I bought another one, because of your quality and support. I always recommend your product to others and they have been very happy also. Your tech and support team are wonderful and very understanding with someone who is not computer savvy.. they take their time and walk you through every step. I can not say enough about your computers or your support team, thank you for providing a good quality product. I will continue to use and recommend your company and services.

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Compaq Warranty Service Designed to Get You to Buy Something Else
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I had some keys fall off my 7 month old Compaq laptop keyboard. Went through the warranty reporting India merry-go-round, paid $19.95 to ship my laptop in for warranty service. About a week later I got a call from a rude Compaq employee to tell me that the damage was caused by abuse and not covered under warranty and that I needed to pay over $335 to have them repair the keyboard. Laptop only cost about $400. What a great deal, what a joke.

I buy a lot of laptops for my business every year and Compaq/HP has just convinced me to buy Dell from now on. They will never get another nickel from me or my company and I will tell this story to all my friends and acquaintances. No more Compaq/HP laptops, printers, printer refills, no more anything. There is plenty of competition to pick from where you are not treated like a criminal for trying to get warranty service.

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Compaq Presario Motherboard Fires after 2 years
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Our laptop motherboard has failed, as identified by a tech person who looked at it. We had it less than two years, and have found it surprisingly similar to the same problem in other HP laptops that were recalled, supported by our research and feedback from the tech person. The case officer offered to replace for more than half of the original cost of the laptop, which we find insulting. Very disappointed with the equipment and with the company response.

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Compaq Computer Corporation Laptops Rating:
10 reviews & complaints.
Contact Information:
Compaq Computer Corporation
3000 Hanover Street
Palo Alto, CA 94304
800-888-0220 (ph)
281-514-1740 (fax)
www.compaq.com
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