Hewlett Packard DV6000, DV9000 series wireless card problem / defect which leads to a bad motherboard

Published by
Ryan
at May 10, 2008 in Random Fixes. 1 Comment

HP Pavilion dv2000/dv6000/dv9000 and Compaq Presario v3000/v6000 Series Notebook PCs

Hello, I recently came across a mixture of six DVxxxx series laptops that utilized an AMD Turion X2 processor and a Broadcom wireless card/chipset. 

ALL six laptops exuded symptoms of:

·         Laptop turns on with lights turning on as well but no display on the LCD.

·         Laptop turns on with lights turning on as well but no display on the LCD and no display with an external monitor hooked up to it.

·         Laptop turns on momentarily with the lights flashing briefly for roughly two seconds and then the lights and the entire laptop shuts off.

Prior to these things occurring you may encounter the following:

·         Wireless no longer works.

·         Wireless device is no longer listed in device manager.

·         Wireless device works but sometimes drops out and then disappears completely.

If you are experiencing ANY of these symptoms, I highly recommend contacting HP right away.  There is a manufacturer’s defect with what seems to be attributed to the wireless Broadcom card and the motherboard’s chipset.  I haven’t confirmed this but this is what seems to be the consensus.

The good news is, even if you’re warranty with HP has expired, you will be covered as they have extended the warranty for an additional 24 months while they repair and replace these defective computers.

What amazes me is not many people know about this.  I didn’t even know about this.  Prior to finding out about the recall I kept seeing more and more of the same exact laptop come through the shop only to suffer from the same exact symptoms (symptoms are listed above).

I felt sick at the fact that HP seemed to have made these laptops just roughly one year and a few months and then it dies.  It seemed to me like they put in a pre-made time bomb so that people would be forced to have to buy a new HP laptop after their warranty ran out.

I’m happy that HP is making good on their error and are extending the warranty for an additional 24 months.

Here is the contact information you need:

To contact HP in North America call 1-866-671-7362 from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm MST, 7 days a week.

Here is a link to a very large thread in the HP support forum.  Please be aware that this thread can take a few minutes to actually load on your computer, even if you have an updated/super fast/mighty computer.

Updates to Hitachi’s Drive Fitness test and Memtest version 2.01!

Published by
Ryan
at April 13, 2008 in Random. 0 Comments

I noticed there were two updates to two major pieces of software that I use in shop on a daily basis.

The first being update being Memtest version 2.01 which can be downloaded here: http://www.memtest.org/download/2.01/memtest86+-2.01.iso.zip – You’ll need to unzip the file to your desktop and burn it with some type of burning program like Nero or Alcohol 120% (which I also use on a daily basis).

Second, Hitachi has updated their Drive Fitness Test tool to run diagnostic tests on hard drives.  I find that the Hitachi DFT works on ALL hard drives and is very conclusive as to whether or not the hard drive you are testing is bad.  Hitachi Drive Fitness Test can be downloaded here: http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/downloads/dft32_v412_b01.iso

Same instructions as the Memtest, burn ISO image to CD and use away!

Internet Explorer 8 beta 1 available

Published by
Ryan
at March 5, 2008 in Random. 3 Comments

Microsoft and the Internet Explorer team just released IE8 beta 1.

You can download it here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/ie8/default.mspx

Just a warning, it is extremely buggy.  I’ve found a few things so far.

IE8 beta 1 does not work with Netsuite.com

IE8 beta 1 displays certain text really fuzzy.  I believe it has something to do with the clear type feature.

IE8 beta 1 changes the default font type in Outlook Express 6.

Shure SE110 headphone review

Published by
Ryan
at February 2, 2008 in Random. 3 Comments

I needed a new pair of headphones for my iPod.  The ones that came with the iPod blew up again.  I bought a cheap pair of Sony’s from Longs but was not satisfied.  The sound that came out of the Sony’s was horrendous.

I went into the Apple store I saw the Shure SE110 Sound Isolating Earphone with Balanced Armiture Driver, Whitewhich are the direct replacement for the Shure E2C headphones.  I have been thinking about purchasing these for quite some time now.  I have had them in my Amazon.com cart for a few weeks.  As I read through the reviews, they seem to be a very nice pair of headphones with little problems.

So I say this is a good investment and leave the Apple store with a new pair of headphones.  I come home to try them out and become sorely disappointed.  There is absolutely no bass response with these headphones.  Also, I’ve never used in ear canal headphones before.  So unless you really like the feeling of something going deep inside your ears and then inflating up to keep the noise out, I don’t think you’d like these – I know I didn’t.

The weirdest issue of all was that it felt like I was wearing a doctor’s stethoscope.  When I would put the headphones into my ears and start walking, I could hear the vibration all through the headphones.  It was rather strange.  It is the same sensation of putting on a doctor’s stethoscope and touching the portion that goes to your body.  That is the best way I can explain the sensation I had when wearing these headphones.

The sound is obviously better than the regular iPod and basic Sony headphones but for $100.00 I was expecting more.  The Shure series of headphones are highly praised all over the Internet.  In this case, I found it to be lacking in a few departments.  There are higher end models and apparently these are the cream of the crop for headphones.  Unfortunately I do not have the money to spend on $500.00 headphones.

Should I build my own PC or should I buy one pre-made?

Published by
Ryan
at January 30, 2008 in Random. 0 Comments

Have you been wondering about building your own computer lately?  Are you frustrated with what the OEMs are putting out?  Or perhaps you’re coming from the opposite direction and are tired of dealing with built by you machines and are looking for a new OEM to fit your needs.  Well I am here to say that in my personal opinion, I feel that building your own machine is better in the long run.

Building your own machine has its pros and cons, just like dealing with an OEM for a machine has its pros and cons.  What are the pros of building your own machine?  Well for starters and this is the sole reason I decided to write this article, is that when your motherboard dies, and oh boy, let me tell you that it will, you are SOL if you’re with an OEM.  9/10 times you will not be able to find an exact replacement.  Working in the PC repair business opened my eyes to many things.  One of them is how the OEMs treat their customers.  OEMs only care up until your warranty expires, once that is done, you’re SOL.  OEMs do not make replacement parts easily accessible.  Why?  I don’t know, but if I had to take a guess it would be so that you have to buy an entirely new computer – I could be totally wrong on this.  There are a few OEMs that come to mind that make it almost impossible to repair a computer with a bad motherboard.  Gateway and EMachines – both suffer the same fate, more so because they are owned by the same company and are in and of itself the same company.  Add to the fact that Gateways suck ass, it doesn’t get you very far!  You will end up pissed off and at a dead end.

During your warranty period of 1 year or so, you are treated very special.  You get access to online chat support as well as offline phone support.  However, you probably have to talk to someone located in Bangladesh.  If you’re lucky and smart enough, you’ll opt for the three year warranty.  Now there are others out there who are going to tell you that the extended warranty is not worth it.  That’s true but for something like a desktop computer that is coming from an OEM that doesn’t readily make accessible replacement parts; you’re saving your ass and a ton of money buy going with the extended warranty.

Now why should you build your own over buying one pre-built?  For starters, you can swap out any part that goes bad.  Motherboard gone bad?  Shoots, let’s head over to Newegg or eBay for a new one!  Throw that puppy in and you’re good to go.  Your warranty has expired?  Uh oh!  Who cares!  For usually around $100 or so dollars, you can find yourself a similar replacement and be on your merry way!

Now this is just my personal opinion.  I am stating this from a technician’s point of view.  I use to recommend my family and friends Dells all the time.  But after doing this job and seeing the horrors of how customers are treated after their warranties expire, I am sickened!

The last the OEMs can do is to make replacement parts easily accessible and readily available.  Otherwise, you are SOL almost every single time – this is especially true if you don’t know how to fix your own PC and plan on taking it into a repair shop!

Motherboard problems

Published by
Ryan
at January 28, 2008 in Random. 1 Comment

Recently, as of these past few months, I’ve encountered a slew of computers that have random problems which revolve around blue screens.

I’ve run the basic diagnostic tests on them.  I’ve run Memtest to test the memory, often times 24 hours +, Prime95/Orthos on the processor if I can get into Windows – this is actually a stress test upon the CPU and the memory, Hitachi Drive Fitness Test upon the hard drive – no bad sectors, no bad hard drive, and seem to still come across computers that blue screen for random reasons.

I’ve looked at the dump files through the Windows Diagnostic Tool and have found the blue screens attributed to random things.  Normally this would indicate that there is a problem with the memory modules.  However, when you run Memtest and Prime95/Orthos for 24+ hours and no errors are found or no blue screens occur, it’s hard to confirm whether or not it is the memory.

Then you have the dreaded possible motherboard problem.  This is when perhaps a power outage, or a power surge has silently affected the motherboard and the motherboard shows no physical signs (blown caps) or any other signs of failure.  This is the hardest to pin point and diagnose as this is an evasive problem which has no physical symptoms.

Often times you can change out every single component and still encounter the same problem and this is a definitive diagnosis of a bad motherboard.  Other times, the problem still occurs.

For example, I have a few units in shop that are plagued by this problem.  This one in particular is a Dell E510.  This Dell had a bad memory module.  I replaced the memory module, ran Memtest, no errors or problems.  I can boot into Windows, stress test within Windows, no problems either.  I send the unit home, client reports two days later that there was a blue screen with a message indicating problem with memory.  Client brings it back in, I check it out, stress test the entire thing again, no problems to be found.  The only thing that I could see is that there are four memory module slots with the computer having 1×1GB and 1×512MB and each being in the respective slots for dual channel.  I honestly haven’t seen this cause any problems in the past and with the stress test coming back with no problems, I honestly am at a lost as to what could be causing or what could have caused that blue screen.  The only thing I can think of is that she attached something like a printer, a thumb drive or something that didn’t really like the new configuration and therefore it blue screened.

I’m back in the office today.  Will have to go through a bunch of different scenarios with the client.  Will report back later with what went down.

Happy New Year from Random Fix!

Published by
Ryan
at December 27, 2007 in Random. 0 Comments

The new year is almost here.  What does 2008 have in store for Random Fix?

I really don’t know.  I hope to continue to bring everyone the fixes and reviews that they wish for.

It is hard juggling a full time job, being a student as well as a family man.  I’m doing my best to try and shoot for a daily update.  That’s my ultimate goal come 2008.  To have one post per day at least of worthy content.

Until then, I wish you all a happy and safe new year!  God bless!

Dell Dimension 8400 blue screen problems!

Published by
Ryan
at December 24, 2007 in Random Fixes. 0 Comments

I am having problems with this Dell Dimension 8400 desktop.  The main issue is that it blue screens at random.  I have a feeling and hunch that it has to do with the memory modules.

This particular unit has 4 dimm slots and also 4 slots populated.  Two slots have 1GB sticks in each and the other two are populated with 512MB sticks of PC3200 memory.

The 1GB sticks are the same brand and the two 512MB sticks are the same brand as well; however, ALL FOUR are not the same brand.

Now I have not really seen this pose a problem for most computers in this day and age.  I have seen mixed memory modules work fine together.  However, this thing is driving me nuts.  I’ve had it for well over a week now.

The hardest part is that it happens at extremely random intervals.  I can never get it to happen twice in a row.  I have to re-start the computer several times before it actually happens.

I’ve looked through the minidump .dmp files to no avail.  The data that I find is all random – which indicates that it has something to do with the memory.

I’ve swapped out all components possible and even tried a new hard drive, no luck.

I go back tomorrow trying to push at it to get this unit up and out of the shop.  Wish me luck, I’ll need it.

Beware of Christmas scams (viruses and spyware)

Published by
Ryan
at December 23, 2007 in Security. 0 Comments

It looks like the Storm Worm has made a revival.  My good friend Steven over at www.securityzone.org has reported that a possibly new variant of the Storm Worm is going around right now.  The main theme is revolved around Christmas.  If you start to see Christmas greeting cards or various Christmas e-mail, please be careful.  The card will possibly mention http://www.merrychristmasdude.com (please do not visit this LINK!!!!!!!!!!)  Always take precaution, keep your antivirus program up to date, never give out any pertinent information such as your name, address, phone number, social security number as well as your credit card number to people you do not know.

Merry Christmas!

Published by
Ryan
at December 23, 2007 in Random. 0 Comments

Christmas is two days away.  Can you believe that it’s come so quick?  I mean, it seems as though just yesterday we were trick or treating and then eating turkey on Thanksgiving!  The days go by so fast now.  Life goes by so fast.  The sad thing is you only get to live once!

This is really strange talking about this but I felt I needed to post this personal post.  Here we are, two days away from Christmas 2007.  It’s a great time of year, I have to say.  We get together as family, spend time together, eat breakfast lunch and dinner together and most of all, get to give to our family and friends.

I would like to wish every single reader a happy and merry Christmas!  From the bottom of my heart, to your family and your friends, I hope everyone will be safe and enjoy their Christmas’!