DV2500t Spontaneous Breakdown. Repair blog thread to follow...

7-16-08 1:51 AM -I'll be keeping this thread updated throughout the coming process (somewhat like a blog with logs on each repair interaction with HP personnel as well as my final outcomes). Hopefully I can serve as an example on the quality of service and overall product that HP offers. I didn't join this site for the sake of bashing my experience or anything. In fact, I joined about a year ago in my search for a new notebook. So, I guess I have the unique opportunity of being here before purchasing my notebook and yet also being here when my notebook broke down within a year.
7-16-08 1:51 AM-I'm assuming most of these breakdowns occur as suddenly as mine did. Its actually pretty ironic that I was reading a repair guide on the lid switches for the dv2000 series when I closed my lid and 20 minutes later opened it to find that the screen was completely unresponsive and blank... Funny in a way. Anyways, my problem is that when I boot up my laptop, I get all my lights, power light, an initial burst of hd activity and then complete silence. The fans still running, the cd drive opens, the touchpad light is on. But no screen. Since the wireless light is off, I know that the computer isnt booting into vista. Does anybody have any suggestions? Right now, I'm guessing a hd problem, bios error, or a more broad hardware problem w/ the motherboard/ screen.
7-16-08 2:30 AM- Had a chat conversation with HP. Rep was helpful but standard . Rep said my video card (8400 gs) has gone bust, said he'll schedule a motherboard replacement. Overall correspondence was good although scripted. I'm extremely skeptical about his video card diagnosis. I've been monitoring my temps on a daily basis and my card has been running within normal ranges as have my cpu's and harddrive.
7-17-08 8:45 PM- Had another chat conversation with HP. The previous rep promised an e-mail with case details today, and box within 1-2 business days. The current rep said the e-mail will reach my today instead and the box will arrive next week. HP has now had two full business days to send me an e-mail with my case details yet has not done so yet.
7-18-08 3:19 PM- Wow, guess HP decided to bypass the case details e-mail and just send the box. So yeah.. I received the box today (Friday) within 3 business days from the initial communication. So far, I'm pretty impressed at their speed after expecting much worse. I'll drop the box of Monday morning for repairs...
7-21-08 4:22 PM- Took pictures of the laptop and have sent it in via fedex.
7-23-08 10:00 AM- Laptop has arrived at the Houston repair facility.

 

You have heard the news about the nvidia defective gpu's right?

Have you tried taking out the battery pack & unplugging the AC adapter then holding the power button for 30 seconds or more?

 

Yes, i am aware of the defective chips. The procedure you listed was the first thing I tried upon discovery the initial "o-oh". I was under the impression that the gpus would show signs of high operating temperatures. MY gfx card temps were within normal ranges.

 

Normally, you might exclude a gpu failure if your operating temps are within range etc.. However, I think there is something much more serious going on with the nvidia 8xx cards since they are failing at a much higher rate. Nvidia is not really saying what models are affected or how bad this problem is. But some are saying the soder may be out of spec or other materials on the MOBO/GPU cannot tolerate normal thermal stresses.

The RED flag here is you have a smaller 14" notebook with a 8400 card. The smaller notebooks is where the 8400 is showing its issues most. On Dells m1330 they are failing like crazy. I agree with HP that its most likely your GPU. Forget about thermal temps.. there is a serious design flaw here.

 

Yup, I guess the gpu defects are more widespread than I thought. Perhaps HP is getting a number of defects which may explain why the tech support agent was so quick to point the finger at the graphics chip. (Either that or HP is tapping into Nvidia's repair fund to save money...)

 

Just an update to this thread. The notebook was fixed with no problems after-wards. In fact, it was fixed rather soon. Unfortunately, the reason for the random update of this thread isn't so random. The video cut out yet again. This means that the notebook lasted 4 months before the next breakdown (right during finals too). Once again, the notebook is in for repair and I will update on how the process goes.

 

Another update, the notebook arrive back recently from its second repair. Unfortunately, this one was a disaster. The tech left the lcd screen wire connector hanging out. He warped the hinges connecting the panel to the notebook chassis and there's a split in the screen cover seam. Also, the harddrive cover is loose and flapping for some reason with a mutilated screw holding the cover shut. Was this guy drunk when he did this? Anyways, its going back to the shop again. Pretty disappointed at the moment...

 

Have you spoken to a case manager?