DV8000 Series - Keyboard problems. Anyone else?

Well, I shelled out some money for a USB keyboard because of this problem. You're right. It does defeat the purpose of a laptop, but at least the USB keyboard is functioning well, which confirms to me that it is indeed a problem associated with HP's keyboards.

I've already started the process of sending it in for a fix. Best to do this regardless to get HP's attention for future customers.

 

Well, finally got mine back from hp, with the promised word of a customer support supervisor "it will be fixed"

Weird how it came back with a sheet saying no problem found. Sent in for the keyboard problem, which happened 2 times while in the chat with HP, and even stranger, the stuck pixels which were promised to be taken care of, were also not....

So far, I'm pretty disappointed..

And HP, after promising me in 2 chats, totally failed on repairing my unit. Now I'm stuck with a laptop that locks up when I'm typing, and has multiple stuck pixels....

 

I also sent my dv5000 into HP. They replaced the keyboard.

It still has the shift key problem, though not as often.

It's a basic design flaw. If you replace a cheap keyboard with the same model cheap keyboard, and put it in the same cheap casing, you'll get the same results.

 

judging from all of this fuss (that is great insight to future laptop owners), i think that one should buy their DV8000t from Costco, since they have a 6 month return period. this is more than enough time to find all of the goods and bads to your unit.

good luck

 

Out of the box I immediately had problems with the keyboard: key strokes not registering, space bar also not functioning properly, touch pad malfunctioning, unleveled keyboard, sound mute button rarely works, screen inexplicably goes to black, all computer lights are on but computer will not respond to any action like ctrl, alt, delete or depressing the power button for 20 seconds, have to remove battery to shut down, caps locking is also a mystery problem. I returned the computer to the retailer for a new one and the replacement has all of the above problems and more. This product warrants a mass recall because it is seriously defective. The public needs to be informed about this situation, as do consumer protection groups, all major computer review sources on the Internet, magazines, and newspapers. HP is not admitting fault and is putting consumers through the extra stress, expense, and time under the pretense that they can send in the computer and have it repaired, appalling situation. I noticed there is a class action suit against HP for pulling the same game with another defective model. This is not an isolated problem and HP is stonewalling consumers. I’m requesting a refund on this defective computer and they refuse saying they will fix it. Replacing this horribly defective keyboard with the same keyboard is not fixing it. My computer is only 2 months old and I see the litany of complaints on the internet about this keyboard and other malfunctions with this unit is growing quickly.

 

Except for handful of people who had success with dv8000t, most of comments about this are just complaints about defective workmanship.

People-if you are going to spend 2200$ for a system (HP), better compare HP with something bit expensive like Sony or Toshiba or any other competitor. Check the quality, it will definetely justify the extra 100$ that you need to shell out.

drb

 

this is so sad to hear because i really liked this machine. I will probablly have to return it when i receive it. I dont want to pay all this money and get something useless.

 

I have another HP problem. I reinstalled windows and I can't seem to get my usb devices to work. When I check the device manager, the USB controller is in the unknown devices catagory. Can anyone help me find the driver for that. SHouldn't it be installed by default by windows xp?

 

This is disappointing news, I guess I'll be passing on this model also.

Can any of you recommend some top-of-the-line laptops without all these problems?

 

I have the same question, what else out there would be comparable? I'd even go down to 15.4" screen, though I'll miss the 10keypad...?

 

Sorry, but that's just not reality. Most people who have bought this machine are not on this or other forums complaining about it, and are presumably happy with their purchase. We're here to talk about problems, so that's what you're going to read about.

Don't forget there are others in this thread that have bought 3 of these machines and had ZERO issues. Myself, I should be getting this machine in a few days and will definitely post my experience with it.

 

Does it seem to matter from which store/website (costco.com vs. hp.com vs. others) and at what time period the laptop was purchased?

 

Exactly, if those people aren't technically-minded or skilled enough to come post their problems on this forum (or others), than, they really may not know the difference between a functional versus a non-functional computer anyway. I prefer getting MY computer buying advice from technically knowledgeable people, those who know what and how computers should work, rather than those who normally bother their neighbors for help with their "computer problems".

Can we really presume that?

 

Well, I eagerly await your review. When are you expecting it?

 

I'm not trying to defend HP here, but this sort of thing happens all the time. People read numerous posts about the same issue and infer that all models have that issue. I see people in this thread jumping ship based on this incorrect assumption, so I wanted to speak up.

I hope to get the notebook this Monday or Tuesday. I'm curious, has anyone with this problem disabled the touchpad in the BIOS (assuming you can do that), uninstalled the synaptics drivers, and deleted the mouse from Device Manager just for good measure?

It's certianly a frustrating problem as there has been evidence to support both a hardware and a software cause for this.

 

Severe logic flaw...most people who buy anything are not on forums. Just because most people are not on the forum does NOT indicate they do not have problems. It only indicates they're not on the forum.

Given the number of people who have been having the SAME keyboard problem, this is a serious matter which HP needs to fix, and should dissuade anyone from purchasing an HP.

 

Update to my situation:

I have now spent a total of 4 hours on chat/and on hold with hp support. My last foray was 2 hrs, and 15 transfers, until I got to a case manager by the name of Troy. He informed me, literally, that it's nothing they can do but repair the unit, and if it comes in 10 times, than that's the way it is. I requested my money back, he said no, we won't do that. He said if you purchased this notebook to use in a small business, than it's your fault, you should have purchased an hp business series notebook! After being promised a repair, waiting for a week for a repair label, not getting it and finally having to chat with hp for my 4th time, finally getting a supervisor to promise me that A. they know theres an issue, and B. that it would be fixed. Sending my notebook in, after putting it back to factory defaults, getting it back with a no problem found sticker, contacting chat support and speaking to another supervisor who said he would escalate my issue, and have a manager call me within 24 hours, (that call never happened, at all!), and now being passed 15 times to be told too bad, deal with it....

I'm shocked, and am drafting a letter to the BBB, and the BBB online, and in my role as an IT manager for 3 companies, we have now switched suppliers to someone other than HP.

Now, I'm stuck with a unit that locked up 5 times during the chats, and have no way of getting it repaired, or refunded.

 

Several logic flaws here. You are assuming there is a 'silent majority' of people out there that are having problems. Well, there just isn't any proof to back that up.

I also don't believe you can state with any certainty that 'most people who buy anything are not on forums'. Not everyone is on the notebookreview.com forums, but that's what Google is for. And indeed, the first post in this thread lists several other forums where the problem has been noted. I believe most users would notice this issue; I for sure would be driven nuts by it. We just don't have very good data to go on.

Third, and this is definitely just my opinion: If every one of these machines were affected, I have a hard time understanding how Costco is still selling them. That just says more about my opinion of Costco, rather than anything about HP.

I'm not dismissing the problem, it is real and obviously not isolated. But let's stick to the facts here.

 

My idea in starting the thread was that being in touch with other users having the same problem would make it easier to compare experiences and update each other on what they have tried and what HP is doing.

It's not my intention to slag HP; there are prospective buyers following this thread and I've advised people considering the computer not to put themselves in a position where they cannot return it, but only because HP thus far has not shown evidence they can fix it. It's also clear there is no way to tell what your chances are of having the problem should you buy one. People will evaluate and then do what they're comfortable with which isn't the same for everyone.

It's understandable that people are irritable when they feel ripped off, ignored or lied to, it's all right for people to vent a bit, eh?

 

Agreed, I will be a vehement venter if come next week my unit has problems too. I will do a brand new install of XP and see what happens. I've seen the touchpad mentioned in a few of these threads. Just to ask again, will disabling the touchpad from the BIOS change anything? The Notebookforum thread seems to advise this...

 

Present your story to the "Bad Business Bureau" ... http://www.ripoffreport.com/ ... I posted for another situation and it worked for me. Post your story and then email them the link to your story and go from there.

 

In fact, I think there's some truth to this. I uninstalled the Synaptics software and then disabled the Microsoft mouse driver altogether, and I haven't had the "s" key lock up during UT2004, which was happening frequently before. The shift key is still a bit weak, but I'm starting to think there's some truth to the idea that the software is making things much worse. Now that the pad is disabled, it seems my typing accuracy has mysteriously improved.

The only problem of course is that it takes time for me to reinstall the driver in case I want to use this computer in a completely portable setting. Unlike the zd7000, which had a simple hardware toggle button to disable the pad, this one doesn't.

But at least now I can tolerate this machine enough that I won't need to try to return it.

My experimentation with the pad disabled isn't conclusive yet, so I'm not gonna jump the gun and say everything's ok.

 

gmb1994, thanks for the tip, looks like a good way to go.

I've asked before, but I wonder if anyone has had a linux distro on the unit, and if so, if that solved these keyboard issues? I'm going to try and dual-boot it with kubuntu linux and xp media center tomorrow, see if it solves the issue. I really like the laptop, though with the absolutely horrid support from Hp over the last few weeks, I will continue to push for my money back and try something else.

 

I posted on the ripoffreport, who do you think I should email with it?

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff197715.htm

 

jka/v: Great job ... I would forward a link to your ripoffreport post to any corporate executives for which you can find email addresses ... and do it asap.

 

Looking for email addresses now

 

In an email to Mark Hurd, CEO of HP:

To Whom It May Concern,

I wanted to express my personal shock at the type of treatment I have had from Hp support. I have posted the details at: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff197715.htm

I am an IT professional, and deal with many computer vendors for my clients. This unit is my own personal laptop, and I have found the service, and support from HP horrid. I will be also writing to the BBB concerning this treatment. As of now, I have been stonewalled by hp support, and told that I am unable to exchange or return a defective item, that is unacceptable. I have also switched my 3 clients to other computer vendors, and have mentioned my experiences on the web for others to preview before making a decision on a computer vendor.

Thank you for your time, I do hope this is read, and that action is taken with your employees, and their lack of even decent customer service ability.

Frustrated and Concerned,

Jason Kuenkler

 

jka/v

Sorry to hear about your issues. I purchased dv8280us on june 11th with a bad experience from a manager in compusa. I noticed several issues wiht the laptop immediately, like keyboard/touchpad lockups, system freezes, touchpad settings would get reset with every boot, and so many. I have posted these issues elsewhere in the forum.

On top of these, what a cheap make. I usually don't go for products other than Sony cos they use premium materials even though expensive to afford.

I also visited the forum to find several people having issues with dv8000t model. I decided to give it back. By the time, I had already complained to BBB. They forwarded my complaint to compusa headoffice. Meanwhile, the compusa business manager was very considerate and offered to exchange it without any hassle and apologized for his manager and staff's actions.

I waited until 22nd to get hold of AR-150G (sony). and got that.

Meanwhile, I got a response from Compusa-negative. The person (Escalations manager) was more inconsiderate and not fair-minded.

Anyway, I solved my issue. Let me stop with my story and share what I was about to do if everything had failed in my case. Please try these also.

1. Continue the case with BBB.
2. Ripoffreport is another good one.
3. Mention direct links to notebookreview forums where you ahve posted when you communicate with BBB or ripoff or HP.
4. Contact local media (TV) and see if somebody can hear your story-they have consumer divisions. If you have overwhelming evidence like your chats etc-it will be great.
5. Record your phone conversations with HP staff. You really missed case manager's comments saying too bad. They can refute that any time. You have no evidence of it.
6. PC magazines like PCworld, etc. Call them direct and beg to talk to some editor and get your case to them. They frequently solve issues for consumers and post it in the magazine. I am a subscriber for several PC magazines for several years. Seen many of those complaints.
7. The more you 'threaten' or literally publicize the issue, sooner you will get a favorable resolution.
8. documentation is important. save everything.

HP company is really bad in marketing such a defective product with cheap materials. dv8280 was my first try with the company-never will turn back to them.

hope that helps.

my 2 cents.

drb

 

Interesting! Well, we know that HP is notorious for producing ****e software, and this laptop is also notorious for having what can only be described as 'terrible' amounts of preinstalled software. Sounds like a conflict waiting to happen.

Of course, even if this turns out to be entirely software related, it doesn't excuse HP for the awful out of box experience some are having.

But, lets keep on this. Please post more results from disabling the touchpad and/or trying a different OS.

 

Oh man, I'm starting to rethink my future purchase...

 

I think there is a software problem involved and I hope a software fix can ameliorate the situation, but the keyboard on mine seemed badly constructed and I'm sure there's a mechanical component involved (not to mention uninstalling the synaptic drivers did squat in my case.) Keys didn't work if they weren't depressed dead centre, even though they were fully depressed. On both the units I tried, the shift and spacebar were a problem and each unit had a different set of 'problem letters' which missed unless pressed just so.... This is why touch typing at speed caused many more missed letters than a slow hunt-and-peck approach.

 

I have noticed the keyboard problems with my dv5000z also.

 

My brand new HP DV8000 had problems the day I bought it. The keyboard and space bar were not registering strikes, the caps would get stuck and not respond. I returned it the next day and got a replacement. The new one did the same exact thing and the 3rd day I had the computer the screen went black, all the blue lights were on, couldn't shut the computer down, no keys would respond, had to take the battery out and wait for the computer to run out of juice to shut down. There are posts all over the Internet about this unit having these identical problems. Another thing was I bought an HP DVD740 burner, the computer kept saying it was an unknown device. Took the burner back, got another one, burner worked for a week and then same thing, unknown device message. I love this computer but it is plain and simple a lemon. HP has no solutions for the keyboard problem and will not admit there is one even though there on posts on the HP website about it from consumers, also in the NY Times.

 

Guys, I came across a link about the keyboard poblem in HP laptops:
http://schwinger.harvard.edu/~motl/hp-keyboard/index-classical.html

Hope this helps.
By the way, I ordered a DV8000t last week. Should ship in a couple of days. Hope I don't have any problems. I really like the laptop, and it seems the keyboard is the only issue it has.

 

I finally got a case manager with HP for the keyboard issues. I have to say he was the rudest customer service representative I've ever talked with in my life. After I politely informed him of the problem I was having with my 2nd notebook, He accusatively stated I had the computer for 2 months and immediately tried to put me on the defensive with a very snippy nasty attitude. I asked to speak with someone else and he refused to put anyone else on the phone saying he was my case manager and I had no choice in the matter. Felt like I was talking to Social Services, very upsetting experience, and I now feel I made a dreadful mistake buying this laptop. Called HP and requested another case manager. My keyboard continues to malfunction and I've had the dreaded black screen problem 4 times now. Please keep us posted on any progress made with HP and the results of any repairs or replacements. Thanks to all. Here is a list of links for others stating the same problems even on the HP website forums:

http://forums.amd.com/index.php?showtopic=76976&pid=1363960463&st=0&#entry1363960463

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=171821&highlight=dv8000

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/...14017&admit=-682735245+1151421560945+28353475

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?threadId=1021107

http://shopper.cnet.com/HP_Pavilion...essageID=1828742&ctype=msgid&pbrpt=4584&cip=1

http://www2.itrc.hp.com/service/jam...t=rank&chkServStor=on&esc=support.itrc.hp.com

 

Boy ubatz, that experience sure sounds familiar...

 

dv8000t here, just got it in the mail yesterday. I noticed it couldn't keep up with my typing.. not sure if it was my palm resting near/on the touchpad.. I reformatted & reinstalled XP, seems to be totally great now. I just typed in a paragraph similar to this one on the laptop, no issues at all.

 

I have so far, reloaded with XP Pro SP2, which I did when I first got the laptop, issue was there. Wiped unit to send it back to hp for repair, did it with the factory default (recovery) xp loaded. HP sent it back, and they reimaged the drive, did it still. I've loaded XP Media Center 05, still does it. And I've loaded Ubuntu Linux on it, and haven't played with it enough to see if it does it yet.

 

Anyone here with a pocketknife willing to give this a go?

 

Here's my filed complaint to the BBB as well:
Thank you for using the Better Business Bureau's Online Complaint System.
Your complaint has been assigned case # 252043.
Correspondence regarding this complaint will be emailed to : [email protected]
Please print a copy of this for your records.

Filed on : June 27 2006

Filed by :
Jason Kuenkler
8977 N Ramsgate Lane
Hayden ID 83835

Filed against :
Hewlett Packard
3000 Hanover St MS1247 Building 6A
Palo Alto CA 94304-1112

Complaint Description:
Shocked and amazed is what I have to say. I am an IT professional, and work on both windows and some linux platforms, so computer illiterate I am not.. I purchased a brand new DV8000T CTO laptop from hpshopping.com in March of 06. Upon receiving it, I contacted HP via chat 2 days after getting it due to the unit having dead pixels on the lcd screen. Hp chat support explained to me that I can exchange my unit, but there is no guarantees that a replacement unit will not have the issue. I decided that for the few that were on the screen, it may be a lost cause to exchange it. I was also experiencing a strange issue with my keyboard locking up while typing. It seems when you type quickly, after about 20 minutes, the keyboard stops accepting commands, and all keys act as a right mouse click... Frustrating to say the least. I am a member of quite a few web forums, and found that there is a large number of people having this problem with this exact model laptop. After seeing people saying they are on their 3rd, and 4th repair trips, with no fix, I decided to contact hp about the issue, and they suggested I send in the unit for repair. At this point I'm not exactly thrilled with the concept of being without my laptop, as I use it for daily work. I explain to the HP rep about the quantity of people complaining about this specific issue, and ask to have my unit exchanged with a replacement unit. The csr on chat transfers me to his manager, a person by the name of Santiago. Santiago says HP is aware of the problem, and asks if I would please let them repair it, and the stuck pixels on the lcd, and he promises that it will be fixed. I figure if they can fix it, great, I like the unit other than these 2 issues. Santiago promises they will send out a box and label within 24 or 48 hours for pickup on the laptop. Santiago aslo asks me to return the laptop to factory defaults (reloading it to square 1) 1 week later, no box, and of course, I can't use the laptop due to it having none of my software on it... I contact Hp chat yet again, asking to speak directly to a supervisor, this time I get an apology, and a promise yet again for the box to be shipped out immediately. Lo and behold, I get the box the next day, Bravo HP I think. I ship the unit back, next day to HP for repair. 2 days later, I get the laptop back, with a label saying No problem found! I turn it on, and sure enough, stuck pixels, same place they were, and keyboard still locks up.. I'm more than frustrated at this point, So I contact HP via chat again, and ask t speak to a supervisor. The HP support rep, Aaron, and during the first few lines of chat, my keyboard freezes.. After it unfreezes, Aaron apologizes for the promises I've been made about my unit being fixed, and says he would like to go over my chat logs. I agree. 10 minutes later he comes back on and asks me for the case ID Santiago had given me, and the log with what he had said. He comes back and says (this is from my chat log) Aaron "At this point, you got two options:" Aaron "From my side I can arrange again Mail in repair or I can escalate the your case." Aaron "Secondly, you can call our phone support and refer the case no. enquire about the Supervisor commitment." Jason Kuenkler "Ok, here's where I'm at, I was ensured that my unit would be fixed, I expressed my concerns with the multitude of complaint s on the internet from folks with dv8000t's and the same issue, many with multiple 3 and 4 returned units. I again was told it would be fixed, and that Hp knew of the issue as well." Jason Kuenkler "Ok, what is going to either A. get my unit exchanged, and I can hope for the best with a new unit, or B. refund my unit and I will purchase a notebook elsewhere without these issues?" Aaron "Okay." Aaron "In order to claim for the refund or exchange, I will escalate your issue." Jason Kuenkler "ok" Aaron "After escalation of the Case." Aaron "You will get a call." Jason Kuenkler "Ok, do you need my phone #?" Aaron "Please provide me a Best time frame for callback and phone." Aaron "Yes." I give him my phone #, and he says: Aaron "You will receive a call back from a Case Manager within 24hrs." Aaron then gives me my chat transcript # so I have it when the case manager calls within 24hrs. Surprise, the case manager never calls. 2 days later, I contact HP via chat again. This time I ask directly to speak to a supervisor, and ask to have my unit refunded or exchanged. I provide the logs and the case# which the manager reviews. (his name is Sam, this is today, June 22nd 06). Sam reviews the logs, and agrees, saying I had been misled by HP staff, and I did not receive a call. He asks me to contact HP customer service directly at 1-800-474-6836 and to ask for a case manager, not to talk to anyone else. I say ok, hold on the chat while I call. I call, and first get someone, they find my information, and transfer me to a "case manager". Only it's 30 minutes, 15 of which is on hold, and they drop my call. I call back again, get a person by the name of Amit Bunso, who proceeds to take my information. I explain to him that by now I'm nearly an hour into hold and waiting to speak to a Case Manager, and would he please transfer me. He says ok. 15 minutes later he comes back on the phone, and says can I trouble shoot this issue with you. I say this is now the 3rd time I have asked you to transfer me to a Case Manager, would you please do so. He says Ok. 10 minutes later, he comes back on, asking me to explain the problem to him. I say during this part of the conversation, please transfer me to a case manager, 4 times. (now on my 7th time asking him). He transfers me, saying I will next speak to a case manager. Isaac gets on the phone, and asks me what the problem is with my laptop. I ask him if he is a case manager, he says No. I ask to please be transferred to a case manager, now my 8th time and nearly 2 hours on the phone. He puts me on hold, and drops my call. I passed the angry stage at this point. I called back, and lo and behold Amit gets back on the phone, I tell him I am doing my best at being patient, but I have asked now to be transfered to a Case Manager, per a supervisors request from HP support, and this is now my 10th time asking, 8 of which have been asking you. Transfer me NOW. He puts me on hold, 15 minutes later a person by the name of Troy Nunemaker answers, stating he is a case manager. He says he has reviewed my case, and tells me he would be happy to set up the unit for repair. I explain that I am now 2 hours, and multiple transfers into this issue on just that day, and I would like my money back. He says No, can't do that, you can have it repaired or nothing else! (in probably the rudest tone a CSR has ever used with me). I say look, I'm an IT tech, I work on computers for a living, there are hundreds of people online complaining about this issue, and you obviously do not have the ability to repair it. I say I will settle for an exchange for a new unit, and hopefully it doesn't have the issue. He says No, repair it or nothing. And then he has the balls to say, your using this for your business, too bad for you, should have bought an Hp business laptop, and not cheaped out with a regular line unit! I said are you serious, your basically telling me too bad, I bought the wrong unit, and HP will do nothing to properly rectify the issue?! He says yes, repair or nothing. I ask to speak to his manager, upon which he says no one is above me, The only people here are accounting folks, and no one else will speak to you. I curtly say thank you and end the call. I pop into my chat, and after 5 different chat people, all of which end my chat, I still have no answers. Basically I paid $1500 for a unit that works for a while, but can't be fixed, under warranty, by the manufacturer. I received the poorest customer service I have ever had, and am told Too bad by a "Manager" at HP. I will be reporting this to the proper BBB contacts, and have since switched to other providers for the 3 companies that I manage for IT work. Even Dell, while bad, has never treated me as a customer like this, and I've had them exchange defective units, weeks before their warrantys were up! After many years faithfully buying HP laptops, this takes care of it. By the way, I typed this on my defective laptop, and something that would normally take about 20 minutes, took 2 hours with the keyboard lockups!!! Jason Hayden, Idaho U.S.A.

Your Desired Resolution:
I have received the absolute worst customer service from your support staff. I've been lied to by 2 supervisors, I've been told "Too Bad" by a "case manager", and my unit is still defective after being sent in, and coming back with no problem found. I would like my money back, and a return label to send my defective laptop back with. I will purchase another manufacturers product, and will no longer purchase HP products for any of the businesses that I perform IT work for. Sincerely, Jason Kuenkler

This case will be reviewed by a complaint specialist at the Better Business Bureau, and then forwarded to the business for their response. It is our policy to allow the business 30 working days to respond to your complaint. You will be notified when the business has responded.

 

Wow, man.. quite a story. Good job reporting it to BBB. Might also want to (if possible) contact JD Powers and ask them what they were smoking when they gave HP an award for their customer service.

On a side note.. if you do eventually get a refund, I'd strongly recommend a Lenovo ThinkPad Z61m. It was the other laptop I was considering before I bought the dv8000t. The main reason I got the hp is because it had Media Center (and TV tuner support), and a better vid card for gaming.

 

I've looked at the lenovo, and may do that. I spent months researching what I wanted, and am bummed the HP has been so bad.

Looks like I may go with an MSI, or step down to 15.4 inch for more options..

 

If this dv8000t gives me problems down the road that are unresolvable, the ThinkPad Z61m is definitely the route I'll be going.

 

I'm not accepting another replacement and want my money back. I'm going to give it one more round with a new case manager and then I'm filing a complaint with the BBB. HP treats it's customers like we're carnie trash.

 

Sorry to hear you guys are having such major probs.. because other than the defects you're experiencing, I think it's a really kickass laptop. I returned my Inspiron E1505 because it was a piece of crap, and bought the dv8000t instead. But I'd be sad to return this one for anything else, even the ThinkPad Z61m... mostly because I'd lose the awesome 17" wide ultra bright screen, and Media Center capabilities.

So I'm crossing my fingers that no hardware defects show up in my HP. I WILL say that I'm not happy with the software support. The drivers are crap.. some of them don't even install (like the Matrix Storage driver.. it claims it's the wrong chipset. hah!) But mostly everything works great.

 

Other than keyboard problems...

A bad keyboard makes a laptop an expensive paperweight...

 

I've ordered a pimped up dv8000t after about 2 months of research, before the significance of this keyboard problemhad became so apparent.

All i can hope for now is that I'm one of those lucky few, like sledgehammer, who doesnt have a problem with the laptop, cos it is truly a magnificant machine.. being a student for whom $1800 is a major major expenditure, I am really worried about how much this is going to end up costing me.

anyone tried opening the laptop, and tightening the connector?

 

I'm not advanced enough to go inside the machine and should I have to on a brand new laptop? I hope your notebook is fine, hate to see anyone else go through this. This is my first laptop and I kept blaming myself for the keyboard problem, must be something I don't know I'm doing here, not hitting the keys right, must have hit the shift key and made the caps stay on somehow, etc... Then the black screen incident happened and my son came over to help me out, he told me to return it pronto, the keyboard was for sure dodgy, and the black screen incident alone was enough reason to get rid of it. I couldn't accept that HP would put out such a shoddy product, 2 laptops in a row right off the bat having keyboard issues. I don't understand why people are seeming to take this as being acceptable. Why have a laptop if the keyboard is not functional?

 

I agree, the Keyboard kinda makes or breaks the usability of a laptop.

The BBB responded to me today:

Complaint ID#: 252043
Business Name: Hewlett Packard

Thank you for contacting the Better Business Bureau. Your complaint was received by the Bureau on June 27, 2006 and has been assigned case# 252043in our files. Please make a note of this number for future reference.

Your complaint has been applied to the following business:
Hewlett Packard
3000 Hanover St MS1247 Building 6A
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1112

The case has been reviewed and has now been forwarded to the business for their response. This business has until July 19, 2006 to respond to your complaint. You may contact our office after July 19, 2006 to check the status of your complaint.

 

Has anyone received their dv8000 with in the last week and still had the keyboard problem? I am ordering a replacement tomorrow from hp for my four time serviced zd7000. I would much rather order the dv8000 but with all the problems I am probably going to get a dv2000 for a replacement.