*HP dv5t (1XXX series) Owners Lounge*

Hey Chaz, can u edit the first post of this thread and give links to all of the things you did to get your laptop in the condition it is right now (ie: clean install guide, tweeks, etc.). Thanks!

 

I have my dv5t sitting on a tile countertop right now and it's running quite warm. However, at work on my wooden (I think) desk, it runs significantly cooler. I don't know the science behind it, but you can figure it out via experimentation.

The only difference is 140MHz, which won't make a difference and is not worth $50. Save the money and use it for more RAM.

If you want to play it safe, go with the 1280x800. You should definitely take a trip to Best Buy or Circuit City, because all of the 15.4" notebooks on display will have a WXGA 1280x800 resolution.

Their stories are often sensationalist . . . I would take anything from that site with a bucket of salt.

1. According to HP:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...Versatile+performance&series_name=dv5t_series

2. The Infinity is basically for style and not functionality . . . I got it on mine because I thought it looked really sleek when I saw it in person. I don't think you are making a mistake by not getting it.

3. Propping up the back of the notebook helps temperatures significantly. You could also get a notebook cooler for additional cooling. I suggest the Zalman NC1000. It is reported to work well with the dv5t.

Great suggestion, yes I will do that. If anyone things something specific should be added, please private message me.

I submitted the review today, it should be on the front page in the next few days!

Congratulations to everyone who ordered or received their dv5ts . . . it is good to see so many people buying this machine. I am really enjoying mine.

 

For those of you who previously ordered the dv5t and missed out on the $400 coupon, here's what to expect if you call HP Customer Service about the price guarantee:

1. First, they will tell you you're in ineligible because it doesn't apply to coupons
2. Next, they will tell you that it doesn't apply if you used the APP (Academic) discount
3. Lastly, you will be told your order total doesn't qualify because it wasn't $1,299 and up

However, if you argue through this then you will be offered a $100 discount. For example, I told them how I could return my laptop and order with the new code and I would have saved an additional $200 giving up all those previous codes and just using the new $400 coupon code.

No matter what I said, they were completely unwilling to actually credit me the true price difference of about $200 and were going to force me to return my laptop and re-order or just return it altogether if I wasn't willing to accept the $100 offer.

I have to admit, I'm very disappointed in HP's 21 Day Pricing Guarantee. I understand that they try to protect against coupon codes, but when my exact configuration is $200 less within one week and they will only offer $100, make me go through the hassle of entire re-order, or allow me to fully return it, it's frustrating. An accurate credit of the difference in price should be the 21-day rule.

If anyone has had a better experience calling in concerning the new $400 discount, please share. I'd like to know if anyone was able to get a credit for their actual difference in price. Thanks.

 

I just called HP at (for for quick reference) 1-866-433-2018 for price protection for my dv5t I purchased back in July, and it was a very easy process, the whole thing took probably less than 10 minutes. The NB6997 code was very helpful, i ended up coming up with a price that was something like $350 less than what I had originally paid with EPP after taking into account all of the new free upgrades and the instant rebate. Anyways, it turns out that HP caps their price protection at $200, which was what I recieved. That was a bit of a disappointment, but hey, it's still $200. If anyone has any questions about the price protection process, I'd be happy to answer them.

 

I also just called about the $400 coupon. I ordered a few weeks ago and it is actually enroute. I originally saved the $100 + 5% (65), + no tax weekend (65 or so), so the $400 would save me an additional $170 or so.

At first they refused to do anything, so I asked if they were wanting me to just get it & return, then reorder with this coupon? So they put me on hold and came back offering me an additonal 10%, which in my case came to $118. So I told them that was fine, because I really didn't want to return & reorder, headed out of town in a couple weeks and need it now.

So overall I was fairly happy, didn't get the full $400 coupon, but this $118 is pretty good, a surprise I didn't know about 1 hr ago. I'll probably actually activate the accident protection with it as I didn't get that and around my house, it would be useful, especially with all the traveling I'll be doing in the next year.

 

I also just called about the $400 coupon. I ordered a few weeks ago and it is actually enroute. I originally saved the $100 + 5% (65), + no tax weekend (65 or so), so the $400 would save me an additional $170 or so.

At first they refused to do anything, so I asked if they were wanting me to just get it & return, then reorder with this coupon? So they put me on hold and came back offering me an additonal 10%, which in my case came to $118. So I told them that was fine, because I really didn't want to return & reorder, headed out of town in a couple weeks and need it now.

So overall I was fairly happy, didn't get the full $400 coupon, but this $118 is pretty good, a surprise I didn't know about 1 hr ago. I'll probably actually activate the accident protection with it as I didn't get that and around my house, it would be useful, especially with all the traveling I'll be doing in the next year.

 

Chaz, thanks a bunch for answering my questions!

And, regarding the resolution concerns. I got the 1680x1050. Can't you just set the resolution lower if you don't like it that high? Something near 1280x800 if you want it?

 

You can, but the image will be a bit blurry because it's not the screen's native resolution.

 

Huh, that's weird. The sales rep for my dv7t actually gave me the $170 back for using the $400 coupon. I still need to check with the credit card company to see if the credit was returned though.

 

Thanks.

Is it recommended to stick with the 1280x800? Should I have HP change that? Or is 1680x1050 recommended? On my Macbook Pro 15", I use 1440x900, and I love it. On my 20" Apple Cinema Display, I have it at 1680x1050.

 

Can't believe it but I just ordered one too! First laptop ever. Had same desktop since 2002. So I have been waiting and could not decide on power of a desktop vs. amazingness of a laptop. I decided laptop then I could not decide between 17" and 15.4". Finallly I decided 15.4 and this deal was very good. Not the 500 off 1399 but still close enough. This thing is fully loaded and a great price!!!! Cant wait!!

HP Pavilion Entertainment dv5t customizable Notebook PC
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz)
15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
FREE Upgrade to 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
HP Color Matching Keyboard
FREE Upgrade to Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100AGN from 802.11b/g WLAN
No High speed 56K modem port
SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Instant discounts you received:
$400.00 Coupon NB6997

Order subtotal $1,128.99

Total with taxes: $1,196.73

I went with 32-bit windows because I just see too many compatibility problems with 64 bit right now even though it is getting better. Also, decided with higher resolution screen which I was not originally going to do. Any opinions on the screen?

 

Well, good to see many people picking up the dv5t now =). I received mine a few days ago, mainly because I had to send the first one in to exchange for some upgrades and stuff. Anyways, just wanted to mention that I have the zalman nc1000 and I'm able to play call of duty 4 with graphics options set pretty high at 1024x768 (i think). The notebook does run warm, and I probably wouldn't want to be playing video games without a cooler or raising the back up a half inch as suggested. However let me say that everything works perfectly, I have had no issues with the computer so far, the volume doesn't trigger itself and none of that stuff. This computer runs as smooth as I could have wanted. So all in all, a **** good purchase and I think most of you who went out and ordered it won't be disappointed.

 

So I ordered one of these last night. I used the $400 off coupon from this site and got a deal that was too good to pass up.

- HP Pavilion dv5t Entertainment Notebook
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
- Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.4 GHz)
- 15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Infinity Display (1680 x 1050)
- FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
- 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
- FREE Upgrade to 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
- [For BrightView Infinity] Webcam Only
- HP Color Matching Keyboard
- Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100AGN and Bluetooth(TM)
- No High speed 56K modem port
- SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
- No TV Tuner w/remote control
- 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
- HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Price came in just under $1k. I can't wait to add it to my collection.

 

=================================

instead of setting the resolution differently, you can either use Vista to re-scale, or, yet another solution is to go website by website, using Firefox 3 to zoom in or out. that's because Firefox 3 remembers which site you want what zooming!! in my opinion, both of these options are superior to changing the resolution since using anything BUT the native resolution is undesirable with LCD's.

 

I had orderd my laptop b4 the $400 off coupon , and mine was showing a status : dropped to factory , when I had called to cancel the order . They said it should take 24-48 hrs maybe or else u have to return it and reorder . Does anyone think they will cancel it , coz now when I checked the status it says : Order in production. When I'm reconfiguring its saving me a good $200 .

 

Resolution is a scary thing for me. I was scared to buy a xps with 1440x900 but it worked out alright for the week I had it and now I can't order that resolution with a dv5t. I've seen the 1280x800 in a store and it just seems too little on a 15.4".

 

Hmm, best bet would be to go to a store and check out the bigger resolution. Personally I like it, gives me plenty of room to work with in a 15.4'' screen. The icons on the desktop are a good size as well. However I will admit, even to my 21 year old eyes, the taskbar is pretty small and the icons on it are tiny. It looks really really good though. You should definitely check it out before you buy though.

 

I'd like to ask the current owners of this lappy ... How warm to the touch does it get? If you have it propped up and dispensing heat evenly, will the palmrest/trackpad area get to an "uncomfortable" warm? how would you describe it.

 

Call HP sales reps and ask about their price protection guarantee. They'll probably redirect you to somewhere else but once you get redirected tell the person about the coupon (be specific, read off the code) once they've gotten you info (name, email, order num etc). Ask them to change your price. If you're lucky, the person should try to do a custom configuration that matches yours plus the coupon and inform you of the new price difference, then refund you whatever it is that you saved. They will take off whatever coupons you have used before. I got about $175 back from them for my dv7t, took three calls, but succeeded in the end.
When you do call, try to time it near the end of the work day (4-4:40ish); that's when you'll still likely to get the American HP sales reps instead of the oversea's ones, but they're itching to go home so they'll likely cave in to your demands. Also ask for the supervisor right off the bat, they're the one's who can actually do anything.

 

As I'm sure most of the vets here now already but canceling a order with hp is a nightmare. I'm on the fourth person who just keeps offering me the $100 credit to keep it. I am only canceling because I'm saving more money with the $400 coupon than with my original discounts. I could have asked to get price matched but I figured this way was easier. Little did I know that hp order canceling is terrible.

I finally just got through and they tell me it may or may not get canceling even though my build date is the 19th. I already reordered but since this will be my first real laptop I'm scared of the resolution and heating problems.

 

lol the reps who im talking to at present , are saying that NB6997 is not valid ...

 

uh oh
they might've hit the limit.
but keep trying anyways.

 

I just went to war with India and won. My dv5t that I got yesterday cost me $1203.41, after the student discount, and the original 5% coupon code. Had I purchased today, It would have cost me $935.99 ($249.42 difference).

Well, at first they said no, because they "didn't offer my configuration anymore" and they can only do price matches on the same configuration.

Get this: remember in earlier posts where someone said that the microphone and imprint finish isn't in the options anymore with the webcam? The joker told me that this was different. I told him what he could do with that excuse. Apparently by not saying 'imprint mesh finish' on the website, it's different. I stood firm.

He then comes back and tells me that the best they can do is a $200 credit. I said, "The best you can do is a $249.42 credit." He wasn't happy.

So then he comes back and says my credit is $236.66. Close enough. Actually, it's exactly enough. Since you can't use 2 coupon codes, the original 5% coupon code went away, and I got the $400 off coupon code!. Can you believe the audacity of these people?

Actually, I think I got screwed about 15 bucks of tax, but that surely wouldn't have been easy for this mental midget.

All this after I got off the phone with Dish network and cancelled their sorry service, but thats a whole other forum.

 

Even I thought so .. that the limit was met .. but they said we do not have any such coupon .. I guess an ignorant rep was on da line with me ... she couldnt talk for nuts ... newayz when I tried the coupon on my new cart , it was working , but she wasn't ready to believe me .. Anyways , I have logged it for cancellation , lets hope that works and the limit has still not been met !

 

I returned my original order with HP, due to a change I made. I got the laptop, called them there and then, got the RMA#, and dropped it off at FedEx 20 minutes later. My card was credited back within the week. You have 21 days to return for any reason, no questions asked.

 

everyone complaining about the heat, the lappy does get hot but its not so hot you cant use it. If you lift the back up just a bit this thing runs real nice not hot at all.

 

I am posting this message again to see if anyone else is having the same issue. When i play games on the notebook it runs well without any problems due to the heat from the gpu (1200x800) . When i connect my notebook to a 22in lcd screen (1600x1050) using the vga out, my screen shows fading lines after 20 minutes of playing the game. My gpu temp is reading at 80c but it doesn't do that when i'm not connected to the 22 lcd monitor. At one point my notebook just shut off by itself. #1 I want to know if people tried connecting their dv5t to a larger lcd/monitor. #2 if there is a way of cooling down the gpu besides using a cooling deck and raising the notebook an inch off the table. I hope someone responds so I know i'm not the only one with this issue.

T9400
2 Gig Ram
Geforce 9600M GT

 

Agreed.

Also, not sure if this has been pointed out before, but if you remove the Express Card slot that has the plastic filler piece, leaving the Express Card slot empty, you can reduce a lot of the heat produced by the spinning harddrive under the left palm rest area. I actually do that with my old HP too.

 

Alright, I've been too busy playing with my dv5t but I've decided to give my review on the notebook.

August 12 was the predicted build date, August 17-19 was the projected receive date.

I ordered my laptop on August 2.
The laptop was shipped on August 9.
The laptop was in my hands on August 12.

Both FedEx and HP did a kick a' job getting my laptop here:
http://www.fedex.com/Tracking?tracknumbers=967141589727&action=track&language=english

Specifications:

- HP Pavilion dv5t Entertainment Notebook
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 ( 32-bit)
- Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8600 ( 2.4 GHz)
- 15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display ( 1280 x 800)
- 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
- 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS
- FREE Upgrade to 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
- HP Imprint Finish (Mesh) + Microphone + Webcam
- HP Color Matching Keyboard
- 802.11b/g WLAN and Bluetooth
- No High speed 56K modem port
- SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
- No TV Tuner w/remote control
- High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

The entire thing was $1122.29. This includes free shipping, CA tax, and a student discount from UC San Diego. Sadly, I did not know about the 5% coupon or the SECOND 5% coupon. For all people reading that plan on buying their laptop, make sure you get all of this!

Design
I felt that the laptop had a GREAT design. The glowing HP was cool. Keyboard and track pad I liked coming from a desktop computer. I like the chrome finish and don't mind the smudging of it very much.

Heat
The laptop is above average in heat but not scorching. My sister's old Gateway that I used for a month or two was way hotter. The dv5t simply needs a cooler which I will buy with my mouse. The heat is not unbearable but there IS heat.

Battery Life
I've got to say that I expected more battery life from the High Capacity. I use the "High Performance" setting at all times and get only about 2 hours time. Right now I'm using the laptop as a desktop replacement so most of the time I keep the AC plugged in with the battery removed. I like how convenient it is to do.



Graphics
I was one foolish enough to not go for the much better 9600M GT so I'll give my review of it so far.

The 9200M GS is an adequate card but I recommend everyone get the better 9600M GT.

I was able to play free FPS "Combat Arms" and the FPS "Soldier Front" on High Details with no skipping. "Combat Arms" I get 50+ fps and "Soldier Front" I get 32.2 fps (the max for that game it seems).

The MMORPG "Runescape" I was able to play the new "High Detail Graphic Engine" perfectly with 50+ fps. This is to be expected from any graphic card out but just in case someone here is a fan, there it is. I am currently downloading the "Burning Crusade" upgrade of "World of Warcraft" and I will test the fps and ability of the 9200m GS in Shattrath City and other places.

Issues
One issue I do have with the dv5t is that my DVD Drive seems to not be able to read many DVDs. For instance, I was unable to watch "Never Back Down" on it and I was also not able to install "World of Warcraft" from CDs.

Conclusion
I love my notebook. It's powerful, fast, and looks great. I hope it will get me through college well. Here are the Passmark results:

http://ieng6.ucsd.edu/~pvle/benchmark/BenchmarkResults.htm

 

@charonil
Had you bought your laptop under home n office or under the APP ?
I dont think I can get what u did , coz mines under APP.

 

The dv5t is a really nice notebook it the best design I have seen from hp. But I have one problem with it.

I’m trying to update my geforce driver, but every time i get this error message.
“We have detected that your OS isn’t 32bit/64bits, the installation will stop”
I have the dv5t 1095eo with 9600GT and Vista home professional 32bit (I have checked).

I have tried both the 32bit and 64bit from nvidia but I get the same error. I’m guessing it’s a really simple thing im missing to do but I cant figure out what it is?
The drivers I have tried
177.79_geforce_winvista_32bit_english
177.83_geforce_winvista_32bit_international_whql
175.19_geforce_winvista_64bit_english_whql

 

this is a really really great and practical solution to a common problem!! thx Hooran! may i ask if anyone has tried it and what their results were, compared with Hooran's favorable findings? thx!

 

That's an excellent price for what you got . . . great deal. Thanks for making me feel like I spent too much. Oh well, I bought mine the day after they came out.

You have 42% more viewable space with the WSXGA+ vs. the WXGA, so it's definitely worth it. I find I am much more productive with the higher-res screen. It looks fabulous.

I think once it gets dropped off at the factory, it won't get canceled. Once it gets shipped to you, you can RMA it back no questioned asked, and HP will pay the return shipping.

The heat is definitely not unbearable as several people have commented.

That's what I did with my old Sager, it's a good little trick that takes a few degrees of the hard drive.

Try the 177.72 from LaptopVideo2Go.com:
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showforum=94

 

I'm pumped for your review Chaz even though I already purchased mine. I decided that the heat can't be that bad and I'll definitely buy a cooler when I order more ram from newegg. Also went with the higher resolution so hopefully that goes alright.

Now I just have to deal with possibly getting two since my first will probably not cancel.

 

As u said that I can RMA it back , but if the 400 off coupon expires by then , it wont be of any use , right ?

 

@ anyone who got a $100 back using that APP discount
can you tell me what number did u call them at ? and what exactly did u tel them that led them to offer u the discount

would really appreciate ur help ..thnx

 

I was trying to get the 5% coupons to work, however they don't for me. Can someone tell me what codes they are using, and how to get the student discount on top of the normal one ?
Thanks in advance!

 

the 5% coupon is NB3089
and to get student discount , u need to register under the APP program from here https://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/register_app.do

 

Go through regular Home shopping, instead of APP. And use the code NB6997. It's a $400 off for $1299+ order. Much better than APP discount + 5% coupon

 

Hi. I'm new here, and this is my first post.

I work in IT and have have been working with computers since my first experience with them in high school, back in the early 80's!

I'm not an expert, just a long time user of PC's in Windows OS and Mac OS.

So, I bought the DV5T for my niece. She is headed to college this fall and for her graduation gift I got her this very nice laptop.
It's a basic setup as she doesn't do gaming.
It will be used for web surfing, email, writing papers, etc..., very casual use.
Specs:
P7350
2G ram- soon to be 4G using OCZ PC6400 ram
250HD with fall sensor
X4500 video
AGN wireless
DVD+/-RW
Standard battery- I should have got the "high capacity"

I got a great price in my view.
I originally bought a DV6928US with a 5750 processor and 3GB ram, but I didn't open it. I tested it out at Circuit City and the DV6900 series is very nice. But, I was holding out for the "new" intel processors, and I'm glad I did cause the DV5 is quite nice.
The 6928 would have been $630+tax, but that's with 2 rebates.
The DV5 cost $708+tax, no rebates needed. I got an academic discount (I work for a university) and the 5% coupon.

I know the vast majority opted for the faster processors and real video cards, but the P7350 even with 2G of ram is really quite impressive, and is faster than the DV6928 with the 5750 and 3G of ram. The extra $78 to get the DV5 is WELL worth it, GREAT in fact.
The faster bus speed along with the faster ram and much better on-board video really show a noticeable performance gain over the DV6928.

I like the overall look of the DV5, but the fingerprint gathering finish needs to be rethought. In a darker home office, dorm, or living room, it's fine.
But, under the bright lights of college libraries, offices, and classrooms the fingerprints really show.

The screen is excellent and the on-board speakers are quite acceptable.
My setup generates nearly no heat as I've only played "simple" games on it.
The battery seems to be VERY lackluster as most standard laptop batteries are. Surfing and emailing may give you a bit over 2 hours, but if you're gaming or doing heavy graphic work I doubt this battery would get you anywhere near 2 hours, but I could be wrong.
I have looked for greater capacity batteries and some sites claim that batteries from the DV6000 series will fit the DV5, but I can't confirm that.
I may take the chance and get an aftermarket brand to check it out.
I'll wait an see what my niece reports for battery life before I spend the cash.
A very nice benefit is how fast the battery does charge, but that could also be why it doesn't last very long either.

I did get a logitech V220 wireless mouse for her. It's very nice.
It has a USB receiver, which slots into the mouse when not in use.
I don't like bluetooth mice or keyboards. I use them for my video editing setup and they just chew up batteries. The RF wireless systems have much longer battery life. Granted you have to connect a USB receiver with RF whereas BT is built in, but it's a small thing to do to get much better battery life.

Overall the DV5 is a very sweet machine. The touchpad works very nicely and has a nice feel. I am worried about the "touch" switch for the wireless.
I'm partial to actual mechanical switches for that type of thing.
Also, the touch volume control is already problematic. It doesn't work very well. I've read that very same problem in 2 reviews, one with the DV5T and one with the DV5Z. Considering the touch volume control is an issue, I'm concerned about the touch wireless control as well.
HP NEEDS to address the volume control problem as it seems quite common.

I'm also concerned about the mesh cover over the speaker area, regarding dust over time. It seems the holes will collect dust, there is no way around that. A solid surface can be wiped clean, a mesh surface can not. I will recommend that my niece bring me the laptop so I can use some light bursts of compressed air to keep the area clean.

Overall, the DV5T with the P7350 is one nicely done laptop. I am very impressed at how lightweight it is. The systems with video cards will of course weigh a bit more, but overall the weight is nicely held down.
Access to the ram is easy and clear, and I'll be adding 2X2GB for a total of 4GB asap. The 2GB performance, so far, doesn't indicate that it really needs the extra ram, but I would feel better knowing it has the extra ram if she really multi-tasks. Plus, I'll probably upgrade the system to 64bit either next semester or next year.

I am considering the 3yr warranty. It seems to be a great price with the APP discount.
I like this DV5 so much that I may get one for myself, but my config will be more like what most of you have been getting.
I do video work as well, so I'll need the faster processor, higher res monitor, video card, and 7200rpm hard-drive. Video editing really does need a high speed HDD.
I'm deciding between the DV5T or the Macbook Pro 15".
The Macbook will be about $400-$500 more, even for equivalent hardware, but I like the Mac OS and prefer video editing on Mac's "Final Cut" software to Adobe Premiere on the Windows side.
It's a tough call, but either way will get me a great machine.

 

Hey,
I just wanted to share a few tips and advice on calling in to get the 400$ coupon (I spent a few months working for short sales in real estate and most of my job meant waiting on hold being transferred from one department in a bank to another etc etc etc.) So here's a few tips to make things run more smoothly and get what you want, as well as what I did to get about 50$ more that my rebate.

Big thing is to keep your cool, don't get pissed off about being on hold or being transferred, these people are doing the best they can and can in fact help you.

The other thing that really helps is to be cheerful and helpful, be happy to wait and be happy to let the get a grip on the situation.

Now what I did was, after calling three times and getting transferred to different departments I finally got the right one (Sorry ive already forgotten which one that is, but just explain whichever department you call the situation and they'll eventually transfer you to the right one).

I finally got someone in the right department (and for the record this was in India and not US). I said that I had ordered my dv5t a few weeks ago, it was in the mail and I found out about the $400 coupon and was wondering if I could get a credit or should I just re-order (I always suggest giving people a choice or asking them for their advice, as opposed to yelling at them to give you money). The guy said that I could not get the credit because I had used the 5% coupon etc. etc. I said that was fine because for a difference of 200$ (between the what I paid and what I would have paid) I would be more than happy to cancel my order resend the laptop I hadn't received yet and re-order THE EXACT SAME ONE to start the whole process over again. (I basically implied that they had more to lose on the shipping and production cost of my Laptop than actually just giving me the rebate) The guy said alright and credited me the 200$.

The best part, I re-did my numbers after getting the 200$, re-ordering would have only saved me $150, so the guy just took my word for how much i should get and now im up 50$.


I dont mean to ramble or lecture, but I thought my positive experience might help (I basically got $200 in less than 25 minutes for just reading this forum) and thought it might help to share.

P.S. If you got one bad rep. you dont have to cancel, just hang up and call back, Call centers almost never give you the same person twice, so if you dont like your current guy/girl just get another one and try again. GOOD LUCK!

 

What software plays HD (blu-ray)DVD on the dv5t. Mine didnt come with PowerDVD or anything that I can see. Just the DVD Authoring title.

 

@Terry
Had u orderd ur laptop previously under APP ?

 

Yeah, I had APP, 5% discount and 100$ instant rebate.

 

oh kool .. mines da same prob as urs was...wat number did u call
1-888-999-4747 ?

 

At first yes, but they told me to call (800) 474-6836, and i think i went with the first option called 'order'

 

ok thnx a lot ! I'll try my luck now ..My third time 2...hope i can be third time lucky as every1 was ....

 

I got my laptop today!!! It is sexy. Im going to make the recovery disks then run the ccleaner to get rid of some of the bloat wear.

 

I guess we all are 3rd time lucky
Even I was credited $200 on my laptop
At first they said they couldnt but I asked them to transfer me to a rep who could help me with the changes , and they transferred me to a rep who was really helpful and within 30 mins I was credited .

Terry thanks a lot !!