HP returned laptop with wrong video card

I've had a "fun" run with HP the past few months.

My battery on my laptop was malfunctioning and only lasting a few minutes. I went through the repair service which took 2 weeks or so.

After I got the laptop back, I noticed that it was overheating an awful lot and just then refused to turn on. Also they reformatted it even though I provided all of the passwords. They reformatted it and all I needed was a replacement battery! Luckily I backed my stuff up. I figured it was a video card problem and sent it in again. This time I had to request a box about 4 times! Each time the representative said they sent a box but it never arrived and they were never aware of the prior box they sent. The 4th representative that I spoke to said there weren't ever any cases or issues created by my Serial Number. I was furious! I sent the laptop in, (finally) and it took about 2 weeks or so to get it back.

After I received it back, it was working, but I noticed some video and wireless problems. I then saw that my display drivers were missing. I tried installing them, but to no avail they did not work. I spoke with an HP rep who tried a bunch of drivers with me. The first one he tried were the Intel 950GM integrated ones. I told him that I had the Geforce GO video card. The Geforce drivers weren't working on my machine at all and he recommended that I reformat. After doing some research on my own about the actual parts they replaced, I found out that they replaced my mother board (for some odd reason) and then I found that the Intel integrated drivers worked! I was again, furious. They removed my dedicated graphics card (which I paid extra for) and replaced it with a new motherboard w/integrated graphics.

I just spoke with an HP who said they'll send in a box to get the laptop back and try to fix the problem. Hopefully the box with get here...

 

This is not good. I would just get my money back. Seems pretty under handed to give u a product that was not what u purchased. I mean if they tried to dupe you into keeping the one with intergrated graphics card oppsed to the discrete one you ordered, I say something fisshy is afloat... stay away....far far away

 

That is just horrid. They really need to rectify your situation pronto!

 

At this point, you should be asking about a completely new replacement notebook with the same or better specs.

 

That's awful. Which model do you have? I've never had any issues with HP Commercial portable support on my Compaq Evo.

 

just one question, why did you send the whole notebook in for a new battery? Because they can just send you a new battery, as long as you have a credit card as collateral.

 

Geesh! Not again.

I don't know if you read this other thread but RealtorKen had a similar situation, only he got a replacement with a downgraded card. His situation has been a nightmare.

Good luck sorting this out. I can't believe they didn't think you wouldn't notice something like this!

 

I would ask for a refund and go with a different computer
like the alienware area-51 m9750 from www.alienware.com

 

I see no reason why a total refund would be justified. What HP should do is take the notebook back and replace the system board with the proper one. Oversights and mistakes happen. I sent my Compaq Evo in to have the touchpad replaced due to a malfunction and I got it back with a new system board instead. Did I ask for a refund? No. I called HP back, explained what happened, and sent the unit in again. They apologized for the mistake and got my notebook back to me in 48 hours. Maybe HP Commerical support is just a lot better than HP Consumer support. In the situation described by the original poster, I fail to see any evidence of malicious intent on HP's part. Send it back and make sure they install the proper system board.

 

The laptop is a dv2000t.

@ caveman, They insisted that I had to send in the whole laptop to get the battery replaced. It seemed dumb to me as well... Apparently they can't trust a customer to make a trustworthy diagnosis. But as a customer, I can't trust the same from them anymore either.

 

I wish it were that simple...for some reason it hasn't been my experience.

Best of luck Stotic