My nx9420 impressions and what should I do?

So as you can see I am the proud owner of a HP Compaq nx9420. Now I have to admit I do like it...love it may be stretching it...but it could grow on me... but i truly do miss my toshiba P20...oy.....cooooooommmmmmeeeeeeee bacccccckkkkkkkkkk......okay okay im good now...

But I do have some questions and or comments to make.

1.
I have been reading up on this humming whining noise coming from the processor. I thought I was in that boat, but I think i am in a different boat. I tried doing that RightMark CPU ultility fix, however it does nothing. Well it does do something...cranks up the temperature of my computer to about 50 or 60c at idle.

Now I think I may have a defective unit...boooo. There is a rattling noise coming from the left side of the laptop. Not constant but it becomes noticeable over time. All day yesterday it didnt make that noise but then in the evening it started too. That is when I tried the utlility to lock the CPU clock, and while the clock was locked the noise was still there. It sounds like something inside is loose and is rubbing up against the fan inside. I think I was reading up in the forum here that it is something with respect to a capacitor or something to that effect. If that is a common problem, and that there is no fix to it, then I am truly disappointed.

2.
The screen is fantastic. One thing though that really bothers me is that, when I close the lid of the computer the screen shuts off...when i open the lid the screen comes back on, but then goes right off again hangs for a second or two and then the screen turns back on...not cool. On my P20 and my old IBM 600x no such thing would occur. I even tried it with the ambient light sensor off, and that still doesnt change anything

3.
Also what I noticed, when compared to my P20, is that when the computer is coming out of hibernation, its taking its sweet time. Now if it is because this is a 120GB HD and my P20 had a 80GB HD thats fine...but if not...ooooo annoying.

4.
Now I don't know if its because this computer is ultra quiet, although my P20 was, but the HD always seem to be reading or writing something. Although it has subsided since I installed RightMark (without changing any options) it is still apparent. It also subsided a little after I defragged the HD. Please tell me this is not normal.

5.
I have a "copy" of Win XP back home in Ottawa, that I was planning on installing as this computer right now is swamped with stuff. Now I was reading about how to reinstall winxp and such on the boards here, and well to be honest, it sounds really really difficult. Why is that? Is it because of the SATA drive? Or the partitioning?

6.
This is more of a cosmetic thing than anything. Why is the power port on the left side. i knew this already when i was going to buy the machine, but I didnt think it would be this annoying. Basically depending on where i sit, I put pressure on the cord/socket by the arms of the chair. If it was further back I'm sure I would be fine, however such is not the case. Its fine though...just have to be more attentative. I am used to the power port being in the rear.

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Now dont get me wrong..I really do like this beast. It is light...coming from my P20 which weighed 9.9lbs. Its fast, and well the number pad is nice. The keyboard will be a whole new learning experience for me. The delete key is moved, and i think the orientation of the Clt and Alt keys have been slightly altered. Furthermore there is further travel on the keys than compared to my Toshiba. I do like the volume buttons, but I think, and I cant believe i am going to say this, prefer the analog dial on Toshiba. With the dial it wouldnt exit from full screen apps if i changed the volume. Although it doesnt happen in some apps, on SNES9x it does and Windows Media Player, it exits full screen mode when I adjust the volume.

Well I thank ya guys for listening to me, and I look forward to reading your comments.

What I will probably do, is return the beast. Of course if there are some forum solutions I will impliment them, but the way it stands I will most likely return it, either for a refund or a new unit.

 

Could you please check this topic, and see if you have the same screen color issue that I have ?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=106023

Thanks

 

wow...you are having a heck of a time aren't ya!! I really does sound as if you got a bad system. I have the NX9420 too. I offer how mine runs for each of your points:

1. Mine never utters a noise...ever, the only way I am away it is running is the blinking lights and well, the screen of course. No noise from the fan and/or the HDD. I suspect if you can hear yours in the fashion you describe that it's broken.

2. I suspect you are confused between hibernation and suspend modes. Check your power settings and see what the system is set to do when the lid closed. Also all systems I have even had eventually get confused if you close the lid either too many times or too many times in rapid succession.

3. see #2 above

4. I thought ya said the system was too loud? Now it is too quiet? Which one is it? But if the HDD is always running do you have Indexing enabled within windows? If ya don't know then you can open Windows Help and search for "indexing"...you can disable it and will never notice it's not enabled...I never liked it because it's always running and on a laptop that means less battery life. BTW, the same goes for any background defrag you might have running. I never use that on my laptops either for the same reason.

5. If you think these have bloatware ya should see a consumer line system...gawds they are bloated. I think there was one thing I uninstalled but that was it...I actually find the tools they include useful but that is my just deciding to see what they do...and ummm, you need, whatever it is that HP calls their button management software to be able to use some of the hardware on the system.

6. Not fussy at all are ya? hehehehehe...I agree about the strain issue on the DC jack. But in reality it's the same if it sticks out the back we just cannot see it easily is all. If I am using it in my lap I always make sure to either run on battery or use a hard flat surface. I have a small lapdesk sort of thing from Targus as well as I simply took the stand off a TV Tray and use the top as a nice wooden lappdesk. But what I find even more annoying USB ports. Those are on both sides near the front. But I like the trade off of putting the battery at the back of the system instead of the ports. This helps keep the heat from being under our hands like it is when the battery is under the front part of the laptop.

Really, if you are hearing noise from the system there is a good chance something is not right. If you have a no questions asked chance to return the thing I would. And if you really do like the system just get another one. Something I would not do is accept warranty work on a brand new system The thing should be perfect from day one not basically a refurb if it needs warranty service during the first 30-90 days.

 

I too hear no noise from my NX9420, at all.

My review, which should be up here shortly (as soon as I finish sticking the pictures with the text) notes that at times, I have to remember if it's on it's so quiet...

I too thought the power jack on the left side odd, but, I had a zt3000t along time ago, and the power jack was dead center on the right, I'd much rather live with the jack on the left!

My screen also flickers when opening, it really doesn't bother me personally.

 

hey peoples..

for of all thanks for your input

grumpy3b i dont like you anymore hehehe

But yeah so the long story short is, I am going to return it today. I already cleaned out the HD and what not. I really am going to miss this baby. I would gladly get a new one, but my winter break is now over. I go back to Ottawa tomorrow and I dont want to have to configure this thing over next week and such. So basically what I will do, is take a full refund...(hopefully they wont charge me the 15% restocking fee)

thanks again guys

 

HAHAHAHAHA...thanks I needed that this AM!!! does saying "...I'm sorry, it's not my fault, I was never at that place at that time with those people..." help?

FYI, the build/model I have is EV267AA. It's a model from last year and really has zero issues. From the thread about the display problem for wii and now yours I am thinking there were some QC issues for this line (as well as the NW9440) for a period of time near the end of last year. Your system is noisy, wii has a problem with the display showing incorrect washed out colors.

If you have have any return issues but are still within the HP return period I would contact HP directly as you are returning because it's defective not that you are unhappy.

Also, I actually bought mine from a seller in Canookia, I forget the city. It is possible they have another of these if you want I can suggest she contact you? Send me a PM if ya want.

I got a great deal on mine. It was just US$1150 plus shipping to the US and is BRAND NEW just old stock from the company she works for...I do have no problem recommending her as a seller either. In fact I plan to buy from her/them again in a few months when I will need at least two more of these badboys.