Computer assistance/advice/expertise

[Zander]

So I got back home almost two weeks ago now. When I got back I learned that my virtually brand new computer had been broken while I was away. I don't mean it was loaded with programs, viruses, or anything like that. An actual damn piece, literally broken off of my new computer. I didn't know the name of it, all I knew was that It was an external piece to plug the monitor into that I'd never seen on a computer before, myself. I've been in a "chat" thing with someone from HP customer service for... I'm not really sure how long. At least an hour I'd say.

Anyways, I'm informed that what I need replaced is a VGA port(I immediately googled it to check, wooh, problem solved?). I'm told that I need to send my computer in for "bench repairs," & that the entire process would take "takes 3-8 business days depending on the complexity of the issue."

My reason for this thread is to ask for some opinions, or help. The computer I bought was an HP pavillion media center, model M8020N . I'd like to know if there's any way I could simply go out and buy the piece instead of sending in my computer, and if so where I would find it. I'd also like to know if anyone has any experience with sending in their computers for repairs like this, whether you had any problems or difficulties with the process, and whether or not you would suggest my sending it in to be fixed.

[Jeffery]

If you have a warrenty, use it. Ask them if they have loaner models though, but most likely they won;t.
If the center is near you, take it to them personally. Then call every day and ask if it is ready.

[Zander]

I have 5 months left on my warranty, and it will all be free if I send it in, I was just cautious about sending it.

[Jeffery]

Then i would send it in. If this is the onboard vga port that broke off, you might have motherboard damage. A qualified tech needs to look it over/

The question in mind is how did this get broke?

[Zander]

I have absolutely no clue. It was perfectly fine when I loaded it into my brother's truck before I left. The entire piece screws into the computer, and the actual part on the end where you plug in the monitor is completely broken off. It looks like there's heat damage, but it also looks like it was pulled on or snapped to the side or something.

My brother tells me it was like that when he got it. -_-'

I have no idea where it's being sent to, so taking it in myself is pretty much out of the question. Someone is supposed to drop off a box, and pick it up 2 days later with my computer inside.

[Spirit_Monger]

I might be doing the same thing hopefully soon to by sending it back (though for different issues). Let me know how that works for you. ;)

I heard though that if you kept the box and packaging, you can just get a DSL label and fill out a form and send it. I guess just ask for an address to send to. Supposadly it can take about a week in business days but this will cut it down by two of them.

[dirka dirka]

Jeffery is pretty much correct. They might try and press the issue with the warranty because it is physical damage and not a hardware failure. If they do, tell them it was like that when you bought it, and you've been calling every day and nobody answered. Act very pissed, but don't let them know it broke in your possession unless they are going to cover it regardless.

[XeqtR]

If where you are plugging the monitor has been broken, it could either be motherboard damage as Jeffrey said or it could be your video card damage. Either ways, it is too extensive and too internal for you to repair. Use the warranty and act just like dirka dirka said. It should all be fine.

[Wizzy`]

..I'd be more worried about who was in my house while I was away.

[Scorpionz]

We can't all be worried about serial killers like you Wizzy.

I mean, hell, my computers damaged!

[Merdoc.]

That sucks, happend to me too. Luckly I had to ports to access.

[The Coder]

The first problem was having windows installed.

[dirka dirka]

The first problem was having windows installed.

I truly am annoyed by the wannabe elite persona you expel like the stench of rotten eggs. That wasn't the problem. We understand, you wanna look cool and like an elite coder, so you denounce windows. Truly, however, if you looked around and were actually a coder, you wouldn't be dissing windows.

[CRX687]

I have absolutely no clue. It was perfectly fine when I loaded it into my brother's truck before I left. The entire piece screws into the computer, and the actual part on the end where you plug in the monitor is completely broken off. It looks like there's heat damage, but it also looks like it was pulled on or snapped to the side or something.

My brother tells me it was like that when he got it. -_-'

I have no idea where it's being sent to, so taking it in myself is pretty much out of the question. Someone is supposed to drop off a box, and pick it up 2 days later with my computer inside.

why would you be worried about sending it in? don't worry, HP will take good care of it... just make sure you back up all your files.

[Zander]

Well, I finally got around to sending it in... on wednesday, and I may never see my computer again. I scheduled pick-up for after 2 p.m. & they showed up at about 10:30 a.m., so the box wasn't taped, the sticker wasn't on the box, and I'd forgotten to completely fill-out the form I'm supposed to put inside the box. I borrow the fed-ex guy's pen and start to fill it out after he's offered to tape it up for me, and he starts to get all impatient and what-not. So I handed him my computer with his promise that he'd put the sticker on the box, tape it up for me, and all that jazz...
Now even if he doesn't screw me over, I didn't get my phone number written down on the form, or write what needed to be fixed. I'm just hoping it'll be obvious when they look at the back of the tower and the effing vga port is completely broken off. Btw Jeff, you underperformed on this one. Coulda' told me all I needed was to go buy a DVI cable and use that instead, and get a better connection anyways.
But yeah. About to call aych pee and see what's up.


edit: "i wuh lyk u to giv us a cawl aftehr for ohr fyve howurs. owr sistum iz down."

[Scorpionz]

It must have been some robbers dressed up as HP people.

AS IF they would come that early.

[uniquinous]

Not to say your situation doesn't suck, but just to perhaps give you a laugh of someone who is worse off: a friend of mine had a warrantied laptop that broke.... but she bought it from... CompUSA. Oopsies. Yeah so she was wrestling with them to fix it as they're going out of business.

[Blexican]

you realized you waited like 4-5 months to send it?

[Jeffery]

you realized you waited like 4-5 months to send it?
Yeah, but it could have been 6 months if they hadn;t shown up early to pick it up.....

[Zander]

Fuckin' right doggy.

[Jeffery]

Thats Dippy Dawg to you bizzitch.

[mantis33]

I remember when I had to call HP tech support. Why can't they just have someone who speaks freaking English?!?!?! >_<

[Zander]

The first guy I talked to was definitely american. Pretty helpful guy, really.
Since then it's been all foreign women.
But yeah, they've got my computah and i'm supposed to be receiving it on the sev-teenth.

[Scorpionz]

of April 2020?

[uniquinous]

Since then it's been all foreign women.
don't be such a racist. They're foreign-*sounding* women. In all actuality, it's a clever ploy to win back jobs to American soil by having our females sound foreign. Freakin brilliant.

but scorpz has a good point. 17th of where!?

[xerent]

The first problem was having windows installed.

People like you give techs a bad name.

[Zander]

For future reference,('n I know you'll take note, eunuch) if I don't specify a month, I mean the current month.

[Jeffery]

For future reference,('n I know you'll take note, eunuch) if I don't specify a month, I mean the current month.
April is not the current month.

[Zander]

Stfu Jeffery

[Jeffery]

Stfu Jeffery
I am not talking, so how would I stop talking?

[KickAssPlaya]

By staying in your current way? :huh:

[Jeffery]

Wouldn't that be "knsa"???

[KickAssPlaya]

If I knew what "knsa" was then I would answer you...:confused:

[Jeffery]

If I knew what "knsa" was then I would answer you...:confused:
Keep Not Saying Anything

[KickAssPlaya]

Ooooooh. In that case, then yes. "knsa". :wink2:

[Jeffery]

Ooooooh. In that case, then yes. "knsa". :wink2:
Beter would be "STYFA"

[trugreatness20]

"STFUYSI" this is my favorite

[uniquinous]

:confused: :huh:

[Zander]

uhh...

kgy

[KickAssPlaya]

Beter would be "STYFA"
Beter or better?
:confused: :huh:
I'm right there with you man.. just as confused.

[Zander]

My baby is home!

[Mentality]

In two pieces right?

:D

[Zander]

My baby is dusty as hell!

[Zander]

And now I'm posting on my baby.:)
All the files are still here, they didn't do a system restore.
Schweet.

[dirka dirka]

I work for the company that fixed it. Knew it was you. Check the back for a love note in the form of a windows serial number.