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Mac-Mini Mayhem!

Submitted by ardith on Wed, 2009-10-21 09:00
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My mac-mini has been in the family for years. I purchased it soon after they were launched and I was thinking the poor old thing was getting on in the years.

It's the main computer my parents use since macs are simpler to use. My parents are more email/skype sort of people, so it doesn't have to run a billion apps.

But the past few weeks, I've noticed that it was taking a while to start up applications. Then one day, the APPLE loading screen (gray screen with apple plus whirly loading icon thing) was just hanging around on the screen.

Uh-oh....

I inserted the MAC OS X disc and did a repair. That helped for a few days.

Then. It died.

The hard drive was kaput.

So I toddled over to Fry's and picked up a 160 gb (P)ATA HD. I'm gonna do some surgery! Cross your fingers for me, mkay?

They had a 300 gb one, but my parents were using a 60 gb without filling it up, so over 2x the hd space seems like plenty of elbow room. Especially since they probably need to upgrade to a faster computer eventually.

I mean, the specs on a common netbook is not much of an improvement on my mac-mini. The big plus would be the portability. So I'm going to operate this afternoon. *cracks knuckles*

I found this video online:
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/mac_mini_g4_mem_hd_opt_h/

Now I just have to get some philips screwdrivers, and a putty knife.

Hewlett-Packard: Wait, What to you MEAN it was MADE for the US, but Chile has to repair it?

Submitted by ardith on Tue, 2009-08-11 18:47
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Yes, it's time for Part 3 in the Ongoing Saga of HP Customer Service.

In response to the question of WHO was responsible for repairs for her almost brand new computer, HP said that even though the computer is clearly marked as US, HP Chile made it and is responsible for repairs.

Now wait a minute.... I've bought several computers, including a Dell and a MacMini that were manufactured in other countries. But if I had support issues, I went to Dell and Apple directly.

Heck, my Playstation 3 was made in some far off elf-factory and Sony fixed me up tout de suite!

I received an excellent and super quick response from WD when my passport decided to go crazy. All I had to do was email these companies and they took care of it.

But HP... Oh, Hewlett-Packard.... How can a computer CLEARLY marked for the US market have to be serviced by having the customer make an INTERNATIONAL call? How long will it take to get her computer up and running again? Will she have to return a hardrive to ANOTHER COUNTRY? 

I just don't think it makes any sense, but she's called Hewlett-Packard AND emailed Hewlett-Packard and this is what they told her.

As I mentioned before, Angeline has always used Apple computers at home, but she can use a PC. She uses one at work! She didn't abuse the computer or try to reprogram it. The (almost new) hard drive died and HP is making her jump through hoops to get it fixed. 

How can a customer even KNOW if an Hewlett-Packard computer can be fixed in the US. I bet those Microsoft commercials that expound on the affordability of PC laptops don't consider the user having to call CHILE to get a defective hard drive fixed! And if I recall, all of those commercials that I've seen featured HP laptops.

HP Customer Support: The Adventure Continues

Submitted by ardith on Tue, 2009-08-11 14:59
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After the issues my sister had yesterday, I thought I was clever. I gave my sister the web form to email HP. They did respond right away, but

[....] according to the information provided by you, I have check in our database that you have purchased your notebook from Chile.

Your email has reached the technical support division for North Americas, where we can provide technical assistance to the customers worldwide. However, we will not be able to carry out shipment or replacements outside the United States. If the unit requires a service, shipment, replacement or an escalation, you will have to contact your local Technical Phone Support. We regret your inconvenience. We hope that you understand.

Your notebook is in warranty and you will be getting the hard drive free of cost. However for that you need to contact HP support in Chile.
[....]

Wait, so the comptuer has a -US suffix and was sold in the US, but it was puchased from CHILE?

PC Problems - HP Pavilion dv4-1227us Boot Device not Found Error. No help from HP!

Submitted by ardith on Mon, 2009-08-10 18:58
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As I just tweeted,  the HP Pavilion dv4-1227us laptop my sister just got from Amazon was apparently from Chile so HP USA can't/won't help her with a MAJOR computer issue.

Last night, she called me asking me what to do if her computer suddenly cut off and said "Boot Device not Found."

Today we tried a few things, but it looks like the comptuer totally died. She couldn't even run a hard disc check.

She just got off the phone with HP USA and apparently they did not have the laptop in their system. They told her the computer she bought was from Chile and they couldn't help her.

Keep in mind, this is a computer that she just purchased from Amazon.com. There wasn't any sign that the comptuer was not covered by HP US or that she would have to go and call another country to get her laptop fixed.

Now, my sister has always had Apple computers. She's had an iMac and an iBook. She thought that she would try an HP this time since I puchased one and looooove my laptop.

Unfortunately, it looks like this is going to be a very bad headache for her. This is a comptuer that is less than 90 days old!

I'm really upset on her part since the HP customer service in the US is pushing her off to another country, especially since I know all the documentation seemed to be geared to US customers AND she puchased it from Amazon.com.

Hopefully this will be straightened out and she'll be able to use her computer again. If not, I think Amazon has something to answer for. Especially if she can't get it serviced in the US.

Computers & HD Camcorders

Submitted by ardith on Mon, 2009-06-22 06:41
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On Father's Day, my brother and sisters gave my dad a HD camcorder from Sony. Since it also works as a digital camera, it's really handy. Especially since my youngest sister's wedding is coming up.

Unfortunately, it looks like our 5 year old Mac is too slow to handle the HD videos. I already knew it was a slow computer (I did buy an early release in 2005....), so we have to upgrade.

Now I'm trying to decide what to do. My parents are barely used to the mac set up. I'm leanding towards a small HP Laptop since I've been really happy with this one. 

I think it may be easier since my dad is always pulling shortcuts out of the Apple bar.

My middle sister just ordered the HP Pavilion DV4-1227US 14.1-Inch Laptop - Espresso Black

 

Since she has been using a mac for the past few years, we'll have to see how this goes. 

 

Got a New Computer

Submitted by ardith on Mon, 2009-03-02 22:46
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I took advantage of the Circut City closeout to get a new computer. I'd been debating for the last few months about purchasing a MAC and even considered a netbook, but after much debate, I picked up this giant laptop.

I got a laptop and it wasn't a MAC.... on TwitPic

I say giant because the thing is 17 inches and a little over 7 1/2 lbs. Huge compared to the wee netbooks that I've looking at.

Now I'm trying to transfer my mac files over into my laptop.

My friend Erika has declared that I'm a traitor to those who love MAC. Of course, I still have my iPhone and Mac Mini. 

Anyways, now I have to go do taxes and get some extra work done. Not having a laptop really has been a pain in the butt.

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