HP problem
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: uk
HP problem
Help
My daughter has an HP6000 that we bought her for xmas. The built in wireless has stopped working. I managed to get it back a couple of times by going into the BIOS and resetting the defaults. Hp say it is a Vista problem so we reset the system to a previous time and turned off automatic updates but the wireless is still not working properly.
Any help much appreciated.
My daughter has an HP6000 that we bought her for xmas. The built in wireless has stopped working. I managed to get it back a couple of times by going into the BIOS and resetting the defaults. Hp say it is a Vista problem so we reset the system to a previous time and turned off automatic updates but the wireless is still not working properly.
Any help much appreciated.
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You're going to have to give more info!
You could try doing a re-install to the factory installation - if that works consistently, it's a fair bet that it's a configuration issue. Back up all your daughter's stuff first though.
Bit more info might enable some less draconian suggestions.
You could try doing a re-install to the factory installation - if that works consistently, it's a fair bet that it's a configuration issue. Back up all your daughter's stuff first though.
Bit more info might enable some less draconian suggestions.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 177
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From: uk
Thanks
Don't know what else to say. When the computer starts there is an option to press F10 which brings up the BIOS page there are a few options, F9 resets the defaults F10 then confirms the change the computer then restarts and the wireless internet then works. I am assuming that it is a problem with Vista not telling the system that there is a built in wireless system on the computer and going back to the system default setting then resets the part that tells the computer that there is a built in wireless. What I'd like to be able to do is find out how to tell the system to recognise the built in wireless, without having to go into the BIOS each time the computer is started.
Don't know what else to say. When the computer starts there is an option to press F10 which brings up the BIOS page there are a few options, F9 resets the defaults F10 then confirms the change the computer then restarts and the wireless internet then works. I am assuming that it is a problem with Vista not telling the system that there is a built in wireless system on the computer and going back to the system default setting then resets the part that tells the computer that there is a built in wireless. What I'd like to be able to do is find out how to tell the system to recognise the built in wireless, without having to go into the BIOS each time the computer is started.
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Witnesham, Suffolk
No, it's NOT a Vista problem.
I know several people with HP 6000s and the like with the problem.
There's an enormous thread on it here.
Basically, it goes like this:
1. The WiFi disappears.
2. Poking around with the software, restore, driver change, BIOS change, etc brings it back for a while. Lots of people post their "patent" solutions which work - but only for a while.
3. Then the WiFi disappears and doesn't reappear.
4. You spend a long time arguing with HP, who may or may not accept your machine back for repair - depending on how aggressive you get.
The cause is that the graphics chip gets so hot it melts the solder on the motherboard, which disconnects the WiFi bit on the board.
If you plug in a wireless dongle, it'll work for another month or so, then the solder further down the MoBo melts and the machine is dead.
How do I know? I have friends who bought the same machine. All of them have had the same problem.
HP will replace the motherboard. If the new motherboard has a fix (I don't know if it does), you'll be OK. Otherwise, it'll do it again.
You need to be fairly firm with HP, so that they either fix or replace your laptop. Quoting that thread above should do it.
I know several people with HP 6000s and the like with the problem.
There's an enormous thread on it here.
Basically, it goes like this:
1. The WiFi disappears.
2. Poking around with the software, restore, driver change, BIOS change, etc brings it back for a while. Lots of people post their "patent" solutions which work - but only for a while.
3. Then the WiFi disappears and doesn't reappear.
4. You spend a long time arguing with HP, who may or may not accept your machine back for repair - depending on how aggressive you get.
The cause is that the graphics chip gets so hot it melts the solder on the motherboard, which disconnects the WiFi bit on the board.
If you plug in a wireless dongle, it'll work for another month or so, then the solder further down the MoBo melts and the machine is dead.
How do I know? I have friends who bought the same machine. All of them have had the same problem.
HP will replace the motherboard. If the new motherboard has a fix (I don't know if it does), you'll be OK. Otherwise, it'll do it again.
You need to be fairly firm with HP, so that they either fix or replace your laptop. Quoting that thread above should do it.
Psychophysiological entity
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Having computers these days is getting tedious. My 'other' computer is a 6000
Years in One's yoof were spent on electronics and intermittent faults were always the worst.
I'm uncertain what to do about the HP that I've purchased, it does sound like a very serious issue. Having rebuilt a huge display in a truck that had 158 dry joints on it, I know just how bad some workmanship or basic design can be, even in this supposed production-experienced era.
The HP with its AMD does get a lot hotter than the Sony / Intel, for about the same performance.
For reasons I'm working on, I can't read Keef's link...that is it won't download, but I think the fault is very well known to HP...any arguing is just bloody-mindedness on their part. Did you buy it with a major credit card? that's always my ace up the sleeve. They, the retailers, don't like Visa etc making complaints against them. Anyway, hopefully HP will see sense, please let us know.
Years in One's yoof were spent on electronics and intermittent faults were always the worst.
I'm uncertain what to do about the HP that I've purchased, it does sound like a very serious issue. Having rebuilt a huge display in a truck that had 158 dry joints on it, I know just how bad some workmanship or basic design can be, even in this supposed production-experienced era.
The HP with its AMD does get a lot hotter than the Sony / Intel, for about the same performance.
For reasons I'm working on, I can't read Keef's link...that is it won't download, but I think the fault is very well known to HP...any arguing is just bloody-mindedness on their part. Did you buy it with a major credit card? that's always my ace up the sleeve. They, the retailers, don't like Visa etc making complaints against them. Anyway, hopefully HP will see sense, please let us know.
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,498
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From: Witnesham, Suffolk
Could be the lead-free stuff - I dunno.
The simple test for "is it this problem?" is to plug in a USB WiFi dongle.
My "hit rate" so far is 100% for that "fix".
Dunno why the link doesn't work for you, LR. Try this shorter one:
IT Resource Center forums - DV6000 Wireless device vanishes
The problem is indeed extremely well known, although HP Customer Service's first response seems to profess ignorance of it. As soon as you say "There's a thread on the HP forum, I'll send you the link" - they know what it is and send you a box to put it in, followed by a courier to pick it up.
The simple test for "is it this problem?" is to plug in a USB WiFi dongle.
My "hit rate" so far is 100% for that "fix".
Dunno why the link doesn't work for you, LR. Try this shorter one:
IT Resource Center forums - DV6000 Wireless device vanishes
The problem is indeed extremely well known, although HP Customer Service's first response seems to profess ignorance of it. As soon as you say "There's a thread on the HP forum, I'll send you the link" - they know what it is and send you a box to put it in, followed by a courier to pick it up.
Psychophysiological entity
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Thanks Keef, I suspect that it had something to do with my Yahoo Mentioned in (Yahoo in Texas post). I can get the original site this morning.
The sad thing is that we didn't really need another laptop, I only got it cos it was cheap. They had two of them on sale...perhaps now I know why.
The sad thing is that we didn't really need another laptop, I only got it cos it was cheap. They had two of them on sale...perhaps now I know why.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: uk
Thanks again, after a half hour conversation with HP telling me try different things and me saying "yep tried that" Yep tried that too" they have picked it up for repair. Time will tell whether it works or not.
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Witnesham, Suffolk
It will work OK when you get it back.
The point to watch for is whether it's the same machine, or a new one. If it's the same one, make a careful note of the date etc, because you may be back to them again in six to nine months' time for the same repair again.
Some folks who shouted loud about their new laptop not being supposed to do that have received a brand new, later (upspec) model in replacement. My friends don't shout like that, and have had their old machine repaired. Time will tell.
The point to watch for is whether it's the same machine, or a new one. If it's the same one, make a careful note of the date etc, because you may be back to them again in six to nine months' time for the same repair again.
Some folks who shouted loud about their new laptop not being supposed to do that have received a brand new, later (upspec) model in replacement. My friends don't shout like that, and have had their old machine repaired. Time will tell.
Psychophysiological entity
Joined: Jun 2001
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Posts: 3,383
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Just spent hours getting an enhanced IDE cable. 130,000 people and only one knew what it was, let alone had one. Rant over. However, while I was in the computer repair place...imagine a large truck had tipped laptops into the door...I asked about the HP6000 overheating problem.
He seemed to imply that it was such a common problem in all makes, that people have made cooling 'mats' to stand them on. These run off the USB plug and also help to keep the base of the computer off insulating surfaces. $30 for a good one, and half that for a lesser one. The latter not worth the money.
Are these on sale in the U.K.?
He seemed to imply that it was such a common problem in all makes, that people have made cooling 'mats' to stand them on. These run off the USB plug and also help to keep the base of the computer off insulating surfaces. $30 for a good one, and half that for a lesser one. The latter not worth the money.
Are these on sale in the U.K.?
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,498
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From: Witnesham, Suffolk
This isn't the "my laptop gets too hot to put on my lap" thing. This is the board getting so hot that the solder melts. Cooling bits on the outside won't fix that.
Psychophysiological entity
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Walton on the Naze Essex.
Mmmm...sounds like a "I'll register it, then wait 30 days, then start complaining." type of purchase. And I've been extolling the virtues of HP this last 12month.
