Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Is HP the new Vega?

In 1974 I became the proud driver of a Chevrolet Vega. This revolutionary car was touted as the beginning of a new generation of cars due to it's great little aluminum engine block. The car was silver and kind of cute. However, I believe that these cars were programmed to self-destruct at 98,000 miles. That was the magic number where it required more oil than gasoline to move on down the road. It has carried the label of the Worst Detroit Car Ever Made since then.

It's 2009. For almost two years I have been the owner of an HP laptop. I am now designating it as the Worst Laptop Ever Made. This post is being typed on our old reliable IBM desktop that is mainly used by the grandkids while the HP laptop sits on my desk awaiting the by-now-too-familiar box to arrive at my doorstep for the shipment back to the HP factory. This is three times, folks. Three new mother boards have been installed. And failed. The super-deluxe battery that we purchased with it quit working after a year. And now the damn thing won't boot up at all after the wacky technician from Missouri (who I believe was eating Cheetos while talking to me) tried to do a system recovery, which failed miserably. It now just stares at me, a blue screen with an error message, something about bootmsg system missing. Two different HP technicians have told me that my model has been a lemon from the start. Gee thanks. I think I know that by now.

Last year after the second repair we decided to purchase the extended warranty. So luckily this problem will be covered. After March I will be on my own for repairs. They tell me that this one just might get me a totally new laptop. One can only hope, right? I have tried to be kind to this HP, being careful not to overtax it with silly programs like Excel Spreadsheets and Zeus' favorite Quicken. Nope, for me it is simply Photoshop and Microsoft Office. Not even any games. If there is one thing I have learned in the past 22 months it is to keep good backups on external hard drives.

You know what the abbreviation stand for: SFDPH!!! Now if you will all excuse me it is time to go Buddhize for awhile and remind myself that I must be thankful for old reliable computers.

6 comments:

athena said...

WHAT!!! No spreadsheets or Quicken? . . . . . . I just fell to the floor in dismay!

Muriel said...

Were they crunchy or puffy cheetos?

J said...

That's so frustrating! I'm glad I married a computer geek. Would you like him to take a look at it for you?

The Numismatist said...

Muriel, I'm sure they were crunchy. He also took the time to consult with me on what his new baby's name should be. First name Clayton, second name ?? but had to make it so they could use initials (ex: CJ). Just fix my damn computer, thank you!!!

Jodi, thanks for the offer. We have some great local geeks that take care of us. Besides that, I distinctly remember your geek telling me that he hated his laptop that is just like mine.

Eris said...

I have the same laptop, only with the small screen. It is not the best I have ever seen - but I haven't had to send it back...

Great. Now it will happen, you just wait!

ldahospud said...

My dh works at HP. Thanks for your contribution to our job security! Heh heh heh

I was grousing to him about our printer/copier/fax thingie that is going on the fritz. He said companies make stuff chintzy on purpose so they won't last too long; well-built = no need to keep buying. Such a load.

I don't know how I missed seeing your blog. It rulez. We have a lot in common, which makes me happy because I think you are da bomb.