Laptop go byebye

[pemdas21]

The story... I was happily working on my computer, doing a few tasks, when I thought I smelt something funny. I was getting a cold, so I thouht nothing of it at first. But the smell stayed, and it smelt like something burning. When I touched the part of the a-c adapter that connect to the laptop, I burnt my finger. I instantly saved my work, and shut down. I then removed the ac adapter, burning my fingers a few more times. When I eventually got it out, I found to my dismay that the plastic at the end of the a-c adapter had melted into the connection point of the battery of my laptop. After I cursed HP a few times, I plug it back in, just to see what would happen. It instantly got hot, so I removed it yet again. I called HP (some people say they would rather be shot than talk to hp support) and was told numerous times that my product was out of warranty. I hung up. I called again, not satisfied with their option of sending in my laptop for $298.00 to do a "total hp repair". (for all I know they just kick it a few times and send it back.) I was on hold forever. Finally hearing that ringing sound, I begin chatting with someone with such an accent, I have to have them repeat things over and over again. I ask them to escalate my call, so instead he transfers my call to another department. I explain my situation again. I ask to be escalated to their manager. They speak with their manager a few times. I then am told that they will have a case manager call me. I leave my cell number. Two days later, they call, but I am at school, with my phone off so all I get is a missed call and a number. I call the number that was missed and get someone's voicemail from HP. I leave a message for them to call me back. I then call hp's main line again, and go through the same routine. I finally get someone withought an accent, who understands my issue, and instantly decides I need a case manager and asks me what number is best to reach me at, and what time. I tell them, and that is where I am now. The laptop is out of warranty. I don't care. It could have burnt my house down. Have you heard about all of the faulty laptop batteries that have exploded?

The question: What should I do?
Steps I have taken to resolve the issue: Refer to the epic above.
Help?

[Jeremy]

Re: Laptop go byebye

Hewlett Packard have recalled 135,000 laptop batteries, as it seems they are prone to overheating.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a voluntary recall by Hewlett-Packard of a range of HP Pavilion and HP/Compaq Presario and Evo laptop battery packs. The problem is occurring in the packs, where an internal short can cause the battery cells to overheat and melt, or burn the plastic casing, posing a fire hazard.

So .. if you bought an HP/Compaq notebook or replacable batterie between March 2004 til May 2005, check out the CSPC's HP Battery recall page for more details.

But look on the bright side, they are offering to fix it for free, the only problem is that you probably waited to long to get a new batterie, not sure, but if you click on that link I have you, you will see a list of batteries that we're affected.

Let me know what happens! Hope this works .. Thanks ..

[Jeremy]

Re: Laptop go byebye

Hewlett-Packard and Compaq Notebook Models that may contain a recalled battery pack

HP Pavilion

dx4000
dx5000
zd8100
ze4100
ze4100/xt1xx
4200
ze4200
ze4300
ze4400
ze4500
ze4600
ze4700
ze4800
ze5155
ze5200
ze5300
ze5400
ze5500
ze5600
zv5000
zv5200
zx5000
zx5200

HP Compaq
nc6000
nc8000
nw8000
nx5000
nx9005
nx9008
nx9010
nx9100
nx9105
9000
9005

Compaq Presario
1100
2100
2500
R3000
R3200
V1000
X4000
X5000
X6100

Compaq Evo

n1010v
n1050v


NOTE: Recalled battery packs have bar-code labels starting with GC, IA, L0, or L1

[pemdas21]

Re: Laptop go byebye

no, they are offering to fix it for $298.00 as of now. I will keep you posted, and thanks for the link, *click*

[Jeremy]

Re: Laptop go byebye

Alright, well that really sux doesn't it? .. you are better off to purchase a new notebook I would say but only buy it after Jan 31st so you can have Windows Vista pre-installed into it.

Because why pay 300$ to fix a batterie when you can get a new notebook with a brand new working bat. and at a cheap price for a notebook with improved features?

[pemdas21]

Re: Laptop go byebye

oh my god, my battery pack is affected!!! They never even told me. I hate them so much now! I even askedif any battery packs were recalled. What cheap ********. Now I have a ruined laptop battery too because of the melted plastic!!!

[Jeremy]

Re: Laptop go byebye

You can take that to court maybe, but it's not worth it.

[pemdas21]

Re: Laptop go byebye

I checked again, and the first two digits of the battery pack are not included. And what case would I make? It would be a he said she said thing because I failed to record the conversation... Well, I can always threaten it. :) I think that my battery pack was affected... It has all the right symptoms...

[Bethers]

Re: Laptop go byebye

The battery problem is on almost all computer brands, Dell, HP, Gateway, etc - there have been stories all over the news. You need to check the complete websites for information on your computer. Mine got lucky - I have a battery made during the effected dates, but not one that is recalled.

But, my question is - you were not running on battery but on electric power and you are saying your electic cord is what got hot. That is an entirely different story.

[pemdas21]

Re: Laptop go byebye

oh my god! I just got off the phone with one of the people, and they are sending a box via fed-ex next day shipping for me to put my computer-harddrive and ac adapter in. Once they recieve it they are going to replace ALL parts damaged and return it free of charge. All free. And, I recorded the conversation with the guy, and they sent me a customer service order confirmation!!! 6 conversations, 3 online chats and a partitridge in a pear tree! Woohooo! New battery for my 3 year old laptop!!! It was getting old, and its battery life was nearing 10 minutes!!! The new one of the same thing lasts for one hour when brand new!!! Hip-Hip-Hooray!!!

[Jeremy]

Re: Laptop go byebye

Wow,

PROPS TO PEMDAS21! .. good for you! Keep us posted on how it goes (how long to get it back, and what happens when you get it back)

Let us know!

[allstarfaces]

Re: Laptop go byebye

well done you for sticking it out

[pemdas21]

Re: Laptop go byebye

Well thank you Jeremy and allstarfaces! I have removed my hard drive because I don't want some hp guy logging on and doing something like format c:\ That is the hard drive with windows vista, and xp pro. They are even sending me a box to put it in! Wow, I just hope that I don't get a bill... I just feel like pointing and laughing at all of the people that said you have to pay 298 dollars or whatever to have your computer completely reserviced. :) I will take pictures of the laptop and post them here. :)

[Jeremy]

Re: Laptop go byebye

Haha! Alright! .. this is going to be interesting! ..

[pemdas21]

Re: Laptop go byebye

well, the latest:

I recieved the box as of yesterday that was sent from a facility in Freemont, CA. It came with packing instructions, cool packing things that went on the ends of the laptop, and a special place just for the ac adapter. :) I put on the mailing label, and taped it shut, but not before I took a zillion pics of the laptop... Hp hasn't exactly won my trust... They said that they have recieved it as of today, just a few hours ago. They also said that it should be shipped back at the latest on tuesday, or wednesday... We will see! Comments?