What is it with Compaqs...

[Vertigo-1]

Working as a computer tech, I've had 3 Compaq Preseario 5000s come in within the past two weeks that all exhibit the same problem...they all randomly freeze for no reason at all. Most of them are about 2-3 years old. The problems are quite random too which drives me insane...I'd tell the customer that the thing seems to be running fine only for it to screw up when I try to demo it in front of them.

Another common problem with these is the computer simply refuses to fire up the monitor. Did reseats on everything, checked PS, still no-go. Most of the time I end up telling the customer they need a new mobo (considering the ones used inside says "MADE IN CHINA" right on it, I'm not surprised), and I'd recommend a new case/mobo/processor to get away from the damn Compaq POS. Of course then they tell me "well I might as well go buy a new one from Wal-mart!" And restart this whole 2-3 year repair cycle all over again.

Just a rant and rave, would be open to comments/suggestions.

 

[manzana]

I owned a Presario 5000 series as well. Basicly they're crap. That's what I found out when I built my own computers. As for 'your' problems, could the freezes be a heatproblem (i.e. computer full of dust)? Good luck anyway, you'll need it

 

[Mutor]

yep i get those random freezes to. its telling me to buy a new computer . im no expert with computers but wat i can tell you is to check the video card.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

3 Compaq Preseario 5000s

believe you know the trouble..low tier parts to begin with and old age of the assy makes for job security for you ..pdf for 5000

 

[earthling30]

I've seen several with bad floppy drives and/or floppy drive controllers, others with bad onboard sound. The lock-up issue I've seen also. Even at my job, my company believes in Compaq, every once in a while they'll just freeze momentarily, and then unlock. I'll never own another Compaq again. BTW, when HP/Compaq merged, who owns who now? If it's HP, then that applies to HP as well.

 

[Markfw]

I just got off a "chat" with a Compaq (HP) technician via their support page for a 6027US (not in warranty). I must say I am very impressed with their support, regardless of their product. I DO own a HP laptop, so this is makes me feel better should I encounter problems.

 

[Gunbuster]

Bad caps maybe?

I was gona say something good about CPQ, but I had a run in with a hosed 5008US celeron box. OS was jacked so I wiped it and started loading win2k, locks up after the first reboot instaling. pull my hair out and finaly look for a BIOS update. the fixes include "hang on windows 2k install" fix

go to flash the BIOS, it only runs from windows !!!!! :| :| :|

 

[gordanfreeman]

my roomate this past year got a brand new compaq in semptember. thing randomly locked up/restarted all year long even after multiple format/reinstalls, using compaq restore discs, and bringing it back to best buy for their tech support to look at it twice (they just replaced the HD which did nothing)

one thing for sure: i will never buy a compaq nor recommend them to anyone.

 

[stevty2889]

I like compaq's, I've made some decent money fixing them for people since they are always breaking. The most recent one I got had 4 blown capacitors, not just leaky, but actualy blew, quite nasty inside the case. Kinda sucks that it couldn't be fixed, cause I built him a new computer thats not gonna screw up like the compaq's do, won't have to fix it any time soon.

 

[Cerb]

Barely cooled video.
Barely in-spec PSU.
Barely cooled CPU.
Barely cooled HDs.
All parts from lowest bidders.

...I only need one, maybe two, fingers, if I'm unlucky, to count my crashes per year.
$5 more expensive PSU than I could have.
Cheapest RAM I could get, but had good luck w/ Centon, and Kreton is the same stuff as my old Centon.
$10 more video (learned that lesson hard...GF4 died, 9800SE softmod, crap, 9600 XT, so-so, now back to NVidia and very happy).
$5 more HD than I could have, but I wanted quiet.
A little bit more on each part, even $5-$10, can make all the difference.

 

[earthling30]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
I like compaq's, I've made some decent money fixing them for people since they are always breaking. The most recent one I got had 4 blown capacitors, not just leaky, but actualy blew, quite nasty inside the case. Kinda sucks that it couldn't be fixed, cause I built him a new computer thats not gonna screw up like the compaq's do, won't have to fix it any time soon.

I'd agree with you on that. They've made me some money also from all the problems that they have/might/will encounter.