HP offers free repairs for a wide range of laptop symptoms
After Dell announced BIOS updates to alter the fan settings for some laptops using NVIDIA graphics yesterday, it came as no surprise to see HP join the party and issue a bunch of fan-adjusting BIOS updates of its own.
The difference this time, however, is that HP is extending its help to free repairs, or as it insists on calling them: “Limited Warranty Service Enhancementâ€. To add further intrigue to the move HP has identified a wide range of symptoms including, but not limited to, video issues, that qualify for this free repair service.
In the dv2000 and V3000 series notebooks, HP wants users to look out for the following:
Nowhere does it name NVIDIA and the die/packaging issue as the cause of the problem, but it would be a bit of a coincidence if there was suddenly another reason for running the fan constantly. The US version of the announcement can be read here and the UK one here.
But what's all this stuff about wireless adapters and power? We're currently talking to HP and hope to bring you further clarification. For now, here's a statement we received from HP's PR this morning, which at least acknowledges the NVIDIA part of the problem:
"HP has taken appropriate actions for any HP notebook products that use the known affected NVIDIA chips. HP initiated a customer program to address this issue, and has notified registered customers who have notebook PC models that are included in this HP Program. HP made a BIOS solution available to our customers in, which updates the fan control algorithm and provides similar functionality as the NVIDIA software driver. HP proactively notified its customers of the new BIOS through email, as well as through HP Software Update, Instant Support Professional Edition and Health Check."
http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=144120
After Dell announced BIOS updates to alter the fan settings for some laptops using NVIDIA graphics yesterday, it came as no surprise to see HP join the party and issue a bunch of fan-adjusting BIOS updates of its own.
The difference this time, however, is that HP is extending its help to free repairs, or as it insists on calling them: “Limited Warranty Service Enhancementâ€. To add further intrigue to the move HP has identified a wide range of symptoms including, but not limited to, video issues, that qualify for this free repair service.
In the dv2000 and V3000 series notebooks, HP wants users to look out for the following:
- The notebook does not detect wireless networks and the wireless adapter is not detected in the Device Manager.
- There is no video on the computer LCD panel or external monitor.
- The notebook does not detect wireless networks and the wireless adapter is not detected in the Device Manager.
- There is no video on the computer LCD panel or external monitor.
- The notebook has no power and no active LEDs.
- The notebook does not start.
- The battery charge indicator light does not turn on when the battery is installed and the AC adapter is connected.
- The notebook issues a single beep during boot indicating no power.
- The external monitor functions but there is no image on the notebook LCD panel.
Nowhere does it name NVIDIA and the die/packaging issue as the cause of the problem, but it would be a bit of a coincidence if there was suddenly another reason for running the fan constantly. The US version of the announcement can be read here and the UK one here.
But what's all this stuff about wireless adapters and power? We're currently talking to HP and hope to bring you further clarification. For now, here's a statement we received from HP's PR this morning, which at least acknowledges the NVIDIA part of the problem:
"HP has taken appropriate actions for any HP notebook products that use the known affected NVIDIA chips. HP initiated a customer program to address this issue, and has notified registered customers who have notebook PC models that are included in this HP Program. HP made a BIOS solution available to our customers in, which updates the fan control algorithm and provides similar functionality as the NVIDIA software driver. HP proactively notified its customers of the new BIOS through email, as well as through HP Software Update, Instant Support Professional Edition and Health Check."
http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=144120
