PROBLEMS WITH MICROSOFT XP?

April 12, 2002 | EggsAckley

[EggsAckley]

We have a Hewlett-Packard, purchased in Oct.01, with the new XP system. We have had continuous trouble with it, and have even sent it back to the factory, where they replaced the hard drive. The system has a tendency to just shut down in the middle of working. Also, Microsoft neglected to make the system compatible with HP's 3-way printer (even though the computer is also HP.) There are other problems concerning word processing, as well.

We are at a point where work that needs to be done, cannot be done on the HP, and must be taken to KINKO'S.
This is WRONG! We get nothing but run-around from both HP AND Microsoft (surprise surprise.)

[EggsAckley]

Anyone here having any problems with XP? Any information would be appreciated. (BTW, while we're not computer whizzes, we ARE fairly computer savvy.)

[EggsAckley]

Help ??

[TomServo]

We have a Hewlett-Packard..

There's your problem.

[dennisw]

for later reading

[detsaoT]

XP is by far the best Windows out there. I'd say that your problems are most likely due to the subpar hardware that HP loves to put out... Their computers are especially terrible, their scanners are marginally better, and, while their printers used to be the top-of-the-pile, I have been sorely disappointed by the 4 that I've gone through under the warranty so far....

I know that's not exactly what you want to hear, but XP really is more stable.

:) ttt

[WhiskeyPapa]

I got an e-machines machine with XP on it.

When you cut and paste it runs all the text together, loses the paragraph formatting, and is generally a pain.

It also didn't come with much of a manual. It's not very intuitive. I'd like to get rid of it, frankly.

Walt

[bear24]

Did the same thing on my HP Laptop. Got rid of ME and replaced it with XP. Works great!

[Sloth]

Have not had a single crash since installing XP a few months ago... previously had WinMe, which was pitiful.

I'd tend to blame HP, if I were you. I've never had a good experience with their products. My computer is a no-name off-brand (PowerSpec).

[fogarty]

XP is by far the best Windows out there.

Not from what I've seen. It crashes much more than Windows 2000 (which it is supposedly based on).

[Psycho_Bunny]

This is HPs problem...not Microsoft’s. If you've already had a drive replaced, that's a good indication that the hardware is faulty. I would suspect something is not up to XP specs.

And MS is under no obligation to make XP "compatible" with whatever printer you have. That's the printer manufacturers problem.

Although, since you have a HP, it should have come with the correct drivers. If not, download the correct printer driver at HP.com

[msgt]

I assume it's still under warranty? Get your money back and by quality hardware.

As for MS not supporting your HP Printer, it's the hardware manufacturer's responsibility to provide drivers for the OS, not the other way around.

[TheLurkerX]

I whole heartedly agree. Buy a Dell. Or better yet, build your own.

[EggsAckley]

Thanks guys! Keep 'em coming!

If the problem is HP, what the heck can we do?? We also have an HP laptop with XP. :o(

[Rum Tum Tugger]

Microsoft neglected to make the system compatible with HP's 3-way printer

Sorry, Charlie. That was HP's responsibility. HP is notorious for not supplying XP drivers for it's printers.

As others have said, XP's great.

[egarvue]

Do you have the XP disk? If not, get one from HP (there are reports of some companies not handing out the operating system disks.) I would reboot the machine with the cd in the drive, and do a fresh, clean install of XP yourself. Make sure you reformat the hard drive to use NTFS (NT File System, as opposed to the old Windows 95 FAT32 file system. It runs way better, I can attest to that). I have an old HP 533 that I put XP on, and it runs fine (although the sound is a little choppy at times). I've had no problems with it so far. What is the speed of your computer? How much RAM do you have?

[CDHart]

I have a Dell Dimension with XP -- have had it about two months. Knock on wood, we've had no trouble with it so far. It's a great improvement over Windows 98, IMO.

Now I should tell you that my daughter has an HP computer with Windows 98, and it had to go back twice for a new hard drive.

Carolyn

[mdittmar]

We have a Hewlett-Packard.. There's your problem.

Bingo!

[TomServo]

Or better yet, build your own.

Absolutely! This can't be overemphasized. My server is homebuilt and so is my workstation. I love it.

Er - them...