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.)

[TheLurkerX]

Not only that, their excuse for not providing 2000 drivers for a lot of their products was that they were waiting for XP and would release drivers for it.

[TomServo]

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

Well, you could use them as doorstops. ;-)

[Sloth]

I find that laptops make good drink coasters, as well.

[mbynack]

My company has been having a lot of problems with office XP, especially Word. It tends to lock up for no reason. Microsoft tech service helped us through it, but it took over a 20 hours of phone calls and almost six months to get it cleared up.

Your problem sounds like it might be either heat related or a problem with the energy saving settings. I had to install a processor fan and two auxiliary case fans on my system and I have to keep the AC and a ceiling fan running in my office. These problems usually occur when I'm doing something more resource intensive than wordprocessing, though.

Try turning off the energy settings, too.

[Dallas]

I really think the problem is with the HP, and not XP.

Maybe there is someone who likes HP, but I don't know of one.

[snooker]

I would think your problem is hardware. Sounds like an intermitent cable or connector. I would contact HP and request a replacement machine.

Unlikely to be software doing what you describe. But it is hard to diag the machine without running some tests. If you have a diag program, you can get them off the net, put the machine in a diag loop and trap the failure.

I think HP has a call in diag assist which could help you as well. I had a Compaq do something similar. They gave up on the phone and sent a tech out with a new box.

[mdittmar]

Dude,you should have bought a Dell.

[mbynack]

I just remembered another problem that I had once that was similar to this. The computer company replaced the VRAM and updated the bios to fix it. XP is a big memory hog. If you don't have 256 Meg of RAM I would seriously consider upgrading.

[bandlength]

"I got an e-machines

there's your problem! but seriously, i worked for tech support for XEROX small printers and every customer calling in to complain said that HP printers were god's gift to mankind. anyhoo, if you don't have updated actual XP drivers and they are not digitally signed, you WILL have problems. if you have all the lastest whiz bang drivers, you shouldn't have a problem. you can probably cheat and use win2K drivers, but you'll get a lot of error messages and threatening pop ups!

[bandlength]

just a thought. . . avoid MULTIFUNCTION machines like the plague! sure you save space, but more things to go wrong as far as i'm concerned

[Festa]

This is a perfect example on why microsoft has created their own web browser.

People are blaming XP for something they did not do. HP's subpar computers are causing the trouble but yet consumers are blaming microsoft. In order to prevent this from happening with the web browser, they created their own keep their own brand name.

[DennisR]

Windows 2000 was based on NT. I believe Windows XP was based on Windows 98.

[skeeter]

Tell me about it.

I upgraded my own HP Pavilion fm 98 to XP and had no trouble at all (except the cursor occasionally freezing at startup). There's alot about XP that I like.

However, when I attempted the same on my parents' Pavilion, I had NOTHING BUT trouble. Problems with the modem driver, problems with the peripherals, etc. Very little support from either HP or MS. In fact dad finally demanded I give him his Windows 98 back.

[bandlength]

truer words were never spoken, however, if the system was purchased on 10/1, that shouldn't be a problem. i'd check system properties and device mgr.

[bandlength]

i feel your pain! win ME (groan!) LOL

[indoor girl]

Sadly, I would look to HP too. I pulled my hair out and pounded my keyboard almost daily with our HP Pavilion. It was a LEMON and our biggest mistake was in not returning it immediately. As with anything, some love HP and have no problems, but ours were continual...we sent it in three times and still never got any satisfaction. We recently purchased a Dell with XP. I adore it...whether it is Dell or XP I don't know, but no problems and everything works like a dream. I no longer pound my keyboard....unless I'm using the HP. =) My condolences to you if you've joined the HP Lemon Club...cuz it's not fun.

[bandlength]

luv windows 2000 professional

[general_re]

I'll throw in my two cents - it's HP, not MS.

What can you do? Got a boat? Need an anchor? ;)

[skeeter]

Also, Microsoft neglected to make the system compatible with HP's 3-way printer (even though the computer is also HP.)

BTW forget about making the 3-in-one printer series work with XP. Its impossible.

[WilliamWallace1999]

Bought a garage built computer off Ebay that came loaded with XP and it ROCKS. It is by far more stable than any other system I am using. XP is super if you are into pictures and music files. Also love the multi-user mode. My wife, kids, and I have all set up our own profiles and it's like having three different machines. Must be the POS HP machine. Ever wonder WHY they want to buy Compaq. So they have a frikken computer that works. Hee Hee