Compaq sucks!

G

GJW

Joined
Jul 5, 2001
Messages
112
Who says that you go to name brands for good customer service?

I bought a brand new Compaq laptop that had a "Works with Windows XP" sticker right on the unit and came with a Windows XP upgrade right in the box.
Can you guess what's coming?

It's not that Windows XP wouldn't work....
It wouldn't even install!
The whole thing would crash to a blue screen DURING the installation.

I called tech support upwards of 20 times.
I talked to a level-2 tech who diagnosed a RAM problem.
I talked to a level-3 tech who nixed that idea but thought hard drive problem.
I returned the unit three times.

And now 5 months later they are finally replacing the unit.
5 MONTHS!
:barf:

Compaq sucks!
 
I could've told you that.

Four years ago, the company I was working at used Compaq as their standard laptop vendor. All was ok with the old LTE series, but when the Armadas came out, we were seeing failure rates of 70% or higher. We switched to Dell. Better quality and onsite service (had to send the Compaqs out, took weeks with people's only computer).

Last year, I ordered a Compaq Presario (thinking their quality issues have been resolved) for my current job. I got the Presario instead of the Armada due to price. I was under the belief that any Compaq ordered through my company was covered by their service agreement with Compaq. This year, my mouse died and the power supply developed a short. Compaq dispatched a tech, he "fixed" it and left. After he left, the system continually locked up. I called Compaq. They said, "your warrenty has expired. Your system is not covered by your company's warranty because it's not an Armada. We can't help you and the prev tech shouldn't have been dispatched". It took several phone calls, two days, and two more trips by the tech to get it fixed. Now, the harddrive appears to be failing. I'll go to the nearest Microcenter, buy a new drive, and install it myself.

I'll never buy Compaq again. That includes servers (of which I buy a few per year).

Chris
 
Yes, Compaq does suck.

There are some companies that I would never buy a computer from. HP, Compaq, Gateway, after extensive use of each of them. Those low prices are low because of the incredibly sub-par quality of the parts. I like building my own computer, because then I get to choose exactly which sub-par parts I use. :) Might be slightly more expensive, but at least I don't have to go through RMA hell.
 
Oh, and about the blue screen during installation, I had the problem with a crappy mobo and WinXP once. Anything later than Windows 98 (though I didn't try WinME :barf: ) just would not install, there was some problem with the Hardware Abstraction Layer or something.

I just ended up throwing that mobo out. Cheap POS. :) Shows you shouldn't try and save money on the most important integrative piece of hardware in your computer.

I've never really liked the idea of Macs. Hehe. My way of thinking is that since OSX is so much like linux and freebsd, why don't you just get cheaper x86 hardware and go with linux?
 
Never used Compaq's home series. Only the business side. HAve had no more trouble with them than any other, but it helps that I have been working with their PCs almost exclusively for 7 years, so that makes it easier. The evil you know is preferrable to the evil you don not know...

I have an Evo 1.9 ghz on my desk at work and am getting a Evo laptop soon. We'll see how that goes. Both will just have 2000 not XP, so that could be better or worse.
 
I still need the PC for my companies VPN software and group scheduling.

For everything else -- it's the Mac. It's the PERFECT home computer.
 

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My employer uses Cisco VPN hardware which supports almost all platforms including OS X 10.2.1! The scheduler is Meeting Maker which again is on Unix, Windows and Mac *, (, and Os X. I must say having UNIX is much better now on my Mac, plus the kick-ass gui Aqua is so fine!

Hank:cool:
 
Bought my compaq presario 5310 last november... came with XP home installed on it...

only had one problem with it, and that was trying to transfer my virus library from this old clunker to the new one... all 4.1billion know viruses... Norton Anti-Virus '02 didn't accept the files from norton '95...
 
I upgraded a Compaq desktop for a friend -- they use proprietary screws to hold the cards! I had to use vice-grips....
 
Originally posted by AlphalphaPB
I've never really liked the idea of Macs. Hehe. My way of thinking is that since OSX is so much like linux and freebsd, why don't you just get cheaper x86 hardware and go with linux?
Click to expand...
AQUA! Plus Apple's superb designs :D
 
Originally posted by Cougar Allen
I upgraded a Compaq desktop for a friend -- they use proprietary screws to hold the cards! I had to use vice-grips....
Click to expand...
Now that's messed up.
 
Not to mention their proprietary hard-drive holding system, which is even more of a hassle than the regular IDE slots...
 
Here's another Compaq proprietary system: Their rackmount servers will only fit in their brand of equipment racks. Yes, you can force the issue with other racks, but it typically requires drills, grinders, and time. No more compaq in my designs...

Chris
 
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