Hello!

Just noticed this original “introduction” forum. I find it nice to know other members better, so let's introduce myself too. But first I want to mention my old computer junk hanging out somewhere in the house. My first computer was a Philips P2000. This was a robust reliable machine and my exemplar was a limited edition with 512 Kb memory (64 was standard). I tried some assembler programming and that was YUK! I agree 100% with Topcat if it is about machine code or 3GL programming languages. My second computer was a Philips MSX-II. Played with Turbo Pascal, Basic, but...

Yes. time for action!

Thanks for your reaction willawake. I have a tree year service contract and my computer is used a lot for compiling sources, running databases etc, so if HP replaces the mobo with a similar one (MSI), or as intended replaces the caps with bad ones again, then it should break down within a reasonable period of time again. I'll buy another computer anyway within 3 years, but my nephews will like this one, so I guess my brother who has the skills – will replace the caps if necessary. But it would be nice if European legislation can be changed before I need another...

Mobo gone...

The technical repair centre, used by HP in The Netherlands, confirmed this morning that my mobo is gone. They confirmed that it is most likely that one or more caps failed and that the caps will be replaced. So, I asked if they can use Japanese caps. The answer was elucidating: “Guess not, we use what HP gives us!” I know some people with influence in Dutch politics and I'll try to get this item via them on the agenda from the European Parliament (EP). It is ridiculous that consumer rights are violated on this scale and it is bad for the environment too!
...

Some arguments against a conspiracy theory...

I see some objections against the conspiracy theory from Topcat. Companies like Philips make energy saving lights that last quite precisely 4000 hours. Printer cartridges are designed to print a preconfigured number of pages, not to print as many pages as possible. Even batteries from laptops contain chips limiting the life span… The intentions from Philips are not really bad, since it is better from economical perspective to replace the lights when you get less lumen per watt. The other two cases however are clearly examples of first...

Time to return computer to HP



I tried all sugestions from the HP technical helpdesk, like removing the charge from the mobo and resetting the BIOS etc, but my computer shuts down faster and faster, so I hope they collect it soon and I'll check if they replaced any cap when it is returned. Anyway, thanks for all sugestions from forum menbers and at least I know that I should sometimes check if no caps have swollen heads etc.

Michael

HSF looks fine

:|

I guess HSF is an abbreviation for Heat Sink Fan? I'm a newbie if it concerns English abbreviated computer related terms, but the answer is yes: my HSF looks fine and functions good. I phoned today the technical helpdesk from HP in my country (The Netherlands) and described the symptoms. The advised me to de-charge my mobo. I'll try it this evening and I hope it helps. But something is definitely not alright with the caps if the problem reoccurs during the next months. I asked the guy from the helpdesk if he works directly for HP or that he works...

Additional info on HP Pavilion t370.nl

It is quite impossible to install Windows XP again Topcat because my computer shuts down almost every time before Windows is started. I tried to boot with a bootable Linux CD with Knoppix and a Dos floppy, but also these approaches did not work out. As mentioned before, I can could only access the Bios for a couple of seconds.
There is the possibility that the powersupply causes the problems, but the fact that the computer shuts down much faster when I put it on again immediately again indicates in my opinion that it is more likely capacitor...

Pavilion t370.nl, Possible bad caps

Thank you Topcat for your fast reply. I would like to inform you about the brand names from the caps, but the problem is that I have still guarantee, so my computer will be sent tomorrow to HP. The 'carves' on top, colours (bleu/green) and black printings resemble quite well the pictures shown on many sites, but I guess there exist so many vendors that this is quite irrelevant. Nothing is written on top and I can't read what's written on the side without disconnecting the motherboard (mobo), which probably would void my guarantee. I tried nevertheless...

Two days ago I freed my computer from a very bad Trojan (PRORAT) and everything worked fine again until this morning. I expected to find my computer busy with downloading but it was out. I did put it on again and I saw the familiar HP Pavilion welcome screen (please inform me if somebody knows how to turn that off!), but the computer did shut down instead of booting Windows XP. I looked on the website from HP and followed their instructions like disconnecting the hard drive but the behaviour was the same. I checked all cables, but everything looks fine. So, I concluded that something went wrong...