After having two HP / Compaq notebooks die / brick on me, built on the same Chassis (r3240 and zx5000 series) brick due to a cold solder join on the motherboard, I vowed never to buy HP again. Two differently branded notebooks, both with the same issue with the DC jack connector on the mother board. And the price to have it soldered back on properly was not worth the laptop after it happened. I was hoping the new HP Netbook would sway me. Things are not what they seem apparently.
On to the brand new Verizon 1151NR Netbook, let’s just call it Mecca. After barely getting but 1 hour usage out of it to take the screen-shots below, I finally went to boot it up tonight to install software / provision it as my own. After 3 unsucessful starts of Windows, I tried Safe Mode, Safe with Command, and Debug Mode. All would microflash the blue screen (I guess they didn’t want people seeing it was blue screening), and instantly restart. This of course, didn’t give me any idea of what was wrong with the system (As it had done around 40 windows / 1 ‘critical system update’ – Then I restarted once more:
Call It.
More details to follow when I get a USB drive on there and see what S.M.A.R.T settings have died, as this system was handled like a baby fresh out of the neonatal ward, and used for less than 2 hours. Looks like I have to contact HP customer service again regarding it. No wonder why the real Netbook comes with a SSD drive. Mini eIDE drives on these things aren’t viable; and not only due to durability. This system was carried in my now useless HP Mini Sleeve & Backpack, and moved 3 times max.
Guess that will be the end of my Netbook reviewing. Now to see how HP and Verizon will handle this, as I’m stuck in Hawaii, once again without internet. Fare the well Netbook, I had such high hopes for you.
R.I.P Verizon 1151NR Netbook : June 2009 – June 2009
Lets hope a 2nd version comes out, and soon.
PS: To Verizon & HP… Suggestions: better battery life, increased cooling (maybe just a few more in-take vents, and oh, working hard drives. Whoever suggested 2.5″ IDE drives on these without proper testing should be shot. There’s a reason HP made them with SSD Drives.
I’ll let the readers know how Verizon and HP will handle this, and their thoughts about SSD replacements.
kris /@\ cpqnetworks.com – 908-723-2334
Related posts: