All I got was a firm, I could buy a support contract for $90. I repeatedly said the system information page in the unit showed the serial number, product number along with the information that the coverage started on June 22, 2009, when we got the PC, duh. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do,” replied the support rep, despite my repeated requests to talk to a supervisor. The HP Web page looked like a morass of support options. Then, I spotted the invitation to send a message to CEO Mark Hurd. I thought, why not? I got a call the next day along with a reference number for my incident. I’ll let you know. But this definitely an improvement over Dell, after its tech rep wiped all the data files from my drive with a system restore, and response was a little less quick and it is a vast improvement over the Gateway support pit.
ADVENTURES IN PC-LAND
My HP notebook developed a serious flicker and some nice color bars, along with a spreading discoloration. It looks like it got hit, except that all I remember doing is turning it slightly on the Amtrak train seat tray to use it. After digging out the support telephone number for HP support, I recited the product serial number, my home address, family history and elementary school grade average to verify my identify to be told it was a mother board problem and the warranty and/or support contract expired six days ago. “But we didn’t get the computer until June. How could it have expired?”
