Hewlett Packard HP Pavilion DV9000 Review

I had a similar experience with HP Pavillion Elite m9200t. I bought it a year ago for $1600 -- not realizing that I could have built the same without a monitor for about $800. They sold me stuff like speakers that I didn't need because it was built into the monitor (which they didn't mention on their web site) and an already obsoluete wireless router. But the real problem is that the computer crashes every few months and cannot be rebooted, even from a fresh windows install. It is clearly a lemon like the notebook above -- but HP refuses to refund or replace with a new unit. They want to keep taking out and replacing pieces, and meanwhile I have no computer.

Luckily, that was my first, and my last HP computer. I have a computer I built myself about 6 years ago and it still runs fine, but HP can't build one that can go more than 2-3 months. Sheesh!.

Wow, what a difference a day makes. I just received a call from my HP Case manager and they did the right thing. With me on the phone and HP's website following along they custom built a new Laptop for me to replace mine!!!!!!! A dv7 series.....and to acknowledge all of the trouble I had they threw in $100's of dollars worth of upgrades and accessories. I am very pleased with the end results.

So here is the lesson I have learned. India tech support is a big problem. You have to get past that and once you do it's like a whole different world. India never did escalate the issue. They repeatedly lied telling me they did but they didn't. I figured out a way to do it myself.

Once I began working with a US based Case Manager is was pure bliss. My compliments go out to Derek @ HP who helped me. He was most courteous and professional. He followed through on every promise he made. Every return phone call....everything.

Tabbycat, thank you for the suggestion. I do plan to write a "snail mail" letter. My model is DV9225US and it cost about $1,600.00 new so it is no small loss. India support is absolutely appalling. HP should truly be ashamed of themselves for subjecting their Customer Base to that for anything but the most routine of issues. They have done everything possible to give me nothing but the run around when it comes to my Notebook Repair. I have purchased 20+ PC's from HP over the last three years for my Small Business and family but I will never ever buy one again after this experience. Now that I know what happens when something goes wrong I have more than learned my lesson.

I have the same exact problem with a DV9000 series. But mine went back to HP for the third repair and I am certain the lost it! It's been gone for a month and NO ONE at HP can tell me what happened to it. This really sucks.

I have had my HP Pavillion for exactly 13 months - and sadly we forgot to renew our warranty - and the motherboard is apparently dead. Such an expensive piece of equipment should last a bit longer than 13 months! And of course we are now screwed - hope this is the last of the problems!

You're not alone Tabbycat. As an HP tech rep I can tell you that the dv9000 model was defective from the design table up. You are correct in your assumption relating to the heat problem. The unit is notorious for heat related burn outs. The WiFi problem you had is indicative of the heat related burnout of the WiFi bus not the actual card. I have a 9000 and this one has been in the shop 5 times in the first 14mo of use. But hat is not where the problems with unit end. If you use wired ethernet and continue to opeate the unit, thw heat related issue wtih your WiFi will also affect the video circuit. Then the video goes out an *poof*... well there you are.!

my laptop seems to crash every 3 months.. i have been so disappointed with this laptop.. more disappointed that CompUSA in the area where the laptop was purchased with ALL of the warranties that they offered... is now gone out of business. therefore im stuck with a broke, crashed laptop that has to be sent out anyway.. which is exactly what I was hoping to avoid... otherwise i could have and should have purchased it from Best-buy who has an instore technical department....
would i buy another one? certainly not... would i recomend the HP Pavillion to anyone.... ? certainly not!

Hey man,

I'm talking from experience when I say this as I have taken advantage of HP's warranty terms. I've gone through similar problems to you, except my laptop is three years old. I contacted HP and they talked me through the entire process. I spoke with a case manager (last line to corporate) and they told me in advance that HP followed the bench rule where if you send in your laptop three times and if it comes back not meeting your expectations you can file for a replacement. In my case, this 3 year old laptop was covered in the warranty and for my hassles they allowed me to select and customize a laptop under the Entertainment category. Of course he allowed me to max everything out except for the processor. Send it in once more and on the third time of getting it back send me an email and I can help you to take advantage of the warranty through a replacement. Just email me anyways at scottblock22@gmail.com. Thought this would help you out. HP is a very good company, however the workmanship of the product can fail over time. Blame it on the components not the actual company. The wireless card is a broadcom product.

- Scott
Scottblock22@gmail.com

I wouldn't either.