HP Pavillion Problems?

[susan462]

Hello Forum,
I've had my HP Pavillion 8750 for about 6 months and have experienced endless problems with lock-ups primarily while surfing online. (I need to turn pc off completely) I have gone through a serious of software troubleshooting exercises with HP support to no avail. I have discovered now that many Pavillion owners are experiencing the same problem, and have caught wind of a possible motherboard problem that HP has yet to announce to its customers. Has anyone else here had this trouble? I am attempting to identify this as something HP should acknowledge, since I cannot seem to get the answers I need from them. The frustration is mounting....Thanks for any input.

[Jumby]

Do the problems happen only while on-line? Could be problem with settings through ISP. I would call them and make sure all settings are correct. I assume you're using dial-up and not cable modem or DSL?

[susan462]

Hello fellow Richmonder,

Thank you for your reply.I have checked that all connections are correct, I think I've tried just about everything software related as I can, though I'm open to all suggestions. I'm at the point where I feel it is hardware related, so I'm going to take it in for service, I think. Now I'm just trying to see if anyone is aware of there being a hardware problem with the HP Pavillions...Thanks again for answering! Susan

[bassvax]

Sorry this won't be much help...but try to ID your mobo (maker and model#) and if you take it in for service ask them to get that info for you when they're in your case. Take that info and do a search on Yahoo or Deja (thanks Reid). I have found that by using this description usually returns hits from people (forums and such) that are having problems with that device as well. Example...I was unable to get the USB to function on my mobo so I entered the Chipset numbers I got from the device manager (Right-click "My Computer" select "Properties" then "Device Manager". I was able to find that my particular chipset was bad and would not work without installing a software "fix". Of course there was no mention of the problem on the mobo maker's site. It is always nice to know the ins and outs of your mobo especially when considering upgrades and troubleshooting. I'm not familiar with how these "proprietary" devices work. I know that Dell contracts with Intel for a specific mobo (and I believe custom-designed). Just a thought for fututre reference.

One more note is that being this happens on-line mostly would indicate settings or possibly corrupted internet software. Keep us posted on how things come out so that maybe you can help someone with a similar problem-Thanks http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Jerry

[BigBlue66]

Hi Susan,

Are you by chance using a software modem? You don't mention whether you are dialing up with a modem or whether you have DSL or something.

A software modem can usually be identified by the model number. LT Winmodem, HSF, HCF, etc. will signify that it is a software based modem. I think it was Paleo Pete that mentioned HP uses these modems to keep the overall cost down.

If you are using a modem to access the net, make sure you have a good hardware modem instead. USR make some of the best. Another thing you could try is to check, or have your phone company check, your phone lines. Abnormally high amounts of noise, etc. will sometimes result in disconnects, especially with software based modems.

Another thing to try is to disable all background programs, except explorer and systray. Winmodems (software modems) use high amounts of resources, so if you can free some up, maybe that will help.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66

[Paleo Pete]

BB66 has a good point, HP usually does use software modems, also what version of IE are you using? The IE 4 that shipped on the win98 CD always does the exact same thing every time I've inatalled it on about 8 machines now, until I install IE 4.01 or later, which always fixes it. Just did it on this machine, formated & reinstalled, got on the net to check everything out for a bit and it locled up first time out. Installed 5.01 and no problems since, except that the Illegal Operations are still here, which I think are related somehow to this motherboard. That never EVER happened until I swapped to this board, and nothing I do fixes it.

Anyway, that's all beside the point. Check your version of IE, and your modem type. Either could be causing the lockups. If you're running IE 5 or higher, try running the Internet Explorer Repair tool from Add/Remove Software, which is in Control Panel.

I wouldn't suggest upgrading to IE 5.5, especially when you're having problems already.

I know, I know...I just said I fix my IE 4 problems by upgrading...that's a KNOWN problem, this is not, unless it's the same version of IE. I'm also not positive MS has gotten all the bugs out of IE 5.5 yet either...

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[caspenc]

I have been through the same thing with my HP pavilion 6636. Tech support worked with me and we found the problem, well most of it. Check your system resources (click my computer, control panel, system, then performance) it is probably really low. It should be around 70% or more with minimal programs running. Mine was around 40. It had double and triplicate drivers loaded and was full of temp folders and such that needed to be deleted. I still have problems sometimes after fixing it but have been told that HP products are known for this. There is other ways to bring up the sustem resources too, I just mentioned a couple.

[mjc]

Alright here goes,

1. Do you have the latest driver for the modem (Chameleon, I think ... software modem)?

2. Do you have a USB keyboard?

3. I have a 6630 and I am getting 95% free resources after shutting just about everything that starts at boot-up off. Most especially things like HPupdates (backweb) and other things that try to contact the 'Net. I could not get most of it shut off without a third party start up manager, though I use StartUp Manager 2.0 (http://www.miclone.com.au). Backweb I just uninstalled (Add/Remove Programs) in the control panel, a couple others can be unistalled there also.



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mjc
To ME or NOT to ME....

[susan462]

Hi, Well, thank you all for your input. Yep, I'm using a sofware modem (not DSL or hardware type) and as a matter of fact I took it in for service today after so much frustration. I was told that the modem was "bad". Although I'm relieved that a hardware problem was found (it will be covered by warranty) I am still quite suspect that this will solve the problem. I've asked the tech there to tell me what type of motherboard I have (I think it's a Mercury) so I can take the advice from one of you to investigate any known issues with it. I also asked them to run diagnostics on all of the hardware. It is tough when you buy a proprietary machine--they don't always want to release info. or give you the whole story. Live and learn. I will say that this machine has not worked well from the start, and for one (myself) who is not a real "techie", it is a maddening experience. I will also work on the resource issue as suggested by one of you, though I was about 82% most of the time. Thanks again! Susan

[susan462]

Sorry for the double posts. What happened?

[Paleo Pete]

No problem, it happens sometimes. I just delete the second of the doubles, after naking sure it is an exact duplicate.

Hope you get things lined out, and I'm glad it turned out to be covered by warranty...any chance you could get them to drop in a decent hardware modem? Might be worth a try...

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[mjc]

Fat chance on that, but I've got an extra Conexant that HP ships with some of thier systems just laying around........

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mjc
To ME or NOT to ME....