Paviliion tx 1000 Overheating Destroys Motherboard - Design Problem

[vdl68]

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JPDUL wrote:
I am CEO of a new startup that will be buying over 300 computers in the next year. Not a one will be an HP if this is not resolved the way it should be resolved.

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Wow, I am so impress that you mention that you are a CEO!! BIG DEAL!! Do not dare to"push" your tittle to try to force HP to take action on your part. How impressive to say you will buy 300 computer in the next year or so.... are you that special??? if you want to impress and get notice by HP REAL FAST is to BUY in big volume like in the million...

If you don't like HP, go some where else.... you just a small ant to them.. 300computer, 1,000dollars or so per computer equal 350,000dollars give and take a couple of 1,000..Wow... BIG SPENDER!!

[jmac83]

I see a few posts up that iPWNTU411 makes a clever comment about how people just want to complain on this thread instead of opening their laptop up and applying some thermal compound. Well here's what I say to that....

Yes we are all complaining because if the solution were so simple, why didn't HP correct the thermal compound issue during manufacturer testing? Or, if they didnt catch it then, why not replace the damaged parts (motherboard) and then use better thermal compound? Those are two chances they had to fix a problem that could cause safety and definately durability concerns.The reason people are having such a problem and not employing your "simple fix" is that the consumer isn't the one that is qualified or obligated to ensure the safety or durablitity of a product; the MANUFACTURER is! I have an IT degree, so I could've fix the problem had I known about it, but not everyone can. A consumer is not expected or even allowed without voiding their warranty to open a case and fix this problem.

I kept mine on a chillmat the entire time I had it, so I more than followed the manufacturer's instructions; moreover, HP's negligence caused the problem, not me, so they are resposible for its remedy.

I also have a business degree and know I shouldn't have to iron out their manufacturing problems for them. I guess you think it takes good business sense to manufacture a product with inadequate testing and/or hardware so that it only lasts until the warranty is up, then malfunctions and possibly causes injury to the consumer. What would you reccommend, before you buy a computer from HP, you have to check these forums to make sure it will last more than a year? Or you have to get a technichian to inspect the circuitry to ensure that it is safe and sound, so that you get a durable computer and don't void your warranty? It doesn't take business training to see the flaws in that strategy.

The point is that HP didn't adequately test the thermal compund they used in the tx1000's and now they are obligated to fix this problem. They are definately aware of the problem, but choose to blame the consumer for their errors, all in an attempt to save money, which they will end out losing more in the long run. At least, they will lose a large number of loyal customers due to their apparent disregard for costumer satisfaction, bad business practices, manufacturing quality control, and accountability.

I hope someone will start a class-action lawsuit against HP, because I won't hesitate for one second to join. I know that,at least, I will never buy another HP! So if justice doesn't win out, competiton will. HP will lose me and hopefully many others to its competitors. Good luck to all you new anti-HPers! 

AND REMEMBER, JUST BUY A DELL!

[computer7geek9]

Ok guys there IS a way to fix MOST tx1000's

It DOES void you warranty and involves taking apart your laptop. 

Because the laptop has an overheating problem, the soldering on the GPU cracks because of the constant heating and cooling. To fix  the cracked soldering you need to take apart the laptop and remove the motherboard. You then need to locate the cooling assembly and remove it. the GPU is next to the CPU.  (If you look closely it will say Nvidia on it) You then need to take a Hot Air Soldering Iron and go around the sides of the GPU with it. If you don't have or can't get a hold of a hot air soldering iron, a heat gun will work. DON'T USE A HAIRDRYER because the amount of force from the air will cause the soldering of nearby transistors to run off.  then once the GPU is hot, take a towel and push down on the GPU and hold it there for a few !!!!!!!!!!!!MINUTES!!!!!!!!!  IF YOU USE HOT AIR SOLDERING IRON YOU DON"T NEED TO DO THIS. Then apply a small DROP of thermal paste on the CPU and GPU (you can pick some up at your local computer shop) THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, THIS WILL HELP KEEP YOUR LAPTOP COOL AND PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN

This video will show you where the GPU is and how to remove cooling assembly   (I tried the heat lamp method and it didn't work for me, it may work for you but be VERY careful about ESD (electrostatic discharge) (It's were static from your body short circuits your motherboard)

Put you laptop back together and hopefully it works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You may also want to download a CPU DOWNCLOCKER to reduce heat output and help prevent it from breaking again.

********IF IT DOESN'T WORK******

Try it again, this time hold the heat gun there longer and press on it longer. MAKE SURE YOU PUT ON MORE THERMAL PASTE

If you used a hot air soldering iron and you use it again, push down on the GPU for a few MINUTES. MAKE SURE YOU PUT ON MORE THERMAL PASTE

IF YOU"VE DONE IT TWICE AND IT STILL DOSEN"T WORK

Do it again and this time put a penny on top of the GPU making sure there is thermal paste on both sides of the Penny

IF IT STILL DOESN'T WORK

search Ebay for "HP TX1000 Motherboard repair" the one with the seller    "floridamotherboardspecialist"  is a reliable and inexpensive service  (if you can't find him, narrow your search to $80 and click "buy it now only" at the top)

[jmac83]

Dear Computer7Geek9,

I appreciate you posting a message that tells how to fix the problem with the tx1000 and will try your solution.

The point I was making in the earlier post was that it was HP's responsibility to either use better solder, engineer the motherboard and GPU in a way that didn't result in overheating problems, or at the very least, test their product enough to catch the problem before the tx1000 hit the market. The consumer should never have to break open the case on a two year old laptop to resolder connections and apply thermal paste to be able to continue using their relatively new laptop. Moreover, HP knows of the flaw and choses to pass the responsibility off to the consumer, instead of recalling the motherboard and fixing it. I was simply commenting on the lack of accountability on HP's part in handling this matter in a way congruent with ethical business practices.

And by the way, I was looking over my warranty and it says that if anyone other than an authorized technician opens the case and tampers with the circuitry, the warranty is void. Just some useful information I thought, but the point is I'm not buying a laptop that even though I baby the thing on a chill mat, still requires me to work on it  as soon as the warranty expires in order to keep it running. That's ridiculous. I have had several laptops that have lasted 3 times as long with no work required. I have also had problems with a Dell I had, and had to contact them. Dell replaced the faulty part free of charge, because they admitted they were responsible and wanted to keep my business. HP is obviously unable to take responsibility for their mistakes and doesn't care too much about my business. So I will use my purchasing power and as I said before:

JUST BUY A DELL!

[MadCustomer]

I have a TX 1410us laptop. It broke two days ago because of overheating problems. The laptop didn't turn on at all, just the leds for a pair of senconds but no other sign of life. $400 for repair? no #$%#$ way...

So, I decided to try to fix it myself using the popular heat-press-and-coin method I saw on youtube some weeks ago (when my best friend's TX 1000 broke too). U know what? It worked at the first try! My TX is back with all its functions intact... lucky me

People says if you are very careful with your laptop this can be a permanent solution. Unfortunately there will be no more games on my TX. And for the CPU and GPU, only powersaving settings from now on.

Shame on you HP.

[MadCustomer]

You are absolutely right jmac... but this company gives us no more choice. When I personally asked them they said there ways no extended warranty for my laptop model... BS!!!  The support guy I talked with said I should either send my laptop to a local non-official repair shop or throw it away and buy a new one... o_O !!! How's that possible?

Of course they are wrong! Of course the should take full responsability! Why not then? Why us customers should pay a lot of money for the repair when this is not our fault? Answer: Because they will loose millions of dollars if they just accept to repair them for free...

Think about it. Almost all previous generation laptops are defective. If they accept to repair them the company goes straight to hell...

[JorinX]

After reading all the replies to this thread, it's clear that HP should include the timeline for death of a product.  Every one of the symptoms described by others has now occurred with my TX1220US (of the TX1000 series Tablet PC).

*  Intermittent disconnect from wireless (though others on the same wireless router remained connected)

*  Difficulty resuming operation from Hibernate mode, followed by,

*  Inability to resume operation from Hibernate mode

*  Attempts to resume operation result in indicator lights on keyboard area and circling the screen on, but a millisecond (or less!) of activity in hard disk drive, CD/DVD drive, fan;  indicator lights remain on despite lack of other activity

*  Spontaneous shut down (in both normal operation mode, and in dead-HDD-CC/DVD-fan mode)

*  Excessive fan speed

*  Excessive heat generated by the unit

*  Eventual inability to restart computer at all

I too have spent an hour with HP Customer Support (in India) with a fellow named Ankush, who refused me the courtesy of speaking to a supervisor about the problem -- further indication that HP does not seem to care about it's customers. 

I personally have owned four different HP notebooks and/or laptops.  This TX1220US has performed fine until the last coupe of months.  I have always treated it well, placing it on firm surfaces, allowing air flow per it's design.  I join the rest of you in being highly disappointed with the product and HP's lack of willingness to make it right.  And, despite some naysayers here who think all we want is money, I simply want a product that functions as advertised -- safely and efficiently.

However, that will all change when the first one of these products combusts on someone's table top, burning down their home and possibly it's occupants.  Sadly, too many big businesses wait till this type of tragedy occurs before making their product right.  I'm gladdened to see comments from some other show have had positive experiences with other brands that also experienced the problem.

Short of launching a class action lawsuit, I recommend writing your local consumer advocate in media and providing all the details of your problem, and reference all the websites discussing the same problems for others.  Interestingly, there is at least one HP customer who posted here who was able to get HP to replace the defective unit outside of warranty.  That sets a precedent, and whether construed as an admission of product liability or not, the precedent is there.

Here are my plans to pressure HP to step up to the plate:

1.  I've screen clipped all the pages from this forum, and every other I could find on the Internet that directly reference the problem (which date back to 2007 at least).  I'm keeping them in a file (and backed up!) for submission to the various authorities who will eventually take action.

2.  Write to the Attorney General of your state (a list of Attorneys General for all states can be found on the website for the National Association of Attorneys General www . NAAG . org).  Submit your specific complaints, and attach copies of all the documents in step 1 above.

3.  Write to the Attorney General of the United States (www. justice . gov)

4.  Write to every local consumer advocate in your area -- newspaper, TV, radio

5.  Duplicate your complaints to other websites, not operated by HP!

If all we do is complain here without applying pressure in other ways, nothing will happen.  Precedent on Class Action has already been won against HP with other products exhibiting similar problems.

[KingDavid73]

I have a TX1000 tablet  for about 2 years, and I've had many many problems with it.

The first thing to go was the wireless.  This happened about a year ago.  Then about a month ago, I had the major failure where it wouldn't turn on anymore. 

I let it sit for a couple days, then it would turn on and say "no operating system found"

I installed XP on it instead of Vista, then found XP drivers for everything and it seems to be working fine.  

It's always run very hot, but before, it would just keep running, but now when it overheats, it turns off.  It's annoying, but probably much better for the computer. 

It's a good computer, but it has too many problems.

I've contacted customer support many times about the various issues, and none of them have ever heard of any problems with the model, and insisted this was an isolated case.  

I realize I'll never get anywhere with this, so I've given up.  

My next laptop won't be an HP, as simple as that. 

[tallesvmm]

Only to let everyone aware that I am also having problems with my TX1000.

Like almost everbody else, overheating, failure of the wireless device and jsut stop working last week.

Miraculously, restart working normally yesterday.

I do agree with some postings about the dangerous behind this intermitent overheating.  

[teemut]

It's hard to believe amount of complains about tx1000 model. I'm having same problems and after reading these comments and HP's attitude. I will never buy another HP again. Hp can keep their **bleep** and I'll spend my money somewhere else.