faulty motherboard or tech excuse?

[rocdoc100]

Hi,

I just took my pv dv9000 to get repaired and they told me my problems are due to a broken motherboard and that HP had issued an extended warranty I might qualify for.  If I don't qualify for the extended warranty they can put a new motherboard in for 300$ but won't quarantee is won't break too.  But I purchased the computer 28 months ago (the warrantly is only for 24 months), and most importantly, the symptoms my computer exhibits are not listed under HP's warrantly extension.

So my question is, am I just screwed (this is a 2000$ computer) or do they just not know how to fix the computer?

Here's what's happing.  (sorry this info might not be detailed enough, but the computer is still in the shop.)

It's been running slower than normal for a while and took a while to load, but I ignored it.  Then a week ago I visited a website and my browser starting opening multiple windows and the only way I could get it to stop was to restart the computer.  The next day when I turned it on it booted up fine, I logged into my windows user account, but after 30 sec or so of my desktop opening it went to a blue screen with an error message something like this:

***stop 0x000000e0 (0x00000ce0, 0x.........., ..........., ........., ..........)

I can start the computer in safemode only.  Anytime I restart it normally I can log into my user account, but am sent immediately to this blue screen.  Also, in safemode Macafee shows urgent problems that need to be fixed, but when I hit fix I get an error message.

When googleing the blue screen info it seemed like I might have a software problem or a virus.  Which is why I was suprised when they said I had a faulty motherboard.  But I am far from a computer technician, so I thought I would see what people who know better might think?  Am I screwed or should I take it to another shop?

Here is a list of the symptoms that qualify for the extended warranty:

The following symptoms apply to the dv6000, dv9000 and v6000 series notebooks:

• The notebook does not detect wireless networks and the wireless adapter is not detected in the Device Manager.
• There is no video on the computer LCD panel or external monitor.
• The notebook has no power and no active LEDs.
• The notebook does not start.
• The battery charge indicator light does not turn on when the battery is installed and the AC adapter is connected.
• The notebook issues a single beep during boot indicating no power.
• The external monitor functions but there is no image on the notebook LCD panel.

 There is also problems with the optical drive ( I knew the drive was broken; I know other people with hp computers with faulty optical drives and figured I just had a crappy drive) and the power cable.

I've also posted this in hardware.

I appreciate any advise you can offer.

[EverWin]

hi,

first of all your Notebook is turning On rite?

Blue screen problem is due to mostly Softwares & drivers issue...

only faulty RAM causes blue screen...

in your case

you should first run Recovery Disc

Install it with complete destructive method... deleting everything all partition, all data

it might be virus problem (but its just a theory)

if you see blue screen during recovery, then am sure either its a RAM or H.D.D problem..

H.D.D can be tested from BIOS (turn on PC & press f10)

do a self test H.D.D

Regards,

EverWin

[bassgirl]

wow lots of problems with this issue Were is HP when they are most needed

[Davidoo]

I had almost the identical problem on my HDX18 a few weeks ago.  I would boot up fine, then right after logging in to my account and about 30 seconds later a blue screen every time.  Safe Mode worked also for me.  So, I went to Safe Mode and used system restore and restored to about a week earlier.  Problem was fixed and it never happened again...so far.  I started getting the blue screens right after Windows Update did about 13 updates at the same time.  After I did the restore I added the updates one at a time and didn't get the issue again.  System Restore has saved me countless times.

[EverWin]

hi guys,

Davidoo thts a good job done by you...

btw no software comes with guarantee/warranty, get used to it...

like i said, don't blame company for software problems...b'cuz its not physical, we install something with crash our OS, we should not blame company for this...

downgrading OS & BIOS is also not recommended... it kills Hardware (eg,.. H.D.D)

Regards,

EverWin

[NonSuch]

This really does not sound like a motherboard problem.  It sounds more like the BSOD may have been caused by another hardware component, and there may be malware issues as well.  In any event, I would take the system elsewhere for a second opinion before accepting the diagnosis of a bad motherboard, preferably to a trusted local shop with a good reputation. 

Any number of things can cause a blue screen.  If you did not make a note of the exact error code and message, it's really not possible to garner much just from the fact that the system blue screened.  

[Linux_Rules]

My first thought is a virus based on your statement: "Then a week ago I visited a website and my browser starting opening multiple windows and the only way I could get it to stop was to restart the computer. " I've seen it before...

Regards,

GEWB

[NonSuch]

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Linux_Rules wrote:

My first thought is a virus based on your statement: "Then a week ago I visited a website and my browser starting opening multiple windows and the only way I could get it to stop was to restart the computer. " I've seen it before...

Regards,

GEWB

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Malware is indeed likely to have been the only issue in the beginning.