Familiar Story - tx2000 - lights and fan on, but black screen at boot up

[Chojun]

I suspect that HP will not ever admit that there is a problem with these laptops because it opens the door wide for a flood of excrement for them.

Their lack of response makes sense to me after the research I've done into this problem.  The clues point to this:

- The problem is indeed widespread.  In fact, the nature of the problem suggests that 100% of all TX1000 owners have the problem.

- The problem is due to a manufacturing defect (otherwise, software updates/advisories would've been released).

- The nature of the defect does not allow HP to fall back on other manufacturers, i.e. NVIDIA/Heat sink mfg. for repairs/replacements.  In other words, HP would have to eat the cost because the problem is their fault (otherwise, they would've issued a recall or issued an extended warranty).

- All TX1000 series owners are or will experience a limited range of symptoms, including Wifi/Video not working and laptop not booting because the GPU, which handles these things, is symptomatic.  Again, this points the fault to HP.

- The TX1000 series customer base is small enough that they're willing to do nothing and lose customers or otherwise risk a class-action lawsuit.

However, I'd like to add that the fix I outlined in the link above seems to be the real deal.  My laptop is running in perfect order for over a week now and the Wifi works great, too.  Since I haven't repaired the heat sink for the GPU yet, I have to take certain precautions with the laptop.  When I repair the heatsink I'll post back here and let everyone know how things are working.

Precautions:

When the laptop is idle, it needs to run upside down (yes, rediculous but worth it).

When in use, be extra careful to not let the computer get hot.  Change the performance profile to 'battery saver' so the processor tones it down a bit.

If the Wifi goes out, install the program I referenced in my link, and let it run hot for an hour or two.  Then, shut down the computer.  Right when it turns off, press hard with your palm on the Enter, \, and ' keys (in that general area) for about 30 seconds.  After letting it cool a bit more, boot it up and the wifi should be back (I've done this 3 times now, and it works every time).

Notes:

I have a number of laptops of different types/brands available to me.  The hottest any laptop gets under a full load is around 80C and 45-50C under minimal load.  The TX1000 runs 50-55C (min) - 90-95C (full) with the GPU running 98-103C.  That's just too dang hot; at that temperature the solder joints begin to soften, which is why users are having problems.

I plan to use a copper shim with Diamond Thermal Grease (better than Arctic Silver) to solve the thermal problems.  Since my laptop is now in stable working condition, this will be my last update until I apply the more permanent fix.  I'll post back when I'm finished, and I may make a youtube video for it.

[rauridh]

so my stupid ass purchased a used one tx1000z cto off of craigs for 400 bucks. thought i got a great deal, until the curse hit 2 weeks ago. same old you know, wireless first then screen that lights on.,.,

although i have not read all the posts, i read a few about heating the thing up and pressing down on some letters to get the video card or something to stick back on the motherboard? a workaround? that is crazy, you cant keep doing that over and over so...

I took the crappy little thing apart, everything has been stripped and i am starring at the mother board all naked in front of me, 

NOW WHAT DO I DO? CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME FIX THIS THING? WILL IT FIT INTO ANOTHER CASE ONCE I GET THE VIDEO CRAP FIXED. STICK IT IN A SMALL FORM FACTOR DESKTOP?

if not, you guys need any parts?

[Chris_Africa]

Hey guys THE NVIDIA CHIP CAUSING  THE PROBLEM IS BEHIND WITH TX2000 SERIES. CLOSE TO THE PROCESSOR. COVER UR LAPTOP AIR-TIGHT AND POWER IT ON OR RE-HEAT IT.

[MikeyK]

Good post. My recent dealing with another "Case Manager" (Lisa) is not consumer friendly, and she got quite a survey reply from me about her attitude... Like I told her, I don't think that HP knows how to correct the problem because of the design of the cooling system, by putting a new Motherboard in it again, in my case, with only a 90day warranty would be insane..She told me that they have thousands of tx 1000's out with very little problems, at that point I put on my high top rubber boots on

to keep the thick, stinky BS off my feet ! It's simple, they just don't care if we spend our money on other brand name products,

they don't need us as customers...

Have a good and safe new year all !

[John_souto]

Hope you guys are signing the petition to http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?deadhptx&1

Same thing here guys..... first my tx1000 has lost the wireless and now my other which happens to be a tx2000 has been freezing daily for the past week and today did not want to boot at all not even posting the bios screen...... £1600 down with just over a years usage out of each..... this is just rotten HP!!

I have already emailed bbc's watchdog and would recomend others to do the same.

Regards

[peeverick]

We had the same problem.  We followed this and it worked for us!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctHTF3oNdxI

[Yakumo]

Pettition signed, thanks very much for the youtube video, going to wait a while before trying that hope HP finally aknowledges this with 1500 signatures on the pettition so far. It must be about time for this problem to hit slashdot ...

[WebFX]

Hi, after involving a news crew (ctv.ca) I have got HP's attention. HP agreed to replace my laptop, I purchased a new tablet and they are reimbursing me for it. I am working on getting the unit recalled at the moment so all of the other unfortunate consumers can get results as well. Please see this thread and/or view the newsclip:

TX1000 Series Laptop Failure - PLEASE READ

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/TX-series-notebooks/tx1000-Series-Laptop-Failure-PLEASE-READ/td-p/18570...

CTV.ca News Clip

http://watch.ctv.ca/news/clip245461#clip245461

[Chojun]

Nice work, WebFX.

I've been working through the BBB and have someone in the executive office working with me on this issue.  I'll post back on any new developments.

Regarding my laptop, it still works great using the steps I've outlined earlier, but I still have to operate it upside down.  If the WiFi stops working, I turn it off and put very heavy pressure on the right side of the keyboard for about 1 minute and after switching it back on the WiFi will come back -- every time.

Rediculous.

[Chojun]

Update:

Was just contacted by a case manager over the Laptop division about the BBB complaint that I filed.

He did not offer me an extended warranty or offer to send it in for repairs.  He said that the TX1000 doesn't experience problems any more frequently than any of their other models (except the top-of-the-line models, which experience less) or that of any of their competitors' laptops.  HOWEVER, I DID get a little tidbit of information out of him that is very important.  He DID admit that the largest percentage of complaints that they're getting relating to the TX-series issue is the black-screen no-boot issue.

He said that HP does not issue recalls unless persons or property is at risk, but that they do issue 'service enhancements.'  He said that my email was entered into a database and I would be notified if any 'service enhancements' were issued.

This is unsatisfactory, so I'll be escalating the issue with the BBB.