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The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

The Kneeslider Saved by Acer Netbook and HP Service

By Paul Crowe

The Kneeslider is back to full operation and most of you probably didn’t even know there was a problem. Last week I mentioned I had some computer issues, well it was quite an issue, my primary HP laptop just up and died, without warning, instantly. Last Saturday, I was working away on The Kneeslider, then poof, computer shuts off, … done, … dead. Hmm, … go through all of the usual stuff, still nothing.

Remember that little Acer netbook I mentioned a few weeks back? I fired that up, contacted HP service and after a short troubleshooting session we determine it’s the motherboard. They dispatch a box for return shipment which actually doesn’t get shipped until Monday. I get it Tuesday, immediately FedEx the laptop back, they receive and repair it Wednesday, ship it Thursday, arrives Friday, it works. Smiles all around.

Lessons learned:

1. Keep your backups current!!

2. The Acer netbook worked like a champ all week, BUT, if you do any serious work on a computer, it is less than ideal. The small size makes many screen intensive operations like photo editing very painful. On the other hand, it did whatever I asked it to do without complaint except when I viewed a video with a couple of windows open, … don’t try that, it’s not pretty. However, for anyone looking for a very handy, very capable computer that performs extremely well in a package you can fit in your tankbag, it’s a winner. The 6 cell batteries last a really long time, over 6 hours, which is amazing for a computer. I developed a healthy respect for the little netbook and it’s a great emergency solution for your main computer, it’s a few hundred dollars well spent. The specific model I have has since been replaced by a newer model which looks even better.

3. Hewlett Packard service did a fine job. The computer was out of warranty so I had to pay for the repair, but turnaround time and quality of service was great. I only had one slight issue we’ve all experienced, the online chat with the tech went fine but when they called to verify my request for service, the person I spoke to was very hard to understand. Outsourcing phone operations may save money but from the customer side, it’s less than ideal.

OK, enough computer issues, The Kneeslider is back up to full speed,… now, where was I?

Link: Acer Aspire One

Posted on August 16, 2009 Filed Under: Kneeslider

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Comments

  1. JR says

    August 16, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    It sounds like a few hundred dollars to keep you from being out of commission is money well spent.

  2. kneeslider says

    August 16, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    Yep, and I didn’t really buy it for that purpose, it was intended as my travel computer. It’s just another tool with multiple uses.

  3. PaulN says

    August 16, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    That’s funny, I’m writing this on MY Acer netbook! They sure are handy, aren’t they?

  4. joe says

    August 16, 2009 at 8:24 pm

    My little Acer is my sole computer, best $300 I’ve ever spent. I torture this thing and it just takes it like a champ. Any BMW S675RR news? Love the site, keep up the good work.

  5. Hawk says

    August 17, 2009 at 12:00 am

    Paul,

    From a total layman who knows next to nothing about computers, I have to say that this is one of the most professional websites I’ve ever seen. Furthermore, it is one of the best maintained. I envy your expertise …. so there!

    A loyal reader from the wet coast of Canada, eh?

  6. kneeslider says

    August 17, 2009 at 5:55 am

    Thanks, Hawk.

  7. Jim says

    August 17, 2009 at 7:05 am

    Ah, another victim of the dead HP motherboard syndrome. Welcome to the club. This HP laptop suffered the same fate a year ago and a couple of months ago the speakers died, but you can still listen via the headset jack. Wouldn’t recommend HP to anyone,

  8. kneeslider says

    August 17, 2009 at 7:30 am

    Jim, I’ve actually had very good experience with at least 6 HP laptops thus far, so I would recommend them. This one, running XP Pro, is due for replacement but I’m waiting for Windows 7 in October, my wife’s HP laptop has Vista Ultimate 64 bit and I would absolutely never buy that again. I’m hoping Windows 7 is an improvement, from reviews so far, it seems to be.

    Others have had less positive experiences with HP, so individual views differ a lot, but my experience, except for this instance, has been good. Since HP repair did a fast turnaround, they made this less of a problem than it might have been.

  9. Steve D says

    August 17, 2009 at 10:47 am

    I love My Little Acer Aspire One. I put my movies one it , have a usb tv tuner. And it takes up a whole lot less room in my backpack when I ride my motorcycle. Running xp and ubuntu remix. ( the only safe way to surf the web) Got it off of WOOT for $259. But local Office Depot ran it for $299. Added the 2 gb of ram for $29 Ya just can’t beat it for it size.

    And it make a GREAT BACK UP

  10. lostinoz says

    August 17, 2009 at 11:32 am

    Welcome back to full power!
    Those little Acers are the “little engine that could” of the computing world. Mine has more mileage than I could believe possible. It flies West coast to Midwest at least twice a year, is beat to hell on a weekly basis, and does everything most normal user’s need. Add in a usb dvd drive and its perfect!

    My usual machines are Toshiba, bulletproof tanks that just keep working! (a 30 lb ceiling fan dropped on this one, STILL WORKS) but I agree, Vista sucks. I have 2 XP machines, 1 Vista and 1 Ubuntu 9.04, and I mainly use the Ubuntu machine. I leave the windows alone, leaving that for my wife and kids.
    Fair warning, Ubuntu and Windows wont play nice together, if you switch to Ubuntu, you’ll need a 3rd party formatting system to make it so that windows will recognize your hard drive again if you go back.

  11. todd says

    August 17, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    HP notebooks are good, so are the Thinkpads (mine still says “IBM” on it). However, I would never recommend a Dell Inspiron…

    -todd

  12. Greybeard says

    August 17, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    Any chance now you can get the right side of the page to keep from slipping down?

    I know, I know…that’s what the little finger wheel on the mouse is for…but whatever you can do will be appreciated. 😉

  13. Greybeard says

    August 17, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    You’re right Paul.
    I’m still using the water powered version of IE.
    I’ll struggle into the present with an upgrade.
    Thanks for your help!

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