Question on HP WXP MEDIA CENTER EDITION 2005

[Jethro]

My brother in Maine is having a H of a time! I am in Delaware and so
I am trying to help him long distance.

Seems his son bought him a nice new HP WXP MEDIA CENTER EDITION 2005
computer complete with LCD monitor. He got absolutely nothing with in
the way of installation helps. Neither did he get any kind of support
disks, such as a recovery disk or a system disk. No drivers -
nothing. That's terrible.

Anyway, he has been able to get it up and running with my help to some
extent. Now he is worried about backup/restores/recovery in case of a
crash. He also wants to understand how to use some of the features of
his new system.

I feel he should have gotten at least minimal support disks and
documentation, but he didn't apparently. I have googled to find
something in that area for him, and cannot find what he needs or
should have. When he calls HP he is put on hold 'forever', and he
hangs up in disgust.

Can anyone suggest a web site where I can find what he needs?

TIA for anything.

Jethro

 

[Ken]

My brother in Maine is having a H of a time! I am in Delaware and so
I am trying to help him long distance.

Seems his son bought him a nice new HP WXP MEDIA CENTER EDITION 2005
computer complete with LCD monitor. He got absolutely nothing with in
the way of installation helps. Neither did he get any kind of support
disks, such as a recovery disk or a system disk. No drivers -
nothing. That's terrible.

Anyway, he has been able to get it up and running with my help to some
extent. Now he is worried about backup/restores/recovery in case of a
crash. He also wants to understand how to use some of the features of
his new system.

I feel he should have gotten at least minimal support disks and
documentation, but he didn't apparently. I have googled to find
something in that area for him, and cannot find what he needs or
should have. When he calls HP he is put on hold 'forever', and he
hangs up in disgust.

Can anyone suggest a web site where I can find what he needs?

TIA for anything.

Jethro

Many HP computers have a partition on the HD that is used for
restoration. That is it will restore the computer to the state at which
it was when it was purchased. The first thing I would do if I were he
is go to the HP web site and search for information on the computer
model. My guess is you will find information about this and other
things. I doubt you will find anything on the software as far as
operating it, but there should be lots of useful information. Start at
http://h20180.www2.hp.com/apps/Look...IA+CENTER+EDITION+2005&submit.x=13&submit.y=8

 

[CBFalconer]

.... snip ...

Many HP computers have a partition on the HD that is used for
restoration. That is it will restore the computer to the state at
which it was when it was purchased. The first thing I would do if
I were he is go to the HP web site and search for information on
the computer model. My guess is you will find information about
this and other things.

Not just HP. Of course this is extremely useful when the HD fails,
or is repartitioned. </sarcasm> I would recommend getting the son
to take it back for a refund, and getting something real. Also
installing Ubuntu is probably a viable option.

--
<http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.txt>

"A man who is right every time is not likely to do very much."
-- Francis Crick, co-discover of DNA
"There is nothing more amazing than stupidity in action."
-- Thomas Matthews

 

[Jethro]

Many HP computers have a partition on the HD that is used for
restoration. That is it will restore the computer to the state at which
it was when it was purchased.

That's great as long as the HDD is readable/bootable. I try to avoid
using the same HDD for any backing up, even if a separate partition is
involved.

 

[Robert Heiling]

My brother in Maine is having a H of a time! I am in Delaware and so
I am trying to help him long distance.

Seems his son bought him a nice new HP WXP MEDIA CENTER EDITION 2005
computer complete with LCD monitor. He got absolutely nothing with in
the way of installation helps. Neither did he get any kind of support
disks, such as a recovery disk or a system disk. No drivers -
nothing. That's terrible.

There's no "installation" involved. Everything comes with drivers etc
pre-installed on those systems. The recovert disk(s) needs to be created by the
user by following the instructions.

Anyway, he has been able to get it up and running with my help to some
extent. Now he is worried about backup/restores/recovery in case of a
crash. He also wants to understand how to use some of the features of
his new system.

I don't have anything good to say about HP myself, but the era of the printed
manual is long gone. All of the information that he is looking for comes
pre-installed on the desktop and it's a case of rtfm. As far as backup is
concerned, it's no different that way than any other system in the use of DVD's
and other ways of backing up one's data.

I feel he should have gotten at least minimal support disks and
documentation, but he didn't apparently.

It's all righ there on the desktop for those who have the time, patience, and
need to go through it.

I have googled to find
something in that area for him, and cannot find what he needs or
should have. When he calls HP he is put on hold 'forever', and he
hangs up in disgust.

They have outsourced their support and it sux.

Can anyone suggest a web site where I can find what he needs?

Website?? Why? How about his own desktop?

Bob

 

[Ken]

That's great as long as the HDD is readable/bootable. I try to avoid
using the same HDD for any backing up, even if a separate partition is
involved.

I am not sure I understand exactly what you hope to do if you do not
wish to use the original HD. If you are worried about that drive being
unusable, and I too would be, I believe you can made CDs of the
restoration ONE TIME. This process should also be available on the web
site. Of course you can clone the HD to another, and I think it would
then be a backup available to you.

As for if this is a less than desirable process? Yes it is, but that
is how the computers come today in most instances.

 

[zappo]

Not just HP. Of course this is extremely useful when the HD fails,
or is repartitioned. </sarcasm>

Most of them have a way of producing the CD/DVD
now that most of them come with a burner included.

I would recommend getting the son to take it
back for a refund, and getting something real.

More fool you.

Also installing Ubuntu is probably a viable option.

Like hell it is if he needs the media center stuff.

 

[Rod Speed]

There's no "installation" involved. Everything comes with drivers etc
pre-installed on those systems. The recovert disk(s) needs to be
created by the user by following the instructions.


I don't have anything good to say about HP myself, but the era of the
printed manual is long gone. All of the information that he is
looking for comes pre-installed on the desktop and it's a case of
rtfm. As far as backup is concerned, it's no different that way than
any other system in the use of DVD's and other ways of backing up
one's data.


It's all righ there on the desktop for those who have the time,
patience, and need to go through it.

They have outsourced their support and it sux.

No it doesnt. I had one indian spend a considerable amount
of time working out the fine detail of what was supplied with
an elderly Compaq, supplied in other than the standard package.

Website?? Why? How about his own desktop?

Yeah, thats the problem, he isnt looking at the docs on the system.

 

[Robert Heiling]

No it doesnt. I had one indian spend a considerable amount
of time working out the fine detail of what was supplied with
an elderly Compaq, supplied in other than the standard package.

I say that from the perspective of someone who has had many coworkers and
friends of Indian origin. However, they were all living in either Canada or the
US and wer accustomed to the way the language is spoken in North America. At
least half the HP tech support people I got on the phone were next to impossible
to understand.

I say that from the perspective of someone who happened to innocently let it
slip that I had 2 addditional OS's other than than WinXP on the system and was
told adamantly that they would not give me any system or WinXP support because
of that. That was in spite of the fact that the other OS's are simply "other
data" when running XP that they were not expected to support, but that concept
was ignored once they had generated their own internal excuse for not giving me
my money's worth. I could go on, but I'll leave it there.

Yeah, thats the problem, he isnt looking at the docs on the system.

Right. They have a lot of "Get Started" type information that is just in the way
and a pita to experienced people, but it sounds as though that user should be
reading it all from beginning to end.

Bob

 

[Rod Speed]

Rod Speed wrote

I say that from the perspective of someone who has had many
coworkers and friends of Indian origin. However, they were all
living in either Canada or the US and wer accustomed to the way
the language is spoken in North America. At least half the HP tech
support people I got on the phone were next to impossible to understand.

I've never had anything like half that bad. Closer to 5% at most.

I say that from the perspective of someone who happened to
innocently let it slip that I had 2 addditional OS's other than than
WinXP on the system and was told adamantly that they would
not give me any system or WinXP support because of that.

Its hardly surprising that they arent interested
in supporting that sort of more complex config.

That was in spite of the fact that the other OS's are simply "other
data" when running XP that they were not expected to support,

Its always possible to stuff up a more complex config so that isnt so.

but that concept was ignored once they had generated their
own internal excuse for not giving me my money's worth.

You were always welcome to image the system restore to the
original config, and they would have been happy to support that.

I could go on, but I'll leave it there.

Right. They have a lot of "Get Started" type information that is
just in the way and a pita to experienced people, but it sounds
as though that user should be reading it all from beginning to end.

Specially on the question of producing something physical CD/DVD
wise that can be used if the brown stuff hits the fan with the hard drive.

Yes, it would be better if they had a single page physical sheet
that rubbed the user's nose in that stuff, but nothing's perfect and
having everything on the installed system is one way of reducing
costs and that is what most users buy on, the price that does the job.

 

[Robert Heiling]

Its hardly surprising that they arent interested
in supporting that sort of more complex config.

They weren't requested to support a complex config. There was only WinXP and
user data files. What other kinds of censorship on user files should they be
able to exercise in order to justify cheating me out of the portion of my
purchase price that was for support?

Its always possible to stuff up a more complex config so that isnt so.

Anything can get stuffed up. Look at the posts here around you. Perhaps they
also have a limit on the number and types of applications that I may install.

You were always welcome to image the system restore to the
original config, and they would have been happy to support that.

I'm only *almost* certain of that. But people normally buy products in order to
use them. So if you say that HP products are fine as long as you don't use them,
then there's not much point in buying them in the first place.

Bob

 

[Rod Speed]

Rod Speed wrote

They weren't requested to support a complex config.

Corse they were.

There was only WinXP and user data files.

You said the exact opposite above, that there
were 2 additional OSs other than XP on that system.

You cant have it both ways.

What other kinds of censorship on user files should they
be able to exercise in order to justify cheating me out of
the portion of my purchase price that was for support?

They would have happily supported the supplied config.

Anything can get stuffed up.

So its hardly surprising that they werent interested in
trying to work out if you had stuffed that up yourself.

Look at the posts here around you.

Dont need to, I am well aware of that anyway.

Perhaps they also have a limit on the number and types of applications
that I may install. Those would make it easier to stuff up too.<LOL>

In the ultimate they may well request that you return to the original
supplied config when its possible that that is the problem.

I'm only *almost* certain of that. But people normally buy products in order
to use them. So if you say that HP products are fine as long as you don't
use them, then there's not much point in buying them in the first place.

Completely off with the fairys, as usual.

 

[Robert Heiling]

Corse they were.

How so? Explain yourself.

You said the exact opposite above, that there
were 2 additional OSs other than XP on that system.

You cant have it both ways.

Not even attempting that. Tell me how XP has problems living with certain user
data files on the HD's. Explain to me what effect the existence of a Linux
installation has on XP. You're the expert, so explain it.

They would have happily supported the supplied config.

An unused installation doesn't need support! Hmmm or does it if it's HP?

So its hardly surprising that they werent interested in
trying to work out if you had stuffed that up yourself.

That leaves stuffing itself up as the only other possibility.

Dont need to, I am well aware of that anyway.


In the ultimate they may well request that you return to the original
supplied config when its possible that that is the problem.

Totally unrealistic!

Completely off with the fairys, as usual.

They certainly are. Axed Carly and the Board is involved in a shameful scandal.

Ya wanna know somethin? You're sounding more and more as though you work for one
of the outsourcing companies because you sure are protective of their nonsense.

Bob

 

[Rod Speed]

Rod Speed wrote

How so? Explain yourself.

Already did.

Not even attempting that.

Corse you are.

Tell me how XP has problems living with certain user data files on the HD's.

There is more involved than JUST data files.

Explain to me what effect the existence of a Linux installation has on XP.

You're too stupid to be able to comprehend.

You're the expert, so explain it.

More useful trying to explain it to a stone.

An unused installation doesn't need support!

Depends entirely on whether the problem is hardware or software.

Hmmm or does it if it's HP?

Pathetic, really.

So you do actually understand the point that was
being made, even if you are desperately trying to
bullshit your way out of your predicament now.

That leaves stuffing itself up as the only other possibility.

Wrong, as always.

Totally unrealistic!

Nope, completely trivial for anyone with a clue to do!!!

They certainly are. Axed Carly and the Board is involved in a shameful scandal.

Pathetic, really.

Ya wanna know somethin? You're sounding more and more
as though you work for one of the outsourcing companies

You need to get your ears tested then.

because you sure are protective of their nonsense.

And you could never ever bullshit your way out of a wet paper bag.

 

[Robert Heiling]

Already did.

Noop. You can't bs your way around that one since the record right here shows
you didn't.

Corse you are.


There is more involved than JUST data files.


You're too stupid to be able to comprehend.

If I was listening to an explanation from you? Yeah, probably. If you can't
explain it, then you obviously don't understand it yourself.

More useful trying to explain it to a stone.

You've had lots practice I take it? Won't anything else listen to you?

Depends entirely on whether the problem is hardware or software.


Pathetic, really.

I think they are too.

So you do actually understand the point that was
being made, even if you are desperately trying to
bullshit your way out of your predicament now.

I'm in no predicament. My own system is running just fine.

Wrong, as always.



Nope, completely trivial for anyone with a clue to do!!!



Pathetic, really.

I totally agree.

You need to get your ears tested then.

Sounds like I struck a note. Don't miss that call now!

And you could never ever bullshit your way out of a wet paper bag.

How do you keep getting all those bags so wet? <LOL>

 

[Rod Speed]

Rod Speed wrote

Yep.

You can't bs your way around that one since
the record right here shows you didn't.

Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.

If I was listening to an explanation from you? Yeah, probably.

Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.

If you can't explain it, then you obviously don't understand it yourself.

Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.

You aint established any CANT, ALL you know is that I choose not to get
involved in your desperate attempt to bullshit your way out of your predicament.

You've had lots practice I take it?

Yep, plenty are as stupid as you.

Won't anything else listen to you?

Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.

I think they are too.

Pathetic, really.

I'm in no predicament.

Corse you are.

My own system is running just fine.

But you are clearly too stupid to be able to work out what the problem is with that system.

I totally agree.

Pathetic, really.

Sounds like I struck a note.

You need to get your ears tested bad.

Don't miss that call now!

Pathetic, really.

How do you keep getting all those bags so wet? <LOL>

Pathetic, really.

 

[Robert Heiling]

Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.

Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.

Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.

Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.


Pathetic, really.


But you are clearly too stupid to be able to work out what the problem is with that system.

No problems with my systems. That last contact with the outsourced HP support
was just about exactly 2 years ago. In the unlikely event that I ever were to
call again, I'll ask for drongo so I'll be sure to get you.

Pathetic, really.

Pathetic, really.


Pathetic, really.

Amazing!

 

[Rod Speed]

Rod Speed wrote

Wondered how long it would be before you ran up the white flag.

No need to wonder any longer.

No problems with my systems.

But you are clearly too stupid to be able to
work out what the problem is with THAT system.

That last contact with the outsourced HP
support was just about exactly 2 years ago.

'about exactly' eh ?

In the unlikely event that I ever were to call again,
I'll ask for drongo so I'll be sure to get you.

Tad unlikely given that I dont have anything to do
with them, you pathetic excuse for a bullshit artist.