Compaq Can't Read

nike_guy_man's picture

They have: 840 posts

Joined: Sep 2000

Here's the deal:
In October, my power supply was shorting out... so I shipped the laptop away and they fixed it, no problemo.
The same thing starts happening on New Years, so I ship it out again, and tell them to replace the covers (they had huge cracks in them).
Order sent:
Replace CD/DVD-ROM that is shorting out power supply
Replace front/inside screen casings
If problems require re-formatting (Which I was promised wouldn't be necessary), send back un-fixed.
I got it back Today (Wednesday the 22nd of Jan)
Orders followed:
Replace CD/DVD-ROM that is shorting out power supply
Replace front/inside screen casings

Which one is missing? Yes. They reformatted the Hard Drive. They wiped out all my work. I have nothing. I had no recent backup because I specifically said "DO NOT FORMAT" -- that went on the Compaq Technical Support sheet and on both of the papers that I sent in with them.
So I booted up the computer and noticed my XP profiles were gone.
Once I got to the desktop, I noticed everything was gone. All my hardware extensions. All my files.
I called Compaq tech support -- Real Brilliant Guys
Here is the response I got:
"They misread the instructions. There was no problem that caused a need for a reformatted hard drive unless they dropped it. They also didn't put it in your instructions which is not allowed."
After sitting there in disbelief at what the guy just told me (It took about 5 times -- I couldn't understand his thick Asian-Canadian accent), I told the guy that I wanted to know what happened and that I want them to fix the NEW problems created.
The clip for holding the laptop closed is stuck.
The PCMCIA slot is damaged.
My built in ethernet card no longer works

So here are my questions:
Do I have any LEGAL recourse against Compaq for deleting my 6-7 months of progress on a major project?
Is there any way to possibly restore the formatted drive?
How can I make sure no one ever buys Compaq again??

Mad
I'm getting a Mac

Laughing out loud

The Webmistress's picture

She has: 5,586 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

I'm so sorry to hear that n_g_m. I don't know the answers to your questions but I just wanted to pass on my condolences. I suppose the first thing to do is to put your complain to them in writing and see what their response is from higher up in the company.

Good luck!

Julia - if life was meant to be easy Michael Angelo would have painted the floor....

mairving's picture

They have: 2,256 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

The first rule is if you have to send a computer in for repair expect that the OS will be wiped and reinstalled. You should have backed it up. It could have been lost in shipment or dropped and all the data lost. I actually had a guy threaten to kill a customer rep where I worked because he had sent his Palm in for repair and the tech had wiped it. This guy had no backup either.

Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states

He has: 1,016 posts

Joined: May 2002

There are ways to restore data even after a format (of course, only if the new data has not been written over the sectors you're trying to recover).

Here are some links I found...

http://www.drivesavers.com/services.html
http://www.dtidata.com/
http://www.commoncomputers.com/
http://skyscraper.fortunecity.com/amd/887/rescue/e_index.html

Good luck...

nike_guy_man's picture

They have: 840 posts

Joined: Sep 2000

Well I got it back after sending it back to them to have the clip, pcmcia, and ehternet port fixed.
It's no real surprise, but it wasn't fixed.
Anyone want a 900mhz Compaq with 14.1" screen? Smiling ?
I'm getting a MAC!

Laughing out loud

nike_guy_man's picture

They have: 840 posts

Joined: Sep 2000

Wow what CLOWNS at Compaq
I call, they tell them to call the tech support center, who tells me to call regular support and ask for a "Quality Group Manager"
I called, and to no surprise, there is no such thing as a "Quality Group Manager"
I'm going to get a "call back" from a "case manager" in 72 business hours... maybe I'm wrong, but there are 8 business hours in a day... which makes 9 business days... which means Monday the 24th???
I'll have my Mac by then Wink

The moral of this story: Never buy a Compaq.

Laughing out loud

He has: 1,380 posts

Joined: Feb 2002

we know...they merged with HP... Wink

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

Oy, get a mac that burns DVDs and back that sucker up, too!

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

I'd like to add that the Apple Care Protection Program will back up your information for you (for a fee) and will talk to you about it before your computer even leaves your house.

nike_guy_man's picture

They have: 840 posts

Joined: Sep 2000

I got a call tonight from a senior exec saying that they were sorry for the mistakes, sorry it wasn't working, sorry it was wiped, everything
They are sending me the Compaq 2100US... free of charge
It's a 1/2 ghz improvement, more RAM, everything is upgraded
That's more I can spend on my Mac Wink

Laughing out loud

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

*lol*

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