After much searching on the internet for the below issues, there is actually a known issue with quite a few laptops made by HP in which they eventually roast themselves to death.  A BIOS patch to combat this was released not so long ago, but for most this may have already been too late.

Anyway, in their defense, they are replacing the motherboard in all defective laptops for free, or at least that’s what I’m led to believe.  We’ll see what happens when I phone them…

“Why do you say that?”  I hear you say.  Well, because I’ve determined that HP laptops are actually programmed to self destruct after 14 months.

Now.  I’ve always been a fan of HP laptops.  I had 2 of the older generation, which lasted me for over 3 years, and as far as I know, are still going now.  So where does the problem begin?

A member of my family bought one of the newer HP DV models, one of the last models to be sold with Windows XP installed.  It worked perfectly for 14 months, and then, just failed to work.  I determined that it was a graphics card problem within minutes of looking at it.  Unfortunately for him, the computer shop in question that looked at it for him, are (I have learnt) incredibly stupid, completely ignorant, and entirely un-interested in everything they sell, unless it’s an iPod.

To keep them anonymous, lets call them WNES.

Anyway, the computer was sent away repeatedly, only to discover that it was indeed the GPU at fault, and he was charged an obscene amount of money, as the computer was 2 months out of warranty.

This was about 3 months after we purchased 2 HP DV6000′s on the same day.  Both identical, pre-installed with Vista Home Premium.  Fast forward some months, to guess what, month 14.  Laptop number 1, which was absolutely immaculate, lost it’s screen.  Again, a fault that had to be paid for by the new owner as it was out of warranty.  Only 1 week later, laptop number 2 has lost its wireless network card.  Completely.  It doesn’t physically exist on the computer anymore.  The switch on the front shows an orange light, whatever position it’s in.

So there we go.  3 HP laptops, all pronounced dead at 14 months.  My theory is based on conclusive proof, and I’d like to hear from you if you’ve had the same thing happen to you!