Can’t change battery – it’s adhered to the motherboard

Last month, after about 18 months of heavy use, my PalmOne Zire 31 finally died. Since all of its software had been functioning perfectly before it simply refused to turn on, I concluded that the recargeable battery probably needed replacing. I simply ordered a $12 replacement battery from an online dealer, and opened it up to change it. When I opened it up, however, I discovered that the battery leads are soldered onto the motherboard, and the battery itself is adhered to the motherboard so that I cannot change it out. I had to purchase a new model.

Needless to say I was extremely disappointed in Palm to see that they had constructed this PDA so that when the battery died you are forced to buy a new PDA. I understand that there are people in the world who have to get a new PDA, new cell phone, and/or new computer every 18-24 months. However, I am NOT one of them. I will attempt to fix something before going out to buy a new one. I despise the fact that most electronics are built to last only about 2 years, and when they malfunction cost more to repair than purchasing a new model. This must stop!

Denise H. from Lake Ronkonkoma, New York

Company won’t supply replacement parts

About 18 months ago, we bought a 42 inch Vizio plasma TV for the basement (I know! Kid pressure!!). They used it almost daily to play video games. It died suddenly one morning last December. I called several TV repair places in our area, but only one of them would even talk to me about anything by Vizio. All the others said it was impossible to get parts. My guess is that the last guy was either hungry or naive.

The technician came out, disassembled the TV, and informed me that the master control panel had burnt out. He put in an order for the part, but after several weeks of calling, was finally informed that Vizio didn't want to sell the part for repairs.

I called Vizio myself, and was promised a follow up call, but so far, no response. In the meantime, I have been faithfully dusting my nice shiny TV.

Deb D.

Last Saturday, I turned on my computer as usual, pressed the button on my monitor, and nothing happened. The computer came on. The monitor did not. I made sure all the cables were connected. I plugged it into different outlets. Nothing. Not even a blink. I called HP. The monitor, which is only 1-1/2 years old, is out of warranty. The 3-year warranty I purchased with the system only covers the computer, not the monitor. But they'd be happy to sell me a new one.

No way. I'm the girl who fixes things instead of replacing them. So I got out my Yellow Pages (One reason to keep a Yellow Pages around... you never know when your computer will go down and you'll need to find a computer technician without looking them up via your computer!) and found a local guy, Leon Pang at Domino Computer (he's awesome, by the way) who said he might be able to fix the monitor. I headed straight over to his place and dropped it off.

Monday, he called me with bad news. He had opened up the monitor, tested the circuits, figured out where the problem was and what part was needed (a particular board), called HP, only to be told that HP will not sell replacement boards for these monitors. They will only sell a whole new monitor. This board is not something you can find on eBay or elsewhere. It's specific to that monitor and if HP won't sell it, you're screwed.

So I bought a lightly-used monitor from a guy on Craigslist to replace that one. The "new" one is a Dell. I'm hoping to have better luck with it. In the meantime, I'm stuck with this piece of HP crap in my plastic purgatory (and I say crap because the computer I bought from HP [Pavilion d4600y, if you want to know] has been one headache after another too, although because of the warranty I've been able to get it fixed each time.)

I know there are places to take our old electronics to be recycled. GreenSight is a program that Costco uses that says it "conforms to a 'Zero Landfill/No Export' Policy by working with only ISO 14001 certified partners who recycle and refine these materials for remanufacturing into new products." That's fine. It's better than sending toxic e-waste over seas. But wouldn't it be better if equipment were manufactured so that it could be repaired when broken? Why does my LCD screen and plastic housing have to be melted down and recycled when all that's needed is a small board inside?

Beth from Oakland, CA

To see Beth’s complaint letter to Mark Hurd, CEO of HP, go to her blog: http://www.fakeplasticfish.com

Software wouldn’t run on upgraded computer

I bought a new HP 2510 Photosmart All-in-One Printer, copier, scanner about 4 -5 years ago and it worked fine at first. I then got a new computer and wanted to hook up the printer to my new computer, but I could not find the printer software to install on my new computer that had come originally with the printer. I tried to download the printer software from the HP web site, but I couldn’t make it work. I called HP and they sent me a CD with the software on it - the cost was about $20.00. I installed the software and after several hours of trying to make it work, I gave up in frustration. I then called HP tech support and ended up talking with a very nice young man in India about my problem. He spent almost 2 hours with me trying to help me figure out how to make the software work so that I could make the old printer work on my new computer, but was ultimately unable to do so. I called back one more time to seek help, but was put on hold and then another HP representative came on the phone and asked about my problem. When I explained it to him, he said that it was best if I just bought another printer rather than go through all of the hassles, that it would be easier, it would work better, etc etc and that he had a special deal available that was too good to pass up. I finally gave up trying to “fix” my old printer and gave in to the siren song of the salesman. I then had to find a new home for the printer, so I took it to Goodwill with the new software with a message that I hoped that they had someone in tech support that would have better luck than me.

T.S. from San Jose, CA