Smart Array 5302/32 Controller 32MB Pci 2ch

Smart Array 5302/32 Controller 32MB Pci 2ch
Manufacturer: Compaq
Product Type: CE

Editorial Review:
Product Description
The Smart Array 5300 series of high-performance Ultra3 array controllers provides reliable data protection for Compaq ProLiant servers and offers new levels of flexibility, thanks to an innovative modular design and new Advanced Data Guarding (RAID ADG) technology. In addition, the Smart Array 5300 (SA-5300) series controllers raise the standard to higher performance levels with several enhancements, including a new memory architecture and new RAID engine. Designed and tested with industry-standard ProLiant Servers for greater reliability, these controllers are ideal for the distributed workgroup server or centralized departmental server, and like other Smart Array controllers, the SA-5300 series features complete data compatibility with previous generations' Smart Array controllers for easy data migration and upgradability.

Average customer rating: 3.5

Presario 2700EA (not US) - ticking timebomb!
REVIEW UPDATE - 06/25/2004 CLASS ACTION SUIT TIME - ANYONE??
A Suprising Exception to Compaq's Image
Great - For awhile - then junk....
Best Laptop on the market

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For Computermaniacs

Compaq Presario 2701US Notebook (1-GHz Pentium III, 512 MB RAM, 30 GB hard drive)

Manufacturer: Compaq
Product Group: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers
ASIN: B00005QERW

Related Categories:

Notebooks

Presario Notebooks

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Product Description

The Compaq Presario creates the perfect balance of exceptional performance and lightweight convenience in a multimedia notebook. Its innovative design packs everything you need for the ultimate multimedia excitement. Breeze through your most demanding programs with an amazingly fast processor, generous cache and high-performance graphics. Watch your multimedia applications spring to life with the large display that features brilliant, lifelike colors and striking contrast. The Presario is the perfect all-in-one complement for the go-anywhere enthusiast who insists on the ultimate quality and performance that only comes from Compaq.

Amazon.com

As a notebook for business or entertainment, Compaq's Presario 2701US offers a combination of solid features and price that is tough to beat. It boasts a 1 GHz Pentium III processor, 512 MB of RAM, a 15-inch, active-matrix flat-panel screen, and both an 8x (write) CD-RW and 8x DVD-ROM drive. Also included are a 30 GB hard disk, a 56K modem, and a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet NIC. To round out this Presario's versatile package, Compaq has pre-installed Windows XP, Microsoft's new operating system that combines the stability of Windows 2000 with better support for peripherals and games.

Customer Reviews:

Presario 2700EA (not US) - ticking timebomb!.......2004-09-14

Like the others I loved my little toy - good performance (but not great as I used to get the odd few crashes now and then), solid build quality and a fancy looking gagdet indeed. However, after 2 years use it has developed this annoying habit of powering down suddenly after a few minutes use. Not much good to write a thesis on which was why I bought it.

I'm still in the 'realisation phase' of post laptop-disaster trauma meaning I'm just finding out what's going on and realising that running a virus checker and a simple reinstall of OS won't fix it. Looking on the web tells me this seems to be a recognized fault with this model (to everyone but Compaq it seems!)

Compaq/HP customer service is apparently useful,... but is actually almost utterly useless! The service reps on the phone simply point you to the closest thing that they find on their own website - which is not a lot really for this model. BTW when your Presario 2700 breaks like mine - you remember they didn't send you a manual?... That's because there isn't one! The closest model's manual available is for the Compaq Evo N180 which is what I hope to use when I attack my long-loved laptop-shaped door-stop later this week in the vague hope of resurrecting it.

REVIEW UPDATE - 06/25/2004 CLASS ACTION SUIT TIME - ANYONE??.......2004-06-26

I wrote a review on here about 9 month ago - and have received over 50+ mails with the same complaint - melted standoffs.. and HP/CPQ is STILL denying any knowledge of this problem!!! (This was independantly verified from an email from HP C/S received 3 days ago from another guy having a meltdown with his 2710 and HP service (or lack of))... - Even though "the fix" and remedy is posted all over CPQ's own tech web site as well as HP's!! -- You doubt me? Call them up, and they'll give you the replacement part # for the needed standoff screws for this "unknown problem".... Sigh...

Anyway, it has been suggested to me, since I seem to be the unofficial point guard for this one - that we file a class-action lawsuit of sorts - I'm not big on this - and really don't have the time - But I am so pissed off at CPQ/HP and their plain ignorance and constant denial of "any problems" that I do think it's time we do something about this collectively.

So, if anyone else is interested in filing, write me at:

CLASSACTION@KAL-TEX.COM

Tell me your woes, what part of the country you're in (or abroad... as one chap from the UK has emailed me) - and we'll see what kind of headcount we'll get, and if it's worth going after?

I know personally that I am out the cost of the 2701 unit ($1900) + the bogus repair ($400) and the cost to replace - $1750 -- So, if we get enough folks together - I think that'll catch their attention.

GOOD LUCK!

Brent

A Suprising Exception to Compaq's Image.......2004-01-06

I bought this laptop in Feb. 2002 on a whim while browsing Best Buy's return aisle. It didn't have the Floppy or any of the CDs but it was about $300 cheaper than a new one. At the time I wasn't aware of Compaq's reputation for having probably the worse customer service in the known universe, but I was quickly introduced after finding myself in their 800 number black hole (a voice-prompt carousel designed to frustrate customers into hanging up); and all I wanted were the restore CDs!
Luckily I found out they can be downloaded from the HP Website.

However the laptop itself is suprisingly good. Key features are the seperate DVD & CDRW drives and the JBL speakers. I was playing a music CD & my friends had to go outside to hear themselves talk. There is minimal distortion at high volume - something that quality desktop speakers have trouble doing.

Now for the bad: Must boot up to have a music CD play but hey it's an 8lb laptop not a CD Player. Intermittingly the keyboard interface becomes hashed on some bootups - letters are numbers etc. unless I reboot & the mouse button became worn after a few months of left-clicking that I now use a USB Mouse & Keyboard. Other problems that were XP Home/Install related (driver searches on boot-up,etc) until I did a fresh install of Pro. Also for a time I had SuSe Linux 8.0 dual booting no problems except it ran very hot, uninstalled it because with a 20GB hard drive things got cramped real fast.

I started out with 8mb video and 256mb RAM and upgraded to 32mb video & 512mb RAM, bought the port replicator and a PCMCIA-USB 2.0 Card and have been using my 2700US as a desktop relacement for a little over a year now flawlessly, except for a problem using an external monitor until I upgraded the video driver for dual monitor support. I use several desktops but I keep going back to my 2700 because it's capabilities are evenly balanced -DVD viewing, web surfing, CD-Burning, & music with non-tinny quality speakers, but Compaq's Customer Service is by far the worse HP can't save them so I can only give 4 stars but this is truly a 5 star laptop for those who have taken the chance - like me - to own one.

Great - For awhile - then junk...........2003-08-24

Like the many reviews before mine, I bought a 2701 loaded - 15 months ago... LOVED IT - BUT!!!!!..... in month 13 the "solder joints" that hold the CPU heatsink in place actually melted and so I called Compaq (now HP) and for $22 they sent me 4 screws to replace the soldered ones.... I don't know if anyone has torn one of these apart before, but it is not a 15 minute project... So, after reviewing the motherboard layout, I decided to let DEC, err Compaq, err, HP put their precious $22 screws in... Well, since I am 2 months out of warranty, NO ONE at Compaq or HP would even discuss this option with me - I had to go to "retail" i.e. Radio Shack (puleeeze) or CompUSA or Best Buy (choke) .. So since CompUSA has the only "tech dept." - went there... $330 later I had a new CPU fan/cooler and the 4 screws installed.. Fine... on with life... But no, the Tech there, shorted out my DC adapter or fried something on the Motherboard, for now it only runs in Batt. And of course, there are no battery chargers for these puppies... So I call the CompUSA back - Tech says "it worked fine when it left..." Sure, it works fine on Battery, but forget AC... So I call their HQ in Dallas - they kick it up to a unit manager - and they'd "get back to me"... Never happened... Meanwhie I have 40GB of data hanging out there... and no one is taking responsibilty.. My fuse shortens... I go into CompUSA - speak with the "manager".. He too promises a call back - NADA... So then I go back to CPQ/HP and have a chat with them - Finally get a sympathetic ear in Seattle - run the SN# and then she kicks me over to the "CPO" (custom products div?) and they blow a fuse because the gal prior was not even supposed to "speak with me" unless I was under warranty... Great Customer Service huh?

I've been in the Computer world for over 18 years - Worked for both DEC and Compaq... and have NEVER seen such a messed up orginization, let alone a @#$% product that melts down after 12 months... Don't believe me, look on all the tech boards or search Google under heat or fan troubles for the 2700 Presario - there are 100's of complaints, yet NO ONE will stand up to the plate...

Yes, the 2701 gives you much bang for the buck - but if you can't get anyone to work on it and/or it costs you more than it's worth, Whats the point???? Go buy a high-end Toshiba or IBM.... I spent the extra $280 for a 2.4 Ghz Toshiba - and it screams - and so far, so good...

By the way, "everyone's" answer to this is "buy the extended warranty" - fine, lesson learned, shame on me... $880 bucks for 1 year extended warranty...????? And they wonder why they are losing marketshare to Dell (hate Dell product, but their Customer Service is the aces) - So maybe CPQ/HP will wake up some day and take notice of those kicking their butts before they file BK or get bought up by IBM or Dell... (I'm 3 for 3 on mergers)

Needless to say, HP/CPQ will not be getting any more of my biz... Same for CompUSA.

Any specfic questions - write me at bjk@kal-tex.com

Best Laptop on the market.......2003-04-26

18 months after purchase, my laptop is still one of the best available.

There are newer laptops with faster proscessors. But that is the only quality they have that is better than mine. Mine smokes through stuff. With 512 mb ram, and the 16 mb video, this machine is awesome.

As a laptop repairperson, I would have to say that the ease of assembly and repair is also pretty high. The dual optical bays are the bomb for a laptop, and the ability to use a second battery in the futurebay is also amazing. You can easily watch a whole movie on the go. I have 2 batterys plus a futurebay, and I can do a whole days work on just battery power.

All that said, there are some imprefections.
First: the futurebay battery drains before the regular battery. It should be the opposite, or at least user definable(it may be, but I havnt looked hard for where that would be.
Second: other removable drive systems allow for a secondary hard drive, and so far as I can tell this one does not. that should change.
Third: USB ports mounted vertically on the back is a bad idea.
Fourth and last: the rubber feet come off way easy, and the flip down "legs" are an extraordinarily bad idea. All in all, the bottom of the case takes way to much wear because of this. Its superficial, but still annoying.

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