My HPE h9-1215t Phoenix is missing the Graphics Card Retaining Bracket.

Question

Hello all. I recently purchased a Windows 7 model HPE h9-1215t Phoenix desktop from the HP store. The day before I placed the order, the computer was available with the Nvidia GTX 680 as an option, but that was removed the day I purchased the computer, so I ordered the computer, and purchased an EVGA GTX 680 instead (yeah, cost me about $300+ extra too). Well, today, a week or so after receiving the computer, I got a chance to open it up and take a look at the specs on the side of the PSU to be sure that I am able to run a GTX 680 in there as it requires at least a 550w PSu with at least 38A to the 12v rails. I knew I was good on the 550W as it comes with a 600w PSU, but I wanted to check the rail amperage. So I open up the side case cover, and take a look at the PSU, and I see that I should be able to run the graphics card just fine, and a call to EVAG tech support explaining what I had available confirmed it. But then I noticed something off acout the computer. I noticed it looked different than what I've seen in the manual, on the HP support site, and on tear down/install videos. Then I realized, IT'S MISSING THE GRAPHICS CARD RETAINING BRACKET. This bracket is basically a bracket that performs a couple functions, first off, it supports the graphics cards that are installed in these computers as they can be big, and the smaller/weaker h9 frame need a little support. Also, it supports and adds rigidity to the entire frame/body itself. Well, I looked on the case cover, and sure enough there's a diagram showing the missing piece, and how you have to remove it to work on the computer. I was on the phone HP ALL NIGHT, get fired back and forth from tech support, and to sales, and to tech, and to sales, and so on and so on. Sales support was alright and they seemed like they genuinely wanted to help but couldn't, tech support seemed like they didn't give two ****s, that is if you could even understand them well enough to pick up on their demeanor. After reciting my S/N, and model number, name and address and million times I gave up. Supervisors wouldn't even help. Sales gave me an option stating that they would send me out a new one, but, that I had to pay for the new one and have the charge held on my card until they either received the new one once I removed the bracket and put it on mine, or just sent back my old one. This was not an option as I don't have an extra $1000 on my credit line, and also, considering the fact that I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO IT. It's HP's big time f*** up, now why in the heck do I have to buy another computer so they will fix the issue?
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&​lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c03028387
The bracket is shown in that tutorial from HP above, it's shown in "Step 2" and "Step 3" of the tutorial.
Now my question is, one, has anyone ever has this issue before? Because it really seems to be as if the person building this CTO computer forgot to reinstall the bracket when he'she finished up the job and bundled it up. Also, my other question is, WHO in the heck do I talk to about getting this replacement piece. Because obviously standard HP support is eithe runable, or completely not willing to help me with the issue. Can anything short of returning this computer and/or getting a replacement be done? Which isn't an option as I use this computer for work, and I absolutely can no be without it for longer than 1-day, and I absolutely refuse to purchase, or even let them put a charge/hold on my card for the additional amount for a new computer, as it's not my mistake, and I shouldn't have to fix the issue. HP should fix it. I don't understand why someone can't just get an h9 model, pop the ****er open, and put the dang part in the mail. When did things get so complicated and such to where people cant complete such a simple action? Can anyone, anyone at all help me? Anyone from HP? I would really like to hear your take on this, and your explanation as to why your emplyees completely refuse to help me. Seems to me as if HP now has my money, therefor they do not give 2 stinky ones.
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Answer 1

This is not official HP Customer Support and I don't work for HP. This is a peer-to-peer user supported forum for HP consumer products. HP maintains no official presence on this forum. It is unlikely that HP will respond in an official capacity. Any reply from a HP employee represents their own opinion and not that of HP's.
It looks like the only graphics card option for this model is the GeForce GT 630 (2 GB). The GT 630 is not a large powerful card, so it is conceivable that the bracket isn't installed with integrated graphics or a low-end graphics card that doesn't require it. The "graphics card bracket" would mosr likely be installed with larger more powerful cards like the GeForce GTX680, Radeon HD7770, etc. Typically, the videos on HPs website are used for hundreds of different models and may show optional items not installed on a particular computer or may not show items that are installed. Just because a part is or isn't shown in the video, doesn't mean your specific computer is going to be the same.
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Frank
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