Pages 5 nightmare

The «new» Pages 5 is a nightmare. Several functionnalities are gone. The interface is poorly designed and time consuming. Pages 5 will make you waste a lot of time. Examples:
The advanced search and replace is gone
Extending selection with command key is gone
You cannot define Pages 4.3 as the default application to open Pages files, even old ones. They open with Pages 5.0. Then, if you save them with Pages 5.0, you cannot open them any more with Pages 4.3.
The format section on the right takes much space on the screen and cannot be replaced with a floating palette.
Commands have been moved around, so you have to waste your time looking for them.
This is certainly not anything like progress. My advice to users is not to install Pages 5.0. Right now, Pages 4.3 is much better.

If you previously had iWork '09, those apps are still in your Applications folder in a folder named iWork '09 unless you deliberately deleted them. And you can try what works for me to set iWork '09 as the default. Be aware that you will not be able to open documents saved with the new versions unless you export them as iWork '09 or revert them to a previously saved version.
After I installed the new iWork updates I created a folder on an external drive & named it "other applications." I then moved the new iWork apps to this folder & renamed the applications Keynote 6, Pages 5 & Numbers 3. I have icons for two versions of Pages & Numbers (I rarely use Keynote) in my Dock. Even with two versions of Pages & Numbers running, double-clicking an existing file opens in Pages 4.3 or Numbers 2.3. This should also keep the Mac App Store from nagging you to update.

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Complicated Formula Help

I have a very complicated formula and I would really like to use MDSHIFT and SUM at the same time but I get a syntax error if I do. No idea how to write this without turning this formula into a 2 page nightmare.
Here is what I'm trying to do:
Sum up the measure Volume for the last three months for a number of specific customers. I am doing a check on if its January so that I can hardcode Oct, Nov, and Dec but I need to shift on the years and sum up the customers and its getting very ugly. In addition I need to do this for various customers and then divide by others, etc so its going to get worse than I'm putting down here.
FIX ("Forecast")
IF (@ISMBR(JAN))
"Volume" = @SUM(@MDSHIFT("Volume"->"Actual"->"Oct"->&fcstYear,-1,YEAR,), "customer1","customer25","customer30")

Hi Jeanette,
You cannot use @MDSHIFT in @SUM function as @SUM will be expecting a member name where as @MDSHIFT function will result the member value.
Also I guess you done need to mention &fcstyear in member combination as you were moving across years
hope this will work for you...
FIX ("Forecast")
IF (@ISMBR(JAN))
"Volume" = @MDSHIFT("Volume"->"Actual",-1,YEAR,,10,Time,) + @SUM("customer1","customer25","customer30")
- Krish

Batch image numbering/importing CS4

Hello, I have a question about inDesign, I am laying out a book, that is very very big. It will be 3 volumes, and has over 2500 images/photos in it. Each image will be layed out on pages in 1 of 9 different design layout templates (ie some pages have 1 image ranging up to 4 in different layouts), and with a side panel on each page which has the number of each photo on it.
Can anyone suggest the best way to try and automate some of this process?
I know that there is automation for ticket numbering if all the numbering is in exactly the same place, but these images are in different places (9 different configurations).
So I'd like to know tips on doing the numbering in the side panel, which will have sometime 4 numbers, sometimes 3, 2 or 1 number.)
And if there is any faster way to import the image files, I'd love to hear about that too. At present the image files will be named with the same number that will be type set in the side bar. I will probably use bridge to do batch imports for each page, but that will still be over 1000 pages. nightmare. not to mention the 2500 numbers that must be type set differently for every page. nightmare.
Estimates on the time here too would be interesting.
Thanks, would lov to hear any ideas!

Thanks Eugene, but Im not so sure how anchoring the image to a paragraph would help me?
as an example of 1 page, a 4 image page - I have an image in the top right quarter of the page, then 3 other images in the other quaters of the page. then down in the very bottom right, i have pannel wich gives the number of each image.
Then i have 8 other page layouts - some with a large image top half of page, 2 small images bottom half of page, then bottom right, a small pannel with 3 numbers in it.
ect.
Also:
'And you could automate the layouts using Data Merge'
- was thinking about this too, but isnt that only usefull if each page has the same layout?
Im dealing with 9 differnt layouts.
If i undersand merging correctly (and I dont really) would i need to creat 9 differnt layouts, then go through by hand, copy + pasting pages from each 9 documents into 1 master document?
Thanks again, keen to hear more thoughts!

Songwriting workflow suggestions needed!

Hi,
I am a beginning/intermediate Logic user. Am writing songs/tunes... and am experimenting all over the place. This is leading to an Arrange page nightmare.
For instance, I usually sing a melody over chord changes... so there's my A section let's say. Then I reharmonize the chords a few times before I find just the right combination, then I sometimes fiddle with the melody, then I come up with a few possible B sections... then I have a few arrangement ideas - one bassline.. perhaps a different one... maybe I'll transpose a B section...
Anyway - you get the idea. My arrange page is a MESS. And I mute parts and then listen back - and really end up wanting a little from this take, and this one... and ...
I get confused.
Who has workflow suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

What you need to do is comp your takes to one master track, this applies to the bass, the guitar, the flute - whatever. Once you have taken all of the best bits and put them on to a master track, you can put all of the unused bits into a folder, label it "bass takes" for example. Then - very important - change the track from being a folder to being "no output". This way you are assured of not accidentally unmuting things you don't want to hear.
I find that color-coding various takes helps to keep them straight. I usually use red for my first take and move through the color chart for each later take.
So, read the manual about packing folders, coloring objects, changing the track type (from audio to audio instrument to midi to folder to no output).
Organization is crucial. While you are at it, read about saving as a project. You at least want all of the audio files relating to a song/project in one folder. Don't worry so much about having the samples in the project folder unless it is a project you will be moving to another studio.
It also helps to choose the option "name audio files after audio object" on the page that assigns the record path. You can then name the object according to the instrument you are recording. If the object is named "Bass", the takes will be named "Bass#01" and so on.
You have some reading to do!
HL

SAFARI USER TRYING TO REPLACE WITH FF FAILIN DUE TO GENERAL INSTABILITY AND SUPPORT PAGE IS CIRCULAR NIGHTMARE THAT ENDS NOWHERE NEAR THE ANSWER. SAFARI IS CLEAR WINNER!

long time safari user who gave firefox several months to win my business but failed. ff is slow and poorly organized. the support page is a labyrinthine nightmare.

long time safari user who gave firefox several months to win my business but failed. ff is slow and poorly organized. the support page is a labyrinthine nightmare.

HT1414 My 5s iphone after an update for itunes can now no longer be recognised? by the itunes site on my laptop?, The support page says my phone number is incorrect for phone support and the email chat line doesnt send my message. nightmare!

Whilst trying to find an answer from the apple support pages i'm finding lifes a misery. Itunes was sync before the update and all was well. How can i get my phone sync up properly again, Thanks Apple!

There are a lot of discussions about this on the iTunes forum.

Iweb - a film editor's NIGHTMARE - need thumbnails on one page...!

I'm a film editor and I have put my portfolio / my reel online in the past year using iweb and my site is separated into four pages and with mpeg4 movies on each page as thumbnails that the viewer can click on to watch one at a time. The spots are roughly :30 to :60 secs long. When it worked... I had six small movies with an average size of 5mgs each and they only play one at a time.
I had to re-layout my site in iweb in February and ever since republishing it again many times; I have had intermittent drop out on every page. For example; the little video camera icon which makes the thumbnail active is not there after publishing and the movies do not show up in the slideshow - only black holes show up so I cannot play them.... I went into my idisk and trashed all the media and reloaded it so there was no confusion on where the idisk needed to find each media file. I have republished it many times and created several different files exported from fcp through compressor and made mpeg4, mov 800 streaming, move 300 streaming, H264 and a regular qt export from fcp - nothing is working... yikes!
Should I forego using iweb or am I putting my media files in the wrong place and in the wrong format? Must I create links to my media files and only have one movie on each page. I have noticed that most professional editing websites like have many thumbnails on a page - how'd they do that?
Check out this site - this is what I would like to do..... I also know how to use Flash CS3 but do not know how to publish a site online - if I can do anything in Flash I would be happy to...!

Welcome to the discussions. An alternative to thumbnails is to use a "player" with coverflow to select the videos from. I haven't used this Embedr player, so I don't know if it will simply work in iWeb's HTML Snippet Window...
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/03/01/embedr-lets-you-create-and-share-good-looki ng-video-playlists/
Vimeo recently re-designed their player:
_Vimeo cuts the clutter with a sexy redesign_
Or there's the YouTube approach:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/20/youtube-launches-custom-player-feature/
An expert's guide to YouTube

Page appears different in browser

I am responsible for updating my company's website in dreamweaver and am having problems with the layout. The main page is at this link: http://teom-bfms.faa.gov/. If you are unable to see it, let me know and I'll send you a screenshot. There are a few glitches with the layout but the thing that concerns me is the first column is much wider than the other two. It looks fine in dreamweaver but is distorted in the Explorer browser view (that's what we use here). I have attached the code to this email so I'm hoping someone can explain to me why it looks different in the browser than in Dreamweaver. Just so you know, I'm a real novice when it comes to this so I may ask a lot of additional questions.
Anyway, here's the code for my page:
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head>
<title>TEOM</title>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">

</script>
<script language="JavaScript" src="../mm_menu.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<style type="text/css">

</style>
</head>
<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" leftmargin="0" topmargin="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" onload="MM_preloadImages('ImagesITT-Gain-Share-Notice-1.gif')">
<script language="JavaScript1.2" type="text/javascript">mmLoadMenus();</script>

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        <td valign="top"><div align="center"><img src="images/NEWSTAB2.jpg" alt="NEWS" width="251" height="27" /></div></td>
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        <td rowspan="10" valign="top"><p align="center" class="style29">ITT 2009 Holiday Party Survey</p>
          <p align="left" class="style29"><span class="style1">Thank-you to all who attended to 2009 DC Metro Area Holiday Party! We'd like your feedback on the event. Please visit <a href="https://extranet2.aes.itt.com/HRSURVEYSITE/default.aspx" class="style106"><u>https://extranet2.aes.itt.com/HRSURVEYSITE/default.aspx</u></a> to provide your feedback. Click on “Respond to Survey” on the middle of the front page. If you are unable to access the survey, feel free to provide your feedback directly to Chris Gaskins.
Happy Holidays!</span><br />
          </p>
          <hr />
            <p align="center" class="style29"><img src="toys for tots logo.jpg" width="295" height="99" /></p>
            <p class="style1">Please join the Marine Corps Reserve for the 2009 Toys for Tots Campaign and make this a memorable year for those less fortunate during this holiday season. </p>
            <p class="style1">The Toys for Tots message, that someone cares and that there is hope for the future, has motivated countless youngsters throughout the nation to grow into responsible, productive and patriotic citizens. They are the leaders of tomorrow. Toys for Tots make a difference - it has a positive impact on lives and the communities it serves. While Toys for Tots is a nationwide effort, it is a community based program. The toys you contribute will be distributed locally to the underprivileged children who might otherwise be overlooked during this holiday season. The campaign will run from December 7, 2009 through December 17, 2009.</p>
            <p class="style1">As they have for the past 16 years, volunteers from the Office of the Associate Administrator for Airports will coordinate the FAA Headquarters Toys for Tots drive. They will be on hand to collect toys from boxes located on the 2nd floor of the Orville Wright Building (FOB-10A) and Level A (cafeteria) in the Wilbur Wright Building, FOB-10B. </p>
            <p class="style1">Toys should be unwrapped so that they can be sorted by age and gender. They should be appropriate for children up to 17 years of age. Items for older children are always in greatest demand. </p>
            <p class="style1">For further information, please contact Marc Tonnacliff at 202-267-8732 or Rick Marinelli at 202-267-7669. </p>
            <p class="style1">Thank you in advance for your generosity!</p>
            <hr />
            <p align="center" class="style29"><img src="snowflakes-header.jpg" width="216" height="46" /></p>
            <p align="center" class="style29">Inclement Weather Policy</p>
            <p align="left" class="style1">Should inclement weather occur and/or severe weather be forecast, Liberal Leave is available to AES employees in accordance with the Disruptions of Work Policy. Unless otherwise indicated we will generally follow the lead of the US Government in determining the application of liberal leave. Liberal Leave options for those employees in AES controlled facilities:<br />
              Exempt employees may <br />
              ▪ come to work as normal;<br />
              ▪ take the time off and either make up the time during the current pay week;<br />
              ▪ use PTO/floating holiday, if available, for the lost time ;<br />
              ▪ or stay at home and work with supervisor approval.<br />
              Non-exempt employees may <br />
              ▪ come to work as normal; <br />
              ▪ stay at home and either make up the time with supervisor approval during the current pay week;<br />
              ▪ or use PTO/floating holiday, if available, for the lost time.<br />
              Liberal Leave for those employees in Government controlled facilities:<br />
              In those locations where AES employees work at non-AES controlled sites, such as government facilities, AES employees will follow the guidelines established by the government about their facility status. If the government closes their facility you are to charge the lost time to the effort that you would have charged had you been able to report to work.<br />
              All employees who elect not to work during liberal leave should notify their supervisor.<br />
              <br />
              <br />
              Thank you,<br />
              <br />
              <br />
            Christopher L. Gaskins </p>
            <hr />
            <p align="center" class="style29"><a href="Holiday Guidance.pdf" class="style60">Annual Holiday Guidance for FAA Employees & Contractors</a></p>
            <hr />
            <p align="center" class="style29"> </p>
            <p align="center" class="style29">Lotus Notes Upgrade Launched</p>
            <p align="left" class="style1">The Messaging Services team is eager to remind you that the Lotus Notes 8.0.2 upgrade was launched October 26th and will continue through April 30, 2010. As schedules develop and become available from each Line of Business (LOB), the <a href="https://ecenter.faa.gov/appspub/national/nd8webcommo.nsf/ND8Communications?OpenPage" class="style103"><u>ND8 Communications</u></a> site will be updated to reflect the changes. Remember that individual LOBs will control their own implementation schedules, so we encourage everyone to visit the site frequently and find out when the upgrade is happening in your area.</p>
          <p align="left" class="style1">Now for the important stuff. In order to better prepare for this major upgrade, we highly encourage all employees to take training, especially our new and exciting user online training offerings! For those really excited enthusiasts, feel free to browse supplemental training links, web casts, sneak previews, and schedule updates available on the <a href="https://ecenter.faa.gov/appspub/national/nd8webcommo.nsf/ND8Communications?OpenPage" class="style103"><u>ND8 Communications</u></a> site.</p>
          <p align="left" class="style1">Meanwhile, let's take a moment to highlight some of the upcoming features...</p>
          <p align="left" class="style1">As promised, the new Lotus Notes 8.0.2 software will offer an updated, more intuitive interface with embedded Sametime, conversation threads, in-line spell checking, and Sidebar features, just to name a few. You will encounter some major changes in the layout and experience new enhancements that simplify business processes.</p>
          <p align="left" class="style1">One of the first noticeable changes is the new Sidebar tool located on the right side of the screen. The Sidebar displays embedded Notes applications and more importantly, fully integrates Sametime 8 within the Notes client. After the upgrade, you will no longer have to launch a separate Sametime client! Other helpful Sidebar applications include the Day-At-A-Glance feature which summarizes calendar entries in a single-day view, and the option to add RSS feeds.</p>
          <p align="left" class="style1">Even for those who travel or work off-site, the new DWA-iNotes Lite version of web mail allows you to access email more quickly and efficiently. Easily switch to the full version, when your work requires more robust tools.</p>
          <p align="left" class="style1">The wait is almost over, so be sure to take advantage of the available training and learn about the exciting benefits before everyone else. Experience the desktop of the future today! </p>
          <hr />
          <p class="style67">ITT Code of Conduct is here. Booklets are now available, but you can also download it <a href="http://www.itt.com/codeofconduct">here</a>. </p>
          <hr />
          <p align="center" class="style67"> </p>
          <p align="left"> </p>
          <p align="left" class="style77"> </p>
          <p align="center" class="style29"> </p>
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          <p class="style79"> </p>
          <p align="left" class="style1"> </p>
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                    <p><strong><span class="style43">To access the   2010 Charge Codes, PLEASE CLICK on the link below. </span></strong></p>
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                    <div align="center">
                      <p><a href="https://director.concursolutions.com/?entity=p0001382x7q7" class="style52">Click Here to Access New Concur CES System</a><br />
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                <td valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p align="center" class="style45">Your Travel Authorization Form is now available here. </p>
                    <p align="center" class="style43"><a href="Site_Pages/Travel Authorization Form 10-01-09.xls" class="style49"><span class="style51">Click here to download and complete form</span>.</a> </p>
                  <div align="center" class="style1">Essential information on Travel Authorization and a tutorial is given in this PDF file available below. You may utilize the 'show bookmarks' feature of the PDF to navigate your steps throughout the process. </div>
                  <p align="center" class="style50"><a href="Site_Pages/Concur.pdf">Click here to download</a> </p></td>
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                    <p>FAA Badge Renewals<br />
                        <span class="style47">New Online Process</span> </p>
                  <p class="style44"><a href="ITT_INFO.HTM"><span class="style54">Click Here to View</span></a></p>
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                    <p> <span class="style67">Available now, is the new... </span></p>
                  <p class="style50"><strong>Quick Guide to Request a New FRAC Account</strong></p>
                  <p><a href="Quick Guide to Request a New FRAC Account.pdf"><strong>Click here to download your copy</strong></a></p>
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        <td width="399" height="321"><h1 align="center" class="style29"><a href="http://www.mnh.si.edu">National Museum of Natural History </a></h1>
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          <h1 align="center" class="style89">Directions: John Gerrar<br />
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          <p align="left" class="style1">New technologies   offer artists opportunities to create works with dimensions no one has seen   before — an exciting possibility that sometimes results in work that is flashy   in form yet lacking in resonant content. Recent work by Irish artist John   Gerrard is a rare exception. He uses customized 3-D gameing software to   re-imagine landscape art. He creates contemplative, vivid scenes of farms and   oil fields that raise questions about the effect of human progress on the   environment. For the works in this exhibition, Gerrard photographed actual site   from 360 degrees and then simulated cinematic movement around the sites using   the computer, complete with shifting, natural lighting effects. In response to   Gerrard's works on view at the 2009 Venive Biennale, Blake Gopnik of <em>The   Washington Post</em> wrote, "The projected landscapes... are more compellingly   real than any art you're likely to have seen." </p></td>
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      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td height="228"><p align="center"><a href="http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/POPobservatory.cfm"></a></p>
            <p align="center"> </p></td>
        <td></td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td height="211"><p align="center" class="style60"> </p>
            <p align="center" class="style82"> </p></td>
        <td></td>
      </tr>
      <tr> </tr>
      <tr>
        <td height="286" colspan="2" valign="top"><p align="center" class="style46"> </p>
            <p align="left" class="style1"><span class="style60"><a href="../New ITT Site/NewSite/Awards luncheon 4.27.09/Awards luncheon 4.27.09/PowerPoint/index.html"></a></span></p></td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td height="758" colspan="2" valign="top"><p> </p>
            <p> </p>
          <p align="center"> </p>
          <p class="style1"> </p></td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td height="758" colspan="2" valign="top"> </td>
      </tr>
    </table></td>
</tr>
<tr>
    <td colspan="6" valign="top"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
    <td colspan="6" valign="top" bgcolor="#63656B"> </td>
</tr>
</table>
<map name="Map" id="Map">
<area shape="rect" coords="-1,0,114,72" href="http://www.aes.itt.com/Employee/default.htm" target="_blank" alt="AES Intranet" />
<area shape="rect" coords="115,0,227,72" href="https://etime.itt.com/" target="_blank" alt="Timecard" />
<area shape="rect" coords="226,1,362,72" href="http://www.opm.gov/status/" target="_blank" alt="OPM" />
<area shape="rect" coords="1,73,114,187" href="https://email.itt.com/" target="_blank" alt="ITT Email" />
<area shape="rect" coords="114,72,228,186" href="http://awateomhelp/helpdesk/" target="_blank" alt="ITT Trouble Ticket" />
<area shape="rect" coords="228,70,363,179" href="https://employees.faa.gov/" target="_blank" alt="My FAA" />
</map>
</body>
</html>

Server Not Found.
Is this an intranet site? Did you inherit this mess? I don't mean to be rude or sarcastic but this code is terrible. I'm amazed that this is being used on a dot GOV server. I suppose if the public can't see it, it doesn't matter to the FAA that this site is a web accessibility and maintenance nightmare. 100+ redundant .styles on a single web page. That has to be a new record.   If this site were in my charge, I'd recommend a total rebuild.
Anyway, in an attempt to answer your question, 90% of display problems are code related. Use the links below to check your code and fix all reported errors.
HTML Validator - http://validator.w3.org
CSS Validator - http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/
HTML & CSS Tutorials - http://w3schools.com/
Best of luck,
Nancy O.
Alt-Web Design & Publishing
Web | Graphics | Print | Media Specialists
www.alt-web.com/
www.twitter.com/altweb
www.alt-web.blogspot.com

NIghtmare - Brand new S230u from major retailer: Lenovo says warranty expired

I just purchased a new (sealed) Lenovo S230u factory box with security tape on both ends unopened, with no additional tape, from a major online retailer that also have physical stores in selected States.
It is a refurnished machine, according to the major retailer website, it has 90 days warranty from Lenovo with Levono phone number etc. Having bought several 1000+ Thinkpad and 3000 desktop from IBM, with the *very good* price offered and manufacture warranty, I am willing for the first time to try out the Thinkpads after it is owned by a Chinese company Lenovo. I had been very skeptical whether the Chinese company Lenovo would provide the same level of support as IBM. And this is where the nightmare begins.
I called and checked with the online retailer and they had a few hundred machines but I bought one of the last one they have in stock since it went to SOLD OUT within hours. I confirmed with them they are factory refurnished machines and they had hundreds of them. With the low price and short warranty, I made sure I have the ability to purchase extended warranty and went to Levono online chat for warranty to confirm how much it would cost to buy extended warranty and that shipping for any needed service is free BOTH ways. My last machine was HP and I loved how they provided two way free shipping and excellent technical support service. HP helped me fix an unexpected motherboard issue, deemed manufacturer’s defect and replaced it for free. No way I am buying any laptop with worse off warranty for a cheap price. The agent confirmed that I will be able to buy extended warranty with 2-way free shipping but need to receive the machine and give them the serial no. for a quote.
I felt safe, guaranteed by BOTH the online retailer and Lenovo and went ahead with my purchase.
Having read online discussions, I am very cautious to buy refurnished machines sold on eBay, non-major retailers that may switch off parts and discredit the warranty. I still checked that machine came with security tape sealed on both ends, nothing was altered.
However, when I started using the machine, I realized that it said my warranty expired! I called Levono immediately and the first agent gave me the lenovo_pop email address to send in my warranty and told me they can update and extend it for a year - I thought WOW, great if it is one year. I had tech issues as I performed a series of windows, lenovo, microsoft updates randomly, and getting some registry error message and wanted tech support to guide me quickly to restore to factory condition but the request was denied because warranty expired! Furthermore, he said they do NOT honor any warranty of refurnished machine NOT sold by lenovo.com! WHAT??? That is NOT what they informed me from online support BEFORE i purchased the machine!! And if my warranty end date is AFTER the day I called, they could have easily helped me? The machine expired 1/14/2014 (a year from manufacturer’s date) and I bought it beginning of Feb 2014. Oh great, I guess the few hundred customers that bought the same machine a few weeks before me won’t have this problem as I bought the last few machines – no wonder the cheap price for a wonderful laptop.
This issue was stretched out for weeks! With my case no. CLOSED – reason: no customer contact, when I was waiting for the agent who promised to call me back AFTER I emailed to Lenovo my proof of purchase twice to different emails - yet no one called. An agent then told me new info saying that the major retailer should be responsible to contact Lenovo. Then another agent said they don't honor any third party refurnished machine, even major retailers!! Another case no. opened and a supervisor escalated to a different Lenovo team with screen captures of links to retailer product page, warranty info, as well as my conversation with the Lenovo rep, yet I still receive no resolution 10 days after. This is night and day experience compared to previous IBM or HP experience I had. All contradicting info and the customer penalized.
With the major retailer, I have escalated the issue twice to supervisors, yet the Lenovo closed the first case no. when Lenovo supposed to call me back and the retailer couldn't do much while I still didnt' hear back from the second supervisor but they extended my 14 days return policy to 30 days. Their name not mentioned yet, because unlike Levono, the low level support person called me daily to follow up while I have been chasing after Lenovo every few days and know it would be ignored if I don’t keep pushing it.
This is madness, and if for the diligent cautious buyer I am, this is what I go through from a major online retailer, I can not imagine what a normal buyer would go through. Loyal customers should NOT be the ones who pays for this.
I sincerely hope something can be resolved within a day before my extended return date expired and a senior forum administrator can help me. If not, at least loyal and potential customers would know that things like this could happen and consider this before you buy a refurbished levono anywhere other than Lenovo, and you can be the judge whether Lenovo and it’s policies are worth supporting.
To be honest, I loved IBM, I love my new laptop and I just want the technical support I deserve to check on some potential driver issue and windows 8.1 upgrade support. I want to be able to perhaps buy the extended warranty that was promised. The peace of mind. Now I even have doubt about the company and whether to spend extra money for protection that does not protect customers! To be fair, 90% of the many agents/supervisor I talked to have been professional and helpful which made the process tolerable. The reason I waited so long to post this message on a public forum. It just seems like their system, policies and communication between departments are ridiculous and customers are penalized for it. If you don’t honor ANY third party refurbished warranty - deal with your wholesale agents, retailers, don't sell new or refurbished machines to them. Your loyal customers should NOT be penalized for it and make sure that customers are well informed if they do simple research! Information across departments should be consistent. And the supervisors of the departments should be able to honor and fix a mistake related to wrong info (if it was wrong) provided by another Lenovo department and handle things in a TIMELY manner. I should not have to spent over 15 hours on this for nearly a month! This is NOT what I expect from a top computer company in the US market. Something needs to be done so other loyal customers do not have to go through this and also ensure that customers who support Lenovo would NOT fall into traps of dishonest merchants.

wabibi,
Thanks for the additional details via private message. My apologies for the troubles you have had so far - let's look into the situation and see what can be done to help you get this resolved.
Best regards,
Mark
ThinkPads: S30, T43, X60t, X1, W700ds, IdeaPad Y710, IdeaCentre: A300, IdeaPad K1
Mark Hopkins
Program Manager, Lenovo Social Media (Services)
twitter @lenovoforums
English Community Deutsche Community Comunidad en Español Русскоязычное Сообщество

Firefox hangs while loading pages.

When loading a new page (not always in a new tab, not always an additional tab or tabs, but it seems to happen more when opening multiple tabs) the little rotating circle will either remain dark and if an attempt is made to reload the location bar changes to new tab, losing the address in the location bar, or the rotating circle will go one way, then reverse, then continue to spin. At the bottom of the page where what is being loaded in a page shows it will hit on one thing (as I'm writing this in Chrome I'm loading a folder of bookmarks I've been loading daily for years that now is a nightmare and pages are stuck at "connected to ajax.googleapis.com," "connected to hell.myfonts.net," "waiting for dt.adsafeproteted.com," "connected to log.pinterest.com," "connected to cdn.syndication.twimg.com," "waiting for api.lanistaads.com," "waiting for www.projectwonderful.com," "transferring data from v4.moatads.com," "waiting for aax.amazon-adsystem.com," "connected to aax.amazon-adsystem.com," and the other three pages are stuck trying resolve the actual URL) and then refuse to go any further. After that the page will sit, unchanging, as best as I can tell forever. I've left a page loading for several hours while working and it was still connecting to googleanalytics when I came back. It does the same in safe mode. Not a single page in the book marked folder is loading, NOT ONE. They're all sitting and spinning either with blank pages or partially loaded. I will reiterate before someone suggests I not load so many pages at once that I've been loading this particular folder full of pages for at least five years and probably longer and it did not do this until the last month.
This has been going on for a while and has made Firefox worthless. It is getting worse. I have read every similar question and none of the answers has made a bit of difference.
I have tried safe mode.
I have refreshed Firefox.
I have uninstalled Firefox and installed the latest version.
I have cleaned my registry.
I have cleaned my cache (which was almost empty anyway).
I have deleted all temporary files that were not in use on my computer.
I have deleted the install folder in Programs(x86) and then reinstalled the latest version (this made everything even worse and resulted in no secured connections being available at all, including mozilla.org giving me not safe connection warnings so now Firefox is even less useful than before) and currently have no add-ons or themes installed.
I have run Spybot, Malwarebytes, Housecall, and several rootkit detectors with no luck.
This computer is less than a year old, is running Windows 8.1 and is up to date. I just installed Firefox v 37.0. When I went to look and see what the version was Firefox can't even seem to resolve its own update URL.
Application Basics
Name: Firefox
Version: 37.0
User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; WOW64; rv:37.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/37.0
Multiprocess Windows: 0/1
Crash Reports for the Last 3 Days
Report ID: bp-c4fb0dcb-300b-499f-9604-ff2202150402
Submitted: 1 day ago
All Crash Reports
Extensions
Graphics
Adapter Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics
Adapter Drivers: igdumdim64 igd10iumd64 igd10iumd64 igdumdim32 igd10iumd32 igd10iumd32
Adapter RAM: Unknown
Device ID: 0x0156
Direct2D Enabled: true
DirectWrite Enabled: true (6.3.9600.17111)
Driver Date: 9-16-2013
Driver Version: 10.18.10.3308
GPU #2 Active: false
GPU Accelerated Windows: 1/1 Direct3D 11 (OMTC)
Subsys ID: 00000000
Vendor ID: 0x8086
WebGL Renderer: Google Inc. -- ANGLE (Intel(R) HD Graphics Direct3D11 vs_5_0 ps_5_0)
windowLayerManagerRemote: true
AzureCanvasBackend: direct2d 1.1
AzureContentBackend: direct2d 1.1
AzureFallbackCanvasBackend: cairo
AzureSkiaAccelerated: 0
Important Modified Preferences
browser.cache.disk.capacity: 358400
browser.cache.disk.smart_size.first_run: false
browser.cache.disk.smart_size.use_old_max: false
browser.cache.frecency_experiment: 3
browser.places.smartBookmarksVersion: 7
browser.sessionstore.upgradeBackup.latestBuildID: 20150326190726
browser.startup.homepage: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.24457956399675&lon=-85.76285815797684&site=all&smap=1#.VR8Tv-H0d-8
browser.startup.homepage_override.buildID: 20150326190726
browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone: 37.0
browser.tabs.warnOnOpen: false
dom.mozApps.used: true
extensions.lastAppVersion: 37.0
gfx.direct2d.disabled: true
gfx.direct3d.last_used_feature_level_idx: 0
layers.acceleration.disabled: true
network.cookie.prefsMigrated: true
places.database.lastMaintenance: 1428101019
places.history.expiration.transient_current_max_pages: 104858
plugin.disable_full_page_plugin_for_types: application/pdf
plugin.importedState: true
privacy.sanitize.migrateFx3Prefs: true
storage.vacuum.last.index: 0
storage.vacuum.last.places.sqlite: 1428101009
Important Locked Preferences
JavaScript
Incremental GC: true
Accessibility
Activated: false
Prevent Accessibility: 0
Library Versions
NSPR
Expected minimum version: 4.10.8
Version in use: 4.10.8
NSS
Expected minimum version: 3.17.4 Basic ECC
Version in use: 3.17.4 Basic ECC
NSSSMIME
Expected minimum version: 3.17.4 Basic ECC
Version in use: 3.17.4 Basic ECC
NSSSSL
Expected minimum version: 3.17.4 Basic ECC
Version in use: 3.17.4 Basic ECC
NSSUTIL
Expected minimum version: 3.17.4
Version in use: 3.17.4
Experimental Features
---------------------

I get an e-mail with go-comics and the ones I want to post links to I'll open in the browser as I read them in the e-mail so I regularly have a dozen tabs open (all the same site) by the time I'm through the e-mail. Every third or fourth page will hang up on something (connecting to or waiting for) sometimes not loading a single image, sometimes loading half the page, sometimes loading everything but the comic (because, hey, why put that as the first thing to load when you've got all these ads and crap to throw at your paying customers?).
At some point a couple of months ago I got some malware associated with trovisearch (I do not know how that got past security and java blocker but it did, probably some hidden crap in something from CNET) that somehow spoofed a page for Housecall and added five or six pieces of malware and adware. I cleaned for two days after and still can't find anything left on the computer even though I've been running scans constantly to try to make Firefox work right. I downloaded and ran a scan using Kaspersky during that time and then uninstalled it. That very well may be the cause of the post-refresh SSL issue.
I have Spybot and Malwarebytes scan logs from the time of the infection if that would help in any way. It doesn't look like there's a way to attach .xml files in this forum, though.
I can also run hijack this and copy and paste if that would help.
I'm currently running Windows Defender and rely on that and Noscript and adblocker plus to keep me isolated from most attacks (I don't have those add-ons re-installed yet). I also run Peerblock because they add malicious sites and known hacking sources (like Chinanet) to what they block as well as all the fake p2p stuff that's constantly pinging the computer. If I'm treading around in perilous waters I run Sandboxie.
Chrome is working as normal but Firefox feels like dial-up or worse right now and without adblocker I might as well be using IE.

Problem with onload in jsp page

Hi all,
I had two jsp pages, a search and a results page. I need to enter some search criteria in the first page and based on that criteria i will be getting the results in the results jsp. Now, when i click the back button in the results page, i need to go to the search page and the values which i entered in the search page needs to be present there. But the problem is i had a javascript function which runs on loading of the search page. This function will set all the values in this search page to empty whenever we go to the search page. I am calling this javascript function as follows in my search jsp page.
<body onload="setdefaultvalues('<%=name%>');">
I am having the code for the back button in the results page as follows.
<INPUT TYPE="button" VALUE='Back' onClick="javascript:history.go(-1);resetvalue(name);" class="button">
The problem i am facing is whenever i go to the search page by clicking on the back button, the values in the search page are getting empty because of the onload method. There is no way that i can remove this onload method as i require it for setting the values in the search page evrytime i get to that from other modules as it is the main page for my module. So, is there anyway that i can stop this function from executing when i come from the results page or is there any other way that i can store the values in the search page when going from the results page.

i think you really should have the result page include your search page contents rather than having the user need to click back as you'll end up with all sorts of nightmares in caching & session object management to be honest. if the search page is complex use javascript to hide contents and let the users expand them when they want to re-search.
however, if you feel you must i would suggest the following:
in your result page:
session.setAttribute("userQuery","true"); (you probably actually want to put a container object with the query information in here)
in your search page you could have something like:
<body <% session.getAttribute("userQuery")==null { %>onload="setdefaultvalues('<%=name%>');"<% } %>>
-or-
<body onload="setdefaultvalues('<%=name%>',<%=session.getAttribute("userQuery")==null?"true":"false"%>);">
function setdefaultvalues(name,run) { if ( !run ) return;....}
you'll have to decide when to remove the object though cause once its set its there until the session expires or you remove it.
hope that helps, good luck!

Envy x360 battery short and CMOS/RTC | No dedicated CMOS battery = Kafkaesque HP support nightmare

Relevant Case Number:
3015038426
Caveat:
If I'm wrong about this, I'll eat my hat with a sauce made of ultra-expensive brand-name HP ink.
Question:
Does anyone at HP want to take reponsibility for a series of the company's tech support representatives giving horribly wrong hardware information, wasting customer time and money?
Summary:
1. I have apparently experienced a short in my main battery.
2. In the x360, the real-time clock (RTC) and BIOS settings are apparently powered by the main battery, not a separate CMOS/RTC battery.
3. (1) and (2) explain why my symptoms include a CMOS checksum error and 0-set RTC on boot.
4. Three separate HP representatives have been absolutely insistent that:
(a) I have a CMOS/RTC battery that just isn't disclosed in the service manual.
    (b) My symptoms indicate the need for CMOS/RTC battery replacement.
    (c) This requires a 2-week+ send-in service, even though I live right next to an authorized support center.
    (d) A much less intrusive main battery replacement could not help me, since I have a CMOS issue.
5. I have already had to pay $54 and change for a local shop to confirm that HP support has been, for want of better terms, full of it -- they have been BSing me by phone and live chat, and there is no dedicated CMOS battery.
6. Because of HP's intransigence, I now face the choice of either
    (a) paying another $54+ to get myself a new main battery on the open market
         or
    (b) completely unnecessarily going without my primary work machine for weeks in order to get a new main battery for free from HP. That's assuming that the people at the service center know that replacing the motherboard won't do anything for this machine.
Hilarious and/or Depressing Support Record:
1. Symptoms
This is an HP Envy x360 15t hybrid notebook, model u011dx (G6T85UA).
It had been suspended but suddenly appeared off. It would not power on until AC power was attached.
It showed a CMOS checksum error (502) on boot, and its real-time clock did not hold the time between power cycles.
It had inconsistent problems with failed or severely delayed POST completion.
If AC power was removed during operation, it immediately died. Information about the main battery still showed up in the OS, where it appeared fully charged but never discharged at all.
The light next to the AC plug would often blink blue depending on the power state.
The machine could POST normally (except for the CMOS and RTC failures) with the main battery physically detached.
2. Call ("Amit")
I don't have a transcript of my initial call with HP ("Amit"), but here is the gist of it. My 502 CMOS checksum error implicates the CMOS battery. My steps are to attempt a BIOS upgrade. Failing that, the computer would need to be sent in for service so that the CMOS battery could be replaced. Amit described it to me as the shape of a small tablet.
3. False Hope
When I had initially called, the case was off of the PC and both sides of the motherboard were accessible so that I could try to see if there were any visually obvious problems with the CMOS/RTC battery. Naturally, I couldn't find it, and I had hoped the call would help me. In any case, Amit would need to call back in 60-90 minutes after I had the chance to take care of other things and re-connect the machine's components so that I could boot it and do a BIOS upgrade.
Just before he called back, the machine appeared for one or two power cycles to have overcome its problem. It even seemed like it was drawing main battery power for a few moments during a session with AC power detached. Amit closed the case for me pending the problems recurring.
I concluded that one of the following two things must have happened. Either:
    (a) All of the problems were related to the main battery, and the main battery connector had just gotten jarred loose so that one or two pins were not contacting properly. By disconnecting and reconnecting the main battery in my search for the RTC/CMOS battery, I had solved the issue by reseating it properly.
or
    (b) All of the problems were related to the CMOS battery. But by having it on AC power for testing for a little while, I had charged the CMOS battery enough to enable POST and for it to mediate the transition from AC to battery power (I know this probably isn't how it should work, but hey).
I also updated the BIOS to the newest version so that I could ensure I was following the pre-shipment troubleshooting step set out by Amit.
Fairly quickly after the second call and the closing of the case, all of the symptoms recurred. I carefully re-checked and re-seated the main battery to rule out (a) above. I then decided to run the computer on AC power for several hours to test theory (b) above. When this failed, I went back to the HP site and opted for chat support.
4. First Chat (KARISHMA BARPANDA)
Gist:
I clearly have a problem with my invisible CMOS battery. Also, this CMOS battery is absent from the manual because it isn't supposed to be user-removable, not because it doesn't exist. Note especially the exchange at 2:02.
Transcript:
Spoiler (Highlight to read)
1:38 PM  Support session established with KARISHMA BARPANDA.
1:38 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Welcome to HP Customer Support & Services for Notebook support. My name is Karishma and I will be your technical support specialist today.
1:38 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Hi
1:38 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: How are you doing today ?
1:38 PM  Adam Colligan: Hello; this is related to case 3015038426
1:38 PM  Adam Colligan: I'm good; just a little confused
1:39 PM  Adam Colligan: PC symptoms implicated RTC battery: CMOS checksum error on boot. But also instant death when AC power removed. Temporarily resolved after re-seating main battery cable, so chalked up to that. Now not so sure: maybe I had just partly charged RTC battery during testing. Now trying long run on AC to rule this out.Query: x360 service manual (unlike other Envy manuals) makes no mention of RTC/CMOS battery. Didn't see one exposed on board. Can you verify presence and location of CMOS batt?
1:40 PM  Adam Colligan: Just to clarify: I'm not asking you to walk me through changing a CMOS battery or anything like that -- I know you want notebooks sent in for service if they need that officially. But I just want to make sure that I actually know where the thing is on this model
1:42 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: I am sorry, I can't understand you.
1:43 PM  Adam Colligan: Okay, I'll back up. Have you heard of something called a CMOS battery or an RTC battery?
1:43 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Yes.
1:44 PM  Adam Colligan: Would you be able to find out where it is located on my Envy x360 15t notebook (u011dx)?
1:45 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Alright !
1:46 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: In this situation, we need to take the notebook in free servics repair.
1:46 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Please, provide me the complete sdhipping address along with the zip code.
1:46 PM  Adam Colligan: It is not confirmed yet that the CMOS battery is actually the problem
1:47 PM  Adam Colligan: I don't want to set up a service yet. I just want to know *where* the battery is attached to the board.
1:47 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: We need to replace the CMOS battery,
1:47 PM  Adam Colligan: How do you know that we need to replace the CMOS battery?
1:48 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Because tHe CMOS battery is not removable.
1:48 PM  Adam Colligan: Well, in that case we're probably talking about replacing the whole motherboard. Do you mean *not removable* or just "not user removable" ?
1:48 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: We will take the notebook in service reapir and our HP certified technician will do the complete hardware diagnostic of your notebook.
1:49 PM  Adam Colligan: I don't want to do anything yet except *LOOK* at the board and see if there is anything obviously wrong with the CMOS battery connection
1:49 PM  Adam Colligan: I just want to know *where* it is; I don't need to actually do anything to it
1:50 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Let me explain.
1:51 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Let me check.
1:52 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Please, allow me few moments.
1:52 PM  Adam Colligan: Thank you
1:56 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Thank you for staying connected. I appreciate your time and patience.
1:56 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: I am sending you a link, please go through page number 33 and 34.
1:56 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA has sent a link: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04513489
1:57 PM  Adam Colligan: That's okay; I understand that it may take time
1:57 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: CMOS battery is not a customer replaceable part.
1:58 PM  Adam Colligan: 33 and 34 refer to the main battery, not the CMOS battery
1:58 PM  Adam Colligan: I know that the CMOS battery is not a customer replaceable part. However, I want to visually inspect it.
1:59 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: It is not listed there.
1:59 PM  Adam Colligan: Exactly. Compare that to this manual for the HP Envy 17, page 41
1:59 PM  Adam Colligan: http://www.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02160120.pdf
2:00 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: If you are facing any issues with the battery then, we need to take the notebook in service reapir and will fix the issue.
2:01 PM  Adam Colligan: Sigh.
2:02 PM  Adam Colligan: Look, here is a theory. What if this PC does not have a separate CMOS battery, and it's been using power from the main battery to keep the clock and BIOS settings current? In that case, the symptoms might just be a result of poor seating of the main battery cable. To rule that out, I would like to confirm for a fact that a CMOS battery actually exists on this motherboard, and I'd like to see it with my own eyes.
2:02 PM  Adam Colligan: ...before I go without my PC for days or weeks
2:03 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: The CMOS battery exsist in the motherboard and it is not a customer replaceable part.
2:04 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: You cannot see it.
2:04 PM  Adam Colligan: So where on the motherboard is it?
2:04 PM  Adam Colligan: It's on the motherboard but it's invisible?
2:04 PM  Adam Colligan: Maybe it's under a piece of foam by the HDD indicator light? There aren't many places for it to hide
2:05 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: I would suggest you to sent the notebook in service repair, and if there will be any hardware issues, then HP technician will take care of it.
2:06 PM  Adam Colligan: Please answer this question honestly for me. Is the location of the CMOS battery actually available to you? It's okay for you to say, "I don't know where it is, and I don't know how to find out where it is". But it seems like you are avoiding saying that.
2:10 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Let me know are you facing any issues with the HP notebook right now ?
2:11 PM  Adam Colligan: Yes. Why won't you answer that question?
2:24 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: I would like to inform you that, the CMOS battery is not a customer replaceable part.
2:24 PM  Adam Colligan: What does that have to do with whether or not you know where it is?
2:24 PM  Adam Colligan: Is there some rule that you are not allowed to say "I don't know" ?
2:24 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: That is the reason, it is not shown in the manual.
2:25 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: That is the reason, it is not shown in the manual.
2:25 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: The CMOS battery can be replaced by the HP hardware engineers.
2:26 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: So, the CMOS battery can be replaced only in our service center.
2:26 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Do you want to send your notebook for a free service to replace the CMOS battery ?
2:26 PM  Adam Colligan: I think we've established that. I am not asking you about how to replace it. I'm asking if you can find out where it is.
2:26 PM  Adam Colligan: It's perfectly alright if the answer is "I don't know", but I do expect that amount of honesty
2:26 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: No, it is not listed in the manual.
2:27 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: I can understand your concern.
2:27 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: As, it is not listed in the manual, let me know how can I assist you.
2:28 PM  Adam Colligan: So then the next question is: can I contact a technical support professional who can tell me where it is attached so that I can visually inspect it before committing to a service by mail?
2:30 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: This is the only technical support and you can contact our voice technical support. However, they will tell you the same thing, which I have told you.
1:38 PM  Support session established with KARISHMA BARPANDA.1:38 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Welcome to HP Customer Support & Services for Notebook support. My name is Karishma and I will be your technical support specialist today.1:38 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Hi1:38 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: How are you doing today ?1:38 PM  Adam Colligan: Hello; this is related to case 30150384261:38 PM  Adam Colligan: I'm good; just a little confused1:39 PM  Adam Colligan: PC symptoms implicated RTC battery: CMOS checksum error on boot. But also instant death when AC power removed. Temporarily resolved after re-seating main battery cable, so chalked up to that. Now not so sure: maybe I had just partly charged RTC battery during testing. Now trying long run on AC to rule this out.Query: x360 service manual (unlike other Envy manuals) makes no mention of RTC/CMOS battery. Didn't see one exposed on board. Can you verify presence and location of CMOS batt?1:40 PM  Adam Colligan: Just to clarify: I'm not asking you to walk me through changing a CMOS battery or anything like that -- I know you want notebooks sent in for service if they need that officially. But I just want to make sure that I actually know where the thing is on this model1:42 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: I am sorry, I can't understand you.1:43 PM  Adam Colligan: Okay, I'll back up. Have you heard of something called a CMOS battery or an RTC battery?1:43 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Yes.1:44 PM  Adam Colligan: Would you be able to find out where it is located on my Envy x360 15t notebook (u011dx)?1:45 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Alright !1:46 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: In this situation, we need to take the notebook in free servics repair. 1:46 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Please, provide me the complete sdhipping address along with the zip code. 1:46 PM  Adam Colligan: It is not confirmed yet that the CMOS battery is actually the problem1:47 PM  Adam Colligan: I don't want to set up a service yet. I just want to know *where* the battery is attached to the board.1:47 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: We need to replace the CMOS battery, 1:47 PM  Adam Colligan: How do you know that we need to replace the CMOS battery?1:48 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Because tHe CMOS battery is not removable. 1:48 PM  Adam Colligan: Well, in that case we're probably talking about replacing the whole motherboard. Do you mean *not removable* or just "not user removable" ?1:48 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: We will take the notebook in service reapir and our HP certified technician will do the complete hardware diagnostic of your notebook. 1:49 PM  Adam Colligan: I don't want to do anything yet except *LOOK* at the board and see if there is anything obviously wrong with the CMOS battery connection1:49 PM  Adam Colligan: I just want to know *where* it is; I don't need to actually do anything to it1:50 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Let me explain. 1:51 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Let me check. 1:52 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Please, allow me few moments. 1:52 PM  Adam Colligan: Thank you1:56 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Thank you for staying connected. I appreciate your time and patience.1:56 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: I am sending you a link, please go through page number 33 and 34.1:56 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA has sent a link: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c045134891:57 PM  Adam Colligan: That's okay; I understand that it may take time1:57 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: CMOS battery is not a customer replaceable part. 1:58 PM  Adam Colligan: 33 and 34 refer to the main battery, not the CMOS battery1:58 PM  Adam Colligan: I know that the CMOS battery is not a customer replaceable part. However, I want to visually inspect it. 1:59 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: It is not listed there. 1:59 PM  Adam Colligan: Exactly. Compare that to this manual for the HP Envy 17, page 411:59 PM  Adam Colligan: http://www.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02160120.pdf2:00 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: If you are facing any issues with the battery then, we need to take the notebook in service reapir and will fix the issue. 2:01 PM  Adam Colligan: Sigh.2:02 PM  Adam Colligan: Look, here is a theory. What if this PC does not have a separate CMOS battery, and it's been using power from the main battery to keep the clock and BIOS settings current? In that case, the symptoms might just be a result of poor seating of the main battery cable. To rule that out, I would like to confirm for a fact that a CMOS battery actually exists on this motherboard, and I'd like to see it with my own eyes.2:02 PM  Adam Colligan: ...before I go without my PC for days or weeks2:03 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: The CMOS battery exsist in the motherboard and it is not a customer replaceable part. 2:04 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: You cannot see it. 2:04 PM  Adam Colligan: So where on the motherboard is it?2:04 PM  Adam Colligan: It's on the motherboard but it's invisible?2:04 PM  Adam Colligan: Maybe it's under a piece of foam by the HDD indicator light? There aren't many places for it to hide2:05 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: I would suggest you to sent the notebook in service repair, and if there will be any hardware issues, then HP technician will take care of it. 2:06 PM  Adam Colligan: Please answer this question honestly for me. Is the location of the CMOS battery actually available to you? It's okay for you to say, "I don't know where it is, and I don't know how to find out where it is". But it seems like you are avoiding saying that.2:10 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Let me know are you facing any issues with the HP notebook right now ?2:11 PM  Adam Colligan: Yes. Why won't you answer that question?2:24 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: I would like to inform you that, the CMOS battery is not a customer replaceable part.2:24 PM  Adam Colligan: What does that have to do with whether or not you know where it is?2:24 PM  Adam Colligan: Is there some rule that you are not allowed to say "I don't know" ?2:24 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: That is the reason, it is not shown in the manual.2:25 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: That is the reason, it is not shown in the manual.2:25 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: The CMOS battery can be replaced by the HP hardware engineers.2:26 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: So, the CMOS battery can be replaced only in our service center.2:26 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: Do you want to send your notebook for a free service to replace the CMOS battery ?2:26 PM  Adam Colligan: I think we've established that. I am not asking you about how to replace it. I'm asking if you can find out where it is.2:26 PM  Adam Colligan: It's perfectly alright if the answer is "I don't know", but I do expect that amount of honesty2:26 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: No, it is not listed in the manual.2:27 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: I can understand your concern.2:27 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: As, it is not listed in the manual, let me know how can I assist you.2:28 PM  Adam Colligan: So then the next question is: can I contact a technical support professional who can tell me where it is attached so that I can visually inspect it before committing to a service by mail?2:30 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: This is the only technical support and you can contact our voice technical support. However, they will tell you the same thing, which I have told you.
5. I pay money to have the CMOS battery checked
Clearly, I wasn't inspired by that chat. Maybe the rep was just wrong about the hardware. More likely, it was just my own ignorance that kept me from finding the CMOS battery, and so I would benefit from a real technician checking it, maybe replacing it or telling me I really did need to send it to HP for service, and also looking at the main battery circuit.
A couple of hours and $54.13 in diagnostic fees later, I had my answer from the technicians. My main battery had a short in it and needed to be replaced. There is no dedicated CMOS / RTC battery on this motherboard. The clock and BIOS use main battery power, and it makes perfect sense that the main battery fault would therefore include symptoms normally associated with a simultaneous failure of a main battery and a dedicated CMOS battery in another computer. This PC is not unique in lacking a dedicated CMOS battery. I could buy a new main battery for around $55.
Obviously, I was now thoroughly upset at HP Support. With this clearly being a main battery issue and the main battery being easy for me to replace and covered by warranty, HP could just send me a new main battery. I wouldn't even care if they wanted to tell me that swapping it myself would void the rest of the warranty period -- better than going without my PC for weeks on end. Failing that, I would probably rather even pay the money for a new battery from a retailer rather than go through the stupidity of sending this PC in just to have the battery swapped out. But now I had already paid the equivalent of that new battery cost just to get the correct information about my hardware, solely because official HP Support had given me false information -- twice!
6. Second chat ("Justine")
Gist:
So I re-connected with technical support in the hope that something could be done to make the situation right. I briefly summarized the problem and gave the case number in the webform submission not shown. Make sure you're sitting down for this transcript and have either whisky or popcorn depending on whether you work for HP or not.
Note in particular at 5:28, where my soul tries to escape my body, and 6:00, where Justine accidentally states the whole issue without actually understanding.
Transcript:
Spoiler (Highlight to read)
5:10 PM  Support session established with Justine.
5:10 PM  Adam Colligan: Hi Justine
5:11 PM  Justine: Thank you for contacting the HP Customer Support & Services. My name is Justine and I will be your chat support specialist today. Please give me a few minutes while I review your issue description details. NOTE: For security reasons, PLEASE DO NOT send credit card information via chat. Also, If you are using a mobile device (iPad, iPod, iPhone, etc....) and experience difficulties viewing the chat window, please initiate a new chat from a Windows or Mac computer or use a different browser for better compatibility.For DISCONNECTED or failed to reconnect, we keep records for all interactions feel free to initiate another chat.
5:11 PM  Justine: May I have the phone number and e-mail address associated with your HP product?
5:11 PM  Adam Colligan: [redacted]
5:12 PM  Justine: In order for me to assist you better, can you please provide the Product and Serial number of the system that is having an issue.
5:13 PM  Adam Colligan: Are the contents of the form I filled out not sent? The SN is [redacted] . This is a model G6T85UA
5:15 PM  Justine: Thank you for verifying me those information, Adam. I have read your issue description and it seems like you need help in processing a replacement for your computer's battery, is that correct?
5:15 PM  Adam Colligan: Yes.
5:16 PM  Justine: I apologize for the inconvenience. I will do my best to help you resolve this issue.
5:19 PM  Justine: Alright, regarding the incorrect information that our tech had provided you, what is that information again, Adam.
5:20 PM  Adam Colligan: My own hunch was confirmed by an independent service center that I had to pay to diagnose this problem: this machine has no dedicated RTC/CMOS battery.
5:20 PM  Justine: -
5:22 PM  Justine: So the issue is that you went to a local tech and they are charging you for your battery replacement correct?
5:22 PM  Adam Colligan: So I wasted both a day of work and over $50 because two technical support representatives told me in no uncertain terms that I was looking at symptoms of a CMOS battery fault. And I *now* face also having to double that money on a new battery unless you guys can make it right.
5:23 PM  Adam Colligan: I paid for the diagnosis because they had to go in and determine that HP tech support was, for lack of a better phrase, full of it
5:23 PM  Adam Colligan: I even have a hilarious piece of transcript: 2:02 PM  Adam Colligan: Look, here is a theory. What if this PC does not have a separate CMOS battery, and it's been using power from the main battery to keep the clock and BIOS settings current? In that case, the symptoms might just be a result of poor seating of the main battery cable. To rule that out, I would like to confirm for a fact that a CMOS battery actually exists on this motherboard, and I'd like to see it with my own eyes.2:02 PM  Adam Colligan: ...before I go without my PC for days or weeks2:03 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: The CMOS battery exsist in the motherboard and it is not a customer replaceable part. 2:04 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: You cannot see it.
5:25 PM  Adam Colligan: I had even checked the x360 service manuals and compared them to other Envy models, since the CMOS / RTC battery is specified for the other ones. Hence this (apparently completely false) gem: KARISHMA BARPANDA: I would like to inform you that, the CMOS battery is not a customer replaceable part.2:24 PM  Adam Colligan: What does that have to do with whether or not you know where it is?2:24 PM  Adam Colligan: Is there some rule that you are not allowed to say "I don't know" ?2:24 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: That is the reason, it is not shown in the manual.2:25 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: That is the reason, it is not shown in the manual.2:25 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: The CMOS battery can be replaced by the HP hardware engineers.
5:25 PM  Adam Colligan: Apparently the truth is that it's not in the manual because *it doesn't exist*
5:27 PM  Justine: I apologize about that, Adam. But to explain this properly, yes the CMOS battery is not a replaceable part. We do not ship CMOS batteries. But if you want, you can consult your local tech about it.
5:28 PM  Justine: May I ask why do you want the CMOS battery to be replaced, Adam?
5:28 PM  Adam Colligan: Oh my god.
5:28 PM  Adam Colligan: You're going to have to just give me a moment here.
5:29 PM  Justine: Okay Adam. Please take your time.
5:31 PM  Adam Colligan: Before I explain again, let me just ask a question or two. Let's say that, hypothetically, HP Support thought that I needed to replace my CMOS/RTC battery. So I ship it off. Imagine that it arrives at the service center and the techs there discover that there is nothing wrong with the CMOS battery. Instead, they find that the main battery has a short in it and needs to be replaced. Would I have to pay for the replacement of the main battery?
5:32 PM  Justine: Alright, first the repair process is that whatever that is we need to replace, we will. also, fortunately, your warranty covers the repair for this computer. We could send it for repair for you.
5:33 PM  Justine: Whether the CMOS battery or the main battery, we will fix this computer like brand new for you.
5:34 PM  Adam Colligan: And you're saying there is no charge for this?
5:35 PM  Justine: Yes Adam.
5:36 PM  Justine: It will be for free.
5:36 PM  Justine: May I ask for your shipping address?
5:37 PM  Adam Colligan: Wait; see, I don't want to do that yet. How long would the whole shipping and repair process take?
5:37 PM  Adam Colligan: I've already been told that I have to go through the whole shipping nightmare even though I live right near an authorized service center
5:38 PM  Justine: Okay, we will ship you a box with a return label within 2-3 business days, then the repair process would be 7-9 business days maximum. This is for us to make sure that everything will be checked and diagnosed so that when it comes back to you, it would be like brand new.
5:39 PM  Justine: We could still send you the box if you want, the box would be active within 30 days, so you could decide when you want it to be dispatched.
5:40 PM  Adam Colligan: See, and that's the problem: I might rather just buy a new battery for $53 rather than be without my main work machine for 2 weeks+.
5:40 PM  Adam Colligan: And so here's what happened:
5:41 PM  Justine: Well, if we send it for repair we can determine if it is really a CMOS issue or the main battery.
5:41 PM  Justine: But it would depend on your decision, Adam.
5:44 PM  Justine: Are you still there? I want to get your issue taken cared of today. Please respond if you are available to chat.
5:44 PM  Adam Colligan: In order to make that choice, I needed to know whether this could really be a CMOS battery issue. If it were, then I would have no choice but to send it in, because that would mean replacing the motherboard (or at a minimum re-soldering to it...so probably replacing it). I would probably also have to spend the time before and after the shipment taking the thing apart myself and putting it back together again because I have my own RAM and my own SSD in there. And so I discussed my symptoms (which included a CMOS checksum error) with two technical support representatives. The initial one was going to take me through a BIOS upgrade attempt and informed me that if it did not resolve, it would need to be sent in for a CMOS battery replacement. I think I had already let him know that I had looked for it just to check if there was anything obviously wrong and couldn't find it, and I had wondered if there really was one.
5:46 PM  Justine: Actually if it already gave a CMOS error, it is already that.
5:46 PM  Adam Colligan: In the end I did upgrade the BIOS, but when it appeared to work afterward, it was a coincidence. The ticket was closed but I discovered quickly that the problem was still there. It appeared that maybe I had partially charged the CMOS battery and so just needed to try running the machine for several hours to see if it would recharge. When that failed, I contacted HP again, which is where those snippets of transcript come from
5:47 PM  Connecting...
5:47 PM  Connected. A support representative will be with you shortly.
5:47 PM  Support session established with Justine.
5:47 PM  Adam Colligan: Once again, I was assured that this really was or could be a CMOS battery issue. I specifically raised my concern that there might not even be a CMOS battery, which is why I tried to focus the conversation on getting the rep to tell me where it is. She very directly and repeatedly told me that it was there -- which meant that I had no choice between a long service and replacing the battery myself.
5:49 PM  Justine: The issue is that the CMOS could have already failed so technically, even though it is physically there, the computer is not detecting it anymore. For this, since there is already an error with the CMOS, it should be replaced.
5:50 PM  Adam Colligan: But between the fact that the reps had not sounded competent and the possibility that it might be worth it to replace the CMOS battery myself and void the warranty, I was still suspicious. And that's why I found myself spending $54.13 for a third party service provider to tell me what HP should have known all along. This machine does not have a separate CMOS battery. When the main battery fails -- as mine has -- it will cause all the symptoms of a main battery failure *plus* the symptoms of a CMOS battery failure, since *the main battery* powers this board's real-time clock and RAM environment memory
5:51 PM  Justine: I could wait for your decision if you want to send it in for repair, Adam. I will still send you a box for the repair, that would be available for use within a month. It is still up for you to decide, Adam.
5:51 PM  Adam Colligan: And now you're saying the same thing: that my CMOS checksum error (and also my clock resetting) means there is a problem with the CMOS / RTC battery.
5:51 PM  Adam Colligan: Am I correct that that is what you are saying?
5:52 PM  Justine: I highly suggest sending it for repair, really. In this case we could provide a proper explanation in your issue.
5:52 PM  Adam Colligan: Are you or are you not telling me that I have a CMOS / RTC battery and that it might need to be replaced?
5:53 PM  Justine: Every motherboard has a CMOS battery, yours have already failed so it needs to be replaced.
5:54 PM  Adam Colligan: See, I think -- and the service center that just looked at it thinks -- that that statement is flat-out untrue.
5:54 PM  Justine: You could replace it by yourself like what you want, but first, we do not ship CMOS batteries, and replacing it by yourself will jsut tamper the warranty.
5:55 PM  Adam Colligan: And so the important question is: will HP give me a free main battery, which I can install myself without needing to send the computer off, if it turns out that you just became rep #3 to give me false information?
5:56 PM  Justine: Actually, we cannot determine that without really having it physically here for further details and with sufficient tests. Our technicians will be testing it not just inside, but physically.
5:57 PM  Adam Colligan: You don't need my computer in front of you in order to know whether or not this model *has* a CMOS battery. You are essentially swearing up and down that it has one. If you're wrong, then you've not only cost me the $54 I already spent but will also unnecessarily cost me two weeks+ without my computer
5:57 PM  Justine: I apologize but we can only replace the battery if we have the computer in question, and we cannot do that without the error in the main battery itself.
5:57 PM  Justine: Every computer has a CMOS battery, what I mean is that we have to perform tests on your computer physically to determine the real issue.
5:57 PM  Justine: I apologize about that.
5:57 PM  Adam Colligan: So I want to know: if it turns out that this model has no CMOS battery, will HP comp me a main battery in return for the time and money that it has already made me waste?
5:59 PM  Justine: Actually, we can send you a box with a return label, so that you can decide. At this point we will just wait for your decision.
5:59 PM  Justine: We will only replace or provide on the part that neede to be replaced.
6:00 PM  Justine: The CMOS and the main battery has different roles, so we couldn't send you a main battery when it is a CMOS issue.
6:00 PM  Justine: Is that okay?
6:00 PM  Justine: May I ask for your shipping address please?
6:01 PM  Adam Colligan: That. That last thing you said. That is the heart of the whole problem! If the CMOS battery doesn't exist, then you would *know* you could just send me a main battery?
6:01 PM  Adam Colligan: As long as it's not costing me anything, sure, send me a stupid box. My address is [redacted]
6:02 PM  Justine: If the CMOS battery doesn't exist, the main battery doesn't have anything to do with it. If it does not exist, we can send it for repair, since we do not send CMOS batteries. That is the only thing that we can do.
6:02 PM  Justine: Alright, is there anything else I could help you with?
6:03 PM  Adam Colligan: Oh lord. If the CMOS battery doesn't exist, then the main battery is the whole point, because it's the main battery that's supplying the power to the components that normally draw from the CMOS battery on most other systems.
6:03 PM  Adam Colligan: Nope, there's nothing else. You've provided another great transcript for the file.
5:10 PM  Support session established with Justine.5:10 PM  Adam Colligan: Hi Justine5:11 PM  Justine: Thank you for contacting the HP Customer Support & Services. My name is Justine and I will be your chat support specialist today. Please give me a few minutes while I review your issue description details. NOTE: For security reasons, PLEASE DO NOT send credit card information via chat. Also, If you are using a mobile device (iPad, iPod, iPhone, etc....) and experience difficulties viewing the chat window, please initiate a new chat from a Windows or Mac computer or use a different browser for better compatibility.For DISCONNECTED or failed to reconnect, we keep records for all interactions feel free to initiate another chat.5:11 PM  Justine: May I have the phone number and e-mail address associated with your HP product?5:11 PM  Adam Colligan: [redacted]5:12 PM  Justine: In order for me to assist you better, can you please provide the Product and Serial number of the system that is having an issue.5:13 PM  Adam Colligan: Are the contents of the form I filled out not sent? The SN is [redacted] . This is a model G6T85UA5:15 PM  Justine: Thank you for verifying me those information, Adam. I have read your issue description and it seems like you need help in processing a replacement for your computer's battery, is that correct?5:15 PM  Adam Colligan: Yes.5:16 PM  Justine: I apologize for the inconvenience. I will do my best to help you resolve this issue.5:19 PM  Justine: Alright, regarding the incorrect information that our tech had provided you, what is that information again, Adam.5:20 PM  Adam Colligan: My own hunch was confirmed by an independent service center that I had to pay to diagnose this problem: this machine has no dedicated RTC/CMOS battery. 5:20 PM  Justine: -5:22 PM  Justine: So the issue is that you went to a local tech and they are charging you for your battery replacement correct?5:22 PM  Adam Colligan: So I wasted both a day of work and over $50 because two technical support representatives told me in no uncertain terms that I was looking at symptoms of a CMOS battery fault. And I *now* face also having to double that money on a new battery unless you guys can make it right.5:23 PM  Adam Colligan: I paid for the diagnosis because they had to go in and determine that HP tech support was, for lack of a better phrase, full of it5:23 PM  Adam Colligan: I even have a hilarious piece of transcript: 2:02 PM  Adam Colligan: Look, here is a theory. What if this PC does not have a separate CMOS battery, and it's been using power from the main battery to keep the clock and BIOS settings current? In that case, the symptoms might just be a result of poor seating of the main battery cable. To rule that out, I would like to confirm for a fact that a CMOS battery actually exists on this motherboard, and I'd like to see it with my own eyes.2:02 PM  Adam Colligan: ...before I go without my PC for days or weeks2:03 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: The CMOS battery exsist in the motherboard and it is not a customer replaceable part. 2:04 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: You cannot see it. 5:25 PM  Adam Colligan: I had even checked the x360 service manuals and compared them to other Envy models, since the CMOS / RTC battery is specified for the other ones. Hence this (apparently completely false) gem: KARISHMA BARPANDA: I would like to inform you that, the CMOS battery is not a customer replaceable part.2:24 PM  Adam Colligan: What does that have to do with whether or not you know where it is?2:24 PM  Adam Colligan: Is there some rule that you are not allowed to say "I don't know" ?2:24 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: That is the reason, it is not shown in the manual.2:25 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: That is the reason, it is not shown in the manual.2:25 PM  KARISHMA BARPANDA: The CMOS battery can be replaced by the HP hardware engineers.5:25 PM  Adam Colligan: Apparently the truth is that it's not in the manual because *it doesn't exist*5:27 PM  Justine: I apologize about that, Adam. But to explain this properly, yes the CMOS battery is not a replaceable part. We do not ship CMOS batteries. But if you want, you can consult your local tech about it.5:28 PM  Justine: May I ask why do you want the CMOS battery to be replaced, Adam?5:28 PM  Adam Colligan: Oh my god.5:28 PM  Adam Colligan: You're going to have to just give me a moment here.5:29 PM  Justine: Okay Adam. Please take your time.5:31 PM  Adam Colligan: Before I explain again, let me just ask a question or two. Let's say that, hypothetically, HP Support thought that I needed to replace my CMOS/RTC battery. So I ship it off. Imagine that it arrives at the service center and the techs there discover that there is nothing wrong with the CMOS battery. Instead, they find that the main battery has a short in it and needs to be replaced. Would I have to pay for the replacement of the main battery?5:32 PM  Justine: Alright, first the repair process is that whatever that is we need to replace, we will. also, fortunately, your warranty covers the repair for this computer. We could send it for repair for you.5:33 PM  Justine: Whether the CMOS battery or the main battery, we will fix this computer like brand new for you.5:34 PM  Adam Colligan: And you're saying there is no charge for this?5:35 PM  Justine: Yes Adam. 5:36 PM  Justine: It will be for free.5:36 PM  Justine: May I ask for your shipping address?5:37 PM  Adam Colligan: Wait; see, I don't want to do that yet. How long would the whole shipping and repair process take?5:37 PM  Adam Colligan: I've already been told that I have to go through the whole shipping nightmare even though I live right near an authorized service center5:38 PM  Justine: Okay, we will ship you a box with a return label within 2-3 business days, then the repair process would be 7-9 business days maximum. This is for us to make sure that everything will be checked and diagnosed so that when it comes back to you, it would be like brand new.5:39 PM  Justine: We could still send you the box if you want, the box would be active within 30 days, so you could decide when you want it to be dispatched.5:40 PM  Adam Colligan: See, and that's the problem: I might rather just buy a new battery for $53 rather than be without my main work machine for 2 weeks+. 5:40 PM  Adam Colligan: And so here's what happened:5:41 PM  Justine: Well, if we send it for repair we can determine if it is really a CMOS issue or the main battery.5:41 PM  Justine: But it would depend on your decision, Adam.5:44 PM  Justine: Are you still there? I want to get your issue taken cared of today. Please respond if you are available to chat.5:44 PM  Adam Colligan: In order to make that choice, I needed to know whether this could really be a CMOS battery issue. If it were, then I would have no choice but to send it in, because that would mean replacing the motherboard (or at a minimum re-soldering to it...so probably replacing it). I would probably also have to spend the time before and after the shipment taking the thing apart myself and putting it back together again because I have my own RAM and my own SSD in there. And so I discussed my symptoms (which included a CMOS checksum error) with two technical support representatives. The initial one was going to take me through a BIOS upgrade attempt and informed me that if it did not resolve, it would need to be sent in for a CMOS battery replacement. I think I had already let him know that I had looked for it just to check if there was anything obviously wrong and couldn't find it, and I had wondered if there really was one.5:46 PM  Justine: Actually if it already gave a CMOS error, it is already that.5:46 PM  Adam Colligan: In the end I did upgrade the BIOS, but when it appeared to work afterward, it was a coincidence. The ticket was closed but I discovered quickly that the problem was still there. It appeared that maybe I had partially charged the CMOS battery and so just needed to try running the machine for several hours to see if it would recharge. When that failed, I contacted HP again, which is where those snippets of transcript come from5:47 PM  Connecting...5:47 PM  Connected. A support representative will be with you shortly.5:47 PM  Support session established with Justine.5:47 PM  Adam Colligan: Once again, I was assured that this really was or could be a CMOS battery issue. I specifically raised my concern that there might not even be a CMOS battery, which is why I tried to focus the conversation on getting the rep to tell me where it is. She very directly and repeatedly told me that it was there -- which meant that I had no choice between a long service and replacing the battery myself.5:49 PM  Justine: The issue is that the CMOS could have already failed so technically, even though it is physically there, the computer is not detecting it anymore. For this, since there is already an error with the CMOS, it should be replaced.5:50 PM  Adam Colligan: But between the fact that the reps had not sounded competent and the possibility that it might be worth it to replace the CMOS battery myself and void the warranty, I was still suspicious. And that's why I found myself spending $54.13 for a third party service provider to tell me what HP should have known all along. This machine does not have a separate CMOS battery. When the main battery fails -- as mine has -- it will cause all the symptoms of a main battery failure *plus* the symptoms of a CMOS battery failure, since *the main battery* powers this board's real-time clock and RAM environment memory5:51 PM  Justine: I could wait for your decision if you want to send it in for repair, Adam. I will still send you a box for the repair, that would be available for use within a month. It is still up for you to decide, Adam.5:51 PM  Adam Colligan: And now you're saying the same thing: that my CMOS checksum error (and also my clock resetting) means there is a problem with the CMOS / RTC battery.5:51 PM  Adam Colligan: Am I correct that that is what you are saying?5:52 PM  Justine: I highly suggest sending it for repair, really. In this case we could provide a proper explanation in your issue.5:52 PM  Adam Colligan: Are you or are you not telling me that I have a CMOS / RTC battery and that it might need to be replaced?5:53 PM  Justine: Every motherboard has a CMOS battery, yours have already failed so it needs to be replaced.5:54 PM  Adam Colligan: See, I think -- and the service center that just looked at it thinks -- that that statement is flat-out untrue. 5:54 PM  Justine: You could replace it by yourself like what you want, but first, we do not ship CMOS batteries, and replacing it by yourself will jsut tamper the warranty.5:55 PM  Adam Colligan: And so the important question is: will HP give me a free main battery, which I can install myself without needing to send the computer off, if it turns out that you just became rep #3 to give me false information?5:56 PM  Justine: Actually, we cannot determine that without really having it physically here for further details and with sufficient tests. Our technicians will be testing it not just inside, but physically. 5:57 PM  Adam Colligan: You don't need my computer in front of you in order to know whether or not this model *has* a CMOS battery. You are essentially swearing up and down that it has one. If you're wrong, then you've not only cost me the $54 I already spent but will also unnecessarily cost me two weeks+ without my computer5:57 PM  Justine: I apologize but we can only replace the battery if we have the computer in question, and we cannot do that without the error in the main battery itself.5:57 PM  Justine: Every computer has a CMOS battery, what I mean is that we have to perform tests on your computer physically to determine the real issue.5:57 PM  Justine: I apologize about that.5:57 PM  Adam Colligan: So I want to know: if it turns out that this model has no CMOS battery, will HP comp me a main battery in return for the time and money that it has already made me waste? 5:59 PM  Justine: Actually, we can send you a box with a return label, so that you can decide. At this point we will just wait for your decision.5:59 PM  Justine: We will only replace or provide on the part that neede to be replaced.6:00 PM  Justine: The CMOS and the main battery has different roles, so we couldn't send you a main battery when it is a CMOS issue.6:00 PM  Justine: Is that okay?6:00 PM  Justine: May I ask for your shipping address please?6:01 PM  Adam Colligan: That. That last thing you said. That is the heart of the whole problem! If the CMOS battery doesn't exist, then you would *know* you could just send me a main battery? 6:01 PM  Adam Colligan: As long as it's not costing me anything, sure, send me a stupid box. My address is [redacted]6:02 PM  Justine: If the CMOS battery doesn't exist, the main battery doesn't have anything to do with it. If it does not exist, we can send it for repair, since we do not send CMOS batteries. That is the only thing that we can do.6:02 PM  Justine: Alright, is there anything else I could help you with?6:03 PM  Adam Colligan: Oh lord. If the CMOS battery doesn't exist, then the main battery is the whole point, because it's the main battery that's supplying the power to the components that normally draw from the CMOS battery on most other systems.6:03 PM  Adam Colligan: Nope, there's nothing else. You've provided another great transcript for the file.
7. In desperation, I try in vain to attract @HPSupport's attention on Twitter
Spoiler (Highlight to read)
@adamcolligan
6:20 PM - 13 Apr 2015
(1/3) Hey @HPSupport : would you make a wager with me? The question: whether 3 separate HP reps cost me $54.13 + 8 hrs' work with false info
@HPSupport (2/3) If I'm right, you send me a new battery for my x360-15t and say you're super sorry on your twitter feed. If I'm wrong...
@HPSupport then I guess no hilarious Reddit thread with support transcripts, and I'll spend like $1m on 2ml of your official ink. Deal?
@HPSupport (4/3) It's easy to resolve. Alls you have to do is know, and I mean *know*: "Does the G6T85UA have a dedicated RTC/CMOS battery?"
@adamcolligan6:20 PM - 13 Apr 2015(1/3) Hey @HPSupport : would you make a wager with me? The question: whether 3 separate HP reps cost me $54.13 + 8 hrs' work with false info@HPSupport (2/3) If I'm right, you send me a new battery for my x360-15t and say you're super sorry on your twitter feed. If I'm wrong...@HPSupport then I guess no hilarious Reddit thread with support transcripts, and I'll spend like $1m on 2ml of your official ink. Deal?@HPSupport (4/3) It's easy to resolve. Alls you have to do is know, and I mean *know*: "Does the G6T85UA have a dedicated RTC/CMOS battery?"
No response; not sure if I expected one or not.

Update time! I know you've been dying to know how this has been turning out.
I provided all the requested information in response to the private message from HP staff. Nothing ever came of it; as far as I can tell, no real human being ever attempted to contact me after being "forwarded" the details of the case.
Three days after I tweeted at them, @HPSupport sent me a series of public replies. In essence, they told me to abandon useless post-sales technical support and get information from HP Sales.
Adam Colligan @AdamColligan · Apr 13
(1/3) Hey @HPSupport : would you make a wager with me? The question: whether 3 separate HP reps cost me $54.13 + 8 hrs' work with false info
Adam Colligan @AdamColligan · Apr 13
@HPSupport (2/3) If I'm right, you send me a new battery for my x360-15t and say you're super sorry on your
Adam Colligan @AdamColligan · Apr 13
@HPSupport then I guess no hilarious Reddit thread with support transcripts, and I'll spend like $1m on 2ml of your official ink. Deal?
Adam Colligan @AdamColligan · Apr 13
@HPSupport (4/3) It's easy to resolve. Alls you have to do is know, and I mean *know*: "Does the G6T85UA have a dedicated RTC/CMOS battery?"
Adam Colligan ‏@AdamColligan Apr 13
@HPSupport No but seriously. Does the HP Envy x360 have a dedicated RTC / CMOS battery or not?
HP Support ‏@HPSupport Apr 16
@AdamColligan Hello Adam, Eddie here. Saw your tweet. Our Product Information team will be able to assist with your inquiry. Dial:.. ^HPCare
HP Support ‏@HPSupport Apr 16
@AdamColligan 1800-752-0900. Follow prompts for “product information”. If you prefer email click this link http://ow.ly/HYnHT .. ^HPCare
HP Support ‏@HPSupport Apr 16
@AdamColligan Once there be sure to choose "Contact an HP sales specialist" as your subject. Let me know if you require further... ^HPCare
HP Support ‏@HPSupport Apr 16
@AdamColligan information and/or assistance. Have an awesome day! Thanks! ^HPCare
Now, being the exhaustive give-it-a-try kind of guy that I am, I tried *both* the phone and the email path to support. I may have been told once on the phone to try the email, but it's hard to even remember at the moment. I'll just paste the email outcome here.
Me (into the webform):
HP reps have directed me to contact sales support after others in the company were unable to help with a technical product question. I need to know whether the HP Envy x360 model G6T85UA (should be board 780958-501 and main battery 760944-421) has a dedicated CMOS/RTC battery. If it does, I need to know *where* it is connected to the board. This is a fairly urgent issue for me implicating a disconnect or swap-out of the main battery while AC power is not being supplied.
HP:
Dear Adam,
Thank you for contacting the hp.com Sales Center.
I understand the you are still seeking resolution for your technical concern and I’m sorry to hear that this remains unresolved.
I'm very sorry, but our email sales team does not handle technical or product support concerns. We can only handles sales inquiries pertaining to orders placed in our store.
HP Technical Support will be able to provide you with service and support for hardware, software, and parts replacement of HP products that are still covered under warranty.
I strongly suggest that you contact the HP Technical Support Team since your matter requires technical expertise. HP Technical Support can best assist you and can be reached 24 hours a day at: http://www.hp.com/contacthp
Below is step by step guide how to obtain the webform/online form:
1. Please copy and paste this link http://www.hp.com/contacthp into a new browser.
2. Please enter your model number in the "Enter my model number" search field provided then hit the "Find my product" button to generate the result.
3. Select the correct product from the search results.
4. On the next page wait for a few seconds to load the webform.
5. Scroll down to find the webform.
5. Complete the webform then hit the "Submit" button.
6. After you fill out the online form, you will receive a Technical Support case number. You will also be able to engage with a Tech Support product specialist either by chat or they will give you a call at your earliest convenience.
By the way, I have seen a link which might help you with this concern. Here's the link:
http://partsurfer.hp.com/Search.aspx?SearchText=G6T85UA
The link shows the the HP ENVY 15-U011DX X360 CONVERTIBLE PC (ENERGY STAR) has the 780958-501 motherboard but has a different battery. It doesn't show also the RTC Battery and where you can find it. Please contact our HP Technical Support for other information.
I hope this information has been of assistance to you, Adam. Please reply to this message if there is anything further we can do. For your convenience, you may also call the HP.com Sales Center directly at 1-888-222-0029 between 7:00 AM - 2:00 AM EST, seven days a week.
Customer Satisfaction is our store’s top priority. Please tell us about your email experience today. To participate, please click on our Customer Satisfaction Survey link below.
Thank you for choosing HP. We appreciate your business.
Regards,
Regine G.
Oh dear. So technical support doesn't have technical information about HP machines, and sales support doesn't answer technical questions about HP machines and refers you to technical support. Brilliant. But by this time, I of course knew better than to actually *believe* what someone was telling me, so I used the sales phone number instead.
The sales guy was super eager to help, especially since I framed this as a problem of future use. I work on disaster vulnerability issues. If I buy Envy x360 15ts and use them in a place where there isn't AC power for a while, can I swap spare batteries into them without screwing up the BIOS and real-time clock settings?
He put me on hold two or three times for what I was led to believe were very thorough attempts to get me a totally definitive answer. And this is what someone eventually told him to tell me. All HP machines ship with CMOS batteries.
So I must have been mistaken all along, right? The CMOS battery must have stopped working at the same time as the main battery. It must just be that neither I nor my local repair shop could find my CMOS battery because we all have the wrong prescriptions on our glasses and contact lenses. Well, there's just one small issue with getting to that conclusion: what HP told me about my machine was, once again, totally false.
How do I know? Because I still didn't believe HP, and rather than shipping my compter off for weeks in the big padded box, I ordered a new main battery for a total of just over $60. I swapped it. Guess what happened, HP? If you guessed, "every aspect of the problem instantly resolved, because there never was a CMOS/RTC battery in this machine in the first place", you would win a gold star. But I'm assuming you'd also lose your job, because this particular piece of information has somehow been banished and outlawed from the minds of HP employees and contractors.
I wonder: would anybody at HP be interested in apologizing to me, much less in finding a way to make up for the $115+ I've lost because nobody at any stage to this point has been willing to act like a human being?
BUT WAIT, THERE'S GREAT NEWS
I shouldn't make it seem through this thread that HP totally lacks competence and doesn't care about me at all. Because within two hours of receiving the email from HP Sales telling me that they weren't going to do anything about my problem, I started receiving advertising email blasts full of great offers and promotions about buying a new HP laptop and other great products! Yay! I guess I'm not invisible after all. And I'm sure if I bought *more* stuff from HP, they would take care of me then. Right?

I had to change my Apple ID and password in itunes. Now my icloud doesn't work and I can't update my apps on my iPhone. I have looked at suggestions on the community pages and apple suggestions but none of them are relevant to iOS 8.1.2 icloud just

I had to change my Apple ID and password in itunes. Now my icloud doesn't work and I can't update my apps on my iPhone. I have looked at suggestions on the community pages and apple suggestions but none of them are relevant to iOS 8.1.2
icloud just keeps bringing up my old email address & asking for my old password which doesn't exist anymore and when I try to sign out of icloud it wants my old password, when I tried to change my primary email back to the old one it wants me to verify it through an email address that doesn't exist. Please can you help me sort out this nightmare.

Hi skippy2012trev,
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!
I understand that you updated your Apple Id and password but now you are being prompted for the old information in iCloud. You are on the right track by changing the Apple ID back to the previous email address temporarily so that you can sign out. You should not need to verify the email address. After you edit the Apple ID back to the old email address and then sign out of iCloud on your iPhone, edit the Apple ID back to the address you would currently like to use. There is no need to change the password again, only the email address, unless you prefer to update the password again.
If you're asked for the password to your previous Apple ID when signing out of iCloud - Apple Support
Change your Apple ID temporarily
If signing out and back in to iMessage or FaceTime didn't help, try these steps:
Change your Apple ID to the Apple ID you used previously. You shouldn't need to verify the email address.
Tap Settings > iCloud. Complete these steps only if the Find My [Device] setting is turned on:
Scroll down and tap Sign Out, then tap Sign Out to confirm. If you're using iOS 7 or earlier, tap Delete Account, then tap Delete to confirm.
Tap Keep on My [Device] or Delete from My [Device]. In either case, your data remains in iCloud and will be updated on your device when you sign in to iCloud again.
Enter the password for your previous Apple ID.
Change your Apple ID to the new email address that you want to use. You'll need to verify the email address.
Return to Settings > iCloud and sign in with your new Apple ID.
Cheers,
Joe

How can I make some pages in a PDF display in single-page view and others in two-page (facing) view?

Exactly as it says on the tin. I am looking to save a PDF magazine/book layout in such a way so that when opened, only the front and back covers open to the viewer in single-page mode, and the rest of the pages in two-page facing mode, without re-printing the in-between pages in booklet format and re-inserting them into a new PDF (with the front and back covers left separate and untouched, and included as single portrait-orientation pages). This is so that individual pages can still be printed (on a physical printer, not a "virtual" one like a PDF driver), as-is without having the page next to it included, or the printouts always requiring landscape orientation (resulting with two "pages" from the PDF showing up on one sheet of paper).
So when the PDF is opened, I want just the front and back cover to be auto-viewed by themselves, and the content (the "meat" of the document) viewed side-by-side, as though one were actually reading a "book" -- but without actually re-doing the content pages to be "fused" side-by-side. Thus creating the "illusion" that they are, in fact, in booklet form. Is this possible, to have different page-display settings for different pages/page ranges in a single PDF? If so, how is this done? If not, what would be my best course of action otherwise to achieve this "virtual" book layout, while still retaining the "physical" structure of the document and allowing individual pages to be printed by themselves rather than "fused" together?
Using Acrobat X Pro on Windows 7 Pro SP1.

Dave Merchant wrote:
The best you can do practicably is the 'two up with cover page' view mode. The first page will appear singly but not centered, and to get the last page to behave it would have to be a folio sheet.
It's theoretically possible to use JavaScript to reset the view mode as each page is changed, but it makes for a nightmare of usability (what if someone on a smaller display wants to use 'fit to width'? Not an option if JS keeps overruling it). Anything involving JS won't work on non-Adobe software or mobile devices.
Not a programmer by any means, so I won't be using JavaScript because I wouldn't know where to begin. I was thinking more in terms of an option I could adjust in the menus or dialogues.

Report page scaling/zoom for paper size and field width?

Are there ways to design a report, or programmatically set a report to dynamically resize based on factors such as paper size (A4 vs. Letter vs. Legal), orientation (portrait vs. landscape), and field width (e.g fields grow and shrink based on data)? We are looking at ways to dynamically choose paper size and scale. This would be similar to how Excel files can adjust for printing depending on paper, and PDF files can zoom in/out for paper size.
Thanks,
Kyle

We don't want to add fields dynamically at runtime. Instead we want to automatically resize fields at runtime to properly fit data on the page. Currently with our 400 reports, data fields have gotten longer over the years so important data is being truncated. We'd like it if fields could properly grow/shrink/scale so that the data is always valid. We'd like it if the user flips from portrait to landscape, the field widths automatically grow to use the entire page. Or, if a user goes from Letter to A4, pagination still works properly and the fields get slightly wider to fit the A4 standard.
What we don't want is to have a version of the report for portrait Letter, portrait A4, portrait Legal, landscape Letter, landscape A4, landscape Legal, etc. It would be a support nightmare.
I don't know if it is possible, but I'm hoping it is. Thanks for the help.
Kyle

Pages 5 nightmare

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