HP promises fix for Mini 1000 webcam problem

Well, that was fast -- we were wondering where that Gear Diary video of an HP employee fixing the defective webcam on a Vivienne Tam Mini 1000 went, and it turns out that it was pulled at ol' Hewpie's request. The company's promised to release an official statement with instructions for sending in affected machines, and we'd guess it doesn't want customers taking matters -- and display bezels -- into their own hands while they sort out a plan. Sounds reasonable to us -- and we know you understand it too, which is why we've posted a similar video after the break.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:17PM]

HOT !!!!

[Richard Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:26PM]

My exact thought too. Kudos to HP!

[BigD145 Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:22PM]

They actually WANT users to send in units so HP can foot the bills and preserve the warranty? What is this madness?

[The WC Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:26PM]

It isn't madness. IT! IS! SPARTA!

...Sorry for the off-topic post. It was too tempting.

Carry on.

[adokimus Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:42PM]

Well, that beats people breaking their bezel or scratching the webcam lens and THEN sending it in and expecting HP to foot the bill...

But yeah, sucks that HP messed up, but I'm glad there's a fairly easy fix.

[Onashi608 Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:23PM]

You know, HP's integrated web cams have sucked for at least the last two years. I had an HP DV2000 notebook a long while back, and the webcam NEVER WORKED. It really pissed me off. I was always looking for a way to fix it, but HP kept telling me that they were "working on it".

Assholes.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:25PM]

Now we're waiting on you Apple.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:34PM]

Zuh?
My MB webcam works fine, buddy.

[Prokanda2oh Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:48PM]

agreed... the cam in my MBP works wonderfully... the 2 x 30 second instances that I've actually used it to make a login picture. >.> but I have the last revision from the previous gen.. maybe you have an earlier model that had an issue I'm not aware of...

[diamondsw Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:55PM]

Huh? I've used my built-in webcam for years for lots of video-chatting with family, showing off house renovation projects, etc, and it's an excellent camera. Never had a problem with it.

[PhoenixFox Posted Feb 26th 2009 6:11PM]

I think he means for the hinge on the Air

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 26th 2009 6:24PM]

I was referring the other article this afternoon where Apple refuses to acknowledge the hinge issue with the revision A MacBook Air.

[Cash9007 Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:28PM]

Man... why don't I ever get this lady when I call tech support?

Hot!!!

[Geqxon Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:38PM]

I'd like to void HER warranty!

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:41PM]

I'm going to take a wild guess here, and say that your own product seal has yet to be broken?

[Prokanda2oh Posted Feb 26th 2009 5:53PM]

oh god... TJ... pure win.

[ashasaur Posted Feb 26th 2009 7:18PM]

Damnit TJ, you have won Comment of the Year for 2009 already!

[Twanzio Posted Feb 26th 2009 6:09PM]

How do I get that hottie to fix it for me? Is she with Geek Squad? Why is she fixing a netbook inside of a bar? Is this too many questions?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 26th 2009 6:40PM]

I was 'working' on a paper due tomorrow morning...

I was able to pop open my lid with my thumb nail and remove the film with a tweezer. Awesome results! Thank you, ladies!

[rbolt Posted Feb 26th 2009 7:49PM]

i was having this problem with my dad's mini 1000. oh well thanks ladies. i'll do the brain surgery later then.

[fauxcivility Posted Feb 26th 2009 9:02PM]

If HP doesn't come out with an official response soon guess I'll have to get my hands dirty...

[rkevwill Posted Feb 26th 2009 9:38PM]

Sure hope Sarah still has a job at HP!

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 27th 2009 3:13AM]

Shame the video doesn't work at all now.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 27th 2009 2:18PM]

Gear Diary taped this video during Fashion Week last week. A group of bloggers, including myself, went to see Vivienne Tam's new Fall fashion line-up. Sarah is super sweet, I hope she doesn't get in trouble from HP for trying to help us out - we all reviewed the HP Vivienne Tam Edition netbook and were all complaining about its dismal web cam performance.
You can read more about where we were here: http://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/21/fashion-week-with-hp-and-vivienne-tam/
and here: http://www.chipchick.com/2009/02/vivienne_tams_fashion_show_offers.html