WOW!

[BEOR999]

This summer, HP will introduce PC's equipped with advanced diagnosis tools that will be able to send trouble ticket information across the Internet, even when there is no Operating System working on the customer's PC; and also: an audio device on the motherboard generating audio signals containing exhaustive diagnostic information, to be received with a special decoder in the call center and decoding software on the agent's PC; this will work even when the customer's PC cannot boot

[CMonster]

An "OnStar" system for PCs - great, next we will just have video monitoring of our homes included with purchase of their PC. And if you thought that the P3 PSN had a potential for misuse..... talk about remote administration.

What'll they think of next...


are you kidding?

[Axel]

they'll think of searching your system for pirated software and checking your processor and RAM EPROM serial numbers to see if you are supposed to have them from your calling location. Then they can check the certificate numbers you put in when you loaded your OS as well as checking to see if any of your software on-line licenses are hack jobs or bona fide...

So - it's probably a service I'll never use for fear that I might have bought a hot stick of RAM from a resale shop somewhere along the way.......

sounds like a big-brother tool if I ever saw one....

as the saying goes - we know we're paranoid - but are we paranoid enough.....

I'd rather they just e-mailed me PC-anywhere and dialed into my system with the screen on so I could watch them do whatever it was they were going to do - not that that's a totally secure I dea, but then I break & fix my own systems just fine....

[Wiz]

I agree with Axel on this one. Its just another candy coated way for the govt to take our freedom out from under us.

[welsh wizard]

they do this, not only is there potential for abuse but what about the Gals and Guys out there making a living from repairing system, stealing their work away http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif
WW

[Chainsaw]

YEOW is more like it,
buyer beware.
What ever happened to the good ol' days when our greatest worry was someone listening in on the party line.
This thing sure sounds intrusive to me, I'll pass too. Bummer is that some unsuspecting customers probably won't even know it's there, ready to strike at any moment.
Opps, guess I'm gettin' paranoid again, but(as Axel said) then again, am I getting paranoid enough? Probably not.
c:::CHNsaw


[This message has been edited by Chainsaw (edited 03-30-2000).]

[Hellmund]

Not to seem paranoid or anything but that's goingto give software and chipset mogles like Bill Gates some real real power
Everythings is becoming computerised and If that is implemented he could control everything
These people have their chips in everything from computers to the common toaster.
I'd rather skip that service and let well-trained techs do the job.enough people are losing jobs as it is

[CMonster]

I don't think HP will be doing this kind of support for free more than the first 90 days and some customers may be shocked when they get their bill for support services a year down the road.

[BEOR999]

I think the diagnostic tool would be initiated by the Customer, from the front panel, so if they did not like the idea of a 'spy on the PC' they could opt not to use the diag's tool and log a normal voice call.

I do not think it will be such a powerfull tool, but could be the thin end of the wedge.

There is already several software diag tools we all use, and transmit data with, (then there are cookies on web sites) not really knowing what 'hidden' data, if any at all is being sent with our system report. This has just got to be a hardware/embedded diagnostic tool and I think it would be just as 'safe' as all the other software based tool's available.

I think it will be a good supplemental tool to the responce centre enginer, detailing drivers loaded, OS running, IRQ's and suchlike. Most of this info is hard to get from a new user, and sometimes from sytem administrators too.

If it speeds up the qualification, and get's a part to site quicker, surely it is a good thing ?

[Hellmund]

I disagree BEOR999,if it allows other machines to connects and diagnose it also means that they can control the hardware to test it thus taking control of the computer whenever the user were to initiate the program and gives them complete access to you hardrive and everything connected to the computer,and because OS's log passwords nothing is secure.
Now imagine if someone else gained access other than the specified Tech or if a disgruntled tech got this control of all the computers and decided to cause some trouble.
Now can you see a bad side?


[This message has been edited by Hellmund (edited 03-31-2000).]

[Richard_Cranium72]

Cookie has the idea, it won't be free. IMO, it won't work properly either. I've been less than impressed with HP's support, if you can call it that.. granted I never called the number where they have the phones with the button marked "ETERNAL HOLD". I only go to the forum, I'd already heard enough dread stories to even try to get assistance. Through my own fault mostly, I formatted about 16 times in 20 months. Now it hasn't booted in 60 days, target time.. What about the snoop ability of the PIII's, did they Really stop making them that way ??