Recent HP Laptops Shipped CPU-Choking Wi-Fi Driver

An anonymous reader writes "Computer manufacturers have recently come under fire for the continued practice of shipping machines with excessive bloatware. Software preinstalled on some recent HP laptops was worse than normal though, consuming anywhere from 25-99% CPU by making incessant WMI queries, resulting in overheating laptops and reduced battery life. Users on a computer Q&A site did some sleuthing, and revealed that HP Wireless Assistant — software which does nothing but tell the user when their WiFi adapter is turned on or off — was causing the problem. According to an HP support forum, the problem is fixed in later versions, but thousands of laptops have the software installed, and the software does not get updated automatically."

Comments

Re:HP is the worst

[Khyber]

Speaking as a former HP tech, the bloatware rarely lowers prices as most of the bloatware is HP-made, thus it should have cost them MORE. What makes the prices so low is the garbage manufacturers and components they utilize.

And half of the RAM is counterfeit Nanya, to boot.

My DV7 is a LEMON REPLACEMENT for the shit DV9000 I had - guess what? It's a couple weeks before warranty, battery is GONE, and the unit overheats without me doing anything intensive. Even a simple video makes the laptop hot enough to keep my sake very warm if I leave it over the power button. I'm on the phone with support right now (or should I say HOUR THREE ON FUCKING HOLD, thank god I'm calling via skype on my desktop so I can prepare to chew these fuckwits out ASAP,) and as always, support is dismal - another reason the laptops are so cheap, HP cut support costs by cutting staff.

HP is one of the worst-managed companies I've ever seen in my life. I run one of my own, and I certainly don't have half of the logistical nightmares (despite me sourcing parts from all over the globe,) or half of the quality issues (proper thermal design is my specialty.)

HP should fire their entire engineering team and hire me. I can cram well over 500w of heat into their typical 17" case and still keep all electronics inside very cool. And I run semiconductors that are much more sensitive to heat - high-output SMD.