Computer help forum: Acer computer not booting at altitude?

http://www.instantfundas.com/2010/02/interesting-hard-drive-facts-you.html

I'd clone the drive and see if that cures it.
Bob

Solar activity from our star, the sun. The higher the altitude, the greater the energy impact of 'cosmic' rays on a computer.

Review the specs of your model#, but be sure to note what HD is present. Then visit that HD support website and locate its specs. While it may provide specs, be sure to note any "environmental" ones as it may apply. Following Robert's link, it does offer that atmosphere pressure will apply. However, that is negated when allowed to "equalize" just like a person that dives, blow out their ear canals in order to get diving. A minor filter is part of the HD, think of it as a vent for atmosphere equalization. I'm sure if you allowed equalization and maintained the height, the HD would work on top of what the article stated, but this is a time consuming process but necessary. if you've done this with other laptops and/or devices, think old HD technology vs. the new SSD type HD, which doesn't care as its pure sold state. -OR- it finally succumb to wear&tear of operation in what it thinks are extremes. If yours is older type HD, you may want swap to SSD if you continue to use it "airborne".

tada ------Willy

My laptop went to Acer for repair two times. However it still hasn't been fixed. It works perfectly at sea level and up to about 1000m altitude. Once above that it crashes more frequently the higher you go. Above about 2000m it doesn't work at all. Acer CS is absolutely horrible. I've explained the issue and the last CSR I talked to agreed that I needed a new hard drive. But after the second repair all they did was to reload the drive and operating system. Prior to sending it in the second time I did this myself. Acer CS is just awful. he CSR's barely speak English and are hard to understand.

In addition the computer was not packaged well and came back physically damaged, probably beyond repair, the send time. Now it's on it's way back to Acer and I'm hoping to get a new computer. Right now I bought another laptop at Costco ( the Acer is also from Costco) with the intention of returning it when I receive a working Acer.

It's needless to say that I won't buy another Acer product. I wish Acer and other US companies would use CSRs in the US or at least CSRs who can speak and understand English. This whole experience has been extremely frustrating.