In a recent column you mentioned the HP Omnibook. Even HP seems to have erased it from its corporate memory. I was still happily using my own Omnibook for word-processing and spreadsheet calculations when, alas, the hard disk crashed. Ironically, it slipped out of my hand when I sought to insert it in my new desktop with PCMCIA slot, to make the very back-up which I now crave. After a long search I tracked down a company in Singapore that will entertain my inquiry for a replacement - but the price of the hard disk is about 50 per cent of the then new price of the whole machine (HK$4,500). Anyway, this company did not have one and said I might find one in the US. I then found a dealer who will sell me a new hard disk without software for 10 per cent of the HP price. Would you advise me on where to find the specific software needed for the Omnibook (power management, PCMCIA slots, etc) since all other software is no problem? DETLEF NIELSEN Hong Kong My friend Chit Aldeguer has been going through similar problems to yours. He writes: 'I have made the same inquiries to HP Singapore and they told me the only way to make the Omnibook work again is to get a new hard disk [pre-installed]. Your reader is right - the new hard disk is absurd! 'Unfortunately, HP does not have one of those so-called 'recovery CDs' which can bring back the hard disk to its original factory state. Plugging in the hard disk to a notebook/desktop and reformatting it is not an option because you do not have a source of the original pre-installed software. You'll just end up with a 150 MB, blank hard disk and that's as far as you can go. 'Some smart guy somewhere in the world might have backed up his hard disk and is willing to give your reader a copy. I still have to find this person as I am also eager to bring my Omnibook back to life. I tried contacting people in several newsgroups but still have had no luck. The search continues.' If this good Samaritan does exist and happens to read this, please write in. I'll pass on his contact number to anyone interested. HP's local customer service centre says you will be able to find most of what you want at its customer care Web site. They advise you to visit the site at http://www.hp.com:80/cposup port/nonjsnav/omnib.html, select your Omnibook model and look for relevant drivers. All Omnibook drivers are supposed to be there. The customer care centre can be reached toll-free by telephone at 800-96-7729. E-mail Larry Campbell at techtalk@scmp.com or write c/o Technology Post, 28th floor, Dorset House, Taikoo Place, 979 King's Road, Quarry Bay. Fax 2565 1624.
