HP makes configuring 3000 replacements, parts easier at Web site

While experienced HP 3000 developers struggle with shopping for HP components online — ordering components like disk drives can lead to some blind alleys, for example — a new HP site simplifies the process.

The HP Enterprise Configurator at http://h30099.www3.hp.com/configurator allows a customer to configure different servers and delivers the product numbers along with list prices. (Alas, the servers to be configured no longer include the HP 3000.)

However, another HP Web site, partsurfer.hp.com, includes a “Discontinued Servers” link that points to HP 3000 parts available for purchase from HP. For example, a 1.0 GB FW SCSI drive was available at $455, after a customer would return the “defective part” to deduct a core charge. An N-Class 750-Mhz processor costs $1,168 to replace, minus a core charge for returning a defective CPU. HP veterans say the HP prices for the parts can run higher than those on the open market, but HP’s availability appears to be good.