HowToFixComputers.com

Bob · Guest

Hi group, I purchased a Gateway 450mhz PII PC several years ago and
it's time to upgrade. After reading all the Dell NG complaints about
outsourced service (calls to India etc..) I was wondering how the
service experience has been with GW lately.

My PC needed several calls when I first got it, and I once had to have
the MB swapped when the IDE controller failed (did this at local
Country Store) and I've been pretty happy.

Does GW still use "customized" versions of Intel MBs? How about the
video cards, seemed like I needed GW drivers instead of the more
widely available commercial version drivers.

I'm looking at the XL version with 2x250GB drives, holy crap. How do
people do backups these days! I guess my old 20GB tape drive is
useless!

What's the feeling about the express service where they answer the
phone in minutes for extra $$$. Maybe worthwile for the first year?

Thanks,
Bob

Please dont reply to the hotmail account. Any direct mail please send
to
bob @ ae1m dot com

Thanks

Ben Myers · Guest

Bob,

Several points about Gateway, Dell and other computers:

They're all into outsourcing tech support to other countries now. On-site
service is most often contracted out to local "authorized" service providers
(Dell) or large service organizations like GE, TRW, IBM. Post sales service and
support continues to achieve new all-time lows.

Gateway has also been using other manufacturers' motherboards. The Intel OEM
boards they use are not so much customized physically as customized with a
unique BIOS identifier saying that the brand is a Gateway. Same with Dell,
BTW, who have apparently finally gotten away from that stupid fake-ATX
motherboard power connector which looks like an ATX but has different voltages
than ATX on various pins. Depending on the model of motherboard, the
connector(s) to the front panel switches buttons and lights may be non-standard
or standard. The economies of hardware production as such these days that no
computer brand name can afford customized motherboards. If you are a hardware
manufacturer, "custom" allows you to charge much more and realize bigger profit
margins.

No comment about express service. I avoid the phone and use the net a lot. I
think it's also asking what version of heavily accented English is spoken by the
persons on the other end of the phone line... Ben Myers

On 7 Nov 2003 09:52:20 -0800, ae1m@hotmail.com (Bob) wrote:

Ed Nixon · Guest

Hi,
I went full out and bought the top of the line desk top replacement. This
computer kicks and the only problem I've ever had was on top of the line
games with the video drivers. (solved by Omega drivers). I've had this PC
for a year now and I sure have no complaints. Of course I've never had to
call service except 1 time. It was U.S. and very helpful.
Ed

"Bob" <ae1m@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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Plasma · Guest

Hi Bob...

I used Gateway support to get an exchange power supply last week and got
someone "Stateside" but I, too, have heard a lot about the Dell outsourcing.
In fact, I also emailed Dell with a driver question and got a garbage
automated response about how to reformat my hard drive and reinstall the
entire operating system. When I took that one to the second tier, they took
5 days to send me the right driver (but I did get it).

My latest Gateways are 1.5 years old and uses a non-Intel board. The latest
Dell just purchased has an Intel board but is still customized.

As with the other responder, I have been through the Dell, Non Standard
power connector issue. It can cause a very bad day.

Personally, I don't like the current Gateway cabinet styling.

Mike in Ohio

"Bob" <ae1m@hotmail.com> wrote in message
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Doug · Guest

Ok, I've read the thread. I think that you can probably flip a coin between
Dell and Gateway regarding reliability.I too had the call to India on my
Dell 800mhz (actually it was the monitor), My Gateway 2.0ghz has had no
issues needing a call...............but the question he asked is still out
there
What brand are we recommending.?
"Plasma" <me2@privacy.net> wrote in message
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T.R. · Guest

On Tue, 11 Nov 2003 02:08:18 GMT, "Doug"
<certd5REMOVEBEFOREREPLY@yahoo.com> wrote: