Computer from Hell (CFH) Part 4 - The Final Straws -

I thought I finally had a working desktop, but three days after loading my personal programs, I booting to a black screen. OOPS! After several attempts and analysis, I felt the problem was a failed hard drive.

Thus began the round-robin of phone calls but only one target - the internationally known computer manufacturer (CM). Since the CFH history in their records of my purchase, my call received immediate high tier tech support. A nice lady agreed with my analysis and offered to ship a new hard drive, but I had to format it and return the old one. I agreed - no problem.

It arrived shortly and I formatted with operating system -- but nothing else - and returned the defective hard drive. I occasionally turn it off and on. It sat unused a few weeks.

My best friend (BF) who needed a desktop and knew the history of the CFH, asked to borrow it, for a short time until she had funds for a new purchase.

We spent a day moving it between homes, setting up, and loading her personal preferences and programs. I had no faith this was a good decision, but she loaded her financial program and records.

Three days later the hard drive crashed again.

To end my agony, I made a decision to accept the fact I made the worst purchasing decision of my life and continued to throw good money after bad, to correct it.

I fired off an e-mail to the CEO of CM, regaling the saga of the CFH, with statistics, my turmoil mental anguish, and my opinion of this model line (which still exists).

A CEO representative called to see if the CM could salvage our relationship. I firmly said, all I wanted was a box and ticket to recycle the unit FREE with their customer recycling service. Although he tried, this CM action go lost in the on-line form so I gave up.

I dismantled the computer into components, sent most to an area computer club that recycles computers for sale at the Humane Society and Salvation Army. I kept memory and CD/DVD recorder/player. The case went curbside for garbage pickup--yeah, I know, but I tried to do right, but this whole sordid ordeal needed an end.

Having opened the case several times, my intermediate computer technology determined miniaturization can be too extreme. There were only two tiny fans, one on the CPU and one on the motor. All components were packed or stacked on top of each other. The unit relied on many air holes in the case for venting.

I own two laptops. Will I ever buy a netbook? Not any time soon!

• Lesson #5: Analyze bad purchase decisions earlier and honestly consider if rectifying them is a viable option or simply it is just a BAD DECISION and move on.

Oh, I almost forgot...

• Lesson #6: If your hard drive crashes and you failed to backup recently or never, put it in your freezer for two hours, re-connect it and retrieve everything you want, or ever think you might want before it dies again.

I found this tip on the INTERNET, didn't believe it, but decided I had nothing to lose. IT WORKS!!!

THE END ......[Luckie says 'thank goodness, maybe I will get more play time.']

Saga of the Computer from Hell (CFH) continues

Upon return the manufacturer repaired Computer from Hell (CFH) had the same problem, non-functioning USB wireless network provision. Neither internationally known computer manufacturer (CM) or I could believe the repaired unit had the same problem.

Again, I began the round-robin phone call between CM tech support, ISP tech support, wireless router tech support and me. All tech supports placed blame on the other, despite my connecting to Internet with wired network on-board function and CAT-5 cable.

Finally CM authorized a second return for repair with same result - NON-FUNCTIONING WIRELESS NETWORK FUNCTION. Unbelievably stupid! [If you are counting, this the THIRD time the CFH has made the journey to the CM.]

Again the round robin of phone calls with same three tech supports, with continuing repetition of suggestions, tests and the "blame" game.

To settle the "blame" game, I made an appointment with the area ISP (phone company), who offered free troubleshooting services. With assorted luggage filled with the CFH, a laptop and wireless router I made the 24-mile round trip to the ISP's area office. In less than 20 minutes their tech support determined the problem was the CFH, not the ISP service.

I called CM tech support again. By now I had moved up the chain of command to top level of tech support. After regaling the entire long and sordid history, I was provided a replacement upgrade of same model series to be known as CFH-II, after returning the old unit. [Trip #4)

Upon arrival, every component of the CFH-II model upgrade replacement functioned so I registered it with CM.

By now my husband wanted to keep his home-built computer, spurning the CFH-II model, so after setup and personalization CFH-II sat, unused for several months.

Lesson #4. Don't give up pursuing your consumer's right to a functioning product - no lemons!
We are now into November, 2008 - 13 months from original purchase!
I donated my home-built desktop to a church resource room, and set up CFH-II for my personal desktop use, loading an office suite, financial software. personal files and photos.

Still, the saga becomes ridiculously worse. My husband and Luckie think I am far too stubborn for my own sanity...

Stay tuned for Part 4 - The Final Straws

Saga of The Computer from Hell (CFH), Purchase, Problems, Part 1

Luckie does not like this saga as the frequent trips described, resulted her her being boarded at the local veterinarian kennels which she dislikes.

The saga includes references to a big box store and an internationally known computer manufacturer. After reading an article in the NEW YOUR TIMES, the big box store will be named BBS and the computer manufacturer, CM.

[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/business/media/16dominos.html?th&emc=th].

In October, 2007 I decided my husband needed a new desktop computer to replace one I built prior to Windows XP version and upgraded to XP. Nothing was wrong the home-built version, except it was not VISTA compatible. (After two years of Vista this purchase was doomed from the start!)

In this time frame we had frequent appointments at the VA hospital in Little Rock (LR), Arkansas [300 mi. round trip] for my husband's medical problems.

I ordered a slim computer from BBS's website to be delivered to BBS's retail store in LR. The slimmed down model's small footprint seemed ideal for my husband's computer nook with limited desk real estate.

At pickup I purchased an in-store 2-year warranty extension/maintenance agreement and memory upgrade, approximate total price, $600. The warranty extension/maintenance agreement was an in-store subcontractor service.

So far, here are lessons learned from mistakes, #1, #2 and #3 in this story:

1. Never buy a new model on-line without intense research.
2. Never purchase an in-store warranty when you are 300 mi. round trip away from store.
3. Read fine print and ask seemingly stupid questions, like if defective, can I ship it to store.

We made this trip in one day, arriving home late evening, so we did not unpack the CFH until the next day. When we did, the DVD-CD ROM recorder/player was defective, the insertion door did not open; it did not initialize on boot.

Frequent long-distance phone calls to the BBS were fruitless; I was told I had to return it to the store for exchange, another 300 mi trip.

Fortunately, my husband had another appointment at VA; we planned a 2-night stay at a motel. I exchanged the unit; the warranty extension/maintenance agreement was transferred to new unit.

At this point estimated costs of our motel and Luckie's boarding, 300 mi. of fuel (not counting original purchase), long distant phone calls, and dining equaled or exceeded the original purchase. I am beginning to seethe.

The saga only gets worse.

Watch for Part 2.

Digital Deliberations - One benefits Luckie's shelter home

Last Friday my best friend (BF) called me to visit her and wipe a desktop hard drive clean in exchange for a fried fish dinner. My husband was included in the invite, but not Luckie.

My BFs have multiple cats and presently only one dog. Over the nearly thirty years I've known them, they have only had one pure breed dog. However, I've lost count of the dogs and cats they've adopted, mostly strays, but some shelter animals, too.

The old computer was going to a local computer club which refurbishes them and gives them to the Humane Society or Salvation Army, whichever the donor chooses. Since BF selected the Humane Society, I was overjoyed to help the cause. It seems the economic downturn has spike sales of used computers, especially at these two charitable organizations.

I plan to add a box full of parts I've collected and no longer need in building or repairing (0ccasionally). I figured my helping prepare her unit for resale in the Humane Society's shop, in some small way may return the joy Luckie has brought into our lives.

The last few days a Silver Sneakers exercise friend tried to exorcise her desktop which she maintained was possessed by a demon. After several phone calls with e-mails with suggestions, and little improvement, I read the signs of having the Conficter worm which has been tormenting the computer world. I sent her a site to read about it and went fishing...hmm...better relabel that a windy boat ride on area lake.

Two phone messages were waiting for me, when I returned home: Send her the patches because she could not download them, nor access Microsoft website, two signs of the dastardly worm. I have not heard the end of this saga as of tonight. Stay tuned for the rest of the story.

Rambling with Luckie

Luckie decided I should arise early after a difficult Friday, so I made the coffee and fed her; she promptly went back to bed--her mission accomplished.

So I have finished my coffee, while reading my favorite news sites, e-mails and blogs. Now I am mulling and stewing over the difficult Friday which involved, in my opinion, the difficult side of small town politics, and involved dismissal of a volunteer without transparent cause! Ah--I am adopting our new President's vocabulary!

But the day ended nicely with a fish-fry and a computer request at our closest friends' house. And I was able to put the meal in my Weight Watcher diet, because she provided me the menu and scale ahead of time. Isn't that considerate? Normally fried fish is a no-no, but advanced planning allowed it.

Our anticipated trip to Texas is postponed after several long conversations with my half-brother who really appreciated the concern and attention from me and my husband. The trip is what we call "in limbo" for now.

Since the weather is unsettled, today is designated "stay at home" and enjoy it, with many neglected chores awaiting my attention.

Maybe, I'll even plan and cook a balanced, hot meal---I dislike cooking and most duties associated with home which I attribute to my 36 years' in the job force. My husband does help me, especially with outdoor chores.

I achieved one small goal this week-Luckie received her monthly "beauty treatment"-Bath, nail trim, ear clean, etc. and came home with a lovely yellow neck bandanna, looking ready for spring.

Now that the rest of the household is up and moving, so must I.....