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OT/New PC (rant) Rather long.

D

Don S.

Member
Early last month, my old computer gave up the ghost. Bought this one at Staples. Got it home, hooked it up. Discovered it had no connection for dial-up. Went back to store, got an external modem. That worked fine for about 10 days, then suddenly quit. Took that modem back to store, got refund and another external modem. Loaded it in, wouldn't work.
Took PC & new modem back to store, for them to install internal modem. Got refund for external modem. Half-dozen "techs" running around in store, but they are operating registers, etc. They called a week later telling me that the internal modem they sell wil not fit in my computer. WTF??? Highly PO'd.
Got all money back for their "services." Took PC to someone I know, three days later had PC back with a new internal modem installed. Works great now.
For a few dollars, an internal modem could have been installed at the factory. Why would a store sell modems that don't fit the computers they sell?? End of rant. Thanks for listening.
 
Can't comment on specifics since I have no idea what you got. That being said, many motherboards have built-in modem chips instead of plug-in modem cards. All the on-board chips I've had worked just as well and I've never had one fail.

Many new computers do not come with modems.

If you're running a Microsoft OS, did you check "device manager" to see what it says about the modem that stopped working? It's likely you've got a software/driver problem, not a hardware problem.

In regard to their modem not fitting . . . they is no "standard" internal modem. Depends on what type of slot your motherboard allows. ISA, PCI, PCI Express, AGP, etc. etc. Also depends on what software drivers it comes with. And if an external using USB, it depends if USB version 1, version 2, etc.
 
Oh yeah, isn't this new stuff just great?!

I bought a Dell refurb. Lasted a total of 27 days.

That's okay tho; I'm pretty sure I'll need a doorstop for the barn one of these days. :>)

Allan
 
That's what I was wondering, not too many people buy a computer to use as a type writer. So I would guess they're all internet ready.
 
Yeah, but I also think modems are considered "rare" and not-so-common anymore.
I see many new computers without them, so you have to check first. Seems computer makers assume that most of the population is somehow getting high-speed Internet. So, many come with wireless LAN, but no dial-up modems. Seems if you need one, you can by one that runs in a USB port. I just got a digital TV tuner for my laptop that plugs into the USB and it works great.

Same happened no long ago first with 5 1/4" floppy drives, then 3 1/2" floppy drives, ISA card slots, etc. This stuff changes all the time. Now even internal hard drives and CD/DVD drives that run on IDE cables (ATA) are getting scarce and going over to serial ATA (SATA).

I don't keep up with this stuff until I actually have to fix a computer. This month, I had to fix one desktop, and two lap tops - so I had to play a little catch-up.
 
I never tried Dell, but I bought two "industrial strength" HP XW4100 Workstations used. Not refurbished. Just working take-outs. I paid around $175 each four years ago and they've been fantasic workhorses. Not a bit of trouble. And, they have big motherboards with many, many, slots for adding things. The one I'm using now has two hard-drives - each at 1 terrabyte. Also three DVD dual-layer burners, a digital TV tuner, etc.
 
I got to yell here cause the name of Dell has come up a couple of time lately with bad reviews. I have 3 gx620 dells and a friend another dell. They are faultless for years. They are not the cheaper store bought specials, I think they call them business machines and I got them "off of lease". They are very well constructed and what I would call "industrial" if they were a tool. From what I hear here, the cheaper ones must be real junk, just like other brands.
 
The Dell business computers are similar to the HP business workstations. Both have "quick release" buttons so you can take them apart fast with no tools. Both also tend to have many extra slots in the motherboards for upgrading, big power supplies, and many extra IDE or SATA connections for running muliple hard drives, DVD drives, etc. The ones I've fooled with were built like tractors, as compared to home-computers.

I did repairs for several places that had the Dell Optiflex line of business computers. Very rugged machines. Can't say I ever saw a problem with any, other then just time and wear. I just don't like the way Dell has a way of making many things in their comptuers "Dell only." Even the Windows operating system.
 
Door step ? . Go easy Allan wouldn't BE SO BAD if they were Cheaper ,, . Rock Slabs are so Much Cheaper ,, And You can use the Slab to Smash the Made in CHINA ETCH A SKETDH TRASSH... Rarely a day goes by that My PC is Not trying to do Somethin CRAZY ,, .. I do Love the Exchange of Knowledge ,, But My Gosh it is as bad as Herding HOGGS ,, What gets ME is the your lucky to get 5 yrs out of any of the electronix TRASH .. Why Can't They Make Them Solid and TUF like My old 50s era CASE tractors ?...
 
Could be worse, took the Bluray player back to HH Gregg because the sound didn't work anymore. We got the extended warranty so it was covered. They said it could take up to six weeks to fix. I asked WT# would it take that long for and the woman said sometimes they have to get parts and it takes awhile. I told her I was in Iraq for a year, and it didn't take six weeks to send something to and from Iraq when combat operations were going on. I also told them I was done buying from them.
 
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