Free-PC

[maylh]

I got a free pc from www.free-pc.com. It is a Compaq with a 380 mhz amd cpu and 64mb ram, 4.3gb hd... Also a 15" Compaq monitor with two JBL speakers. The free space on the hd is about 3.4gb, not too bad.

My main complains so far are:

1. Monitor is flicking. The screen resolution is set at 1024x768 by the Free-PC and cannot be changed. But the Compaq monitor's refresh rate is 60 hz at that resolution. The max. flick-free resolution is 800x600. When the free-pc news was released back in Feb. the resolution was mentioned was 800x600. I am not against the banner ads. But the flicking will make my vision worse!

2. Internet connection speed and reliability. The connection speed is around 44,000 bps. My Netzero on the other home pc connects at around 52,000 bps.

Anybody has any experience advice?

[Bazango]

MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE NOT MAKING ANY LONG DISTANCE CALLS WHEN YOU CONNECT WITH YOUR ISP. Check the phone number you are using to make sure that it is not long distance. Remember, when you are using the modem it is just like making a regular phone call. If you are online for two hours it is just like sitting on the phone long distance and talking for two hours to your long distance carrier.

This is where the computer ceases to be "free". The long distance companies are going to be raking in the money from suckers who can't tell if they are making long distance calls or not. You can be sure this has all been prearranged between the ISPs and the long distance carriers. If you go one month using long distance connections and go on line regularly, it can cost from $300 to $600 just in the phone bill alone.

[drdeath]

hey - i have seen articles/ads for those free pcs, where you have to look at ads and banners and **** all over the screen. i was wondering - what is to stop you from reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling your own software - thus getting the free hardware, but getting rid of the banners

????????

[daveleau]

They tell you to send it back. They monitor you through your ISP (net-zero usually) and have to install new adds every month. After the time is up on the 'contract' you can do with it as you please.

[maylh]

Thanks for your nice warnings.

The local number is a local number, no long distance charges, I confirmed.

Any ISP is monitoring your activities regardless you pay a fee or not.

[beller6]

I am using NetZero and Did not know about their free PC. Glad I didn't know about it. Don't want Compaq, like to build my own. I don't think they can monitor you after you disconnect from the internet. I would try backing up NetZero then reformatting the HD add your own stuff. It might work. You have to make that decision though.

[mykel]

Well I'm kinda curious about this one.. Is it really "free" and how long is the contract?? Do you have to be online for a while? Is it ok if ever that you don't wanna use your computer? And how do they monitor you? Please reply.. Thanks...

[daveleau]

they monitor you over the web by your password. You have to be on 12hrs/ month. You cannot reformat the drive or mess up the net-zero spftware or advertisements. As for the duration: I *think* it is a two to three year commitment. You can send it back at any time. There is no charge unless you send it back. Then, you have to pay the shipping to ship it back.

[mykel]

Do they ask you for your CC# once you sign up??

[U-96]

Go for two or three years without reformatting my HD?
I thought NetZero was for Windows?

[daveleau]

That's a good one U-96. /forum/smile.gif Two whole years?!

Yes they ask for your cc# to get the computer. Otherwise you could jet with the machine and they'd have no way to charge you for it.