Problems With Gateway Computers

[Kosmo]

I have a gateway computer that I've had nothing but trouble out of and was wondering if anyone else
has had the same problem? I have had 2 hard drives go out, a CD ROM, 2 modems, 2 keyboards
and a mouse. I've gotten nothing but excuses out of them. I've talked to one tech person after
another and each one gives me a different answer. I have spent a total of 14days and 23 hours
talking to tech people since I got this computer. It is now barely over 2yrs old and it was the top of
the line model that they had at the time. My problems started when the computer wasn't even a yr.
old. The tower is case is defective and even a tech person at gateway said it was and that's why they
don't use them anymore, but yesterday a tech guy Jason Lobel said the reason why we have trouble
getting the tower case back on is because the Hewlett Packard CD-R drive isn't installed
right.....What a joke. Just another excuse from Gateway. Plus when I installed the CD-R drive I was
able to get the tower case back on after about 45 minutes of work. Gateway doesn't even know
when I put this CD-R drive in my computer. If I was you and you're are even considering buying a
gateway I would think real long and hard about it. There is a place that works for gateway and
monitors gateways compliance department for them that have called here twice and both of these
people said that gateway is the hardest place to deal with and that they have been threatened with
legal action several times because of their faulty computers. They also said that gateway doesn't care
that we are just a nobody to them. The latest tech person we have been talking to says that it's
software problems. He says that when you install software on your computer that it can cause all
kinds of problems. It's just another excuse from Gateway. I guess computers aren't made to install
software on. They have said that they would replace the computer if its a hardware problem and
they can't fix it. I guess this is the reason why they keep saying its a software problem. The latest
tech guy Jason Lobel said that the Hewlett Packard CD-R drive is what's causing the problems
because it is not hooked up right. I might add that he said this after he told me the computer was
now fixed. I told him you don't even know when I installed this CD-R drive and that I haven't had
these type of problems with this computer until we put this latest new hard drive that you sent out
here. Which was a Maxtor instead of the Quantum Fireball that was in the computer to begin with
and the Maxtor didn't have the drivers with it. So we had to wait for Gateway to send those out here
too. I responded to him by saying how do you know that since you sent out a different brand name
hard drive (Maxtor) than what was in (Quantum Fireball) here in the first place that this isn't the
problem? He said it's not its a software problem. Even though I know that you can have conflicts
with device drivers and hardware problems that cause software trouble. Well, he said for me to call
Hewlett Packard because they were the problem. So I did and they laughed and said that it was
gateways computer that was the problem not the CD-R drive. I might add the Hewlett Packard got
the CD-R drive running fine and I still have problems with this computer. Such as it freezing up all of
the time and having to reboot. The screen will turn green and say page default for no reason.
Programs don't work half the time, because I get errors and they close up. But according to
Gateway and Jason Lobel they are software problems. Everyone that I talk to says that this
computer I got is a lemon and that gateway should do something about it but they don't and won't.
So if I was you I would really consider not buying a gateway computer.

GK

[Bud]

Join the crowd, my neighbor bought a new gateway about a year or so ago and it was a nightmare. Gateway tech support?-Nada. Well we decided to fix it even though it was still under warante. 3 days 2 reinstalls of windows and a bad video card. He travels a lot and is going to stop by their place of business next week, I will keep you posted if he is not in jail after the visit with them.
Bud

[Nathan]

If I may add my .02 worth here. I would check and/or consider doing the following;

1. Check your outlet and make sure the polarity is correct. Do you have a good surge protector(w/ phoneline surge protection) or a battery backup(which is better)? You can get those polarity checker at some discount hardware stores for 120 volt outlets for about $8.00 US. Also see if you can have the system on it's own outlet straight to the fuse box. If not, try not to have it on a line that has a pump, motor, or compressor on it. I doubt that is your problem, but doesn't hurt to check to make sure.

2. As Bud mentioned, you may just want to start over yourself. Make sure you have all the drivers and the boot disk ready with your CD driver. Pull out everything you can except the video card and reinstall the operating system. Then put each device back in one at a time and install the drivers for each. Take your time with each. Play with the system some during this.

3. If you have a voltage meter, check the connections coming from the power supply. Be carefully doing it. If you don't know how, then you might have a friend that knows.

4. Check to make sure it's not overclocked and the fans are running.


Without seeing it, I don't how much it will help, but it's a start anyway. The sad thing is you could have a couple of small problems that is causing all this mayhem.

Let us know what happens.

Computer Help Page
www.helponthe.net/nathan/

[NuovoTech]

Well I bought a P-166 from GateWay a few years
back. Had only a few problems, most of the tech
support folks were okay...Some stuff is defective
for sure, but a lot of folks (including myself) like
to tinker a lot on their PCs. This creates problems
too & It's not always the mfg's fault...

[JOHNSTON]

I bought a GATEWAY April, 2000 and have had NOTHING but problems. Gateway has been extremely rude and then I discovered (I am a total non-computer person) that they never sent me a PENTIUM III, but a AMD Anthleon processor. When I brought this LITTLE matter to their attention saying the breached their contract, they told me tough...sue them.... so I am, funny thing though, it's close to impossible to get their Registered Agents information...

[jim.t]

Yeah NuovoTech, I have a Gateway p-166 also with very little trouble...the usual nit-pickin' stuff, and I had a speaker go out after two-years, but all in all, not so very bad, and I still have it. But, I did hear the stories about tech support, and had to call a few times myself a few months ago. I noticed a brasher type of verbalizing/dialog rather than the more courteous/try to help the customer get straight. BTW, just bought a Dell a month ago, and have been in constant contact with tech support since then. Oh, well.

[[EFS]HarryPotter]

Hey i have a gateway p3 450mhz and it works pretty well for me the only problem that i have had is when i installed my zip i found out that my primary ide slot on my mobo isnt working. I think gateway has gotten into a lotta **** lately because they are racing againt compaq and dell ----> which is supposed to beat out compaq in Q3 2001. Gateway it tryin to keep up and they are making sacrifices.

[johnpaul]

I must be the exception to the rule. I have a Gateway system I bought 3 years ago, and have had no problems (to speak of) with it. It's a Pentium MMX, 233 Mhz. When I bought it, I was a complete newbie to PCs, and it was frustrating talking to their tech people, but I survived that. I did discover, though, that they have some folks working for them who know next to nothing about computers. They have a list of questions to ask you, and that's it. The few times I connected with a competent tech were reassuring, but I suppose even Dell has some bozos working their phones.

In fact, I am expecting a Pentium 3 933 Mhz, 40 Gig HD to be delivered any day, now. I hope this one is as smooth as the last.

JP

[Abby]

gateway user since 10/97 had a few problems really it was all my not knowing what I had done. lightning hit the modem after about a year. I had the 3 yr warranty. they helped me each & everytime I called