Comments on: When it rains, it pours. ARGH.

By: Jon Jennings

Jon Jennings — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:08:19 +0000

Ha! Glad I lost the comment I was trying to post last week… was going to chime in with the NCIX recommendations.

I find it slightly humorous that the Apple users would recommend Mac as a solution to hardware issues. Sure Apple software is intuitive and pretty but from my experience the reliability is dreadful. Over the last couple of years we’ve bought 8 Apple products and none of them have been fault-free. Two of them at least had the courtesy to fail under warranty (although daughter’s MacBook is dying again). Talking to other people that seems typical – some of the Apple users I’ve spoken with seem to treat the AppleCare warranty as an automatic purchase when you buy your Mac. Admittedly an Apple fan might just say the unreliability is because they’re so great they get used more and harder than PCs and I’ve seen no info on the alumin(i)um Macs (which might mean they’re more reliable). But still – I’m not convinced

By: Tanya (aka NetChick)

Tanya (aka NetChick) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:09:19 +0000

Thanks for the input guys! I am an NCIX fanatic, actually (and Frontier/Atic as well) but they aren’t open for pick up on a Sunday evening so that I could get at it Monday morning before 7am…

The computer at home doesn’t even post, Tyler. I’m going to have to yank it apart, pull out the front USB ports (which connect to the MB in a very odd place…) and see if the thing will boot with them offline. I believe the short is happening there.

Thanks for the offer, Allie! I think we’re probably on the same level, building-the-bits-wise, but if you wanna come over for a beer and commiserate, that would be fun
Tanya (aka NetChick)´s last blog: U2 and the Black Eyed Peas

By: Tyler

Tyler — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:46:06 +0000

I concur.. buy your PC gear from NCIX or other smaller computer shop. FutreShop and BestBuy are meh for computer gear and are highly over priced (as is London Drugs).

As for your issues with machines; Crazy!

Does the computer(s) at all POST? (before trying to load the OS’s image). Can you get into the BIOS setup screen? (del, or some other key(combination)).

Does it even power on? Does the harddrives spin up, does the fan on the CPU/Heatsink spin, etc.

It does drive me nuts when ppl say.. Buy a Mac, or Should have bought a Mac. I love Macs, don’t get me wrong, but don’t assume Macs are without fault too lol

By: VancityAllie

VancityAllie — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:35:15 +0000

I love my PC, which is currently on Vista… but I can’t wait to upgrade to Windows 7.

I’m glad to hear you are sticking by on your PC! It’s true — problems happen to both computers.

Sorry to hear about your problems though… perhaps you could go to NCIX or another OEM dealer and just upgrade the parts you need to. It wouldn’t cost much more.

Good luck! Let me know if you need any help… I’ve been building computers for a while now
VancityAllie´s last blog: THE QUESTION OF PREMIUM LIQUORS

By: alittlecoffee

alittlecoffee — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:04:34 +0000

Really sorry to hear that Tanya

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:02:42 +0000

I agree with Al… I never by PC parts at FS or BB. Perhaps you might consider Atic Computers next time, which is on Broadway near Quebec. Very aggressive pricing, good stock levels.

I’ve also used Partition Wizard for some basic partition/ unbootable volume repairs (they have an option to let you make a bootable CD for disastere recovery, like this). it doesn’t cover all scenarios, but it’s pretty good. Google “Partition Wizard Home Edition”.

As always, just my two bits. YMMV

By: James

James — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:28:35 +0000

I feel your pain. Funny writing though, so take consolation that someone was amused.

I’ve found local PC shops a good source for drives, and you sometimes meet interesting people.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:10:53 +0000

Wow. That sounds unbelievably annoying! I feel for you. Personally, I just got my first Mac – and I really love it, but I’m still happy with my big screened desktop PC. But if you just spent a whole bunch of money on something else, of course you don’t want to go get another new computer. Well, hang in there netchick! Let us know what happens…
Susan´s last blog: Writing with the Young Gunz at Purple Thistle

By: Al

Al — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:07:54 +0000

Not a good week for tech for you. I had a HD fail this past week too, no wasn’t windows or mac, but one of my external storage array drives. damn frustrating.

Avoid FS or BB for buying drives, go to NCIX or Anitec next time. Larger stock on hand and probably better prices too.