We are in the computer business (VAR). We routinely have things that do not work correctdly on ANY PC (read Intel) based machine. More often than not it has nothing to do with hardware. More often it is related to drivers (hardware interface code) conflicting, interrupts conflicting, PnP, BIOS, etc....., and techs who don't read the Add-in card tech manuals.
There are call-in radio programs that last for hours just discussing such topics.
DIYers (Do It Yourself) can expect to have problems. They simply don' have the time or expertise to handle PC's. We have had lots of calls to fix what DYIers have started.
We have stayed with selling HWP, CPQ and IBM systems because they do the integration and testing. Their solutions work upon arrival.
I would never take a screwdriver to the Fuel Injection on my Benz, nor would I do surgery on my knee. The computer (PC) add-in card purveyors have made it sound so easy. It can be. 98% of the time we have no problem with add-in cards. Many probems occur when customers start wanting to load up the parallel port.
Business computing (ie always works) is different because we have this thing about UPTIME. Companies pay $$$ monthly for 2 hour response time on HW/SW problem fixes. Small guys, with limited budgets, tend to get the latest "PC repair kit" and go to it.
I am sure that on the Internet there are appropriate "HELP!" sites for those over their heads.
RW |
