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Pastimes : Computer Learning -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Paul Senior who wrote (16618)	2/21/2001 1:21:00 AM
From: Paul Senior	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 110642

My Story, fwiw: time for ignorant person to first time install NIC card (and driver) to new (Gateway) computer and thence to incorporate and work with DSL software (Earthlink) (The DSL cable line was previously installed.) The time: THREE MONTHS. Issues included: my inability to describe a problem let alone understand it, my inability to follow written technical instructions (download xxx to a file ------ how? what file, how do I then find it?, etc. etc.) The convergence of four different customer support groups (Linksys (took a while to determine their product was defective) replaced later by 3Com, Gateway, and Earthlink) -- what is it that is actually not working and who is responsible or willing to help me resolve it it? After one year, my Gateway machine froze. Emerging after two weeks in the Gateway shop, it now has a new motherboard and hard drive. Time to again install NIC card and driver and Earthlink software -- ONE WEEK. Positives: I got the darn thing to work once before -- I ought to be able to get it working again (i.e. some confidence the computer and hardware and software would and could be hooked up again). I set goals for the project: 3 work days to install NIC card and driver (on the assumption it's a 20 minute job but it would NEVER go that well), 3 days for DSL installation. I planned for EXTREME frustration level: got nice support from wife and family. Also, importantly, have by now a 2nd back up computer with internet connection (so I'm not desperate to get hooked up). Got much more quick to call vendor customer support. Took much more notes. So that when I tried different things I could retrace steps. Thus, I learned how to tell if my NIC card was installed properly, or if the driver was working (i.e at start programs, accessories, sys tools, sys info, components, network). Issues I encountered: (per 3Com support): BIOS on new motherboard different from original in that all 15? places were filled on new motherboard and therefore not possible to install driver. Recommendation was disable USB and use that position. (aside: I didn't take notes here, so maybe my terminology is off). 3COM walked me through this. But not before I had spent 1 1/2 days playing with the CD that came with the NIC, trying to use the software that Microsoft wizard supplied, and trying to use the download software that I got from the 3COM tech support when I first called. Time to install Earthlink DSL software 2 hours (including two phone calls - directions to download software, later, help in retrieving software and running it) - a breeze compared with the approximately 20 calls over 2 months in my year ago effort. System seems to be running faster than ever (uploads noticeably faster). Also boots about 2x faster. It's noticeably noisier though (high pitched whine). Although Gateway had said they, per their policy, would reconfigure the system the way I bought it, I notice after they were done that there's now no "GoBack" feature which is a software package designed to restore the system if it crashes. (I attribute much slowness to this GoBack stuff.) Also, I'll eventually have to check with them as to why I had to disable USB and now can't use the USB feature. -g- Although I probably won't understand their answer. Nor be willing to endure more pain or risk at this point by giving them my computer which for now, seems to serving my purposes very well. Aside: Earthlink tech support is terrific imo. Patient and helpful. I'm used to it by now -g-. I was amazed though how helpful, knowledgeable and efficient the tech support was at 3com. My first call, person spent almost two hours trying to work with me. After all, my 3com business is only a $40 dollar NIC card, but my Earthlink business is $39/month, every month.) Paul Senior