Archive through February 05, 2003
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TV ClubHouse: Archives: 2003 January: Computer Problem - I need advice/help (ARCHIVE): Archive through February 05, 2003

Webkitty

Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 04:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks Jmm I just thought I would drive everyone here mental with questions instead.. j/k
Believe it not, I learn fast, once I set my mind to it. I just have been putting this day off.

I'll report back here once I go to Gateway, and let you all know what they said. (and what the damage will be)

Halfunit

Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 05:39 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Webkitty - I just want to say that I think you are asking GREAT questions!! (And everyone is giving GREAT answers!!)

As for your ram and gig questions, wait until you go to the Gateway store. From what I assume your needs are, you want a lower end computer without a ton of bells and whistles, and a high end monitor/flat panel.

I think when you tell the Gateway store people what you want, they will be able to guide you. Then come back here with more questions, and we'll give you the no-nonsense, no-commission (lol) answers!!!

Twiggyish

Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 06:03 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Kitty, Gateway will set up your computer. It's very easy, HONEST!! I wonder how close you do live to me. I'm in Port Charlotte. One thing to remember about Gateway stores (if you go to one), they work on commission. One lady I know was told she needed an 1800.00 system. They said she needed a scanner and their recommended printer (an Epson). It also had a lot of added features she would NEVER need. I gave her the gateway phone number and she found the prices that way were almost half! Go to the website www.gateway.com look at a mid priced range computer, write down the phone number and give them a call. Dell also has a good computer. You can go to www.dell.com and check their prices.

Juju, I don't sew, but I'd LOVE to learn..LOL

Juju2bigdog

Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 06:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Twiggs, you and Webkitty can take sewing classes together.

I really like jmm's idea of contacting the school for help setting up the computer.

Webkitty, you do want the CD burner but not the DVD burner. The CD burner adds little extra price. You won't need to be backing anything up for a while, so don't worry about that. By the time you need to back something up, you will know what it means and how to do it. You will probably want (not need) a scanner later but you don't need one now. You will want (not need) a printer fairly soon but it doesn't have to be a Gateway. If they want to throw one in fairly cheap or free, which they probably will, take it of course.

You don't have to buy the monitor the same place as the computer. When people say "computer" they are usually referring just to the stuff in the beige box, hard drive, and other innards. LOL, love this techie talk. You can pick out what type you want and then shop the monitor for price. (you can also just have somebody like Bob or Rabbit or WeinerMr or Jed or Draheid tell you what is the best buy online and just go order it; I do that sometimes) I bought my last monitor online and am very happy with it.

AND, as Twiggyish and Squaredsc said, you might be able to buy the very same computer, still from Gateway, online for much cheaper. And it will still be brand new and have the same guarantee.

Twiggyish

Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 06:32 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Also, the suggestion of taking beginning classes is good. There are a lot of community schools which offer night classes.
We bought our laptop online at Gateway. It was fine.

Webkitty

Monday, February 03, 2003 - 07:40 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Ok, now I'm upset. I called Gateway 800# and got a snippy salesman.
I was using my politest voice, but he was rude. After a painful conversation, he got defensive when I wasn't prepared to buy on the spot. (The first words out of my mouth at the beginning of the conversation was that I wasn't ready to buy but had some questions and could he help me?)
He sighed multiple times, and was very high pressure, he wanted to conference in my husband at work right then and there! Geesh, I felt the same way I do when I go to a car dealer.

He quoted me a price of 1400.00 for something called a 300S Value. I take that's their low end model. This included a remote, wireless keyboard, and a 17" LCD flat screen monitor as extras. He refused to give me the price of this system without them. He also refused to answer my question of why a 300 series is listed on their website for 449.00. (I asked him very calmly and politely)

He said the system he quoted me for has 40gb and 128 ram, 2.1gz, and it has speakers. (don't all computers come with speakers?) No cd/dvd.
He said I couldn't go to the actual store to buy, I had to buy from him or on-line. <sigh>

Anyway, I called the local store, and they said I had to come in to get advice, but they do offer a beginners class for 50.00, which lasts 1/2 day.
I am turned off to Gateway right now.

I have my mind set now that I will beat this computer ignorance, and will work it through, just needed to vent for a minute.
We have a community college near and a technical school too, I'm going to call and see if they have a short course I can take, learn what I need to know, and then buy. Donkey before the cart.

Car54

Monday, February 03, 2003 - 07:47 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Woo Hoo! First computers, then the sewing machine... Webkitty, welcome to the technology age!

(Frankly had some of those experiences with the Gateway corporate sales- that is one reason we now use Dells in our office). I have had good experiences with the local store people tho. I think it has a lot to do with who you talk to!

Webkitty

Monday, February 03, 2003 - 07:59 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Lol Car, I can't promise anything on the sewing machine, that needle goes awful fast.......
When I move, I'll probably get in a decorating frenzy, so anything is possible.
Ok, now I need to log off so I can call around about a class to take...(looking forward to that cable connection)

Halfunit

Monday, February 03, 2003 - 08:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Webkitty - I think you may be getting yanked. I went to the website, upgraded the RAM (you want more than 128), and here is what I came up with:

Gateway® 300S Value

Rebate: $100 Mail-In Rebate
Processor: Intel® Celeron® Processor 2.1GHz with 128K Cache
Memory: 256MB SDRAM ........[ +US$50.00]
Hard Drive: 40GB UATA100 5400RPM Hard Drive
Floppy Drive: Not Selected
Optical Drive: 48x/24x/48x CDRW (Limited Time Promotion)
Case: Gateway Micro-Tower/Desktop Case
Expansion Slots: 3 PCI Expansion Slots
External Ports: (6) USB (2 in front and 4 in back are version 2.0) Parallel, Serial and (2) PS/2
Certification: Energy Star Compliant
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Application Software: Microsoft® Works 7.0 and Corel WordPerfect® Productivity Pack
AntiVirus Software: Norton AntiVirus 90 day Introductory Offer
Monitor: 15" Flat Panel LCD Display (15" viewable)You may want to upgrade this.
Video: Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics with up to 64MB Dynamic Video Memory
Keyboard and Mouse: Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Optical Mouse ........[ +US$75.00]
Sound System: Integrated Enhanced Audio
Speakers: GCS300™ Speakers ........[ +US$19.00]
Modem: 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem
Network Adapter: Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Internet Service Provider: One year America Online® Internet Access
High-Speed Internet Service: Not Selected
Limited Warranty Program: 3 Year Limited Parts/Labor/In-home Service/Lifetime Technical Support
Promotion: Free TurboTax Deluxe coupon (redeemable at a Gateway Store near you!)
Promotion Software: The Sims™ (Limited Time ONLY - a $49.95 value)
Gateway Music VaultSM: Gateway Music Vault

Price: $1,068.00 Prices exclude shipping & handling and applicable taxes.

Then again, the difference in price may be shipping and taxes. Or the larger monitor... oh, don't listen to me, lol.

Webkitty

Monday, February 03, 2003 - 08:35 am EditMoveDeleteIP
WOO HOO!! I just got off the phone with the commuity college, they offer a 6 hour course given over two days, cost: $45.00.
This is just what I'm looking for! They are sending me the the info, I should get it by tomorrow. They also offer a 12 hour course which I might consider. (over two days, 6 hours each day $65.00)

Wow Half, thanks for all the work. The guy I spoke to sounded like he was pms-ing so, I totally believe he was yanking my chain....

Once I have some knowlege under my belt, I'll feel more confident to go down to the store and check in all out.
I am being stubborn at this point in wanting to still have a remote keyboard, and not have to use a mouse. I also want the 17" LCD, so I can relax in my leather lounger in front of it.
I image (at this point) that a cable connection and real puter, even a low end one, will seem fast to me compared to this webtv.
Now I'm psyched!!!

Car54

Monday, February 03, 2003 - 09:59 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Kitty, if you have quizzes, get Tess to help you study! She is a great coach!

Squaredsc

Monday, February 03, 2003 - 11:42 am EditMoveDeleteIP
ms kitty, im sorry you had to go thru that. maybe you should have spoken to their supervisor. but im glad that you found a class and hope that you enjoy it. good luck.

Twiggyish

Monday, February 03, 2003 - 02:10 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Kitty, that guy was totally wrong!! Half quoted the more reasonable price. If you call again, try asking for that particular one. Just print out those specs if you go to the store and don't let them talk you into anything more. (Just my opinion)

Juju2bigdog

Monday, February 03, 2003 - 07:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yay, Webkitty!!!

Mosessupposes

Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 12:27 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Just a little warning here. Do a little research on Gateway's fiscal solvency. They are bleeding monetary losses trying to compete with Dell. They probably won't last the 3 years that the computer is covered under the Limited Customer Warranty.

They made the mistake of cutting back on their telephone customer support several years ago and word soon got passed around by disgruntled customers. They have tried to remedy this (almost successsfully) over the last 1 1/2 years, but your experience with the Gateway telephone sales department should serve as a red flag.

Their founder got the "brilliant" idea of opening the Gateway stores (something Dell never needed). He discovered in the first year of operation that this was a gigantic mistake. Gateway is now in the process of closing all but the most successful of these stores. The store you buy your Gateway computer at now may not be there in 6 months.

If you are still set on buying a Gateway...order Gateway's $549.00 weekly special...upgrade the RAM to 256MB...upgrade the monitor to a 17" flat screen...keep the keyboard and mouse that comes included (good for a backup)...go to a discount computer store and buy a wireless Logitech keyboard and mouse.

You will find the following out on your own. For all its limitations, nothing is easier to operate than a WebTV. It could have been one of the great inventions of all time. The WebTV co-founders sold out to Microsoft after losing money for 1 year and seeing that there was no way in the world that they could ever show a profit. $250,000,000 is difficult to turn down when your other alternative it to go broke.

Microsoft stopped advertising, supporting, and upgrading the WebTV product. They didn't even put their name on it until about a year ago.

Without a cable connection, your computer will not seem one bit faster than WebTV.

Twiggyish

Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 01:29 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Excellent advice about Gateway Moses! (Something to keep in mind) Also, the Dell computer has an 800 number on their site, too.

Car54

Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 03:53 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Moses, you are absolutely right. We have about 8 Gateway servers. We loved the computers, the support, everything until about 3 years ago when suddenly, it would take forever to get a machine, they came and were not what our sales rep specified (we have some custom things done to our systems)...we had a couple of very scary years there. We finally heard that Gateway made serious cuts to their budget and they were all to the assembly line and support.

Our software provider helped us spec out another company who is doing a great job for us, but I am leery of Gateway ever since.

All that said, my Gateway machines are workhorses...simple, easy to maintain...our stores are open 12-14 hrs a day 365 days a year and we seldom have problems.

We recently bought about 35 Dell PC's in the last year- and had stellar help from their sales, shipping, etc. My funny story about dealing with big corporations is: I bought a new PC for my boss, and when I unpacked his monitor, whoever packed it left out the little stand that snaps onto the bottom.

I thought...no big deal, I will call them and they can send me the part. 3 hours and 2 technicians later, they finally decided they had no way to send me the little $5 stand to snap onto my monitor. They had to send me a call tag, ship me an entire NEW monitor (there was nothing wrong with the monitor)and have me ship mine back.
They had no way to look up and order the little $5 stand.

Interesting how big companies work.

Webkitty

Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 04:08 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Moses, thank you so much for your post. I will take what you said seriously and weigh my options. I might just go with Dell after all.

Your right about webtv, it was poised to fill a gap and is really a nifty little thing, so easy to use, never a virus, and low monthly service fees, but that Bill Gates just couldn't stand the threat, grrrr.

I am determined to have cable access, I want the speed! (twice as much per month than webtv though, ack)

Ladytex

Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 04:13 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Just to add that I have over 200 Dells that I'm responsible for, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them ...

Car54

Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 04:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Webkitty, I think the attraction to Gateway for you is that you can go see the computer at the store. Seems like I remember some major chain has Dells in the stores...I gotta find out who it is so you could go check them out.

Webkitty

Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 04:30 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks Car I got the info from the college today. The class I want to take says:

This course will help you understand the different components of a computer system and become familiar with the Windows operating system.This course includes helpful information on buying a new computer
The first avaiable day is Feb 12th. I'm going to call tomorrow and see if they have room.

Juju2bigdog

Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 08:29 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yay Webkitty!!!

did I already say that?

Car54

Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 03:14 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Woo hoo Webkitty...first this, next the sewing machine! You are gonna be a techno-genius!

(I promise, the sewing machine does not go that fast! I have been sewing since I was 6 and have only sewed through my finger twice...and I was drunk one of those times!)

Juju2bigdog

Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 06:41 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Webkitty, that sounds like exactly the course you want to take. I hope you can get into the class.

Squaredsc

Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 07:36 am EditMoveDeleteIP
wondering why car was sewing while she was drunk?