Buying a new computer?
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I got my computer today and it was kind of a downer. First, it came sans power cord (although JNCS provided all of the ancillary cables they didn't use that came with the individual parts -- not sure exactly what I will do with this other than toss them). So I had to go to Radio Shack to get a power cord so I could turn the computer on. Since this is the first time that I bought a custom built rig, maybe I had unrealistic expectations about the power cord. Sort of like buying a printer and expecting it to come with a cable (not).
So I finally turn the machine on, and after fiddling with the monitor connection, (the DP connection didn't work so I had to switch it out with DVI), I get the start screen. Now I'm having problems with the new wireless mouse and keyboard that I bought, so I hook up a USB mouse and keyboard just to keep plowing through in hope that I can get to the Internet and start getting the drivers that I need. However, when I try to get the wirelss to work to connect to the Internet, I find that the machine doesn't appear to be wireless capable. Either that, or I am extremely stupid and can't find it no matter where I look in the hardware setup. I also get a hint that there is no wireless because the connection wizard does not offer a choice for a wireless device (it says "hook up an Ethernet cable"). Plus, it might explain why the wireless mouse isn't working. So I guess I'm going to have to get a USB wireless adapter.
I was seriously hoping I could say what a great machine this is, but for the moment, it's a brick.
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OK, I've made great progress but at a cost, primarily of my time and patience. Here's the run-down:
I seemed to remember when I ordered the computer that it was wireless capable, so I checked out all of the components ahead of time(i.e., the motherboard) and remember that the Intel site said that the DX79SR had a bluetooth and wireless module included. Fortunately, JCNS packed all of those "ancillary wires" in the original package for the motherboard, so there it was right on the front: "Bluetooth/Wi-Fi module included. Hmmmm.... I wondered if this module was included in this bag of parts. I looked it up on the Interned (fortunately I still had my "old" computer up and running), and located the technical manual on the Intel site. Sure enough, there was this funny looking thing that looked like the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi module in the picture, and upon closer inspection, I saw that it had MAC addresses printed on it, so I was making headway. But I also needed a cable to hook it up. Fortunately, there were lots of cables in my now handy bag of parts, so after some easter egging, I found what i neeed. Good thing I didn't toss the parts as I had originally planned! So with all parts in hand, a screwdriver, and the factory installation instructions at the ready, I was all set.
I unhooked the computer, hauled it out, and took off the top. Well, it's a good thing I did because, lo and behold, the HDD and hard drive had completely come loose from the chassis and were banging around in the bottom of the cabinet! I thought that I heard something rattling around when I first pulled out the computer from the packaging, but I attributed it to the DVD-ROM drive. The hardware was so banged up that the mounting frame holding the SDD was bent. Since I had previously started up the computer, I figured there was no actual damage to the hardware, but I couldn't get the SDD off of its mounting frame (they used some kind of stick-um, probably for heat dissipation purposes). So I had to bend the mounting frame back into shape, and after a fashion, I was able to get it to lock down.
With that straghtened out, the installation of the wireless module was fairly straightforward. Just peel off the backing from the double sided tape, stick the module onto an empty slot at the back, and plug in the USB wire to an unused USB plug on the motherboard. I put the computer all back together, fired it up, and looked to see if I now had a wireless. It was a no go, but the I realized that I didn't have the driver. Duh-oh! So, back to the Intel website to grab the driver and get it installed. Now things are working fine. My wireless keyboard and mouse are OK, and I can get on the Internet (I'm writing this from the new rig right now).
So, if you get your rig in the state mine was in, I highly suggest that you open it up to check it out, and don't be surprised if you have to do your own wireless module installation with all the trimmings (hunt for the parts in the parts "bag" that you'll get, look up the instructions, and download the driver from Intel on to a USB stick). Better have a second computer up and on the Internet so you can get everything you need. And if you aren't comfortable working on the inside of a computer, then you may be in for trouble!
I guess I'm going to have to send JCNS a nasty gram telling them that their quality control sucks and that they owe me $11.87 for the power cord that I had to buy separately. Just to show them what a nice guy I am, I won't charge them for the 5 hours of labor that I wasted doing their job and transforming my newly purchased $2700 computer from the brick they sent me into a workable device.
I'd definetely be interested if anybody else has these kinds of problems.
Thanks for listening.
Frank.
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Wow! That's not at all my experience. In my case everything was very neatly packaged. It did come with a whole lot of extra parts and a draw string bag of extra cables for the power supply. The Euro-style power cord was still tied up like new. those extra parts weren't a surprise to me after having built several machines myself. There's always extra stuff that looks too good to through away but it never gets used for anything.
The wireless fired up right away and I was off to the races.
I've had nice conversations with several of the guys there. I'm sure they'll help you if you don't get nasty with them.
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Hi Dave,
Glad you didn't have the problems I had. I found that I probably didn't need to go online to get the drivers as the package came with CDs for the motherboard, graphics card, and the SSD.
I'm wondering how JNCS is going to make this "good"? I'm up and running, so I don' think that I need any more help. What I'm contemplating is (a) a cash refund for the $11.98 power cord and a one year extension on the warranty (for a total of 2 years).
I'll let you know what they say.
Frank
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Too bad you aren't closer to me. I'm looking at a pile of about 250 hospital grade Euro-style power cords here.
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Ouch - those parts are pretty stout though. I'm sure all is good. I'm sure they'll do something for you.
That is one thing I do have to say about Origin. They pack the crap out of the machine. The inside is packed with a form fitting piece of plastic wrapped foam and they ship it in a bomber wooden crate........of course I paid $900 more.
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Mine was packed in a very large cardboard box with foam inside. I looked over the box when it arrived and it was in excellent condition.
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@dave r said:
Mine was packed in a very large cardboard box with foam inside. I looked over the box when it arrived and it was in excellent condition.
That's what was also inside the wood box, and when I say foam inside, I mean literally inside the machine. The first instruction is to open the tower and remove the foam insert. This kept everything in its place.
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Update on the JNCS saga: I sent a carefully worded e-mail to thier customer support, asking for help in running all of my problems to ground and getting me a machine that would be reliable and would perform as expceted. Within 20 minutes, I got an e-mail from one of the co-owners of the company, apologizing for the incident, and offering to start from scratch with a new build. I spoke with him today to follow up, and we both agreed that trying to go through a troubleshooting and fixing routine remotely would not be wise, and that the best thing to do would be to start anew. The biggest concern that the owner had was the fact that the hard drive came loose, and if it got banged around with enough force to bend the mounting frame, then the liklihood of premature failure was high, and neither of us wanted this machine to be a constant source of frustration going forward.
So, today, they will begin a new build and do the proper testing and quality assurance checks prior to shipment (the owner said this would the most scrutinized build that they've done in recent memory). They will send it to me second day shipping, and they will also pay for shipment of the original machine back to them. They also will give me an extended warranty of 3 years on the new machine.
So, you were right, they are a solid company and take customer satisfaction seriously, and I think they responded in the best way they possibly could have. While the overall experience for me was not great, what is past is past and it's time to turn the page and move on. I'm sure I'll like the machine very much once it gets to me and I can get it up and running.
Thanks for all of your comments and support.
Frank.
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Put my order in today!
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@l_breault said:
Put my order in today!
Great.
I'm feeling left out, I still have not reached my frigging $$ goal yet, accounts are coming in slow this month.
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My wife had vetoed the idea, but I ended up getting a few large jobs today that were able to justify it.
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I don't mean to brag but I was feeling the need to spend some money. I didn't have near enough expenses last year and my wife was giving me a hard time about that when we were working on the taxes.
It seems to be taking me a long time to switch over to using it. There's so much software to install, yet.
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@dave r said:
I don't mean to brag but I was feeling the need to spend some money. I didn't have near enough expenses last year and my wife was giving me a hard time about that when we were working on the taxes.
It seems to be taking me a long time to switch over to using it. There's so much software to install, yet.
My wife does the taxes and this year I got screwed.
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You can blame our government for that.
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@dave r said:
You can blame our government for that.
I did too many American jobs, normally most of my work is international, last year I picked up a lot of local business.
My wife is one of those folks that believe the IRS is worse than the Russian mob, me I dunno, we can fudge things, her...NO WAY!
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Maybe I need to find some international work. I don't know if I want more, though.
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Hey Solo! Got the chance to read the catchup article only a couple minutes ago, and the hardware configuration sounds excellent. Is the deal still ongoing? Can the product be shipped to Europe? What would be the final price? Thanks a lot!
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Pibuz, if you look at the article in CatchUp again, or read the first part of this thread you'll see it's a US only thing. Apparently no overseas shipping.
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Oh I see, sorry: I must have read too fast!
What a pity! I have to get a new machine, so - just out of curiosity - I'll let you guys know what will be the price of your hardware configuration here in Europe
Thanks!
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