Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ncar!asuvax!mcdphx!teroach.UUCP!stan
From: stan@teroach.UUCP (Stan Fisher)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.tech
Subject: Re: A2090A autoboot
Message-ID: <11339@mcdphx.phx.mcd.mot.com>
Date: 28 Jul 89 18:30:06 GMT
References: <3801@shlump.nac.dec.com>
Sender: root@mcdphx.phx.mcd.mot.com
Reply-To: stan@teroach.UUCP (Stan Fisher)
Organization: Motorola Microcomputer Division, Tempe, Az.
Lines: 57

In article <3801@shlump.nac.dec.com> kaye@FSCORE.dec.com (Mark Kaye) writes:
>In article <11327@mcdphx.phx.mcd.mot.com>,  (I) wrote..
>>I have the 2090A timeout problem on boot up, my Micropolis 158meg SCSI
>>drive isn't quite done initializing when the 2090A times out and want to 
>>boot something.  I know if I could find the right location(s) in the firmware
>>on the 2090A, I could patch them on the Data I/O and burn a new Eprom.

>I think CBM is shipping 2090A's with a new ROM which waits longer for the
>drive to initialize. I am waiting for one in the mail at this moment. The
>older ROM is #390230 (3145) and the new is (2FEF).

Thanks for the reply (I really do appreciate it) but....
  I called Commodore Customer Support (the one @ 215-436-4200) and asked
if such a ROM upgrade existed or if the current boards are shipping with
a newer rev ROM.  After I had to argue with the 'Customer support' person 
to get her to try to help me (more on this in a moment) I was told it didn't
exist and no plan as of yet to provide an update/fix for the problem.
  When asked when the A2091 would be released, she had no idea, but said
"we do have some new products coming out, but no one knows when".
O.k. so I'm back where I started from, no big deal, I didn't expect it to
be that easy... BUT... this part really pisses me off (back to the argument
with Customer support).  I don't call CBM Customer Support very often,
generally I know more about my Amiga than most of the people I've talked to
at that (previously noted) phone number.  When I DO need a question answered
and I DO call CBM,  I don't appreciate the NEW attitude that's being
presented when you call.  It used to be if the person on the phone didn't
know, they would gladly look in to it for me and either give me an answer
during that call OR actually call me back later.  What happened COMMODORE??
When you call now, the almost scripted response to ANYTHING you ask is....

CBM- "What area are you calling from" 
me-  "uh.. Phoenix...  why?"         
CBM- "that would be Computer Discount, your dealer, you'll need to call them"
me-  "Isn't this 'CUSTOMER' SUPPORT?"
CBM- "yes"
me-  "If I call Computer Discount they'll say they haven't any idea."
CBM- "If you call Computer Discount they can call their 800 number for an
      answer, and get back to you."
me-  "What happened to Customer Support supporting CUSTOMERS? I've delt
      with Computer Discount and if they don't know the answer (which is
      most of the time) they definately won't take the time to check on it!"
CBM-  -silence-  (at this time I'm not sure if I've been hung up on or put
      on hold)......  later, she does come back on the line... "I've checked
      and it doesn't exist, and there's no plan to provide it".

I didn't invest over $5000 in an Amiga (just hardware) not to have the darn
thing not perform autoboot with a specifically upgraded controller (2090 to
2090A) and then to have Customer Support offer me NO Support and tell me
I'm screwed! (to put it in my own words).  I just know the CBM answer is
going to be "Gee buy our new wiz bang 2091, It'll fix all your problems,
and it'll only cost you $200 more than you can sell that 2090A for that you
bought for $120 more than you could sell that 2090 for that you bought with you
system."  Gee thanks!  I think about now CBM owes me a 2091 for free!!!


  Stan Fisher - stan@teroach.phx.mcd.mot.com - asuvax!mcdphx!teroach!stan
  Motorola Microcomputer Division, Tempe, Arizona -        (602) 438-3228