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From: v116kzmd@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Dave Archer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc,comp.misc
Subject: Re: Packard Bell doesn't really exist (long)
Message-ID: <35112@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU>
Date: 7 Sep 90 09:04:19 GMT
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>1.  Have you gotten any better response from Packard Bell than I have?
>Is this a one-time (or two-time, I guess) problem?  Has anyone gotten
>good service from Packard Bell?

I've heard from at least more than one person, that Packard Bell isn't the
greatest of companys.  Never anything specific.

>2.  Is it true that you can't so much as replace a RAM chip on one of
>these boards?  And if it's true, why would anyone design a board that
>way?  

Anything is possible.  Even if a ram chip is soldered right to the board, it
CAN be removed.  I've done things like this plenty of times.  The problem is
that modern computer motherboards with their extremely thin traces and
multi-multi-layering, are not the type of board that you want to be unsoldering
chips from.  Most likely the repair shop simply didn't want to do it.  Most
likely because if they did, and they screwed up the board, they'd probably be
stuck with it (ie, Packard Bell wouldn't take it back in a motherboard swap).

As for why they'd do it..  Probably has to do with cost.  They might claim it
makes for a more reliable system, but that's fairly silly.  Even the cost issue
is silly, since sockets are not exactly that expensive.  I've never even heard
of a modern clone that had non-socketed ram chips in it.  This is perhaps
another sign of why people keep telling me Packard Bell is not the greatest of
companys.  

---
 Note: I do not represent my employer or school, & sometimes not even myself.

  Dave Archer  |  Internet: V116KZND@UBVMS.CC.BUFFALO.EDU      !
               |    Bitnet: V116KZND@UBVMS.BITNET