Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!ncar!csn!magnus.ircc.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!think.com!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!bloom-picayune.mit.edu!news From: bmwu@athena.mit.edu (Benson M. Wu) Newsgroups: comp.sys.next Subject: Businessland Deal Screwup. LONG Beware !!! Summary: Deal went awry, LONG, complaints Keywords: Businessland screw up, LONG Message-ID: <1991Mar6.013252.11513@athena.mit.edu> Date: 6 Mar 91 01:32:52 GMT Sender: news@athena.mit.edu (News system) Distribution: na Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lines: 258 I just bought an '030 NeXT Cube from Businessland. However, when the Cube arrived on 2/28/91, several things were missing. These items include the things listed below and the NeXT System Reference Manual (0.9). Worst of all, the '30 Cube fails to boot. The screen displays a message that says "System test failed." I got the same message with or without the OD. I manage to get into the Rom Monitor 1.0 (v41) and it says Error code 65 and old error code 81. I have no idea what these error codes mean, but would like some help real quick. The letter below is my first letter to Norm Gilbert at Businessland complaining on the missing parts in my package. I have also sent him another letter telling him of the problems I have in booting up the Cube. ********************************************** >To:73307.555@compuserve.com >cc: > >------- >Hi Norm: > I received my NeXT '030 Cube on 2/28/91. Thank >you very much. However, several things are missing >from the package when I compare the items listed in >the "READ this first" manual with what is inside the packages. > > The missing or incorrect items are: > > 1. a NeXT T-shirt. > > 2. 1.0 user manuals and references. (The user manuals > for 0.9 operating system was delivered with > the computer instead.) > > 3. NeXT stickers. > > 4. a Hex wrench. > >I am going to go ahead and set up the computer now to see if >it works. I hope to hear from you soon. I would like the >missing parts replaced & delivered soon. > > Secondly, I did not receive a bill or an invoice with the >package showing me what I am charged for. Please mail me >such a statement. It is very important for my book keeping >and tax purposes. > > My e-mail address is bmwu@athena.mit.edu > >Please respond to me by either telephone and/or e-mail. >I check my e-mail every day. I would like to get these >problems resolved immediately and start using the computer. >If I can't get these things resolved, I can't buy this computer. > > Best regards, > > Benson M. Wu > bmwu@athena.mit.edu > > **************************************************************** I received the following letter from Ralph Zazula who also bought an '030 Cube from Businessland. He received the complete manuals for 1.0 operating system. He however did not receive the hex wrench. ****************************************************************** Received: from uazhe0.physics.Arizona.EDU by ATHENA.MIT.EDU with SMTP id AA20914; Sun, 3 Mar 91 03:34:54 EST Date: Sun, 3 Mar 1991 01:34 MST From: Computer Addict! Subject: Re: for those who are counting... To: bmwu@ATHENA.MIT.EDU Message-Id: <805E9E84144002A0@uazhep.physics.arizona.edu> -Date: Sat, 2 Mar 91 21:57:46 -0500 -From: bmwu@ATHENA.MIT.EDU -Subject: RE: for those who are counting... -To: zazula@uazhep.physics.arizona.edu -Message-id: <9103030257.AA21219@e40-008-11.MIT.EDU> -Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology - ----------- -Hi Ralph: - I just received my Cube from Businessland 2/28/91. -I ordered one without any HD and just an OD. - That is the same configuration I ordered. - I did not receive the NeXT System Reference Manual, the -Hex wrench, the T-shirt, and the stickers. Also the rest of the -manuals are for system version 0.9 only. The manuals I got were: Users's Reference (big) Getting Started Release Notes Registration, Wattanty and Software License Network and System Administration According to the picture on page 3 of the Registration... manual, it looks like the only thing that I'm missing is the Hex wrench and the stickers. Oh well... The hex wrench for the locking-nut on my guitar fit perfectly. I can't tell what version the manuals are for. The release notes say 1.0. I've installed NS 2.0 so the manuals do me just about no good. I haven't gotten my 2.0 stuff from NeXT yet so I'm using the on-line documentation. - - When I tried to boot the system, I got the message -"system test failed." I typed esc-command-~ to get into the -ROM monitor. I found there were 2 error codes given 65 & 81. Of course, I am not sure what they meant. I was able to -login using the single-user mode. - Well, I'm good friends with error 65. Basically what it means is like me, you got a Cube that once had a magnetic boot drive and that the system is running the SCSI test (it may still be configured to boot off of the HD, check Preferences->(power key)). You can disable the SCSI test from the ROM monitor (I think it is the 'p' command. just do ? to get help). I'm not sure what error 81 is... - I am not sure what your experience was. But if you -have any information, I will appreciate it very much. - I hope this helps. Feel free to ask questions...(I know I did) - Thanks in advance. - - Best regards, - - Benson Wu - bmwu@athena.mit.edu Ralph P.S. Your local campus Rep. should have some documentation that might explain the error 81. ************************************************************************ I received the following 2 letters from Norm Gilbert of Businessland. In the first letter, he was quite apologetic and promises to make sure I get a functional Cube. However, in the second letter, he was telling me that I did not deserve to receive THE NEXT SYSTEM REFERENCE MANUAL, THE REST OF THE 1.0 MANUALS, THE HEX WRENCH, THE NEXT T-SHIRT, THE NEXT STICKERS BECAUSE I AM BUYING A USED COMPUTER AND BECAUSE THEY NEVER SAID IN THEIR ADVERTISEMENT THAT I WOULD RECEIVE THESE THINGS. Now I am quite upset about this. I just logged into my account and saw these 2 letters from him. I think this stinks and is false advertising. I think Norm Gilbert & Businessland is trying not to live up to its obligations to its customers. Considering that most of the people who have bought the 68030 NeXT Cube "on sale" from Businessland have received system 1.0 documentations I belive Businessland is just trying to slime out of its obligations to me. Frankly, I found it inexcusable that they shipped me a Cube that won't boot because "system test failed." considering Norm Gilbert told me that all Cubes will be tested to be functional prior to shipment. I also did not receive any answers regarding how to boot the system, what are error codes 65 & 81. Norm Gilbert did not refer to any technical support people at Businessland. I want the 1.0 manuals & the hex wrench!!! I could care less about the T-shirt, the stickers, etc. and I want my Cube up and running. Through trial and error, I have managed to get into the ROM monitor and boot off the OD. But I still want to get rid of the "system test failed" error message. Practices like these are what leads Businessland to its poor financial state. I certainly would not recommend anyone buying a computer or anything from such a company. Unless I get these things resolved quickly, I am going to tell my credit company to without payment. Best regards to all, Benson Wu bmwu@athena.mit.edu ************************************ The following are the 2 letters I received from Norm Gilbert of Businessland Received: by ATHENA-PO-2.MIT.EDU (5.45/4.7) id AA12806; Mon, 4 Mar 91 08:07:56 EST Received: from giza.cis.ohio-state.edu by ATHENA.MIT.EDU with SMTP id AA15743; Mon, 4 Mar 91 08:07:52 EST Received: by giza.cis.ohio-state.edu (5.61-kk/5.910105) id AA24471; Mon, 4 Mar 91 08:08:13 -0500 Date: 04 Mar 91 07:57:57 EST From: Norm Gilbert <73307.555@CompuServe.COM> To: Subject: Re: My NeXT Cube does not work Message-Id: <"910304125756 73307.555 EHK35-3"@CompuServe.COM> Benson: My apologies for the problem you are having with your cube. We're finding that many of them were left with the system trying to boot from a hard drive and yet there was no hard drive in the cube. In other cases, there was some confusion with the warehouse people regarding the setup of the cubes. The warehouse people were under the impression that they only needed to test the cubes and in some cases, if you purchased a hard drive system, you'll discover that the hard drive has not been "built". Have you tried to boot directly from the optical drive after going into the ROM monitor per the procedures and changing the boot device to the OD? If your cube still fails to operate, please call Kim at (415) 475-4488 (if you get her voice mail, please either press #0 and ask to have her paged or leave as detailed a message as possible on her voice mail so she can call you back) and INSIST that she send you a replacement OVERNIGHT AIRGREIGHT. At the same time, please ask Kim for a Return Authorization number and shipping instructions to return your defective cube to us. Again, my apologies for any difficulties you are having with your purchase. We will do everything in our power to get this resolved quickly and to your complete satisfaction. Received: by ATHENA-PO-2.MIT.EDU (5.45/4.7) id AA12813; Mon, 4 Mar 91 08:08:06 EST Received: from giza.cis.ohio-state.edu by ATHENA.MIT.EDU with SMTP id AA15748; Mon, 4 Mar 91 08:08:01 EST Received: by giza.cis.ohio-state.edu (5.61-kk/5.910105) id AA24506; Mon, 4 Mar 91 08:08:22 -0500 Date: 04 Mar 91 07:57:20 EST From: Norm Gilbert <73307.555@CompuServe.COM> To: Subject: Re: Missing things from my NeXT computer package Message-Id: <"910304125720 73307.555 EHK35-1"@CompuServe.COM> Benson: Please pardon the miscommunication, but did you realize you were purchasing a USED computer? II'm sorry if it wasn't very clear that the items you are requesting are not included in this package. However, the hex wrench can be purchased at any hardware store for under $5. I'm sure you could call NEXT and get some stickers and they'd probably sell you a T-Shirt as well. We certainly don't have any, or I'd be happy to send one to you. We never promised any printed documenation, only what was to be found on the OD. I certainly hope these minor items won't prevent you from using and enjoying your new computer. You should find a packing slip on the outside of your box. You should also be receiving a copy of your invoice in the mail. If it doesn't arrive in a few days, please call Kim at (415) 475-4488. Give her the information from your packing slip (Invoice number or order number) and she'll be happpy to make a photocopy of your invoice and mail it to you.