Xref: utzoo misc.forsale:24967 misc.forsale.computers:6614 comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc:7307 misc.wanted:13794 Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!gsm001!gsm From: gsm@gsm001.uucp (Geoffrey S. Mendelson) Newsgroups: misc.forsale,misc.forsale.computers,comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc,misc.wanted Subject: Re: BUYERS! Beware Jason Galanter! Message-ID: <1991Mar11.025410.24083@gsm001.uucp> Date: 11 Mar 91 02:54:10 GMT References: <2188@wet.UUCP> Organization: Geoffrey S. Mendelson -- Software Consulting Lines: 88 I posted this since there is usefull information for everyone in my reply. pk@wet.UUCP (Philip King) writes: > >The above-named person, Jason Galanter (n3hnr@hpb.cis.pitt.edu) has >posted several ads to the net regarding computer items for sale. > >I unfortunately bought an 80287 coprocessor from him which turned >out to be not exactly as advertised. He advertised an 80287-12, >and shipped the CMOS part- 80C287-12...which prevents my computer >from booting up. > You may be the first person in the world to have this problem. The 80c287 is a CMOS 80287. The only difference is the NMOS (80287) uses about 10 times the power as the CMOS. Either there is a problem with your computer, the chip is defective, or it is in upside down. I've had that happen to me with poorly marked mother boards. When I say upside down, I mean the high numbered pins where you want pin 1, not with the pins pointing up. The CMOS chip (80c287) was designed for laptops. The NMOS version uses about as much power as the rest of the laptop, but they are interchangeable with the CMOS version. The CMOS ones are much more expensive, I think he gave you a bargain. >After having discussed this with him many times (with a fair >amount of indignation on his part I might add) he begrudgingly >agreed to try and find me the correct part. Notable was his lack >of interest in simply refunding my money. After making enough >phone calls to pay 50% of what I paid him for the part, it is >apparent that he now does not return my calls. > I personaly would not sell chips (or buy them) over the net because there are too many things to go wrong after shipping them. But I don't think that he is unreasonable in not refunding your money. If you did not know that an 80c287 was pin compatable with the 80287, you should not have put it in the machine. He did not sell it to you to "experiment" with. I think that there is just as much of a chance that you "blew" the chip as it was defective in the first place. Did you take proper precautions when installing it: Was it always in the proctecive foam when not in the socket? Did you use a ground strap on your wrist? Were the computer and any peripherals (monitor, printer, modem) UNPLUGGED? I'm not being anal, I'm merely stating the precautions that are necessary when handeling chips. This is a case where what seemed simple was not. I always buy chips from reputable suppliers who provide warranties. No questions asked warranties. That way we both are covered. >This unit was unfortunately purchased for a good friend that needs >it to run a software program that she is going to take a class >for. She is distraught because she cannot take that class now. > I know you are argry, but give the guy a chance. He sold it to you in good faith. Next time, instead of trying to be an "expert", pay the extra bucks and hire one. Note: (this is not a commercial) When I install hardware for a client, I give a five day warranty against my damaging the existing equipment. Or in plain english: they have five days to make sure I didn't break something. -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Geoffrey S. Mendelson | Computer Software Consulting | Dr. | | (215) 242-8712 | IBM Mainframes, Unix, PCs, Macs | Who | | uunet!gsm001!gsm | | Fan too!| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | WANTED: PAL VIDEO TAPES (VHS or BETA) inquire within. | | Especialy "missing" Dr Who Episodes. | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------