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From: mugc@utecfa.UUCP (ModemUserGroupChairman)
Newsgroups: net.micro.cbm
Subject: Commodore customer service
Message-ID: <1738@utecfa.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 21-Jul-85 12:34:19 EDT
Article-I.D.: utecfa.1738
Posted: Sun Jul 21 12:34:19 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 21-Jul-85 14:41:51 EDT
Organization: Engineering Computing Facility, University of Toronto
Lines: 39

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     A few days ago, my cousins' 64 got fried by a voltage spike.
Taking this opportunity to do some hacking (considering the com-
puter was out of warranty anyway), I opened it up. One of the
problems I found immediately was that CIA #2 was dead. (CIA #2 is
U2; it handles the RS232(!) and the serial bus). So I went up to
the Commodore service centre and bought a replacement chip for
$10 Canadian (quite reasonable). After replacing the chip the
computer worked, but would not access the modem port or the
drive. After numerous hours of hunting, I still couldn't find the
problem but had the feeling that the lines going to the port were
singed (I did not open the solder side of the board). Finally, I
took the computer up to the service centre and after 4 days when
they had finished "fixing" it, I paid only $69.95 Cdn for a new
board (the lines were burnt).

     At work I use a Lisa. A few days ago it was having hard disk
problems so it was taken to Apple. It came back the next day with
a new hard disk -- cost: $1300.00.

     All in all, I disagree that Commodore service is poor.  Not
too many companies will charge so little for a board replacement
and yet fix it so quickly. (While I was waiting to pick up my
computer, I saw a customer walk in with a 64 with a dead key-
board. The technician replaced CIA#1 (the keyboard chip) on the
spot and handed back the computer).



                        Anees Munshi
                        mugc@utecfa.UUCP

Disclaimer: The usual one. Opinions expressed above may or may not
            be mine, are certainly not my employers' and are definitely
            not those of some on the net.