Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!nrl-cmf!ukma!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!att!cbnewsl!jmbj
From: jmbj@cbnewsl.ATT.COM (james.m.bittman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Another GateWay 2000, Purchase and Repair
Keywords: Video 7 / Paradise Speed and Compatibility
Message-ID: <266@cbnewsl.ATT.COM>
Date: 15 Mar 89 16:30:37 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 42

I recently purchased the 16 Mhz '286 from GateWay 2000
The machine is for my father so I wanted one that would
arrive ready to plug in and go.

This, of course did not happen for 2 reasons:

	1)  The config RAM backup was not secured so it 
	    dislodged during shipping.

	beep-beep "Invalid setup please run setup program"
		   "<F1> - Setup  <F2> - Continue"

	2)  The video board did not work in Turbo (16 mhz) mode

		- either characters were repeated or missing 
		- or the machine locked up

Their repair/tech support has been wonderful.  They took the computer
back FEDERAL EXPRESS at THEIR expense Monday night identified and
corrected the problem on Tuesday and are shipping it back Federal
Express on Wednesday (today).

They said that the problem was with the Video 7 16 mhz boards.  They 
apparently tried 5 different boards in the machine and they all 
failed.  The first Paradise board worked, so theywill be shipping 
the computer back with the Paradise.

Video 7 20/25 Mhz ok and MS windows compatible
Video 7 16 Mhz - Locks machine up

Paradise 20/25 Mhz runs ok but NOT MS Windows compatible
Paradise 16 Mhz runs OK and MS windows compatible

I don't know how this machine made it through QC - the technician
provided a lame excuse of "Well maybe the machine didn't warm up
enough [during a 48 hour burn-in period????]  
We noticed the problem 5 MINUTES after the machine was on!

I am still planning on purchasing my '386 from GateWay, but with
slightly less enthusiasm.

Jim Bittman