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My new VM computer - problems ALREADY

crashthenet44 said:
I dont know why VM even bothers to install an OS. They should just put the parts together, make sure it POSTS and ship it to the customer. Let the customer install the OS on their own, find the correct drivers and so on.

If a video card ever goes bad, don't call VM. Call Nvidia or ATI. It's their hardware. VM just assembles it and makes sure it boots before its shipped.

Sounds like a good business to me. Charge 3,000 grand for just putting parts together.
Click to expand...

You know the scary part of it is there are probably more than a few scammers out there who would take that seriously and think it's a great idea.I can see it now - "Crazy Eddies Computers - We just throw 'em together,getting them to work is your problem!"
 
0mega said:
my god, no one is interpreting my post properly... im not saying VM should not help him, im saying he might have had more luck with microsoft -_-
Click to expand...

No, Omega, the replies are spot on. I just ordered a machine from VM and expect it late next week. I did not order a computer from VM, I ordered a system and it is VM's responsibility to make sure it works out of the box. One reason I ordered from VM is that from reading this forum they seem to understand that. He (or I) would not have more luck with Microsoft. This goes for all the components in the machine. Why should the customer who has paid a premium for a quality machine have to call the vendors of the integrator to make things work? It is the responsibility of the integrator to make sure that the system they sell works for the customer. If he (or I) wanted to deal with individual vendors, we'd build the system from scratch ourselves.
 
Not sure if VM has the balls to say this but I can since it won't affect my own bottom line, but the issue is three-fold IMO. 1=Vista, and 2=the more complicated builds and 3= the newer buggy supposedly high performance chipsets (680i) not being totally stable and the amenities on the boards not being entirely stable unless paired with XP and even then it's not super stable at all times unless stripped down to a more basic config . From what I see now if MS doesn't get their ducks in a row Vista may go the way of Windows ME rather quickly if some core things aren't addressed, and addressed comprehensively and meticulously. Service packs alone may not be enough. With the new windows release cycle supposedly being back to every 3-4-5 years I can see Vista still not being that good for well over another year -- if not two years, and I know it's frustrating to OEM's like VM because I'm dealing with the same thing but on a much smaller scale, but it's already pretty well known between vendors that Vista is buggy which is to be expected of course with a new OS release, but those of us with experience in these matters can small a real potential OS failure here. At least I do. I can think of two VM failure threads that wouldn't be here if Vista were not used.
 
Well, here we are almost 2 weeks into ownership & still nothing resolved!

VM sent a tech out on Tues - the guy was a no-show with lots of excuses. I went ahead (trying to be nice) & let him reschedule for Thurs. Again, a no-show, but this time no calls!! VM told me that if there were any problems to fired the guy & they'd get someone different ... SO, Fired ...

Then, VM contracted another guy from a different location. Good guy - showed up, did what was on the work order - reinstall Vista, download all updated drivers (he did have the current brand new driver (not beta driver) for the creative xfi extremegamer card) & flash the bios - he thought it was working fine & it was for a little while, but then we shut down the computer & hit the power button to restart it - same problem came up - no welcome center, blank control panel then flashing, ultimate extras not opening, majority of windows programs not opening. Unfortunately, the tech had never worked on a Vista machine until now, but I don't know if that would have made a difference.

And, it's strange how - the computer will boot up properly with the Vista disk in the drive, but not when it is out of the drive.

Right now I don't know if it's a hardware issue, software issue, driver issue, or Vista issue. All I know is that the computer is not working properly and what ever incompatiblities there are they need to be resolved ASAP. I do not have the time to spend tweaking the computer for hours and hours. I did not spend this kind of money for a machine that won't run properly. I thought that VM tested everything & all their configurations before they send out the pc.

Randy, if you read this can you please take care of my situation?!?! I know that you do care about your customers & want to make us happy - that is why I purchased from you. I will gladly ship it back to you so that you can resolve these issues whatever they are & no matter how long it takes. I really like this computer & love how fast it is!!! But, not if it won't work.
 
flashf15 said:
Well, here we are almost 2 weeks into ownership & still nothing resolved!

VM sent a tech out on Tues - the guy was a no-show with lots of excuses. I went ahead (trying to be nice) & let him reschedule for Thurs. Again, a no-show, but this time no calls!! VM told me that if there were any problems to fired the guy & they'd get someone different ... SO, Fired ...

Then, VM contracted another guy from a different location. Good guy - showed up, did what was on the work order - reinstall Vista, download all updated drivers (he did have the current brand new driver (not beta driver) for the creative xfi extremegamer card) & flash the bios - he thought it was working fine & it was for a little while, but then we shut down the computer & hit the power button to restart it - same problem came up - no welcome center, blank control panel then flashing, ultimate extras not opening, majority of windows programs not opening. Unfortunately, the tech had never worked on a Vista machine until now, but I don't know if that would have made a difference.

And, it's strange how - the computer will boot up properly with the Vista disk in the drive, but not when it is out of the drive.

Right now I don't know if it's a hardware issue, software issue, driver issue, or Vista issue. All I know is that the computer is not working properly and what ever incompatiblities there are they need to be resolved ASAP. I do not have the time to spend tweaking the computer for hours and hours. I did not spend this kind of money for a machine that won't run properly. I thought that VM tested everything & all their configurations before they send out the pc.

Randy, if you read this can you please take care of my situation?!?! I know that you do care about your customers & want to make us happy - that is why I purchased from you. I will gladly ship it back to you so that you can resolve these issues whatever they are & no matter how long it takes. I really like this computer & love how fast it is!!! But, not if it won't work.
Click to expand...

are you running vista 64bit or 32bit? i didnt notice it in the thread so i figure i should ask... if you are running 64, try 32 (arent both on the same CD?) and likewise if you are currently on 32 :)
 
32-bit The computer only came with the 32-bit version. The disk itself says 32-bit.

Thanks though!
 
flashf15 said:
32-bit The computer only came with the 32-bit version. The disk itself says 32-bit.

Thanks though!
Click to expand...

could have sworn i saw it mentioned somewhere that they contained both... blarg :S

tried loading failsafe defaults in BIOS?
 
Omega

Sorry, I'm not that tech savvy - how do I do that???

Maybe off the shelf Vista contains both copies, but mine did not.

Sounds like the toddler is awake - gotta go. If you don't mind please explain to me how to load the failsafe defaults in bios ...

I'll try that later & let you know.

Thanks!
 
flashf15 said:
Omega

Sorry, I'm not that tech savvy - how do I do that???

Maybe off the shelf Vista contains both copies, but mine did not.

Sounds like the toddler is awake - gotta go. If you don't mind please explain to me how to load the failsafe defaults in bios ...

I'll try that later & let you know.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

get into the BIOS menu via delete, f or whatever button it needs to do so.

then select the option "load failsafe defaults" or "load defaults" if its the standard blue and yellow UI, it should be in plain view... if it is ASUS's GUI, then you may need to hunt for it...
 
flashf15, it is too bad to here about your problems

I just want to touch on something, because your issues sound extremely similar to ones I was having in a build I did for a customer last week. It was a fairly similar build minus tv card and the operating system after 5 fresh restores was acting crazy. I tried everything from Vista X64/X86, old school fdisk, boot and nuke program, and new drivers to beta drivers to no avail. When my XP Pro installation did the same thing I was unbelieveably frustrated.

Double checking my tracks I went through a second time around and did another round of full hardware diagnostics that I always run after a fresh build. Everything came up okay... I was stumped. I went to power it back on and into the bios;

tick, tick, tick

I hear the faintest noise coming from the computer, really really hard to hear but it was there. I track this sound down to the hard drive.. and as soon as I get my ear near it it stop ticking like it was. In a last step of desperation I run a drive fitness test and loop it over night. The first two come up fine with no mechanical failures and finally the third test the drive finally self destructs and comes up with a complete mechanical failure.

I ordered a new hard drive, installed it and away this computer went. It runs like a champ now. By the way the bad hard drive was a Western Digital SE16 500gb... and I replaced it with the same thing. Maybe there is a small number of these hard drives that are destructing themselves over time?

Anyways, sorry for the long winded post, but I hope it can help you. I hope they find a solution for your computer issues.
 
Fleat

That is VERY interesting!!! My raid 1 consists of 2 500GB WD drives!!!!! I will have to mention that when I speak with VM - hopefully today, but probably Monday.

I don't know anything about a drive fitness test - is it something that might void my warranty if I did it on my own? I certainly don't want to take any chances like that!!!

And, I haven't tried the failsafe defaults in the bios yet. Could that void the warranty??

I REALLY hope that someone gets in touch with me today from VM - I even left my cell phone # for them to call me on that, but they didn't last night & I missed their call. I can't put my life on hold - I have a large move coming up in the summer & will be buying & selling a house in a couple months!!! This needs to be taken care of SOON!!

Thanks Fleat & Omega for those suggestions!! If they won't do anything to my warranty I will certainly try those tests!
 
Fleat,

The model # from my drives is WD5000KS 7200rpm SATA/300 16MB cache.

Does that sound the drives that went bad?

Thanks!
 
Sorry to hear you're still having problems flash15. You've been alot more patient with the situation than I would have. Anyway, I just have a quck question. Who actually came out to service the PC? Was it someone from a local shop or where they from a larger support company; ie a Geek Squad type of service?

Good luck man.
 
the 2 techs that were called were both from smaller companies. I had asked for the geek squad - thinking that they might know more about Vista, but they were not called for whatever reason - they were supposed to have been called the 2nd time.

I am quickly losing patience!!!!!!
 
Flash,

Again I am still very sorry we are not getting you what you deserve. I absolutely think we need to return this system and build you a new one. I'll be sure we don't re-seal the system (since you have already accepted the MS legal stuff) and will do testing with the system that way. Heather is coming back on Monday (light duty only, Heather!) and will get this done.

Thanks for working with us on this, and I promise we are going to stay with you until this is resolved.

Randy
 
Randy

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

I will look forward to speaking with Heather on Monday! BTW, I will email her my cell phone # in case I am not home - have a few things going on & don't want to miss her call!!!

Once you get the computer back, please take all the time that you need!!! I would rather wait a month & get the system that is 110% working properly than to get it back a week later & have more or same problems - not that it would happen that way - just expressing my feelings!!

Thank you again - I know that you will take care of my problems!!!
 
Flash, sorry for the slow response... but yea that would be the same drive. Mine were purchased through Webhallen in Sweden so probably a vastly different shipment though :)

It sounds like they are going to get you taken care of, glad to hear that. I hope when you get your machine back you don't have anymore problems with it.
 
Thanks! Me too!! They're going to run a whole bunch of tests on it, so I'll think positively :)

I will let you all know after I get it back. I hope they will let me know what was wrong - I am very curious as to what they find out!
 
Well, what to do now ....

I shipped the computer back to VM & Ben worked on it. He tested all the hardware & reinstalled a different copy of vista & new drivers.

I get the computer back & plugged it in today (ethernet cable, mouse, keyboard, monitor, power & speaker connections) & turned it on ... welcome screen came up, volume was at 100%, so I ...
1. lowered the volume
2. looked at computer details in welcome screen
3. clicked on computer rating & closed that right away - didn't change the rating at this time
4. saw that something was being installed, but didn't pay attention b/c I assumed all was good to go
5. computer said it needed a restart ... so here we go...

I restarted the computer AND WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN ...
no welcome screen, can't even open it, etc... Honestly, I did not try the control panel, but I assume that won't open either, I just shut it down & called Ben & left a message & am posting this.

I can't reinstall vista b/c Ben forgot to put the disk in the box & one of the raid driver disks as well.

My keyboard & mouse are the Logitech MX700, but I haven't installed anything!!! I can't even do a restore b/c it lists the 22nd as the last restore date - from the drivers.

This computer cost - WAY too much for this crap!!!!

Randy - what do you suggest????? There is no one in this redneck town that I live in who knows anything about Vista - plus we tried that already. I shipped it back to you & it still has problems. WHAT is going on?????

I hope that I will be contacted ASAP tomorrow about this. I have left a message for Ben so he should know what's up as well.
 
damn thats rough sorry to hear it. it seems vista and beta drivers for everything are corrupting the installation (i've heard this happening from numerous vista adopters)..... sucks for VM too cause I'm pretty sure microsoft simply isn't allowing any new XP licenses so its not really their choice (cue but-linux-is-free!! zealots here). i still think they should fix it though and have a more rigorous QA (like installing a program thats not in the streamline installation before shipping out, maybe?)
 
Sounds like its time for VM to:
a) Build you a completely new machine
b) Send someone out to install XP for you instead
c) You send the PC back and they refund your money since it seems painfully obvious
that they are cannot build a Vista box with the hardware you want.
 
You paid a premium for a VM machine, and almost a month into owning it you are still having issues that you had day 1. I was considering pre built for my next computer, and VM was on the list -- After this fiasco...well....I assume the premium being paid over building on yourself should be excellent tech support, excellent help and VM bending over backwards to make a computer right. Seems like none of that is what is going on. Guess I'll take a more serious look at AVA.


note : And I don't care if he bought the system with Vista or Windows 95 -- if a company built on CS sells it, they should be more than willing to do everything in their power to make it right. A new system should have been ready to send out two weeks ago.
 
SilverSliver said:
You paid a premium for a VM machine, and almost a month into owning it you are still having issues that you had day 1. I was considering pre built for my next computer, and VM was on the list -- After this fiasco...well....I assume the premium being paid over building on yourself should be excellent tech support, excellent help and VM bending over backwards to make a computer right. Seems like none of that is what is going on. Guess I'll take a more serious look at AVA.


note : And I don't care if he bought the system with Vista or Windows 95 -- if a company built on CS sells it, they should be more than willing to do everything in their power to make it right. A new system should have been ready to send out two weeks ago.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I was thinking.
 
Well,in the beginning it seemed VM was willing enough to provide support,but the fact that they can't seem to get a handle on this problem by now is discouraging to say the least.Been a few too many complaints lately,if it's the result of Vista,then they need to put some serious time into uncovering problems and finding solutions before they affect customers.
 
I agree with all of your comments!!!

I am waiting patiently this am for a call to determine what I'm going to do next. But, if I don't hear from them, then I'll be calling this afternoon for a refund. I am really tired of this. I've never had this sort of problem with Dell and am thinking that this VM purchase was a HUGE mistake!

Oh well, it looked great, but looks don't mean anything if it doesn't work properly!
 
This is pretty tough on you, and nothing I say will help. But, many a Dell or other computer manufactures, also have rotten system delivered ( lemons ), and I owned one of them, a Gateway years back, and returned it, and one Dell, and returned that on as well. I have a Dell now, which is five years old, never a problem, but this new Vista on systems that are loaded to the hill are having issues. Go to the Dell forum under the Vista Board and you will find many a complaint.

I just ordered the VM Gamers Edge PCX, with Vista Ultimate, 8800 GTX, Corsair 2 gb DDR2-1066 memory, but with only one hard drive and one optical drive, no dedicated sound card. Have been noticing that when customers really load up the system, Vista becomes an issue. This is why I did not over load mine and will see if all works when it gets here.

Will let everyone know. However, Of all the systems that VM builds, you will see a few that are lemons, but most are not. Don't let this one bad mement sway you from VM, since it could happen with a Dell, Gateway, HP etc

Good luck with the call to VM
 
No offense, but I don't think Vista was such a good choice for your hardware. I mean, look how bad XP was when it first came out. It was a completely different OS platform from 98/ME and there were a lot of compatibility and driver issues. Vista has only been out for what? A month or two. You could have at least waited for the first SP. Stick with something that you KNOW works like XP Media Center or Professional. Hell, I'll even send you a copy. It might not be an entirely legal copy, but it works.
 
For the premium that VM (and other boutiqe builders) charge for their systems, it should be their responisbilty to build a system that works properly, no matter what OS is installed. If they cannot then they shouldn't be selling PC's with Vista until the problems have been resolved. No where on their site do they say, "that Vista may have problems do to driver issues, or program compatabilty.
 
I came across this thread after i got my VM machine on Friday. I ordered my machine about a week after i got back from Iraq, it was built and shipped on time. Only problem was it was DOA. Called VM and they sent a tech. over and he couldn't fix it. After a long weekend of not being able to do anything, i decided to just get the refund after seeing what happened to flash. Now i'm just waiting for them to send out my RMA which i've been waiting all day for to be able to send it back.
 
You guys need to read back earlier in the thread about my comments on the 680i with Vista and the more complicated builds. It rings true and I should know as I build a lot. This is also why I started recommending only 1 HDD for the OS and using 650i boards (and not super fully loaded out 650i or 680i boards with too many bleeding edge trinkets when used with Vista). You have to have motherboard/os flexibility to give yourself a safe-plan just in case. While VM continues to say "but even with Vista it's our job to make it right" sort of comments -- you should know that 650i boards generally run much more stable and quite frankly better than 680i boards, and that at this time XP is FAR better option over windows Vista both reliability wise and performance wise, and most especially with a complicated high-powered multi drive-raid/added sound cards etc... PC build.
 
Guess what ...

Problem solved (I think)!!!

Ben, a VM tech, worked on this all day - and my problem didn't actually have anything to do with the complicated build or hardware that I selected for the computer!! It was due to Vista installing a driver for my "generic" PnP monitor!!! I haven't replaced my old Dell 1702FP, but plan to replace it soon. It seems like Vista was installing a driver for a monitor that was completely incompatible with everything else in the computer!!! We uninstalled the monitor & presto the welcome center came back to life right after we rebooted!

I also had not replaced my keyboard & mouse - Logitech MX700 (yes, it's old). Ben 1st checked that out, but it turned out to not have been the culprit. I will probably replace that too eventually, but I can't afford to replace everything at once - OUCH!!

Ben is currently looking to see if there are any drivers for that monitor for me. He is working overtime & I hope he realizes how important he is to VM - actually I hope they realize what a great job he's doing!!!

So, I have to apologize to VM for causing all these problems, but I also hope that maybe this will help any future problems for anyone!!

Ben is going to call me tomorrow afternoon, so hopefully I'll have the computer up & running the way it should very soon. I can't thank him & everyone else at VM enough. Unknowingly, I caused the problem, but they are standing by their product. Yes, every company can produce a lemon every now & then (this was not the case), but it is in how they take care of the customers that really matter!! I do wish a few things would have been done differently, but it should be good now.
 
Mi127amx

IMO, you should've given them another chance, maybe not with another tech, but fixing it themselves. Anything you order can arrive DOA - shipping is just hard on items - especially computers!! My video card & 1 ram popped out when I shipped it back to them to fix it. They were very prompt in sending my RMA - have you gotten yours yet? I was told that all RMAs are sent out at 1 time - at the end of the day.

Patience is a virtue :)

I know that they are working overtime! Ben has been working from 7am to 11pm!!! I hope he's getting paid enough!!!!

And, yes I was very frustrated yesterday & today!!! But, they didn't ignore me & I think we've solved the problem. I'm sure I would've encountered the same problem had I ordered Dell or any other computer, but would I have gotten this type of service? Who knows.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!!! Just beware with any old hardware you decide to plug into your computer!!!
 
I'm glad you finally got things worked out.But you shouldn't be so fast to put the blame on yourself.It seems Vista is the real culprit here,you'd expect them to at least have better support for something as basic as monitors.There's just too many issues with too many components showing up with this OS,must be driving builders like VM crazy.I've pretty much decided my new system will have XP Pro,at least until all the bugs are worked out.
 
Great news Flash. This Vista OS is a real pain on many of use, and I cannot even remember when I first got XP on day one that had these many problems, but that was a long time ago.

Please keep us informed about the system during this fix period and if anything else goes nuts on you. I will receive my first VM in about three weeks if not sooner, and this Vista thingy interest me so I won't have the same issues, will know what to look out for.

What I am going to do, the first thing.......

Once the system arrives, look at the box, make sure its not damaged, take lots of pictures just in case. Make sure all hardware and software that will be installed has the latest drivers for Vista. Open the computer case, and insure all add on cards, and cables are tightly inserted and not dangling loose due to a rough shipping. Boot up and pray for the darn thing to work.

Best of luck with your new system Flash
 
SR45

Good luck with your purchase!! It sounds like you have a GREAT plan! I hope that my experience helped you out :)

I will definitely keep everyone up to date on my fixes, etc...!


michael.pa2
I agree totally that it was Vista! It should have support for all monitors no matter how old!! But, I just wish that I had realized my monitor or keyboard/mouse could have been causing these problems! Oh well. Learn something new every day - right!?! :)
 
Heard of at least one such incident on the dell forum and a monitor giving issues with Vista. Yes, this was a good lesson Flashf15, and thanks. Will keep that one on a list of others to look out for. Getting to be a long list now :mad:
 
flashf15,

I'm glad to hear that your problems are being resolved :)

This is just another reason I'm waiting until Vista Service Pack 1 before buying a new computer. I know I could get a computer now and put XP on it, but I want DirectX 10 capability on any new computer I buy.

Gary
 
Flash, i was up in the air the whole weekend about it. I found out about avadirect over the weekend and emailed misha and got a better deal. If i hadn't done that i would've patiently waited for a new computer from VM. I don't hate VM for it, they were polite and helpful the whole time. Glad to hear your problem got fixed.
 
SR45

I am curious what else is on your long list.

I'm looking into getting a new monitor now, but I think I should wait until I know they are vista compatible. Do you know of any other Dell monitors causing problems with Vista? I'm think either Dell or NEC for the monitor. Any suggestions? I surely don't want this problem again :)

Thanks!
 
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