This is my first time telling you guys this. Thought you might want to hear it.

Gateway = CRAP
I've had one experience let me sum it up in the extremely abridged version. I guarantee the experience was ten times more painful than it sounds. Gateway freaking sucks!

----My Story----

Ordered a Gateway last year. Didn't know better. Asked for P4 2.2 GHz with 512 MBs of RAM, MX-440, 80GB HDD, black case. I got a P4 2.2 GHz with 256 MBs of RAM, on-board video, 40 GB HDD that didn't boot. Spent one week trying to fix it. Got sent new RAM and video card. Neither worked. Gateway said they'd replace it. Sent me system with correct parts but white case and monitor. I let it fly this time. I tried to get it to work for three months. In and out of the shop ten or more times. Switched out everything but the mobo and CPU. PSU, RAM, HDD, everything. Nothing worked. Finally, one day I kicked it from here to the wall. I ripped out what I could salvage in hopes of building a system. Here's what I saved:

1) CPU
2) HDD
3) FDD
4) DVD Drive
5) CD-RW Drive
6) RAM
7) Monitor
8) Speakers
9) Keyboard
10) Mouse

I tried the HDD in another system and it showed as a 3GB Generic. On both ME and 98SE. The RAM caused a BIOS error and the PC wouldn't boot with it. The HDD resides somewhere in a landfill in Nevada by now. The RAM is under my bed with teeth marks on it.

When I built my new system I installed the DVD-ROM and CD-RW. The CD-RW always froze my new rig when I used it...either to burn or read. The DVD-ROM wouldn't let me install Windows. I bought a new MSI CD-RW and Sony DVD which I still use. That problem fixed.

The keyboard died. Just quit working. The left speaker lost all sound and the right constantly crackled. The mouse would jump about all over at the slightest touch. (Mind you this is all on my current rig, the AMD.)

The FDD still works and is what I use know, amazing that *it's* okay...A five dollar FDD out of a $2000 USD computer! I tried the CPU in another system and it smelt like burning metal and it is now burnt. I still use the monitor but I am going to replace it within the next two weeks. Whenever there is white or another bright color on the screen it makes a high pitched buzzing noise that is so annoying I have to either have a fan or music on. (I constantly smack the s**t out of my monitor as that stops the buzzing. Also, if I turn the coloring down to like 3000k in the user mode it stops but I like 9300!)

End note: I payed $2000 USD for a FDD!
Damn you Gateway. I hate you. I doubt most people have had this much problem from Gateway but I know I hate them eternally. Heck, I *abhor* them. That's my horror story. I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to laugh. Never will I go OEM or Intel again.

This is why I started building my own in the first place. I have no crappy tech support techies to deal with. I'm my own tech support and HWA is my sanctuary.

Then why did you stay with it...I know someone who had problems with GW and got their money back...You are too forgiving and patient....

No Offense

Sandy...believe me...I tried to get rid of that piece of s**t...but Gateway wouldn't let me. They wouldn't let me return it and said if I did they wouldn't refund me. I said I was going to sue them but what could I do to a multi-million dollar corp like that? Besides, it was my parents money. LOL. In the end though, I still hate Gateway...now known to me as Gateway....the Gayway!

Gateway = Crap
Dell = Crap
IBM = Crap
All of them = Crap

Custom Built = The Best

My PE teacher just bought a Gateway. She's already replaced the HDD. Anyone want to take a swing at how long you think it will last?

I am not sure about this, but Gateway in our city has closed down, I was told they all were being closed down to bankrupcy, again, I am not sure about that

Update, my teacher's Gateway died. I told her about AMD and stuff and she said she was willing to let me build her a system. Next thing I know I found out her husband replace it with another Gateway! What the hell is wrong with these people?

Update, teacher's CD-ROM needs replacement. Seems it ran itself dead on the install of a poker game!

ok first off all... a pc built by a company is good and bad..

good: all those program that u dont have to buy ex: window xp (pro)..already installed drivers.some comes wit CHEAP but good flat screens. everything in the case is installed correctly (well some). dont have to worry if it breaks.. becuse they will fix for u (some fo free).

bad: if u dont like the parts that came wit it like 256 ram instead u want 512 and when u asked they will OVER OVER charge u for an item that cost alot less in retail stores. ugly cases.!!! customer takes a life time to reply.
rebates.... REBATESS.. i just cant wait.. who can? and if u can wait.. u prolly forgot about it.

custom built computers.. is a good idea

good: pick any part or stuff u want to put in the pc ex: vid card, ram cpu hd etc.. cost less then factory pc's. hmm.. dont have to worry bout customrer service. things dont work? well return it and or get a exchange (simple as that) if u built it, u will learn what goes where and what things do so u dont have to worry bout opening the case and thinking *oo s**t what did i just do!!!*

bad: not everyhting will come out to be working at 100%.. some will. getting the softwares like win xp.. installing drivers. connect everything which is gon fusterate u ex: wires to mobo, mobo to hardware. u gota know where everything goes and if u mess up.. start all over by making your wallet size smaller

2nd paragraph: Custmer service.

sry i was in a rush to get to a BBq party today

Yea I just went over to look at my freinds moms computer which is a gateway and its dead it turns on but theres no video no beeps or anything. And this is the 3rd time shes had it worked on videocard before Adrive and a motherboard. yea gateway does seem to have its issues.

The first time I saw an ad for Gateway (back in the 80s sometime), they used a cow for a logo. (Or was it a bull?) Unconscious connection: Their products are cows, they milk you for all they can get, or is it a load of bulls**t? Anyway, I really didn't feel that I could give them any of my hard-earned with an ad like that.

Yup. I rmember the cow thing. I saw an add for that as recently as last year!

My aunt brought a Dell a few weeks back, the Dell guy on the phone asked if they she want any upgrades, she said she wanted 512Mb of ddr not 256, 128Mb graphics not 64Mb and a 120Gb hdd instead of a 40Gb one, she then said she wasnt will to pay more than £100 extra for the upgrades, the Dell guy said yeah thats fine and agreed, she ended up getting about £220 of upgrades for £100.


So if you are going to buy retail, try give them a lower price that you are will to pay for upgrade, see if they will execpt your offer.

wow.

they give you crap that they have to clear out.

I'm convinced they buy old/damaged/discontinued crap from other companies and repackage it.

There have been stories of people finding data of previous users on their "new" gateway or Dell system.

This is so funny

Dell got me into moddin'

I started w/ a Dell Optiplex (w/ 8x4x vertical CD-RW, & 4mb agp gfx, & 128mb mem), it worked OK, a little slow, but OK

I watched a subcontract techie (in home service) replace my 10GB HDD w/ a 20GB HDD (that's all they had)

Looked easy enough to me

I upgraded to (2x256 SDRAM), Sony 48x24x48x, Firewire card, & a special ATI Radeon half-height 32mb AGP gfx card my self

So you could say Dell got me started

Thnx Dell!!

OCGW

PEACE

Gateway got me started as well, OCGW. Thanks Gateway!