Recently got a new job with Time Warner Cable. Its awesome. I deal with some extremely smart people, work less hours, and am able to go more indepth learning monitoring/management systems. Currently I work with OpenService's NerveCenter and InfoCenter. NerveCenter is awesome. I worked with Nagios before which is kind of an equivalent. However, NC is capable of having alarm models that use states instead of just severity level. Basically what this means is you are in condition state A. Then an event happens that triggers a transition to state B. Now when that same event happens it doesn't do anything because it was only used to go from state A to state B. With Nagios, you just get notified that the event happened.
I get to play with SNMP and Perl; both of which I've been wanting to learn more indepth for a long time, but just haven't had the time. It's not overly challenging, just new situations and desired solutions. But I know as time goes on there will be more piled on, giving more access to new systems and new challenges. Can't wait.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Cruzer Rocks
I have a 4GB Cruzer Micro USB drive. Well I haven't been able to find it for awhile. I found it today in the dryer! I accidentally forgot it in my pants and it went thru the washer and the dryer. While all the data on it is at least in a few other places, I was pretty mad at myself because its a 4GB USB stick and although their cheap, I don't want to just be throwing money down the toilet.
I plugged it into my computer just on the off chance it worked. It recognized, mounted, and had all my files there. No errors, nothing; just worked perfect. I couldn't believe after going thru all of that it still worked. I'm buying only Cruzer USB sticks from now on.
I plugged it into my computer just on the off chance it worked. It recognized, mounted, and had all my files there. No errors, nothing; just worked perfect. I couldn't believe after going thru all of that it still worked. I'm buying only Cruzer USB sticks from now on.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Gateway sucks
I used to like Gateway. I am originally from North Dakota and like to support a neighbor computer company. However after my last experience, I'm done with them.
At my company, I am the Net Admin and basically get to choose what hardware and software we buy. We were a Thinkpad Laptop and Gateway Server/Desktop shop; everything seemed to be going pretty well. I figured, well IBM/Lenovo seem kinda expensive, lets check out taking laptops to Gateway as well. I replaced my Thinkpad T41 with a Gateway E475M (Core 2 Duo 2.2 Ghz, 15.4" Wide, 2GB Memory, 250GB hard drive, DL DVD+RW, Bluetooth) and 5 years of support because I wanted to use it for a long time. I was stoked when it arrived. It took me a little while getting it the way I wanted it, but it seemed to be like the solution.
After a couple of weeks I started to notice a few annoyances, but just worked thru them. The laptop ran extremely hot and when restarting it in dock, it froze on the bios screen. There was obviously nothing I could do about the overheating as it became obvious its a design flaw. The bottom of the laptop has a ton of vents on it and the fans pull the air up. Well lets see, where did laptops get their name from. DUH! You basically have to have the laptop sitting on its lid whenever not using it because otherwise it can't get enough air to cool down.
Now on to my first experience with Gateway:
Trouble ticket 1: (Can't remember exactly when it was since it was a while ago now)
Called Gateway support and told them my computer froze on boot up. The tech seemed to be quite confused by this as he's never heard of this issue before. After a reboot and confirmation of what was happening, he determined it to be a bad dock since it only happened when it was docked. Received a new dock about 4 days later. Problem still existed. I never restarted that often anyway when it was in dock so I figured, screw it, not going to waste calling them again.
Trouble ticket 2:
I called about the dock issue again a few months later (had laptop for 5 months now) because it was starting to annoy me again. However, the real reason was that my video connection to my external monitor gave way so I could only view the computer from the laptop screen. The tech I spoke to seemed to not have a clue; just knew I already replaced my dock so lets try a new motherboard and processor. Needed to replace that anyway due to the video issue. However, later that night a tech actually called me (a FEMALE) and actually successfully diagnosed my issue with one question: What do I have plugged into my dock; any USB devices? I was at home so I said I'd have to check when I got in the next day. Sure enough it was my external Lacie drive. Now I'm pissed that Gateway's solution to this issue is buy a new external drive, but at least I know what's causing it. I just wanted to note to everyone it was a girl that troubleshot it and the guys had no clue whatsoever about where to even start.
After the onsite tech showed up with the parts, he replaced them and life was good. The external monitor worked again.
Trouble ticket 3:
2 hours later (NOT JOKING!!!) The external monitor quit working again. I called up Gateway support (January 24th). I told them what was up. He wanted me to update drivers. I asked why since the screen is hosed during bios as well (obviously not sharpest knife in drawer). I told him the bios has already been updated. He said since I have 2 memory chips, it could be caused by that. Now I've been dealing with computer long enough to know this isn't a memory issue. If it was the laptop screen would be hosed as well and the system would stop working altogether; it wouldn't just be the external screen. However, I figured I'd humor him, what could be the harm (god, i couldn't have been more wrong). After trying every combo of the sticks in the slots, my computer no longer booted. He acted like it was no big deal which irritated me. I had to spend a ton of time building another computer (remember that T41 I said was my old computer; Welcome back old friend) so I could actually do my job as a Net Admin.
Anyway, he said they would need to send out new parts: motherboard, cpu, ram, dvd drive, and screen. I told them to throw in a DVD drive as well this time for spite (my cover plate fell off one day under normal usage; didn't complain about it because I actually liked it that way due to the other design flaw of the eject button being way too easy to press).
One week later, I called back because I was getting sick of waiting. Status: one part on back order and they don't ship out orders incomplete. Fine, what can I do, shit happens.
Another week later, I called back again because this is starting to get ridiculous. Status: N/A. They were in the middle of switching systems from Gateway Pro to MPC and someone deleted my order out of the old one and didn't bother putting into the new one. Again, this tech didn't even apologize for their screw up (I'm starting to lose it at this point btw). I tell them to get the stuff ordered. She put it back in, but didn't put the screen replacement on the order (didn't find out until another next call on that one). This all happened on a Thursday, she confirmed to me that all parts were in stock (since I was screwed by back orders before) and that it should arrive no later than Monday because I had NBD, so I could expect a tech call then.
On Monday, I called because now I just don't trust them. And rightfully so, the idiot rep didn't send it out NBD like she said she did and like my support agreement states, she sent it out ground. From what I'm reading of others' experiences, this seems to be a common scam of theirs to reduce their costs. I bitched to the rep to no avail. He compounded my disdain for Gateway by notifying me that the cpu was on back order (ARGGGGGHHHH!!!!).
Tuesday, I receive the motherboard, memory, and dvd drive. I call in to ask why I'm receiving them. Shouldn't they be sent to the tech that will coming on site to fix my computer. They said, no, they send them to me and after they've shipped the tech is notified to call me to schedule an appointment. Ok, fine, whatever.
Friday (2/15/08) - Finally receive the cpu. I call Gateway again to see if the onsite tech has been notified. Well I guess that onsite tech support wasn't setup. I asked why not and he said that it can't be setup at the stage of order they tech put the order in at. I said bullshit, he gave me the order number, and I hung up on him as he was saying have a nice day. We will see.
I have had the laptop for 8 months now. It has been out of commission for almost one month now. I have over 4 years of support left on it and if it doesn't get fixed soon I will spend my own money to replace my company laptop so I can have something that works. Needless to say, not am I only not going to switch to Gateway for laptops, they lost all of my desktop and server business as well. Also, since I'm a Network Administrator, and considered the "computer genius" to my friends and family (whether I actually am or not is irrelevant, I am to them), I have influence over their purchases and am telling them to stay way from Gateway like their the plague.
At my company, I am the Net Admin and basically get to choose what hardware and software we buy. We were a Thinkpad Laptop and Gateway Server/Desktop shop; everything seemed to be going pretty well. I figured, well IBM/Lenovo seem kinda expensive, lets check out taking laptops to Gateway as well. I replaced my Thinkpad T41 with a Gateway E475M (Core 2 Duo 2.2 Ghz, 15.4" Wide, 2GB Memory, 250GB hard drive, DL DVD+RW, Bluetooth) and 5 years of support because I wanted to use it for a long time. I was stoked when it arrived. It took me a little while getting it the way I wanted it, but it seemed to be like the solution.
After a couple of weeks I started to notice a few annoyances, but just worked thru them. The laptop ran extremely hot and when restarting it in dock, it froze on the bios screen. There was obviously nothing I could do about the overheating as it became obvious its a design flaw. The bottom of the laptop has a ton of vents on it and the fans pull the air up. Well lets see, where did laptops get their name from. DUH! You basically have to have the laptop sitting on its lid whenever not using it because otherwise it can't get enough air to cool down.
Now on to my first experience with Gateway:
Trouble ticket 1: (Can't remember exactly when it was since it was a while ago now)
Called Gateway support and told them my computer froze on boot up. The tech seemed to be quite confused by this as he's never heard of this issue before. After a reboot and confirmation of what was happening, he determined it to be a bad dock since it only happened when it was docked. Received a new dock about 4 days later. Problem still existed. I never restarted that often anyway when it was in dock so I figured, screw it, not going to waste calling them again.
Trouble ticket 2:
I called about the dock issue again a few months later (had laptop for 5 months now) because it was starting to annoy me again. However, the real reason was that my video connection to my external monitor gave way so I could only view the computer from the laptop screen. The tech I spoke to seemed to not have a clue; just knew I already replaced my dock so lets try a new motherboard and processor. Needed to replace that anyway due to the video issue. However, later that night a tech actually called me (a FEMALE) and actually successfully diagnosed my issue with one question: What do I have plugged into my dock; any USB devices? I was at home so I said I'd have to check when I got in the next day. Sure enough it was my external Lacie drive. Now I'm pissed that Gateway's solution to this issue is buy a new external drive, but at least I know what's causing it. I just wanted to note to everyone it was a girl that troubleshot it and the guys had no clue whatsoever about where to even start.
After the onsite tech showed up with the parts, he replaced them and life was good. The external monitor worked again.
Trouble ticket 3:
2 hours later (NOT JOKING!!!) The external monitor quit working again. I called up Gateway support (January 24th). I told them what was up. He wanted me to update drivers. I asked why since the screen is hosed during bios as well (obviously not sharpest knife in drawer). I told him the bios has already been updated. He said since I have 2 memory chips, it could be caused by that. Now I've been dealing with computer long enough to know this isn't a memory issue. If it was the laptop screen would be hosed as well and the system would stop working altogether; it wouldn't just be the external screen. However, I figured I'd humor him, what could be the harm (god, i couldn't have been more wrong). After trying every combo of the sticks in the slots, my computer no longer booted. He acted like it was no big deal which irritated me. I had to spend a ton of time building another computer (remember that T41 I said was my old computer; Welcome back old friend) so I could actually do my job as a Net Admin.
Anyway, he said they would need to send out new parts: motherboard, cpu, ram, dvd drive, and screen. I told them to throw in a DVD drive as well this time for spite (my cover plate fell off one day under normal usage; didn't complain about it because I actually liked it that way due to the other design flaw of the eject button being way too easy to press).
One week later, I called back because I was getting sick of waiting. Status: one part on back order and they don't ship out orders incomplete. Fine, what can I do, shit happens.
Another week later, I called back again because this is starting to get ridiculous. Status: N/A. They were in the middle of switching systems from Gateway Pro to MPC and someone deleted my order out of the old one and didn't bother putting into the new one. Again, this tech didn't even apologize for their screw up (I'm starting to lose it at this point btw). I tell them to get the stuff ordered. She put it back in, but didn't put the screen replacement on the order (didn't find out until another next call on that one). This all happened on a Thursday, she confirmed to me that all parts were in stock (since I was screwed by back orders before) and that it should arrive no later than Monday because I had NBD, so I could expect a tech call then.
On Monday, I called because now I just don't trust them. And rightfully so, the idiot rep didn't send it out NBD like she said she did and like my support agreement states, she sent it out ground. From what I'm reading of others' experiences, this seems to be a common scam of theirs to reduce their costs. I bitched to the rep to no avail. He compounded my disdain for Gateway by notifying me that the cpu was on back order (ARGGGGGHHHH!!!!).
Tuesday, I receive the motherboard, memory, and dvd drive. I call in to ask why I'm receiving them. Shouldn't they be sent to the tech that will coming on site to fix my computer. They said, no, they send them to me and after they've shipped the tech is notified to call me to schedule an appointment. Ok, fine, whatever.
Friday (2/15/08) - Finally receive the cpu. I call Gateway again to see if the onsite tech has been notified. Well I guess that onsite tech support wasn't setup. I asked why not and he said that it can't be setup at the stage of order they tech put the order in at. I said bullshit, he gave me the order number, and I hung up on him as he was saying have a nice day. We will see.
I have had the laptop for 8 months now. It has been out of commission for almost one month now. I have over 4 years of support left on it and if it doesn't get fixed soon I will spend my own money to replace my company laptop so I can have something that works. Needless to say, not am I only not going to switch to Gateway for laptops, they lost all of my desktop and server business as well. Also, since I'm a Network Administrator, and considered the "computer genius" to my friends and family (whether I actually am or not is irrelevant, I am to them), I have influence over their purchases and am telling them to stay way from Gateway like their the plague.
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