First International Computer of America Lack of technical support Motherboard less than 1 year old slow prossessing consumer fraud ripoff Fremont California *UPDATE
I bought this motherboard 503+ Via chipset from Fry's electronics in Jan 2002. Since then I have noted the following errors and have contacted FIC technical support for assistance.
They have not made an attempt to resolve or even give advice for this issue. I have contacted Fry's and they inform me that I have to contact the manufacturer for a warranty adjustment, as they no longer carry the board in stock.
If I can't seem to get a response either way I feel that I am getting stuck with a defective board still under warranty..what am I to do??
Here are the error codes that I am getting found in the system monitor in win98:
ISA Plug and Play bus
System
This Device Has a Problem: Code=2 (0x2)
Device failure: Try changing the driver for this device. If that doesn't work,
see your hardware documentation.
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\enum\ACPI\*PNP0A00\0
Alloc resources: None
Forced resources: None
Boot resources: None
Filtered resources: None
Basic resources: None
Driver: System\0029
Driver Date: 5-11-1998
Driver: isapnp.vxd
To this date no one has told me how to correct this
Additionally further testing found these problems
MOTHERBOARD DMA Controller Tests FAILED
System Timer Tests PASSED
Keyboard Controller Tests PASSED CMOS RAM/Clock Tests FAILED
I either want a replcement board or my money back.
Mike
Tempe, Arizona
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Motherboard recieved and new one shipped at no cost
#80
Fri, September 20, 2002
Well, the motherboard was recieved yesterday and new one shipped within 3 hours. The scheduled delivery is 9/24 the folks in the RMA department worked hard to remedy this situation.
Post later if new problems arise.
RMA recieved..motherboard returned to FICA
#80
Wed, September 18, 2002
I just shipped off the motherboard yesterday.
I wont have to pay return shipping charges as the board is still under warranty and is supposed to be replaced..
this may work out after all.
Mike
Tempe,Arizona,
Nothing new
#8Consumer Comment
Thu, September 12, 2002
Thank you Dave for your input.
I tried a new cmos battery as a last resort before contacting the manufacurer, unfortunately
it yielded the same result.
I filled out a RMA request form and noted all my findings on the report. Yes, I think everyone is right this is a cheap board and probably not worth
the hassle of going through all this.
I still think this company should honor it's warranty and I'm trying to hold them accountable..thus the old adage you can't fight city hall.
I would not encourage anyone to buy products from any of the companies mentioned in this report unless they are ready "not to get what they really
paid for"
Thanks again
Dave
Atlanta,Georgia,
ASSISTANCE
#8Consumer Comment
Wed, September 11, 2002
The motherboard that you purchased seems to have a bad battery. Your diagnostics report points to Power Management and CMOS system failure. If the Battery is bad the CMOS cannot retain its settings. I undersand your frustration but sometimes these things happen. Did you retain your receipt? This still does not let the seller or the product manufacture off the hook for lousy product support and the cost to you for shipping a replacement. Thanks for the heads up ...I will never ever purchse or order anything from either one of these entities.
Mike
Tempe,Arizona,
Well Mark.. so you thought you were a COMPUTER ENGINEER
#8Consumer Comment
Wed, September 11, 2002
Learn to spell or take a class in english composition..next time take your time writing out a response.
OK, so you thought you were a COMPUTER ENGINEER & went to frys & bought a CHEAP MOTHERBOARD on SALE. Now ehn the thing has problem with DRIVERS & SUCH you screm you want your money back. Well buddy, you have got a lot to learn about computer hardware. What you probably got was a CHEAP POS. The old adage, you get what you pay for.
Well, if the MFG cant supply good drivers for it then basically I would THROW IT AWAY & go get a BETTER ONE anyway. But if you want to spend $$$ trying to fix it that is your problem. With Motherboards costing @ 100.00 or so, spending more than 1 hour of TECH SUPPORT time on it is a waste. I tell customers all the time, it is cheaper to pay me to REPLACE IT than try & troubleshoot it & fix it. You can SCREAM ALL you want but you need to face reality. CHEAP PARTS DONT LAST !!!! YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!
First International Computer Update
#80
Tue, September 10, 2002
Finally recieved an email from tech support. They advised to download a patch ver 4.38 this did not help. I indicated that I wanted the board returned because of other problems in turn I have to fill out a RMA and wait. Once the RMA arrives I have to pay shipping both ways..they want a check for $6.00 for return shipping. What a rip! here is an item still under warranty and I have to pay costs to get it resolved. On top of that if I wanted to check on the status of my RMA the phone call comes out of my
pocket. At least give me a toll free number. Stay tuned
Mark
Arlington,Texas,
Get some Technical Training
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, September 09, 2002
OK, so you thought you were a COMPUTER ENGINEER & went to frys & bought a CHEAP MOTHERBOARD on SALE. Now ehn the thing has problem with DRIVERS & SUCH you screm you want your money back. Well buddy, you have got a lot to learn about computer hardware. What you probably got was a CHEAP POS. The old adage, you get what you pay for.
Well, if the MFG cant supply good drivers for it then basically I would THROW IT AWAY & go get a BETTER ONE anyway. But if you want to spend $$$ trying to fix it that is your problem. With Motherboards costing @ 100.00 or so, spending more than 1 hour of TECH SUPPORT time on it is a waste. I tell customers all the time, it is cheaper to pay me to REPLACE IT than try & troubleshoot it & fix it. You can SCREAM ALL you want but you need to face reality. CHEAP PARTS DONT LAST !!!! YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR !!!!