lexter@pro-abilink.UUCP (Sam Robertson) (03/17/89)
I purchased a CMS SD30 drive from ComputerLand. Here is a few complaints
and a few suggestions. First of all, don't buy anything from ComputerLand
unless you are dead set at keeping the thing! I purchased my drive from
branch here in Abilene (no flames about local dealers outrageous prices
PLEASE) simply because I wanted to have a place to B*tch if I had any
problems. Good thing I did so, because I have had more than my share of
problems with this little item!!! When I first set it up, it booted up into
its little Desktop (or what it calls a desktop!) and then proceded to verify
the drive and all the little necessary items. Everything was going fine! I
then moved my entire system over to the drive, including installing GSOS all
over again (I hate doing that!) and then I played for awhile with Orca/M and
its shell (I love the speed!, I had a profile before!) I used Applelink, I
used everything I had to make sure everything was working fine. Then I
decided to turn off the computer without turning off the drive. I then turned
on the machine and was greeted with a Full screen of the @ character! I
pressed Open-Apple-Control-reset, and was now greeted with a little message "
Fatal System Error 0681." I was alarmed, but decided it was my configuration.
So I poked through the manual (the second time!) and found out there was not
a page devoted to the SD30u (there were pages on the 20,43,and 60). I checked
alll my jumpers according to the universal jumper settings in manual. They
were fine! I then tried again, this time both the drive and computer were
offline, it booted up, but all of a sudden it locked up, I figured it thought
there was another device online that was not there! I turned off the drive,
the computer and booted up again, it worked fine, then booted Applelink, it
crashed! Then, files started disappearing (thank goodness for a 13 disk
backup immediately after moving the files over!) I called CMS 6 times
verifying and reverifying and eventually was told to just send it in RMA
through my dealer! Okay, I took the thing to ComputerLand told them my
situation and was greeted with a smile and a concerned face. They said, they
would send it off! three days later it popped over to my house via UPS (the
store was a mile away!) ComputerLand had sent the thing 2nd day air to my
house! I thought, wow, this thing was shipped to California and back in three
days (I know I was being optimistic). So I connected it up again, and it had
all the problems as before, and decided that there was no hope in thinking
that the drive had been replaced! So I took it back to computerland and this
time made sure it was to be sent correctly! A week later, I received a call
from one of the people at the computer shop telling me that the drive has been
replaced and it was ready for my pickup! So I scooted over to the place,
picked it up, set it up, and was again greeted with error 681!!!! DAMN! I
took the drive and everything and set it up at the computer place and showed
the problem to them! The card was right, the system was configured right, and
everything! It just wouldn't work if you powered down the computer without
powering down the drive also!!! I keep my drive on most of the time since the
computer is on most of the time. Same thing was wrong, and I am disgusted. I
know that a friend who has a CMS and runs a BBS on it can power down his
system without powering down his hard drive and it still boots correctly!
What's the problem here? Is the drive just not made for the GS? or is it that
I got to lemons in a row!!!
Well, I am going to threaten tomorrow that I want my money back, but I
already have been told by some store personel that Computerland does not make
cash refunds and that they can only give you a credit for something else, and
I don't want anything from them!!!
Anyway, if someone out there with intelligence on these things can give me a
rundown on whats wrong I would appreciate it. I have a GS with 1.25 meg and
have verified the system on a GS with 512k and the same problem arises. I
am also having a friend with a IIe try it out and he hasn't reported back with
me but I predict either the same problem or it will work only with a IIe! Oh,
I forgot to mention that I also have the latest roms (boy that was a year ago
or so!)
Another item while I am here! I love my GS, I have had to replace the
motherboard once and have had hell with Apple's GS Ram card! The Only thing
that really works on my system is the Modem (that is efficiently) and I still
love my GS especially the programming possibilities! Soon, there will be a
product out that I have been working on. Can't give details, too soon! (ha ha
ha)
Thanks in advance for any similar complaints, commiserations, or comments!
Sam Robertson
Applelink: Lexter || Sam Robertson Pro-Abilink 300/1200/2400
GENIE: SL.Robertson || 1357 Santos Sysop (Saw)
Proline: Lexter@Pro-Abilink || Abilene Texas 79605 (915)673-6856
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