ignatz@chinet.chi.il.us (Dave Ihnat) (02/06/90)
This is a problem for a client/friend. He bought a Z-181 about 2 years ago on my recommendation--he needed a *rugged*, affordable laptop with a full- size backlit screen with the aspect ratio of a normal terminal. It's filled the bill nicely, living through environmental conditions that truly warranted his statement that it's an "industrial quality" PC. Unfortunately, it couldn't withstand a bozoid technician at one of his job- sites who plugged a DB25 shell into the RS-232 port...that was connected to a non-RS232 device that punched about 26 volts into the port. Consequently, the serial port is hosed--transmits OK, but doesn't receive. When he turned the machine into an authorized Zenith repair center--expecting to pay for it-- he got quite a shock. They want $585 for the job. This, for a machine you can find on the used market for about $600-700. This is dictated by the fact that no board-level repairs are done at any Zenith center--the entire mother- board is pulled and sent to a repair depot. My question, for him, is whether anyone knows of a reliable third-party repair service that will take care of the machine for a more reasonable fee? He's going to Saudi Arabia on or about the 15th of February, so he either needs to fix this beast, or buy another machine... Thanks in advance, Dave Ihnat ignatz@homebru.chi.il.us