Gateway computers
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,750
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From: Lenexa, KS
I'm on my second Gateway and it's been a great computer just like the last one. The stores are a lot of overhead in a VERY competitive industry. In addition, even though I bought my first one at a store, they still had to ship it to me, they didn't stock them. Also, anytime I needed technical service (which has been great), I always called their 800 number and got help. I think Gateway is just like a lot of other companies looking to lower costs so they can try to compete in todays "global" market.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
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I have had the same Gateway laptop (the one I am typing on now) for 5 years now with no complaints or problems.
If I had to buy another computer tomorrow I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Gateway.
If I had to buy another computer tomorrow I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Gateway.
Last edited by christop43; Apr 5, 2004 at 06:13 AM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 2
From: Georgia
Originally Posted by sglaine
I setup some new Gateways at an office a couple of weeks ago what garbage. I will never get a gateway for my self I want a laptop but I am still researching it. 
Gateways are junk. I bought one in 1998 & was very dissatisfied with in.
I did manage to make it last until this year though but I now have a new HP. I had to get my money out of the gateway but was very un happy with it. I couldn't even get phone support from the morons.
I will never recommend gateway to anyone.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
Likes: 7
From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
I'm on my second Gateway, and the reason I bought the first (and it was my very first computer) was because of the store. The only reason I got rid of the first was Windows98. I've had one problem with the new one, I can't get it to go on stand-by. Contacted Gateway via e-mail, their instructions were no help. Called my salesperson at the store, he had it fixed in 5 minutes. I'll miss the store.
And now that I know that PCs are all the same inside, how can someone say that Gateway's are "junk," while their Dell is great? Odds are, you could have just as easily got a junk Dell and a great Gateway. It comes down to price and service, period. It's like saying a Mercury Sable is no good, but the Ford Taurus is the best car going.
It's just a shame that if I have future problems, I have no one local to turn to.
And now that I know that PCs are all the same inside, how can someone say that Gateway's are "junk," while their Dell is great? Odds are, you could have just as easily got a junk Dell and a great Gateway. It comes down to price and service, period. It's like saying a Mercury Sable is no good, but the Ford Taurus is the best car going.
It's just a shame that if I have future problems, I have no one local to turn to.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 2
From: Georgia
Originally Posted by 1956MarkII
And now that I know that PCs are all the same inside, how can someone say that Gateway's are "junk," while their Dell is great? Odds are, you could have just as easily got a junk Dell and a great Gateway. It comes down to price and service, period. It's like saying a Mercury Sable is no good, but the Ford Taurus is the best car going.
I talked my mother into buying a computer. She bought a HP identical of mine. Only difference between hers & mine is that I bought more upgrades suck as memory & harddrive.
She has had nothing but problems with it. I keep telling her to take it back but she won't so she will have to live with it.
And I also agree that the taurus & sable were the same car. Now the Ford Escort was way better then the Mercury Linxs.
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 32,025
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From: Where Critters Are Free
Originally Posted by mikebon08
How old is the computer--did it come with Win2000 originally? Does it give the black screen immediately, without ever starting Windows, or does it start and run then black out?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,157
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From: Wichita, KS
Signal error message on the screen? Some monitors do that if they're powered up and don't get a signal from the computer. In that case, means the computer isn't booting up. I'd pull out the memory, go back to the original, see if that helps. If not, make sure you didn't pull a cable or something loose putting the memory in. The HP Pavilions I've worked on are pretty crowded inside, and the power supply and leads are right above where the memory snaps in. PITA. Otherwise....could be the power supply, video adapter (guessing it's built into the motherboard?), something keeping it from firing up. Would not be the hard drive 'cause they'll start without one, just can't load Windows.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Wichita, KS
Originally Posted by parks911
You do have a point.
I talked my mother into buying a computer. She bought a HP identical of mine. Only difference between hers & mine is that I bought more upgrades suck as memory & harddrive.
She has had nothing but problems with it. I keep telling her to take it back but she won't so she will have to live with it.
And I also agree that the taurus & sable were the same car. Now the Ford Escort was way better then the Mercury Linxs.
I talked my mother into buying a computer. She bought a HP identical of mine. Only difference between hers & mine is that I bought more upgrades suck as memory & harddrive.
She has had nothing but problems with it. I keep telling her to take it back but she won't so she will have to live with it.
And I also agree that the taurus & sable were the same car. Now the Ford Escort was way better then the Mercury Linxs.
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 32,025
Likes: 0
From: Where Critters Are Free
Originally Posted by mikebon08
Signal error message on the screen? Some monitors do that if they're powered up and don't get a signal from the computer. In that case, means the computer isn't booting up. I'd pull out the memory, go back to the original, see if that helps. If not, make sure you didn't pull a cable or something loose putting the memory in. The HP Pavilions I've worked on are pretty crowded inside, and the power supply and leads are right above where the memory snaps in. PITA. Otherwise....could be the power supply, video adapter (guessing it's built into the motherboard?), something keeping it from firing up. Would not be the hard drive 'cause they'll start without one, just can't load Windows.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,157
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From: Wichita, KS
Originally Posted by sglaine
Now when I turn it on there is nothing now could be the hard drive is cooked because I could not get the 3 worms out of it in time?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 2
From: Eastern WA
There will be people that like and hate all of the brands out there. Because of the hassles/problems/value of off-the-shelf computers, I finally built my own. If you do go that road, I'd suggest getting componenets locally; should you have a problem it's much easier to be able to walk in and talk to somebody. If you're uncomfortable building it yourself, find a computer savy buddy to help you/do it for you and make sure your buddy can provide some support. There is more to this than just buying a bunch of stuff and throwing it together; you/they will need to do some howework and investigation. In the end, you will be rewarded with a machine with awesome performance, features, and you will know EXACTLY what you have.
A buddy of mine bought a new HP last summer. Much to my surprise it didn't come with recovery CD's. He called HP and was advised that this was no accident. I went to their website (
) and confirmed this. I sincerely hope that windows never get's corrupted or he'll be out PAYING for that again (like he didn't pay once already) or comming over to see me to address the problem.
A buddy of mine bought a new HP last summer. Much to my surprise it didn't come with recovery CD's. He called HP and was advised that this was no accident. I went to their website (
) and confirmed this. I sincerely hope that windows never get's corrupted or he'll be out PAYING for that again (like he didn't pay once already) or comming over to see me to address the problem.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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Actually after the first week or so, I think recovery CD's are useless, at least for me. By that time I have made enough changes that it would take hours, if not days, to get back to where I was. That's why I prefer just having good disaster recovery software. Back up before you make any big changes and if everthing works well after the changes, back up again. Then if you lose a HD, it limits how much time it takes to recover.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Detroit Subs
Originally Posted by christaylor
Just heard on the news that Gateway Computers is closing all of its retail stores. Except for all the people out of work, not a big loss IMHO. I had a Gateway laptop that was crap and when things broke you could only get it fixed at gateway. My Dad bought a Gatewway desktop and hated it also,
Chris
Chris
My current computer is a home-built AMD2.XGhz that a buddy of my son's built for me. For $1k, it's a heck of a machine, complete with an NEC 21" monitor and great graphics card.