Kept Light

Having had my computer for close to 4 years, I decided that the summer time was a good time to replace it. I wanted the new one to have the latest Intel 6-core CPU, 12 GB RAM, and 64-bit Windows 7. While searching for options and trying to make build or buy decisions I came across a great deal on the HP site. They had a computer with everything I wanted and with a $400 instant rebate. The price of the computer came lower than the parts I could purchase. So, I bought one. Mistake number 1! Shipping was a disaster, I specifically wanted to receive it after a certain date as I would be out of town and not be able to receive the product. The sales person assured me that they were not that ahead of schedule. So, I believed him. Mistake number 2.

After an adventurous delivery to a neighbor’s house, I picked it up after returning home. That was a chore with the large and heavy package; I ended up using a luggage cart and took it upstairs a little at a time. It was a diminutive computer in their HPE series. It seemed to work fine, but at one point I needed tech support. Then, things started getting really bad. I will spare you the details but summarize the experience by quoting the support person. He said as a response to my questions almost repeatedly “I cannot tell you that,” or “search our Web site.” Two hours later, I was talking to a case manager at HP corporate level and after reporting everything I told him that I had obtained an RMA and the computer was on its way back. The customer service totally destroyed the sale.

CyberPower built computer interior

The search continued and I decided to buy the parts and build it myself as I had been doing for the last 20+ years. NewEgg.com was my choice for parts and I built a shopping list from the case to the CPU cooler and everything necessary. Then I stumbled upon CyberPower.com somehow, I don’t quite know why I went there. I noticed that they were offering computers using exactly the same components for a little more than the parts cost. I decided to save some time for myself and ordered the computer from them. It took about 2 weeks but I got exactly what I expected, with full documentation unlike the HP computer. The workmanship was, and still is top notch. Take a look at the photograph (click to enlarge) of the interior of the box, it looks almost empty!

I had a question and called their tech support line. Within 5 minutes I was talking to Hien, a very knowledgeable person who pinpointed the problem and after a nice chat I told him that the CPU heat sink seemed non standard. He asked for a photo which I mailed to him. Within 30 minutes, he called me back (read again: he called me back!) to apologize for the incorrect cooler and a new one was on its way. After that, I spoke with Hien a couple of more times on other questions, again, within minutes my problems were solved and questions answered. I am now a satisfied customer of CyberPower.com and will certainly recommend them for your serious consideration. The computer works like a charm and support answers the phone and my questions.

No more HP for me, you should think twice too!

Configuration:

Intel Core- i7 980 Extreme 6-core CPU
12 GB Corsair Dominator RAM
GigaByte GA-X58A-UD3R
CoolerMaster 690 II Advanced Mid-Tower Gaming Case
ATI Radeon HD 5670 1GB GDDR5 16X PCIe Video Card
Corsair 750 Watts CMPSU-750TX Power Supply
1TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Western Digital)
24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive
Microsoft® Windows® 7 Professional (64-bit Edition)
3-Year Limited Warranty Plus Life-Time Technical Support

I have had two scanners connected to my computer for many years, a Canon FS4000 film scanner and an Epson 2450 flat bed, with no problems with either one. About a month or so ago I wanted to copy a piece of paper and found out that my trusty Epson did not work. I unistalled the driver and isntalled it several times with no success. I would go through the install process, the computer would recognize the scanner by its brand and model, then it would present me with a message:

There was a problem installing this hardware.
Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged (Code 19)

My search efforts gave me no help and I disconnected the Epson and connected it to my wife’s computer with no problems. [Read more...]