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Xref: sserve comp.unix.pc-clone.32bit:4136 comp.unix.bsd:12473 comp.os.linux:53574 comp.unix.questions:38041 comp.os.mach:3203 comp.unix.solaris:5736 Newsgroups: comp.unix.pc-clone.32bit,comp.unix.bsd,comp.os.linux,comp.unix.questions,comp.os.mach,comp.unix.solaris Path: sserve!newshost.anu.edu.au!munnari.oz.au!constellation!quest1!tam From: tam@quest1.UUCP (Timothy Melton) Subject: Re: Unix close for 486 - commens requested Message-ID: <1993Aug19.180630.26253@quest1.UUCP> Organization: Quest Consultants Inc. References: <hastyCBvJrI.CMy@netcom.com> <CByvHr.AMJ@egr.uri.edu> <CBz356.In9@news.udel.edu> Distribution: inet Date: Thu, 19 Aug 1993 18:06:30 GMT Lines: 94 In article <CBz356.In9@news.udel.edu> whealton@brahms.udel.edu (Charles Ro Whealton) writes: >In article <CByvHr.AMJ@egr.uri.edu> black@cs.uri.edu (John Black) writes: > >>It's possible to have too much machine. I'm sitting on a >>Gateway 2000 4DX2-66V that was purchased to run LynxOS. Its got >>a fancy VESA local bus, fast hard drive, zippy video card, and >>runs Windows 3.1 like greased lightning. It can't even load Lynx > ><rest deleted> > ><EOQ> > >I've (not really me but a friend) had some bad experiences with Gateway. > >A couple years ago now a friend of mine bought one of their machines >and unfortunately it was at my advice because they seemed to have such >reasonable prices. We tried to install Interactive Unix System V >release 3.2 on it and it kept bombing, saying it was "unable to read >drive geometry". I had personally thought that it was the crappy Data >Technology RLL controller they stuck him with since when trying to >install it on one of my machines, the culprit also turned out to be a >Data Technology controller (not very scientific, just my opinion). I >called them because I had DISTINCTLY asked them on the phone when >ordering this for him as to weather or not it would run Unix and the >woman who was the salesperson said it DEFINATELY WOULD. You should have told them when you ordered that you wanted a <insert brand here> controller. We routinely buy from gateway and have run ESIX Sysvr3.2, Dell UNIX, and Unixware with no problems. We just tell them we want an Adaptec SCSI controller (which is cheaper than the SCSI controller they usually ship) and have no problems. Maybe things were worse a few years back, but they are very responsive now. > >Naturally, when I called back and talked to one of their support >people, they said they weren't going to do anything about it because >it "Runs DOS just fine". Interesting. I met a man at the post office < 1 yr ago who was shipping a gateway back. I asked him what the problem was. Turned out he was installing an upgrade to his system and was on the phone w/ gateway tech support. Well, since the tech didnt tell him to shut off the power before working on the machine.... he fried it. Gateway replaced the machine for nothing. He was returning the dead one. again, maybe things were different a few years (> 2) back. > >Needless to say, I'll never buy another product from Gateway nor will >I ever recommend their crappy products (in my own personal opinion) to >anybody. ISC Unix, although picky, at that point was probably one of >the most popular Unix versions out there. If their machine wasn't >capable of supporting it as it was they should of fixed it. As a >result, there's already several machines people have asked me to order >for them that I've gone elsewhere for. Those machines run Unix >perfectly. Apparently if a machine runs MS-DOS, it's an OK machine in >Gateway's opinion... Don't be fooled by their stupid ads (they used to >use Cows, I don't know what they're using in their adds now - nor do I >care.) Actually I think the proliferation of mainstream OS's in recent years has helped open the eyes of many vendors. Now that they realize that dos is just a program loader and people want REAL OS's they are starting to wake up. Also, one final note. Dont just say 'ship me a computer' if you know of some components that dont work w/ your app (or insist on components on the tested list). Most companies will work with you (and in the case of the SCSI controller - save yourself some money) and if they wont, go to someone who will. I am sorry you had a bad experience. I think that you are the first person I have ever heard complain about them. One final final note ;). I own a 486dx gateway notebook. I asked them if it would run coherent. They said nope, it wont run any UNIX. Sure enough, coherent would not boot. BSD386 (or is it 386BSD .. the free one) though that my modem card was a ethernet board and hung. Linux installed right away and has been running fine ever since! You cant expect them to test their systems with EVERY OS out there. I suspect if they told you it would run unix, they meant SCO unix.. after all, isnt that the only unix for pc's! ;) Thanks, > >Good luck. > >Chuck > -- Tim Melton essex!quest1!tam Quest Consultants Inc. att!occrsh!quest1!tam P.O. Box 721387 (405) 329-7475 Norman, Ok 73070-8069 Fax: (405) 329-7734