Feedback on new purchase (mid summer 2010)

Chris_

New member
SPECIFICATION
Operating System -- MS Windows 7 64-bit
CPU -- Intel Core i5 760 @ 2.80GHz, Lynnfield 45nm Technology
RAM -- 8.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 664MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard -- ASUSTeK Computer INC. P7H57D-V EVO (LGA1156)
Graphics -- H243HX @ 1920x1080, ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series
Hard Drives:
-- 977GB Hitachi Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 (IDE)
-- 977GB Western Digital WDC WD1002FAEX-00Y9A0 ATA Device (IDE)
-- 977GB Western Digital WDC WD1002FAEX-00Y9A0 ATA Device (IDE)
Optical Drives:
-- Optiarc DVD RW AD-7260S
-- Optiarc DVD RW AD-7260S
Audio -- Realtek High Definition Audio

SALES
Everyone is always helpful, if not always consistent; but then there is an awful lot to know. Everyone cannot know everything.
E-mail enquiries always dealt with helpfully.

ON-LINE MENU
Very good normally.
The change to components in February 2010 removed RAID from the menu for i3 / i5 / i7 PCs. This was not helpful.
I initially selected a custom PC case, unaware that I was supposed to buy it and ship it to PCSpecialist. The menu system was not clear on this.
Suggest:
1. Include buttons for RAID and either:
- use the feedback information telling you about any problems with your choice of components to revise them
or
- grey out the button when the choices made do not allow RAID
2. Make sure there is a message next to any custom case choice, such as
'You must buy the case and send it to us by courier'.
3. When selecting the multi-card reader, please indicate that it includes an extra USB socket.

ORDERING
I prefer ordering over the phone. This was a very helpful way of checking the details and paying.

DELIVERY
Packaging good and obviously designed to avoid damage.

Suggestion:
1. Tell people the size of the box to be delivered.
2. Do not send out automatically. Ask people for a delivery day beforehand.

ASSEMBLY
A helpful call to technical support clarified the different sockets at the back for me; otherwise straight forward.

PROBLEMS
There seems to have been a mix up concerning RAID 1. Originally I made an order and then discussed a special sub-order for RAID 1 -- it wasn't an option in the standard menu. This sub-order got lost along the way and I never thought to ask when making the final purchase.
This was obviously disappointing when I finally realised it was not configured this way. Fortunately, the person I spoke to was able to talk me through re-partitioning the hard drives using Windows 7 to give me mirrored pair of disks. It does not show up as RAID, only as mirrored. The synchronisation process took about 4.5 hours to complete. When I now boot the PC it does not go straight through to the screen asking for a password. A black screen with white text appears during the boot process asking me if I want to use Windows 7 or Windows 7 secondary plex. The plex is a duplicate OS -- as far as I understand. This was unexpected. It can be removed but I prefer to leave it in place as a second boot option.

FIRST BOOT UP AFTER PURCHASE
Generally straight forward [using Windows 7 Professional 64bit]. The only discomfort was entering the Product Key. The label from the software case was removed and stuck on the rear of the PC case. I ended up lying on the floor -- not good at my age -- and using a torch to try and read out the key to my daughter so that she could write it down. I was then able to enter the Key. The motto is, check everything before setting it up!

Having never used Windows 7 before, I found it reasonably straight forward to make the basic customisations -- I think I changed it to classic theme -- which helped. I now use Aero which I like.

Suggestion:
1. Place a typed label with the Product Key on the software case for future reference.

HARDWARE
The case is elegant and very quiet. I chose an alternative to my original choice with help from one of the PC Specialist Team -- very helpful. Considering it has 300w more than the old PC, it seems to generate less heat! Is this because the power unit is not working very hard?

INSTALLING SOFTWARE
Only 2 installations were problematic for quite a lot of software.

The HP Officejet software refused to install. I had to download a 64bit version plus a critical update. It installed and works.

I bought Acronis 2010, on an earlier recommendation of one of the PCSpecialist team. It installed, but would not back up. The software told me that it did not work with dynamic disks and that I would need the Plus Pack. After some difficulty -- involving live chat with Acronis -- I was directed to a web link to purchase a download of Plus Pack.
The only gripe about this is -- I bought Acronis 2010 for about £20 from Amazon and paid nearly £24 for Plus Pack. The annoying part is that Acronis was offering 2010 + Plus Pack for about £27 - £28!
Anyway, once installed, it works much more simply than I was led to believe.

SURPRISES...
I have been led to believe by different people that Microsoft Office 2000 (yes, that’s 10 years old software) would either not work or be very unlikely to work. Happily, I can say -- WRONG!!! It loaded without a hitch and works. I installed Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, Frontpage and Photodraw. Those I have tried all open. Excellent!

Similarly, Paint Shop Pro 9 and XI install and work. Even better.

I have every hope of satisfactory service from Windows 7 Professional.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER…
Not quite.

The PC seemed to refuse to shut down on quite a few occasions. I left it for an hour and it was still telling me it was shutting down. Reset button. Reboot. No messages. Rebooted fine. What happened?
PCSpecialist were helpful saying I should remove the tablet from the front USB.
It helped a little. The solution I have found is to log-off before shutting down. This has only failed me once. Yes, you have no choice but to use a password with Windows 7 -- though I have to say previous experience with XP on laptops never caused this problem.

I prefer to manually install Microsoft Windows updates. I found 3 waiting for me -- 1 important and 2 optional. I installed all optional updates and the PC wouldn’t reboot. ChkDsk. Autorepair. Recovery Point. Finally the PC rebooted. It wasn’t the way I wanted to find out how good the Windows 7 repair abilities were. I just followed the instructions.
Then the shock -- red Norton 360 -- all the virus downloads and definitions had disappeared!! Reinstalled the updates and turned green. Also Nortons 1-click help confirmed the process. What happened there?
Did a full scan -- no viruses, etc found. 4 hours+ gone.
This is not the first time Microsoft's optional up-dates have proven problematic.

Downloaded AOL Desktop 10.1. Didn’t like the American accent, even though the software worked. Downloaded the European 9.1. It wouldn’t provide a box for inserting the password. Problems uninstalling AOL software. Eventually managed to uninstall all AOL stuff. Now I just use Firefox.

Final words
The PC has lost some of it’s initial speed, but I guess that’s due to the number of programs running.

Also a lot of disk activity happens from time to time which noticeably slows the PC, even stops it when using Firefox sometimes. I cannot find out whats running, but guess it must be something to do with Norton 360 v4 and Spybot Teatimer and updates?
Again helpful PCSpecialist team said Windows 7 dynamically defrags the hard disks, unlike older versions where it was a user chore. I am in two minds about this benefit, since it does slow the PC down.

AFTER THOUGHT
This is my 2nd PCSpecialist PC. The old one (Pentium 4, 2Gb RAM...) is still working alongside the new one -- 4 years after purchase -- without ever having any hardware attention from anyone. That, for me, is first. It was a strong consideration for going back to PCS plus their excellent sales and technical support.

Many thanks PCS.

Chris
 
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PCS

Administrator
Staff member
Thank you for your detailed review, we've noted your feedback and will use this to make improvements in the future.
 

xrchz

Bronze Level Poster
I agree you should ask us before dispatch if we have a preferred time of day (or preferred day) - does DHL allow you to specify a preferred time at no extra cost? (start a new thread if necessary..) Because otherwise we basically end up doing that after the first delivery is missed, and only get 2 free delivery attempts instead of 3 (and probably only need 1 if we specify the time first).
 

Gorman

Author Level
Our courier will not allow a time to be specified unless its pre 10am for which they will charge £19.
 

xrchz

Bronze Level Poster
I was able to arrange a time with the driver for delivery today by calling DHL (and eventually calling the local DHL depot - they gave me the number for that on the standard customer support line)... they're generally quite helpful, although they couldn't find my address originally (that's why I called), and *speculation* may have damaged my package (since it doesn't work on arrival).

So although formally there's a fee for a specific delivery time, you might get lucky by calling and giving your tracking number and making a request.
 
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