Anyone have experience with Epox tech support?

[justlnluck]

I have an Epox 9HEAI motherboard that is supposedly compatible with X2 processors, but I have tried two of the same X2 3800+ processor and both cause the board to lock up on bootup. If I enter CMOS setup, the computer locks up after a few seconds. I have already replaced my PSU and RAM sticks with no luck. I have the last BIOS revision.

Anyway, I've been talking with tech support for over a month and a half now with no success. They reply to my messages as if they never read them. They keep giving the same suggestions even though I have already told them that I tried them and they did not work. Their favorite response is to reset CMOS with the jumper. It is round about messaging that has gotten no where.

I initially purchased the X2 3800+ processor because the USA Epox Website says the board is compatible with X2 processors. I thought it would be cheaper for me to buy a new processor than to upgrade to a new platform. Boy was I wrong.

I shipped back the first X2 3800+ on their suggestion. The second one performed the same lock up. Then I purchased a new stick of 1Gig RAM. Same problem. Then I purchased a new Seasonic M12 500W PSU even though I already own a S12 500 PSU. They blamed the PSU, so I had to buy a new one to make sure the other one isn't defective. I have other PSUs but not with the 24 pin connector...Same problem!

All these purchases were based on their suggestions. And then when I ask them about an error message on the screen, they ignore the question. This is what it says at the top of the screen when I enter CMOS:

(Spelling errors included)
'Warning: Have Option ROM can not be invoke (Vendor ID:1106h, Deivce ID: 3149h)'

I thought this might have something to do with the lock up problem. Who knows. But at least Epox could reply about it. And the sloppy writing might say something about the quality of the BIOS software.

It is just so frustrating because Epox still has not let me RMA the board. It's almost 2 months now of messaging on almost a daily basis and nothing.

I used to think Epox was a reputable brand. But after this experience, I don't think I will ever purchase their products again. Do you guys have any suggestions? Right now I still have an X2 processor just sitting there doing nothing but depreciating in value.

 

[John]

Have you tried resetting the CMOS? j/k

** Support DualCore CPU.(For MB rev 3.x or later)

Is yours a 3.x or better?

I would have scrapped the board a long time ago since all of your existing hardware works fine with the 3000+. Epox techs gave you some horrible advice and I am sorry that you have wasted all of this time and money trying to get the mobo to accept the X2. Here's one of the best 939 boards.

 

[myocardia]

Epox is one of the worst motherboard manufacturers on the planet. Not as far as performance, but as far as RMA's. They refuse to accept any RMA's whatsoever. About 3 or 4 years ago, I had one of their boards go bad on me, that I had been using for about 6 months. I promptly bought another board of the same socket, and installed all of the same components onto the new board, and everything worked just as it had before the Epox board went bad.

So, after spending at least 6 weeks demanding an RMA (and using the same components to do it, except the motherboard), they finally sent me an RMA number. About 1 week after I mailed the board to them, I received it back. They claimed that it worked perfectly for them, and included a bill for $50. I mailed them a picture of me, standing in front of a mirror, giving them the "finger" with both hands, along with the bill. I also included a note telling them that the cost (their cost) of a new/working motherboard was likely less than 1/1000th of the cost of the bad word of mouth I'd be giving them in the next few years.

 

[justlnluck]

Anyone else here have an Epox motherboard? I originally purchased the board because people on here had good things to say about them at the time. I also have read stories of Epox shipping replacements very quickly. But who knows now. The way the tech support talks to me, it's as if Epox doesn't give a $@#% about brand image or customer loyalty. It looks like I'm better off selling the X2 processor and starting over with a Core2 platform.

 

[MadScientist]

Have you flashed your bios to the version that supports dual core CPUs?
Link

 

[justlnluck]

Did that before I received the first X2 in the mail.

 

[Mucker]

Epox used to make some kickass boards. I've never figured out why they didn't pursue a hardcore enthusiast board with beefy electronics. All of their boards that I have used were very stable and good performers.

Recently as 6 months ago they sent me a beta bios to correct an issue I had with an un-supported cpu on one of their 939 boards. And they were fast to respond, within a couple of days.

When you are buying a core (cpu, mb, ram, and psu) do yourself a favor and research user forums (anand, xtreme, , etc..) for the most popular brands. They are usually the most discussed and peer to peer support is often better than CS. Spend a little more for the peace of mind you will get with a supported product. I would probably guess there are not many users that use your 9HEAI.......

 

[jazzpicker]

My experience with epox has been good as far as building a stable machine that keeps on running forever for a little money. I've emailed a couple of tech support questions and always got a satisfactory answer in a day or so. ...but.....
The real test of a company comes when something really screws up and you have to RMA it for repairs, Just reading some of the experiences above will probably keep me from buying another epox product. If I have a computer down, I don't want to be begging some sob to send me an RMA number for a week or two. I expect reasonable service.
Epox had some great 939 boards but I no longer see my favorites on their inventory. As far as hooking up a C2D to an epox...think I'll pass on that for now.

 

[justlnluck]

They said they would e-mail me an RMA form last Thursday. I still haven't received anything. Infact, they have ignored each of my messages through their support tickets since Friday. I e-mail them once a day and nothing.