Atacom RMA! (Mobo is defective)

[trance]

cI just got my Abit Be6-II 2 days ago from Atacom.com and its defective. THe 4th PCI slot can detect devices but it will NOT work because I tested like 3 devices. The biggest pain for me is my Sound Blaster Live! card though, it just won't install! I have tried everything from switching OSes to switching PCI slots. I install the Live with the latest drivers but once it starts detecting its components, Win98-98-Me crashes all give me a blue screen. THis happens EVERY time. THe liveware and drivers are all there but it freezes/crashes, particulary upon detecting SB Emulator....its not my card because I installed it on another mobo and it works just fine.

So my question is how is Atacom when RMA is concerned? Are they quick and responsive or do they procrastinate? Also, is there any problems or suggestions I should know before i fax in the RMA form? Thanks.

 

[trance]

Hmm...is there anyway to NOT install SB Emulator?

 

[Sukhoi]

Are you sure that PCI4 is bus mastering? Check in Anand's latest BX roundup...I think he mentions which BE6-II PCI slots are bus mastering.

 

[trance]

Yeah, the SB LIVE has been everywhere from PCI1-PCI4 slots. It is curently in PCI4 which Anand says DOES have bus mastering.

"The HPT366 and the first four PCI slots are bus master capable" -Anand

Any other suggestions?

 

[Paladinexe]

Have you downloaded the newest drivers for the SoundBlaster? I am not familiar with all the various mobos but I recently built a new computer using a PIII 700 Coppermine. I had the same problems and I called Creative. (They have great support based on my experience.) I learned that the Coppermine communicates differently with PCI's so new drivers have to be downloaded and installed. Hope this will help.

 

[DataFly]

http://www.resellerratings.com/vendone.cgi?Atacom

Looks like you shouldn't have much of a problem, seeing how two-thirds felt their returns were handled well.

 

[compuwiz1]

Next time get a BX master, then all 6 of your PCI slots will be bus mastering, vs. only having 5 pci slots on the Abit and only 4 of them bus mastering. :Q

 

[brian_riendeau]

I spent $14 on long distance calls to Atacom trying to get them to take back a motherboard and send me what I ordered. They sent me the wrong revision of the board even though I verified I would get the latest revision twice with a phone rep. The board was listed as being the new 2.0 revision as well. This was back in the Super7 days when the early boards version with the Via "CD" chipsets were crap and did not work right with AGP cards btw.

Anyway, no one would pick up on the 1-800 number, that is why I had to call long distance. I told the manager that I veried I would be getting the new revision with a phone rep and how the item was even listed as being the 2.0 revision. The manager refused to accept the fact that they sent me the wrong board and insited that it was my fault. At the end of it all, I had to pay shipping to send the wrong board back and to have the new one sent to me. Yep, I had to pay shipping two ways even though they sent me the wrong product to begin with. Betwenn the phone bills and the shipping, I spent at least an extra $35. They totally screwed me over and I have never bought from them since. Axiontech has always been good to me though

 

[Painman]

I for one don't trust Atacom. They like to charge a $25-28 premium to ensure that the 800+ MHz PIII CPU you order from them is a cB0 stepping chip. (All 800+ MHz PIIIs are cB0, folks.) I figured that maybe this was a goofup on their part and sent an email to point it out, but got no response and the jacked up prices are still there. Decide for yourself whether to put your trust in this vendor or not, it's your money. I'll buy my goods elsewhere.

-Pain

 

[Sukhoi]

Oh, yeah. Definately try the newest SB Live! drivers before you send the motherboard back like Paladinexe said. There were lots of problems with people with SB Live!'s and Coppermine processors always having their computers lock up. The new drivers fixed this problem.

 

[Raincity]

I got a bad board from atacom Last spring and got nowhere with them trying to get it replaced. I dont think they have any employees that speak understandable english and they have this crazy must test items in 24 after recieving them. 24 hour's and 1 second sorry no rma for you. I eneded up getting the board replaced by the manufactor and logded a complaint about them with AMEX. As you can see now, atacom doesnt accept AMEX for payment anymore.

Rain

 

[Double Trouble]

I'd be VERY wary of doing business with these folks. I've heard plenty of horror stories about their service, and the fact that on Resellerratings almost half the people who tried to return products had trouble with them does not bode well. Avoid Avoid Avoid