[nfbcs] Brand Recommendations

Nancy Coffman nancy.l.coffman at gmail.com
Fri Jul 8 12:42:06 UTC 2016 

 I will buy anything. If the price is low enough, I am more likely to be able to replace it. I also keep backups of important files.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 7, 2016, at 11:10 PM, Christopher Chaltain via nfbcs <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Oops, sorry, I never meant to say or imply that anyone was a brand snob. That wasn't intended for anyone in the thread I replied to.
> 
> I was just speaking for myself. I don't usually gush over one brand or refuse to consider another. It's only my experience with Dell over the last few years that causes me to actually say something negative about a particular brand.
> 
> Again, no slight was intended, and I profusely apologize if anyone took it that way.
> 
>> On 07/07/16 22:54, Bryan Schulz via nfbcs wrote:
>> Hi,
>> 
>> Many companies order dell because of the included on-site repair warranty.
>> Just listing what I prefer that doesn't fail doesn't make me a brand snob.
>> Bryan
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Christopher
>> Chaltain via nfbcs
>> Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2016 8:20 PM
>> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List
>> Cc: Christopher Chaltain
>> Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Brand Recommendations
>> 
>> I don't consider myself much of a brand snob, but we have Dell laptops
>> at the office, and I'm frankly not impressed. I'm on like my sixth
>> laptop in less than three years. All but one of those laptops was
>> replaced due to issues with the laptop. Meanwhile at home, all of my
>> family's laptops are either Asus or Lenovo, where I have much fewer
>> problems. I won't say I'll never buy a Dell again, but the next time I
>> go laptop shopping, Asus and Lenovo will be at the top of the list.
>> 
>>> On 07/07/16 09:57, Peter Donahue via nfbcs wrote:
>>> Good morning Bryan and everyone,
>>> 
>>>      Interestingly enough this laptop is also a Dell. Although it
>>> contracted some viruses and needed to be wiped and reloaded a few times
>>> the only hardware repair needed was replacement of the hard drive a few
>>> years ago. Mary's computer has had to have several components replaced
>>> in the five years we had it. I had an HP desktop that lasted for 10
>>> years and never had to have components replaced. Other than needing to
>>> be reloaded after viruses were removed it ran extremely well until
>>> February of last year. The motherboard finally decided to retire making
>>> it necessary to press this laptop into full-time service. We'd be
>>> interested to hear about people's success with different computer brands
>>> so we can decide whether to get another Dell desktop or if we should
>>> consider another brand assuming we get another Windows machine. Any new
>>> desktops we buy will most definitely be enrolled in an MSP to hopefully
>>> catch problems before they take out our computers.
>>> 
>>> Peter Donahue
>>> Bryan Schulz via nfbcs wrote:
>>>> Hi,
>>>> 
>>>> Good to hear you found a plan to keep your hardware living.
>>>> Dell = Don't Expect Long Life
>>>> Bryan
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter
>>>> Donahue via
>>>> nfbcs
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2016 11:31 PM
>>>> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List
>>>> Cc: Peter Donahue
>>>> Subject: [nfbcs] Power Supply, and Computer Expense Upkeep
>>>> 
>>>> Good evening again Bryan and everyone,
>>>> 
>>>>       Although the gentleman who tried restarting the computer after the
>>>> proper shut-down may not have tested the power supply when I called
>>>> Computer NERDZ this morning they told me that they confirmed that the
>>>> power supply was failing when they got it to the shop. By the way
>>>> although it's spelled Computer NERDZ the name of that company is
>>>> pronounced "Computer Nerds." Their Website URL is:
>>>> http://www.nerdz.com/and they have offices in Austin and San Antonio.
>>>> 
>>>>       They have serviced computers for a number of blind people in these
>>>> areas and are very familiar with screen access technology. Unlike many
>>>> other computer repair services Computer NERDZ will service your machine
>>>> onsite and if necessary will take it to their repair facility to
>>>> complete extensive repairs and servicing such as replacing a power
>>>> supply. Upon successful completion of the work they will return your
>>>> unit to you and will set it up and be sure all is in working order.
>>>> Their pricing is not bad and they offer a discount for their customers
>>>> with disabilities.
>>>> 
>>>>        I'm not sure if other computer repair companies are offering
>>>> Managed Services Program (MSP.) Given the trouble we've had with Mary's
>>>> computer we enrolled it in their "Proactive Care" program. They
>>>> regularly monitor the system for hardware failures as well as scan for
>>>> viruses and other threats. They will alert the user if potential
>>>> hardware or other volnurabilities are found so action can be taken to
>>>> prevent potential disasters. The Proactive Care Program also includes
>>>> file and program backup and restoration should a computer need to be
>>>> wiped and rebuilt from the ground up or if one needs to replace lost
>>>> data.
>>>> 
>>>>       Since we've had so many problems with that machine breaking down we
>>>> decided to get Proactive Care coverage on it to hopefully keep it out of
>>>> the shop. We bought it in 2011. It has been to the shop four times for
>>>> various repairs including replacement of the hard drive last year.
>>>> Considering that this is a Dell Computer it strikes me odd that we
>>>> should be having so much trouble keeping it in ship shape. You feel the
>>>> heat when you know you have other pressing matters to deal with and all
>>>> of your funds are going to keep your technology running and up-to-date.
>>>> The monthly charge for Computer NERDZ'S Proactive Care Plan is $21.00
>>>> per computer. We'll let you know how this works out. You may want to
>>>> check with your computer repair service to see if they offer a similar
>>>> plan. They have higher level managed care plans but they're a little
>>>> much for our budget for now. It's great to know that Managed Service
>>>> Plans are available to individuals and businesses to help keep their
>>>> technology in top performance. Sprint has us covered in the iDevice
>>>> department where MSP is concerned.
>>>> 
>>>> Peter Donahue
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Bryan Schulz via nfbcs wrote:
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>> 
>>>>> Yep and I bet the tech confirmed it in 30 seconds with his power supply
>>>> pod
>>>>> tester.
>>>>> Bryan
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter Donahue
>>>> via
>>>>> nfbcs
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2016 9:44 PM
>>>>> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List
>>>>> Cc: Peter Donahue
>>>>> Subject: [nfbcs] Nas Drive Issue, and Failing Power Supply
>>>>> 
>>>>> Good evening Steve and everyone,
>>>>> 
>>>>>        A technician from "Computer NERDZ" came yesterday to address this
>>>>> issue and some other concern's with Mary's computer. It turns out that
>>>>> Buffalo Technology has a feature on its NAS products that is an
>>>>> equivalent to the "Recycle Bin" in Windows. Buffalo calls this feature a
>>>>> "Trash Box" where files and folders deleted from the NAS drive are held
>>>>> until it is emptied. It took the system about 30 minutes to empty the
>>>>> contents of the trash box. Now that drive has lots of space and Windows
>>>>> recognizes it as such. The only thing I need to figure out is how to
>>>>> access it using the keyboard and JAWS so I can take out the trash
>>>>> regularly. I'll need to consult the Buffalo user manual for this
>>>>> product. Their tech support is next to nonexistent.
>>>>> 
>>>>>        Recall that I mentioned that Mary's computer failed to power up
>>>>> when it was turned on? I asked the technician to investigate this too.
>>>>> The same thing happened when the technician powered down the machine and
>>>>> tried to turn it back on. He took it back to the shop so it could be
>>>>> investigated further. Our hunch was right. That machine had a failing
>>>>> power supply. They expect to perform the power supply transplant in the
>>>>> next day or two as they had to order one from Dell in Austin. We're
>>>>> hoping to have Mary's computer back by the weekend. Once the new power
>>>>> supply is installed and the machine is in ship shape I won't need to
>>>>> worry about Mary having problems with it when I go to North Carolina in
>>>>> two weeks.
>>>>> 
>>>>>        We hope everyone enjoyed the national convention and that you all
>>>>> had a safe trip home.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Peter Donahue
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Steve Jacobson via nfbcs wrote:
>>>>>> Peter,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> You have likely already thought of this, but check your drive lists
>>>>>> carefully to be certain that your drive isn't mapped to multiple drive
>>>>>> leters.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Steve Jacobson
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter
>>>>>> Donahue
>>>>> via
>>>>>> nfbcs
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, July 04, 2016 12:22 AM
>>>>>> To: nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> Cc: Peter Donahue <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com>
>>>>>> Subject: [nfbcs] Nas Drive Issue
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Hello everyone,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>                    I have anissue with Windows thinking that my NAS
>>>>>> drive
>>>> is
>>>>>> full when it isn't. According to what I'm seeing in "Computer" I'm
>>>>>> being
>>>>>> told that the NAS drive only contains 123MB of free disk space when in
>>>>> fact
>>>>>> it has over 100 GB free. I've tried rebooting the computer several
>>>>>> times
>>>>> and
>>>>>> deleted files and folders I no longer need. This does not change the
>>>>> amount
>>>>>> of free space on that drive available for storage. What should I do to
>>>>>> address this issue so Windows 7 reports the correct amount of free
>>>>>> space
>>>>> for
>>>>>> storage. Your help will be very much appreciated.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Peter Donahue
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
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>>>>>> 
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>>>>> 
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>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>> 
>>> 
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> 
> -- 
> Christopher (CJ)
> chaltain at Gmail
> 
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