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From: johnl@tekecs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro.pc
Subject: Re: monochrome monitors
Message-ID: <1354@tekecs.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 7-Jun-83 19:16:56 EDT
Article-I.D.: tekecs.1354
Posted: Tue Jun  7 19:16:56 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 10-Jun-83 13:45:10 EDT
Lines: 37

I had a similar problem with the power supply.  One month after the
90 day warrantee ran out, it quit.  I found it couldn't be fixed
(no schematics, no hints).  Computerland doesn't fix them, IBM
doesn't fix them, nobody does (Computerland is contractually
prevented from fixing them).

The reason is simple.  The power supply (and the monochrome monitor
and the keyboard) is DESIGNED as a disposable unit.  IBM has worked
out all the mathematics and it is to their advantage to replace
these items rather than fix them.  As much as I hate this waste, I
understand their decision.

The computing world has know for a long time that you don't fight
city hall or IBM.  This is another case.  IBM has provided several
subtle suggestions to each of you that you should buy a service
contract.  IT IS AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE!  If any of the disposable
units fails, you will pay through the nose to replace it.  You will
get no sympathy from IBM.  You will not bully IBM.  It is a 
protection racket, but the FBI will not help.  The sooner you figure
this out the less hassles you will have.

My power supply was intermittent.  I babied it into working through
a "qualification inspection", which allowed me to buy a service
contract.  When I brought the failed PC in, they gladly replaced
the power supply and the processor board (even though I know for
certain that the processor board was fine).  Now I have a working
PC and peace of mind (read "service agreement").

Pulling my tongue out of my cheek for a moment, I honestly recommend
buying a service contract from IBM, preferably before the warrantee
runs out.  If there is interest in further insight into IBM service
procedures and tricks in dealing with them, I will post a followup
article.

John Light
ucbvax!tektronix!tekecs!johnl
decvax!tektronix!tekecs!johnl