[stevepaa]

Gripe on hardware/software support.

Company provided a Thinkpad with Windows 2000 for my use. I wanted a wifi card. IBM website said to buy one that goes inside. Company purchased it in normal month long process and I finally got it. Called tech to install. Tech installed but could not make work, software provided did not make card function. Tech gave up.

I called IBM support and after going through about 5 techs who all reassured me that yes I had the right card and I just needed the right software which they could not find, I finally found one who finally knew that no I did not have the right card and the website information was incorrect.

So I gave wifi card back to computer group and they sent it back to IBM and they ordered me the correct external card which I got a moth later. I installed it and the software and it worked.

Forward 1 year later when company upgrades my thinkpad, loads new XP, and does not load software for wifi. I call IBM, and they show me on the website the software to use. Tried it and it doesn’t work. Called them back and they suggest finding the CD that came with wifi card and use original software. Did that and it works. Had to remove three newly installed programs first, though.


BTW, I use Macs at home and would prefer one here. We were an all Mac house until we merged three years ago with another company and their management effectively took over. Never had such issues with Macs.