FAQ for alt.sys.pc-clone.packardbell, updated 02/02/97

From: "PBUSER"
Subject: Support FAQ
Date: 1997/02/02
Message-ID: 01bc1114$f83b8680$2088e4cc@aaron
organization: XMission Internet (801 539 0900)
newsgroups: alt.sys.pc-clone.packardbell

alt.sys.pc-clone.packardbell

aspcpb SUPPORT FAQ

updated: 2/2/97

provided by the happy people at PBUSER

Contents
--------
1. Introduction
2. Terms Glossary
3. Getting Support from Packard Bell NEC on the Phone
4. Getting Support from Packard Bell NEC On-Line
5. International Support from Packard Bell NEC
6. Other On-Line Support Options
7. Common Upgrade Questions
8. Changes to this Document
9. More Info, Quick Links

1. Introduction
------------
PBUSER (also PBuser, PBUser and pbuser) is the on-line user group for
Packard Bell Owners.

Feel free to visit us at www.pbuser.com! (We are not Packard Bell!)

In the old days of computers, the User Group served as the primary support
mechanism for computer users. No matter what the manufacturer thinks, an
organized group of Users can help each other in ways impossible for any
company.

With the extraordinary cost of providing support, computer companies like
Packard Bell and Compaq have gone to a system where they charge for help.

This document is intended to be informative about the support resources
available to those with alt.sys.pc-clone.packardbell's.

Corrections / additions: email

2. Terms Glossary
--------------

BBS - Bulletin Board System

Non-Internet Modem Accessed System that usually provides files and messages.
Call using a terminal program like HyperTerminal.

PB - Packard Bell.

Refers to the computer, (i.e. "My PB has 16megs ram") or can refer to the
company, ("PB's support number is 800-733-4411.")

Premier Support

PB's pay-for-support line. Charged to a Credit card at $29 (USD) per
issue/per call. Max. 1 hour per issue.

Or charged to the phone bill at $2/min up to $35/incident/call.
1-900-555-3388.

3. Getting Support from Packard Bell NEC on the Phone
--------------------------------------------------

THE 800 NUMBER: 1-800-733-4411

Through the 800 number you can reach Hardware Support, Customer Service,
Software Support, and Premier Support.

Hardware Support (fax 801-579-0092)

The job of these people is to determine if your PB needs service and then to
authorize an on-site service call. They cannot authorize any service through
a service center. If you are out of warranty they will send you to Premier
Support. If you want upgrade help they will send you to Premier Support.
(24hr)

Customer Service (toll 801-579-0160, fax 801-579-0092)

Takes orders for PB accessories, (Video Memory, Side Panels, Microphones,
Monitor Speakers, etc.) sets up on-site service calls after being authorized
by Hardware Support, checks the status of orders, etc. (Not 24-hr, can be
long hold)

Software Support (toll 801-579-0161)

Free software support consists of help "returning the software to factory
setup." These guys will help you reformat and reinstall all the software
that came with your system. These techs do not support any of the on-line
packages that came with the computer. (No AOL, no Prodigy, no Compuserve, no
"Packard Bell Internet.") (24hr, long hold time)

Premier Support

A "fee based" support call. These people will attempt to answer any "how-to"
question. On the 800 number they charge $29 per incident per call. If you
want someone to help you make a pie chart, that's $29. If you also need help
copying a floppy that's another $29. (24hr, some hold time, sometimes busy)

They can assist with rudimentary upgrades, but do not troubleshoot
situations. If your upgrade doesn't go well, they will suggest you take the
system to an authorized support center.

Premier is not normally manned by Service Technicians.

PREMIER SUPPORT 1-900 NUMBER

Premier Support is also available at $2/min (max. $35/issue/call) by calling
1-900-555-3388. (be aware that asking two questions could mean a $70/hr.
phone bill.)

PACKARD BELL BBS: 801-250-1600

Mostly for non-net users, the BBS provides a larger file library than the
FTP site. The number is 801-250-1600.

PACKARD BELL PRE-SALES: 800-733-5858

7am - 7pm Mountain Time. Pre-sales is a support line for people who are
looking to purchase a Packard Bell and maybe want to know more about a
system, or get a little help choosing a model etc. (not always current on
new systems)

4. Getting Support from Packard Bell NEC On-Line
---------------------------------------------
THE WEB SITE http://www.packardbell.com
Mostly Public Relations. Does list authorized service centers and
give international support options. Index of FTP site.

EMAIL
Email a Service Technician. For best results always include your:
name, address, phone number, serial number, manufacturer number,
and hard drive format number.

Email can provide technical information, but will ask that you
call Hardware Support to set up service.

FTP ftp://ftp.packardbell.com
Drivers, BIOS Updates, etc.


5. International Support from Packard Bell NEC
-------------------------------------------
Check the web site http://www.packardbell.com

6. Other On-Line Support Options
-----------------------------
PBUSER http://www.pbuser.com

User Group for PB Users. Membership service $2.50 (USD) per month. Provides
technical information, upgrade information, and some help for new users.
Email assistance to members.

Free area includes Infrequent Newsletter, some upgrade information, the
Packard Hell and Packard Heaven Pages.

7. Common Upgrade Questions
------------------------
I have a combination modem/sound card. I WANT TO UPGRADE MY MODEM, DO I
NEED TO BUY ANOTHER COMBO CARD?

That is an easy, but costly solution. The next easiest solution is to
purchase an external modem. Next would be to replace both the modem and the
sound card (usually less expensive than a new combo card).

It is also possible to buy an internal modem and make it work with the modem
on the sound card.

CAN MY 486 USE A 3v CPU?

Although some models of 486 motherboard have a jumper to change the CPU
voltage, this does not work reliably. PB instructs its service centers only
to use 5v CPUs.

PB has never listed this as a feature, nor sold any 486 as 3v compatible.

CAN MY 486 USE A 40Mhz Bus Speed?

Again, there is a clock-speed jumper on some 486 motherboards, but NO PB 486
BOARD WILL HANDLE A 40 MHZ BUS.

You can change the jumper all you want, it will not ever function at 40Mhz.

(Most ODP products use a 33Mhz bus, so this is not really an issue, but it
gets talked about often.)

CAN MY 486 USE A NON-INTEL PROCESSOR?

This is a qualified yes. Can you put an AMD 486-DX4-120 in it?
NO because that chip is 3v and 40mhz.

Can you use an Evergreen 586 Overdrive? Yes, but you probably need a BIOS
upgrade too.

WHAT CPU CAN I PUT IN MY PB PENTIUM?

This depends on your motherboard.

Motherboard Upgrades to
------------------------- ---------------------
PB520, PB520r P60, iPOD120 (IntelPentiumOverDrive)
PB540 P75, iPOD125
PB550 P90 *no upgrade
PB560 P100 *no upgrade
PB570, PB580, PB590 P75 - P133
PB600 P75 - P133
PB620, PB630 P75 - P133
PB640, PB650, PB660 P75 - P166 (if type 7 socket)
PB680, Pb685, Pb688 P75 - P200

CAN I USE THE NEW MMX 166 OR 200?

P680, P685, and P688 owners can use MMX but may need a BIOS update.

WHERE CAN I GET VIDEO/CACHE MEMORY CHIPS?

You can get these from PB Customer Service, and other companies like
Coastline Computers 800-340-3078 (fax: 714-374-0695)

WHERE ARE THE FULL DUPLEX, DIRECT X (DIRECT SOUND) WINDOWS 95 DRIVERS FOR
THE SOUND144/288/336?

ftp://ftp1.aimnet.com/pub/users/azte...5/2316fd95.zip

8. Changes to this Document
------------------------
To request an addition, or change to this FAQ you may email
. Do not expect a reply. Do not expect assistance from this
address.

This is a FAQ for the a.s.pc.pb usenet newsgroup. The content is for
information purposes and derives from information procured by PBUSER the
User Group for Packard Bell users.

THIS DOCUMENT WAS NOT WRITTEN BY PACKARD BELL NEC. The name Packard Bell is
a trademark of Packard Bell NEC, its use does not imply a relationship
between Packard Bell NEC and the authors of this document.

9. Quick Links
-----------

PB Specific
Packard Bell FTP: ftp://ftp.packardbell.com
web: http://www.packardbell.com
email:

ZDS/PB Laptops web: http://www.zds.com

PBUSER web: http://www.pbuser.com
ftp: http://pbuser.com/support.html
email:

Packard Heaven page http://pbuser.com/heaven
Packard Hell Page http://pbuser.com/hell.html

Processors
AMD web: http://www.amd.com
Cyrix web: http://www.cyrix.com
Evergreen web: http://www.evertech.com
Intel web: http://www.intel.com

Hard Drives
Conner/Seagate web: http://www.seagate.com
Maxtor web: http://www.maxtor.com
Western Digital web: http://www.wdc.com

Sound Cards
Aztech Labs web: http://www.aztechca.com
Creative Labs web: http://www.creaf.com

Video
Cirrus Logic web: http://www.cirrus.com
S3, Inc. web: http://www.s3.com

Tape/Zip Drives
iomega web: http://www.iomega.com

The most current vesrion of this document is available for download at
http://pbuser.com/aspcpb.txt

Support FAQ alt.sys.pc-clone.packardbell

"." wrote in message
...

Again Kook boy lying troll **** eater.

This has nothing to do with this News group. Packard Bell US is
defunct and the numbers in it (FAQ) are not valid, nor is the links or
the advice or telephone numbers. You are still a Proven Liar, Proven
Kook, Proven Troll, and proven Jerk.

No amount of fast talk will get you out of it.

Elector