RMA18003 - Gutted

[SimonUK]

Hello everybody,

So there I am, ordering a brand new custom-built 17.3" laptop, I then waited 3 weekends for the new family toy, it arrives after a lot of nail biting, I get it out of the box, I connect the battery, I plug in the power cable, I switch on the power, I turn the toy on, it comes to life, I had a big grin on my face, until I was asked to enter the 25 character Windows key, which on a brand new machine, I really shouldn't have to do, so, I 'skip' that for now. Everything appears just sweeeeeeet, I start installing 'War Thunder' for my son, and then it happens, there is a loud and constant beep every second for about a minute, then the new machine turns itself off. So I tried again, same thing, so I try one more time, same thing, but this time, I get a blue screen. So I phoned PCS, and to be fair, hats off to them, they arranged for DPD to pick it up the next day................brilliant service! :clap:

A friend who works for an IT firm says a blue screen is a hardware problem, I have no idea, maybe faulty hardware is the issue? I am not blaming PCS, as not everything works out all right all of the time, it happens!

But now I am stuck with no custom laptop for a week or so.............gutted!

 

[keynes]

which on a brand new machine, I really shouldn't have to do,

For customised desktops/laptops I believe you do, I think that is the case with PCS, Scan, Chillblast.....
When you contact them, did they suggest a clean installation of windows?

 

[SimonUK]

No, and on a brand new machine that cost nearly £500, I shouldn't have to do anything, except turn it on or shut it down...

Still, I'm sure it's just something that PCS missed, it ain't no thang and it isn't their fault, not everything runs smoothly all of the time...


But the main thing bugging me is, I have to wait again... SSTTRREESSSS

 

[keynes]

No, and on a brand new machine that cost nearly £500, I shouldn't have to do anything, except turn it on or shut it down...

Well I had to do mine on my laptop as desktop and everyone that has a system delivered by PCS. I believe they are unable to enter the key for you due to some restriction from Microsoft.

 

[SimonUK]

Ahhh, now you see, if PCS themselves had told me that, I would of been expecting it...

 

[DeadEyeDuk]

Also, not sure what your friend is on really, because I am sure that more than just hardware can cause BSODs? Things like software bugs, or lose connections inside the case (ok so sort of hardware there, but you get my meaning).

That said, at least if PCS have it back they can make sure its all tickety boo

Also as Keynes said, you have to enter the key because when you turn it on the first time, that is the first time that that Windows has been live (PCS do all their stuff with their own internal versions I believe), so you are essentially telling Microsoft, "Yup I have it, its mine! My...precious!"

 

[SimonUK]

I have no doubts PCS will get it all sorted, and thanks for the humourous words... :clap:

But as I have said before, it is the extra wait that is killing me as DPD only picked it up yesterday...............oh bugger!

 

[Greenman]

Better problems now rather than later, outside warranty period I guess?
Electronics will always fail, it's a shame but that's why you try and find the company offering the best customer service. Hopefully you'll get it back in no time.
Also, you do have to enter the windows key for custom built machines from PCs, think everyone has/had to.

 

[SimonUK]

Now I know I need to enter the product key, I will, but maybe PCS need to put this on their website so people know..........because to be honest, it was a bit of a shock. All I need now is a time-machine to take me to next weekend!

 

[DeadEyeDuk]

Isn't it in the manual/book?

 

[ubuysa]

I can understand your frustration but to be honest there hasn't been a laptop or PC sold for decades didn't require an initial setup. Unless you are lucky enough to get the store that sells it to you to do the initial setup there are no laptops that you can just switch on and go. The way PCS deliver their computers is pretty similar to that way everyone else does. I understand of course that you just want to get working with it (we've all been there) but to criticise PCS for the fact that the OS needs to be setup on first boot is not fair. All computers are shipped like that.

BSODs are not always hardware issues, in fact they are most usually driver issues. I'm not suggesting that the BSODs are your fault, but "skipping" the initial setup was perhaps not a good idea. The good news is that you bought from PCS and their after-sales service is excellent.

It will get sorted.

 

[SimonUK]

No my friend, I wasn't knocking PCS, I'm used to an initial setup of course, but having to enter the 25 character key is something I have never come across before, oh well, no worries...

09/10/13 - I have just spoken to Wayne Robinson, and the fault has been corrected, the CPU was overheating!