abit support

[drew and not u]

So I recently got an abit IF-90HD board for a friends system.

On first boot everything seemed fine. Went through, changed the basic settings, and noticed the E6550 was clocked at 1.4. Checked the BIOS version and found out that the BIOS version it shipped with (14) did not support 133MHz FSB processors. No big deal, I managed to get windows installed, installed the Ethernet drivers and the flash utility and ran its live update function. After going through the process it reported that the BIOS flash was successful to version 18 (the latest version). I turned of the machines, cleared the CMOS as per instructions, and turned it back on. It came one, beeped once, and then a message appeared on the screen saying "Invalid BIOS Checksum" or something to that effect, and then shut down. After that it wouldn't boot no matter how many times I cleared the CMOS. I removed the battery, cleared the CMOS, tried a Celeron D, and some lower voltage (1.8) DDR2, and anything else I could think of including hours on google.

Finally I decided to call their tech support to see if I could simply get a new BIOS chip. Their website said they were open from 9am-6pm PST. Their tech support queue was closed (according to their message) until after 10am PST Once it opened I spent two hours on hold (I guess it was a busy monday) before I finally managed to get through to someone. I answered their questions and he determined that I had tried everything they knew of, and told me I could RMA the board. I asked him if they could could simply send me a new BIOS chip since I beleived the board to be physically fine. He told me if I ws comfortable swapping chips then that wouldn't be a problem and they could send me one. He then gave me the number for the RMA dept.

I recieved an answer immediately explained my situation, and what the tech support rep had told me, to the lady, and asked if they could send me a new BIOS chip. She then told me I would have to purchase on from their site ($15 shipped). I explained to her that I told by tech support that they would send me one, and that I didn't think I should be responsible for purchasing a new chip when their utility corrupted the BIOS that I had to upgrade because the board I recieved was 7 months out of date. I then explained that them sending me a new chip would cost them almost nothing versus me sending the whole board back for them to inspect /repair and then them sending me a board back. It would have saved time/money/hassle for both parties, and made me a happy customer. She then tells me that she can't because it's policy.

I then explain that this is my first abit product and that so far I was considerably dissatisfied, and if they wanted to keep me as a customer they would be willing to work with me. Again she repeated that it was their policy. I then asked to speak to a supervisor. She told me they were in "meetings." When I asked her when they would be available she said 5pm (PST). So I call back a few minutes after 5 and I'm sent straight to voicemail every time. They were supposedly open till 6.

Anyways, maybe I'm being impatient as it's only been one day, but this level of service sent me right off their company. I'm not even interested in getting a new chip anymore, much less an RMA. My friend is calling newegg tomorrow to setup a return for this board and he's either going to go with the Asus or EVGA boards that were the other initial options.

[simple_inhibition]

damn that sucks :( sorry to hear bud

[Tech Geek Deluxe]

That is just wrong!

I love my Abit boards ... but I would hate them if I had your experience.

[Quakindude]

Hmmmm...makes me wonder if ASUS took over Abit's tech support for them.

[Tech Geek Deluxe]

Did they seem like they were "support in America" or from a foreign country?

[drew and not u]

Supposedly they were in california, but they all had Asian accents. I don't really care where they were from as long as they take care of my problem.

The worst thing is that I really like the board, I wish it had worked out.

[onebxr]

Drew go to the Abit forums and see if you can get faster help there. You never know, that may be the way to go.
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[drew and not u]

Originally Posted by onebxr

Drew go to the Abit forums and see if you can get faster help there. You never know, that may be the way to go.
Universal abit USA Forums - Powered by vBulletin
-1

Hehe, That's what I did whilst I was on hold. Basically all I gleened from that endeavor was that I needed a new bios chip. Thanks abit forum members...

[onebxr]

HA, I havent used those forums since my 939 board was new. It seems that every problem on there was PSU related, not mobo related. Now I have my 939 board stable(it only took me 3 years to get it stable) and I dont need their stinkin' forums anymore!
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[drew and not u]

Originally Posted by onebxr

HA, I havent used those forums since my 939 board was new. It seems that every problem on there was PSU related, not mobo related. Now I have my 939 board stable(it only took me 3 years to get it stable) and I dont need their stinkin' forums anymore!
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Haha, I noticed that in the other threads, they're obsessed with PSUs causing problems!