Help - Problems with New Computer!

JC67

I've posted previously on the Vent board about problems with a new Tiny Computer (bought before the Watchdog programme!) Basically the computer hasn't really worked properly since it was delivered and it was returned to the company. On return the technical report said the problems were due to corrupt software.

On return there were still problems with the machine and I kept getting an infinity loop message. Then finally the machine would not even reboot. When I contacted the Tiny technical support line, I was told to open up the machine and 'jiggle the RAM sticks'. Yet on writing to Tiny customer care, they refuse to take the issue seriously and say it is not a hardware problem. :mad:

I now feel that my only option is to get an independent technical report on the machine and then go to the small claims court. But I'm not a techie person and don't have a clue about how to find someone reliable to do an independent report. Anybody got any advice about this? Also it there are any experts out there, does this sound like a software problems? The machine has Windows XP Media Edition (but preloaded by Tiny).

All info gratefully received!!

bbb_uk

Can you be a bit clear on what error message and what you were doing at the time and if poss what else (that you know of) was running. Is there any pattern to the infinity loop message (ie only when certain software is running). Can you also post exactly what the message was?

I did manage to find this post concerning your Tiny computer but it wasn't very clear either.

Thanks

wolfman

You mention it has Windows XP Media Edition??? So this is a Media PC, not a normal desktop PC?

If the computer didn't work from the start I'd complain and try to get a replacement. If they refuse then you'll need to look into it with a little more detail. Also, I'd make a serious complaint if the report said it was a software issue, and then they tell you to "jiggle the ram". If you're jiggling the ram it's a hardware issue.


Firstly, does the machine post? ie do you see the black BIOS screen when first switching on the machine. Does it correctly list your cpu, memory, and hard drives. If it doesn't get past this initial stage then it's a hardware issue, as the software won't have been touched yet.

If it starts to load Windows, then things become a little more complicated. Anymore feeback on the type of errors you are getting and when they are occurring would be helpful. Apart from that it usually just becomes a process of elimination.

If it is the hardware, the best thing you can do is document what you've done and what you've eliminated the problem down to. I'd then send this document, along with their reports pointing out they said it was a software issue, but told you to jiggle the ram, and ask for a replacement, or the threat of taking them to court.

JC67

Sorry - it's difficult for me to be really precise about the messages because I didn't note them down at the time and every time you got a message, the computer crashed pretty quickly!!

Most of the time the problems happened when we were using Sims 2 and Zoo Tycoon 2. Although the computer crashed quite a few times, normally we could start it straight back up afterwards. However the last two times the computer would not restart at all. The first time that happened (a few weeks ago) we left the computer off and then my husband did what Tiny technical help had suggested (which was to remove the RAM sticks and put them back in again). This worked (for one evening only) and then the computer crashed again and would not restart (even when we jiggled the sticks again).

I'm beginning to wonder if the RAM could be faulty but the problem is that Tiny are just not interested and it's really expensive to keep calling the technical support line.

JC67

Sorry Wolfman

I posted before I saw your reply. It's a Tiny Tornado 3000- 64 MMC (with Athlon 64 processor) and Windows XP Media Centre Edition 2005

wolfman

Hmmm, it's difficult to give much more help.

The problem could be with memory, cpu, motherboard or even graphics card, or even software related.

I've not used Windows Media Center 2005 so can't really help there, it may be worth googling around. I've heard that version of Windows is known to have problems.

Your best bet is to ask a friend who is more technical, or get a technician in to have a look, they normally charge about £20-30 an hour.

bbb_uk

I'm also not familiar with Windows Media Centre 2005 so anything you read below I'm assuming would occur on Media Centre 2005 similiar to XP. From the posts I believe it could be graphics card and/or associated software/driver issues (could be memory but most common are software/driver issues).

Do you get BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) screens? These screens are generally blue background with white writing and may only appear for a few seconds before the computer resets itself (depending on configuration). If you only generally only get during playing games it could be graphics card or driver at fault.

As it ever happened when you haven't used any games on it at all since it was started up that time and you were possibly on the internet or using word, etc? The reason why I'm asking is trying to determine if it is graphics card/driver related. If not, can you possibly test it by restarting your computer and just using normal things like word/internet, etc without the use of any games!

Paul_Varjak

I know it won't help with your current situation but, as you can obviously acces the Internet, it is always advisable to search the Internet before buying any sizeable purchase.

So, for something like Tiny Computers I would plug the following into a search engine:

"tiny computers" "trading standards"
"tiny computers" "problems"
"tiny computers" "small claims court"

I used to get the Which Reports but have ceased and now go to my local library to read them. I can recall that the worst computers and computer service have always been with 'Tiny' and with 'Time'. So these two companies then merged and have not improved since.

As far as your existing problem is concerned, I would write to the company givng them 14 days to fix the problem otherwise you will reject the computer. Once rejected you must not use the computer.

If they refuse to give you your money back issue a claimk in the Small Claims Court (or whatever it is called now).

bbb_uk

I agree with Paul but you could ring your local trading standards and ask them for advice and what to do next, etc. Also, if you search for "tiny" on SayNoTo0870.com, you'll see that their tech support number along with its geographical landline equivalent are on it - to save you paying 50ppm!