see what i mean when i say i don't like people from india?

DAVID SCHMIDT : the video card died.
[An agent will be with you shortly.]
[You are now chatting with Anuradha .]
Anuradha : Welcome to HP Total Care for laptop support. My name is
Anuradha. Please give me a few moments while I review your issue
description details.
DAVID SCHMIDT : please review my last agent's attempt to fix my problem\
DAVID SCHMIDT : http://www.farpoint.org/hpchat.txt
Anuradha : David,If I have understand the issue correctly,the video card
of your note book is not working.
DAVID SCHMIDT : correct
Anuradha : *correct?
Anuradha : Okay.
Anuradha : May I have the product and the serial number .
DAVID SCHMIDT : you didn't read the transcript of the last chat i had with
an hp support person?
DAVID SCHMIDT : DAVID SCHMIDT : i have the s/n and p/n numbers from
underneath the unit
DAVID SCHMIDT : you want those?
ASANDUPATL_Amit : yes
DAVID SCHMIDT : s/n = CNF62804CN
DAVID SCHMIDT : p/n EC188UA#ABA

Anuradha : Thank you for the information.
DAVID SCHMIDT : there's no troubleshooting needed here
DAVID SCHMIDT : just an address to where i can send this laptop to be
fixed
Anuradha : Could you please tell me since when you are facing this issue.
DAVID SCHMIDT : today
DAVID SCHMIDT : if you would PLEASE read that transcript, you won't be
asking me the same questions
Anuradha : Did you tried any trouble shooting steps.
DAVID SCHMIDT : like what?
DAVID SCHMIDT : i took out the battery and tried it
DAVID SCHMIDT : to no avail
DAVID SCHMIDT : but there's really nothing that can be done at this point
DAVID SCHMIDT : an external monitor wont work either
Anuradha : Okay.
DAVID SCHMIDT : so it's a motherboard issue
Anuradha : David, we need to perform som simple steps.
Anuradha : Please try to follow the steps with me.
Anuradha : Could you please tell me are you chatting from the same system.
DAVID SCHMIDT : haven't you been paying attention?
DAVID SCHMIDT : the system is DEAD
DAVID SCHMIDT : how can i be chatting with you from that laptop if i have
no display????
Anuradha : Okay.
DAVID SCHMIDT : it seems to boot up alright (i see several indicator
lights that light up)
DAVID SCHMIDT : i jus have no display
Anuradha : David try this steps I belive It might solve your problem.
DAVID SCHMIDT : oh really
Anuradha : Please try to follow the steps with me.
Anuradha : First restart the computer.
Anuradha : Then press f8 several times.
DAVID SCHMIDT : that's been tried already
DAVID SCHMIDT : nothing
Anuradha : David, then I will request you to perfom complete system
recovery.
DAVID SCHMIDT : if that means erasing the drive, i'm not sure i wanna do
that
DAVID SCHMIDT : i've got important docs on that drive
DAVID SCHMIDT : it wont boot off cd either
Anuradha : Before doing this please make a back up of all your important
data.
DAVID SCHMIDT : how am i to make a backup WHEN I CANT SEE WHAT I'M
DOING???
Anuradha : Okay.
Anuradha : David , since youare having important documents , you can go to
any hp local store with your laptop, they will take aback up of all your
data in a cd or dvd, then you can perform recovery.
DAVID SCHMIDT : where is an hp store in iowa/minnesota?
DAVID SCHMIDT : jus tell me where i can take this computer and we'll be
done, i have got to get to other things
DAVID SCHMIDT : waiting 2 minutes for you to reply is getting annoying
DAVID SCHMIDT : waiting 2 minutes for you to reply is getting annoying
Anuradha : you can go to any hp local store.
DAVID SCHMIDT : WHERE IS THERE AN HP STORE IN IOWA/MINNESOTA???
Anuradha : Can you please give me your postal address.
DAVID SCHMIDT : i'm in mason city iowa 50401
DAVID SCHMIDT :
http://h20465.www2.hp.com/GPL/Search.aspx?Country_code=US&language_code=en
DAVID SCHMIDT : does that mean i can take it to staples and they'll deal
with it?
Anuradha : Please allow me few minutes while I locate the Hp store in your
locality.
Anuradha : Yes you can take the system to staples and they will resolve
the issue.
DAVID SCHMIDT : staples jus told me they would charge $600 to fix the
laptop
DAVID SCHMIDT : 600 plus a 70 diagnostic charge
DAVID SCHMIDT : forget it
DAVID SCHMIDT : unless hp can do it cheaper, i'll end this session
Anuradha : They will help you to back up your important data.
Anuradha : Then you can perform the recovery yourself.
Anuradha : I am providing you the steps of how to perform recovery.
Anuradha : 1. Boot the computer into the recovery manager by tapping F11
as soon the notebook start booting.
2. The message .Windows is loading files. appears on the screen.
3.
4. .Welcome to Recovery Manager. appears on the screen.
5. Click on .Advanced Options. at the bottom of the window.
6. Select the option .System Recovery. Click on Next.
7. Select .Recover without backing up the data. click on Next.
8. Now the recovery process would be initiated
9. During the process of the recovery, the Notebook would be asked to
re-start.
10. Follow the on-screen instructions, enter all the basic information,
click on next on each screen and the Notebook would be set up.
****At the time of recovery all your files will be deleted

DAVID SCHMIDT : i tried the f11 thing too, and nothing cam up on the
screen
Anuradha : Okay,
Anuradha : David, to resolve this issue you need to perform system
recovery.
DAVID SCHMIDT : how canone do a system recovery WHEN THEY HAVE NO
DISPLAY???
DAVID SCHMIDT : this totally useles session is going to end,


and that was all she wrote. now you can understand why i dislike indian
tech support.
mind you now, everytime i typed something, i had to wait up to 3 minutes
for a reply. it was like there was this serious lag in the convo. so
here is the 2nd tech support *cough* transcript.

DAVID SCHMIDT : the video card died.
[An agent will be with you shortly.]
[You are now chatting with ASANDUPATL_Amit .]
DAVID SCHMIDT : hello
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Welcome to HP Total. My name is Amit. Please give me a
few moments while I review your problem description details.
ASANDUPATL_Amit : How are you today?
DAVID SCHMIDT : well, i could be better
DAVID SCHMIDT : my laptop's video died
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Ok
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Before we move further I would like to have some
information regarding your notebook model number, product number, Serial
number & the operating system which was shipped with the notebook, So that
I can assist you better.
DAVID SCHMIDT : sure
DAVID SCHMIDT : i have the s/n and p/n numbers from underneath the unit
DAVID SCHMIDT : you want those?
ASANDUPATL_Amit : yes
DAVID SCHMIDT : s/n = CNF62804CN
DAVID SCHMIDT : p/n EC188UA#ABA
DAVID SCHMIDT : running xp pro
DAVID SCHMIDT : and it's a v2000
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Thank you for the information. Can you tell me what is
the exact problem you are facing?
DAVID SCHMIDT : when i boot, the screen stays blak
DAVID SCHMIDT : i tried putting an external monitor on the side there, and
it didnt come up either
DAVID SCHMIDT : so i'm assuming it's a motherboard issue
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Ok let us see.
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Since when are you facing the problem?
DAVID SCHMIDT : just today
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Did you install any new hardware or software?
DAVID SCHMIDT : no
DAVID SCHMIDT : i added ram a few months ago
ASANDUPATL_Amit : pok
ASANDUPATL_Amit : sorry ok
DAVID SCHMIDT : were you trying to say something?
ASANDUPATL_Amit : yes I said I am forwarding the link which will help
you...
DAVID SCHMIDT : ok
ASANDUPATL_Amit :
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00766911&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&product=500508
DAVID SCHMIDT : there was nothing on the page that deals with mhy problem
DAVID SCHMIDT : i jus need to know can i send it to hp and get it fixced?
DAVID SCHMIDT : fixed?
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Ok
ASANDUPATL_Amit : May I have 2-3 minutes of your time so that I can serve
you better.
DAVID SCHMIDT : for?
ASANDUPATL_Amit : It's just for reference.
DAVID SCHMIDT : if we can dothisquickly,i have to get towork
DAVID SCHMIDT : soon
ASANDUPATL_Amit : ok
DAVID SCHMIDT : you really need to make this fast
ASANDUPATL_Amit : did you get the link???
DAVID SCHMIDT : yes, but there's nothing on that page that deals with the
problem at hand
DAVID SCHMIDT : why would you send that link to me?
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Yes I understand
DAVID SCHMIDT : either get me an address to where i can send this unit, or
i'll ask another support person, who will give me their undivided
attention
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Yes I underatand but untill we dont try the trouble
shooting we can not conclude.
DAVID SCHMIDT : there's nothing to troubleshoot
DAVID SCHMIDT : the computer will not display anything
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Olease tell me what is the message you get?
DAVID SCHMIDT : there is no error
DAVID SCHMIDT : there iss no display of anything
DAVID SCHMIDT : it's as if there's no monitor hooked up to it
DAVID SCHMIDT : havent you been paying attention?
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Yes I am.
ASANDUPATL_Amit : May I have 2-3 minutes of your time so that I can serve
you better.
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Thank you for your patience.
DAVID SCHMIDT : you've had 15 minutes of my time and nothing has been
accomplished
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Did you update the BIOS & reinstalll the graphic & video
drivers.
DAVID SCHMIDT : no
DAVID SCHMIDT : how can one accomplish that without a monitor????
ASANDUPATL_Amit : Ok I will give you the link of the drivers. You will
have to uninstall & the reinstal.
DAVID SCHMIDT : HOW CAN YOU DO THAT WITHOUT A SCREEN/MONITOR??????
ASANDUPATL_Amit : The link is
:-http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=228&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=500508〈=en
DAVID SCHMIDT : i'll end this now and get another agent who will be smart
enough to understand the issue


then i jus had to quit. i was getting awfully tired at this point. and
staples wants 600 bux to fix the thing. like hell, i can buy a new laptop
for tyhat. there's nothing on the drive that i didnt have backed up.
well, some text files i think where on there, but really nothing deathly
improtant enough to warrant 600 bux.

my chat with the fine folx over in india

Please wait for a site operator to respond.

You are now chatting with 'Sydney'

Sydney: Hello, how may I help you?

Sydney: Hi David.

david: i'm unabnle to get this to work

david: i'm running vista

david: and everytime i go thru the upgrade, it dies on me

david: the blue light goes out

Sydney: I apologize for the inconvenience that caused you.

Sydney: Let me assist you with that.

Sydney: May I know your magicJack phone number please?

david: i typed it before i came here

david: 5515-8972102

david: 515

Sydney: Is the magicJack plugged right now?

david: yes

Sydney: Are you using the USB extension cord?

david: no

david: i pliugged it directly into the laptop

Sydney: Please plug the magicJack to another USB port and check if the blue light lit up.

david: it comes on then goes out

david: i plugged it into the other usb port

david: i had no problems with my other laptop

Sydney: Okay.

Sydney: Okay, I see.

david: ok, now the blue light is on, from taking it out and putting it back into the port

david: now it went out

Sydney: Please try to plug the magicJack with the USB extension cord this time and check if you can see the blue light lit up.

david: i dont know where that extension cord is

Sydney: Okay.

Sydney: Do you see the magicJack icon on the desktop?

david: i have two laptops both running vista premium

david: a sony and a dell... sony works, but dell wont

david: no

Sydney: Okay.

Sydney: On the keyboard, press the Windows/Flag button together with Pause/Break.

Sydney: One moment please...

Sydney: Let's try this.

Sydney: Click on the Windows button (new "Start" button), then click on "Computer".

Sydney: On the "Organize" menu, then click on "Folder and Search Options".

Sydney: Okay.

Sydney: Yes.

Sydney: Do you se the Organize menu on the menu bar?

Sydney: Please let me know what are the options that you see on the top bar?

Sydney: On the "Tools" menu, click on "Folder Options".

Sydney: Click the "View" tab.

Sydney: Still on "My Computer" and double-click on your hard drive (usually called C:\).

Sydney: We are trying to let you see what are the icons that you see under  "ug00000" folder.

Sydney: Do you mean that you did not see the Show hidden files and folders" option?

Sydney: Okay.

Sydney: Please click OK.

Sydney: Still on "My Computer" and double-click on your hard drive (usually called C:\).

Sydney: 3.  Double-click on "Documents and Settings".

Sydney: Find and double-click on the folder that has the user name you use when logging in to Windows.

Sydney: Double-click on "Application Data" and double-click on the folder named "mjusbsp"

Sydney: Double-click on the folder named "ug00000".

Sydney: Okay.

Sydney: Please follow these steps.

Sydney: Please unplug your magicJack.

Sydney: Go to "Start" in Windows and click on "Run".Type in: regedit and then press "Enter" or click "OK".

Sydney: Do you see the Registry Editor now?

david: yes

and then i connected again, and this time i got switched to someone 'higher' up?

i smoked a joint afterward and decided to post this in hopes of those who are lookiing to save some money use MagicJack.  really would recommend them since they have provided me with good service for the last 2 months.  but take it from the horses' mouth.  thesee are the only peop0le you get to deal with when it comes to providing you with any technical support.  the concept is really good on paper, but when it's implemented, it's another story.

so out of a scale of 1-10, i'll give it a 8.  a 10 would have been made if only they didn't hire these indians to support americans' needs when it comes to technical issues.  fine for cooking, but not for troubleshooting.

but that wasn't the end of it.  i had to get some answers, and i was wrong from trying to get them from india.  see for yourself:

Please wait for a site operator to respond.

You are now chatting with 'Crystal'

Crystal: Hello, how may I help you?

david: please read the transcript from my previous chat session

Crystal: Hi, David.

Crystal: One moment please...

david: it's at http://www.farpoint.org/mjchat.txt

david: i'm assuming that the past 2 support persons dropped because i pasted that into this window

Crystal: Thanks for that information.

Crystal: No accounts found for phone number = '55158972102''

david: 55-203

david: 515-897-2102

Crystal: Thanks

Crystal: Account 8572136 - DAVID SCHMIDT

Crystal: Phone No:  (515) 897-2102

david: yes

Crystal: May I know if you are using the USB extension cord?

david: when it's working

Crystal: Please try not to use it for now.

david: no

Crystal: Do you have any anti-virus/firewall on your PC?

david: no

Crystal: Okay

Crystal: Is your magicjack device plug in now?

david: yes

david: it's dark, no blue light

Crystal: Please unplug your magicJack device and plug it back after 2 minutes.

david: ok

david: the blue light comes on

david: and stays on for a minute then it goes out

Crystal: Please click the link to download and run the magicJack upgrade (applicable for both XP & Vista):

Crystal: http://upgrades.magicjack.com/upgrade/upgrade.exe

Crystal: Please click on the link and log on to your account.

david: what are you trying to accomplish here?

Crystal: This will uprade your magicjack settings, David.

david: i've upgraded 5 times today

Crystal: Please try it again, David.

david: i cant, the blue light went out

david: it's telling me to plug the thing in

Crystal: Do you have any error message on your screen, David?

david: no

david: this is a lot of trouble

Crystal: Please go to“Control Panel” then go to “Internet Options”, under “Privacy” tab, slide the bar down to “Accept all cookies”.  Under “Security” tab, click on “Trusted Sites” then click the “Sites” button.

david: why dont you jus send me a new unit

Crystal: We need to fix it first, before we can go for a replacement, David.

david: now what?

Crystal: Un-check the box at the bottom left of the window that says “Require Server Verification”.

david: i shouldnt have to reset my security settings

david: there is no require server verification

Crystal: Type the following address into the text bar, reg.talk4free.com then click the “Add” button, and also type in the following address, my.magicJack.com and click “Add” then “Close” then “OK”.

david: there is no web page there

david: i get an Oops this link appears broken

david: http://reg.talk4free.com/

Crystal: Type the following address into the text bar, reg.talk4free.com then click the “Add” button, and also type in the following address, my.magicJack.com and click “Add” then “Close” then “OK”.

david: neer're mind i know what you wanted

david: done

Crystal: Thanks for cooperating, David.

Crystal: I know we can fix this.

Crystal: Just believe :)

david: ok, i plugged it back in

david: up came explorer window for that new 'drive'

Crystal: Please go to “My Computer” and look for the 2 magicJack drives.  Right click on those drives and look for the “Format” option and click it then set the File System to “FAT” and volume label as “PHONE”.  Unplug magicJack, wait for 15 seconds and plug magicJack back in.

david: and i have dialtone for two seconds

Crystal: came explorer window for that new 'drive'

Crystal: Crystal: Please go to “My Computer” and look for the 2 magicJack drives. Right click on those drives and look for the “Format” option and click it then set the File System to “FAT” and volume label as “PHONE”.

david: it wont let me format

Crystal: Unplug magicJack, wait for 15 seconds and plug magicJack back in.

david: jthe blue light went out before i unplugged it

david: i'm telling you this aint gonna fix it

david: i got it to format

david: so that's working now

david: windows was unable to complete the format

david: the blue light went out

david: and windows lost it

david: i'm telling you, this aint gonna get fixed by any methods you're going to have me use

Crystal: Thank you for your patience. I will transfer you to a higher level of support. Please hold while I transfer you.

Please wait while I transfer the chat to the best suited site operator.

You are now chatting with 'April'

david: dammit

david: i plugged the magic jack into the other laptop running vista

david: and it wouldnt get recognized

david: now i'm without phone

david: completely

April: Hello David

April: Hi, this is supervisor April.

April: How are you?

April: Please allow me to read your previous conversation so that I can assist you further.

david: because of our messin with this unit, i've lost the ability to plug it into my other vista laptop where it WAS working

david: now there's 0 bytes on the thing

david: error broken storage

April: One moment please...

david: when i try to upgrade it on the other "working' machine

April: I am doing something for your account, please unplug the device for a while and wait for my instructions

david: iit's unplugged now

April: One moment please...

April: Thank you

April: Please plug it back again.

david: plugged in

April: Can you see the magicJack icon in your dial pad?

david: .it's asking me if i wanna scan and fix

david: i see no mj icon

david: i see a 'removable disk' in explorer

david: what do you want me to do??

April: Are you sure there is no magicJack icon at all?

david: yes

david: where is this icon supposed to be?

david: what do you want

david: e to do about the scan and fix window?

April: Please do not do anything on   that window

April: Magicjack icon should appear in your system tray.

david: nope and the light went out

david: that's what i'm saying, i've got a bum device

david: send me a new one

david: this is costing me more than i'm saving

david: the previous attempt at formatting the thing left it unuseable

April: Please try using another USb port, David,

david: i did

david: same thing happens

david: it wont even work on the machine it WAS working on

April: Please plug it back to the computer it was working before

david: i get a warning, you must plug magicjack into usb

April: Good

April: Please go to My Computer (click my computer icon)

April: Look for 2 magicjack drives

April: It could be under Phone or Removable device or under your hard drives..

david: ok, i got it formatting on the 'working' computer

April: No, please do not go ahead of me

April: Please tell me  the magicJack  drive letters

david: ok i think i've got it worki ng again on the 'working' laptop

david: vista #1

david: vista laptop #2 is the problem area

david: usb device not recognized

April: Okay, good

david: the blue light went out

david: so i'm stuck on the 'non-working' vista laptop

April: On Vista #2,  the problem is not on the unit, it's  the computer system itself

david: why would the blue light go out?

April: There is a problem on  recognizing the drives on the USB port

david: .it's not working on the #1 machine either

david: i was premature in my blief that it was working

April: When you were able to fix it, please do not plug it back again to Vista #2 because the unit is not working there and it   will give an error on the unit

david: ok .i have dialtone on #1

April: Is  the dial  pad up now?

david: yes

david: my contacts are gone

david: but that's alright

david: wish there was an import feature on the thing

david: maybe next edition

April: Yes, please try to make a call now

david: of the upgrade

April: I understand. Not now

April: Yes, please try to make a call now

david: call made and completd

April: Good, please do not plug it again to Vista 2

david: the problem is i'm selling the laptop #1

david: ok, i wont, trust me

david: so now what?

April: It won't work on your laptop #2, David

April: We can do nothing about that. I am sorry

david: why .not?

david: ok

david: this is a brand new laptop too

April: There is something on that laptop that is  incompatible on  in conflict, David

david: well, i'm selling the thing probably tomorrow

david: so i'll be without a phone

so, for the dell laptop, i can't get it to work.  i was only able to get it to work on the sony laptop after formatting the device, and upgrading it once again.  this time i'm leaving well enough alone.  and i'll take this dell back tomorrow, or monday.  for one thing, when i'm typing in a browser window every so often, i'll hit one of the keyboard shortcut keys (say, t for a new tab, p to print, that type of shit) so i was unable to continue without interruption.  have you ever tried to type on a computer where each key represented a command?  really frustrating.

anyway, that's my day today.

got a new laptop

well, i got myself a new dell studio 17 laptop.  really nice, only the touchpad is stupid and wont move the mouse when i move my finger.  i have to paw at it like diva paws me.  anyway, i will be leaving the house for a doctor's appt at 1030.  then lunch somewhere.  then back here to finish installing sof

3 days later....

i took the dell back.  it wouldn't power my magicJack.  anyway, i got a new asus instead.  bitchin' bad baby.  really nice box.  and the cover is rad.  i mean red rad.  i'll have some pics up tomorrow.  when there's light in this room.  i'm making a new post.

1st day of legal gay marriages... IN IOWA

it was a good day to be gay in iowa. i'm only sad that i didn't have my partner with me. god rest his soul.

DES MOINES, IA- Iowa counties will begin processing same-sex marriage applications tomorrow, and the first gay weddings could happen within hours. Iowa requires a three-day waiting period before marriages can occur, but judges can waive that delay and allow immediate weddings. At least one pro-gay marriage group is counting on that and has announced its members will hand out bouquets to newly married couples in five of Iowa's larger cities. The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law predicted in an April 2008 study that more than 2,900 of Iowa's same-sex couples would marry in the first three years if gay marriage became legal. And based on experiences of other states that allow same-sex union, the institute estimated about 55,000 gay and lesbian couples would travel to Iowa to marry over that period. http://www.kimt.com/news/state/story/Iowans-Unsure-of-Benefits-Gay-Marriages-Will-Bring/pg7_F0dw3EGjvAEpyuPVhw.cspx