Newsgroups: alt.cd-rom,alt.binaries.sounds.d
Subject: Re: Read before buying MediaVision
From: Macbeth@cardinal.sc107.wesleyan.edu (Macbeth)
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 01:49:04 GMT
Organization: Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT USA

In article <92322.104515DXR8@psuvm.psu.edu> <DXR8@psuvm.psu.edu> writes:
>Subject: Read before buying MediaVision
>From: <DXR8@psuvm.psu.edu>
>Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 10:45:15 EST

>Day #1
>I purchased MediaVisions "Fusion CD-Rom package" (Pro Audio Spectrum card and
>NEC-25 CD Rom).  After arriving home and opening the package, I found a 3.5"
>install disk.  I realize every other computer owner in the world has a 3.5"
>disk drive, but I don't.  For $500 they could throw in a $0.25 5.25" floppy.

>After copying the disk at a friends house (since everyone else has a 3.5")
>I tried to install it.  My computer hung each time the SCSI driver loaded.
>After several hours of frustration, I decided to call their BBS.

>Day #1 (Late @ night)
>I called the BBS and downloaded all the help files I could find on it.  After
>reading them, I was more confused than ever, at this point I'm not sure which
>model of the Pro Audio Spectrum board I have..

>Day #2
>Called MediaVision tech support line.  The operator tells me all the reps are
>busy and to leave a description of the problem and they will call back.  When
>I tell her what the problem is, she asks what version of the software I am
>using, "is it 1.2?"  "No" I say, "it's 1.0."  "That's the problem" she says,"
>You have to use 1.2, 1.0 WILL LOCK UP YOUR COMPUTER".  I ask her if they
>upgraded the hardware?  "No they didn't."  Hmmmm  then shouldn't the software
>that came with the hardware work????  Nevermind....  She tells me what files
>to download from the BBS and I do.

>Day #2 (After work)
>I install the software, wait.... it works!  Great!  I try and install Ultima
>Underworld.  It won't install, says I have an IRQ contention.  Hmmm now here's
>a problem, the documentation clearly tells me how to change the ProAudio's IRQ
>but the SoundBlaster portion is a little sketchy.  The documentation says it
>defaults to IRQ 5, but the README files from the BBS say IRQ 7.

>Day # 2 (Late at night)
>I have taken every card out of my computer and still cannot solve the IRQ
>conflict.  At this point I have decided I have the Pro Audio 16 board, and I
>must set the IRQ for the Sound Blaster portion up with the sound driver
>(Although the README file says there is a jumper. Hmmm not on mine).  I
>try it, doesn't seem to make any difference.  Ok, better call Tech Support and
>ask....

>Day #3 (8:00 AM)
>I call Media Vision tech support again, no person this time, just a recording
>that they hired 4 more tech support people and to leave a message and they
>will call me back.  Ok, I did...

>Day #3 (5:00 PM)
>No call back yet....

>Day #4
>(It's Saturday)

>Day #5
>(It's Sunday)

>Day #6
>Still no call.  Maybe those people with 3.5" drives will have better luck than
>I did if they buy one.  I'm a computer technician/programmer and I sure
>couldn't get it to work.  Anyways, I took mine back and bought a combo from
>another company...


>Brian Rotsten

>PS: MediaVision did call on the evening of Day #6 while I was in transit from
>work to home, they left a LONG DISTANCE telephone number to call back.  At
>that point I was not interested in talking to them.....


I'm sorry for other readers that I quoted the entire message but IT IS 
RELEVANT. First of all, Mr. Rotsten, I can not understand how you can call 
yourself a computer technician/programmer and not understand the manuals for 
the Pro Audio Spectrum 16. I happen to be a computer science major and 
completely understood that the IRQ setting for the SoundBlaster is SET at 
IRQ 5 and CAN NOT be changed. You can change the IRQ for the PAS portion 
and, in the case you set it to 5 it will override the SB and not have it 
work at all!

Next, I own a Pro Audio Spectrum 16 MPC upgrade myself, and have had no 
problems with it whatsoever. All I did was plug in the board, slide in the 
NEC CD-ROM drive, install the drivers and VIOLA! As for the 3.5" floppies: 
All I can say is that if you know of the MPC standards you will see that 
these include a (you guess it!) 3.5" High Density floppy drive. As for tech 
support: My ver. 1.2 drivers disk was damaged, however, I got tech support 
in 2 minutes of waiting. And Media Visions is the only company that has 
replied to my first call on the same day (when tech support people were 
busy). I am sorry your experience was bad, however, this does not mean the 
company does ALWAYS do that. Oh, and BTW, I am not a Media Visions 
representative: I'm just a satisfied customer.

						Greetings,

						Macbeth