From: sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com (Gantt Edmiston)
Subject: ZEOS 36-bit SIMM info
Originator: sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 16:04:01 GMT
Reply-To: sasbge@ant.unx.sas.com
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.


Just wanted to "throw-up" some info regarding a situation I am
involved with regarding ZEOS and their new 36 bit SIMM offerings.

First some background.  I recently purchased a ZEOS 486DX2-66
system (package #4).  Package 4 comes with 16 MBytes of RAM.
Before placing my order, I asked about memory.  The advertisements
boasted the ability of these systems to be configured with 64Mbytes
of memory (total).  These systems use the newer 36 bit (32 data and 4
parity bits) SIMMs.  There are only four memory SIMM slots on the mother
board.  Do the math, and you'll soon see that the only way to configure
64MB in four slots is to have four 16MB SIMMs.

OK.  So when I placed my order, I asked for Package #4 and specified
that I be sent the 16MB SIMM and NOT four 4MB (or two 8MB) SIMMs.
The sales droid told me that he did not think the 16's were currently
available but it would not be very much longer.  He agreed that he would
specify my desires and if the 16's became available during the build
stage or within 30 days of receipt, I could exchange whatever I ended
up with, for the single 16MB SIMM.  Having no other choice, I agreed.

Well as many of you may recall, it took not 3, but 11 weeks for the
system to arrive.  At that time, I did not receive the complete order
so ZEOS was gracious enough to send me a letter stating that my 30
day return-warranty would be extended and would not start until I had 
received the complete order.  This *did* please me.  The system came 
configured with four 4MB simms.  This did *not* please me.

My original order was placed on Oct 1, 1992 and I received the last
piece of my order, the Intel modem on Jan 20, 1993.  Now my 30 day window
is starting to close.  Earlier this week, I decided it was time to give
the memory deal another shot.  I called, waited, spoke, begged and pleaded
and finally I was issued an RMA (return material authorization) for
exchange of the four 4MB SIMMs.  They say they still don't have the 16MB
but offered to send me two 8MB SIMMs instead.  So I figured this was 
better than nothing and the whole reason I wanted the higher density
SIMMs is to free up some memory slots for future expansion.  Otherwise,
I would have to eat (or attempt to resell) some of the 4MB SIMMs in
the future.

OK, so today FedEX delivered the two 8MB SIMMs and GUESS WHAT...!
The damn things are double-sided 4MB SIMMs.  In case your also not
aware, the SIMM slots on ZEOS motherboards are not spaced far enough
apart to allow double-sided boards to be populated in adjacent slots.
This means that I *still* have no room for expansion!! =-()

The bottom line is this:  ZEOS advertises systems that are expandable
to 64MB.  They currently tell me that they cannot provide me with
the newest "single-sided" 16MB SIMMs and have no idea when they will
get them.  Some folks call this type of practice, "bait and switch".
I am not going that far, I just wanted everyone on the net to know
what to expect.

BTW, these are the same style SIMMs that Gateway uses.  I wonder
if *their* motherboards have the SIMM slots correctly spaced?

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

-- 
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Gantt Edmiston - SysAdmin     o |If you always do  what you've always done,
SAS Institute Inc.          <(  |you'll always get what you've always got.
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