GX640 Day 1 and I already think it needs to be returned :(

My gx640 came from provantage yesterday, horribly packaged: one outer box with no packing, rattling around inside and the box was smooshed.

Booted it up and kept getting a fatal error where it couldn't install the system devices. Did an OS recovery and it worked. Stress testing it to what I want it to do, got a BSOD not_less_than_equal screen last night while playing SC2. This morning I booted it up and blank screen, battery yanked and now I'm stuck in 'Startup Repair'.

Only thing I updated besides windows update was ATI's drivers to 10.3

Giving it 4 days, prolly even then send it back. Gotta love AMEX, its a useful tool against retailers.

If you want it cheap and willing to risk it, buy from provantage, otherwise do the xoticpc/gentech/rkcomp route and spend the extra.

 

oh man
im sorry to read that...
now i just gotta decide between xotic/gentech/rkcomp...

 

yeah, the blank screen is prolly just the ATI drivers but I'm not dealing with BSOD anymore. Will they ship down to you Ben?

 

Well, its $200 to get it shipped to my doorway in Honduras...

I'm still thinking on going with Xotic to ship to Miami (Relative's), and then have it shipped here, its MUCH cheaper ($50)...

I'm gonna place my order next week if I have the money by then...

BTW, you played any games yet? how do they play?

 

Yea after all these horror stories I refuse to buy stock configs that aren't tested before shipment. It's worth the extra money.

 

Did you install the 10.3 ATI drivers with the Catalyst Control Center(CCC)?

I had the same black screen issue only when I installed 10.3 with the CCC that was included in the install. If I used the CCC that came with the MSI drivers, and updated just the driver only, I did not get a black screen. I believe someone else has mentioned this somewhere in the forum.

 

I tried SC2 on ultra settings and it ran fine. WOW on ultra also. Haven't found my crysis stuff yet. The upside to MSI as I see it relates to the upgradability of the system while maintaining the warranty. AMEX adds one additional year as a benefit, so I'm up to four

hiryuswift, how'd ya do that? zip file the drivers and overwrite the stock drivers?

ha, as I type this, I just got another BSOD - now a BAD_POOL_HEADER

 

When installing the 10.3 drivers, the ATI installer should give you an option to do an express or custom installation at some point. From there you would choose custom, and you have the option to check/uncheck which components to install. And all you would have to is uncheck Catalyst Control Center and continue from there.

 

i ordered from xotic. i know that they do a bunch of tests on it, and i'm sure they pack it in nicely. i'll get it monday so i'll let you know the packing job.

 

Just got mine from Xotic..

Outer cardboard box, then the inner MSI packaging box (tightly fit in the cardboard box), with the computer sitting tightly in cardboard holders.

 

Wish I was in the states, I'd order from Xotic. May have to go the PCCanada or NCIX route.

 

just cause ur in canada doesn't mean you can't order from the states, I do

 

On my Asus G50VT-X5 I would get the not_less_than_equal BSoD due to a faulty card reader driver and even when the card reader was not installed. Just something to keep in mind.

 

Nice, thanks . The other BSOD seemed to be avira antivirus. Free version doesn't like my comp, switched to microsoft. Think I'll keep stressing it, maybe if I shake it enough, all the bugs will fall out.

 

Unfortunately Canada doesn't seem to have any online retailers that will customize a laptop for you. So I just purchased my GX640 this morning from xoticpc.com (unfortunately they wouldn't price match provantage at $1085), had it shipped to a relative's in Seattle and will bring it back myself. It ends up being the exact same cost as purchasing it from Canada.

 

Smooth moves, Slick

Thats what I'm gonna do, but to Honduras

 

I ordered from Provantage. Mine came triple boxed with no problems. Several others on these boards have ordered from them too with no problems. One other post said their's was triple boxed too.

I have ordered many things from them without ever a problem.

If the box was "smooshed" as you say maybe you should blame the delivery guy.

BEGIN RANT

I sorry but I have to say this... I think all of you are absolutely nuts to pay roughly $100 more at a place that will "test the computer" for you before they ship it out. Are you kidding me!? This has to be the biggest joke within Xotic or Gentech. Personally I don't want some guy like the frosty computers dude on the youtube that is half baked touching my $1000 computer. So what you are telling me is you do not trust MSI to provide you with a great product out of the box? If that is so then why buy MSI to begin with!? Sure, xotic or gentech test it and it works. (if they really test it. They probably just see if it turns on) So does that mean it will never have an issue for as long as it is under warranty? You really don't think something could go wrong between the time they "test it" and you first turn it on? You do realize we are talking about computers, right?

I don't care where you buy it from. It is the same for each of the retailers receive it from the manufacturer. They all have the same model number with the same parts direct from MSI. If there is a problem with a missing part, or what ever then that is MSI fault not the retailer. All they do is leave it on the shelf until someone comes along and buys it and then ships out.

BTW... How great is Xotic for screwing everyone who bought from them with the false advertising for the MSI bag. All they said was sorry. We didn't know. But hey I paid $100 for testing so I feel better.

End RANT

Maybe you have money to burn but gees your not talking $10 to $15. If that was the difference then I would buy from those guys too. I am all for helping the little guy out. But not a full $100 bill!

OK. I am a big boy. Let me have it and tell me why I am full of it.

 

I'm just paying $15-$35 for that.

 

they do run tests on it after installing the upgrades to make sure it works properly. and i can get upgrades. i complained about the bag and i got something out of it. can't say what cause they said it is only for me, but i'm sure if you are as whiney as i am you could get something free too. haha.

main reason to order from xotic is so you CAN upgrade it.

 

LOL when I place my order, I'll whine too. +Rep to tree burner for win.

 

I think you missed the point... the reason why we choose vendors like Xoticpc or Gentech is because we want to customize it. Putting in a few upgraded parts without voiding your warranty and having everything tested before it ships. It's just an extra layer of defence between you and factory defects. I trust MSI to make good machines but it's nice to know when you get the machine you're sure it'll work like you think it will. It's better than having to have it RMA'd especially if you're not buying locally.

The customer service isn't the only reason why some of us choose to buy from these smaller retailers. It just happens to be an added bonus that makes us more willing to spend a little extra to support someone who has a vested interest in doing a good job because satisfied customers could affect their profitability. Bestbuy or Amazon are great retailers for price but they don't care if they lose your business or not. This is the classic Walmart vs the small local shops argument. Sure the prices might be a little higher but you feel better supporting people who care enough to do a good job, or at least they should. I'm not gonna act like "my" laptop is going to be the one that determines whether a small company goes out of business or not, I'm not that naive, but a little piece of mind is always nice.

EDIT: Tree, nice to see things are working for you, you deserve a lil something extra for making you wait past standard customization time too

 

BenLeonheart -- What do you mean you only paid $15 -35 more?

Tree_Burner -- OK I will give you that on upgrading. But I still have a hard time paying that much more over the base machine and then Paying a heavily inflated price for any upgrades when you can do it yourself. .. Unless of course you do not want to do it yourself.

As for having to whine about the bag... They should of taken care of it to begin with and on top of that give the same deal to everyone without question. Not to ask you to keep your mouth shut.

 

I meant that through XoticPC, they will run the tests with ANY upgrade you make... for example, if I only upgrade the thermal paste, then it'll cost me $35 max... and then you can leave a note to them so tehy do what u want them to do, even update drivers/test them if you wanted...

 

But I am saying that you are paying about $100 more for the base price.

 

Oh that?
thats like buying a $1000 car for $1100...
There are 1,000 places to buy teh exact same car for 1,000
but suddenly you feel COMFORT and peace of mind buying from that ONE dealer...
even if you pay $100 more, you'll be happy with what you bought.

 

The point for my rant is from the OP. He only wanted the stock base model; no upgrades.

If you want upgrades then fine. I am only talking about the base model config.

He then makes the point that if you order from the smaller guys then you will not receive a damaged shipping box like he did.

If the outside box is damaged then more than likely it happened during transit.

 

Same argument, big box vs local mom and pop stores. Just a matter of preference. For some people price isn't always the deciding factor if the extra amount isn't ridiculous. Spending money efficiently is there important but different people value different things, basic economics. It's not that hard a concept to understand.

 

I agree, I'm on an extreme budget... only $1,300...
and i'm gonna get the MSI without upgrades, only the thermal paste..
which will land me the laptop here in Honduras physically for $1,300... almost $100 just to get it here...
I don't have money to burn but... I think its worth it.

 

I understand it is a matter of preference. The OP implies that what happened to him will not happen if you buy from the little guys. This is simply not true.

Sorry for the earlier rant. I always like a good debate every once in a while.

I have had the gx640 for almost 2 weeks. For those of you who are still waiting for it; you will not be disappointed... Even if you get it from Xotic or Gentech.

 

willjob, have u gamed on it?
can you tell me which games, settings, fps, etc..?

 

One more person's opinion coming in here. I understand your point about it likely being shipping. But in one of the other threads someone had purchased one from amazon that had physical defects, replaced it, and got another one with worse physical defects. It is worth it for me to pay the extra $50 to ensure that everything is fine with it prior to shipping, that way I don't have to spend money and time with replacing it should something be wrong. Plus, the guys at xoticpc have been answering my e-mails for a week regarding different laptops, shipping, policies etc. and they have been fantastic. I am happy to give them my business.

 

BenLeonheart -- Played Badcompany 2 a couple of times at standard settings. I am in seminary right now and just don't have the time until the end of the semester. It looked great though. I am though the envy of my classmates with my fancy red and black machine while typing my notes!

Jordan88 -- Yes I would buy too from Xotic if I had them help me with a lot of decisions and questions. No doubt it is worth it. It looks like from your tag line you made no upgrades. From what I understand they don't do any testing if you do not get an upgrade. They just send out the box as they received it from MSI. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

You are right, but I threw in a thermal compound upgrade and asked them to inspect it.

 

Anyone order from Xotic who's from Canada? I just want to know what the shipping and taxes are for me in Ontario (right near the border of Detroit). I have an aunt in the states, but I'd rather not have to ship it to them if I can avoid it.

I really like the options Xotic has to customize your machine, I just want to know if it'll be worth the price

 

:O:OO:!! woot...
I understand what it is to being in the middle of class, stuff....
As I type, I realize that I'm only 4 classes away from having my master's degree in Project Management (definitely the boards are far more entertaining than class).. and thats perhaps why I haven't been playing much as well.. and it gives me time to order my GX640

When u have more chance to play, be sure to fill me in with the creamy details lawl..



@Jordan88, I'm glad you decided to throw in the thermal compound upgrade... what did XoticPC tell you about the inspection? I havnt emailed them recently...

 

@ Jericho- I am from Canada, and shipping to me would cost $52 for basic and like $90 for mid-level that avoids border handling charges. There is no duty charged on electronics, but you pay the whatever the normal taxes are for your province on the Canadian cost of your laptop (which is essentially the same price in USD right now). I however shipped to the states and am picking it up from there because it saves about $50 since I was going to the states anyway.

@Ben and Willjob- Last exam is in 8 days! I get this baby in 15 days... It is going to be hard not thinking about it or that one week.

 

At least you don't have it to stalk you while you are trying to study. Temptation is a very bad thing when you are in seminary!

 

So if I paid the basic shipping price I'd have to factor in border handling charges (if I'm understanding it correctly)?

 

Correct. Which... I have no idea how much that is. You would have to contact that shipping company. But I think that it is the larger than the difference between the two types of shipping. (And those shipping prices may be different to you location).

 

The border checks are stupidly random... you can get lucky (or ship thru on a particularly busy day/week) and they won't inspect it with the cheap shipping, or you can play it safe and get it in your hands faster with expedited. Most people go with expedited since it's usually not worth gambling $120 in fees when it costs $30 more for better (immune) shipping.

 

didn't whine that much. i asked if there was anything they could do to replace the bag, because i WAS expecting it. they came up with a reasonable solution for me, and would do the same for anyone else i'm sure if they asked. they probably just didn't want me to run here and tell everyone that i got something. about a 15 minute convo on their live web chat.


not heavily inflated prices actually. they only get the machine one way. if you want an upgrade, they have to pay for the original piece AND the upgrade as well, only seems fair that you do to i think. wouldn't want to leave them with a bunch of i5-430's laying around. haha.

 

Hah, I would love to have a bunch of i5-430's laying around.

 

brokerage fees are dependent on how much they mark the package as being worth. You can look up a brokerage fee chart with google.

Also, if you're thinking of customizing a laptop and shipping to Canada send me a PM, have a tip that'll help you out a lot

 

Well, the thread's been hijacked just a bit but I've had 4 BSOD since I got this guy on wed (two IRQs, one Pool Header, and one w/o any listed problem). she's going back on monday, I paid too much money for it to deal w/ this BS. Two BSOD 5 min apart, all my drivers were updated. I'm sick of this

 

Sorry to hear that ... :/
going back as in sending in for a replacement?

 

Figure I got jazz fest next week, not bringing a comp w me to new orleans, send it back for nuther one. Same problem, send that one back and order from xotic with all the drivers fixed.

Was thinking of formatting the drive and sticking my copy of ultimate on here, see if that does anything. I'm up to a bsod every couple of hours now. Can't figure out what I've updated driver wise that did this.

 

Those BSODs are probably a bad stick of RAM, run MEMTEST

 

Ah, give that a shot. The love the forums Updated ALL the drivers AGAIN and have the BSODs down to 1 every... 12 hours instead of every 2.

 

great
how are u liking it, framerates on ur games??
give me moar info . nao!