All in Wonderful When it Works
Written: Apr 03 '06 (Updated Apr 12 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The card gets high marks for video quality when it works.
Cons: RMAs take 10 days. You need working video card to get RMA(online)LOUD FAN!
The Bottom Line: Don't buy ATI unless you don't mind waiting 2 weeks or more for RMA.
Works well (when it works), but a very loud fan.
Customer Service gets -4 stars.
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| dcfield21's Full Review: ATI All-In-Wonder® 9800 PRO, (128 MB) AGP Vid... |
I bought this card for a new system. Out of the box the drivers didn't work right. After waiting 3 days for a long Canadian holiday I got through to customer service who walked me through the driver install on their website.
The card worked very well as far as the graphics went but the fan was extremely loud. Customer service said that was normal, but I could RMA it and get another.
I didn't want to be without my computer so I learned to live with it.
It worked well until I tried to copy some old VHS tapes. They were tearing at the top and ATI email service told me that it had to be Macrovision. When I told them that I didn't use copy protection on my home movies they told me I would have to uninstall all the software and start over. I asked for the service phone number. It isn't easy to know which drivers you need for which card from their website.
Before I could call them the card failed. It made the system think there was a CPU failure. Another motherboard and CPU later it still wouldn't post.
I called for an RMA. After 1/2 hour on hold, I find out you can't RMA over the phone you have to go online (not so easy without a video card). They don't do cross shipping even with a deposit you have to send in the old card and wait for a replacement. They told me I should ask for a replacement so I won't have the same video problems when it comes back.
I applied online for an RMA and waited until the next day for their automated system to respond. I emailed asking how long it takes to get an RMA. After I started an online ticket I got the RMA. Then I FEDEXed the card to them to avoid any further delays. They received it and they say it will be 10 days or more before they send a replacement. After a week I sent them an email asking why the 10 or more day wait to send a replacement card.
Yippee the next day (they only took 9 days) I got an email from them. They are going to overnight a card to me. When it didn't come the next day I checked the tracking number. FEDEX says they actually put it in a 2-day pack. Maybe it will show up later today.
The card I bought to run my system for the month that my system has been down was a Geforce 6600. The drivers worked out of the box and the video is better! It only cost $100 dollars. Its fan is almost silent. Its only drawback is it has no video or TV input.
After I get my old VHS on DVD this ATI card is going back in a box or you might see it on ebay. Most new cameras have Firewire or usb so you don't need the AIW card unless you are trying to build an overpriced TiVo.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 270
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Epinions.com ID:
dcfield21
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Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 0 members
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