D845PEBT2 -- Worst board I ever handled.
Written: May 15 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: None
Cons: My board died during installation.
Takes Intel >2 weeks to replace dead board.
The Bottom Line: Buy this board if you want to torture yourself in the process.
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| cy7878's Full Review: Intel Desktop Board D845PEBT2 Motherboard |
When I decided to upgrade my P3 system to a P4, many factors went into my choice of a new motherboard. I needed some thing that will install easy and be durable and reliable. My last working board which I had for more than 3 years is an Intel VC820, which worked relatively well during these times. My experience with this board led me to investigate a new board made by Intel. When I came across the D845PEBT2, it looks to fit what I need. It is not too fancy yet not to strip down either. It was kinda expensive at $138 from Outpost.com, but I ordered one anyway. A comparable item from Soyo, A-bit, or Asus probably will only cost about $100 or so.
The board arrived 3 days after I ordered it from Outpost. Physical installation was easy, driver install under Windows XP was fine. But upon one of many reboots, the board simply failed. There were no beeps, no LED patterns to interpret. The board was receiving power as evident from the fan on the video card continued to spin, yet the board was simply dead. After much swapping out various components, the MB was identified to be the culprit.
I proceed to call Outpost to get the board replaced, which they refused. They states a policy from Intel which prevents them from accepting defective returns. (This claim at first was supported by an Intel technical rep, but later refuted by a Supervisor from Intel). Anyway, a few more phone conversations later with Intel, I begin to think I actually will get a replacement in a decent amount of time to complete my upgrade.
I was wrong. Despite the reassurance from the first Intel rep I spoke with, which he claimed that a replacement will be shipped out the day my dead board gets to Intel, it will take more than 2 weeks for my replacement. I first emailed Intel to get status of my board, only to get the classical stalling tactic -- "oh, we never received the item. Are you sure you send it?" Well, lucky me, I have a UPS tacking number which showed that the dead board arrived at the Intel Depot weeks ago, and was signed for by somebody. Still, the board I was told was on back order. It may or may not ship, period.
I requested then for a comparable replacement and/or refund, was told by the Tech support Sup: " No way." He then pointed out how I should have contacted Outpost for my refund, and Intel does not have any policy that prevents vendors from accepting defective returns. In fact short of telling me how stupid I was to sent back a board to Intel that died the first time I used it, the Intel Sup was stern on how there is absolutely nothing Intel will do to keep me a satisfied consumer (I don't even have to be happy, just satisfied. Is that too much to ask?)
Anyway, I obviously can't recommend anything which dies the first day I used it. Service from Intel sucks. The worst thing is that after all is said and done, I will still be using a board which in my mind sucks.
You be the judge.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 137.99
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Epinions.com ID:
cy7878
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Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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