Toshiba Laptop Repair Drama!!!! HELP!

[manfredh]

"Bloatware! Is that the industry definition of Vista?"

OSes in general? It's about the same size as Mac OS.

[computerflyer]

In the 1970's huge computer programs ran on machines with well under 1 MB of memory. The machines were Very Expensive.

Programs (aka applications) are more complex today, and because of the costs of people vs machines, there is absolutely no care to making programs efficient, just getting them out the door to be sold with as few bugs as possible in the time allotted. People cost, machines don't, in a comparative sense (wages, super, taxes, depreciation, leave).

Bloatware is not just because; it developed as it has because of economics and marketing. Today's average desktop is more powerful in every sense than a 1970's supercomputer. Costs used to be 90-10 hardware software; it is closer to 10-90 these days. Why? Because of arbitrary licensing regimes and arbitrary 'what the market will bear' pricing - and the users tendency to avoid switching to something new and thus supporting the pricing, no more and no less.

(and yes, a prime example, but just one of many that vendor sells)

[Dale61]

Bloatware! Is that the industry definition of Vista?

[computerflyer]

Your post begs the question, if you needed a new AC adapter how would your M5 have worked without it?

FWIW the best strategy for a broken notebook out of warranty is to buy a new notebook. The cost of repairs are designed to encourage that behaviour; and that is reinforced by bloatware requiring newer and more powerful computers as a matter of normal evolution.

[exufo]

My wife, who is new to PCs, recently had a bit of a saga dealing with Toshiba Service & Repair Centre.

The Tecra M5 needed the screen repaired.

It also needed a new AC adapter.

After THREE weeks from them picking the unit up by courier (not free, mind you), we get a phone call to authorise the repair, so my wife authorised the screen ONLY to be repaired.

After some time, we get a phone call that repairs are done and we can pick up the unit, but they wanted payment over the phone, which we obliged.

When we get the unit back finally, lo and behold, a new AC adapter, which they charged a heap for - one we DID NOT authorise.

Now, we have been trying to contact them by phone, leaving no less than 3 messages and no return of phone call... it's like they just don't want to know us now that they have run away with our money, with an unauthorised repair.

Does anyone know what else we can do and how else we can get through to these people? It is taking soooo much tim - time we can ill afford. My wife and I both work and we have three kids so running around after these cheats is not easy!!!

Thanks in advance