#GVP
(the) "G-Force for the 3000 requires all the latest custom chips….but
they said nothing up front."
A few more details:
I FAX them an urgent request for information about why my 3000 is randomly
locking up with their new 40MHz 040 installed. (No potential problems were
mentioned in the manual…..)
TWO AND A HALF WEEKS later, I receive a letter in the mail telling me to
replace the RAMSEY.
After calling 5-15 chip vendors (at my expense), I find one that has a
RAMSEY for _only_ $50+s/h. It arrives in an anti-static bag held shut with
a GVP seal…..
My machine _still_ locks up. This time, GVP actually faxes me back, and I
get my fax/modem going in time to capture their latest message.
_NOW_, they say that their product is so 'superior' that it brings out
'hidden problems' with the older chips in the A3000. The latest
recommendation is to "replace _ALL_ your custom chips." At least they were
nice enough to give me a couple of phone numbers for some dealers in
Australia. (Gee, Thanks!)
After a few months, I locate a new WD SCIS chip, and throw that in….
No effect.
After another month, and $20-30 in long distance phone bills, I _give up_
trying to find the chip. Finally, someone points me to a guy selling
SuperDMACs. I get one, install it, and everything works great!
Of course I couldn't rely on the system for over a year, and it cost me
around $200 (plus tearing the case apart 3 times) to get it
working……..
And another story about GVP:
Their A2000 series SCSI controllers are the flakiest pieces of junk I've
ever used! Non-standard termination, bass-ackwards implimentation, you
name it, it screwed it up.
Unfortunately, since _every_ client I ever worked for had a GVP SCSI
controller, I got to know and love many of them. }:^)
Erik Flom