CompuServe Thread

#Texel Multisession

11 messages in this thread
#38197From: Phil RaneJan 27, 1993 1:26 PM
I just got off the phone with Texel. I have been waiting until the multisession upgrade is installed rather than having to remove a drive, send it to them, etc. The question was: when will their drive be available with the multisession. Answer:in about 4 weeks (about end of February). When they start doing the upgrades, they will also ship drives with the multisession upgrade installed (*not* manufactured already in it) on request, and for the same $19.95 extra charge as the upgrade! Phil
#38224From: Jim DivokyJan 27, 1993 6:59 PM
Texel Technical Support told me I wouldn't have to ship the drive back but that they would ship the new ROM chip and the driver for user installation since the ROM chip is removable. Jim
#38332From: Phil RaneJan 28, 1993 9:46 AM
That's good to know, Jim. I've replaced chips in many things such as satellite rcvrs, radios, etc. How accessable is the chip on the CD-Rom player? Did they say anything about voiding a warranty? If I can do it, I might just buy the drive now- altho I'm also considering the new Toshiba 3401 which I understand has multisession and speed comparable to the Texel??
#38516From: Jim DivokyJan 29, 1993 9:21 PM
Phil, I can't say how accessible the chip is nor the effect on the warranty. Best to call Texel 3-4 times and average the results. The Texel offers 300Kps DTR & 265Ms access while the Toshiba 3401 offers 330Kbps DTR & 200Ms access. But the Texel sells on the street for $375-419 while the only price I've heard for the 3401 was $599. Jim
#38367From: Ernest R. EwertJan 28, 1993 6:25 PM
Jim, << … that they would ship the new ROM chip and the driver for user installation since the ROM chip is removable. >> I was told by Texel that I would have to ship my drive back! I hope your information is more reliable than mine. I really don't want to be without my drive for the one to two weeks it would take. If you find out anything more let me know. I have been ***VERY*** pleased with my Texel. (Photo-CDs are sure nice at 16.7 colors!) Ernie
#38443From: Peter T. SzymonikJan 29, 1993 7:22 AM
I for one will scream bloody murder if they make customers send the drives back. This is just plain stupid considering that most PC people can easily pop a chip in and out. I don't at all relish the idea of taking apart my system and shipping a drive out, then waiting for weeks to get it back when I could do the whole job ib 10 minutes. Peter Szymonik
#38518From: Jim DivokyJan 29, 1993 9:21 PM
The chip may be soldered in. Have you checked? I'm too lazy. When I was with Xerox Field Engineering we didn't even allow experienced FEs to perform field repairs that required replacing soldered chips. Jim
#38552From: Peter T. SzymonikJan 30, 1993 9:39 AM
As far as I know, its socketed. Any company that still solders in upgradable ROM chips is asking for trouble. Even QMS sockets all its ROMs in its printers. The additional cost to socket is trivial compared to soldering this chips in. Peter Szymonik
#38613From: Jim DivokyJan 30, 1993 10:24 PM
I agree but Gateway, a billion dollar company, soldered in the chips on the Telepath modem and have intimated that if you want to upgrade to a modem that works you have to ship your modem back. That, is when they have a fix. Jim
#38517From: Jim DivokyJan 29, 1993 9:21 PM
It is possible that somewhere in their production run Texel switched from soldered chips to plug-in chips. That could account for the varying stories on upgrades to multi-session. Jim
#38658From: Torsten DrosteJan 31, 1993 12:27 PM
Hi, I've already "upgraded" several Texels DM-3024 to multi-session capability. It's only the ROM-Chip which has to be replaced. The firmeware still have a few bugs. That's why it takes some days for the final release. But the most important thing is: The TEXEL DM-3024 CAN read multi-session Photo-CDs!!! Bye, Torsten