Yeah, it's another OT rant.. so sue me..

[Rags]

Yeah, Madman, you had problems with tech support because you failed to do things they instructed you to. Instead you double guessed every suggestion, saying that other cards don't need this and that, so the G400 shouldn't need it, either. Then you have the nerve to come here whining about your problems and bad mouth tech support when, in reality, you were being uncooperative with them.

Me, I have had very little in the way of problems with the drivers for my G200/G400. The only complaint I have had is that they did take their sweet time coming through with an ICD. I have had a G200/G400 in the following motherboards and have had NO PROBLEMS: ABit BH6, ABit Bx6r2, FIC VA503+,FIC VB601, Asus P3B-F, ABit BE6, and an ABit BP6. The BH6 I have now, and the VA 503+ I have now. The Matrox drivers have NEVER caused my system to crash, and I have used other video cards as well. My VooDoo3 3000 would lock up in OpenGL if I didn't reboot the computer before playing if the system had been running for more than a day. My friend has a TNT2 and he swears by it, but says the drivers SUCK, but they will get better, he also has a TNT that hasn't had a driver update since April! (and doesn't expect many more, either, since nVidia does not support cards that are no longer in retail with new drivers) Matrox still supports the original Millenium, I think this is something that says a LOT!!! Once Matrox gets this ICD waxed and polished, I think they will have the full set.

Rags



[This message has been edited by Rags (edited 03 November 1999).]

[Madman]

All right Rags,

I didn't want to do this but you forced me. Here's the missing link that MR. MANAGER didn't post:

----

Hi,

My computer just froze twice again with the same problem that I described
after I did what you told me. I took out my Intel NIC and moved the SCSI
card to the NIC slot. The only way to avoid the problem is to disable my
bus mastering on my Matrox card. Any more suggestions? Thanks.

Kai

----- Original Message -----
From: Matrox Graphics - Daniel Lawrence <dlawrenc@matrox.com>
To: Madman <kaih@earthlink.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 1999 3:59 PM
Subject: Re: Matrox Graphics Inc. On-line Technical Support Request Form


> Dear Sir,
> You have a IRQ conflict on 11 please move the SCSI card to another PCI
slot
> so that your system can reassign it a new IRQ, the G400 and the IRQ holder
> for PCI steering must be the only two devices on this IRQ, also please
make
> sure that there are no PCI cards directly below the G400.
>
>
> At 08:31 PM 10/9/99 -0700, you wrote:
> >The decoder card is attached by a pass through cable.
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: Matrox Graphics - Daniel Lawrence <dlawrenc@matrox.com>
> >To: by way of Matrox Graphics Technical Support <graph_ts@matrox.com>
> ><kaih@earthlink.net>
> >Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 1999 1:23 PM
> >Subject: Re: Matrox Graphics Inc. On-line Technical Support Request Form
> >
> >
> > > I will need a complete list of IRQs used by your system. This can be
done
> > > by clicking on Start => Programs => Accessories
> > > => System Tools => System Information. Then select File and save the
> >file
> > > using your last name as the file name, then
> > > email me this saved file.
> > >
> > > How does the DVD decoder card connect to the video card.
> > >
> > > At 01:08 PM 10/5/99 -0400, you wrote:
> > > >Developer Relations registrations. The information was submitted by
on
> > > >Tuesday, October 5, 1999 at 12:42:21
> > >
> >
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > >
> > > >name: Kai
> > > >
> > > >lname: Hsu
> > > >
> > > >email: kaih@earthlink.net
> > > >
> > > >matrox_product: mill_g400_max
> > > >
> > > >memory: 32_mb
> > > >
> > > >serial_number: FA079979
> > > >
> > > >product_model_number: G400 Max
> > > >
> > > >powerdesk_driver_used: 5.11.02
> > > >
> > > >mga_bios_revision: 1.3-20
> > > >
> > > >mother_board: Intel BX
> > > >
> > > >bus_type: agp
> > > >
> > > >speed: other
> > > >
> > > >speed: other
> > > >
> > > >bios: award
> > > >
> > > >operating_system: win_98
> > > >
> > > >resolution: 800_600
> > > >
> > > >color_depth: 16_bit
> > > >
> > > >other_peripherals: PCI--Sound Blaster Live Value, Voodoo2 12MB, DVD
> > > >Decoder card, SCSI Card. ISA Modem.
> > > >
> > > >brand_model_of_monitor: Panasonic P15
> > > >
> > > >detailed_explanation: Intermittently freezs my system; garbled colors
> > > >appear on my screen for no apparent reason while running windows 98.
I
> > > >would also like information about returning my card for a refund.
This
> > > >has been causing me A LOT of problems, and your tech support has not
done
> > > >ANYTHING to help. I emailed tech support a while back and they
haven't
> > > >responded yet.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > >
> > >
> > > Please email me with the result/outcome of the procedure.
> > >
> > > Thank you kindly for your cooperation.
> > >
> > > Daniel Lawrence
> > > MCP Windows NT Workstation 4.0
> > > MGI Technical Support
> > >
> > > Matrox Graphics Inc.
> > > 1055 St-Regis Dorval, Quebec CANADA H9P2T4
> > > e-mail: dlawrenc@matrox.com
> > > Fax: 514-822-6363
> > > Please quote all previous messages when sending replies.
> > > If you want more information please visit our TECHNICAL ON-LINE WIZARD
AT
> >:
> > > http://www.matrox.com/cgi-bin/mga/te...d/tech_wiz.cgi
> > > You should also go through our helpful FAQs at :
> > > http://www.matrox.com/mga/tech_supp/faq/home.htm
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
> Please email me with the result/outcome of the procedure.
>
> Thank you kindly for your cooperation.
>
> Daniel Lawrence
> MCP Windows NT Workstation 4.0
> MGI Technical Support
>
> Matrox Graphics Inc.
> 1055 St-Regis Dorval, Quebec CANADA H9P2T4
> e-mail: dlawrenc@matrox.com
> Fax: 514-822-6363
> Please quote all previous messages when sending replies.
> If you want more information please visit our TECHNICAL ON-LINE WIZARD AT
:
> http://www.matrox.com/cgi-bin/mga/te...d/tech_wiz.cgi
> You should also go through our helpful FAQs at :
> http://www.matrox.com/mga/tech_supp/faq/home.htm
>
>
>

I'm posting the whole post because that way, people won't accuse me anymore. Well, at least hopefully. Don't count your chickens before they hatch Rags. I wonder why somebody here didn't put that post on. And isn't it unlawful for a company to post personal INFORMATION ON A PUBLIC FORUM? Gee I guess next time I order something from Matrox I should be careful because they might post my credit card number on THIS VERY FORUM!!!! Oh MY GOD!!! Okay, enough sarcasm for me. Just trying to make a point. Also RAGs, I refuse to do things that I didn't NEED to do. Take out my SBlive?? Why? Did I have the problem before I put in the G400? Nope. Let's see, I had the problem....AFTER I PUT THE G400 IN. Gee I wonder what's causing the problems....oh yeah it's my soundblaster LIVE because I put in the G400. Damn I wish you didn't build a system for me.


Madman



[This message has been edited by Madman (edited 03 November 1999).]

[Rags]

Yeah, Madman you show your ignorance each time you open your mouth.

Also RAGs, I refuse to do things that I didn't NEED to do. Take out my SBlive?? Why? Did I have the problem before I put in the G400? Nope. Let's see, I had the problem....AFTER I PUT THE G400 IN. Gee I wonder what's causing the problems....oh yeah it's my soundblaster LIVE because I put in the G400. Damn I wish you didn't build a system for me

You should take your LIVE out to see if that is what is conflicting with your G400. Pretty simple way to see, but, like you can see in this quote, you absolutely refuse to try suggestions that you are given. SB Live! conflicts CAN be dealt with, and it wasn't suggested that you take it out permanantly, just do it for diagnosing your setup problem. "Damn I wish you didn't build a system for me"---you don't need to wish, I never did, that is why you are having problems with your setup.

Rags

[Madman]

Rags,

You don't even need to open your mouth and I already saw your ignorance and arragance. If you had actually kept up with my posts about my problems, you would've already known that I tried to reintall windows 98 2nd edtion (being specific just for you man) with ONLY the G400 and it was still giving me problems. I didn't even go through the whole installation in fact. I got a windows protection error. There goes Matrox again trying to blame it on the other hardware manufacturers. Matrox might be a respectable company, but they're not perfect. I'll never forgive them for their god awful customer service either. You almost sound like a Matrox employee. If not, better take your head out, because its way up Matrox's ass.

Before anyone thinks I'm a troll, I'm only doing this for one reason. Why is it that whenever people even say ANYTHING negative about Matrox we get flamed for it?? It's almost like, "I think my Matrox card is bad."
"Oh, no it can't be the Matrox card. Try taking out your other cards."
WTF is that??? Well you know what? It's NOT my other cards, its my Matrox card. I don't care if it's conflicting with my SBLive. The soundblaster live was out before the G400 so shouldn't Matrox know not to make it conflict with the Live?? I'm sorry, but the Live has yet to give me any problems and there just isn't enough reasons for me to take it out. As for the G400, there's a whole list:

Can't share IRQ (WTF)
Have to run at AGP 1x (WTF again)
Doesn't support AGP 4x like it's supposed to
Bad customer support
Bad shipping

Tell me what's bad about the Live other than it conflicts with the G400. What is up with all this unnecessary work when all you have to do is narrow down the problems? You people just can't stand the fact that a Matrox card MIGHT be defective? Geez.


Madman



[This message has been edited by Madman (edited 03 November 1999).]

[Rags]

Madman,

I did keep up with your thread, I just quit participating in it, because it was pointless trying to help you out.

The reason I replied to you in this post is because you were trying to come off as a victim of tech support and these forums. What you fail to realize is that we had been trying to help up until the time we had learned that you were fibbing about the way you were treated by tech support. That is why people were treating like crap here. This forum is made up of helpful people who will listen to your problems and try to steer you through them. When you come along and say you were treated like crap by someone at tech support, people came and responded to your thread in a positive manner. Then we find out that the guy helping you in tech support had not been mean at all to you and was actually trying to help you, and you were being combative. Then you want to sit here and say that we should feel for you.

Yeah, I really feel sorry for you all right.

Rags


In response to your editing:

There is nothing wrong with the Live! There was a problem with some of it's drivers, and it was a listed problem on Creative's website (obviously you have never visited), the Live! was apparently "polling" the PCI bus every so often and it was causing all sorts of problems with busmastering items. What's worse is that simply updating the drivers did not solve this problem, you had to install the new drivers before any of the old ones, or it would not work in some cases. Some systems under certain conditions will have problems with AGP 2X, on all AGP texturing cards.
The G400 DOES support 4X motherboards, but does not claim to do 4X transfers, just 2X MAXIMUM.

I have no problems be critical of Matrox at all. And yes, there are times when cards will be defective, but you have to make sure it IS defective first. A defective installer is no reason to blame hardware and request an RMA.

Rags



[This message has been edited by Rags (edited 03 November 1999).]

[Madman]

Okay,

You know what Rags? It's only obvious that you haven't been looking at my posts. What was that I just posted with the email reply to the Matrox tech? Yeah, I emailed him saying that I already tried the things that he told me and what do I get in return? "You are sharing IRQs. We do not offer RMAs for conflicting IRQs." Yeah, after I ready solved the conflicting IRQ problem? Like I already said, the manager might have left that particular thread out for REASONS I DO NOT KNOW-- but I don't really care anymore. Even if the video card isn't bad, why can't I try another video card? Many other Matrox users has gotten a RMA from Matrox and they refuse my particular request? WTF is that? You tell me Rags, why? Filmgeek was right; you guys are too hypnotised by Matrox and don't know what is going on. How would you feel if you told the tech support that you already tried what they told you and all you get back is that bullshit? I'm sure you'll feel the same way. The G400 did say that it suppports 4X transfer rates. I've read reviews of the card such as this on www.anandtech.com where they do say that it supports 4X tranfer rates.


Madman

[This message has been edited by Madman (edited 03 November 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Madman (edited 03 November 1999).]

[Rags]

Madman,

The G400 did say that it suppports 4X transfer rates. I've read reviews of the card such as this on www.anandtech.com where they do say that it supports 4X tranfer rates.

Are you saying that the G400 actually told you this??? The box does not say it supports AGP 4X transfers, their website doesn't say it supports AGP 4X transfers. Maybe Anand will give you an RMA, why don't you write him and tell him that he is posting false info, while you are at it post a link here to where he stated that.

Even if the video card isn't bad, why can't I try another video card? Many other Matrox users has gotten a RMA from Matrox and they refuse my particular request? WTF is that? You tell me Rags, why?

Did you purchase the card from Matrox? If not, you are asking the wrong place to give your money back. You should go to your vendor to ask for a refund first. If you did get the card from Matrox, and aren't satisfied and want your money back, why not try Haig's and the other tech support's suggestion and contact customer service? Tech support is just that tech support. They are NOT customer service.

Rags

[Kruzin]

Wow, what a prick you are Madman!
You are misinformed, bullheaded, and ignorant. People have gone to great lengths in other threads to try to help you, and you have been an ass each time.

Lets look at a few of your misconceptions:
"The G400 did say that it suppports 4X transfer rates. I've read reviews of the card such as this on www.anandtech.com where they do say that it supports 4X tranfer rates. "
G400 never said it ran 4x transfer rates. I doubt G400 said anything, as it is a video card, and has no vocal chords. Neither will you see anywhere on Matrox's website that current G400 models do 4x transfers. Oohhh....Anand said it, so it must be so. Guess what. Anand isn't all knowing. He's a high school student who does his site on the side. "I read it on the net, so it must be true..."

"Can't share IRQ (WTF)"
Duh! Call ANY tech support for any AGP card, and they will tell you the same thing. Just because you don't understand how computers work is not our or Matrox's problem.

"Have to run at AGP 1x (WTF again)"
Again, Duh! Most people are able to run at 2x (myself included). Forcing to 1x is a troubleshooting measure, and some find it a viable sollution to stability issues. This is something usually caused by motherboards, ram, overcloked buses, etc. Not a problem of the G400 so much as it is a configuration issue with some particular systems. And as anyone who does have to run in 1x can tell you, it HAS NO EFFECT on the performance of the card.

"Doesn't support AGP 4x like it's supposed to"
See paragraph 1. Also, read some tutorials on AGP so you can understand 1x, 2x, 4x are "buzzwords" and have no real affect on current games/apps (unless you count running some static benchmark that uses 32AGP texturing, which is far more than any game on the market).

"Bad customer support"
Bad customer support is usually the result of a bad customer. You act like a prick, so you don't get service with a smile. Treat people with some respect, and they'll go out of their way to help. Yes, you may be frustrated...but that is no reason to be an ****ole to the people you are seeking help from. I know when I was in PC tech support, I always pushed the dickheads to the back of the que. If people won't show me any common courtesy, the can suck wind.

As far as Matrox's support, if you bother to read other comments, most are very positive. You got polite replys and suggestions, you just don't have the patience to find the problem. You'd rather just whine and demand refund information. I know if you had been a customer of mine, I would have insisted on giving you your money back, just to get rid of you as a customer.

And show me one other company that has tech support posting in a non-company users forum? No, Matrox's tech support rocks.

"Bad shipping"
Huh? Matrox is now responsible for FedEx, UPS, or whoever stepped on your box? Perhaps you would have liked it delivered on a silk pillow, in the back of a limo?

I could go on all nigh picking apart you lame, whiney posts...but I grow tired of reading your piss-ant complaints, when you have no real intrest in fixing the problem. This is not a whiners forum, it's a users forum. If you want to whine, take it to the shark tank, or some other sleaze pit forum.

And PLEASE...take the card back to where you bought it, or ship it back for a refund. Go but a pre-built HP or Compaq, since you do not want to understand how things work. Then you can have their service guys fix it for you. But most improtant....Don't go away mad, just GO AWAY!

[dnickle]

GEEZ YOU GUYS! O.K. on the count of three everyone take their pill. One... two... Seriously though, this thread is sounding like those AMD vs. Intel idiots over at Tom's. I love my G400, and I'm sure I'll be using it this time next year, but is competition such a bad thing? So what if the evil "N" makes some new card with 400 megs of SLAMDRAM, it just means better stuff for all of us. A friend of mine looks in the paper all the time at component ads. He rants and raves when the price drops on something he bought 6 months ago. When this happens to me I look for all the new goodies that came out. This is the old glass is half empty/full argument. Progress is great, lets not stifle it with envy.

[Jorden]

Madman, take the G400 out, and don't put anything else back in... Peace, quiet... ahhhhhhh

[Madman]

Yeah Kruzin,

I may be a prick but at least I don't accuse people of lying. You people just don't seem to get it do you? I've tried everything leading to the suspision that the G400 was bad. The tech kept on dodging my request for a RMA. You people cuss/tell off people that has ANY criticism for Matrox. So what, am I supposed to be all happy sappy when I'm having a whole stack of problems with my video card? I think not. Also, Haig told me that if they found nothing wrong with the card and I RMAed it, I would be charged. Well, everything was wrong when that card was put into my computer and how am I going to prove that the card was bad? Of course there was no way and I lose anyways. If the company wants to be an ass about it, then I'll just have to tell people how they treated me that's all. Kruzin, I don't even know why you replied to my posts; if anyone should reply it should be the employees of Matrox.

As for the IRQs, I was told that PCI & AGP devices were made to share IRQs. I did not know that bus mastering had problems sharing. That is my fault I admit.

Okay, I'm living with the fact that it doesn't support 4x. I'll just get a card that do. Don't you think it's misleading for Matrox to say "Full AGP 2X/4X device"? I never did see the box because I bought the card online, and by the time I was dissatisfied with the card, my 30 days were up. I didn't have much choice there.

I may be a bad customer, but I'm still a customer. What happened to the phrase "the customer is always right"? I asked them nicely and they tried my patience. Like I've said before, if you don't know the whole story butt out.

I am so sick and tired of this shit with you Matrox groupie and this is going to be my last post. I will continue to post in other forum and enlighten others how Matrox sucks and the disrespect their customers.

As for the bad shipping, my Matrox card arrived at my door step and I opened the box. In the top of the box was all paper and on the bottom was my card. Is this the way to ship packages? I have a friend who ordered a DVD software CD from matrox and what happened? The CD was cracked during. They shipped the CD in a regular envelope. If that's not bad shipping, then I don't know what is. I've already posted my points and you people refuse to see what I was trying to get at.

What the hell is this? Are you guys worshipping Matrox or something? Is this a cult? Man, you guys almost seem like you're jacking off with one hand holding your Matrox card. I mean, I may be biased, but I NEVER side with one company like that. I do admit, Matrox is a good company....for now. If they don't do something about their customer support and other departments they're pretty much doomed.

Oh btw, I almost laughed at the last part of your email but no cigar. I think I'll go "kruzin" after I sell my G400 card.
Cheers.

Madman


[This message has been edited by Madman (edited 03 November 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Madman (edited 03 November 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Madman (edited 03 November 1999).]

[Wombat]

<FONT SIZE="5"> WooHoo!! He said it's his <FONT COLOR="red">last<FONT COLOR="black"> post!!!!

[SteveC]

It's been a while since my old .sig was called for:

-----------
It's Only A Graphics Card!!!



------------------
Cheers,
Steve

"The chances of anything coming from Mars, are a million-to-one", he said.

[KvHagedorn]

It always amazes me how one person who posts lengthy, irate messages in poor English which bare his stupidity to the world can expect to win an argument with many bright people using correct English whose posts are only attempting to educate him. Who made it an argument anyway? This "madman" seems to think anger will solve all his problems, much as a toddler thinks crying will solve his. Well, it's just no use trying to argue with a "madman". He will always respond only to his own wayward notions and attack logic as his enemy.

By the way, to assume we are all here to blindly worship some circuit board and attack all those who dissent is an insult. Go to the link I posted earlier in this thread if you want to see that kind of behavior.

------------------
Kind Regards,

KvH

[Haig]

"And isn't it unlawful for a company to post personal INFORMATION ON A PUBLIC FORUM?"

Where did I post any personal information about yourself?

If go back to http://forums.murc.ws/ubb/Forum5/HTML/005461.html

Your first post was:

"I'm having a major problem with a technician that works at Matrox. His name is Daniel Lawrence, and he won't issue me a RMA. I'm having major problems with my G400 Max and he keeps on telling me that I have a IRQ conflict, which I already told him that I didn't."

All I did was set the record straight. I don't like doing this but I will do it so that the potential clients on this forum will get the story from both sides. You were giving the impression that Technical Support did not want to help you in anyway which is not the case.

"I was treated disrespectfuly by the people on this forum and by the techician manager of Matrox of all people"

In what way?

"I didn't want to do this but you forced me. Here's the missing link that MR. MANAGER didn't post:"

As I already stated on that previous URL, your last email was not on our email server.

"I also think that it was a bad move for a Manager tech from Matrox to tell me off like that after knowing that I work for a computer store and that I adivise people what hardware to get."

Are you implying that you should get special treatment or else you won't recommend our cards to anyone?

Besides, how did I tell you off?

Haig

[This message has been edited by Haig (edited 03 November 1999).]