DISQUS

JoeBruin88 · 4 years ago

I'm sorry to hear about that. Gateway sucks big time, so does Sony Vaio and Best Buy.

Hopefully, you can get an Apple laptop or a Dell laptop in the near future.

Rob · 4 years ago

I can't go Apple. Our entire office is PC along with the offices of every person and firm we work with. The compatability issues would be a nightmare. And I just don't like Apples anyway.

Our company has actually been with Gateway for over a decade now. I've lost track of how many systems we've purchased through them. They've all been great and the service, in the past, has been great.

About three years ago, however, the service at Gateway went down the tubes. But from my experience this is an industry-wide trend.

I'll still like Gateway products, I just hate dealing with their support staff.

2Hotel9 · 4 years ago

Hey, Rob. It may be time to find an independant Geek to handle your service issues. We have only been computer owners for 3 years now. Learned early on that someone local was the hot ticket. I have a Compaq Presario R3000 and it operates well with everything we have integrated with, so far. It handles all my publishing crap, and operates well with every system I have to work with, which is only 6 or 7, so what do I know. I am the original lowtech,.30cal,map&compass, RedLeg Grunt. Technology sucks, when it don't work!!!! Later on, Bro.

Rob · 4 years ago

Thanks for the input 2H9. I'd go with a local tech, but my laptop is still under warranty and I'm relatively poor. Free fixing, even if delayed, still beats an hourly fee from a local tech.

Seth Yantiss · 4 years ago

Rob without a computer is like:

Peanut butter without jelly.
Popcorn without salt.

It’s a major disaster man!

Carol Rocks! That was great, mom (notice no Ma)

Rob, the offer still stands... shoot me your address and I'll ship the beast.

Carol · 4 years ago

I imagine Rob will be over to use my computer tonight!!!

Rob without a computer is like:

Peanut butter without jelly.
Popcorn without salt.

It's a major disaster man!

Cindy Morus · 4 years ago

I have been dealing with Gateway for the last 4 months on an overheating problem with my laptop. It has been sent back to them 3 times for the very same problem. NOW It has been there since the beginning of February waiting for a part. I also purchased a new battery at their request and they sent me a new power supply.

So, altogether, they have tried to solve the problem 5 times without success.

There has been no contact from Gateway to tell me what is going on with the computer. I have called repeatedly to find out. I was promised that the part would be received on 3/10. To date, it has not been received.

At least 3 times I was told that an e-mail had been sent to service. Today, the "supervisor" told me that they still dont' know the part will be received. He said he would send an e-mail to service but it would take 5 days before he would have a response.

He said the records do not indicate that any other e-mail messages been sent to service.

I paid for an on-site service contract when I purchased it, although they would never send anyone out to fix it.

I have owned 7 or 8 Gateways in the last 10-12 years and highly recommended them to everyone I knew. I will NEVER buy another one and I highly recommend that you don't either.

Long live DELL!

Alain Bourget · 4 years ago

My daughter received a new Gateway laptop for Christmas. The hard drive failed after less than 2 months. It has been at Gateway for repair for more than SIX WEEKS! And she is still waiting for it!!! First they had no hard drives to do the repair, then they were being shipped from another location. Can you believe that a major computer manufacturer is running out of hard drives for 6 weeks??

They also have a serious problem with their internal tracking system: on 3 different occasions she was told that they lost the laptop, then a supervisor told her that regular technicians can’t see it in their system when it is a product sold in Canada. Also, they do NOT have an 800 number so we probably spent over $30 in long distance charges.

Believe me, STAY AWAY FROM GATEWAY, it is the worst customer service I have seen in my life.

Also, read the fine print when a Future Shop employee wants to sell you an extended warranty. You may be surprised when your equipment fails.

Rob · 4 years ago

Sorry to hear about your difficulties Alain.

To be fair, after I sent my laptop back Gateway fixed it perfectly (I didn't lose a single setting) and shipped it back to me again in record time.

We've also owned well over two dozen Gateways now and, aside from a few isolated incidents like this one, I've always found them to be a fine company.

Hubert Samm · 4 years ago

After nothing but TOTAL frustration with Gateway's UNQUALIFIED tech support, and being left with a DMP-X20 that now is no better than a hocky puck, I will NEVER, NEVER do business with Gateway, will NOT even consider any product with the Gateway label on it. They will never get another red cent from me.

Quite frankly, I will be GLAD to see the company go belly up. With the TOTAL LACK of support, and the abandoning of customers, they don't deserve to be a in business.

dan · 4 years ago

Man do i have a gripe with Gateway! I was always pretty happy with their service and computers. I just purchased our 6th computer by the company and found it had several problems. Frist, the monitor was busted...did they offer to replace it, no! Also, the wireless card was not working...they informed me that my problems were "normal defects." When I asked to talk to the employees manager the individual i was talking to snickered at me. To make a long story short, this is the last Gateway i will ever purchase and I hope they are run into the ground by Dell and other computer companies. Side note - i also have a powerbook and ibook, no problems...they work great.

Untamedazlady · 4 years ago

I don't think that horrible customer service begins to describe what one gets from Gateway as it implies that some sort of service is given in the first place. My boyfriend is serving our country over in Iraq and his Gateway laptop is his primary link to home. He bought this GATEWAY expecting the wonderful customer service they always advertise. HA!

When his DVD-RW drive went out he contacted Gateway Tech Support. The joker he spoke with told him he'd need a new drive but it wasn't under warranty so he'd have to purchase a new one but they would fix him up with the correct one as they had all his model/serial info in front of them... please give us your credit card number. He had the part shipped home as he was returning on home leave and was overjoyed (NOT) to find a PC DESKTOP Computer DVD-RW awaiting him. When he called to let them know they had shipped the wrong part for his computer they basically told him, "sorry, you bought it, you keep it"! After 30 min on the phone with various tech support and customer service people at Gateway he was told that Gateway didn't even make or sell the part for his laptop. When he asked to speak to a supervisor he was passed between 5 other customer service flunkies and each one was more rude. "You had to have returned it within 15 days of when you ordered it... we can't refund your money!" After another 30 minutes of being insulted and telling him that they weren't responsible for their error, they told him he would have to pay a 15% restocking fee to return the part that they sent him by mistake.

Gateway SUCKS! Gateway is unAmerican and doesn't even know what the meaning of the word Service is! Sorry... thanks for letting me vent. Just wanted to let the whole world know.

Nick · 4 years ago

Gateway!

I will never buy from them again. I just suggested a Gateway to a friend a month ago. Never again.

I bought a Gateway notebook about 3-4 years ago. It was a reman system. Anyway, from day one it had charging problems. Even while plugged in, the battery charge light would go off and the screen would dim. Finally, after a couple of years, this problem progressed until now when this light goes off the battery is so weak that it shuts down.

I chatted with tech support last week and come to find out, I was sent the wrong AC adapter from day one. Since I have the wrong adapter, my battery has never gotten a sufficient charge...I have never been able to use my computer for any extended period of time while not plugged in. Tech support told me that battery damage probably resulted from the wrong AC adapter. Then customer service had the nerve to tell me that both adapters have the same voltage so it wouldn't be a problem! But I researched a little and found the amperage WAS different and WOULD cause a problem!!

So now I e-mailed customer support and kindly asked them to send me the right part. Should be a no-brainer, right? Wrong. My computer is out of warranty so they won't fix THEIR mistake and send me the right part.

What they DO do for me is send me links to buy the right part to replace the wrong part they sent me. Like I will ever buy anything from them again!! They won't stand by it, either!!

I'd rather buy a new system from another company than buy this $40 part from Gateway. And they are OK with that. SHAREHOLDERS...did you read that?

How classy, "We sent you the wrong part. Oh, here's a link so that you can buy the right one from us". Nice, real nice.

IF YOU ARE SHOPPING FOR COMPUTERS, DO NOT BUY A GATEWAY!! THEY DON'T STAND BY WHAT THEY SELL!!

Nick · 4 years ago

I asked someone whom I respect the following question after describing the situation:

"How much should I bug them about this? Is my attitude wrong on this? Should I not expect them to replace the part? How far do I carry this?"

To which he stated in a return e-mail:

"I have already been around the block with Gateway several years ago. It was one of the most maddening and unfair experiences I have ever been subjected to in business. Their people were nice enough at low levels. But they never took care of the problem. Even with long letters to higher ups, faxes to the CEO, conversation with CS bosses, the cow box people proved to be cow dung.

I would gladly join you in the never again club."

Can one company really have this many people who hate them? Have you ever Googled "Gateway Sucks"? Hmmmm....

Disguntled · 4 years ago

I have been working with Gateway tech support since June 23 to replace a bad hard drive and repair some other port problems. It is not enough that all my data was lost, I am having no luck getting the rest of the system located or repaired.

I also purchased the 3 year on site service extended warranty. I was told in one of the phone calls that ONSITE warranty service means a technician will come and replace a part--not troubleshoot.

Bottom line: my system was delivered to Gateway's service partner on August 05, 2005. After 21 phone calls, 5 of them with Managers (that will call me back....right...) they have lost it and found it twice and it is in a state of "we don't have access to the service department's system, I will have to send them an email" -- "I will get back to you."

There have been two managers that did call me back..... I explained that I need someone to take a hold of this issue and contact me daily about it until it is resolved. The response has been "we are only here on certian days, we can call you back then" my response, "Gateway is big enough to have someone contact me when you are not there... most businesses I know do not revolve around one person" Still waiting on the regular calls.

It has been almost 2 months at their facility and there is no resolution in sight.

I am interested in the fax numbers and CS boss addresses if they are available.

I purchased this laptop from Gateway and not Dell solely because they "HAD" local brick and mortar stores where I could go to see a person face to face to discuss these issues. The stores are closed, my machine is in limbo, I will never by a Gateway again.

How does a multi-million dollar company maintain business with this kind of tech support?

Nick · 4 years ago

Disgruntled...

Yes, Gateway certainly does suck.

Finally some blowhard from customer service e-mailed me and told me that the power cord is not the problem (even though tech support told me it was). I asked how sure he was.

He would not back up his statement. I told them that if they were right, I'd buy a new Gateway system and apologize to every Gateway rep I contacted. I asked, "What will you do if YOU are wrong?" Nothing, obviously.

The higher ups have numbers? Please let me know when you find them.

Whenever I mention Gateway to someone, the feedback is always bad. Their company cannot be doing that well.

Be sure to boycott eMachines as well as they own them.

Gateway Sucks!

Nick · 4 years ago

LOL...here is Gateway's response when I sent them a link to what I just posted:

"Hello Nick,

Thank you for your reply. Your opinions and comments are very important, as they assist us in constantly improving our service performance and product quality. Gateway is a full service and support organization that realizes the key to success lies in providing outstanding customer satisfaction. It is feedback from customers that helps to evaluate our performance.

Thanks again, for writing and letting us know of your experiences with our company."

Yeah...they really care, don't they?

Jenn · 4 years ago

I found this page by Googling "Gateway Sucks." :) I'm on a quest to get a refund for a computer that I've had for less than ten years and is currently corrupting it's fifth hard drive. I've devoted my own blog to my trials and tribulations.

Jenn · 4 years ago

^^Oops. I meant that I've had it for less than 2 years. Sheesh. Ten years on a Gateway? Never gonna happen.

Nick · 4 years ago

Wow, Jenn.

I just read your blog. Not a lot of fun!

What I have found gratifying is sending a link to every place I post a comment about Gateway back to their customer service. I have sent them the link to this page a couple of times.

They don't care. They have their policies and they will stick to them.

DON'T BUY A GATEWAY! GATEWAY SUCKS!!!

Teresa · 3 years ago

I bought a notebook 9/05. It was returned for repairs (the screen was flickering) and 1 of the rubber feet fell off. They returned it with a scratched screen and a 2nd foot missing. I sent it back for a replacement and 2 feet. It was returned with a 3rd foot ripped off and the other 2 not replaced. Customer service sucks, the 'techs' can barely speak/write english. They said over and over to send the computer in and they'd replace the feet-they must have meant they'd rip off the remaining ones. I have over 30 emails from the retards that work there. I was told (after calling long distance twice) that they can not replace the feet-even if I send it in as they had said so many times. They are STUPID and the all LIE. Why did they keep promising to replace the feet if I sent it in when they never had them in the first place? Of course I was told if I had purchased it online from Gateway they could drop the feet in the mail.  WHAT? They have the feet available but not if you buy thru Best Buy or another store? What a crock! THEY are the ones who ripped 2 of them off! Buy anything but a Gateway. There are several sites out there with the same complaints. Gateway SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS!

Scott · 3 years ago

Just got off a technical chat w/ Gateway.  My laptop (m6811) was overheating the adapter cord so much that it was literally melting the plastic.  I received a box the next day, shipped it off, received the laptop back in less than a week.  Fixed the problem, installed a new DVD-RW as the original was broken and fixed the hinges.  Great.  Then two weeks latter the thing actually fries.  My wife thought a plastic spoon had fallen into the dishwasher.  Gateway won't touch it now.  I have a $1,000+ smelly hunk of plastic.  Shame.

Tom · 3 years ago

Here is a letter I JUST SENT to both Gateway Corporate and the NV Attorney General's Office....hope it creates the wild fire it's supposed to....and hopefully I'll get the resolution I'm well-deserved.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

May 8, 2006


Gateway Computers, Inc.
Attn: Michael Inyeo, CEO
610 Gateway Dr.
North Sioux City, SD 57049

Dear Sir:

My name is Tom , a former Gateway Country Store employee -- I loved the company that I once worked for; so much, that I still remember my badge number. That's neither here, nor there, now as to why am I writing this letter.

I had purchased my first (and only at this time) Gateway laptop back in February of 2002. It was a happy day for me because I was buying something that I believed in and trusted. It was to be used for my small business and for my blind fiancée who needed the equipment as well to use with adaptive software to be able to use the internet and be self-sufficient with technology. The machine was GREAT and I was the envy of a lot of my peers and family. Life was good, and it was doing the job that it was supposed to do.

However, one fateful moment struck, and the Solo 9550LS all of a sudden came to a screeching halt. After a couple moments with a friendly Tech Support agent who I thought was very knowledgeable being that I didn't know much about laptop internal medicine, he decided to instruct me on the removal of a CMOS battery off of the motherboard; being that I had replaced a keyboard very well and in under 2-minutes time, I might add, he said it would be a cinch to do this task. Well, it was so easy, it popped the entire housing off of the system board and forced it to be sent in for service under warranty. Then the nightmare began, and for the past one and a half years later, it was been a nightmare with this machine -- and no one, to this day wants to take ownership of the fact that this machine is a lemon by definition.

It took OVER FOUR MONTHS just to be able to send the unit back in after it was originally deemed that I broke the laptop myself. Obviously, the tech that helped me did a bit of "CYA" by not mentioning in the notes that I was instructed to take the battery out of the system, rather than just send it in right away. I fought with numerous supervisors and other techs in several call centers just to figure out how to get it done and back in my hands again in working condition.

After almost two months being gone, I got it back, and, yes, it worked great. Then, other issues stemmed off of it being opened, checked, re-checked, "fixed," and whatever else was done to it. This unit has so much history on its Sybil Service System history, I could write a book about it. Of course, though, when I asked if I could get copies of the transcripts of all the notes that I have had reported for this system, I was told that no, though I am the Customer, and legally should have rights to it, it was Gateway Policy NOT to give that information out -- it's secured and confidential information. Hmm...so what that means to me is this: you don't want to release the fact that you are screwing not only a former employee who knows better, but a Customer who is getting repeatedly screwed by a Billion Dollar Company trying to stay afloat any way it can at this time.

I didn't ask to be laid off after the death of the 188 Country Stores that you nuked. Considering that I had worked in one of the TOP FIVE STORES in the country, I have every right to remain bitter to this very day. That move literally ruined my life. My family and I have not financially regained consciousness after the coma the whole Gateway/eMachine merger placed us into. And this just adds icing to the cake. Having to tell your four children every single day that we cannot afford to get new computer equipment because we don't have the money to do so. And the one computer that we rely on can't ensure their successes in school. You try swallowing that daily!

To-date, this computer has been in service in the last two years, EIGHT TIMES! It is bordering needing a NINTH trip back to Irving, TX, which, by the way, is the most useless organization I have ever seen. They're such pros at what they do that they had bounced my Solo 9550LS on the bench when they had it once and took a nice chunk out of the corner of the bottom bezel, and they had the gall to send it back to me like that. I bet you could only imagine how fumed I was on this.

I bought a top of the line system. I expect, and in fast response, the same in resolution for my nightmare. I bought the biggest screen, moderately fast processor, I've expanded the RAM, larger hard drives are out now, DVD/R comes in most now, and the highest graphics processing are what I expect out of another machine. I also paid to have a machine that had a three-year trouble-free warranty; and this was before all the accidental damage waivers came about.

To make a troubled Customer happy is a wise choice. Limiting the abilities of a visually impaired end-user, and that of my family's ability to thrive financially is cowardly and cruel.

Punitive damages? Certainly deserved, but not sure if I'm ready to go that route yet, as I am sure that Gateway/eMachines still has a couple good over-paid civil attorneys waiting in the barn riding the cow to your rescue.

I can be reached at the above address, by phone at personal info removed by email at personal info removed and someone is always home to accept NEXT DAY DELIVERIES FROM UPS/FEDEX/DHL.

This letter, I hope, finds the right person, and hopefully, the right decision to be made will be a rational and rapid one. There's only one choice here, and that is to take care of the situation correctly and not drop the ball any longer. To do so would surely show the entire world just what's left of this once-great Company; amazingly, one I still miss and wish was back to its pillar of greatness in the technological community.

That being said, I bid you all a great day, and I look forward to hearing from you promptly.

Sincerely,



Tom

The Bad GUY · 3 years ago

Ok people let you in on a few secrets not sure about the desktop but the laptops are sent to a company called quanta just outside of Nashville Tn. For the most part the people who work on your laptops are very good at what they do they are not the problem. The problems start with the name Gateway "yes gateway sucks" it's the equipment. It is the cheapest crap they could find. The techs that are working on these laptops order parts from the warehouse for your pc's get 9 out of 10 times used and refurbish parts
(EXP: tech replaces the mother board for video problems . tech orders replacement. tech receives part and fixes your laptop. the kicker that mother board the tech took out of your pc is sent to the back of the warehouse where Billy bob hooks some power to it and as long as it powers up its sent to the parts cage where guess what its put in to some other poor gateway customer pc and is getting the shaft. this done with lot of the parts. this place quanta is a gateway joke the way its managed. Now for the last secret for all of you that own gateway laptops I truly feel you for all that don't DO NOT BUY A GATEWAY OR EMACHINE. Emachine is made by gateway. Do not waist your time and money... Hey don't worrie about me I'm looking for a new job as we speak "yes I'm the tech that works on your laptop "but not for long" and I do as much as I can for you but I can only do what they allow me to do. the little rubber feet one was speaking in the tread above most of the time we take them off of the old systems that have been trashed if any have been other than that its sent back to you with out. And for you who still own gateway laptops Sale it or get the ADP from gateway we can replace any thing with that protection on your acct

If you want a good laptop look at Dell or Compaq I have had great luck with both

Thanks the bad guy

JD · 3 years ago

i have owned my computer for about a year now, and it has been a year from hell. I have called their damn tech support so many times i have memorized the number. I bet if i recorded the names of the techs, it would show that i have talked to each one more then once. Not long after purchasing this piece of shit, i run into troubles galore with the wireless card, and eventually they replaced it, but not after tons of thick headed tech that don't know their ass from their armpit when it comes to this.
Then the motherboard goes, then the power adapter goes, then i have to ship it in for service, again, and i throw in the power cord (both sections) and i only get half of the thing back. So i call to get another one and i get that. thne a month later it turns out that i didn't include the power cord, and i find it in a box somewhere, so i ripped off the company, which i was so glad. It is so easy to do that to, because the techs don't know anything.
Not even a year later my screen keeps going black and they don't know what the problem is, so they keep on blaming it on viruses, spyware, and other things like that. I DO 3 FULL SYSTEM RESTORES and i still have the same damn problem.

their tech support sucks
their computer's suck
their policies suck
their "supervisors" suck

NEVER GET A GATEWAY, THIS WAS THE WORST DECISION I HAVE MADE, AND THIS COMPANY IS NOTHING BUT BACK STABBING, LIEING, NO GOOD, WORTHLESS, LOW-LIFED, UNPROFESSIONAL, MONEY LEACHERS THAT TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS LIKE CRAP. I HATE GATEWAY, AND ALWAYS WILL.

GO TO HELL GATEWAY/EMACHINES!

JD · 3 years ago

BTW, the gateway computer i have is a 7330GZ, and they are DISCONTINUED, i wonder why.

JD · 3 years ago

i did some research and to take some legal action against Gateway send a letter to this address because i found out that the one they give you is wrong because they know their crap sucks and they don't want to hear it.

The only way to force Gateway to pay attention to its customers' complaints is to make the appropriate regulatory agencies aware of its actions. The first of these is South Dakota's own Dept. of Consumer Affairs. Write or fax your complaint to:

Ms. Jill Dean, Consumer Affairs
Office of the Attorney General
500 E. Capitol
State Capitol Building
Pierre, SD 57501-5070

John D · 3 years ago

Yes, Gateway sucks and I will NEVER buy another Gateway. I had the same unfair experiences as many of you and writing to the SD consumer affairs office was worthless. After going round and round, Gateway said..."We're done w/ the discussion. Close the case." And SD closed the case!

In a nutshell... I bought a 3 year warranty for my new laptop. Gateway says that 2 years ago, I didn't return a broken montor to them so they don;t have to honor the warranty on my NEW computer. My state says they are breaking the law! Gateway says... "So what?"

I wish they would go out of business. DO NOT BUY A GATEWAY.

JHG · 3 years ago

I bought a gateway laptop 2 years ago. I've experienced the following problems:

Hardrive: none

Laptop Screen: Cracked at the hinges. Evidently the screen is too heavy for the pin size hinges holding it up.....go figure. Sent it back, and Gateway replaced it in less than a week.

Since the fix, I haven't experienced anymore cracking, HOWEVER, my screen constantly goes black, and I have to close the screen and open it back up to get a picture. A most annoying exercise, especially while sitting in class, taking notes. I haven't considered sending it back yet, as the warranty is up, and I'm not sure if I want to invest anymore money into it. I'm probably better off purchasing a Dell or HP.

Battery: Hasn't worked in over a year. I have to plug my laptop in to use it. Never complained about it to Gateway, and from the stories I've read here.....that's probably a good thing.

As for those that have mentioned legal action.....good luck. If Gateway is like every other Big Business Bully (See DELL and others), they have an arbitration clause inserted in every Terms of Sale Agreement they give to their customers. What does this mean? It means you as a consumer have about a .000001% (perhaps a slight exaggeration) chance of having your claim heard in a fair setting. They pick the entity that will arbitrate your claim = win for them.

Jim D'Angelo · 3 years ago

I was told by Gateway techinicial support that I needed to increase the ram in my computer from 256k to 1 gig to run itunes, and they would be happy to sell it to me. So I paid $195.00 for 1 gig of ram from Gateway. Apple helped me install my itunes, and said that 1 gig of ram would be nice but I did'nt need it now. So when the 1 gig of ram came in the mail came a few days later, I put the package near the computer unopened. a few months later i desided to call Gateway and have them help install the 1 gig. I followed their instructions and the computer did'nt work. Gateway told me that I would have to call the manafacture and have the chip replaced. When I called the Manufacture, they told me that they would gladly replace the chip but, it was the wrong chip for my computer. I called Gateway back and explained that they sent me the wrong part, and their explanation was SORRY but I had had the part more than 15 days and there was nothing that they could for me, and if I wanted to increase my ram from 256k to one Gig they would be happy to sell me the correct part.
I WILL NEVER BUY OR RECOMEND ANY THING FROM GATEWAY AGAIN. I am typing this blog on a HP computer.

R Luxton · 3 years ago

You got caught by Alorica! Essentially, there is NO Gateway anymore. They contract manufacturing to Chinese producers and call center an service activities to a compnay called Alorica. The Alorica service center is located in a warehouse in Nashville, TN. The domestic Alorica call center is located in Magna, Utah.

I have a desktop and have gone around with them four times. Finally, wrote to President of Gateway. I got calls from "eMachines corporate," or so they claimed. It truned out to be Alorica reps in Magna, Utah.

Strongly suggest you avoid eMachines and Gateway. They ar on the verge of bankruptcy anyway.

oliver · 3 years ago

I feel your pain. I purchased a faulty laptop from gateway and after 2 weeks of spending considerable time and effort with technical support, I wrote to corporate. I asked for a replacement but corporate's response was i would have to work with technical support. There was no assurance that my experience would be any different with support, just the curt response that is my only option.

R Luxton · 3 years ago

Well, gateway came through after letters to corporate, they replaced my desktop and the new on wroks perfectly. During the tech resourcing files had gotten confused so my records with Gateway were disjointed and they didn't know how many times my desktop had been back. Once they fond out, they called with a replacement offer.

All is well now.

R

smiley · 3 years ago

Ted Waitt founded gateway selling cocaine.in a lil town of northsiouxcity south dakota..in the tristate area siouxcity iowa,southsioux city nebraska... he has sunk so much money there that they dont care that this took place

it is no wonder that there computers suck the support every thing ....i mean look how it started

smiley · 3 years ago

Ted Waitt founded gateway selling cocaine.in a lil town of northsiouxcity south dakota..in the tristate area siouxcity iowa,southsioux city nebraska... he has sunk so much money there that they dont care that this took place

it is no wonder that there computers suck the support every thing ....i mean look how it started

robert108 · 3 years ago

I have no idea if the smear by smiley bears any resemblance to the truth, but the real lesson here is that bad management is generally the key to business failure, and it can happen to any company. Ultimately, no one has to buy from GateWay. It's not like govt mandated healthcare insurance, after all.

smiley · 3 years ago

computer purchased 1/12/06
keyboard dies 1/20/06
replacement sent
computer says theres no hard drive 2/16/06
they want 80 bucks to send replacement
8/1/06 keyboard/mouse die
recived mouse and system disks for a windows 95 computer ? in a few days
no keyboard.....i call they say there sending it ...its now 9/1/06 and no keyboard i call them sit on hold for 45 mins by then i a lil irate
they tell me it hasnt been sent yet ..i ask to speak with a higher up ...i get connected he a total asshole says that its on backorder and says that the person i taked to b4 said that to me .....no he just said it had not been sent yet then he says ...oh your computer was bought in 05
i was like no i bought it on 01/12/06
he was being an asshole just because he could
and now i have to fax my receipt....well now i am the asshole being from siouxcity and having known
of the coke sales ..to friends,friends of friends ect .....im not lying it is the truth !!!!!

smiley · 3 years ago

computer purchased 1/12/06
keyboard dies 1/20/06
replacement sent
computer says theres no hard drive 2/16/06
they want 80 bucks to send replacement
8/1/06 keyboard/mouse die
recived mouse and system disks for a windows 95 computer ? in a few days
no keyboard.....i call they say there sending it ...its now 9/1/06 and no keyboard i call them sit on hold for 45 mins by then i a lil irate
they tell me it hasnt been sent yet ..i ask to speak with a higher up ...i get connected he a total asshole says that its on backorder and says that the person i taked to b4 said that to me .....no he just said it had not been sent yet then he says ...oh your computer was bought in 05
i was like no i bought it on 01/12/06
he was being an asshole just because he could
and now i have to fax my receipt....well now i am the asshole being from siouxcity and having known
of the coke sales ..to friends,friends of friends ect .....im not lying it is the truth !!!!!

robert108 · 3 years ago

smiley: Even if the smear has some relationship to the truth, it has nothing to do with the bad management of the company.

betterthanu · 3 years ago

Gateway does not suck. You shouldnt get so mad just because u have to wait another two weeks for it to get fixed. You're reading a book by its cover. Bad idea. Don't get a Dell laptop either cause they are crappy and cheap. Gateway is better than u think.

mike gevas · 3 years ago

Never buy from gateway,
I never imagined that a company would have an outright policy of being dishonest. My experience below attempting to get a monitor repaired under warranty is nothing short of flabbergasting. The tech support people are outright liars and belligerent, they contradict themselves and say ludicrous things like there is absolutely nothing they can do to solve an obvious problem that could be solved by merely a phone call.

05/01/0610:41AM.Purchased Gateway LCD computer monitor model number FDP-2185W, serial number MPV 6250N 13185 from Best Buy in Santa Rosa CA. for $655.99.

05/12/0611:20AM.Purchased another Gateway LCD computer monitor model number FDP-2185W, serial number MPV 6250N 12956 from Best Buy in Santa Rosa CA. for $655.99. (Not really a part of this ordeal)

07/28/067:30PM.Monitor with serial number 13185 developed a vertical line through the middle of the screen.

08/01/0610:12AM.Called Gateway's tech support at 408-273-0808 about a vertical line in the monitor screen. After a few minutes of executing some trouble shooting instructions from the technician I was instructed that the monitor needed to be returned for repair or replacement. I was given two options
1.Pay a $90.00 fee and a new monitor would be shipped out quickly and I would return the defective monitor in the same box.
2.No fee and Gateway would send me and empty box with a return shipping label and a new monitor would be sent to me upon Gateway's receipt of my defective one.
Opted for the no fee option, was told that I should have the replacement monitor within 2 working days of Gateways receipt of the defective one.

08/02/065:00PM.Found empty box from Gateway on my front porch when I got home. Box contained instructions and a FedEx shipping label to return box to Gateway.

08/03/0610:58AM.Dropped defective monitor, off at the FedEx / Kinkos Store in Santa Rosa Ca.
The monitor's serial number was 13185,
It was packed in the box that Gateway provided.
It was shipped using the label provided by Gateway.
The Tracking Number was: 858193437624

08/07/0611:13AMMonitor was delivered by FedEx to:
Gateway Alorica CA
14430 Monte Vista Ave.
Chino, CA 91710 US
The monitor was signed for by: A.White JR............
(See attached documents)

08/09/065:54PM.A package addressed to:
ME

Was picked up by FexEx at Gateway's Shipping and Receiving,
Customer Service
Gateway Companies
14430 Monte Vista Ave.
Chino, CA 91710 US
The tracking number was: 738903722478

08/14/0610:51AM.A package addressed to:
ME...........

and delivered to:
Shipping and Receiving
14430 Monte Vista Ave.
Chino, CA 91710 US
This package was signed for by A.White JR.
The tracking number was: 738903722478

08/16/062:59PM.Called Gateway Tech. Support to find out what the status of the monitor was. Was told that I received it on 08/14/06. Informed the tech rep that I did not receive the monitor and was told that it was delivered and that an A.White JR. Signed for it. Was told that I needed to call FedEx and file a claim.
The tech rep was Marsha, employee number 69475.

3:58PM.Called FedEx and was told that a trace would be made and I would get a call back. Spoke to Marion
4:31PM.FedEx called back (Marion) from phone #901-344-0401 and confirmed that the package had been misdelivered and that it would be picked up delivered to the correct address. At this time both myself and FexEx was unaware that the package had been sent to the same address as the shipper.

08/21/061:28PM.Called FedEx to find the status of package. Was told that several attempts were made to pick package up but were un-successful. I was told that and extra effort would be made and that I would receive a phone call the next morning with the status. Both myself and the FedEx person was unaware that these attempts were being made at the original shippers location.

08/21/063:43PM.Due to an urgent need for the monitor, called Gateway Tech support in attempt to get one expedited. After some time with the supervisor Gateway agreed that the other monitor was lost somewhere (non of us new it was at Gateway all along). It was agreed that another monitor would be shipped out. Was instructed to call back on 08/23/06 in the AM and get a tracking number.08/22/0611:25AM.Received call from FexEx (Marion) and states that the package was found and it would be delivered to me in a day or two.

1:44PM.Received call from FexEx (Marion) and for the first time had revealed that the monitor was at Gateway, the shipper had used old labels, due to the error being the shipper's, future dealings would need to be with Gateway, FedEx was closing out the trace.
(This was ok because Gateway was supposed to have another one coming anyway and this eliminated the possibility that FedEx would deliver the original one at the same time Gateway was shipping another.)

08/23/0612:14PM.Called Gateway tech support (as instructed by the technician on 08/21/06) to get a tracking number for another replacement monitor. This Technician knew nothing about my call or conversation on 08/21/06. She said there were no notes or entries in my file. She started repeating to me basically the same things that were said on 08/16/06. Was told the monitor had been delivered and signed for by A.White JR. on 08/14/06.

This technician name was Robin employee #:71971

I asked to speak to her supervisor and was told that she could not do that because they were not taking calls I insisted and after a long wait, got Lee who introduced himself as a customer service specialist. This person would not listen to anything I said about the events to date, he cut me off to insist that there was nothing more Gateway was willing to do. He insisted that the package had been signed for and that was the end of it. It was a FexEx problem and that a claim needed to be made with FedEx. He insisted again that there was nothing more that Gateway would or was willing to do at that time to solve this problem. An attempt was made to point out that Gateway was FexEx's customer and as such had the responsibility to solve these problems with the delivery, he insisted that I was FedEx's customer and that FedEx would not deal with Gateway seeing that I was the customer. He was asked twice to confirm that there was absolutely nothing more that Gateway could do to help with this problem.

This Gateway employee's name: Lee his number was: 68414

It should be noted that Lee acted unreasonably at times, and was unnecessarily belligerent and contradicted himself.

08/23/061:23PMContacted FedEx explained the entire chain of events, confirmed that Gateway was FedEx's customer, and was transferred to a higher level of service rep. This service rep agreed to call Gateway's tech support and straighten all this out. A three way call was made between me, FedEx, and Gateway. During the course of a call that lasted in excess of 38minutes, the FedEx rep demonstrated that the same person signed both receipts for the packages. That the FedEx delivery address for the monitor was indeed back to the Gateway shipping and receiving. A fax was sent while we spoke to Gateway as documentation of where the package was. At length the Gateway technician and his supervisor agreed that the monitor was in Gateway's possession, that it was recalled because it was the wrong size or not the right part. After the FedEx rep was off the phone the Technician and another supervisor agreed to ship a new monitor to me within three to five days.
This Gateway employee's name: Max, his number was: 71801

08/29/062:55PMCalled Gateway tech support to find out where the monitor was that was agreed would be shipped within 3 to 5 days of 08/23/06. Found that the technician knew nothing of any of it and started to tell me that the monitor had been delivered to me on 08/14/06. She said there were no notes. No record of a call with Max. She was asked to contact Max, was put on hold for awhile, she came back and stated that Max had no record of the call and no recollection of the conversation of 08/23/06 with Mr. Gevas or the FexEx rep. She stated that there was absolutely nothing more that Gateway could do and that I would have to file a claim with FexEx.
Was so stunned at this news, did not get the employee info.


08/30/063:00PM.Spent four hours creating this document.

Heather · 3 years ago

wow... Gateway.. Oh the joys..
I only wish I had read this before purchasing mine...
I bought a notebook on 8/19/06 from Best Buy.
That night, I had to call tech support because the dvd drive would not read. They said that it was defective, that i'd have to be sent another or send it in. Ya, Right, not going to go that option with a system less than a day old.
Took it back to best buy - their geek squad got it to work somehow - not reading right -- still though.
Then, on 8/23, i notice that the ac adapter gets overheated when it's charging the battery and i'm using the computer. It's ok when i am just charging it or just using it, but not both.
I email tech support - i'm told to try it with another computer or with another adapter, (how am i to do this? *there is of course, no notes to this affect in their system*) I tell them that's not acceptable, i'm told that i'll be sent a replacment. That it should be anywhere from 2-3 or 5-7 business days. I ask if i can get it sooner, since it's a new system and a defective part - they say they don't control that. Don't offer me customer service or anything - just that it's not their thing. (After a week of back and forth)
I contact customer service on 8/31. Get a form response that they don't know but sorry for the delay. I then demand that it's escalated to a supervisor, and i'm told to be patient.
Some more back and forth, (Many, many form responses) and i'm still told they don't know how long, because it's a warehouse thing, but that they've sent an email, won't give me any response time.
I call, same response from the "manager".
So, tomorrow will be 2 weeks of waiting for the adapter, saturday will be 3 weeks of owning my machine ---
and 3 weeks of despising Gateway and their form responses.

I guess i'm lucky in a sense, because soon enough, i'll be working on computers and will be able to deal without their crappy customer service and tech support.

Cynthia · 3 years ago

Wow, I think I'm glad I found this site. I have a Solo 1200, it doesn't work any more. It has a problem with the connector, where you plug in the a/c adaptor (to charge or use). I was told by a local computer geek that it would cost $240 to "put a fix on it". He suggested that he would soder wires onto motherboard connection, leaving them extended to outside of computer case, and attach other connectors, enabling charging. Also said there are an awful lot of screws to remove, and it would take about 6 hours.
At least I didn't send it to Gateway to get fix! Has anyone else encountered this problem?

judy · 3 years ago

I bought a gateway computer it is 3 months old, not years, 3 months old, hardrive has already been replaced, repair man showed up no call, no call from gateway to set a time, he just showed up, he left, hardrive is bad again. Gateway sucks...can never get a call back...

Frank · 3 years ago

I bought a replacement Gateway laptop AC adapter about a month ago from www.laptopsforless.com and it works great. Is there any reason to think that a replacement Gateway AC adapter would be any less reliable than the manufacturers? Is there any risk of fire given all the fire issues that have emerged recently?

jdj · 3 years ago

I've used Gateway for 10 years now (four desktops, one server, four laptops). As with all electronics, we have had issues. All of these have been settled promptly and to my satisfaction; in one case a laptop with a screen problem was replaced at no additional cost with a model that was two years newer. I'm sure that the above stories are true, but the number of issues are likely no greater than Dell/HP/Sony, etc. I've come to belive that all the hardware is comparable, and I've only stcuk with Gateway because of the good experiences I have had with their service.

jdj

you hate me! · 3 years ago

Perhaps all of you "Gateway tech support haters" out there should get your facts straight before you start complaining. I, personally did tech support for Gateway and eMachines computers, in fact I still work for the same company I'm just a manager now, I don't actually answer the phone anymore. Gateway contract's 3rd party companies to do their tech support and repairs, so when you call tech support your not talking to Gateway and when you send your computer in its not going to Gateway. Also, you shouldn't be complaining about Gateway you should be complaining about the hardware manfactures they use to build their computers... Gateway doesn't make Gateway motherboards or harddrives etc. they buy them from companies like Sony, Intel, and nVidia and put them all together, so before you start writing your angry letters to Gateway maybe you should figure out who actually made the part you are having problems with ;). As for us tech's? Well we do the best we can but you have to understand we are required to follow Gateway's warranty. No we can't call Rick Snyder and ask him to replace your computer, sorry! Don't get me wrong, some of you really do deserve to have your computer replaced, but I think most of your problems are probably end user issues, if you know what I mean... Oh, your computer keeps crashing? Maybe you should stop going to all those porn sites. Or better yet, you find your system files have no idea what they are and start deleting them, also very good...

2Hotel9 · 3 years ago

Gateway is the company selling the product that all these people are having problems with, yhm, so Gateway is the company that had best fix the problems. For the record, I do not own a Gateway product. And I damn well never will.

Bob · 3 years ago

anyone know how to replace the cd/dvd drive in a gateway 7330gz notebook? Yhank you.

Jae · 3 years ago

I purchased a Gateway 7330GZ laptop from Best Buy November 2005. From the beginning, the charger got incredibly hot when in use.

I know from experience that AC adapters can get quite hot, so I thought nothing of it, especially since the problem subsided somewhat after a month or so: a "breaking in" period.

After a few months of normal-ish operation, something really weird happened: the power settings got totally screwed up and even when not plugged into the wall, the laptop registered as being on AC power, limiting my battery life to about 1 hour.

A few weeks later, the screen started flickering badly. The screws also appeared to be quite loose; the screen jiggled quite a bit.

I sent it in to Best Buy, who said they'd have to send it out to Gateway for servicing. God I wished I'd read this blog first. It took almost a month for them to fix my monitor and replace the defective battery. A freaking month! It couldn't have been more than a one hour job. Since I bought Best Buy's warranty, they covered the cost, but I had to go laptop-less for a month.

A few weeks after that fiasco, the hard drive "burned out," as Best Buy described. Guess how long it took the Geek Squad to fix my laptop? Less than a day. Dropped it off in the evening, picked it up in the morning.

I will NEVER use Gateway tech support anymore if I can avoid it.

I'm typing this right now on my partially-functioning 7330GZ, which once again suffers from flickering screen, overheating and some stupid corruption of Windows that prevents me from lopading my user preferences.

Bob · 3 years ago

Yeah. I took my 7330gz up to best buy and they said it would have to be sent out for a "couple" of weeks. So I found a replacement cd/dvd drive on the internet and then emailed gateway support how to replace it. To my surprise, they sent me instructions. Took a couple of days to get the new drive and it works great now. I guess it just depends on who you talk to in the support department.

Peter Stavrianoudakis · 2 years ago

Gateway GT5012... Desktop overheating badly..
Purchased at Best Buy and shipped once to BB's repair facilty.. no action taken but it worked when I got it back.... for awhile.
Now the Northbridge heat sinc is so hot it will burn your fingers. constantly reboots itself. very frustrating for a WOW player other people count on me in raids. TECH Support said they have a problem with this model told me to open the side panel and set a house fan there... to gheto for me. Suppervisor said Tech was mistaken this must be an isolated insident... yea right. anyway Gateway shipped a box to me promptly and Im computerless but for the office. I added an upgraded powersupply and nvidia ge video card now it overheats but takes longer to do so.. back to stock for the factory rep... any others similar problems

William Rice · 2 years ago

I am a tech and recently had to purchase a computer because I did not have time to shop and assemble my own which I usually do. I purchased a Gateway and in two months the hard drive crashed. Before that I was getting constant freezes and errors which I tried in vain to trouble shoot. When the hard drive crashed I realized that was the problem but intermittent problems are hard to solve if you are limited to time. I returned the hard drive and received a replacement which I had to reinstall everything myself. I lost many important files because my backup was in need of replacement too. They took the money out of my checking account in lieu of me returning the defective hard drive. They kept my money and the returned hard drive and I have been fighting them for over four months for a return on my money or my hard drive back since it is my property even though it is of no use to me. As far as I am concerned Gateway is a scam job that uses cheap parts and their customer service just gives you the run around. One of them was even rude to me. BUYERS BEWARE. If you expect anyything other than crap and bad service don't purchase a gateway. PS. I was a tech support at my company that had an entire office and lab full of gateways and they were nothing but headaches until they switched to Dell as their supplier.

SAM · 2 years ago

I've been reading this today as I was looking at Gateway, but not anymore. What computer company should someone go with instead? I don't know how to build one, and I've also heard horror stories of local ripoffs-or they use the cheapest unknown brands (with very short warranty like 90 or 180 days). And Dell has a "Dell Suxs" type web site also. Short of Apple, any other PC/Windows advice?

likwidshoe · 2 years ago

What computer company should someone go with instead?

SAM, I'd go with Dell. Their computers aren't bad at all. They've got their problems as any big company will, but their computers are generally well built.

Move_Zig · 2 years ago

Dell? ([i]Dude, we're gettin a Dell![/i])

Maybe so if it's a notebook and you have no intentions on upgrading your machine. If, on the other hand, you are going to get a mini-tower, desktop, what-have-you, you should know that if you buy hardware from Dell, they do not want you to upgrade or modify that machine in any way.

Unless something has dramatically changed in recent days, Dell's hardware (mostly motherboards and power supplies, aka PSU's) is proprietary. Even how the Mobo is mounted within the case is infuriating. Instead of the normal six-odd bolts securing the mainboard in the case, the garsh-darned thing was affixed permanently to the case and the case had to be broken to extract the board!

Don't try to mix and match Dell PSUs and Boards with other ATX form factor machines, because the pinouts on the power supply connector are proprietary and may cause your new Franken-system to die a quick electronic death.

Not sure how Compaq service is (weren't they purchased by HP?) but I have been very impressed by their boards and their graphics have been very clean and sharp.

Their boards, at least the ones I've worked with, are not proprietary. In fact, I've been working with an older Compaqs motherboard, made in Japan by Mitac, and have been very impressed.

Have you ever thought of putting together your own system? I would recommend the following for boards:

FIC, Giga-byte, Mitac, and to a lesser extent MSI, simply because I have had limited experience with MSI's.

GOOD experiences with the following drives:

Seagate, MaxTor and Conner (I believe Connor and Seagate have been bought out) In either event, MaxTor and Seagate are now one.

BAD experiences with:

PC-Chips (bad drivers, zero support), EPox (Overheating-R-Us), ASUS (lots of dead boards!)

IBM and Western Digital drives.


Good luck.

P.S. A free computer??? Damn, your buddy Seth is a friend indeed!


Seth, can I be your friend? ;)

William RIce · 2 years ago

As likwidshoe mentioned go with Dell. If you are not knowledgeable enough to shop for the right parts or put one together they are about the best. Most computers are only as reliable as the parts you put in them and how they are constructed. When building one I use only parts from manufacturers that have no qualms about replacing defective parts. For instances I always used ASUS mother boards to build other peoples computers and they were johnny on the spot to take back a bad one. I even had them replace it after the warrantee period because they ran diagnostics on it and found the problems was a bad design they had problems with. Now that is honoring your product. I wanted to go with Dell but I needed a computer like yesterday since I use it for web site design and other important things. Screw Gateway and all the scam artist that sell junk. They should be run out of business by web sites like this that let people warn other people. If their customer service and promises of sending you replacement parts was met you could understand an occasional bad part but they suck in all departments.

Proof · 2 years ago

For a laptop, I've used nothing but Dell for the last five-six years...very little downtime.

For a desktop, I've found that e machines (I got mine at Best Buy) have a lot of bang for the buck.

Up until the last beast I built, I've used nothing but e machines desktops...highly reliable and fairly upgradable.

Move_Zig · 2 years ago

Oh yes, on the issue of warranty service for motherboards, forget SOYO, that P.O.S. (hok-ptui!)

Dell? Quality components??

Dude -- they use Western Digital drives, and they die almost as quickly as IBMs.

Whatever.

2Hotel9 · 2 years ago

Hewlett Packard/Compaq. Our desktop is HP Pavilion, my laptop is a Compaq Presario. Never had a problem that was not operator based, not one in 5 years.

Noah Logan · 2 years ago

I purchased a gateway a couple of months ago. After I did the updates, I no longer had sound. Then I was told that i need to do the firmware updates, turn off computer, unplug computer for 3 minutes, replug the computer back in and start computer while holding the power-button pushed in for 30 seconds then let go. Well I got sound, but whenever I put the system to sleep or shut-down, i had to repeat the process over and over. Called techsuppost, and was shocked to hear this message. "Thank you for contacting Gateway Tech Support. The time to speak with a tech will be 4 minutes or longer." What the F@#&! Four minutes or longer. What happend to the four minutes or less messages. Needless to say, I was on hold for almost a full hour only to get a hold of some technician that didn't speak English well. What a pity that this is what has happened to our American companies that hire over-seas to cut cost, and at what expense. I took the computer back to Bestbuy and got another Gateway in hopes that i had one bad apple from the bunch. didn't work that way. The next Gateway had the same problem, and I took it back to Bestbuy and said "to hell with Gateway!"

We all should be putting bumper stickers on the backs of our cars
"Don't buy Gateway Computers"
they SUCK!

Also, get an Apple computer. You get better service, and you can install Windows on a Mac and use both platforms.

Only if Apple would make Mac OS X for the Wintel Boxes, only then will things gett better for companies.

But stay the F@#& away from Gateway, Emachine, and HP isn't all that better either. IBM (now Lenovo) seems to be going down the tubes as well. The only company that seems to have a handle on good tech support, good products is Apple Inc.

So buy an Apple like I did and install Windows on it and you will be a lot happier.

Noah

Jack Mackle · 2 years ago

I am sorry to hear all the bad news here. I have a Dell Inspiron 5100 Laptop, A Gateway 5220 Destop and another desktop that I built (yes I built it myself) AMD XP 1800 desktop. I had the AMD machine for about 4 years, with little trouble that I couldn't just over come. For the Laptop, (4 years and counting) it still works great. Just that it needs an upgrade in memroy, with should not be too hard to buy. Besides, it survied the beating temps and sand from Iraq. As for the Gateway 5220, it works great without trouble. I just bought it from best buy back in October of 2006. Things to do that is a must. If your system (store bought or prebuilts) comes with a restore disc or partition. Just make backups of your important date. (I.E. everything in your (my docupments folder). Email accounts, messages and settings. And any other data that you use, or save too. On gateways that don't have restore disc, make sure you create them by click on start / all programs / system recovery / create my drivers and applications cds. (if your system has a dvd burner you can use one dvd instead of three cds.)

I don't know on E-machine or HP on if they have a program which helps creating the restore disc for apps and drivers. But if it has a restore disc I could only suggest copying it.

If your not techinically incline to computers, I suggest getting books or checking the web more about them.

How to install your own HDD, DVD +/- RW drive, sound card.

How to built your own external HDD kit.

To istalling ram, finding type of ram you have.
On prebuilts, just go to your manufacture website and look for something close to "memory locator"

To installing video cards, which one you should buy, which one is compatible and which one you should buy.

Learn all the differences between DDR, DDR2, DDR3, SATA, PATA, EIDE, IDE, PCI, PCI-E, PCI Express, ISA, 10-T, 10/100-T and so forth.

I have been learning computers since I was about 5 or 6 years old. (Dad being a big computer tech)
So I gain most of my knowledge fast and quick from him. The other is user learned expierence and from books. I am still learning. Right now I haven't used Linux or Red Hat, but that is in the works.

Again, sorry to hear about all the misfortunes that you all had and hope that everything will turn out for the better.

Dont buy Gateway from Best Buy · 2 years ago

Thanks for your blog please visit and link to mine!

http://dontbuygateway.blogspot.com/

Jon · 2 years ago

I bought my lap top around the end of Feb.that makes my system only a little over 3.5 weeks ago and had battery problems right away.The batteries at full charge will only last maybe 2 hours if your lucky you can charge shutdown system and pick it up to use only to find out they are dead I have complained about this from day one do you think any of the people from gateway offered a replacement of course not.So on to the free vista upgrade that we are to receive you must go through a third party to receive I think this is a scam becouse it does not matter how much info. you give third party like order# product# model#etc. it never seems to be enough info.to receive and probley will never receive upgrade I never bought anything from third party is this not breach of contract or is it that once you pay for it up front your left with a big expensive peice of crap.This morning 3-13 07 when I tried to start system it would not let me conect to nothing message said windows did not recanize my system and booted back to adminastrater page back and fourth we went over an hour tech.#1 had never heard of this problem then we got disconnted tech#2 had never heard of this problem as well but finally someone started battery recalibration if you have never done this you really must try it it"s so much fun sitting in front of a 1100.00 roll of toilet paper all frickin day long O"joy only to be told I have bad batteries go figure do you think Gateway could make things any harder for their customers how do they stay in bissness with such dirty rotten scroundles that they call customerservice they want to yell and tell you your an ass but let them rotten S.O.B.s get shafted like this and see how they act.I have problems with blinking,startups,batteries,on upgrade,.DAMN THIS IS THE BIGGIST CROCK OF SHIT HOW DO COMPANYS GET AWAY WITH THIS STUFF WHERES THE FRICKIN LAW WHY DO THEY NOT DO ANYTHING THIS IS FRAUD AND BREACH OF CONTRACT THEY OFFER YOU BUY AND DON"T RESEVE IS THAT NOT AGENST THE LAW LIKE FAULSE ADVERTISEMENT.DO NOT BUY A GATEWAY SYSTEM OR YOU ARE PISSING YOUR MONEY AWAY HELL THEY COULD CARE LESS

Kyle W · 2 years ago

im typing this from my gateway laptop, dont ever get one of these! here is what the intro page says on the inst. bklt.

"you made an excellent decision choosing gateway, we a sure you will be pleased w/ its amazing performance"

i have had this laptop for over a year and i always have problems with it

video has been skipping and number of other problems so i set it back to factory shipped state guess what video and music skips (if anything worse) so it wasnt windows it was just this shitty laptop DONT EVER GET A GATEWAY NOTEBOOK THEY ARE COMPLETE CRAP!

Charlie D. · 2 years ago

Well, I got a bunch of complaints about my 2 year old Gateway 7330GZ notebook.

Well, back in 1998, we bought a really nice Gateway Essential desktop tower. It ran great, and still runs just as good today as it did back in '98. IT still has all of the original parts. P2 processor, 192MB ram, and good graphics and sound cards with XP Pro on it. Starts up and turns off very fast.

Fast forward to July of 2005.
My dad and I went to Best Buy to buy a new laptop PC for me because I needed mobility.
The BestBuy rep told us the best and cheapest PC to get was this one, the Gateway 7330GZ. I kept that one in mind while testing the other laptops around. I decided for the Gateway 7330GZ.

Well, got home and got it all set up, and it has run great until about a year later.

First, I noticed the screen hinges were cracked. Thinking that it was just maybe normal, I let it go.
A few weeks later, I opened my laptop and then SNAP! the screen hinge broke. I was very mad and called up Gateway to see if they could fix it.
Their response was: "It is a normal defect and will fix itself." Yeah right! one week later after the first hinge broke, SNAP! There went the other hinge. The screen was just flopping around. I called Gateway again and asked to to speak with a Tech Support Pro. Then he told me: "We will not fix your PC because your warranty had expired." He was just as well to say DEAL WITH IT! I was furious then. Later the CD/DVDRW drive broke and froze my PC every time I put in a CD/DVD! Then it would not open up anymore. Then the mouse broke!!! I got extremely frustrated them. So I went on eBay on my other desktop PC and bought a good condition parts PC. I replaced the screen assembly and the mouse. Well, that lasted only a week. The screen hinges had broken again.

Well, heres the part that really made me mad:
My laptop has just started getting very hot. I am very scared that it may catch on fire. I have opened the PC once to clean out the fan. LOTS OF DUST!!!!
Well, here we are, overheating again. I am not opening it back up to fix it again because it was a pain in the butt to take it apart and re-assemble it.
Called Gateway Support again. They said, again, they wouldn't do anything to it because it was out of warranty. As soon as he said that, I got furious and just hung up on him.

Now, as we speak, here's the problems:
-Broken LCD assembly (not LCD itself)
-CD/DVDRW drive completely broken
-Laptop gets very hot and sometimes dies of heat.
-Power button light shot.
-Power button is pointing the wrong direction.

Of all things, this is the worst experience I've ever had with ANY PC.
I will NEVER touch another gateway and it will be a cold day in hay before I EVER recommend a Gateway to anyone ever again.

I am planning on a new computer so I am thinking about going to Apple to buy a new MacBook.

If I get a PC, it will be either a Dell or Toshiba.

All I can say is Gateway SUCKS!!!

Good luck to anyone with a Gateway now.

Charlie

2Hotel9 · 2 years ago

Don't know how you feel about HP and Compaq. I have been running a Compaq Presario R3000. Only problem I have had is dropping an 8lb bronze statue on it and busting the screen. Basically it is far above my user ability, perhaps that is why it has been so dependable. Running Win XP with photo dock and printer/scanner/copier. Only issues I have had are due to my tech-illiteracy. Equipment wise the setup is golden.

Hope you have better luck with your new LT.

Anna · 2 years ago

Whoa.. this post is only 1 1/2 years old! Oh well, worth a comment anyway. I have 3 Toshiba laptops and never a problem and my desktop is self build by moi. Building your own is the ONLY way to go. You know exactly what is in it and if there is a problem you know how to deal with it. Plus, if you do happen to purchase a poor performing component you simply replace it and learn never to buy that crappy type of part again. The most important aspect is to be well informed on your Motherboard.

Anna · 2 years ago

OMG.. lol, I didn't read up far enough this puppy is over two years old :O
jeez ... thanks a lot 2Hotel9 (j/k)

jerry · 2 years ago

haha wow. they sent my laptop to be broken from the get go, the battery wouldn't charge, so after 2 weeks wrestling with tech support i sent it in, they spent about a week fixing the thing sent it back and it had alot of cosmetic damage, i told them they sent out a box shipped it back again, and all they did was bang out the dents they made. and left more scratches on the case and this is hilarious (in a bad way) because the dent had paint chipped off, and a huge gap between the bottom of the case and the palm rest so i figured they would put a new bottom on and perhaps fix the gap, but no, they simple hammered in their wack they made and didn't even bother trying to cover up the chipped paint pieces with any type of black paint or anything. so I will end up calling them tomorrow, let them know, if I don't get my laptop in new cosmetic condition I will be returning the computer for a full refund as this will be the 4th time i've sent it back in 2 months and i have yet to use this laptop for more than a week. In an event that I do end up returning the laptop I'll probably go toshiba or apple. Simply put, gateway hires people without brains.

bob · 2 years ago

i just had the same issue... i sent my laptop in thursday... and got it back the next tuesday......... and they dsidnt fix a damn thing either... and the monkeys at the chat client just saud send it in again moron

bob · 2 years ago

they stols my coa real my story to find out http://www.freewebs.com/gateway-stole-from-me/

WETBACK · 2 years ago

It's not the computer it's the person :)

John Marshall · 2 years ago

Does anybody know where I can get replacement parts for Gateway 7330GZ?

Anna · 2 years ago

[url=http://www.excelcomputerinc.com]replacement parts for Gateway 7330GZ[/url]

Proof · 2 years ago

[quote]replacement parts for Gateway 7330GZ[/quote]Ah, Anna, you disappoint me! Here I clicked on the link, thinking I would see photos of [b]clockwork springs[/b] or [b]donkey carts[/b], and all I see is: [i]replacement parts for laptops![/i]
(What does one have to [b]do[/b] to get a cheap laugh at this site?):)

Anna · 2 years ago

LOL, Proof...hey it was 2am and I wasn't thinking clearly. You're right ... what a lead I neglected to notice.
;-)

John Marshall · 2 years ago

Alright we all know Gateway SUCKS!, but can I replace the motherboard with something else than a gateway motherboard? How about after market DVD/CD-RW's with a better speed? Is it proprietary? Where can I an "after market" motherboard that might be better?
How about the screen can I get an after market screen?
John

I_hate_gateway · 2 years ago

I'm facing similar disgust for Gateway right now...
I sent my computer and I got it back in about 3 days. I was incredibly impressed. Impressed until I turned the laptop on and the touch pad still didn't work! I sent the computer back in, and called complaining. A week after they received it I called (long distance call, of course) asking for an update. "Um, your computer is with the service department, and we don't have an update. Call back in a week."
Fast forward a week. They still don't know what the hold up is. But now I get a new phone number to call. I call the new phone number and they say a part has been ordered. No idea when it will come in. They say the mysterious "warehouse" knows, but they and I are not allowed to call them. They must email the warehouse, and I must call back in 2 days.
2 days later - Yup, the part isn't expected to come in for 2 more weeks. Was Gateway going to tell me that my laptop would be gone for a month? I asked for my computer back until a new part came back in. They can't do that.... they'll have to check with the warehouse, over email. Call back in 2 days to see if they shipped the computer.
2 days later - We think the computer shipped, but the warehouse didn't give us any confirmation note. Should be there tomorrow.
4 days later - No computer. Call them up again, Let me talk to your manager. "Um, sir... we're all empowered at Gateway and I can speak for any manager." I demand to speak to a manager. "Um, sir.... I am a Manager." Oh really? Now you are a manager?!?!? BS. Where is my computer?

So here I am, a month later. Still waiting for my broken laptop to be sent back to me, so I can use it while waiting for the part. I HATE Gateway. Never again....

SPARKIE ARBUCKLE · 2 years ago

do not buy a dell, dude. buy an asus. they are where its at. high performance comps, low prices. i own one, with twin AMD processors.
apples are great IFF (if and only if) you like being electrocuted by your keyboard, watching your computer burst into flames, spending too much, ugly white aesthetics, and never being able to use cracked software.

Dont matter · 1 year ago

Hmmm... First off I work for a computer company and dont want to mention who but if people would learn to read there warranties like I did so long ago... they wouldn't get into this bind where they believe people suck... True warranties are written to cover the asses of any company... true some things in warranties are not easy to understand... They have this thing called questions it helps really... The warranties state what is covered under warranty... what all ur policies are and how to handle any dispute. Anyway Just my opinion... Any electronic you buy... read the warranty first.

2Hotel9 · 1 year ago

You can shill for your employer all you want, it does not change the fact that Gateway sucks, their products suck, their service sucks, and their employees suck. It must suck to work for a company that sucks.

BBB Rocks · 1 year ago

If you have a legit complaint with Gateway, that's reasonable and not warrantee related (if not don't bother you'll just ruin it for people with real gripes), use this link:

http://www.labbb.org

It worked; I dealt with someone reasonable from Gateway (or a contracted facsimile) after dealing with complete and utter buffoonery for more hours on end that I won't even begin to explain...

Good Luck.

radster · 1 year ago

damm I GOT A ML6721 LAPTOP DEC 05--07 PURCHASED , DIED ON DEC -18 -07 ..
NO OS WAS FOUND THATS WHAT IT SAID , CALLED CUSTOMER SVC , WENT THRU ALL THE STEPS , AND SAID THAT MY LAPTOP HAS TO GO TO THE ' hospital " YEAH SHE SAID THAT AFTER 45 MINS PLUS ON PHONE .. ALSO THE LCD DISPLAY DONT WORK , IT TURNED BLUISH PURPLE AND VERY DULL , ADJUSTING DIDNT WORK .
SO THEYLL SEND THE BOX TO ME AND HAVE IT FIXED ..
SHOULD OF BOUGHT A MAC .. WHAT A WASTE OF TIME , WHICH IS MONEY TO MANY FOLKS YOU KNOW ..
SHO

Silence · 1 year ago

I worked for the call center that handles Gateway and Emachines. Believe me they are horrible. I no longer work there and actually work for Dell. Everything you all are saying is true. You only get two weeks of training there and none of it is spent teaching you how to repair computers. You are not required to have any computer experience to get a job there and they hire anyone who applies, litteraly. They talk very poorly about the customers and in training they tell you to be ready because the customers are so dumb and they always break their computers because they are incompetent. If you were to work there for a week and see what goes on behind closed doors you would be mind blown. They only care about getting you off the call by thirteen minutes because that is all they get paid for. They tell you that the customers aren't spending that much money and they always expect the world. They tell you to only support calls that are in the scope of support and then they more or less teach you how to turn anything into something that they don't support. Half of you talked about sending in your computer and having issues. That is because the agents didn't set up your order correctly. Most of them cannot even spell. That may sound extreme but you should see the notes they put in your file. They spell customer like this costomar, really it is that bad and you can't tell what was done on the previous call. The only thing that the repair facility goes off of is what the agent puts in the notes is wrong and to fix and mind you that the person putting in the notes hasn't graduated high school and most likely doesn't own a computer themselves and has had no training on how to repair a computer, they just search web sites and try to figure out what to read to you. I have worked for many call centers but believe me that one is the joke of the town. Everyone knows the name of the call center and laughs when you even bring it up. Anyone who has any interest in computers around here has worked there at some point and it is always the same, they worked there for three weeks and quit because it was so bad. Believe me the people who work there spend all of their time talking about the idiot customers they have spoken with that day and what they did to make them mad or how they screwed the customer over by purposly sending out wrong parts or setting up the repair wrong so it wont be fixed and in three weeks when you get it back it will still be broken and then you will have to send it in again. Its a bad place to work and a really bad company to purchase a computer from. No one there will buy a Gateway or Emachines computer at all. They all buy Dell or Hp because the warranty is good and the service is through the roof. Those companies will do anything to keep your bussiness within reason. Emachines says their computers are so cheap that the same low life people that buy them will buy them again because they can't afford another brand, so even if they get really mad and scream and yell, studies show that they still buy Emachines again later on.

irrelevant · 1 year ago

i work for gateway as of now and ok i must say ALOT of out reps suck and its because the company (which im leaving nameless) we work for hires these dipsh*ts who do under the desk work to get where they are to bundle the training in to 2 weeks which most of us dont get 2 full weeks before being thrown on the floor to take calls and dont know what the hell we are doing... Now after being there a while im in a much higher position that we dont need to name and we first hand see things from both sides of the story and to be brutally honest YOU NEED TO READ YOUR WARRANTY... Yes i agree alot of our customers get screwed and its extremely unnecessary but at the same time you all have the ability to go to gateway.com and read your standard terms of sale it is all there. Now im not trying to back gateway up because i for one will never own a gateway and am quitting soon but all it takes is common knowledge to read a warranty before you purchase anything and if you dont thats your bad. Now we can all sit here and scream gateway sucks and i hate gateway and i more then anthing agree with you or we can all grow up and take responsibility for the fact you werent responsible enough to research something before you put out your hard earned money and wasted it.

akeem · 1 year ago

dear,sir/madam
am form ghana and have a big stor but no goods so i want same one who will to do business with me

Jennifer · 1 year ago

Do NOT buy a Gateway! You know why they're so cheap? Because Gateway cant' GIVE their computers away. Gateway shipped no restore discs with my laptop because, according them them, the "factory restore" option (F8) was more convenient. Yeah, right! My factory restore froze halfway through. Guess what I need? The restore discs. Guess who wants to charge me $20 despite still being under warranty? GATEWAY!

kaycee · 1 year ago

I just received my Gateway back after the 3rd repair - it STILL DOES NOT WORK & I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN FROM HERE!

I had it repaired in May from a liquid spill...paid them more than what I paid for the laptop...it came back & everything worked but the USB ports recognized nothing...it's been back 3 times & each time they send it back saying nothing is wrong! I even gave them a screen shot of what happens when I plug something in - nada! Can anyone help???

Nick · 1 year ago

We bought a Gateway laptop for my mother in law for Christmas in 2006. A year and a half later (Summer 2008) the motherboard has failed and the computer will not power up. The cost for a local tech to repair it is $400 at least. Since we didnt get the extended warranty Gateway essentially told us "too bad". Now we have an $800 paperweight. NEVER BUY GATEWAY!

By the way we went to Best Buy so the mom in law could ask some questions, I've never heard so much BS spewed about computers. It was worse than a car salesmen. I didnt tell the guy i was a software engineer and knew about 1,000,000X more about computers than he did, I just let him make a fool of himself.

Anthony · 1 year ago

Gateway is the worst company on earth...ever! I purchased my gateway notebook from bestbuy about 3 months ago, and the motherboard has already failed. So i called tech support and explain my problem. At first, they told me that my warranty has been expired...i was shock because aren't the warranty suppose to be one year from purchase date? Then i told them exactly when i bought my notebook, guess what? they said "oh okay, so then your warranty is still effective." Do they happen to say that to every customer who called? Sort of like a way to get rid of you ASAP so they don't have to deal with you? well i'm glad i remember when i made my purchase otherwise, i would have to "pay" like $150 just to speak with them. That is total BS. Finally after 40 minutes of conversation and useless suggestion from the support rep, they decided that they couldn't help me over the phone so i have to sent it in for service. As i asked to speak with their supervisor, guess what? They hang up the phone. Is that what you call CUSTOMER SERVICE? By hanging up the phone on you??? Well I just got my shipping box from them this morning, and decided to give them a shot, hopefully they can fix it like they said...within two weeks, even though i don't really have too much hopes. After i visit this site, i realize that i made a huge mistake by buying gateway, and whether not they fix my notebook, i've learned my lesson and never ever deal with anything with the label "gateway" on it ever again. Gateway shall go Bankrupt ASAP, for the good of innocent consumers out there!!!!!!

Harrison · 1 year ago

Gateway shall burn in hell with all of their shitty products!!!!!!

Tracy · 1 year ago

I own a Gateway...and I swear this is the worst computer, I have ever had! It started having problems from day one. I have sent this thing into Gateway 5 times in the past year! I had to get an extended warrenty...because of fear of the thing crashing yet again......well of course it happened for the 6th time..I call customer service...put on hold for over an hour and then poof disconnected....go figure......I will NEVER be stupid enough to buy another Gateway......I've had my Dell for six yrs and it still works just fine...not a single problem....soooooooooooooo...my money goes to Dell.....

Donna Wells · 1 year ago

GATEWAY SUCKS!! I only wish I had known this before making my purchase. My machine was sent back and forth 6 times. Of course, the first time the hard drive crashed was right at the 1 year mark. I relied on my old Compaq for the EIGHT months it took for them to send a 'working' one which is now crashing again. I've spoken with folks at corporate. They want you to believe they are going to relsolve your problems but, don't believe them. When you click 'Agree' in their contract, there is a loophole for them -even if PC is under warranty- how they replace your piece-of-shit machine is at their discretion which is why they just keep sending out Refurbished computers. My problems were way too many to get into now but, I tell everyone that GATEWAY SUCKS and to NEVER BUY ONE!

john mcmillan · 1 year ago

screwed by gateway sold their business comp to a marginal company and deny any resposibilty for poor workmanship by their company only diff in business comp and home comp is how person listed it now if you have business gateway the company(mpccorp) is in serious financial trouble and has laid off 40% or better of their work force so if comp in shop will probablystay there

John Boileau · 1 year ago

This has to be by far the worse laptop i have ever purchased. Only two years old and the keyoard is gone, the reader won't hardly read burned DVDs, there is a major burn mark rubbed off area from where I place my right wrist and what was Gateway's response to this was "the warranty doesn't cover physical problems."

This company should be sued for this kind of crap. We're out of hard working money and this company doesn't care.

There is a reason why they have their boxes marked like cow patches; Gateway is cow fodder.

Scott · 10 months ago

I contacted gateway warranty service 3 days before warranty ran out and they said yes, we will replace your laptop keyboard and one day after warranty ran out they contacted me and said they could not give me a return authorization because the warranty ran out......They SUCK bigtime!

M. Alvarado · 9 months ago

Fast-forward to 2009.
Gateway has become one of the most unpopular brands and their stock has plunged even while other companies like Apple gain ground in an unsteady market. I don't feel bad for their sorry asses, they can go to hell as far as I'm concerned.
Reselling their business line to a gimp like MPC was their demise, a very costly mistake and a terrible business idea.
Goodbye, Gateway, shame on you!

Regcure Registry Tool · 7 months ago

i've got the same problem, and i found the solution here on repair blue screen, just for reference.

Vince · 6 months ago

Well Gateway does suck but it's not the machines fault it's the dumbass overseas "help" they've hired to "answer" customer's questions. I have need of tinkering with a system that I own that happens to be a Gateway computer and those dumbasses won't send me the BIOS source. They say it's against policy....to send my the source code for the BIOS.....for a computer I own....sigh. I think that the real reason is that the raisin head that was "helping " me doesn't know a BIOS from the cow that he thinks is his long dead aunt. I also think that if he took his finger out of his nose long enough to ponder the brain damage he's most likely doing, he might not pick his meals anymore. I'm kinda pissed....ya think????

subrina · 5 months ago

[b]Never buy a gateway computer[/b] cause it's low performance and if you work with graphics or other heavy applications it will burn your memory slot. Plus their customer services support is very generic. They never read your email/problems they just say do this and do that. No help at all.

+Also, gateway refurbished computers are done by many different company. When the new company refurbishes the computer they remove the gateway serial number and they put some type of number on the computer. If you have problems with the computer you are out of luck. Gateway requires serial number when you ask for any type of help or support that's if they offer for free in most cases they don't. I always bought gateways but from now on I make sure I don't buy anything in gateway any more.

computer geeks · 5 months ago

GATEWAY COMPUTERS, SUPPORT AND PERFORMANCE = 0 Never buy a gateway computer cause it's low performance and if you work with graphics or other heavy applications it will burn your memory slot. Plus their customer services support is very generic. They never read your email/problems they just say do this and do that. No help at all.

+Also, gateway refurbished computers are done by many different company. When the new company refurbishes the computer they remove the gateway serial number and they put some type of number on the computer. If you have problems with the computer you are out of luck. Gateway requires serial number when you ask for any type of help or support that's if they offer for free in most cases they don't. I always bought gateways but from now on I make sure I don't buy