I am considering returning my 5th Averatec 3500….
I am so jealous of everyone that can whip a computer out of the box and all goes well. I love this computer, its features and what it will be able to do for me, and, I look forward to having a good one.

Computer #1…
I purchased my first one a week ago today, Saturday. Costco. Unpacked and it worked well until Sunday when the pen would not communicate with the screen. If I held the button in, it would pick up the pointer, but even then, not reliably. Called Averatec, instructed to put in recovery discs. Did so three times to no avail. Looks like I had a dud something. When I discovered this tablet, I was so excited that I had convinced another friend to purchase. Her tablet, but with a few hitches on boot up or down, works just fine. Interestingly enough, her pen worked just fine on my computer as well. I then called Averatec and pleaded with them to just send me a new pen as that was all that seemed to be the problem. They replied that that could not be done. They have no pens. They apparently have an agreement with a provider that they would not go into the supply/accessory side. Send back whole machine to Averatec or take it back to Costco. Took it back to Costco on Monday morning and was graciously supplied with another.

Computer #2…
Unpacked - computer hung up on start. Could never get computer to boot-up so I could not run the recovery discs as instructed by support. Took it back to Costco on Monday afternoon and was graciously supplied with another.

Computer #3…
Unpacked - pen worked, seemed ok. My tech got it all configured – except it would not see the internet. He took it home to work on it and call tech support - the next morning he reported support called it a DOA something and it had to go back. Tuesday morning I took it back to a second Costco near a business meeting (first one was out) and was graciously supplied with another.

Computer #4…
Unpacked - the grassy knoll background was on the screen and three different icons on the desktop – reboot3 – “Suspend” with a lightening bolt icon – cannot recall the third. It never had me go through the initial steps to initiate Windows etc. Tried to run recovery numerous times – three screens would flip but recovery never would begin. Averatec support was a bit incredulous but pronounced I had bad recovery discs. Wednesday evening I took this one back to a third Costco (2nd closest to my home) and was graciously supplied with another.

Computer #5…
They let me go back into the store to unpack and set it up to make sure it passed the initial inspection. It did and I was so happy. I was also happy when my tech guy got it to communicate with the internet. All was well.

It is now Saturday Eve, one week later. My tech guy installed 2 programs for my business yesterday and today I installed the “Web-Cam”. Funny thing, there are now 2 vertical rainbow bands on the screen. The first one, about half way across the screen, is lighter than the band three-quarters of the way across the screen. On a black screen, you can see them both and after windows is up, you can only see the darkest one. I have rebooted several times, no change. Also, now that I have “work” on the computer, I am not going to want to run “recovery”. I am about to call “support”.

Support had me uninstall a video? driver in hopes that a reinstall from drivers on disc 3 of the recovery disks would get rid of the problem. Tried it twice and both times the driver re-installed itself, which surprised him, but the lines were still there. “Looks like a bad monitor”. Option to send back to Averatec or return to Costco, or, I guess I could choose to live with it. Support said they like 7 seven days in lab to fix and troubleshoot so with the ship there and from, it would be out of pocket two weeks. Option three is scary – the most expensive part of the unit has an issue – what’s to come? I am getting a little embarrassed at Costco – but – I feel that is my only sensible option. If five computers are amiss with one person or five people, it is all the same in the end.

Why didn’t they send me a new pen for the first one????? My universe would have been so happy. My tech guy has almost 5 hours into the Averatec adventure. I am a mortgage broker and my in-laws are both almost 92. I am desperate to have this reasonably-priced tablet, with all its wonderful features, work so it is easier for me to help them and still care for my business.

On another note – or two to be exact. Support also said…
System hang up on “start-up” – Try pressing alt-tab (worked for me)
They do have a work around for the admin log-in issue – call them

In summary – Tech support is wonderful – helpful and pleasant. It is evident it is a new company with a new team and I wonder if more experienced personnel could have saved one or more of my situations. I still believe in the machines and the company – and the wonderful experiences of everyone on the forum – So tomorrow, I go back to Costco.

I look forward to any comments and words of wisdom.

Wow, this is why we don't have any in Canada yet, you got them all!!!

Nah... just kidding!

Hope the sixth one will work for you. They seem to sell a lot but we don't see that much replies about problems like that. Maybe everybody is busy going back to costco like you...

any, good luck!

Ouch. That story hurts and you have the patience of a saint. Let's hope your sixth one is not one that has trouble.

What is the explanation for the hang?
Would you mind posting the work around for the admin log-in issue?

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Layne P. Heiny / Administrator for Tux Reports Network

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Hi Miska,

Sorry to hear about your troubles....hard to believe that this could happen to one person...

Don't know if this is any consolation...but I bought my C3500 about 4 days ago at Costco.

It has worked great right out of the box! No problems at all.

Only thing I've done is install the Averatec logon patch. That's it!

I've found it works great either in Tablet or Laptop mode. No problems with display, digitizer, pen, apps, etc.

So maybe this will give you hope!....

HTH,

__________________
Mark
InBetween TPC's

Well, I'll just send everyone who reads this thread to the Averatec website. There is a login patch you'll need to install.

__________________
Layne P. Heiny / Administrator for Tux Reports Network

Please do not send private messages requesting technical support. Place your request in the proper forum and hopefully someone can help you.

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I suggest using TweakUI to turn off (or simply change) the automatic login setting.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...powertoys.mspx

I don't know how/what AVERATEC did or why they set up the C3500 to log on as Administrator, but it's a patently bad idea. TweakUI solves the problem (just install it, then go in and change the automatic login settings) plus it has other useful stuff to tinker with ... and all of the M$ PowerToys are worth knowing ... some are for XP, some are specific to TPC '05.

Cheers,

you can also just reset the autologon key in the reg back to 0