It has been my experience that with a new computer system, if the hardware works for 72 consecutive hours, it will continue to work throughout its lifespan, usually a few years.  With a PC based system (don't usually have these types of problems with an Apple system), the point of difficulty in a new system is getting all of the software installed and working together correctly and getting the external hardware installed.  The real culprit in these frustrations is usually the operating system which is, in most cases, Microsoft Windows.  For those who may not be aware, Microsoft has a deal with computer manufacturers that want to install an operating system on the computers they sell.  Microsoft sells them a full version of Windows that has a special serial # which contains the letters OEM.  If your Windows serial number is an OEM version, Microsoft will NOT provide any technical support to you (at least not without charging you).  For selling Windows to the computer manufacturer at what I would have to assume is a reduced price over purchasing the retail version, the computer manufacturer is supposed to provide support for any operating system problems that occur.  Both Dell and Gateway have always done this for me in the past with their systems.  Usually, these problems crop up within the first month or so of purchasing a new system while you are still getting it set up the way you want it to work.

The first such incident with my latest system occurred on the day I brought it home.    One of the hardware drivers I installed corrupted the operating system and the computer would not re-boot.  I took the CPU back to the local dealer and they graciously repaired the problem.  I thought "This is going to be great.  They're really interested in customer service."  WRONG!!!  Fast forward to the next problem.  In this day and age, and especially with a cable modem or DSL connection to the internet, you can't afford to operate without a good virus checking program.  But, any anti-virus software is only as good as how up to date your virus definitions are.  My personal favorite for anti-virus software is Norton Anti-Virus.  Norton uses a process called Live Update that checks several times each day for new virus definitions and, if new ones are found, downloads them for you.  Live Update ties in with the Windows application, Task Scheduler.  After installing Norton AV, I found that Live Update was not working.  After about a week of scouring the internet for possible solutions,

uninstalling and reinstalling Norton several times and trying everything else I could think of, I was about ready to give up and call Norton Tech Support.  Then I got the bright idea that maybe it wasn't Norton that wasn't functioning, but Task Scheduler.  So, I set up some other events and none of them would run either.  Knowing that with an OEM version of Windows, Microsoft would not provide assistance, I called my friendly local computer dealer that I had given over $1600.00 to, and explained the problem.  However, they weren't very friendly anymore (guess the check had cleared).  I was informed by the first young man I talked with that they could research the problem but that since it was a problem with Windows, and not the hardware, they would have to charge me a per hour rate to look into it for me.  When I questioned this policy, knowing Microsoft's position on OEM installs, I was switched to the head technician.  After he finished explaining that ALL versions of Windows contain the letters OEM (WRONG - WRONG - and still WRONG), he went on to explain that they couldn't afford to help me with what was either a bug in Microsoft's software or a problem that I had created and was too stupid to fix (I'm paraphrasing a little on the "stupid" part, but that was definitely what he was implying).  After listening to his "explanation" for 15 minutes (longer than I ultimately spent on a call to Microsoft), I told him I understood exactly what his problem was (again, my check had cleared) and I hung up.  I then called Microsoft tech support and, after having $35.00 charged to my credit card since I was using an OEM version of Windows, I was connected to a technician that had the problem solved and had Task Scheduler running within 15 minutes.  The problem, by the way, is a corrupt system file that crops up often enough Microsoft has a tech bulletin on it and how to correct the problem.  My local dealer, as a computer retailer, should have had access to this information but was unwilling to research it without me paying him.  By the way, should anyone reading this experience the same type of problem (Windows XP), drop me an email at hoss@kansascas.com .  The Microsoft tech emailed me the steps we used to correct the issue in case it ever cropped up again and I can email it to you and save you $35.00.

In the final analysis, would I buy another computer locally?  Maybe.  From this same company?  Absolutely NOT.  If you are thinking of buying a computer from a local (Mom & Pop) retailer or from a large retailer like Wal-Mart or Best Buy, ask them up front about their support for the OEM version of Windows they'll be installing on your computer.  If they don't provide support, tell them to knock a hundred dollars off the computer, then you go to Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc., and purchase a full retail version of Windows and have them install it on your new computer.  At least then, you get two free instances of support from Microsoft.  OR, best solution, purchase from Dell or Gateway.  They will provide support for the operating system and, at least the last time I had to use them, it only costs the price of a phone call.  With some of the discounted phone rates at 5¢ a minute, I can spend 2 hours on the phone for $6.00.  That's a lot cheaper than the $35.00 dollars per incident to Microsoft or $45.00 per hour to the local retailer to research the problem.