NewC1130.Txt Compaq 1130: The First Six Weeks Adventures in Buying Computers This is the "public" edition of the history of my Compaq Armada 1130. Copyright 1998 by Jim Omura First draft, May 30, 1998 Revised 1998/06/09 Final version 1998/08/11 The Future Shop Adventure: I bought this computer at Future Shop. It was a sold to me as a "demo unit" on an "As-is" basis, but with a full 1 year Compaq warranty. I refused the Future Shop extended warranty. There were some immediately apparent problems and indications of suspicious treatment. For one, the memory expansion cover was badly scratch, and the the case sticker was "1130T" (which should have an active matrix display) whereas the computer was clearly an 1130 which only has a passive (CSTN) display. The salesman I bought it from made it clear to me that it was a passive display. I give him full credit for attempting to make a good sale in a bad situation. Another salesman was interfering with the sale and made some statements which I have reason to believe were dishonest. In particular, he claimed to have sold "3 of the same units in the last week." I had asked about this unit about two to three weeks prior and was told it was the last unit and they hadn't had the unit for a long time. This was clearly the truth, which was why it was being sold without box or other materials, and there were no other such units on display. The technician didn't do his job. I waited for over an hour before he showed up (he was "busy" doing something else). He babbled a bit about how he liked trackballs too, looked at the computer and said "oh, I set this up before", closed it and gave it to me. All the software was registered to someone named "Jeff" and as I'll note later, it was crashing badly in its original state. As bought: Compaq Armada 1130 (CSTN model) HD: Fujitsu M2714T (1.3GB) BIOS: 11/06/96. Version number not recorded. OS: Windows 95 Version 4.00.950B The Compaq Adventure: 1998/04/22 First call to Customer Service. I registered for tech support and asked about buying the installation disks. The cost would be $55.05 plus taxes. I was told to call Texas (free) to register my warranty. The Texas office asked for a copy of my receipt which I sent via regular mail. Crashing was apparent since the first day. The most noticeable and consistent crashing was when making adjustments in the Control Panel. I didn't document the crashes at first, since I expected that the software could have been mangled while it was being used as a demo unit. I decided that the first thing I should do would be to upgrade drivers and re-install the OS and the rest of the supplied software, and then see what problems were still evident after that. 1998/04/22 I checked the Compaq website and upgraded the BIOS from 11/06/96 to 07/18/97 and began offloading the Website pages that related to my computer, so I could refer to them later. 1998/04/27 I ordered Owner's Manual and materials for $39.00 & taxes. Video Drivers: The installed Video Driver was dated Aug. 24, 1996. Called Compaq and asked about SoftPaq SP3208 which contains a Video Driver for laptops using the Cirrus Logic CL-7548. It is recommended for the Armada 1500 series and 4100 series, but not mentioned for 1100 series. Issued May 23, 1997, Version 1.40 Revision D for Windows 95. He said, "no", I should use SP2051 which was supposed to be version 1.35, dated Dec. 6, 1996. This package didn't show up in my earlier searches. I tried to download the information, but when I read what I'd donwloaded, it was for a completely different chipset and not recommended for any laptop. [Note: This turned out to be my mistake -- see below.] 1998/04/27 I installed SP3623 "Diagnostics for Windows Version 1.18," Dated July, 1997. I also upgraded the Fujitsu M2714T HD firmware from Revision 1, 3122 to 3123. (Be sure to backup your C: drive before doing this. At some point all data was lost.) 1998/04/28 I called Compaq tech support about the video drivers again. This fellow agreed with me that the SP3208 is more likely to be the right video driver rather than SP2051. So I'll try it. I also asked whether my sales receipt had been received. It was not listed in my file as having been received. I said that if crashing persists, I'll take it in to a repair center to check the hardware. 1998/04/28 Installed SP3208. It works to a point. It adds the ability to pan the LCD screen over a larger size desktop. Otherwise, it doesn't seem to make any difference for the system crashes. The crashes seem to be less frequent than when I first bought it, but still fairly often. 1998/04/29 Ordered backup floppy disks for Windows 95 and Microsoft Works, etc. 1998/05/01 Current crashing problems in the Control Panel: Crashes occured when trying to use "Date/Time". It crashed with Month and Year showing. It crashed again with everything except the "seconds" showing. The crashes disables mouse cursor and "off", but the energy saver still working. 1998/05/01 I took it in to an authorized repair center for warranty repair. [Note: Re-installation of the OS is not covered by the warranty. I told the repair center to postpone the repair until I received the set of floppies I ordered, and that I'd re-install the the OS myself. This way I could also set up partitions in a way that I wanted.] 1998/05/05 I need a "Product Identification Number" to install Windows 95 I called Compaq Tech support, who referred me to: (800) 263-5868 In order to get a Windows 95 manual with the PIN number, I had to take copy of Sales Receipt to Compaq's offices 45 Vogell Rd., Richmond Hill. 1998/05/06 I Picked up Windows 95 manual and re-installed OS. Crashing stopped but supplied generic Windows 95 Cirrus Logic video driver is wrong and only gives 640 * 480. Note: The version of Windows supplied was 4.00.950A, not B which was the version that was loaded when I bought it. 1998/05/07 Dropped off SP3208.EXE driver to service but computer is already apart. They've ordered a new motherboard and video board. 1998/05/13 Finally got the right video driver from the Compaq Website. It took a painstaking search of all files from "current" back to Dec. 1, 1996, which was when the computer was released. It turned out to be SP2051, which was what one of the Tech Support guys said previously. This was my fault. I somehow got mixed up and was previously looking at the documentation for SP2150. This driver is version 1.35 Rev A dated Dec. 6, 1996. It turns out that I don't get the 1024 wide screen with panning, but I do get 256 colours at 800 * 600. I'm happy. Actually, looking at the refresh rate adjustments, I wonder if I could use the 1500 driver? I won't try it though. I'm tired of fiddling. Got the 1130 back. Re-partitioned and reloaded Win95 again. Still having a problem. After each reboot, it reported that "main.cpl" is missing. I checked and found it in C:\Windows\System. I checked my old Samsung to see where it should be and it's in the right place. Called Compaq and they told me to download SP2054.EXE. Note: BIOS is Gateway VxD Version 5.10.04, Copyright SystemSoft Corp. 1995-1996. I haven't reinstalled SP4190.EXE Sept. 15, 1997. This would be the ROMPaq Upgrade for Armada 1130/1130T (18 July 1997), ROM version 586L_071897 Rev A. BUT according to Compaq "Inspect PC10.22B" looking at the System ROM Revision date 07/18/1997, the upgrade HAS been installed. So the boot version date isn't definitive. I also ordered a new memory expansion access cover. The original one was scratched up badly, but worse, it came open very easily. It fell open often while handling the computer, exposing circuitry. This won't be under warranty, but at around $10.00, I can afford it. 1998/05/13 It turns out SP2054.EXE was the "F10" utility set that runs under DOS and is older than the files I already had. In fact, the problem was simply that I had not switched the Modem to the Compaq. But there seems to be a problem with Tech Support. They don't seem to know that there is also a completely different set of utilities supplied by Compaq that run in the Windows environment. Every time I talk to them about these utilities, they assume I mean the "F10" setup utilities that run under DOS. 1998/05/15 I tried loading "Microsoft Works" and found I needed a product number. According to Compaq customer support, I can use the Windows 95 number for "Microsoft Works". I don't need a separate number. They are checking to see what I need to do to get the Armada 1130 manuals (and return the 1500 manuals). I gave them my phone numbers. Compaq called back. They'll ship the correct manuals and include a waybill for prepaid courier pickup to return the 1500 manuals. 1998/05/15 I called about the disk with "Laplink for Windows 3.1". The supplied floppy won't load on Windows 95. Is there an update for Windows 95? They took my phone number and the order number and will call back. 1998/05/15 The following has been shown on every boot since I reloaded Windows 95: "CPQEvent.Exe Error CardSoft version 4.1 is not detected. Probable Cause: CardSoft version 4.1 is not installed. Effect: CPQEVENT.EXE wil continue to execute. However, CPQEVENT.EXE and PCMCIA devices may not function properly. Suggested Action: Install CardSoft version 4.1" Called Compaq Tech Support. They had no answer, but took my number to call back. [They never called back regarding this issue. 1998/05/30] 1998/05/15 15:10 Compaq called back re. the Laplink problem. "Laplink for Windows 95" has been ordered for me and should be sent to me early next week. 1998/05/16 I tried reloading "Compaq PCMCIA Support For Microsoft Windows 95" Ver. 4.30 Rev. A (disk 186210-002) again. Reboot no longer has an CPQEVENT.EXE error. I checked the "Win.INI" file and the "Run c:\windows\cpqwin\cpqevent.exe" has been removed from the file. So the problem seems to depend on the order the disks are loaded. Which is correct? 1998/05/18 I've been going over Microsoft's Website for updates for Windows 95. I won't go into detail, but I installed a number of updates. One particular update of a driver has fixed some problems with the large HD in cases where I've used a "suspend mode" had the potential of causing serious data loss problems. I should say that a separate "Windows 95 Upgrade Adventure" report could be made. Microsoft's upgrade system is not well laid out for upgrading via downloads. While they have allowed "bits and pieces" to be downloaded as desired, presumably to let one upgrade only as necessary, documentation is not provided to clearly identify the order of upgrades and any dependencies. The situation is really a mess. One person I discussed this with recently speculated that it was a deliberate effort to "encourage" people to upgrade to later versions of Windows 95 by buying new computers with fresh OS installations, and now, to "encourage" people to buy Windows 98. 1998/05/22 I picked up the new memory access cover. This one is much better. It stays on until I want to open it. 1998/05/22 The "Compaq Reference Guide: Compaq Armada 1100 Family of Personal Computers" arrived, but is still incorrect. It only covers up to the 1120T and 1125 models. There are some differences in the 1130 which I think should have been mentioned. The screen, memory upgrade parts and weight are definitely different. The new circuitry might have different power characteristics. At the least, an errata sheet should have been included. On the other hand, I'm tired of this problem, so I'll probably keep this book. There was no waybill for returning the 1500 material. Maybe I'm supposed to keep it? 1998/05/22 Laplink for Windows 95 has been installed (see notes on computer). I have been noticing that the battery seems to run down very quickly. It seems I got stung on this by Future Shop. The small salesman is to blame. He specifically removed another battery from the sale. He probably knew that the battery included was bad. 1998/05/27 Adjusted partitions with Partition Magic and added McAfee VirusScan v.3.1.4 (Evaluation) installed. 1998/05/29 Installed Logitech First Mouse+. This is the first non-Microsoft, non-Compaq driver. It helps the trackball as well as the Logitech mouse. The original Microsoft driver did not have a setting that was slow enough to use the track ball comfortably. It was just a little too fast. The Logitech driver can be set much slower. I now have it set at a better speed. Interestingly, if the mouse is plugged in, both the mouse and the trackball are active. 1998/05/30 Current State: Compaq Armada 1130 (CSTN model -- no change) HD: Fujitsu M2714T (1.3GB) Firmware upgraded to 3123 BIOS: Gateway VxD Version 5.10.04, Copyright SystemSoft Corp. 1995-1996, Compaq Service Pack SP4190.EXE, Sept. 15, 1997, 586L_071897 Rev A (Revision date 07/18/1997). Video Driver upgraded to: Compaq Service pack SP2150.EXE. Version 1.35 Rev A dated Dec. 6, 1996 OS: Windows 95 Version 4.00.950A with upgrades and modifications. Thoughts On Compaq Service: I give the company full marks for effort and enthusiasm. Everyone treated me very well. But the Tech Support was, to an extent, in disarray. Despite many searches of the Service Packs, I didn't find the 2051 documentation until I did a "manual" search of the full lists of service packs. The specific pages for video drivers ("drvVideo.html") or for laptops ("swLaptops.html") didn't have it. Also, the internal corporate systems need work. Being shipped wrong manuals twice, and wrong disks in the disk sets should not have happened. As I write this, 1998/05/30, in theory, I'm still missing one last piece of software. Disk 274911-001 "Just Connect" was never shipped. It was back ordered. I don't know if I'll follow up. As I said earlier the Tech Support people I dealt with didn't seem to know that Compaq also supplies a completely different set of utilities that run in the Windows environment. Every time I talked to them about these utilities, they assume I mean the "F10" setup utilities that run under DOS. The tech support guys know Windows very well, and they seem to know the "F10" programs, but they don't know the rest of the Compaq specific software. This is not good. I can turn to Microsoft for problems with standard Windows 95. I need Compaq support for their own software. They should know that software much better than they do. In one case, a call was never returned. Furthermore, the documentation for installing the Compaq specific software needs improvement, since the order of disks seems to be important, yet it's not covered. Either the documentation should be improved or the installers should be updated to be usable in any order. As for the "Windows" side utilities that still report that "main.cpl" is missing, it probably needs to be rewritten. I've installed a few thing that have not been mentioned. I've loaded Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 4.72.3110.8, Netscape Navigator 4.05 and WinZip 6.3. In one instance, a problem occured with "Defrag" which I've never seen happen before. But otherwise it seems about as stable as Win 95 on the Samsung. "Suspend modes" have been working well. The Windows Exchange FAX seems to be working, which I've never gotten to work in the Samsung. Buying "demo units" can be hazardous. Lately Compaq seems to be having problems with some fresh - off - the - shelf products, which when added to the hazards caused by a particular "demo unit" situation, can create a situation that many people might not be able to cope with. Personally, I entered into this purchase with enough knowledge of the potential problems to expect that this computer might not be available for immediate use. I have other computers to rely one, and thus had no immediate need for this computer. I also knew enough about computers to get me through all the software upgrades, and to know when I was seeing problems that might be hardware related. It was easy for me to treat the situation like an adventure, and as such, not particularly upsetting. And at all times, I believed, rightly, that with Compaq, eventually everything would work out. On the one hand, I'm actually quite pleased with my Compaq 1130, and the service I've received. The 1130 is now starting to pull its weight by taking the place of the Samsung for a large part of my Internet work. I'm taking a long time, installing new software one piece at a time and testing it in order to ensure reliability. I'm looking forward to the day when I'll have completely migrated from the old 486SX Samsung to the Pentium 120 based 1130. Overall, it's turning out to be as good as I expected, and I wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't the best I could get for my money. But if I look at the past six weeks from the point of view of a typical less educated or less prepared consumer, I'd have to call it a nightmare. Future Shop's reputation in regard to "demo units" was never good. They've merely lived up to that bad reputation. Personally, I messed up a couple of times myself, making the situation worse that it might have been, but Compaq does have a way to go to clean up up their support systems. 1998/08/11 I received "Just Connect" on 1998/06/24, over a month ago. It's on 11 floppies. I still don't know what it does, but I felt it was too big to bother with for now. I am currently using WordPerfect Suite 8 for its excellent QuattroPro spreadsheet, and WordPerfect 8 is a very powerful word processor. Still, I find that old ClarisWorks on my old computer actually suits me better some times, so I might try to get a copy. Microsoft Works was not satisfactory. It's not bad, but it lacks the ClarisWorks "Outliner". Over the weeks, I have been using "suspend mode", and unfortunately it is not as stable as it first appeared to be. Luckily, I have never had a failure of suspend mode if PointCast is the only program I've ran during the session. Recently I also acquired a Compaq Deskpro/50M so I had a reason to go back to the Compaq Website. It appears to have gone through a number of changes. I didn't have time ot look for my Armada 1130 in detail, but it looks easier to use the website than before.