Pre-built system concerns...

I've not bothered ever going with a pre-built system. This has been for several reasons, the two main ones being that half the stuff you get bundled in with them I wouldn't need or want; and the second is that I've heard some real horror stories over getting the software for them.

People like Dell have taken the legs off of my first objection by building a bespoke system to your own specs... so what about the software?

I've read and heard lots of people moaning about that fact that they get an OS pre-installed on their PC but no actual disk for that OS... or any of the software pre-installed on the PC for them. This is a big tunr-off for me buying something like this.

As far as I'm concerned, I bought the software too, so I want the disk!

And while we're on the subject of software... the software packages that are on offer (MS Works, Lotus suite etc etc) seem to be a tad 'below par' to put it politely).

Thing is, becuase of theses worries I've never bought a ready made system, so I'd be very interested to hear what the experiences of peopel owning a pre-built system are.

So, lets hear it! :D

My mates is like that. Bought from PC World with no windows CD. Got hacked and had to format. So had to use a dodgy CD key. Not fair when you pay £999 for a PC.

A friend of my wifes bought a emachines pc from a certain supermarket chain it was a ex-demo model so she got it for £300,from £400.It's a pure pile of turd.1.6 celly,256mb pc2100 ram 32mb onboard gfx,sound etc..She asked me if i would have a look at the pc for her as she was getting hit with loads of porn when she connected up to the net.Turns out who-ever had been using it in the supermarket had only been using it to browse loads of porn sites.Her 12 year old son was getting the blame for it as well !!! you got to be carefull wherever you buy from!!

All of the systems I build at work come with all the CD's, driver OS etc..
There also patched as far as available when the system is built.
I preinstall AcroBat Reader, AVG, Adaware, Winzip, Google Toolbar....
IMHO theres no reason why all builders dont do this as its all useful free virtually industry standard stuff...

I never build Celeron PC's and wont build PC's that are just cheap nasty corner cutting things that are built jsut to be cheap, spend a few extra quid in the right place gets you a proper PC with components that work together with the OS n stuff...

I've bought a pre-built system from Holly Computers before, and it was a cracker. Excellent components ('cause I specified exactly what I wanted, but they don't offer anything that's not top notch anyway. And the pre-sales service was very knowledgeable and very helpfull), came with the OS on disk, offer fairly comprehensive support, and I've been exceptionally happy with the system.

I still maintain that opting for the 3-year warrenty is a waste of money, since you're going to want to crack it open and upgrade yourself after a year, but it was only about £70, so I went for it....they actually told me that swapping things around (to a certain degree) won't invalidate the warrenty, but I'd have to check with them first.

Pretty good attitude. Plus the cost of building the system myself - when I factor in how long it would take me to source out the components, and the time it would take to build and install the OS - was roughly the same cost as that offered by Holly. All in all I don't have a problem ordering pre-built, as long as the company is up to scratch.

We use pre-built systems here, mostly Dell, a few Compaq laptops, and we've NEVER had a machine delivered without the OS disk and install disks for any pre-loaded apps. It's simple; reputable companies give you the disks, disreputable companies don't, and to a certain extent I'd argue that whether a company does or doesn't is a fair indication as to whether they are a reputable company. OK, what's required for a corporate machine is different to what's required for a home user, but I haven't had any bad experiences with our pre-builts, and I love the warranty cover; as Bender said in "The Breakfast Club", "Screws fall out; it's an imperfect world." :D

I'd argue that most systems now have the key on a tamper proof sticker stuck to the case - then as long as you use your key - you're legit.

I don't know this for sure though and obviously don't want to go down the dodgy software route.

Any comments?

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Originally Posted by angus

I'd argue that most systems now have the key on a tamper proof sticker stuck to the case - then as long as you use your key - you're legit.

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the stickers used at present are pretty tamper proof, they have slits in them & so tear when you try to remove them. it looks as though they're virtually impossible to remove in one piece (which is useful, seeing as i caught a little scrote trying to peel one off a machine in my training room last week :mad: )

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Originally Posted by nichomach

as Bender said in "The Breakfast Club", "Screws fall out; it's an imperfect world." :D

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damn...that takes me back mate!

iI personally wont be buying a pre-built system, ever. Reasons.

1) I can build them my self.
2) Some companies stick silicon along the edge of drives,connectors etc and onto the IDE cable, If they see the silcone is broken when you take it back, your warranty is more or less voided. Some would argue they do this so that normal computer users dont have to worry about the cables falling out, but i think its a sneeky move to see if people have been tampering with the connectors.
3) I know exactly what software goes on my system.
4) I get proper installation disks. I hate rescue disks such as the ones many companys provide.
5)I can upgrade my system when ever i want.
6)I know for sure that its built correctly. A mate of mine bought a computer and couldnt understand why his CPU (XP 1800) was overheating. So he took it back and it turned out the guy that built it in the shop installed the wrong heat sink and didnt use any thermal padding/grease. He also didnt install the correct sound card, or dvd drive either.

I think alot of companies prey on those people who dont know much about computers. And that really ticks me off:(

Within the enterprise market , your hands are tied. You more or less have to use prebuilt systems , though we tend to only use Compaq or Dell Kit. The recovery CD's are an annoyance , but the warrenty is good.

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Originally Posted by ibm

I've bought a pre-built system from Holly Computers before, and it was a cracker. Excellent components ('cause I specified exactly what I wanted, but they don't offer anything that's not top notch anyway. And the pre-sales service was very knowledgeable and very helpfull), came with the OS on disk, offer fairly comprehensive support, and I've been exceptionally happy with the system.

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Yeah i agree about Holly computers being a great place to get your PC from, i used them years ago when they were called "Database computers" and were in lakeside shopping centre, there now based in grays.

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Originally Posted by Moby-Dick

Within the enterprise market , your hands are tied. You more or less have to use prebuilt systems , though we tend to only use Compaq or Dell Kit. The recovery CD's are an annoyance , but the warrenty is good.

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Yeah, but at least the Dell ones are a full OS disk, just BIOS-locked to work in Dell systems; TBH I'd rather give my standard users Optiplexes and Latitudes. They're really good manageable corporate machines, and the warranty cover is great.

I am still learning about computers and loving every minute of it and i would advise anyone to build there own comp

Here is my experiance
http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=20867

LOL very nice quote
New Motoring Law

In order to assist other motorists in identifying potentially dangerous drivers, it's now compulsory for anyone with a lower than average driving ability to display a warning flag (comprising of a red cross on a white background) attached to the top of at least one door of their vehicle. For drivers of exceptionally low ability, additional flags are required.

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Originally Posted by nichomach

Yeah, but at least the Dell ones are a full OS disk, just BIOS-locked to work in Dell systems; TBH I'd rather give my standard users Optiplexes and Latitudes. They're really good manageable corporate machines, and the warranty cover is great.

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I agree , its just that we get a better discount on HP kit as our mail supplier ( Ingramm ) dont do dell :/

WE get dell kit direct , but their lead times are bloody awefull.

http://www.bananacomputers.com/ are pretty good for lead times and discounts on Dell kit.

seems ok - will keep an eye on them ! :)

I don't want to blatantly pimp my mini business but soon I'll be launching my company EDGEWARE who'll be providing super quiet, super fast and super quality computer. Watch out for reviews of our kit in the press also.

This sort of thread makes good reading for someone like myself, i.e. preloaded software, supplying CD's etc etc. All of which we will be doing as well as using only the best mobo's, memory, chips etc. An example would be the use of Antec Sonata cases as standard for most of our systems, not some cheap junk that many of the major and minor brands use.

Anyway, pimp over. :D

Oh and Moby if your interested in reviewing one of our machines in the future for Hexus just let me know, feedback be it positive or negative is always welcome.

Hi there just want to let you guys know that i ordered a pc from "holly computers" nearly 30 days ago. On the website it states 14-21 days for delivery and i have now been told after telephoning them that my system wont be ready for at least 40 days from when i ordered it. On top of that, i have e-mailed them several times prior to telephoning them and i did not get A SINGLE REPLY from anyone. I'll post again when the pc arrives but frankly when you are spending 2 and a half grand on a new system you expect your e-mails to be returned. I have found so far, that they are extremely unprofessionlal and i really hope i do not have any problems with the system when it arrives, because even though i have 3 years warranty etc.. i can imagine that it will be a ****ing nightmare getting these people to sort it out as they cant even reply to a hundred word email.

Anyway as you can see, i'm pretty pissed at the moment because of this, maybe i'll change my mind about this company if they give a discount for the delay and the computer is a cracker, but right now i have to say that i would not recommend this company to anyone.

I'll post again in a month, hopefully by then my holly computers "take ****ing ages to arrive" pc will be up and running.

A very unhappy customer

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Originally Posted by masterleecher

Hi there just want to let you guys know that i ordered a pc from "holly computers" nearly 30 days ago. On the website it states 14-21 days for delivery and i have now been told after telephoning them that my system wont be ready for at least 40 days from when i ordered it. On top of that, i have e-mailed them several times prior to telephoning them and i did not get A SINGLE REPLY from anyone. I'll post again when the pc arrives but frankly when you are spending 2 and a half grand on a new system you expect your e-mails to be returned. I have found so far, that they are extremely unprofessionlal and i really hope i do not have any problems with the system when it arrives, because even though i have 3 years warranty etc.. i can imagine that it will be a ****ing nightmare getting these people to sort it out as they cant even reply to a hundred word email.

Anyway as you can see, i'm pretty pissed at the moment because of this, maybe i'll change my mind about this company if they give a discount for the delay and the computer is a cracker, but right now i have to say that i would not recommend this company to anyone.

I'll post again in a month, hopefully by then my holly computers "take ****ing ages to arrive" pc will be up and running.

A very unhappy customer

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I'd take my business elsewhere, 40 days wait thats pathetic :rant: if i had the parts i could build it it in 4-5 hours..

If you've got worrys now about how there treating you imagine when they have your money (Unless they have taken it already) there must be something you can do.

Perhaps you would be better building it yourself or getting someone near you (Thurrock area maybe?) or one of the pro's here on hexus to build it for you.

What are the specifications of your PC then? be interesting to know if it could be built a lot cheaper (I know you'd lose the 3 year warranty, but the saving maybe worth it as normally if a PC fails it's only one part thats failed)

Let us know how you get on.

spent £2000 on a beast of a system bak in the day, got it from Evesham. the PC came with all the software incluing OS in cd room for backup and also recovery software and stuff.

Tech support was good, even drove to my place up in uni, even though i had got the pc while i was still at home. They didnt mind i had upgraded the system nor gone inside the pc.

Before this had a Time pc. Got CIH virus so they replaced our mobo and hd without much hassle. lol we gave the system to them to upgrade and the dude at the desk just plopped the cpu in and forgot to put the h/s on lol. Time were pretty crap, would avoid

If i ever had to buy a pre built pc would get from Evesham again, still even using the 5 year old hd as my main hd in my current set up :)

I got my system originaly from, http://www.abspc.com/ I found it to be very good! it didnt come with a buch of preinstaled crap! I have instaled a new mobo TWICE and added some raptors....
;)

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Originally Posted by masterleecher

2 and a half grand on a new system

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I hope for that sort of money its a Kray supercomputer with built in time machine and tea making accessories?

PC hardware has done nothing but drop in price, quick CPUs, reliable PSUs and Hardrives and decent sized sticks of memory are all cheaper than a few years ago (excepting the small price blip on memory recently).

For that kind of money I'd be expecting nothing less tahn a true bleeding edge of performance machine... I know its all ordered (and very likely paid for now) but if you haven't got the machine yet, I'd seriously consider cancelling the order and looking around elsewhere. Dell seem to have good reputation, so perhaps look at what they can do.... or bite the bullet and even take a shifty at either doing a self bulld or getting someone to build it for you.

To Raven, yeah its a pretty decent computer that i've ordered, water cooled, fx-53, dual layer dvd writer, 36gig raptor + 7200rpm 80gig harddrive, 1gig of 400mhz ram, water cooled geforce 6800 gt 256vram, nice antec p160 aluminium case, microsoft wireless keyboard/mouse, xp, vision master pro 454 19inch, and all those water cooled bits and pieces they use. It came up to £2,300. (ouch!)

Thing is, I personally would never spend that much money on a computer, but my parents decided that as i was the first person in the family to get a degree that they would get my a phat present (they refused to give me cash unfortunately!) and i asked if i could combine the present with my birthday thats coming up and get my dream pc. I looked around everywhere and Holly Computers had the system that i wanted and i hate the way Alienware pcs look so i thought i'll try them, they seemed reliable and have been around for a while. Now i'm startin to wish i'd asked my folks if they'd just pay for me to go on a phat holiday to south america or australia with my bird but those lazy ****s at holly have taken the money now and it would blatantly be a pain in the arse to get it back. My dad is well pissed, he rung them up to complain and wants to sue if they dont sort it out soon. He's livid cos they've already charged him the full amount and its now 36 days since we ordered it. Obviously in Holly's terms and conditions they have a "we don't accept any responsibility for delays in delivery etc..." bit, but under the Unfair Contracts Terms Act that could be challenged so there is still a possibility that we may get the money back. Only reason i'm postin is because it really pisses me off that they cant be bothered to reply my e-mails. When i made the order and they wanted the money....heeey...what do you know got back to me within 24hrs, but now they got my money they won't reply. Really its pretty disgraceful that they operate like that and once its all over i'm gonna write in to all the pc mags that have a consumer complaints section and try and hope that my letter gets printed so it doesn't happen to other people.

If i knew how to make a bad ass water cooled pc then i would have definitely chose to make it myself but my knowledge of pcs goes as far as changing graphics cards, hard drives, pci slot stuff and memory so i didn't want to risk it. i managed to chip my xbox too but that was a mission so i don't reckon i could handle doin a water cooled bad boy!!

Anyways enough moanin by me, i'm gonna call em up tomorrow and ask whats happenin because they said this Friday i should be getting it, but i ain't countin on it. Holly Computers you suck, reply to my ****in e-mails!!!!!!!!!

Later all and if anyone wants to build my next pc cos i'm gettin a job soon and want to upgrade my other pc let me know!!!!!

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Originally Posted by masterleecher

To Raven, yeah its a pretty decent computer that i've ordered, water cooled, fx-53, dual layer dvd writer, 36gig raptor + 7200rpm 80gig harddrive, 1gig of 400mhz ram, water cooled geforce 6800 gt 256vram, nice antec p160 aluminium case, microsoft wireless keyboard/mouse, xp, vision master pro 454 19inch, and all those water cooled bits and pieces they use. It came up to £2,300. (ouch!)

Thing is, I personally would never spend that much money on a computer, but my parents decided that as i was the first person in the family to get a degree that they would get my a phat present (they refused to give me cash unfortunately!) and i asked if i could combine the present with my birthday thats coming up and get my dream pc. I looked around everywhere and Holly Computers had the system that i wanted and i hate the way Alienware pcs look so i thought i'll try them, they seemed reliable and have been around for a while. Now i'm startin to wish i'd asked my folks if they'd just pay for me to go on a phat holiday to south america or australia with my bird but those lazy ****s at holly have taken the money now and it would blatantly be a pain in the arse to get it back. My dad is well pissed, he rung them up to complain and wants to sue if they dont sort it out soon. He's livid cos they've already charged him the full amount and its now 36 days since we ordered it. Obviously in Holly's terms and conditions they have a "we don't accept any responsibility for delays in delivery etc..." bit, but under the Unfair Contracts Terms Act that could be challenged so there is still a possibility that we may get the money back. Only reason i'm postin is because it really pisses me off that they cant be bothered to reply my e-mails. When i made the order and they wanted the money....heeey...what do you know got back to me within 24hrs, but now they got my money they won't reply. Really its pretty disgraceful that they operate like that and once its all over i'm gonna write in to all the pc mags that have a consumer complaints section and try and hope that my letter gets printed so it doesn't happen to other people.

If i knew how to make a bad ass water cooled pc then i would have definitely chose to make it myself but my knowledge of pcs goes as far as changing graphics cards, hard drives, pci slot stuff and memory so i didn't want to risk it. i managed to chip my xbox too but that was a mission so i don't reckon i could handle doin a water cooled bad boy!!

Anyways enough moanin by me, i'm gonna call em up tomorrow and ask whats happenin because they said this Friday i should be getting it, but i ain't countin on it. Holly Computers you suck, reply to my ****in e-mails!!!!!!!!!

Later all and if anyone wants to build my next pc cos i'm gettin a job soon and want to upgrade my other pc let me know!!!!!

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well i have finally received the pc and i have to say that despite the fact that holl's customer service is a bit lame, and i had to wait 50 days for the system, and then a couple more days for the monitor, it's pretty damn good. Initially i thought that it didn't work because no input would come through the monitor and i had to call up their technical support team to find out what was going on. THey tried to solve the problem over the phone and failed but then 10 minutes later when i was fuming that it didn't work i tried to show my dad what was wrong and voila it suddenly worked! Even though the technical support didn't really help i was quite impressed with the representative, he was polite and did prety much all that could be done over the phone. The pc is a little bit noisier than i had hoped, being watercooled i expected it to be near silent but that wasn't the case. That said the noise does remain the same even when you are playing doom 3 for hours and it really does stay cool! I've been playing doom 3 at 1600*1200 aa*4 and on ultra quality setting with everything that can be turned on on and it handles it with relative ease!

So anyway - technical support is very good - customer service needs some work - they need to apologise more for delays rather than just blame everything on other people - but the end product is...i hate to say...just about worth the wait! But anyone buying a top of the range pc from holly should completely disregard the "14-21 days for delivery" because that is bull****!!

i would like to say that in regards to holly computers and their service i've had no problems, i ordered my pc back in march and have since rebuilt using their new components to make a top rig! you can easily get waiting times from various suppliers due to stock limitation on top stuff, if you want a pc quick you'll have to go to pc world, but you won't get quality or indeed any service what so ever! so from myself top marks to holly computers!
t1m s1d1ous

You can get a PC quicker from Mesh - Even SavRow only take 10 days.....

Bit of an old thread but thought I'd add to this one anyway...
Also ordered from Holly and getting the same experience as Raven. Good sales stuff, know what they are doing etc. but the infrastructure to back it up in any manner you could relate to the word "service" is completely lacking. It's now been almost 2 months and its still nearly here...

Here's hoping the rest of my experience is the same as Raven's though and the system is worth the wait.. should be back shortly to report

dont know if its already been said but if you use a normal XP install disk the key should
work unless its one of the recent ones to stop that sort of thing but wasnt it like only 20 manufacs world wide?

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Originally Posted by nichomach

It's simple; reputable companies give you the disks, disreputable companies don't, and to a certain extent I'd argue that whether a company does or doesn't is a fair indication as to whether they are a reputable company.

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You could say that.
I worked in computer retail for a good year with a not-so-reputable large distribution chain.
Just to clear things up, you might like to know that Microsofts new OEM Licensing Agreements state that you can purchase a PC with Windows installed, but have to pay for the install disk itself if you want it. Prevents piracy, apparently. Just another excuse for Microsoft to take money where they shouldn't need to.

We ship the windows CD media with the system and their licensing information just in case the customer needs to format and reinstall as we've all installed something in the past that has affected stability be it newer drivers, software, game demos and know how infuriating it can be to be left with no discs to recover/repair or format and reinstall.

If I was to buy a new computer from a store, I wouldn't buy it from one that didn't supply the discs for the software that's installed. Who would wanna do that??

Take a look at the £700 system from Aldi. You won't find a better deal anywhere. Period.

Hi,
Just had to make comment where Holly Computers are concerned.
I ordered a Graphics card from them but it wasnt in stock, so they sent me an email saying they should have some in within 7 days. Ok i'll wait.
During this time the whole Holly Computers site goes down for over a week and emails start getting returned saying undeliverable.
2 Weeks later and nothing so i email them and get no reply so i phone them and they say they have no idea when they will have them in stock, and advise me of an alternative. I'm fed up with waiting so i say ill take the alternative card.
2 days later the card turns up and it's not the one they said they were gonna send... it's pci-e and i have an agp board. (Stressed 3 times to the guy that it must be agp and not pci-e)
I phone them,and they tell me that yes they made a mistake and i need to send the card back (at my expense) before they can refund my money and the postage. At this point i'm kinda pi**ed and i tell them i aint impressed and i get this response......
For gods sake mate it aint exactly the end of the world is it? We made a mistake... im sure you made a few in your time. What do you expect me to do about it? It's hardly worth getting upset about is it?
I send the card back...exactly one week after they get it i still aint recieved any refund from them. I phoned them about the refund again today and they tell me it takes a while for refunds to sort out cos they gotta do paperwork and stuff, they will look into it.
So, over 3 weeks from ordering a card from them, i have exactly nuthin except a £150.00 hole in my bank account.
Been buying components online for a few years now and can safely say i've never come across a more arrogant and unprofessional company.

>Rant ends< i feel a bit better now:)