Another GPU Medics Guinea Pig

[buss]

I have the GPU solder problem that is so common with the T42, so after thinking about fixing it myself and destroying a spare circuit board, I decided to try GPU Medics.

Shipping date: 24 September, 2009

Prior to shipping my motherboard to them, I contacted them and got a quick reply the same day. The day I shipped my motherboard I sent another email letting them know and again I got a quick reply.

On October 1st, 2009 I sent another email asking if they'd received my motherboard yet, but I still haven't gotten a reply. UPS says it should have been delivered by now, but I misplaced my tracking number and I'm going to have to go back to the store I shipped it from to get it. I sent another email a few minutes ago (October 4th) since I still haven't gotten a response to the October 1st email. Hopefully I'll get a response tomorrow.

I'll update this thread as the situation develops, as I'm sure there's a demand for reviews of GPU Medics.

[buss]

I called Robert M at GPU Medics this morning. It took him some time to find my motherboard, but eventually did find it. He said that they attempted to fix it on Friday but it's still showing the same problems, and if he can get a used GPU from somewhere in the next few days then he'll try putting it on. I should get a call from him later this week, so I'll update when that happens.

[buss]

It's nearing three weeks since sending my laptop. All communication between me and GPU medics has been through phone calls initiated by me. It has been over a week since they said they'd try putting on a new GPU. I called again a few minutes ago, and the guy I talked to (Robert) said he would have chips to try by tomorrow. He also claimed that he sent me an email last week, which is definitely not the case. If it isn't fixed by Friday I'm going to call it off and have him ship my motherboard back to me.

So far I'm unimpressed and a bit annoyed.

[buss]

I just received a call from GPU Medics (without trying to contact them first). The report is that they tried a new GPU on my motherboard but it still isn't working. They told me that they just picked up a bunch of T42 motherboards with graphics problems and they're going to sell me one of those (fixed) for the same price that I would have paid for the repair, in addition to shipping back my broken motherboard. This is a pleasant surprise, and I hope this works out. They've had my motherboard for a while, which is upsetting, but I'll still leave the experience with a positive feeling if I get a working motherboard back.

[schen]

I used Superior Reball, as has many other members. I've heard of folks that have had a similar experience as you which isn't uncommon for a small startup business. Quite often, these folks are one man operations that handle the technical aspects just fine, but struggle with the customer relations and organizational/communications aspects of a suddenly booming business.

My experience was excellent and I received my machine back inside of 2 weeks, with good communications and a ridiculously low price for the work. Hope you get your machine back and working soon as well.

[buss]

Just got another phone call, they report that the replacement motherboard works and they're going to ship it to me today!

So my experience with GPU Medics was starting to turn sour, but they turned it right around. It all took longer than I thought, and there were a couple unanswered emails, but they pulled it together and gave me great service at the end. Plus $45 is a great deal for a repair/replacement!

Overall: I feel good about the technical service and their desire to make me happy by giving me that replacement motherboard, but I'm a bit disappointed by the communication. I'd recommend them for repair work, but with the warning that it might take a while and they might not return every email. However, I never had a problem with them not answering the phone, so that's probably the best way to get in touch with them if you have a question.

[sktn77a]

....they're going to ship it to me today!

Don't count your chickens before they're hatched!

[buss]

I received my old, defective, motherboard and my new replacement motherboard yesterday. After a couple hours of meticulously putting everything back together, I have a working computer again! Thanks, GPU medics.

One point, though: on the first boot, the system hung. It just sat at the IBM Thinkpad screen. After waiting a few minutes, I rebooted and entered the BIOS setup. After rooting around, I discovered that the security chip was enabled. I'm not sure if this is the case, but I think that the security chip can prevent the system from booting if the hardware has changed. I disabled the chip, rebooted, and I was greeted with a login screen.

[sktn77a]

Excellent! I guess you just need to be patient.....

[RealBlackStuff]

All is well, that ends well!
Good job, GPU Medics (like on my T43 mobo).