Computer from HELL!

[Desiree]

Last Nov, I bought a SONY computer. I paid over $1,800 and it's been pure HELL.

First, I had major problems with AOL. Then OUTLOOK EXPRESS never worked. I'm still calling support for help at least 4 times a week. I get the run-around.

I run my business out of this machine. I have not been able to work for the last 2 weeks. AOL has deleted my entire address book with my entire database of 1,288 contacts.

I am a Talent Manager in NEW YORK City, representing over 900 actors. The damage done by AOL has paralized me. My problems with them began in January. This is their fouth massacre.

The Outlook Express problems are several. The latest one, is that is dissapearing. It has taken me 10 days to recover 400 people. And I need to save what I have been able to recover.
I just installed EUDORA, but it will not import the address book from Outlook Express.

What can I do about this computer? Do I have any rights as a consumer?

Whe calling tech support, this is the THREAD: SONY, TO MICROSOFT, TO AOL, BACK TO SONY, TO MICROSOFT, and that can go on for days. Last week I spent 12 hours in 2 days on the phone with both Microsoft & Sony.

Can someone please advise?

Thank you,

Desiree

[TheJackal]

After you get this whole deal solved... Get rid of AOL, their service is just garbage.

[speeddude2000]

get a hotmail or yahoo account...yahoo is 10MB i think and hotmail is going to expand to 100 or 200MB cant remember...

and microsoft outlook (not express) is good. but i have heard some things about after a virus, it deletes your contacts and saved mail. :/

[kram 2.0]

Welcome to PC Mech forums

This is what I would do. First of all, I use Outlook Express and it works fine - I'm under probably about four layers of antivirus/security protection. First, I would definately get an AntiVirus program, such as NOD32, which I highly recommend for 30 day eval and 40 USD liscence, or AVG which is free but very effective. Then, like mentioned above, I would get rid of AOL. Then, I would go to your new internet service provider and try to get an email address from them - that's usually the best thing to do. Otherwise, Yahoo! has 100MB of storage, which is very plenty. However, they don't allow pop3 mail programs, which means Outlook/Outlook Express will not work without a paid service.


Hope that helps,
kram

[diver203_98]

Welcome to PCMech Desiree, I agree, the first thing you should do is dump AOL, and get another service provider. Hotmail is going to 250 megs of storage this fall, and will have the ability to send attachments up to 10 megs. And Yahoo is now at 100 megs of storage, but I don't know the size of attachments you can send. If you can, you could save all your contacts to a CD, that way if anything happens again in the future, you will still have all your info on your CD. If you have broadband, and I am assuming, because you run a very large business you have atleast DSL or Cable, you really should look for another service provider. I know what we advise you won't bring all your contacts back, but maybe we can atleast help you through some of your trouble.

I also use Outlook Express, but for ALL of my mail I use YAHOO, and set up different accounts, and share the info in both. That way if something happens I still have my contacts in the other mail acct. This is just an idea, and something you can think about also.

[Desiree]

Thanks for the replies, however, even though I haven't closed AOL yet, I was forced to get another ISP. AOL blocked the traffic to my domain. It took them two days to verify that, and they only did so when I told them about my new ISP.

However, AOL has been harrasing me since January. Twice a month, and it's always on the same days, the 7th & the 21st of every month, some strange thing happens. Corporate headquarters refuses to accept that this is not a coincidence.

But, now my newest problem is Outlook Express. And neither
SONY, or level 2 tech support at Microsoft can solve the issues.

However, because of all these problems I am beginning to think that it is the operating system.

On May 7th, we had to unistall and re-install AOL 7 times. And to EVERYONE'S surprise, AOL DOES NOT SAVE files stored on filing cabinet, or anywhere else on the system, even after you check the boxes.

Now, with EUDORA, I am stuck again since it will not import the address book from OE.

The yahoo idea, been there, done that. I even got a domain from them. They're not really geared for business, even though they claim they're.

I have AT&T now, as my main ISP. Now mind you that my database mysteriously dissapeared after I told AOL corporate headquarters that unless they stop sending me instant messages and disconnecting me I was going to go ahead and file a 5 page compliant report with the Attorney General. They told me not to and..... my address book was gone a few hours later.

That whole day AOL kept sending me Instant Messages (which by the way, I had disabled months ago) if I did not click on them they would disconnect me.

Pertaining anti-virus, I have Symantec/Norton--- Oh yeah--- Microsoft wanted me to totally disable the program to make Outlook Express work. SHE SAID THAT I DIDN"T NEED IT. When I told her that I refused to do that, she hung up on me.

I have more stories from hell just in case anyone is interested.

[Statica]

I'll add in my welcome to PCM; hopefully we can provide you support and get your computer running again. Please feel free to open detailed threads explaining your issues.

While AOL has been known to cause more harm than good, we could get you running

[kram 2.0]

Oh wow, talk about corporate abuse . But if you got it last November, I would be thinking it's probably Windows XP Home/Professional as your operating system - that's one of the few nice things that Microsoft has out. As for email, I might just recommend you might get a paid domain, and get hosting for your email. In other words, it's a paid email service, but also a paid domain - you can pick the domain and username. In other words, your email can be username@youpickyourowndomain.com/net/biz .

About the Symantec...is it Norton AntiVirus 2004? NAV2004 is known to be at odds with WinXP - most of us here use NAV2003 if we use Symantec. Next time they tell you to disable any type of AV software, ask them what THEY use...see if they can stay true to their word.

Back up your stuff every so periodically...it seems like you've been to hell and back many times over. This includes your address book.


Hope that helps,
kram

[Desiree]

Whn I started re-constructing my database, I had to do it in a way to just to keep me going. As of now, I have been able to classify 410 actors in 210 categories. So, I can't start that process again.

My only hope was EUDORA.

Beacsue I have soooooo many issues, could it be the operating system, can something be desperatly wrong with it?---- Even tech support can't fix any of the problems.

When I had to install AOL 7 times in one day, it was using 7 different disks.... is this normal?

Do I have any rights as a consumer? Can I do something about this computer, or am I stock with it?

[kram 2.0]

I'm not too sure changing computers would do much...November last year is still pretty new technology. What are the specs to your computer by curiosity?

kram

[Hi Ho]

First of all, welcome to PCmech. Now, I would say that Sony is not the cause of your problems. Sony made the computer, not the software. If you are looking for an email client that will import your OE address book then you should tryThunderbird. Also, be sure and download Spybot Search & Destroy and Adawar. If you can successfully copy your contacts and important files onto a CD a fresh install of Windows might not be a bad idea in order to get rid of all the AOL crap.

[TennBikeBerk]

Desiree,

I am sorry to hear about all your troubles! That's really awful. You must have a lot of patience if your still troubleshooting all of this. Good luck!

[diver203_98]

She really doesn't have a choice. it is her business and life that keeps going up in smoke. And we all wish her all the luck she can use. And with our help, and the people she works with, she will be able to get through this.

[Panama Red]

Just some friendly advice that may save you next time. Rather than depend solely on your computer and the associated software, get yourself a Palm device (or any similar brand) that offers some form of Hot Sync or database backup to the computer. I lost all my customer info a couple years ago before I got my first Palm. Now I have the Palm backed up to both my laptop and one of my desktops. I've vowed it won't happen again. Depending on AOL or Outlook to maintain your Address book/data base is too risky.

[Desiree]

Thank you all for your responses. Pertaining the "Sync" option, well I did that as well.

On the 20th it occured to me to do something, just in case AOL did something to me just like they do on the 21st of every month, and I synchronized the address book into Outlook Express. But for some reason it didn't work. All I got was the names without the email addresses.

Microsoft took the file and tried to piece it together, but they couldn't as well.

I know SONY just made the computer, but when you call Microsoft, unless you pay for tech support, they tell you to contact SONY. So I keep paying for tech support.

Also, Outlook Express does not work properly without MSWord. I didn't even noticed I didn't have MSWord, instead I have MSWorks.

Of course, when I bought the computer, they tell you fully loaded with MS---- So Microsoft wants me to buy MSOffice for $499. I can't even buy OUTLOOK, because it will not work without MSWord.

I should have bought a Mac! But I bought the computer on impulse.... and now I am paying for it! I worked with Macs for 5 years when I was in publishing. Only had ONE Horrible experience!

You guys have been great.... I will try Hi Ho's suggestion after I get through EUDORA's tech support tomorrow. If they can't import the address book, I'll try the MOZILLA product.
But with my luck, I'll get the download with ALL THE BUGS!--- I just checked the website as per his suggestion. The very first thing the warn you about is ALL THE BUGS.---- Yeap! It has my name written all over!

[Statica]

OK. so just filtering through this thread; let's try to get organized here (we've already established that some of what you've got isnt working, and we know that there are alternatives). We could keep pointing fingers at different mfgers, however the truth is that they do seem to work for a huge section of the population.

The first issue I see here, is that you cannot move your addresses in and out from one program to another. Outlook Express is NOT an address book program, it doesnt store addresses for you, it doesnt retrieve addresses for you. What it will do, is integrate with another core Windows program called Windows Address Book. The problem, correct me if I am wrong, is other programs cannot get access to the Windows address book to import your previous addresses?
1) The first thing to do is verify if the entries (400 or so as you mentioned) are indeed there.
Go to START > RUN and type
wab OK
Do you see your list of addresses? And all details the way you like it?
2) If you see the addresses, the important thing IMHO is to backup that addressbook. Trust me, that there are going to be as many recommendations as there are going to be people you talk to; and you would feel a lot safer if you saved that address book before you let other programs try to play with it. I'll give you 2 methods of making that backup, you can select either - my recommendation would of course be to use BOTH steps and make 2 backups.
..
Open windows address book by doing START > RUN > wab
Then, go to FILE menu > EXPORT > Address Book (WAB)...
You should come with a dialog box for file location. Save it to someplace like My Documents and call it backup-ad1
Close the Windows Address Book
....
Open up Windows Explorer
Go to the following folder
C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book
UserName is your User Name on your computer, for example if you are logged in as Desiree on your XP, then you will have to go to:
C:\Documents and Settings\Desiree\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book
You should see at least one WAB file, that looks like Desiree.wab .. copy it over to My Documents (Select it .. press CTRL+C to copy; then go to My Documents and press CTRL+V to paste it)

So now you have 2 backup copies of your address book.

---

The problem you are probably facing is that you are trying to import from one proprietary format (Windows Address Book) to another one; sometimes it just doesnt work, because there might be tables in there that dont translate well from one program to another. For example, the Windows Address book uses a number of columns like First Name, Last Name, Display Name, Nickname etc etc.. now if you have another program that doesnt quite care about the display name but only the nickname, it might just keep filling in the wrong values all over.

Let's see if your WAB is working fine to begin with before we can get to helping you with moving the addresses around.

[Desiree]

Hey Statica... Thanks for your time and effort. Yes, WAB... tried that as well.

OK-- First Microsoft tech support told me that when exporting from Outlook Express, I can't go through Windows Address Book option. According to them, it will not work. I need to select the csv option, which I have, and I am able to see the address book on the desktop once exported. But Eudora will not see it. Not on the desktop, or under the documents.

There have been several issues with OE. Even though you export with csv and you select to export, names and email addresses, it will not. From my previous identity, all I was able to get was names, and then the addresses. So, that was that.... 1,288 names, and 1,288 email addresses.... no matching info.

That was with the old identity. That was the file MS tried to piece together.

Ok-- I will print your suggestion, and will follow to the letter. I will keep you posted.

If it works.... well... you will have broken the jinx---- But chances of that happenning.... I don't know... you see.... tell me... what are the chances of not only, NOT HAVING A SPELL CHECKER on OUTLOOK EXPRESS..... but NOT HAVING a SPELL CHECKER on AT&T either????? yeap!--- I get an ISP, with no spell checker.

Ok-- what about this---- My time stamp--- my computer has the correct time but not with my AT&T mail..... And I can go on, and on..... and on.....

Like my domain host---- What a mess that was... IS.... But that's a whole other story..... YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE it!

I am going to follow your suggestion now.

[Statica]

The CSV file that was created as per MS' instructions does not create an address book. A CSV is something like a spreadsheet file, or more accurately a universally accepted spread sheet file where columns are separated by COMA-s.
Instead of just exporting names and email addresses, I would export every single value. Like First Name, Last Name, Business name .. etc etc.. That would account for all columns.
When you export it to a CSV, just double click it, if you have Microsoft Excel or comparable spreadsheet program, you should see the columns just like a spreadsheet. Or if you were to open it in notepad you should see it like this:

First Name,Last Name,Middle Name,Name,Nickname,E-mail Address,Home Street,Home City,Home Postal Code,Home State,Home Country/Region,Home Phone,Home Fax,Mobile Phone,Personal Web Page,Business Street,Business City,Business Postal Code,Business State,Business Country/Region,Business Web Page,Business Phone,Business Fax,Pager,Company,Job Title,Department,Office Location,Notes Abraham,Lincoln,,Abe,,abe_lincoln@president.gov.us,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

As you can see, the first line defines the column names, the second line defines the first person on the address book, for example Abraham Lincoln; columns where there are no entries (like the Middle Name for example, is just left blank.
While this is a very good format to work with, there are obvious caveats .. Consider that you entered someone's name with a coma, it would screw up the formatting for all subsequent entries..

---

Regarding getting your spell check working on OE, it should be a rather straightforward procedure all you need is your XP CD and follow the directions here: http://www.theeldergeek.com/oe_spellcheck.htm

[Desiree]

Hi Statica--- I have all the WAB files that I have exported in the last few days. I just exported the most current version. I did open and yes, the entire application is there. In other words.... everything is there, even the OLD IDENTITIES that I deleted days ago.

So, I tried EUDORA, but no good. You can't see the file from EUDORA.

[Desiree]

Yes Statica... when exporting from the old identity I checked all the boxes on the cvs box, but it did not export the file correctly.

Pertaining the CD for OE, I don't have it. It came with the operating system.

SONY told me that the only way to resolve the OE issues is to re-install the ENTIRE OPERATING SYSTEM---

[Statica]

Yes that's what I meant .. you need to have your CD for the operating system, follow the directions listed on the site and you should be able to get back your spell check.

[Desiree]

Hey Statica--- So, I don't need MSWord for the spell checker? MS told me that the feature was not available. It is only available if you have MSWord.

I will check out the site later on.... Right now, I need 300 people to work on a film on Sunday. Got to go!

[Desiree]

Hey Statica--- Just printed out the Elder Geek repair SpellCheck XP OE6--- It look a bit complicated.... Will let you know what happens....

Thanks for ALL your help!--

[Desiree]

Hi Statica--- so tried to correct XP OE6 spell checker as per repair instructions---- However, when I went to delete CSAPI3T1.DILL file everything stoped. I "performed an ilegal operation" and system shut down occured.

In the meantime, since 12:06pm, I can't send any mail out from AOL. I am back to that thing again. Only now, I can't even send from the send later box.

Since February, when I discovered that It was IMPOSSIBLE to send mail from the send now box, I tricked AOL by going through the send later box. I was doing that until May.

By the way.... I have a question no one seems to know the answer to. The Norton's icon... there's a white exclamaition mark inside a red circle over the icon, do you have any idea what it means. It's always been there, and now it's gone.

[Desiree]

Hey Statica--- Have not heard from you, I guess you lost patience as well. Don't blaime you. I can't even hear myself, everytime I have to explain the thread of issues time and time again.

Anyway, thanks for trying to help.

[Statica]

Hi Desiree:
It is recommended that you open new threads for numerous issues, as you are having a ton of them. For example, I have no idea about your Norton icon because I dont use Norton, however a new thread with the issue would encourage some other users to answer your question.

Additionally, it seems like you have a really messed up setup, have you considered backing up important information and reinstalling XP (you do have the CD)?

[RHLinuxGUY]

I dont know too much about whats going on. (just wizzed through the thread) But i can answer one thing, just like 2 weeks ago, yahoo increased ther mail to 100 Mbs. And if I remember correctly, they were rated number one for the best email service. Anit virus, no spam, great mail space, and so on. (who realy needs more then 100 megs)