"I paid over $2000 for a Gateway computer and another $200 for a four-year warranty," writes Heather. "In the first year, the computer broke, and I attempted to utilize my warranty. The company reps just gave me the runaround for a couple of months, and then I finally found out they were filing bankruptcy. I just got an e-mail today that confirmed the worst of my fears. The company had not come out of bankruptcy successfully and will not be servicing warranties. I would be interested in filing a class-action suit against either Gateway or MPC and am looking for people who would like to do the same."
Unfortunately, I've gotten a lot of letters like Heather's over the past few weeks. I have already covered this MPC disaster several times, and all the news is bad. But I have a modicum of information to share, and a lot of you have asked for an update, so here goes.
I posted an internal memo about the company's liquidation a couple of weeks ago, and the Idaho Business review covered the company's failure to get it together under Chapter 11. According to that story, "MPC told the state that efforts to reorganize under Chapter 11 have proven unsuccessful." As Bob points out in the comments to that story, Logan and Company is handling the case.
There is a link to a form for seeking warranty repairs at the MPC Web site, but I doubt it does much good, as I believe most of the employees there have moved on.
One of Gripe Line's readers, though, forwarded me the following memo sent to him -- a customer. Many of you maybe have also gotten this memo, but it has some useful information -- especially if your computer is out for warranty repair and you want it back -- so here it is:
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »
Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.
Download now »
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect business–critical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.
Download now »
Sign up to receive Business Resource Alerts
17 Recommendations
