**WARNING: EXPO computers won't work with TCP/IP, NCSA, Linux, ...

[AS...@asuacad.bitnet]

A few netters reported networking problems with EXPO computers. It
seems that Expo Computers Inc. is not committed to making their computers
compatible with LINUX, TCP/IP, etc. Here is a summary of my telephone
conversation with one of their Tech-Support people:

1. Expo Computers are not guaranteed to work with Linux, TCP/IP,
NCSA software. The only network software they tested are:
NOVELL, Windows/NT
2. Expo computers uses 8-bit SIMM and 8-bit Cache. They will NOT
exchange 9-bit SIMM and 9-bit Cache for you even if this is
highly suspected to be causing the problems.
**NOTE** 8-bit SIMMs are usually used in MACs. Very few 486
PCs use them.
3. EXPO computers are designed for the general public ONLY, NOT for
scientific/computing people.
4. EXPO Computers Inc. will not do any exchange if the machine is
not working with TCP/IP, LINUX, NCSA. In other words, they
will not do any exchange if you are running into problems with
software which is not tested by their lab.

If you don't consider the above appropriate, please either email me or
call Dan Swanson at (800)-288-3243 (Tech Support). I will forward any
comments from the network community to EXPO Tech and post their response
later.

Thank you very much for your support. If you are also having problems
with an EXPO computer, please send me your name, phone number, and Email
address.

[Alex R.N. Wetmore]

Excerpts from netnews.comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware: 28-Sep-93 **WARNING:
EXPO computers w.. by AS...@ASUACAD.BITNET

> 2. Expo computers uses 8-bit SIMM and 8-bit Cache. They will NOT
> exchange 9-bit SIMM and 9-bit Cache for you even if this is
> highly suspected to be causing the problems.
> **NOTE** 8-bit SIMMs are usually used in MACs. Very few 486
> PCs use them.

Not only macs, but just about every workstation on the market as well.
In fact PC's are the only machines that I know of that have a parity bit
anymore. If you think that 8-bit SIMMS are causing you problems why not
get a good memory checker (like QAPlus or testext) and run it for a few
hours. I strongly doubt that the simms are causing you any problems,
and if they are most simm manufactures warrant their stuff for life now.

I agree with the rest of what was said though, and I would agree that if
the above is true that people shouldn't buy their machines.

alex