#%^@ing E-Machines
OK, so this blog is about why you don’t want to TOUCH an E-Machine! I ended up doing some work for a client, reloading an E-Machine model C2881 that he handed me. Installed was 512 MB of RAM, and after loading XP SP3 and all updates along with removing all the crap that E-Machines puts in their Ghost image (imagine software from 2004 staring you in the face), and loading a couple of simple, newer, open source programs, the thing is running like a 286 SX-25 loaded with Windows Vista.
More RAM, obvious, that and streamline startup. OK, so startup is streamlined, and I used CPU-Z to look at the memory clock so I don’t have to open it up. It uses DDR 2700, great, I know what kind of RAM, but how much will the system handle, so I can send a link to my client to purchase some memory? Off to www.emachines.com (or whatever their site is). I pull down the user manual, which has no tech specs. I look on their page where they claim “specifications”, but it just tells you what the stupid thing shipped with, 512 MB DDR. So I have to pull up a chat with their support, and get this, max memory is coveted! Trade secret from what I was told, take a look at the chat session and see how long it took me to get through to this guy. So here is the secret, in all it’s glory, available for all the world to see.
| Live Automation | |
| Time | Item |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:43 PM | “Missing full specifications in user manual and on website. Need to know maximum installable memory.” was submitted by Jason Knight to the problem analysis engine. |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:43 PM | Phone Number set to |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:43 PM | E-mail set to . |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:43 PM | Serial # set to . |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:43 PM | OS set to Windows XP Home/Pro. |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:43 PM | Siebel SR # set to . |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:43 PM | Purchase Location set to . |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:43 PM | Product Model set to . |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:43 PM | Date Purchased set to . |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:43 PM | Model Name set to . |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:43 PM | Case Number set to . |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:43 PM | Jason Knight logged in. |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:46 PM | Connected to the server via Web Chat |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:46 PM | Jason Knight has been assigned to the eMachines Support queue. |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:47 PM | Jason Knight was added to the incident named Jason Knight by Nikhil_GWSI1007 |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:47 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 created an incident named Jason Knight. |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:48:53 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: Thank you for contacting technical support. My name and badge number are Nikhil_GWSI1007. Please hold while I review your issue. |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:49:01 PM | Jason Knight says: thx |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:49:44 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: Thank you for being online. I appreciate your patience. |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:49:55 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: May I confirm that the serial number of your eMachines product which has an issue is ? |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:50:28 PM | Jason Knight says: There is no issue with the machine, i’m simply looking for your specifications for this model, and yes, that is the serial # |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:50:32 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: Please give following details |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:50:34 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: Purchase location Date of purchase Model number |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:50:38 PM | Jason Knight says: dude |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:50:45 PM | Jason Knight says: how much memory can this thing take? |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:50:57 PM | Jason Knight says: you should have printed specifications somewhere |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:51:21 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: Jason, can you please provide the above information? |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:51:43 PM | Jason Knight says: no, because i am the technician working on this machine, and all i am asking you is one simple question |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:51:54 PM | Jason Knight says: WHAT IS THE MAX MEMORY FOR THIS MODEL? |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:52:08 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: May I know the model number of the computer? |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:52:13 PM | Jason Knight says: this machine is NOT under warranty |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:52:23 PM | Jason Knight says: you should be able to tell by the serial # |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:52:35 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: From the information provided I see that the computer is Out of Warranty. As a One Time Best Effort I can provide you with some self help links to fix the issue.If in case you require further help, you need to contact Answers by eMachines department which is a paid support. |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:52:39 PM | Jason Knight says: it’s a C2881 |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:52:46 PM | Jason Knight says: DUDE |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:52:52 PM | Jason Knight says: i just told you it’s out of warranty |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:53:01 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: May I confirm that you need to upgrade the menory? |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:53:11 PM | Jason Knight says: emachines is responsible for posting the technical specifications for anything you put out |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:53:15 PM | Jason Knight says: that’s right |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:53:26 PM | Jason Knight says: please give me a link to printed specifications |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:53:36 PM | Jason Knight says: technical specs please |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:53:50 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: eMachines C2881 Computer takes the PC2700 DDR SDRAM DIMMs Memory Type, and comes installed with 512 MB (removable) of Memory. You can upgrade your eMachines eMachines C2881 Computer to up to a maximum of 2.0 GB Memory, the system has 2 sockets to install Memory, already with 512 MB (removable) standard Memory installed. |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:54:14 PM | Jason Knight says: ok, where is this information coming from? |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:54:21 PM | Jason Knight says: i need to see it in print please |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:54:31 PM | Jason Knight says: either in the user manual or on the emachines website |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:54:44 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: Visit the following link |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:54:45 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 sent a link to . [http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html?cat=Desktops&subcat=C%20Series&model=C2881] |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:55:12 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: This information is from our tool |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:55:15 PM | Jason Knight says: nowhere in that link does it indicate a max of 2 GB RAM |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:55:27 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: This information is from our tool |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:55:34 PM | Jason Knight says: internal tool? |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:55:40 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: Yes. |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:55:48 PM | Jason Knight says: wow, that is just unacceptable |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:55:55 PM | Jason Knight says: this information should be widely available |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:56:33 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: These information is for internal purposes we are not suppose to reveal. |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:56:41 PM | Jason Knight says: WHAT? |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:56:44 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: For furthur assistance we have another department named Answers By support , you can contact them for better assistance for this issue. |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:56:48 PM | Nikhil_GWSI1007 says: Answers by Support is a 24/7, 100% U.S.fee based telephone support service provided by North American technicians designed to give you smart, comprehensive solutions to all of your technology questions. What makes it different from other types of tech support is that it covers not only your PC but other technologies as well giving you direct access to expert-level support and advice for almost any gadget, hardware or software you’ve got a question about.Answers by Support which is a paid support Voice number is:800-237-6483 |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:56:55 PM | Jason Knight says: no, it’s the customer’s right to know technical specifications |
| 17 Feb 2010 10:57:00 PM | Jason Knight says: my god |
1
Hi Jason,
I thought I’d let you know you can find out how much RAM the machine can hold very easily by going to the Kingston website and looking up emachines and then the model. On the Website it says that 256 OR 512 is the standard depending on your local and that the machine can handle up to 2GB of Memory. Hope this helps! I’m not sure if your comments support a link but here it goes:
http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=30749&mfr=eMachines&model=eMachines+C2881&search_type=&root=us&LinkBack=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kingston.com&Sys=30749-eMachines-eMachines+C2881&distributor=0&submit1=Search
Jared Heinrichs
2
Thanks for that tip. The point to my blog is that their support is either mis-informed about proper policy, or if that is truly their policy, just another reason to stay away from E-Machine. I won’t even go into the proprietary power supplies I’ve seen in some of these systems…
3
Agreed! It’s just nice to know that when really bad companies like emachines exist, other companies try and help us out
Anyone reading thsi blog: Don’t buy emachines! lol
4
Thanks again, it is good to know other resources. One thing I’ve been missing in this arena is NewEgg.com’s memory configurator! Made it sooo easy to get qualified RAM for laptops and mobos.