Re: For those looking into a laptop

[awilliam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

> This is the reply I recieved about the internal modem
> on the Gateway Solo 2150 I ordered.  I have e-mailed
> Actiontec to verify what Gateway has said, more on
> that when I get a reply.
> > Thank you for your interest in Gateway and our
> > products and for taking
> > the time to write us.
> > A darn good question that I haven't been asked
> > before and, one frought
> > with land mines.  Iwas told it will work under Unix
> > Linux and NT but,
> > it's not supported.  It shouldwork under DOS also.
> > It's an Actiontech
> > mini PCI modem so I believe it's hardware controlled
> > anyway.  If you can
> > find drivers it ought to work.  You've got 30 days
> > to return the system

Hey, this guy is just like the other tech support people I have talked 
to at Gateway.  He's a flaming MORON!  "Real" modems don't require 
finding drivers, they are tty/com devices supported natively by every 
desktop OS since CP/M and probably before.  Don't take his comments as 
worth anything,  the minute a tech-support guy uses words like 
"should" and "believe" just stop listening.  And if my personal 
expience with Gateway tech support was any worse than it was I'd have 
to start frothing at the mouth to get my point across (and I was 
talking to the smart back row guys).

http://www.o2.net/~gromitkc/20000125a.html

is a pretty comprehensive list of what modems work and what don's.  
Many of the "Actiontech" variety are listed as functioning, but most 
are a "?".  He should have provided you with a more detail description 
of the hardware (that is if he even knew).  Because an older "model" 
wasn't a winmodem doesn't mean newer ones aren't.

http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/kharker/linux-laptop/

has info on a lot of different laptops, including the Gateway 2000 
Solo and the Gateway 2000 Solo 2200, but not any "2150".  I don't know 
if your machine falls in between those models or not (it would make it 
"older"), but if it does than the vintage likely indicates a real 
modem.   The above page also have info on several mail lists and news 
groups where you could find a definite answer.

>> for only the shipping cost if you aren't happy.
>> That's all I can tell you.
>> Any software purchased from Gateway has been tested
>> for compatibility with our systems.
>> We cannot guarantee the compatibility of any
>> software that is bought
>> third party due to the limitless combinations that
>> are on the market.
>> (Our lab only tests software that we sell, so we can
>> not guarantee compatibility of software bought elsewhere.)
>> Gateway can not be held responsible for issues with
>> third party software.
>> If there is anything else that we can do for you,
>> let us know and we'll
>> be happy to help.

No comment.  I wonder if they actually type that every time or if it 
is actually their .signature file.