[dba-Tech] OT: Compaq vs. Dell

...hhhmmm ...I wouldn't expect Dell to normally include malware in their
support ...personally I'd always run Spybot S&D and PestPatrol among other
diagnostics before calling any support point ...now the exception to that is
that I would expect Dell Support to be aware of any recent malware/virii
issues for which updates have not been released by Symantec/Spybot etc, and
warn me of them if my symptoms point in that direction.

...Dell driver and software updates have been consistently good and always
appear on the Win Update site at the same time Dell makes them available on
their own site which saves me a bit of time.

...based upon customer complaints, Dell has now moved all of its small
business/corporate support back to US based staff who actually speak English
and can deviate from a script ...my understanding is that HP/Compaq
continues to use their India based support but since I don't use them I
can't verify that.

...my real bitch with Compaq servers was based upon a couple instances where
proprietary components simply were not available for one of their older (3
years) servers and when they were found, the price was simply outrageous
...but you paid or died ...one experience left a client down for more than a
week whose entire business was computer based while Compaq searched
everywhere for the part according to them ...I finally found it through a
desperation plea on another list ...the client bought all new Dell Servers
two months later and I've never even considered using Compaq again ...with
Dell Servers, I can if necessary use ANY OTS component in an emergency and
it will work ...and Dell will continue to honor the rest of its warranty.

...this is of course just my experience ...others evidently have reason to
see it differently :)

William Hindman
<http://www.freestateproject.org> - Next Year In The Free State!


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Bartow" <john at winhaven.net>
To: "Discussion of Hardware and Software issues"
<dba-tech at databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 11:09 AM
Subject: RE: [dba-Tech] OT: Compaq vs. Dell


> Hi John,
> You didn't mention what size company or the purpose of the server so I'm
> assuming its a small business domain/file server.
>
> I've worked with both Dell and Compaq Wintel based servers. I have a Dell
> PowerEdge Server (Dual Pentium). I have no preference between the two as
far
> as servers go. Both companies have fine products and support in my
> experience.
>
> Keep in mind that the supporting equipment and setup will be as important
as
> the server. I usually include things like UPS, backup, OS, licensing, etc.
> in the price estimate.
>
> I personally think HP/Compaq has more of a IT friendly, strategic outlook
as
> a company but if you're dealing with a company that has a knowledgeable
> support staff that is of little consequence. There are other companies to
> consider buying a server from but since you didn't list them...
>
> I have recently read that Dell has purportedly discussed adapting a policy
> whereby its support staff will not be allowed to inform its customers
> concerning the prevention/removal of Add/Spyware (malware), to the point
of
> not even mentioning the possibility that malware may be the cause of the
> customer's problem. In my experience malware can cause major problems by
> consuming RAM and causing system conflicts/lockups/crashes. Its not a
small
> issue. If Dell or any other company adopts a policy such as this (and I
> repeat, I have not verified that Dell is following through on this) I
would
> have to regard that as extremely poor judgment and avoid their products.
I'm
> not suggesting that they help anyone fix malware problems but only that
they
> inform people of the possibility of them and offer possible alternatives
on
> how to remove the trouble software. Even Symantec does that much. (Norton
> anti-virus now removes some malware but the tech support will still refer
> people to use Spybot Search & Destroy if it is warranted.) I understand
that
> big compaines are being pressured by the potential for lawsuits from
malware
> companies. Kind of like suing a fast-food restaurant for giving you hot
> coffee!
>
> HTH
> John B.
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> > [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of John W. Colby
> > Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 5:23 AM
> > To: DBA - Tech; AccessD
> > Subject: [dba-Tech] OT: Compaq vs. Dell
> >
> >
> > A client is looking to buy a server and has always favored Compaq
servers,
> > but is asking me and others their opinions of Dell vs. Compaq.  I am not
> > knowledgeable where servers are concerned, and I know that you
> > folks are an
> > opinionated bunch <grin> so I'd like to get your opinion on
> > whether Dell is
> > as good as / better than / worse than Compaq when it comes to servers.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > John W. Colby
> > www.ColbyConsulting.com
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com
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> > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com
> >
> >
>
>
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