Modem removed by computer shop???

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I'm probably going to sound like a newbie, but here goes.....The computer
shop recently formatted my computer and installed Windows XP Home with SP2,
anyway when I got my computer back I was missing a modem which according to a
printout I had done previously was a HSP56 MR. I called this shop to ask
them why they had removed this modem when all that was asked of them was to
format and install Windows XP Home on my computer. They had removed this
without my permission...Their excuse for doing this was that the modem was
virtually useless because the XP Home with SP2 rendered it
incompatible??????? And that most ISP's don't even recognize them
anymore????? This from the very same computer shop who sold me a computer
with a pirated version of XP...

What should I do about this?
 
Don't return to that particular repair shop ever again!

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I'm probably going to sound like a newbie, but here goes.....The computer
| shop recently formatted my computer and installed Windows XP Home with SP2,
| anyway when I got my computer back I was missing a modem which according to a
| printout I had done previously was a HSP56 MR. I called this shop to ask
| them why they had removed this modem when all that was asked of them was to
| format and install Windows XP Home on my computer. They had removed this
| without my permission...Their excuse for doing this was that the modem was
| virtually useless because the XP Home with SP2 rendered it
| incompatible??????? And that most ISP's don't even recognize them
| anymore????? This from the very same computer shop who sold me a computer
| with a pirated version of XP...
|
| What should I do about this?
 
Thanks for the advice Carey, but no kidding.....Do you think I should report
them to the local Better Business Bureau? I got my computer back running
like a piece of crap, now I can't afford to have it fixed. The only thing I
could do is maybe format and reinstall Windows again, but wouldn't know where
to begin.
 
Newbie_Donna said:
I'm probably going to sound like a newbie, but here goes.....The computer
shop recently formatted my computer and installed Windows XP Home with
SP2,
anyway when I got my computer back I was missing a modem which according
to a
printout I had done previously was a HSP56 MR. I called this shop to ask
them why they had removed this modem when all that was asked of them was
to
format and install Windows XP Home on my computer. They had removed this
without my permission...Their excuse for doing this was that the modem was
virtually useless because the XP Home with SP2 rendered it
incompatible??????? And that most ISP's don't even recognize them
anymore????? This from the very same computer shop who sold me a computer
with a pirated version of XP...

What should I do about this?
Click to expand...

The modem may still be installed in your computer. They may simply be
incompetent and didn't install the driver for it.

Kerry
 
Thanks for replying Kerry, but no, it has been removed from my computer, they
told me basically that it was "extra parts" I didn't need. I'm not very good
with the tech part of computers, but according to the printout I had done
before taking it in, there was a modem there, and I got it back without one
according to my computer information, something I guess sort of told me not
to trust them....haha...guess I was right. Anyway, I had my nephew confirm
that this modem was indeed missing and just not installed before I phoned the
shop.
These same techs had installed a pirated copy of XP and at the time, I
really didn't know any different until recently when I could no longer do
upgrades because I couldn't supply a product key....I do have a valid disk
and product key now, and sticker.
 
Newbie_Donna said:
I'm probably going to sound like a newbie, but here goes.....The computer
shop recently formatted my computer and installed Windows XP Home with
SP2,
anyway when I got my computer back I was missing a modem which according
to a
printout I had done previously was a HSP56 MR. I called this shop to ask
them why they had removed this modem when all that was asked of them was
to
format and install Windows XP Home on my computer. They had removed this
without my permission...Their excuse for doing this was that the modem was
virtually useless because the XP Home with SP2 rendered it
incompatible??????? And that most ISP's don't even recognize them
anymore????? This from the very same computer shop who sold me a computer
with a pirated version of XP...

What should I do about this?
Click to expand...

1. I assume the 'Computer Shop' has returned the modem to you. While I
am not familiar with the particular modem I would be very surprised if it
does not 'work' with WINXP SP2. It is likely there are suitable modem
drivers.
2. You need a 'dial up type' modem if you ever want to send a fax. I
assume you connect to the net via either a cable or ADSL modem.
3. Insist the 'Computer Shop' refit the modem.
4. If they 'sold/provided' you with a pirated version of WINXP, either
use this a leverage to get them to 'fix your machine and/or report them to
Microsoft. The ethical course is to report them to
Microsoft. Microsoft will investigate and, I understand, will provide you
with a legitimate copy of WINXP or sell you a legitimate copy at a greatly
reduced price.
5. Report the 'shop' to the Better Business Bureau although my experience
of this organization is it is absolutely useless.
6. If the 'Computer Shop' will not cooperate you could consider the
small claims court.
7. If you do not want to go through the 'hassle of dealing with 'Computer
Shop' refitting the modem is very simple and likely well within your
expertise. There is plenty of guidance on the net (use Google).
8. With regards to 'cleaning' up your machine, this is a separate topic
and you should post a particular question on that. You will get all the
assistance you require.
 
Is the modem card still there?

Look at the back of your computer. Is there a line in and a line out for a
phone hookup. If not then call the local police, file a report and press
charges. Sounds like you have been nailed by the same tactic used by auto
repair shops for years. It is illegal to take it out without your
permission. If they did bet you they have already sold is as a new card to
someone else. If they ripped you off once, why did you go back? I hope you
have reported the pirated version of XP to Microsoft. These kind of repair
shops need to be out of business. Hope you will stand up and help put them
down.

"old" devildog
-- Simper Fi --
--------------------------------
| I'm probably going to sound like a newbie, but here goes.....The computer
| shop recently formatted my computer and installed Windows XP Home with
SP2,
| anyway when I got my computer back I was missing a modem which according
to a
| printout I had done previously was a HSP56 MR. I called this shop to ask
| them why they had removed this modem when all that was asked of them was
to
| format and install Windows XP Home on my computer. They had removed this
| without my permission...Their excuse for doing this was that the modem was
| virtually useless because the XP Home with SP2 rendered it
| incompatible??????? And that most ISP's don't even recognize them
| anymore????? This from the very same computer shop who sold me a computer
| with a pirated version of XP...
|
| What should I do about this?
 
Newbie_Donna said:
I'm probably going to sound like a newbie, but here goes.....The computer
shop recently formatted my computer and installed Windows XP Home with
SP2,
anyway when I got my computer back I was missing a modem which according
to a
printout I had done previously was a HSP56 MR. I called this shop to ask
them why they had removed this modem when all that was asked of them was
to
format and install Windows XP Home on my computer. They had removed this
without my permission...Their excuse for doing this was that the modem was
virtually useless because the XP Home with SP2 rendered it
incompatible??????? And that most ISP's don't even recognize them
anymore????? This from the very same computer shop who sold me a computer
with a pirated version of XP...

What should I do about this?
Click to expand...

Geez. I repair computers, and I'm scrupulous about giving back dead parts; I
can't imagine just ripping parts out of a computer and keeping them. Even if
they couldn't get the modem to work, they should have at least given it back
to you -- how do they know you don't have another computer where you can use
that part?

The crazy thing is that modems are so darned cheap, there's no reason a shop
would "steal" one. It's not like they're getting away with much. Maybe they
couldn't figure out how to get it to work, and this was their stupid
solution.

If you're up to a confrontation, go back and demand that you get your modem
back or that you get a new, working modem to replace it.

I don't know how the local police would respond to something like this, but
they took something from you that they didn't have permission to take. Maybe
it could be defined as theft. And if you paid them for a legal copy of
Windows before, but they sold you an illegal one, that's another case of ...
something.

Police, small claims court, Microsoft Antipiracy...you can raise all sorts
of trouble for these guys. Te BBB is pretty useless, but go ahead and report
there, too.

These are the kind of places that make people nervous about getting a
computer repaired. And for some reason, people tend to let these places get
away with it, where they'd raise a fuss elsewhere. I mean, if you got your
car worked on, and they kept your tires, I think you'd get a little crazy
about it.

You got ripped off by this place. Twice. Go get 'em! Tell everyone they're
crooks. Don't go back there for repairs, just get the parts and software
they owe you. Small claims court is easy... (can you tell that this sort of
thing really irritates me?)
 
Yes Edward, they did give me "a" modem back, not mine though, it wasn't the
same one at all. They told me that they have a box of them and that they
always remove these from computers with XP-SP2, (supposedly after asking the
computer owners permission), this all said with a lot of stuttering and
shifty eyes...haha. They did offer to reinstall it back into my computer
for me, but I really don't want them touching my machine anymore. I do
connect to the internet with a cable modem and realize that right now I don't
need the other modem connection because I'm not running a fax machine. I
will probably try to install it myself, I don't know all the tech terms for
the computer, but have managed to keep my computer running and problem free
for almost three years now and I've been maintaining it myself, so I can
probably reinstall the modem. And I think I'm going to report the pirated
version of XP to Microsoft too, I didn't realize that it was pirated until I
couldn't do the updates anymore without the required product key, which I
didn't have. I have purchased one since then, but the installation this shop
did, has made my computer run like crap. They've offered to "fix" this for
me, free of course, but I'd rather do it myself. This has been a good lesson
learned for me......thanks Edward.
 
The thing of it was, was that this wasn't a "dead" part, it was fully
functional, and the only job that I asked them to do was to format my hard
drive and reinstall XP with my newly purchased legal copy, which I should
have had in my computer in the first place. I really can't figure out why
they took out this modem in the first place, except that they saw a "sucker"
coming and took advantage, as is the case with the pirated installation of
XP. What I can't seem to figure out though is that this pirated XP was XP
Pro and with the SP2 upgrades online....why would they even suggest or even
think that I would believe that this modem was "useless" with the XP Home
Edition with SP2?
 
Thanks for the advice Carey, but no kidding.....Do you think I should report
them to the local Better Business Bureau? I got my computer back running
like a piece of crap, now I can't afford to have it fixed. The only thing I
could do is maybe format and reinstall Windows again, but wouldn't know where
to begin.
Click to expand...

Formatting and reinstalling XP would be useless, since such an
operation would never physically replace the modem.

By all means, report the shop to the BBB, and you might also report
them to your State's Prosecutors office.

Also, sue them in Small Claims Court to get the modem back, or to have
it replaced. Perhaps you will get a judgment which is large enough to
purchase a better, more modern modem (you need at least a 56k modem
nowadays).

The fact is, they STOLE your modem. There is JUST NO WAY AROUND
THIS!!! There is no other way to interpret their actions. They never
asked your directions concerning this modem, and simply YANKED IT OUT
of your machine and threw it in a basket of spare and used parts
somewhere in their shop. Even worse, they may have just chucked it
into the trashbin. They don't sound very smart to me.

Donald McDaniel
Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original thread
so that conversations may be kept in order
=======================================================
 
Sounds like they're not only thieves, but they're incompetent thieves.

As far as dead parts, I was just pointing out that I return everything --
dead parts, live parts, empty boxes --whatever comes in with the computer,
goes back out. The fact that they kept a working part is just obnoxious.

It really sounds like they're making up stories to cover their actions, and
they're hoping that you don't know enough to make sense of it. I've seen
that happen often enough. People come to me for work after they've been
somewhere else, and the nonsense I hear is pretty amazing. People have a
hard time saying they've screwed up -- they'd rather make up some nonsense
excuse.

Just think, if you said, "where's my modem?" and they said, "We've got a new
guy and he screwed up, but we'll give you another one" or offered you store
credit or something, this wouldn't seem all that bad. Then again, this
wasn't the first time they've messed with you, so it sure seems more
intentional than a mistake.
 
What I don't understand is their reasoning that the modem was not needed
just because Windows XP was installed? (Whichever version does not
matter.) How the hell do they know how you connect? They can't just
assume that everyone with XP uses cable/ADSL or has these facilities
available or even wants the extra expense? I know people who have XP
installed but might only connect to the internet for an hour a week
using dial up pay-as-you-go. And how would the ISP know what you were
using to connect?
Suggestion - inform your local newspaper about these cowboys?
 
Thanks Donald for commenting, I do realize that formatting and reinstalling
XP isn't going to bring back or repair this "stolen" modem. I want to
reinstall XP, because the job this shop did with my computer has it running
like a piece of crap, it's slow, pages won't display in Internet Explorer, my
Hotmail account is screwed up, I could go on and on....I do, by the way
connect via high speed cable.....my missing modem I guess from what I can
gather from the other comments is how I would hook up a fax machine if I
chose to have one.....or if I lived somewhere where high speed wasn't
available, I would have to hook up on dial up with this modem.
 
Thanks Donald for commenting, I do realize that formatting and reinstalling
XP isn't going to bring back or repair this "stolen" modem. I want to
reinstall XP, because the job this shop did with my computer has it running
like a piece of crap, it's slow, pages won't display in Internet Explorer, my
Hotmail account is screwed up, I could go on and on....I do, by the way
connect via high speed cable.....my missing modem I guess from what I can
gather from the other comments is how I would hook up a fax machine if I
chose to have one.....or if I lived somewhere where high speed wasn't
available, I would have to hook up on dial up with this modem.
Click to expand...

I fully agree with you. I can see no reason for the shop's taking
your modem out of the case and doing whatever it was that they have
done with it. They simply had no right, either legally or morally, to
do that without your permission, and even if they had your permission,
they definitely should have returned the modem to you when you picked
up your machine from the shop.

I CAN, perhaps, KIND of understand their possible thinking in the
matter: You told them that you connect via a Cable modem. They might
have been just trying to help you out by taking the modem out for you.
But I doubt it. Else why didn't they return the modem? NO, they had
more self-serving reasons for taking it out, I assure you.

Now, its possible that the fax-modem caused a conflict with XP or SP2,
somehow, so they MIGHT have removed it so that they would be able to
install XP or SP2 successfully.

But I also doubt this, unless the modem was so OLD and out-of-date
that Windows could not obtain a free interrupt for it automatically,
in which case an interrupt for the modem would have to be supplied by
adjusting settings on the modem board itself. Perhaps in this case
they would not have wanted to put themselves through the difficulty of
learning how to adjust that particular modem's board. Maybe the
manufacturer of the modem no longer provide support for that
particular modem, and do not supply newer drivers or jumper settings
on their website for XP. If you still have the manual which
originally came with the modem, it may have a table showing the
various interrupts available, and the proper jumper settings for them.

Personally, unless you are able to install XP and set it up to your
satisfaction, your best bet is to take it to a bonded technician, who
will be honest with you; then never return to that shop which burnt
you TWICE in a row again. If you want to communicate with the shop
which removed the modem, I advise you to communicate with them via
your legal counsel.

Remember the old saw: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me again,
shame on me."

Donald
Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original thread
so that conversations may be kept in order
=======================================================
 
i have lived in afew different cities and there's always a television station
that has a , on your side, or, fight back, type of deal, call the tv
station, and ask them to help, that way it will be broadcasted on the news, a
lot of folks will see it, and mybe stay away from that business, and, you'll
probably end up with a new modem , ive seen some of those shows where folks
get ripped off, and ohter folks step and do the repairs for free, just so you
will go to them the next time, check it out
 
I'm not really sure if I understand what you're saying.....Before I took my
computer in, I could no longer do upgrades and so on through Microsoft
because they kept asking for validation of my XP, I didn't have a sticker or
anything to validate ownership, so I phoned this shop (where I bought the
computer) to ask what it was all about. They (graciously) offered to install
a valid copy of XP, this came in a green wrapped Microsoft pamphlet with a
disk and a Certificate of Authenticity label.....I now have a disk and a
sticker, I didn't before......I got my computer back formatted with this
installation done, but minus this modem I keep talking about. I had XP Pro
before, now I have XP Home. When I first bought my computer, I should have
had a disk and sticker with it right? This shop had installed a pirated copy
on my computer, they probably installed this same copy on dozens of
others....I don't know, I'm not particularly computer savvy as far as the
technical aspects go, and this shop probably did see a "sucker" coming. I
probably should have contacted Microsoft before taking it in; this shop
charged me $132 CDN for doing this......I really do wish I could do my own
repair and so on, and would love to learn.
 
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