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    200ARC

    Discussion in 'Gateway and eMachines' started by mbagirl, May 3, 2005.

  1. mbagirl

    mbagirl Notebook Enthusiast

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    A friend just pointed me to a refurbished Gateway 200ARC for about $1000. Anyone have input on it?
     
    mbagirl, May 3, 2005
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  2. danm

    danm Newbie

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    I would strongly advise against it if you haven't purchased yet. I owned a 200arc for several years (purchased new directly from Gateway), and like many owners, was plagued with the machine's mysterious drive powerdown issues--see:

    http://www.complaints.com/directory/2004/august/10/21.htm
    http://www.epinions.com/content_173491981956

    From what I've seen (both anecdotally & direct experience), the issue occurs sporadically (regardless of drive type--I've personally tried Hitachi E7k60, Toshiba MK40 series), and results in complete system hang and/or bluescreen. Removing & reconnecting the drive cable from the mainboard connector usually resolves the issue in the short term, but Gateway has never been able to resolve this issue. They struggled with it thorough the end of the unit warranty, replacing the mainboard twice, power conversion board twice, drive once, cable three times.

    Now, it essentially serves as an expensive paperweight/spare parts unit.
     
    danm, May 30, 2005
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