Fuck Gateway

I purchased a P6860-FX laptop about a year ago (5/30/2008, to be precise) as a ‘gaming laptop’ for about $1350.00. The laptop is decent, but I have been trying to get VMWare Workstation or Microsoft Virtual PC to run- and both complain that ‘Hardware Virtualization’ needs to be enabled in the BIOS.

I have verified that my CPU (an Intel T7700) and my motherboard chipset (Intel PM965 Chipset) should be able to support Intel virtualization technology (VT-x)– but there is no option to enable/disable such a feature in the BIOS. In fact, the BIOS is pretty bare- looking a bit like Gateway went a little over-zealous when customizing the BIOS…

I contacted Gateway to see if VT-x was a possible [Incident: 090603-000372] or if a future BIOS would allow for this. Their response was:

Response (Arunkumar_GWSI686) – 06/03/2009 01:27 PM
Dear Bruce ,
Thank you for contacting Gateway. I apologize for the inconvenience that you have experienced.

As per our records we see that your system is out of Warranty.

I would like to inform you that your warranty started on 05/04/2008 and ended on 05/04/2009.

If you need further support concerning the hardware visualization issue, We do offer a phone-based support options for Out of Warranty products that also covers “How Do I” questions as well.
“Answers by Gateway” is a convenient and affordable fee based technical support service that is great for answering “how to” questions or technical issues once the product warranty has expired. With your purchase of the service you would have instant access to our Highly Trained agents.
You may call 1.800.229.1103 . However, it’s a fee based support. Calling cards are available for 30 minutes ( $59.99 ), 90 minutes ( $129.99 ), or 15 issues ( $199.99 ) and the validity will be 1 year.
Another option is that you can approach a local technician.
For further clarifications please feel free to visit our web site http://www.support.gateway.com
Thank you for contacting Gateway.
Have a great day!
Respectfully,
Gateway Online Technical Support

So basically ‘Arankumar’ at Gateway support has informed me that:

1. My Gateway warranty started 27 days before I purchased my laptop.
2. My Gateway system is out of warranty and I will get ZERO help from Gateway
3. If I do want help, I can get it for the low price of $60 for 30 mins (and no Vaseline)

If the system was dead/broken/not working, I can see this response- but for a simple yes/no question, Gateway can keept their non-English speaking ‘support’ employed for some other person to be annoyed with.

I guess I should have listened to everyone else when they said ‘Don’t buy a gateway’…

So- if you have a Gateway system, I feel sorry for you . If you are thinking of purchasing a Gateway system- just don’t… unless you want to be lied to about your warranty coverage and have some third-world flowchart reader tell you that Gateway just doesn’t give a fuck about you.

No more Gateway systems for me- or anyone I can influence!