Do not buy from Gateway

[silversnake]

This is a rant but it's also a warning to anyone interested in buying a computer from this company.

I purchased a Gateway computer in November of 09. I needed a computer in a hurry as I was finishing my 3D portfolio and my previous computer crashed so I needed a really amazing computer, for cheap and fast. I always custom built my computer but based on my situation, I had no choice. My friends work at a retail store here and had this really good gaming PC for cheap and with his employee discount it was really worth it. Against my better judgement, I pulled the trigger and purchased it. Everything was great until ... today.

I purchased a blu-ray drive today because it was on special and with the same employee discount it was stupid not to get it. So I buy it , all happy, come home to install it and can't find anywhere to connect so after a while I decide to call tech support. (click spoiler for full explanation)

[Show spoiler]The connection type for the blu-ray drive is Serial ATA and I couldn't find the connection anywhere on the motherboard on the first look. The PC came with no manual, other than the huge fold out on how to plug in your mouse, keyboard etc. There is no info on my PC or my motherboard or pics of my motherboard to find out where it could be located. Finally I see E-ATA on the back and I think success! But no, plug doesn't fit. I go back in the computer and follow where the CD-Rom is plugged in and I see more ports there underneath the video card. I remove the video card , plug in the Serial ATA but now... I have no idea how to put the damn thing in, it doesn't fit because the Power Supply is in the way and I can put it in from the front because there is a metal bar blocking it (Can't break it like the old ones where it would bend easily) I get fed up and I finally call tech support. After about 10 minutes of talking to an automated service, I finally get thru and he asks me all these questions about where I live, phone number, etc.

After all that's done, I finally ask my question. I want to know how do I install a blu-ray drive, he repeats exactly what I just asked him and than say " Sorry sir, we do not recommend installing third party hardware" I say, okay thanks for the warning, but seriously, how do I Install this thing. " Sorry sir, we do not recommend installing third party hardware" I say "Am I speaking to a real person right now? "Yes sir, I am a real person" He then says, if I want , he can give me a phone number for expert advice , I ask if you have to pay, to which he says, Yes.

I'm in total anger right now and I would have never expected that kind of answer. I mean, I know Dell and Gateway build their computers so you can't really upgrade, but to the point where they won't even give you basic advice on how to do it unless you pay to ask simple questions, like do I have to remove the power supply to install a BD rom drive? I feel violated....