256MB isn’t a lot. Did you check to see how much free memory there is after you load the computer? I have a similar system from Dell but it came with 128M which only left 25M free. So I got 512M, it’s cheap enough these days.
That might be the problem.
While I’ve never had a personal experience with purchasing from Gateway, I’ll never forget the one time I was driving past a Gateway store. There were about 10 people picketing outside, carrying signs that read:
"Gateway doesn’t service what they sell!"
and
Don’t throw your money away - get a DELL!"
and that sort of yadda.
I’ll certainly think twice before buying from them the next time I’m in the market for a 'puter.
Hmmm, I’ve never concerned myself with customer service comparison when I buy a computer. Every problem I’ve ever had, I’ve been able to fix myself.
The main reasons I purchased a Gateway:
- My parents had always bought Gateways (our first computer was a Pentium 1 - 90mHz from Gateway and it STILL runs to this day, I use it for playing “classic” PC games like Wing Commander and Ultima 7)
- Like I said before, it seemed to have a good hardware power to price ratio.
- Though, Gateway is probably just as bad as any of the others now, in the past Gateway has been good about not loading their computers with tons of crap you don’t need.
I’m pretty certain that my next computer purchase (which, like I said, should be quite some time from now) will either be an Alienware or my own mix-and-match creation.
I use www.internetishop.com
Absolutely cheapest prices, never ever had a problem, works great. By the way, 256 mb of ram on any computer under 1 ghz is a friggin joke man. I have a gig of ram on my 1800 Athlon, and I use it all too.