Topic: Reasonable priced 17 " LCD Monitor ?

[Tony]

17'' Proview LCD CY765S (Silver) Ref: MON0017
1year onsite & 2years RTB Warranty, Includes built in speakers

Available - allow 2 to 3 days (Last Updated - 06th February 17:30)
 
more details

Online Price  £229.00£269.08 Including VAT at 17.5%

http://www.cclcomputers.biz/acatalog/

[Tony]

Update...............opps it's going back to CCL as the screen just goes blank now and again......comes back sometimes if you switch it off and on.

When I first connected it to the tower it did it five or six times, then it was OK. But when I reboxed it, took it to my friends in the lakes,the bugger played up just the sameonce more.

[Simon]

This job seems a bit jinxed, mate!  

[Tony]

You can say that again Simon,

I delivered the PC, as my mate was having trouble with connecting two printers to his old setup. I got that sorted no prob, but they had had a external modem fitted a bit back, but the pratt who did it, did not leave the Driver CD. But with incorrect drivers I managed to get connected with AOL, I know I know. I tried to wean em of AOL last June.

My fault, because I went up for a week , and found they had no firewall, anti virus etc ,etc. but as their line has been split to have another line for the Fax machine and the internet,it only connected at 28KBs And because I had no program disks with me, it meant I needed to download those progs and five years of security patches and service packs. So their pay as you go was not an option at 28Kbs connection. So in went "no two hour disconnect" AOL to get the job done, told em to dump it at the end of the month trial and get a decent ISP, but they stuck with it.

Anyway this time up there I insisted they ditched AOL, plus  after loading it, we lost the "personal tool bar" on Moz and short cut keys on the MS keyboard. So I signed em up for discounted Freeserve, so they can use a decent email prog and browser {Moz} But the wrong drivered modem would not connect Freeserve, and I could get nowhere fast with that bloody 28,0000Kb connection regards modem driver search.

But luckly I had imaged C: Drive in it's "pristen non contaminated by AOL condition" it was in when I delivered it. Plus I partitioned his HDD so "his data" will not need reinstalling, and I have got the  modem driver for them of the web. And as his wife comes down our way once a week, she is dropping the monitor off.

When I get the replacment monitor, I'll nip it up there, 15 min restore imaged C: Drive, whilst having a cuppa. Then reinstall two printers, a scanner, camera software and the modem driver, and make a new image of C: Drive, and bobs your uncle, all sorted in less than an hour I expect.

See my mate is really really not PC compatible {but I'll get him there eventually} but in the mean time, if he cocks up anything, I can talk him through a Imaged C:Drive restore over the phone.

I cannot help but stress the benefits of partitiong your hard drive, and making  System/programs, Data, and Backup partitions, at least. I have also moved my internet cache files to my data Drive, and the Unzipped folder, plus I  and give Virtual Memory it's own partition. All this helps System/program files from getting fragmented  on C:Drive.

And coupled with saving Images of a spanking new C:Drive install, you can have your C:Drive back to pristen condition in about the time it takes make and drink a cuppa.

So come on Simon, blow the dust of Partition Magic and it's Sister program Drive Image, and get it sorted. Better still  do it right with a reformat and reinstall, then when imaged it will be the last reformat and reinstall you will ever need to do.
   
Go on my Son  

[Simon]

If it ain't broke...  

Yeah, I know I should do it - I'll get round to it one of these days!  

[Sandra]

I dont know if your 2K set up allows it Tony, but I have found that using the Remote Assistance part of XP can save a lot of time and avoid unnecessary long drives or frustration during long phone calls, plus it can be done from the comforts of your own PC.
I have even transferred files from my PC to the remote one when I have found it useful or necessary, without any interference from the person at the remote PC  

[Tony]

I think it has Sandra, put it this way, I caught a bloke from Chicago "fiddling" with my mouse once on my desktop. There is something in Adm Tools called "Remote Registary Manipulation"  I disabled it on my PC, no buggers fiddling with my registary.  


That would be really handy, as I emailed the Zipped modem driver, it took em an hour of looking at the email to find it [mind you  AOL call it a download] then he lost track of the file. The Son-in-Law downloads their camera photos onto the PC for them. You know I think they should be in the New Years Honours List, for something like the " There's always someone dummer than you when it comes to Computers"  award.

I love em really you know, we are going on hols together...well I think we still are  

[Simon]

That's not quite the same thing, Tony.  This is called Remote Assistance, and you access it via e-mail or messenger.

[Tony]

Post the blurb on it then Simon....please

[Sandra]

Looks like 2K cant do it Tony  

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;300546

In that article it states this :

Requirements for Remote Assistance
Both the Novice's and Expert's computer must by running a version of Windows XP or Windows Server 2003.
The Novice's and Expert's computer must be connected to a common network. The Internet can serve as this common network.For additional information about possible network configurations, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
301529 Supported Connection Scenarios for Remote Assistance

Maybe if you have XP, or Server 2003 on a dual boot then you could do it that way  

[Simon]

[Tony]

Cheers Sandra Love,

I've just been reading it up on the web

http://www.netdesk.com/CourseInfo/Articles/ITProfessionals/WinXPRA.htm

Anyway I  don't mind going up to my mates in Cumbria, it's a nice scenic run up to Settle, and once on the motorway it's usually empty, well compared to the M62.

As I say once it's sorted and Imaged, getting  him back up and running no matter what he may do by mistake, will be easy. See thats what's holding him back from proggresing i think, he is frighteened of cocking something up, so he touches nothing. Knowing that the worst case scenerio is 12Min restore Image, he may feel more adventurous.


I suppose the downside to Remote Assistance is it is in part how Bill can disable XP. No wonder he want's ya'all on XP, I'lll stick with W2K Pro thanks  

[Tony]

Back to Monitors

Seeing as I could not get anybody to pick the phone up when I rang Proview Support, and their UK site Products page is under construction for well over a week that I know of. I decided to tell the CCL to refund me the purchase of the Proview and bill me for THIS CTX monitor.

It has 160/160 Hori/Verti Viewing Angles, and comes with a better warranty. I had reason to email CTX about their warranty in thatit mentions CRT models only. I got a reply back in 32 mins at 5.25pm, assuring me the warranty applied to all monitors apart from "touch screen ones"  now thar what I call a quick responce.

here are extracts from their warranty:



CTX Executive Exchange Service

CTX The Monitor Specialists have always been leaders in offering first class warranty services. After being the first monitor manufacturer to introduce an on-site advanced replacement service in the UK mainland*, CTX are pleased to be able to offer the Executive Exchange Service. A revolutionary exchange service for CTX customers, it features the CTX Helpline, a comprehensive three year warranty and a 24 hour Executive Exchange Service - at no extra cost.

CTX Executive Helpline

Should you need it, a dedicated team of trained CTX staff will be on hand to provide a free technical support service. Just select the country button for the right phone number, calling the service centre is possible during working hours (8.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday) to receive this comprehensive technical support service.

3 Year Warranty

CTX provide a three year warranty on all the manufacturing parts including the CRT and also includes any labour costs that may occur during the repair.

3 Year, 24 Hour Exchange

In the unlikely event of a manufacturing or material defect you will receive a similar monitor in exchange at no extra charge. This offer is valid for three years for all CRT based products.

If you have any problems with your CTX Monitor then follow the step by step guide below to receive your Executive Exchange Service.


Select your local service center by clicking on the correct button.


Call the Help line on the mentioned phone number (8.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday).


A member of our trained technical team will answer your questions, log the phone call and raise an RMA number if necessary...............................................


The 24 hour service operates throughout the whole country. The replacement monitor will be delivered on the next working day provided the problem is reported before 12pm. If the problem is reported after 12pm, the replacement monitor will be delivered in 48 hours. Please note there are no deliveries on Saturday, Sundays or Bank Holidays.In order to ensure that the CTX Executive Exchange Service remains speedy and efficient we ask that you prepare for the service by having the monitor packed and ready for collection when CTX come to collect it.

[Tony]

Back to Monitors

Seeing as I could not get anybody to pick the phone up when I rang Proview Support, and their UK site Products page is under construction for well over a week that I know of. I decided to tell the CCL to refund me the purchase of the Proview and bill me for THIS CTX monitor.

Update:

Carriers picked up the faulty Proview not this Thursday gone, but the Thursday before. Anyway I rang them Tuesday, asking when they would be despatching the new monitor [ see they like to check the one sent back is indeed a duffer]  It will be tonight came the reply, and it indeed arrive Wednesday Alas it was another Proview !!!!!!...... anyway to inform you more of the saga, heres a copy of my "LATEST" email sent to CCL..

 Email header: CALLING CCL SUPER HERO WASSEM

Hi there,

Order No 3**** dated 04-02-04 included a faulty Proview 17" monitor, sent back on RMA 1****.

I rang sales @ CCL, spoke to young lady, told her I did not want the faulty Proview replaceing with same. As I had emailed and rang Proview without either being answered, hence I had lost all faith in Proview support, in case the replacement later developed a fault.  I told the young lady  I would take a  17" TFT  CTX S761A BLACK in it's place, and to bill the differance to my credit card, she said she would arrange that for me.

However, CCl have sent a replacement Proview , so I thought what the hell, lets get this order finished with. So I unpacked the monitor to test it prior to delivering up to Cumbria [ the guys a PC Dummy] Well I could not test it if I wanted to, as the socket on the monitor that takes the low voltage power lead is missing. It should be on a recessed grey plastic plate to the rear of the monitor, along with a socket where the video lead plugs into.

Instead, the aforementioned gray plastic plate is missing, all you can see is the exposed bare metal subframe of the monitor. The video cable is hard wired directley into the back of the monitor , and there is only a large whole in the metal where the power input socket should be.

To see a sketch hit THIS link it may better explain the above. Right as you may have or have not guessed by now, I have spent enough time and effort fanning about with this crap Proview product. So kindly arrange for it to be picked up whilst at the same time delivering the above mentioned CTX Monitor, or just pick up and credit my credit card with the cost of the Proview, and I'll source a replacement elsewhere.

Regards.

Tony.

PS: As I am still awaiting somebody to get back to me on the phone regads this issue, I have sent a copy of this email to Returns, Tech Support/ Customer Services. Wassem if you read this email  pick up the phone mate, order No 3**** is hanging over me like a curse.

WILL  SOMEBODY PLEASE  RING 01** ******



See I rang CCL sales [prior to the above email] spoke to same young lady who took my order alteration the first time. Holds while she rings "Returns Dept" gets back to me, takes my Tele number, says "Returns" will get back to me...well they didn't...hence it was time to call CCL SUPER HERO WASSEM

Anyway. good Young Wassem rings me back [even though it is not his baby so to speak] Says the Returns boss was in a meeting, but he had spoken to his boss "Customer Services" And She had said this is not on, and yes the Second Faulty Proview will be picked up at the same time as the replacement CTX is delivered. It's to late for shipping tonight Tony [ Me and Wassem are on first name terms now, seeing as we have known each other for so long] but it will be shipped tomorrow

Anyway, that was Wednesday, living only 25 odd miles away from CCL I usually get the delivery the day after shipping......but nothing so far....OH HUM as Simon would say    >

PS: the Proview 17" TFT has come down in price by £4............if anybodies interested .......yer as if  

[Tony]

Well the CTX S761A 17" LCD monitor arrive, and in the looks and quality departments, it is in a different league to the Proview.

Unlike with the Proview, there is no struggle to put together the separate screen and stand, as it is an all in one setup. Plus unlike the Proview there is no seperate power supply transformer cluttering the desk, as it is built into the monitor.

You can carry it around like a briefcase, as it has a handle on the back with which you can wall mount it if you so wish. It just looks like it's all screen as the frame which the screen fits in is only 15mm in width. It has a full 17" diagonal viewing area, as against the 15.5" on my Dell CRT 17" monitors. The controls are better than on the Proview, well everythings better, it's like this CTX monitor is latest technology and Proviews offering was yesterdays technology.

Only one downside, like with the Proview [and I should imagine with most TFT monitor built in speakers] they'er naf compared to proper powered speakers. So if your a music buff be prepared to shell out a tenner for some decent speakers other than that they do the job.

I would recommend this 17" LCD to anybody, and at £303 I would think you will be hard pressed to find a better deal on that size of monitor coupled with this quality.