🚀 go-pugleaf

Everyone has been raving about the Actix GraphicsEngine32.  My question
is, am I the only one having problems with it (And Actix)?

Problem #1  I ordered the card on Dec 16, at which time I was told 2-3
working days for delivery.  I left on vacation, expecting it would have
arrived by the time I returned (12/27).  It had not.  When I called them,
they had lost the order!  I re-ordered on 12/27.

Problem #2  Again having been promised 2-3 working days, I rushed home
daily, disappointed daily.  I called them again on 1/5, they said that
the order would be going out withing the next day or so.  I called again
on 1/12 when no card was present.  They said it was on the dock to go
out that evening or on the 13th.  I called again on the 18th - same
story.  Finally, I received a call from them on the 20th, saying that
they had filled the backorder (they never, ever said anything about
a backorder when I called them), but that they no longer accepted Visa
(funny, you did when I ordered, grr).  I went COD.  I finally got the
card last Friday (the 22).  

Problem #3  I went through the install docs (pathetic at best), and 
installed it - no workee!!!  I called tech support and left a message
last Friday.  I called them on Monday (I have yet to ever receive any
return calls from them) and they said that the card conflicts with
com4 - so I disabled that.  It still didn't work.  After further
conversation with tech support (all he really has is a list of things
to go through, then you send it back - how about some technical people
with tech support?), I received an RMA # to get a replacement.  On
a hunch, I installed it in my old 386sx before I shipped it -- voila!
it works!!  On calling tech support again, he told me my AMI bios was
old and that I should replace it.  I have been told otherwise by two 
BIOS dealers since then - it is the most current available from AMI.  

My problem and configuration - When I boot up, I get nothing but garbage
on the screen, the computer beeps and hangs.  If I set the bios to no
video, it boots, but all I get on the screen is the same garbage.

     Config - ETEQ 486 MB with AMI BIOS dated 2/2/91
              8M of RAM
              UltraStor 12F ESDI controller

If anyone has got this card working with this MB and/or this date
of BIOS, I would be especially interested in hearing from you.

I also installed it in a 486 at a local computer shop - It got further
than with my 486, but clashed with the SCSI controller (TMC, I think).
BTW, they said that they have had troubles with this board with the
Symphony chip set.

Conclusion - unless someone can give me any helpful advice within the
next few days, I will return it and try an Orchid or STB.  If this card
works, it may have been worth the wait, but the headaches continue.

Steve Smith
smithst@ucsu.colorado.edu