Digi SCAM fixing broken Mix Cards ??!!!

Hi everybody, I recently posted about the freezing problem I was having with a Pro Tools Mix Plus system in a G4 800Mhz machine, which when happening was giving me many types of errors (especially -9162 and -11). After trying EVERY POSSIBLE THING EVER RECOMMENDED for this problem on the DUC for an agonizing 8 days straight, I finally realized that it was something wrong with the Mix Core itself. Then I called the Digi Pro Access line, paying the $3 per minute fee using my credit card, and I talked to this guy who said (quote) "these cards are like cars, and eventually you need maintenance on them ... but since you MAKE MONEY using them it's perfectly OK for Digi to charge you $400 to fix a bad DSP chip " I was like, wooooohhhh --- WHAT, $400 ???!!! THE CARD IS ONLY WORTH $2500 NOW!! Sorry, but I DON"T BELIEVE computer parts (especially ones as EXPENSIVE as Pro level Digi hardware), unless physically abused, should have these types of problems!! Am I wrong ? I've owned MANY MACS over the years, and the hardware NEVER GOES BAD !!!! What bothers me is that he made it sound like the cards going bad is a "common thing", and then I wondered if Digi didn't DESIGN THEM WITH CHEAP PARTS ON PURPOSE ?!!! I hope I'm not slandering Digi here, but this really ticks me off!! Stuff this expensive should be made to last longer, I believe. AND TO TOP IT OFF, MY BANK SAYS 3 $50 CARD PURCHASE AUTHORIZATIONS WERE PROCESSED ON MY CREDIT CARD TODAY. HOW THE HECK DID THIS HAPPEN. IT'S LIKE I PAID $150 JUST FOR THE DAMN PHONE CALL TO GET AN RA #, THEN TO BE TOLD IT WOULD LIKELY COST ME ANOTHER $400 TO FIX A BAD DSP CHIP !!! IS THIS SOME KIND OF RIP OFF ?????? ANYBODY ELSE OUT THERE WHO HAD TO GO THROUGH THIS MADNESS ??

Getting anything repaired is expensive these days. It's costly to hire good techs, and provide the infrastructure for them to work. The nice thing is that Digidesign's repair service is first rate, and the turn-around is lightning fast. If you have further problems when the equipment is returned, they'll take care of it while it's under warranty. You shouldn't need repair all that often if you take the proper precautions. Make sure to be really careful about the way you handle your cards. By all means, use a wrist ground strap when installing them, and treat the contacts with a good stabilant. Also, if you want to have trouble-free operation, make sure your computer is hooked to a good UPS, and keep the room that the computer equipment is in cool (i.e. don't use a hot iso box). Lee Blaske

If you need to send in a card for repair you can call the Digi support line for an RA# for free. I had a problem with a card and a Digi dealer tested the card for free (I did not buy from that dealer).