Intel says flaw in Series 6 Sandy Bridge chipsets

[Yables]

That's great news, but I can't help to wonder if we have to go through their regular RMA process (ie. send in the old board first and then wait for the replacement to come). For those of us who have already sold off our old system, that's not really an option.

“The replacement program will happen at the dealer/distributor level. You will have to exchange your board at the location you purchased it from.”

I bought my Gigabyte mobo from this "oldly worldly" thing called a retail store, so it's just a straight exchange at the counter for me when the time comes

 

[Viper GTS]

So would I be mistaken to assume that Gigabyte has just suggested I can keep my current board until April (the best board I could buy at Fry's on launch day), and then return it for a full refund?

With a chance to shop from a wider selection I could end up with an even better motherboard with no depreciation on the $250 board I bought on launch day.

If that's an option (and there's no cutoff on the full refund option prior to new boards being available) I will do exactly that.

Viper GTS

 

[AlgaeEater]

If I am using my Intel/Marvell 6.0 SATA ports, would I REALLY ever need to replace the MB?

Like many people here I recently put together my SB rig and haven't been happier with a build since. It's a bummer that this came along, but it doesn't make a difference to me that much either considering I only use 2 Sata ports. (1 SSD, 1 Large Storage)

I feel like I dodged a bullet in some respects, but I'm not going to pretend the problem isn't there just because I magically feel I shouldn't care about it.

The biggest bummer or headache I see out of all of this is the fact that eventually when ASUS gets a replacement plan going, I'm going to have to decide if I want to RMA the board. Even on best case scenarios, that means at least 2 weeks without my main rig up. (I'm sure they'll be swamped with requests to boot). When I get the "shiny" new board back, I'll practically be back at sqaure one not even using the new fixed ports.

I think deep down inside - this is a good excuse for me to waste even more money on computer parts if BullDozer turns out to be a great gaming chip. I'm basically going to give the SB rig I just built to the Wife (Get rid of the Q9550 system - although it still rocks) and then go from there.

I need another hobby. I wonder if gardening is this expensive.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Like many people here I recently put together my SB rig and haven't been happier with a build since. It's a bummer that this came along, but it doesn't make a difference to me that much either considering I only use 2 Sata ports. (1 SSD, 1 Large Storage)

I feel like I dodged a bullet in some respects, but I'm not going to pretend the problem isn't there just because I magically feel I shouldn't care about it.

The biggest bummer or headache I see out of all of this is the fact that eventually when ASUS gets a replacement plan going, I'm going to have to decide if I want to RMA the board. Even on best case scenarios, that means at least 2 weeks without my main rig up. (I'm sure they'll be swamped with requests to boot). When I get the "shiny" new board back, I'll practically be back at sqaure one not even using the new fixed ports.

I think deep down inside - this is a good excuse for me to waste even more money on computer parts if BullDozer turns out to be a great gaming chip. I'm basically going to give the SB rig I just built to the Wife (Get rid of the Q9550 system - although it still rocks) and then go from there.

I need another hobby. I wonder if gardening is this expensive.

There's no way in hell I'm sending away my board without getting the replacement first. That's insane. They should have some system where you supply proof of purchase and they courier you the replacement and then have a return courier box for you to send.

I'm using 5 ports so I really should go for the RMA. EVen if it is only 5-15%

 

[ayabe]

They need some kind of advanced exchange, where you give them a credit card #, they place a hold on your account for the price of the board and then refund the charge when you send your B2 back.

April though? Seriously? Sandy B sales will be virtually 0 between now and then how are they only budgeting $700 million? I'd think their lost sales alone would be way more than that.

Not sure what's up with Bulldozer but damn AMD really needs to capitalize on this - it's the best opening they've had in years.

 

[Anomaly1964]

There's no way in hell I'm sending away my board without getting the replacement first. That's insane. They should have some system where you supply proof of purchase and they courier you the replacement and then have a return courier box for you to send.

I'm using 5 ports so I really should go for the RMA. EVen if it is only 5-15%

I totally agree, they could take credit card number and if you don't send the original board back then charge you...

 

[nanobreath]

They need some kind of advanced exchange, where you give them a credit card #, they place a hold on your account for the price of the board and then refund the charge when you send your B2 back.

I've already had to deal with a bum board from Newegg and had to wait two weeks for the RMA to go through and get a new board. I was lucky in that I had my old rig still and hadn't nuked it yet, so I had a computer to use. This won't be the case in April, and I sure as hell will not go without a computer for 2 weeks waiting for an RMA. Hopefully they understand this, and are prepared to accommodate.

 

[Anomaly1964]

BTW...WHAT are they going to do with all these "old boards," rip off the SATA, put new ones on and then...

1. Sell as refurbs...?
2. Sell as new...?

Why should we even have to send them back if they are defective? Just send us a new one (just had to throw that out there)...

 

[bcterps]

No word from Asus yet... I hope they step up and do something similar to Gigabyte.

 

[mv2devnull]

No word from Asus yet... I hope they step up and do something similar to Gigabyte.

http://event.asus.com/2011/SandyBridge/notice/

 

[bcterps]

http://event.asus.com/2011/SandyBridge/notice/

Ah, thanks!

 

[Vette73]

http://event.asus.com/2011/SandyBridge/notice/

Seems like a lot of marketing mubo jumbo there. They just said they have a warranty and will stick with it. They also push that the 6Gb ports are ok so just keep using it, BUT if you really want a working product we will exchange it.

OK does that mean ship to asus or the dealer. They say go to this link for more info, but that link is the page you are reading.

Asus's customer service has been junk for a while but this just re-enforces what I thought of them before.

 

[ahurtt]

“The replacement program will happen at the dealer/distributor level. You will have to exchange your board at the location you purchased it from.”

I bought my Gigabyte mobo from this "oldly worldly" thing called a retail store, so it's just a straight exchange at the counter for me when the time comes

You mean you paid sales tax? ewwwww....

 

[Anomaly1964]

BTW...WHAT are they going to do with all these "old boards," rip off the SATA, put new ones on and then...

1. Sell as refurbs...?
2. Sell as new...?

Why should we even have to send them back if they are defective? Just send us a new one (just had to throw that out there)...

Anyone?

 

[ahurtt]

Anyone?

BTW...WHAT are they going to do with all these "old boards," rip off the SATA, put new ones on and then...

1. Sell as refurbs...?
2. Sell as new...?

Why should we even have to send them back if they are defective? Just send us a new one (just had to throw that out there)...

Wishful thinking The former is the most likely. These boards are not worthless junk just because of one potentially malfunctioning SATA port. They'll figure out something to do with them.

 

[Yables]

You mean you paid sales tax? ewwwww....

VAT or “sales tax” as you put it has to be paid on most electronic goods when ordered off the net regardless where you get them if you live in the EU

So that being the case buying from a physical bricks and mortar store has really paid off in terms of convenience this time , a 2 minute car drive will sort this out once and for all , NO faffing about shipping boards off to an online retailer and having no system for god knows how long

 

[Diogenes2]

.....

Asus's customer service has been junk for a while but this just re-enforces what I thought of them before.

Why so critical of a process that has yet to be tested?

Do you have one of these boards ? Asus ?

 

[Seven]

Seems like a lot of marketing mubo jumbo there. They just said they have a warranty and will stick with it. They also push that the 6Gb ports are ok so just keep using it, BUT if you really want a working product we will exchange it.

Pretty much sums up. I think it will be pain dealing with ASUS no matter what. Probably I am just gonna buy a new MB once its available and RMA the current one and sell when receive it.

 

[eddietandy]

Pretty much sums up. I think it will be pain dealing with ASUS no matter what. Probably I am just gonna buy a new MB once its available and RMA the current one and sell when receive it.

If they make it difficult, that's exactly what I'll do. Buy a new one and get a refund on the old one. Who knows what I would buy at that time. I would think that should be an incentive for them to make the board swap completely hassle-free.

Almost seems like a no-brainer: send the new board with materials to return the defective one.

 

[Anomaly1964]

If they make it difficult, that's exactly what I'll do. Buy a new one and get a refund on the old one. Who knows what I would buy at that time. I would think that should be an incentive for them to make the board swap completely hassle-free.

Almost seems like a no-brainer: send the new board with materials to return the defective one.

+1000, all it takes is for them to get a CC number to ensure return of the old ones...

 

[Vette73]

Why so critical of a process that has yet to be tested?

Do you have one of these boards ? Asus ?

Did you even read what I wrote. I was critical about asus's customer service, or lack of. I have delt with them before and they have been a pain and only got worse. Seeing what they wrote just backs up my exp.

Pretty much sums up. I think it will be pain dealing with ASUS no matter what. Probably I am just gonna buy a new MB once its available and RMA the current one and sell when receive it.

Did you get it from newegg? They just said they will give refunds. So return to them and get a Gigabyte or other maker board.

 

[MrTransistorm]

I just saw this post on tweaktown:

Straight from the horses mouth....... "Gigabyte will supply no more support for the p67 motherboards as they are under official recall" In other words, enjoy the bios you have now and live with it until we release new boards.

Ouch :\

 

[Vette73]

I just saw this post on tweaktown:
Ouch :\

makes sence. They may not re-issue some boards and just update them with new boards/chips.
No point in spending money on boards that are under 100% recall and may never hit the market again.

 

[jacktesterson]

This whole deal is pissing me off.

I use mine for multiple things including a htpc with a 30ft hdmi cable to my big tv.

I use 6 sata ports currently. It's a media storage and backup pc for my other ones in the house.

 

[Linflas]

This whole deal is pissing me off.

I use mine for multiple things including a htpc with a 30ft hdmi cable to my big tv.

I use 6 sata ports currently. It's a media storage and backup pc for my other ones in the house.

I have 3 spindle drives, 1 SSD for the OS, and a SATA DVD/CD in mine so I was able to move the spindle drives onto Marvel controller and the spare Intel SATAIII port. That just leaves the DVD/CD on the affected ports and I can live with that until the new boards come out.