[ubuntu-uk] Packard Bell, what wonderful support!

[Phill Whiteside]

For updating a backup, rsync[1] may be of help. (I'm a tester so use zsync
but I believe that is better tuned for us updating iso's as it has a
separate link). Rsync is pretty much ideally suited for you need. It will
only update files that need updating.

Regards,

Phill.

On 9 May 2013 19:04, pete smout <psmouty at live.com> wrote:

> On 09/05/13 18:46, Gareth France wrote:
>
>> On 09/05/13 18:38, William Anderson wrote:
>>
>>> On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 11:53 AM, Gareth France
>>> <gareth.france at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I thought I would just bring the experiences I'm having with Packard
>>>> Bell /
>>>> Acer to everyone's attention. I've been unhappy with my laptop since
>>>> the day
>>>> I got it and it seems to be falling apart very rapidly. I have been
>>>> trying
>>>> to get it looked at but it's like pulling teeth!
>>>>
>>>> Oddly enough linux hasn't been the biggest stumbling block. Anyway, if
>>>> anyone fancies a giggle the entire conversation with them is logged
>>>> on my
>>>> blog page:
>>>>
>>>> http://cliftonts.co.uk/**cubuntu/?p=209<http://cliftonts.co.uk/cubuntu/?p=209>
>>>>
>>> After reading this, it looks like you've had a fairly typical
>>> experience: you've engaged outsourced frontline support for a low-tier
>>> electronics manufacturer, and you've wandered outside the bounds of
>>> their scripts.  When dealing with a box shifter like Packard Bell, the
>>> easiest way to get a result is conform as much as possible to their
>>> requests and get the machine shipped off as soon as possible
>>> (preferably covered by a home and contents or business asset policy).
>>> If you can send it back with a relatively stock OS install, even
>>> better.
>>>
>>> And I'm afraid I agree with Liam here.  If the data on the laptop (one
>>> which you readily admit is "junk") is of any material importance to
>>> you or your business, get it backed up by whatever means necessary.  I
>>> personally use a mixture of rsnapshot (for my Ubuntu servers) and Time
>>> Machine (for my Mac desktops/laptops) to give me a comprehensive layer
>>> of recoverable backup data.  If you're unable to invest in a hard disc
>>> to drop data onto, have you considered a bunch of DVD-Rs?  Or perhaps
>>> you'd be able to temporarily borrow a USB HDD, or USB-SATA adapter and
>>> a regular 2.5"/3.5" drive, from a fellow IT type?  Perhaps someone on
>>> list has some spare kit they could punt your way?
>>>
>>> Also, you're concerned about retaining your data to run your business
>>> - how will you access the data if the laptop is gone?  If you're
>>> planning to use the Dell you mentioned, do you literally have 500GiB
>>> used on your Packard Bell?  If it's all in $HOME, do a du -sch ~ - if
>>> the answer is < free capacity of Dell computer, sorted!  If not, see
>>> borrowing tips above!
>>>
>>> Re: the phone number, just search for Acer on saynoto0870.com - there
>>> are several hits which match or closely match the number you mentioned
>>> in your blog post.
>>>
>>> I think you're unnecessarily making a rod for your own back here when
>>> some creative thinking could help you.  Rather than asking us to
>>> giggle at a bunch of hapless support monkeys being forced outside of
>>> the scope of their limited frontline support capabilities, ask the
>>> community to help you out! :)
>>>
>>> -n
>>>
>>>  I'll be using a desktop for the duration the machine is away. I have
>> been looking at incremental backup solutions. What I'd like to do is
>> setup a system where it connects to an FTP server and only backs up the
>> data that has changed since last backup. Something I would trigger
>> rather than scheduled as I'm on mobile broadband and would need to do
>> backups whenever I was near a proper broadband connection. I've found
>> quite a few solutions which 'sort of' do this as I'd like but most don't
>> cut it and some simply refused to connect to my server. Do you have any
>> suggestions which may help?
>>
>
> Script it (simple google search will help if you dont know how!) ignore
> the bit about cron- that will automate, just click the file to execute when
> connected by b/b
>
>
>  Bad customer service is something which really winds me up and you have
>> hit the nail on the head there. This is the customer service equivalent
>> of painting by numbers. The collection has been arranged now and fingers
>> crossed they will fix it. I know that my laptops always take quite a
>> pounding but I can only think of one other which faired this badly, made
>> by a company called Hi-Grade. I really don't expect a machine to be
>> virging on unusable after only 8 months, regardless of how cheap it is.
>>
>>
> I know what you mean but as with most things these days it's all run at
> the 'lowest common denominator' which does mean some compromise on your
> part :)
>
> Pete
>
>
>
>
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>
> --
> <https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/>https://wiki.ubuntu.com/phillw
>
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