[name brand] support sucks for anything other [than] windows users... [COLUG]

[Jim]

Duane <duane at cacert.org> wrote:

> "I'm sorry sir but I can't take your word for it, and we don't accept
> hardware problem errors from 3rd party software"...

I would: 

1. Backup the dying drive. 

2. Buy nice big new laptop drive. 
3. Restore the original factory content onto the dying drive. 
4. Run their utilities on the dying drive. 
5. Put Linux on the nice big new drive. 
6. Call their tech support serfs and get dying drive replaced. 
7. Put replacement drive in USB case for intermittent transport use. 
8. Enjoy Linux on the nice big new drive. 

Avoid buying anything else from them, not even VHS tapes.