My MP-978 laptop is almost 4 years old now and has worked fine. When I got it I had to have the 12 volt power adapter and hard drive replaced. They were very good about it, good tech support and prompt replacement. Since then I replaced the hard drive with a 10 GB IBM drive because I needed a larger drive, the old 4 GB drive works just fine and I still use it for WinME. I added another 64 MB RAM and I upgraded the CPU to 366 MHz using an AMD K6-2 550 MHz processor. I used all readily available (generic) parts. My floppy drive gives me occasional problems since I broke the disk slot cover but that's the only problem I've had with it. The person who is looking for a CD-ROM drive for his laptop can probably find one at www.pricewatch.com by doing a search for a slim drive for laptops. I've seen them there for about $100. DVD-ROM drives are there too but they are more expensive and I'd rather invest the money in a new laptop. If anyone knows where to get support for them now that Chicony no longer provides it please email me. I'm looking for a possible BIOS upgrade (Win2000 hangs when it tries to restart) and software for the Margi Capture to go under Win2000.
I used to work for EPS Customer Service when it was still located in Jefferson, SD. I always felt really bad for the customers. I mean, as an employee, you were told to only worry about your numbers, i.e. the number of phone calls you took each day. They were posted every morning on a giant bulletin board next to your name. What no one seemed to understand is that if you would take some time with these customers to resolve their issues, then they wouldn't have to keep calling back. But, long phone calls were frowned upon, and juggling callers around until they were so frustrated that they hung up was more acceptable if not preferred. I never mentioned any of this stuff before because I've met Ed Kieler, and he's not a nice person. And an even worse employer. The products there were built by people that were not knowledgable about computers and were just glad to have a job. They weren't offered any training, so they just had to do the best that they could! The lies that sifted down in that company to cover up its own mistakes were incredible. I won't even list EPS on my resume. Would you?
Not that it matters now, but Chris Rabine used to work @ EPS in sales.Mon Aug 03 15:28:16 EDT 1998Chris Rabine - morgan9@home.netNO Problem: Experienced Jun, 0012 Never had a problem, love my system and will buy more if the opportunity arrises.
I bought a Pentium 133 laptop in late 1996. I have no problems until now. I guess I was one of the lucky ones. The battery on the mother board went out and I need to find another. Does anyone know of sucha place. I tried Toshiba with no luck. Any ideas would be appreciated. If I dont get a relacement I will rape the thing and sell the parts you guys need.
Found out that my last posted problem was due to the short circuit between the CPU and the cover. My workaround was to add a small piece of paper to prevent contact, and it has been working great since (finger crossed!). Now call me crazy, but I'm looking for a port replicator listed in their user manual item 8.7 (page 8-2). IF you have one to offer (sell?), please contact me at dean.ng@penta.net ASAP! If you know any third party that is compatible and can do the same job, email me as well! ,-)Thank you so much for your help!
OPPS! Sorry, forget to let you guys know that my notebook model is EPS MP-979 APEX Premier PI-23!Found out that my last posted problem was due to the short circuit between the CPU and the cover. My workaround was to add a small piece of paper to prevent contact, and it has been working great since (finger crossed!). Now call me crazy, but I'm looking for a port replicator listed in their user manual item 8.7 (page 8-2). IF you have one to offer (sell?), please contact me at dean.ng@penta.net ASAP! If you know any third party that is compatible and can do the same job, email me as well! ,-)Thank you so much for your help!
Well, the company is gone, so why bother rating their services... My problem is that the floppy drive in my EPS Technologies Apex 133MHz (I forget the exact model number) failed. If anybody knows where I can buy used parts for this old laptop, please let me know. Thanks - David
Update: September, 10 2001: Mr. Yount has sold all the parts of his computer, and has no information on where else to get parts. His original comment is included below, but please do not contact him to inquire about this machine. Thank you.
We bought an Apex Premier PX233 (MP-978) notebook computer around Feb 1998. We had ever increasing problems from the get-go. Poor service, lies, etc, as reported by others below. By Sept 1998 it was completely disfunctional again and then the company went belly-up. I'm now putting up the machine and its parts for sale. Contact me if you're looking for parts to upgrade or revise our EPS machine, if it still works. And I'll put it on E-bay soon, a solution others have used as well. With sympathies, Jim
If only everyone new of the problems I saw when I worked for this company. I started working for Ed wanting to change so much for the company and only became a tech. I even sent multiple emails to the BBB informing them of the SHIT that was going on there. There where many times when Ed would come up to people and start screaming at them just because he was having a bad day. I once had a run-in with Ed. Telling me that I didn't know anything. At the time, I had a family I was raising and working toward my MCSE. Needless to say, I bit my tounge. The company itself was full of GOOD people who where hard workers. Working in Tech support, Ed only wanted to see numbers. He wanted everyone of us to make at least 100 calls per day. Anyway, If any of you have questions, drop me an email.
I purchased a Apex XL-133 in December 1996 i have had no problems with their service. I had my DC power supplier go burn up and a CD ROM bite the dust and my battery wouldn't take a charge any more. They sent me all 3 with 2 days (no charge). But now i had an accident and spilled some water in my key board and the row of "F" keys doesn't work and the the first row of number keys don't work. I did a search on EPS and found this site and just found out that they are out of business. Now what am i suppose to do ??? If any one can help feel free to Email me. Thanks
My CD-ROM just failed in my EPS APEX PX-233 I would like to get a DVD instead of another CD-ROM. My question is, does any one know what kind of DVD the APEX PX-233 would take? Unable tp contact EPS because they're out of business, tried contacting Chicony Company the actual manufacturer of the APEX PX233 (MP-978) but have not received any replyfrom them. If anyone might know the kind of internal DVD the APEX PX233(MP-978) notebook takes please E-mail me. Thanks for your time.
Yo brothas, my 200 Mhz MMX laptop has worked great for the last two years and I have upgraded the memory (to 80 mg) and added an extra (3 gig swapped with the 2 gig). My only problem to date is that an incorrect version of flash bios was installed (but this was self induced bonehead move - fixed since - read on). My apologies if this info comes too late for any of you but I found the maker of many of the EPS laptops. http://csc.chicony.com.tw/ Perhaps many of you could find help from them. I needed my flash reloaded and these guys saved me (and my laptop from going in the trash).Brian
My experience with EPS has most closelyresembled the myth of Promethius. If someonewants to spearhead a class-action, just letme know. I have no experience in these things,but I'm willing to help in any way I can.I don't even really care about getting anymoney. Just causing Ed Kieler some problemswould make me happy.
My notebook works fine until NOW! :(If you have any suggestion or Manual of somekindon my EPS MP-979 APEX Premier PI-233, please email me at dng@penta.net I'm willing to payfor them. Also, any suggestion on memory upgrades?!!Thank you so much for your help.
I have had a DC power supply fry and cannot find a replacement anywhere. The company appears to be out of business. If you have one of these dog laptops and have a DC power suppied you'd like to get rid of please let me know. The power supply is by Proton Model SPN-445A (19 VDC, 2.3A). Please e-mail me at BettisBum@aol.com Thanks
I found out through this website that EPS is out of business. I had noticed since the beginning of the year that they stopped advertising in the Computer Shopper. I bought a Pentium 120 laptop in 1996. Modem did not work when I received it and they exchanged one which was OK. Upgraged memory in Oct 1998 from them and service was OK. Of late the touchpad does not work properly, cursor springs back to its original position when you let go. Screen began to flicker on and off and has missing patches. Reboot clears the problem. I think the hard drive crashed today; it made a grinding noise and now nothing works except the fan. Now that I have read other customers say EPS uses a desktop CPU, I looked inside to check. That explains why the battery quits after 15 minutes and the perfomance is slower than my old 486! What can I do at this point?
I bought a p75 laptop in 95 when they first came out. EPS send mea good laptop oh ooopps without my left mouse button. After one month they finnalysent me a replacement. Anyway I need some help. I need to add RAM memory to my EPS laptopand no one knows what kind to add or what company it initially came from.I am desperate as my 8mb ram are in serious need of a boost.Thanks.
Fri May 28 11:41:47 EDT 1999
Phil Simonson -
AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0006
The company did not go out of business, the owner, ED KIELER, took the money and ran. Good luck finding him.
My laptop screen flickers and only works in certain positions.I have been trying to call them but no one is picking up the phones and they turn out to be bogus 1 800 numbers. I've tried fax and email... no response.As far as I know they might have disappeared of the face of the EARTH!If I get my hands on them I will castrate'em!!!!!
I was just about to call consumer protection and report EPS when I hear that they had already went out of business. The service and products were terrible. I actually laugh to see that most of the messages posted are commenting on the same problems. I am planning to file complaints and I hope everyone else does the same.
For some interesting reading on what happened to EPS Technologies, check out this web address I found:http://www.wfu.edu/~dejontm5/computers/mycomputer.html
Fri Jan 22 11:48:40 EST 1999
Turk -
AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0016
EPS Technologies has gone out of business as of November 1998. Although I have purchased two tower computers from them, they've always resolved my problems promptly... but I live in Omaha... and knew where they parked their cars. Laptop purchasers may be interested in a Nov. 18, 1998 article from the OMAHA WORLD-HERALD: "EPS notebook computers were made through Chicony America Inc. of Irving, Calif. Chicony said that it has parts and can repair some notebook computers. However, EPS -- not Chicony -- provided the warranty on the equipment. Consumers are asked to contact Anthony Duong, head of Chicony's repair division, at 949 380-0928 to discuss individual problems. ...Consumers seeking to file a complaint can contact the [Nebraska] Attorney General's Office at 800-727-6432 to request a complaint form. ...Ed Kieler, president and chief executive officer, could not be reached for comment."My only problem with them is that my three year warranties (having 20 & 32 months left on them) are gone with the wind and EPS. I bought their machines because they were non-proprietary, so any computer service center ought to be able to repair their desktops. Good Luck!!
I bought a laptop from this company and am extremely dissastified. The reason I bought from them was their low price. I have had to replace the hard drive. Currently the computer is entirely useless. Their tech support is almost non-existant. I used to stay up until 4 in the morning just to get through to the tech support but now it's busy even in the middle of the night. Also in the extemely rare cases when I did get through I have had one experience of a very rude and hostile tech support person although the other people have been fine. Basically their TECH SUPPORT IS A SCAM. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM AND AM REPORTING THEM TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. Definitely DO NOT buy from this company unless you want to experience hell.
I bought two systems from EPS in late 96. One was a P120 Laptop. The other was a P166 desktop. I had ordered a P133 laptop, but was sent the P120 laptop. I didn't complain because they charged me the price for the P120 and they sent a 12.1" screen instead of the 11.3". I haven't had any problems with the laptop, but I was disappointed when I found out that the processor was a desktop not a mobile processor. The problem with the desktop was with the monitor. The monitor went bad after about 1 year. They had the monitor picked up at their expense, but sent a already used and broken monitor as a replacement. I had to send it back, and they sent me a new monitor the second time. I talked to other people who were shipped broken replacement parts too. I would tell people to avoid them, but since they are out of business, They don't have to.
Although this company has seem to go belly up I really did not have any problems with them until late October 1998. They determined through their technical support that my hard drive was defective and they began lying from that day on. They kept saying that the hard drive will be shipped today or tomorrow and then even told me that it had shipped yesterday. All of course were bald-faced lies. To be fair when I first got my computer in June 1996 their tech. support bailed me out of some novice-induced jams and until December 1997 had no problems whatsoever. Solved that problem with a reformatting of the hard drive then had clear sailing until October 1998. I guess by then they were already planning to go under and leave their customer in limbo. It's good to see that I had company in my misery. I'll know next time to do more exhaustive research even though I had done so the first time.
Seems regardless what I say here, looks like EPS has gone under. I worked for a Military Command that bought quite a few machines from EPS (Both Laptops and Desktops (From 386's to PII's recently)) and other than the standard problems that ALL new machines can have during the first 30 days of use, EPS and their sales/technical staff handled all problems/questions in a most professional manner. I was poised to purchase a new computer from them just recently for myself, but unfortunately, they were gone by the time I was ready to order. Too bad, they did me good and held up to their end of the bargin om all my previous dealing with them...
EPS is a horrible company. Since I have bought my desktop system, I have had to replace the mouse, keyboard, 7 hard drives, cd-rom, monitor, motherboard battery, and now my CPU fan is broken. This has all happened in about a year and a half. I don't know how it is possible for one computer to have that many problems. And today I called EPS to try to get my fan replaced since it is still under warranty, but it seems they have went out of business. So the year and a half left on my system is now void and there is nothing I can do about it. This really sucks.EPS = Electronic Piece of Shit!
Don't get fooled. I think they're out of business. No phones pick up, Web site(s) not found. I purchased an APEX M-200 laptop 8/1/1997: it worked until 3/15/1998 when the hard drive and controller went out. I actually got through to cust.serv and got the repair done: however, it broke again (just after the 90-day expiration): same problem. After trying for 3 days to connect on the phone, I shipped my unit back to them. Fed-Ex just called to tell me they refused to accept it.
Sun Nov 29 13:02:27 EST 1998
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AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0016
Terrible service and attitude regarding a return of a notebook computer. On-going problem ever since computer was purchased - 5 1/2 months of problems!
Tue Nov 17 18:35:40 EST 1998
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NO Problem: Experienced Jun, 0016
FYI- EPS Technologies seems to have gone out of business, as of Sunday November 15. Website is down, phones disconnected, etc.
I too have been screwed by EPS Technologies. I purchased a 166 MMX notebook in May '97. It's already been returned twice for repair. Like some of the other people, I have had a terrible time with Customer Service (misnomer). I've been hung up on by the company operator, I've been lied to by the head of the repair department (David Lee), my messages after long waits on hold have gone unanswered, and my battery also lasts only an hour because of the fan on the desktop chip.I am currently in dispute with them over the modem. Their crappy modem lasted only a year. Over the next three months they jerked me around sending even crappier modems, modems that didn't work at all, or modems with the wrong pigtail. Finally I had a modem that worked and I thought the screwing was over. I was wrong. Three months later, they billed my credit card for a defective modem that I had returned! Don't trust these lying, thieving bastards! My congratulations to the fortunate few who have not had bad experiences with EPS Technologies.
The screen has failed on my laptop, EPS will not return any calls. All of their voicemailboxes are full as well. I have tried E-mail, fax, and phone to contact EPS, but no luck. They'll probably call me on June 10, 1999 when my warranty expires!
I was quite satisfied with my EPS Notebook for the first 13 months, but each month since it has gone downhill, reaching a point in the 17th month (august 98) where the screen only lights up fully in certain positions. In the 2 1/2 months since then I have emailed customer service a half dozen times, sent two faxes, and more than 25 phone calls, all getting answering machines after 20 minutes. They will not return phone calls, faxes, or emails. they will not respond. Sales immediately transfers you or disconnects you.Service is nonexistent.
Tue Nov 10 22:12:32 EST 1998
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AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0015
Customer & techinical support is terrible. Don't be drawn in by the low price.
Tue Nov 10 20:58:24 EST 1998
Bob -
AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0007
If you don't want to waste your money, and you wan't to avoid hassles and poor quality, avoid EPS.
well, here goes... I have a EPS Apex 133notebook. First the hard drive wasdefective and the cdrom drive diddn't workwell at all, the AC adaptor broke, the screenhas several bad pixels, stray pixels get leftaround when you xor stuff to video ram, (likewhen you drag a window around in 95... i haveno idea how this can be though.) Then theCMOS battery died, and the keyboard lost allof its texture, they replaced my screen withan even worse one without even asking, thenthe main battery died and gave me even lessthan the usual half hour battery life, and itcame with the wrong floppy drive. And theylied to me over the phone a lot too (suprisesuprise...)And here's the final blow: the second screenthey put on was partially covered by thecase. So, they blamed the entire problem onLinux and refused to fix it... but they didmanage to get fingerprints on the back sideof the screen though.My story is far from unusual, so please save your sanityand money and buy elsewhere... and if thesestores aren't enough, check out http://www.wfu.edu/~dejontm5/computers/eps/comments.htmland it will set you straight.
Tue Mar 03 18:34:08 EST 1998
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AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0017
System unstable, Sales person quoted one price but charged with anotherHard to get money refunded if you run into problem.End up having to use Credit Company to get the money back.
They flat out lied. When I purchased my notebook I asked whether or not it used a mobile pentiumprocessor. They told me it did. Guess what? It uses an desktop chip. The notebook runs incrediblyhot and gives no battery life. I am trying to seeif I can get a refund based on this but I think Iam going to have a battle ahead of me.
Fri Mar 15 21:39:02 EST 1996
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AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0014
I waited seven weeks for my computer to arrive after ordering it. The hard drive was defective and I had to wait another five weeks for a replacement to be sent. During these five weeks, I was continually lied to be the company...saying that it had been sent yesterday, will be sent in the morning, etc. Of course that was the times we could reach someone. Tech. support is terrible! Now my computer will not recognize my sound card...BUY ELSEWARE!!!!
Thu Mar 14 11:25:25 EST 1996
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AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0008
We bought four laptops and docking stations. One HDD (IBM brand) has failed twice. That laptop is unusable. Two docking stations have failed. EPS has promised to replace equipment, but thus far has not sent replacements. We are disgusted and thus far, out about $40,000!
Wed Mar 06 02:47:56 EST 1996
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AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0017
I can not imagine being more dissatisfied than I am with EPS. I am seeking others who might want to investigate a class action lawsuit against EPS Technologies.
Wed Mar 06 02:45:14 EST 1996
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AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0007
Warrenty is a fraud; Technical support is non-existant; product quality is very poor; I can think of no reason to buy from this company ever again. Given so many other choices out there, go with those other choices.
Tue Feb 06 16:36:22 EST 1996
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AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0007
EPS has absolutely no integrity! Their technical support reps seem to turn over very frequently and this in South Dakota??? This company has cost me an indeterminate amount of money due to the amount of tiume that I had to spend in communication, W A I T I N G for both phone calls and parts. They even asked me on 2 different times to send the computer back to them and not commit to how long it would be before I would get it returned. Before you do business with EPS, get a stress test from your physician. Also, write a blank check, sign it, and then leave it in a bus station. If your willing to do that, you probably would have no problem with EPS.
Thu Jan 11 18:05:45 EST 1996
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NO Problem: Experienced Jun, 0017
My notebook and P.C. were both received in working order three days before EPS said it would arrive. Setup was as easy as plug & play all software ordered was pre-installed. I only had to contact tech-support once to verify some warranty info and got right through. I will buy EPS again as my company needs additional PC's
Fri Oct 20 20:43:26 EDT 1995
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AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0015
The primary problem was the delay in receiving my system (now scheduled for next week -- after ordering 8 weeks ago!). Some sense that salespeople were deliberately fabricating information.
Thu Sep 14 17:27:22 EDT 1995
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AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0014
Refuse to return credit for returned items Hardly to get someone on the phone except the voice mail. and they did not reply often and timely
Thu Sep 14 16:06:47 EDT 1995
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AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0013
System DOA 3 straight times. Very difficult to establish communication by phone Failed their promised to pick up the defective parts for TOO MANY times Using obscure languages to have me return the system for "FULL refund" and now I still can not get the part of the money back! Make sure you record your conversation with them and ask them put everything in writing and fax it to you. or at least get a bounch of witness. If you are in bad luck like me, you might need an attorney as I am looking for one now.
Tue Aug 22 19:04:46 EDT 1995
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AVOID: Experienced Jun, 0010
No tech help unless you count voice mail. Refused to honer there '30 Day and/or 60 day warrenty. Sent parts not even ordered. Charged more money on my card withOUT permission and refused to credit it until I returned the parts they shipped me that I didn't want!!