Sorry for this long post BUT as follow-up to my first, I thought it should be under a Subject others could find...
Here's the chat session...with a couple of items masked...as not public info...
Todd: Welcome to Live Chat. This is Todd. How can I help you?
you: Bought D522452EU yesterday...NO trace of this product on your web site! And Model Me-320-XX Serial #$$$$$$ by I/O Magic says to me just WHO made this ???? I have heard today of bad things about some drives..
Todd: im sorry, what do you need?
you: Who made the actual drive internals? Lite-On or Plextor or who? And is this just too new for your web site?
Todd: benq
you: That's what I was AFRAID of! Two web site have VERY bad things to say about them, it seems...
Todd: do you need anything else?
you: Are all your drives made by Benq?
Todd: all of the 52x are
you: who makes the 48x externals
Todd: btc and benq
you: Guess I'll may be shopping for another brand then...Unless YOU can convince me!
Todd: I don't know what you heard about Benq and I don't know what truth there is to that.
you: Message boards CDRLabs and CDFreaks that I found today
Todd: I have not noticed any problems specifically with the BenQ drives.
you: Various users of those boards have..it seems..
Todd: I don't know what you heard about Benq and I don't know what truth there is to that.
you: Message boards CDRLabs and CDFreaks that I found today
Todd: I have not noticed any problems specifically with the BenQ drives.
you: Various users of those boards have..it seems..
Todd: I see.
you: BUT at least I was able to get some support rather quickly by this chat! So that is in your favor!
Todd: alright, if you get our drive we will be happy to help you with any problems you have and if you dont, good luck and enjoy your drive.
you: And do any of your drives have NERO?
Todd: yes
you: Is this not one?
Todd: this?
you: the 52x..It had NTI C/D in box..
Todd: we send one or the other
you: Is it random luck?
Todd: pretty much
you: No way to tell before box open?
Todd: no
you: Thats QUITE unfortunate! For your customers...a external sticky would be nice!
Todd: I agree
you: For new user, it may not matter..but I heard for last year from friends..get Nero!
Todd: we can supply nero for those who get nti and want nero
you: OH? Really?? Very GOOD answer!!! And how would one do so? It might make the diff!
Todd: you can go to www.nero.com and download nero
Todd: Try this serial number: $$$$-$$$$-$$$$-$$$$-$$$$-$$$$
you: Is that the common OEM number as I had with my scanner s/w?
Todd: what do you mean by common number?
you: A generic nbr not specific to my ID/name...used for bulk installs...
Todd: no, that is just one of many that we have
you: Ok...so i know how safe i have to keep it..some new protect schemes in TurboTax are very picky, i hear...I was not planning to share it...
Todd: may I ask how it matters?
you: If I lost track of it, some things are hard to re-install with another new number...if i had to...on this machine, of course...
Todd: I could give you a brand new number is you want.
you: Thats only needed IF I have problems!
Todd: alright
you: And i guess I'll have to get a friend to download it...i'm on dial-up so...it might take forever!
you: So I guess I should plug/play this unit and see what happens....and get some more info from various sources...read up on other reviews..etc
Todd: yeah
you: in any case, "talking" with you has eased my fears a bit! Thanks!!!
Todd: No Problem, and if you still need help feel free to come back and chat with us again.
Todd: Thank you for using I/O Magic Live Chat! Have a great day!
Chat session has been terminated by the site operator