NookColor sucks

[cutterjohn]

ROFLMAOBBQ!!!

My first NC had a CLEARLY defective USB port (cable would NOT fully insert no matter you tried).  The drone at the store wasted c. 20m continuously droning on about that's how it was supposed to be and that it was "fine". Checked charger w/power no LED, (droning about "fine" continues), take cable to demo unit inserts as expected (droning "fine" continues), try their cable (droning "fine" begins to falter slightly), supervisor shows up voila exchange... LOADS of "fun"  (Checked out #2 right at the counter since they were so crappy about replacing #1...)

F- for cs B&N

Oh joy.  The double tapping is a charger problem, more fun trying to exchange that I can foretell...

[riffrafff]

GOD! I love these threads.     Reminds me of my old Hell-Desk days.  

Customer Support: "Ridge Hall computer assistant; may I help you?"

Caller: "Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect."

CS: "What sort of trouble?"

C: "Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."

CS: "Went away?"

C: "They disappeared."

CS: "Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?"

C: "Nothing."

CS: "Nothing?"

C: "It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type."

CS: "Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?"

C: "How do I tell?"

CS: "Can you see the C: prompt on the screen?"

C: "What's a sea-prompt?"

CS: "Never mind. Can you move the cursor around on the screen?"

C: "There isn't any cursor, I told you, it won't accept anything I type."

CS: "Does your monitor have a power indicator?"

C: "What's a monitor?"

CS: "It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells

you when it's on?"

C: "I don't know."

CS: "Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can

you see that?"

C: "Yes, I think so."

CS: "Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall."

C: ".......Yes, it is."

CS: "When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into

the back of it, not just one?"

C: "No."

CS: "Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."

C: ".......Okay, here it is."

CS: "Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer."

"I can't reach."

CS: "Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is?"

C: "No."

CS: "Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?"

C: "Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle - it's because it's dark."

CS: "Dark?"

C: "Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window."

CS: "Well, turn on the office light then."

C: "I can't."

CS: "No? Why not?"

C: "Because there's a power outage."

CS: "A power... A power outage? Ah, Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes

and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in?"

C: "Well, yes, I keep them in the closet."

CS: "Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it.

Then take it back to the store you bought it from."

C: "Really? Is it that bad?"

CS: "Yes, I'm afraid it is."

C: "Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?"

CS: "Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer."

[ribs83]

I absolutely love my NookColor and hope you will give it another chance. As the other posters mentioned you may just have a faulty device. If you are having any problems with anexchange i would try someone else or another b&n store....it sounds to me like service varies with the store and person. I only had one problem when my charger stopped working (which i believe my cat had something to do with). I brought it to the store, explained the situation, they tried my nook withmy charger, then with their charger, gave me a new charger, and i was on my way. I was amazed at how fast and easy it was! Maybe you were just talking to the wrong person.....

[MiniMischief]

---

Foot wrote:

Don't be embarrassed, not everyone has the technical know-how to be early adopters of great new technology. I agree with you. The iPad is probably much better choice for you. Apple is very good at controlling a users experience than most Android adopters.

I hope it works better for you

---

Love it.  I don't have an iPad for that very reason.  I hate how you get stuck with iTunes (which is horrible) and a whole host of other things.  I'm a huge Android fan.  Thanks for making me smile.

[Ohbjuan]

I just purchased my NookColor today. During setup I told it I am in the Pacific Time zone but it is several hours off. I went to settings and tried again with no luck. I also rebooted and I also downloaded and installed the software update.

Any tips on how to get the correct time?

[mbratch]

---

Ohbjuan wrote:

I just purchased my NookColor today. During setup I told it I am in the Pacific Time zone but it is several hours off. I went to settings and tried again with no luck. I also rebooted and I also downloaded and installed the software update.

Any tips on how to get the correct time?

---

You've posted this question in at least 3 different places. I believe you solved it in one of them, right?

[phoneboy]

What a POS. It took 17 seconds for a funnyor die vid to load. Not only that but I had to change my browser mode to mobile. Sometimes I have to wait for pages to load before I can hit a link to get to another page. The touch screen doesn't always react to what I touch. Sometimes I have to press n hold for 2 secs so the popup comes up for me to hit open. I KNOW all the othertouch devices out there work flawlessly. Itmite just be worth giving up the better resolution and superior reading experience of the Nookcolor and get me one of them. I hear they speak latin to your dog, have great cust svc and some even read your mind so you don't have to lift a finger to get to do something. I should add that that last feature comex in handy when you don't want to read the instructions.

[cindylee60]

LOL @ riffraff...yep, exactly.

[deemure]

---

zambokneeAW wrote:

Are you being facetious? 

I TRIED taking it back but they kept wanting to reset.  reset, reset, reset!

Also, the keyboard wasn't working while it was plugged in.  It would put in multiple letters when I tap the key once.

I'd LOVE to be able to take it back and exchange but B&N seems to be against doing this for some reason.

I've done everything I'm supposed to: call tech support, go to store, reset, but nothing is working.

---

Uh, this is strange seeing as they have been very willing to do this for defective units.  Also, you state they keep wanting to reset it, which I don't know if you mean de-register and re-register, but have you actually done this? 

There is some likelihood that something may have gotten corrutped, perhaps if you had it connected to your PC and didn't eject it properly or some other thing.  There are other ways to reset it, which I think others have said re-flashes the software to the device.  Ok, I know I have the wording wrong.  I think what they are trying to tell you is it is not a defective device, but that you may need to re-flash the software and maybe it has not been done correctly.

As to why it won't work with the wifi, one question-does it work with wifi other than your wifi at home?

The problems when it is plugged in may be the result of a defective wall adapter/charger.  Did you have them try theirs with your NC in the store?

[deemure]

riffraff, your post is hilarious.  Reminds me of some of the horror stories my brother tells me-he works for a large company in IT and some people really should not be allowed to plug in their computers.

I have a little bit of knowledge (very little) so I usually help out certain relatives/friends with computers and then call him when I get to a certain point, the poor guy.

[dvdcatalyst]

---

zambokneeAW wrote:

WiFi didn't work worth a d*** until I downloaded the 1.0.1 update and since then a book that I was able to download and read wouldn't work anymore, magazine subscriptions come and go (MacLife, Newsweek),

---

Since you mentioned wifi issues and "MacLife" I would guess you use an Airport Router for your wireless. By default it is set to WPA/WPA2 Enterprise, which gave me severe WiFi connection issues with my Augen tablet, Droid X and my NookColor (all 3 Android) by changing it to WPA2 Personal, using the Airport utility, my connection issues are completely gone.

[avidreaderAG]

I'm so sorry that others feel justified in assuming that you haven't tried everything possible to address the frustrating problems you have encountered, and comfortable in posting such openly hostile responses (I would say "facetious" is a euphemism).  I would ask them to put themselves in your shoes, and to post only helpful suggestions- otherwise, don't waste everyone's time with your holier-than-thou attitudes .  I, too, am at the point that I feel that my NookColor sucks, and have done everything possible to address the problem, short of returning the unit.  I know there are others out there who love their Nooks; I WANT to love mine, but at this point it's been nothing more than a really expensive way for me to play crossword puzzles.  I will be going to the store today to return it; I'm hoping there won't be any problems doing that, as I've encountered nothing but problems with Tech Support/Customer Service so far.  Anyway, let's just try to be nice and supportive of each other!  We all have something in common- our love of reading!

[Jenniisme]

Typing on my POS nookcolor right Now! Don't know why I even bought it. Oh wait, it does just what I was told it Would!

[ladytonya]

Ha ha! riffraff, I always enjoys your posts!  I was doing tech support once and a lady had her mouse on the floor, trying to use it like a sewing machine pedal. I seriously wanted to tell her to pack it up and send it back!  LOL!

[MiniMischief]

---

avidreaderAG wrote:

I'm so sorry that others feel justified in assuming that you haven't tried everything possible to address the frustrating problems you have encountered, and comfortable in posting such openly hostile responses (I would say "facetious" is a euphemism).  I would ask them to put themselves in your shoes, and to post only helpful suggestions- otherwise, don't waste everyone's time with your holier-than-thou attitudes .  I, too, am at the point that I feel that my NookColor sucks, and have done everything possible to address the problem, short of returning the unit.  I know there are others out there who love their Nooks; I WANT to love mine, but at this point it's been nothing more than a really expensive way for me to play crossword puzzles.  I will be going to the store today to return it; I'm hoping there won't be any problems doing that, as I've encountered nothing but problems with Tech Support/Customer Service so far.  Anyway, let's just try to be nice and supportive of each other!  We all have something in common- our love of reading!

---

Umm, so do you really expect us "openly hostile" types to help you now?  Good luck.  I do hope you get your NC replaced, but I'm not sure how you expect to get us to be nice when you attack us with your opening line.  How 'bout you try to follow your own advice?

[Runamuck]

---

riffrafff wrote:

GOD! I love these threads.     Reminds me of my old Hell-Desk days.  

Customer Support: "Ridge Hall computer assistant; may I help you?"

Caller: "Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect."

CS: "What sort of trouble?"

C: "Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."

CS: "Went away?"

C: "They disappeared."

CS: "Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?"

C: "Nothing."

CS: "Nothing?"

C: "It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type."

CS: "Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?"

C: "How do I tell?"

CS: "Can you see the C: prompt on the screen?"

C: "What's a sea-prompt?"

CS: "Never mind. Can you move the cursor around on the screen?"

C: "There isn't any cursor, I told you, it won't accept anything I type."

CS: "Does your monitor have a power indicator?"

C: "What's a monitor?"

CS: "It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells

you when it's on?"

C: "I don't know."

CS: "Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can

you see that?"

C: "Yes, I think so."

CS: "Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall."

C: ".......Yes, it is."

CS: "When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into

the back of it, not just one?"

C: "No."

CS: "Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."

C: ".......Okay, here it is."

CS: "Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer."

"I can't reach."

CS: "Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is?"

C: "No."

CS: "Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?"

C: "Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle - it's because it's dark."

CS: "Dark?"

C: "Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window."

CS: "Well, turn on the office light then."

C: "I can't."

CS: "No? Why not?"

C: "Because there's a power outage."

CS: "A power... A power outage? Ah, Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes

and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in?"

C: "Well, yes, I keep them in the closet."

CS: "Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it.

Then take it back to the store you bought it from."

C: "Really? Is it that bad?"

CS: "Yes, I'm afraid it is."

C: "Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?"

CS: "Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer."

---

I'm old school so I'll see your Help Desk Hell story and raise you one...this is circa 1989 when all media for software shipped as "floppy disks," those 5.25" jobbers, so you'll hopefully understand the context:

Me: Computer support, how can I help you?

Customer: I just bought WordPerfect but I can't get the floppy disk to go into the drive.

Me: Hmmmm, is the disk drive door open?

Customer: Yes, its open and I mean I CAN get the disk to go in but I have to be very, very careful or I'll crinkle it all up and I'm worried that it may be damaged by doing that.

Me: Crinkle it all up?  That doesn't sound right....is there another floppy disk in the drive already?

Customer: No, this is a brand new computer, this is the only floppy disk I even own.

Me: Well, lets take a step back....tell me exactly what you did when you opened up your copy of WordPerfect.

Customer: OK, well, I opened the package.  Inside was the floppy disk stored inside its protective sleeve thingie.   I read the instructions that said "Step 1: Remove Floppy Disk from protective sleeve"

Me: And????????

Customer: So I got a razor blade and cut the plastic seal around the whole floppy disk until I could get the floppy part out of the protective sleeve....man they sure make those hard to remove.

Me: Facepalm........

Keep in mind this was back when a copy of WordPerfect sold for about $500.  That was one angry/embarrassed customer once they realized what they'd done to themselves.

Ever since then, I refer to this as a "loose nut behind the keyboard" syndrome.

[riffrafff]

Ah, yes, the old 5.25" floppies.  We used to notch the corner to "double" the capacity to 360 KB.  Those were the days.  *rolls eyes*

We had 8" floppies, too.  Looked just like the 5.25" ones, but bigger (obviously).

We used to have one of these.   It sat with its support legs in metal cups attached to the concrete floor so it wouldn't vibrate across the room.

[withfeeling]

Yeah, but 5Mb was much more storage back then.

Don't get me started....

[seescribe]

sounds like you are having some very frustrating issues. 

I have not had any of these issues. 

When I received my nookcolor I thought I would have to charge it, but it came fully charged.

Once I figured out how to power it on without reading the instructions :-) I then watched the video and then registered my nookcolor.  No problems.  I then connected to my first wifi connection, absolutely flawlessly.  The only function I have a challenge with is highlighting, I think I need to buy a pen, it takes me so long to highlight the area and then share or highlight.  It is really a pain in the butt really.  I guess my fingers are too fat.

I have never heard anyone tell me that B&N wouldn't let them return it or gave them a hard time about it.  Maybe they are seeing a large amount of no problem founds so they are trying to reduce unnecessary costs associated with that.

My next question is what area are the people with the biggest complaints from. 

Maybe it's happening in a particular region.

[zambokneeAW]

UPDATE: I took the original Nook Color back and, FINALLY, got a replacement.  So far the replacement is working just fine.  No 'double/triple tap' when typing with it plugged in and magazines/books all downloaded.

I DID notice that I tried to buy a book I had already downloaded a sample of and it had an error but that could be a server issue.  I'll check again this morning.

Thanks to everyone who posted, helpful and otherwise.