Stentura8000LX versus any other machine that would be compatiable with a Vista desk top.

[Therese]

Hi,
I have had nothing but problems with this machine. Can anybody help. I think I got a bum machine or something and unfortunately I rushed into it without looking at what else is available. I have already invested a lot of money and right now I am stuck at a stand still. Extremely frustrated.
Even the battery(s) won't hold a charge. Can anybody recommend a reputable company that will take a trade-in for something more reliable and give me some tips and some names of machines that will be worth the money.

Thanks
Therese

[Glen Warner]

Hi, Therese!

Sorry you are having such difficulties.

StenoTech usually does good work -- at least, that's what my (now former) classmates have told me.

If I recall correctly, there were issues with your software (digitalCAT) not seeing your writer, and StenoTech sent you the right USB adapter, but the software still doesn't see the writer. Is that correct?

If so, I would recommend that you bring your writer, the adapter and your laptop to your soon-to-be school. Find someone that has an 8000LX, and ask them to connect your writer to their laptop.

If their software doesn't see your writer, then your writer's serial port is probably bad -- and StenoTech should fix the problem, no questions asked.

If their software does see your writer, then chances are good that your adapter (or the drivers) is bad.

Next, try connecting their machine to your laptop, using your adapter. If your software sees their writer, again, your writer's serial port is probably bad.

If your software does not see their writer, then again, there's something wrong with your adapter -- or perhaps the USB port itself is bad (try another USB port, of possible).

StenoTech has a page that shows you how to test the COM port:

http://www.stenotech.com/pages/Testing-a-COM-Port.html

Couldn't hurt to give that a try -- though with Vista, things may be in different places than the instructions are saying.

As for the battery, I (like you probably did) would assume that if I'm buying a refurbished writer, it should have a refurbished battery in it! Since you have a defective battery, that is either not the case, or one of their techs was asleep at the wheel. I would call them about that.

If, after trying all these ideas, you're still having problems, I would recommend calling my local tech, Allen Dyer, and asking him what he thinks is going on. He's at 206-284-7492, and the website is http://www.oteconline.com. He has some interesting things to say about bad batteries -- which is why I think you should talk to him.

Next, other writers.

If you can, get StenoTech to either fix your writer properly, or refund your money -- preferably in full. Their website does say "Our number one priority is customer service" on the About Us page.

Once you do get some sort of refund, I highly recommend getting a refurbished ProCAT Flash.

True, this writer will not translate your notes for you on the screen ... but it has a few other features that made me happy that I bought one (you can read about those in my review).

There are a couple of these writers on sale here on CSR Nation from private parties (including one from Yours Truly!). Mine was serviced in 2006, and has been sitting in the case since that time (though I did recharge the (refurbished!) battery once).

Unfortunately(?), mine is also the most expensive at $1300 -- but with mine, you know you would be getting a writer that was serviced before it was put into storage, at least.

Finally, other vendors.

Ordinarily, StenoTech would be my number one choice, followed by Steno Trader, then Acculaw, with a quick stop before calling anybody at ProCAT itself, as they sometimes get trade-ins (you should call).

Acculaw is number three because of a disturbing story or two I heard a couple years back, about a supposedly refurbished machine being shipped with humongous dust bunnies inside, among other problems ... but I purchased my first Flash from them, and it arrived okay (though it was missing the wide keys I'd asked (and paid!) for).

So. To recap:

(1) Do some troubleshooting.

(2) Talk to Allen Dyer at Otec

(3) Get your money back from StenoTech

(4) Buy my writer Buy a ProCAT Flash from either another vendor or a private party

(5) Practice, Practice, Practice ...! :o)

--gdw
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