ToroNSN Cancel The title field is required!

1. Theodore Piersol

   

   0 posts
   
   4/7/2014 10:04 AM

   Is anyone else disappointed that Toro NSN is making XP users buy a new Tower to replace there old XP even though I have a contract for replacement equipment.

   
   
   
   
2. Larry Allan

   

   0 posts
   
   4/7/2014 1:04 PM

   Theodore W Piersol said: Is anyone else disappointed that Toro NSN is making XP users buy a new Tower to replace there old XP even though I have a contract for replacement equipment.

   
   I think I would be.

   
   
   
   
3. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   4/7/2014 1:04 PM

   Its been a awhile since I used NSN but if I recall the replacement portion of the contract was for a result of malfunction, i.e., lightning strike, electrical surge, etc. Does the contract include replacement for outdated components and software?

   
   
   
   
4. Theodore Piersol

   

   0 posts
   
   4/7/2014 3:04 PM

   How many people use ToroNSN? I've been using them since 2000, last year I had a minor question for them otherwise its like an insurance policy which you take out and hopefully never need.

   
   
   
   
5. Jeffrey Sexton

   

   0 posts
   
   4/7/2014 5:04 PM

   I love NSN. They replaced my old tower last fall at no cost. I use them all the time with site pro questions.
   
   
   Jeff Sexton
   Evansville CC

   
   
   
   
6. Andrew Cross

   

   5 posts
   
   4/7/2014 7:04 PM

   It's an insurance policy, except unlike real insurance if they can't fix the problem due to it being hardware related you will have a new computer by the next morning. We've had a few hardware problems in the last year and a half, and every penny we spend on them is worth it!! If you can afford it in your budget its worth it!

   
   
   
   
7. Gregory Jack

   

   0 posts
   
   4/8/2014 4:04 AM

   Since Microsoft is not supporting Windows XP, every IT support company is recommending upgrading. We have used NSN for years. We have invested a lot of time traveling to classes which allows us to use the system more effectively. I would encourage everyone to take an Advance class out in Abilene because you get some quality time focusing on just your irrigation system. You get to see what other are doing and see which ways are better for you in the long run. I have learned both Sitepro and Lynx. I would recommend upgrading to Lynx because it is much easier to make changes and see any hidden problems.

   
   
   
   
8. Larry Allan

   

   0 posts
   
   4/8/2014 6:04 AM

   Theodore W Piersol said: Is anyone else disappointed that Toro NSN is making XP users buy a new Tower to replace there old XP even though I have a contract for replacement equipment.

   
   I would suggest waiting for a period where rain is imminent, then opening up your computer box and resting a metallic object across the mother board and turn the machine on. The machine should then be in need of repair.

   
   
   
   
9. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   4/8/2014 7:04 AM

   Rain Bird GSP has been the same for us, I have received in the 10 years we had the new computer, (the old one burned in a barn fire, and was the old DOS system), two towers, 2 MiM boxes, countless boards, at least one data base save, and piece of mind.
   
   After 10 years we are now required to get a new computer and I will have access with my iPhone. And actually will spend less per month than my last contract.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
10. Michael Fast

    

    0 posts
    
    4/8/2014 7:04 AM

    Yes, I am disappointed also. I am trying to find the cheapest alternative. I wish they would supply the software for a new computer if I choose to go elsewhere to purchase a new computer. I don't know what I am going to do.
    
    Mike Fast
    Delphos Country Club

    
    
    
    
11. Jackson Reiswig

    

    0 posts
    
    4/8/2014 8:04 AM

    How old is your tower? I replaced mine a couple years ago and even then they said they were doing away with XP platforms and putting people in Windows 7. Replacing a tower seems awfully small compared to what many other departments and businesses are facing. I gladly pay the costs involved with NSN, and use them to the full extent of their service and support. In fact, at the end of my last contract I upgraded my level and pay more. Holding NSN responsible for a Microsoft decision is just going to keep you frustrated. I can't think of another company that offers a free upgrade of equipment based solely on technological advances.

    
    
    
    
12. Theodore Piersol

    

    0 posts
    
    4/8/2014 9:04 AM

    Jackson Reiswig said: How old is your tower? I replaced mine a couple years ago and even then they said they were doing away with XP platforms and putting people in Windows 7. Replacing a tower seems awfully small compared to what many other departments and businesses are facing. I gladly pay the costs involved with NSN, and use them to the full extent of their service and support. In fact, at the end of my last contract I upgraded my level and pay more. Holding NSN responsible for a Microsoft decision is just going to keep you frustrated. I can't think of another company that offers a free upgrade of equipment based solely on technological advances.

    
    NSN will not warranty central computers unless it is supplied through them. 1800 for the low end tower was not in my budget and they did not give any payment plan options.

    
    
    
    
13. Jackson Reiswig

    

    0 posts
    
    4/8/2014 2:04 PM

    Bummer. Wish there was a happy medium for you. Hopefully your club will understand that there's just no way around this, as it is affecting a broad range of other businesses and operations. I know I don't have to convince you that two grand for irrigation management is a lot cheaper than the cost of not having it.

    
    
    
    
14. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    4/8/2014 4:04 PM

    Jackson Reiswig said: Bummer. Wish there was a happy medium for you. Hopefully your club will understand that there's just no way around this, as it is affecting a broad range of other businesses and operations. I know I don't have to convince you that two grand for irrigation management is a lot cheaper than the cost of not having it.

    
    
    Can you get some prices for service calls or other things they have done in the past for you?
    
    I put that information together in our proposal to replace and my supervisor could see that in the long run it was cheaper to renew and upgrade the life blood of the golf course.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
15. Tom Forsythe

    

    0 posts
    
    4/9/2014 9:04 AM

    One possible option to get you through until the end of your operating season is to simply disconnect the computer from the internet. You don't need the computer connected to the internet to run the irrigation system and that is the main concern about XP at the moment, It is now more vulnerable to hackers because Microsoft is not continuing to update the security on it.

    
    
    
    
16. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    4/9/2014 2:04 PM

    I've replaced the tower many times before and just gone with a medium duty Dell for around the $400 mark. One of them currently runs XP and is connected to the internet. The other is a Windows 7. The first time I had to replace the tower the Site Pro Software was actually on our network, not the computer itself. So no big deal. The other time the Toro supplied tower took a lightning strike. We called NSN and they sent out another disc with the software on it to install on our Dell computer we purchased. We had already paid for the software, so they had no problem sending it. I only have the 24-month on-call program through NSN.
    
    With as many XP systems still in use, you should have no problem finding someone to work on it. Seriously, how many times have you contacted Microsoft for support since you've owned it?

    
    
    
    
17. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    4/12/2014 6:04 AM

    Rainbird tried to do the same thing to me years ago. Having installed my system in 1998 we got a top of the line computer system from Gateway (they allowed me to buy my computer as long as it fell in line with their specs) with office 98 on it. As MS was putting out newer operating systems I was upgrading to keep up with the times when I started having issues between my Stratus software and windows millinium and when I went to XP it would not even work. They would not sell me the newer Stratus software without me having to purchase one of their computers and I had just got a new one so that was out of the question. By this time most electronics companies had already started putting out equipment that was not compatible with office 98 (like printers). So I had to start acquiring old computers that I could run windows 98 on. I now stock 2-3 in my office for when the dredded BSOD shows up. I simply refuse to buy their computers (rainbird) because you can only buy replacement parts from them and I can buy parts from tiger direct for a fraction of the cost of what theirs is.

    
    
    
    
18. Joe Wachter

    

    5 posts
    
    5/12/2014 10:05 PM

    Dropped the service 2 years ago, have not looked back. Use my local rep as needed. If I have to pay $ 70 an hour for him no big deal. We have an IT group that organization uses. Will probably have to bite the bullet down the road and go to the new version on 7 but right now, not really necessary. No internet, doing remote desktop to log in from home. The 11-12K is a waste of money. A lot of small sized IT companies out there that can replace your computer and do some work when damage occurs for a fraction of the cost. For those with large budgets, its a no brainer to not mess with anything but for those of us who need to make every dollar count, you should get rid of service and use a much cheaper alternative.

    
    
    
    
19. Andrew Cross

    

    5 posts
    
    5/13/2014 5:05 AM

    Joe Wachter, CGCS said: Dropped the service 2 years ago, have not looked back. Use my local rep as needed. If I have to pay $ 70 an hour for him no big deal. We have an IT group that organization uses. Will probably have to bite the bullet down the road and go to the new version on 7 but right now, not really necessary. No internet, doing remote desktop to log in from home. The 11-12K is a waste of money. A lot of small sized IT companies out there that can replace your computer and do some work when damage occurs for a fraction of the cost. For those with large budgets, its a no brainer to not mess with anything but for those of us who need to make every dollar count, you should get rid of service and use a much cheaper alternative.

    
    
    Not sure what plan you were getting, but that may have been your problem right there. They offer lots of plans with reasonable pricing.

    
    
    
    
20. Robert Crockett

    

    4 posts
    
    10/16/2014 7:10 AM

    Never.....had an issue