Does anyone have a VPR MATRIX and know the setup key(s) to hit on bootup to enter bios configuration? I have the 1620, I'm sure they're probably all the same.
Thanks!
Mike

You probably have them found out already
buthere they are.
f1 is setup bios. f8 is selective startup.

I've seached for months for reviews on the VPR Matrix but to no avail. Can anyone please inform me of where or when these systems will be reviewed? I recently purched the 1620, which so far has been excellent, but I would have liked to have the info before hand.

These are private label items made for Best Buy. They have only been available since first of year. Do a search to learn more.

Is the vpr matrix worth getting and
will it last?

I just purchased a VPR Matrix computer and am very pleased with its speed and all of its abilities.
Considering these computers are non-proprietary, meaning you the consumer can work on and replace cards as needed without having to send the whole unit in for service, I would say the reliability should be very good. There is a 1 year manufacturers warranty and after that you could open the machine and do whatever you want. Keep in mind that a year from now, even the best that VPR has to offer will be out dated and obsolete. But for the money, I would say, these are great systems.

I too have been curious about the quality of the VPR Matrix brand. In fact, I found this thread while searching Google.com for opinions/reviews. It really is difficult to find opinions/reviews about the brand, and mainly what I have found is at either VPR Matrix's or Besy Buy's website.

I am planning on buying a 2020 at Best Buy within a day for $1099 (seems to me like an excellent deal--Best Buy is upgrading the system's DDR memory to 512MB as well).

I was thankful for Darren's post about the VPR Brand brand because I had been wondering if perhaps these are "disposable" computer systems.

Anyway thanks, everyone, and email me if you have any more info, or wanna know what I think of my system once I get it :)

Peace out, dudz!

I have just purchased 1820 from best buy. I am very impressed with the price and the configuration they offered. the only experience I got that the processor fan makes unususual humming noise when it starts up (only some time) and get sattled within first two minutes. Appriciate if any solution and suggestion.

I just purchased a 2020 and other than the ridiculous sales people i am impressed so far =). 1099 for a 2ghz pc, and one that I can on to boot is not a bad deal.

I to have just purchased a VPR Matrix 1820 and find it very impressive thus far. I ran a couple of bench tests on the system and found that it handles multiple tasking extremely well.

Do the VPR computers come with the CD's for the preloaded software. Especially interested in the operating system.

I picked up an 1820 last week - brought it home, hooked it up (including cable internet) turned it on (and I leave it on 24/7 and have had no unexpected problems (oh sure some old software that won't run on XP but that's not the boxe's fault). I'm happy with it. Only problem is as somebody posted earlier you have to deal with the people in the blue shirts that try to sell you surge protectors, extra software, extended warrantys.....

I just bought the 2020 this past weekend. I have yet to break open the box. Can anyone tell me if the extended warranty has any real value. I declined on takeing it and the $20.00 system cleanup.

Thxs,

I bought the 2250 model about a week ago and it has been outstanding. What comprises this system for $1300 is pretty much the top or close to it of individual components, and definently the best value for power on the market right now.

To answer one question on this board...hit F2 to access the bios.
I bought the 2020 strictly for gaming...and was impressed by the $999 price tag. I would of liked to see a better software package but I'm sure that is what has kept them a bit cheaper than the Dells, HPs and Sonys. The only problem I've noticed is the CD tray opens very slowly. Overall I give it a A-

I have the 1820. I am very impressed with it, except the CDWriter. On rewritable discs, it will not delete 1 single file without erasing the whole cd. It tells me it will not erase files until the cd is full and starts overwriting. I wanted to use my CDRW's like floppy disc, but it doesn't seem possible.
Any advice?

Sure Robert,

What you are experiencing is not unique to the VPR, most CDRW drives work in this manner. It has to do with the finalization process to have a CDRW be usable. To solve the problem you should use DirectCD by Roxio. It is a program that comes with many CDs and you can get it from Adaptec (perhaps online as well). It uses a special format that enables CDRWs to be used like drives, and works very well

Does anyone know when vpr Matrix are going to upgrade to the newer Pentium chips,the 533MHz Bus and the new USB 2.0 I've been hearing about? I'm trying to wait for the newer chips and the newer 533MHz Bus before I buy and I'm getting itchy. Thanks for any info guys

I am looking at a vpr-Matrix 3508 package from Best Buy. I want to send it with my daughter to College this fall. I am hoping to get 4-years out of it. I spoke to Dell and was sort of amazed by the price difference as well as the component difference. Dell being about $700.00 more.
Is the Dell 8200 worth the money? Should I be looking some where else? Help

does any one know what type of DDRAM THE 1620 VPR HAS? Will any DDRAM WORK FOR THE 1620 THX to who ever answers this

I have been having a VPR Matrix 1820 for 3 weeks now. Very fast machine. My only regret so far is some of the software that comes with it. Biggest problem so far is the software for the CDWriter. It's a Lite-On 32123s cdwriter 32x12x40. It works with windows xp to record, but i didn't like it that way. I have tried various other software to burn CDs. Most seem to burn CDRs good, but not CDRW. As for using a CDRW as like a floppy disc, my best luck so far has been Stomp's RecordNow software. But you have to be sure and go to there site and get the driver patch. Seems lots of software (like DirectCD, which is a very good software, but don't seem to support my Lite-On), don't recognize the writer. Please post if anyone knows of a better software for using Lite-On 32123s like a floppy disc drive.

Found it. Nero's latest version 5.5.8 did the job. Now my CDWriter acts just like a floppy drive.

Glad I found this thread before I bought...

Dell 8200 - 2.26 gh Pent 4 with 533 bus, 256 RDRAM, DVD, CDRW, HK 695 speakers, Turtle beach sound, 64 Nvidia GF4 - 1269.00 (with a $150 rebate, will be $1119.00 after rebate, but I have to pay shipping).

VERSUS

VPR/MATRIX 2020 - 1099.00 advertised at BEST BUY (the one you guys are talking about).
Configured with 2.0 gh Pent 4 and 512 SDRAM.

What do you think? Should I go for the Dell or the VPR? All opinions welcome.

Dell has name, service, better software config, better processor, but less RAM.

VPR has best price, more RAM, not as good processor & software config.

I'm really on the fence. Help.

I am actually a computer technician at a Best Buy. I have taken a close look at what these things have to offer. Everything inside is a name brand part. Intel Motherboard (ok, so you can't overclock....), Creative Soundcard, Lite-On drives (The CD-RW drive got the MacimumPC's KICK ASS product award), ATA100 7200 rpm Western Digital Hard Drive, US Robotics modem, and a 300, that is 300 watt power supply. Alot of other companies such as Dell, HP, Compaq, and Sony, and E-Machines have a 200 watt or less running a P4. Any knowledeable computer guru knows that a P4 needs more power.
Also consider the fact that Sonys just plain suck, Hp's are Mustangs (beefed up, but not very fast), I would be too embarrased to have a Compaq on my desk(Compaq are like Jaguars; expensive but always in the shop), and E-Machines is like the Hyndai of the computer world (nice looking, but, no). I am repairing or sending out to service the name brands the most.
VPR Matrix has a much less rate of return, and repairs than the others. They are considerably faster than brand names and are built the way that a person such as myself would build.
There is only one computer in the market that would kill these machines, and that is the Alienware. And yes, you can custom order Alienware as well from Best Buy. As well as you all may well know, nothing can beat an Alienware, there is no other machine like it. But if you want something that can come close, then the VPR will be very smart choice for the money.

By the way it comes with PC2100 ram. As for the software issue, consider the fact that YOU are left up to choosing your own software with this machine. I recommend Nero 5.5 over anything. It cost less than Roxio, has more features and if you get the MP3 ripper plug-in, it becomes the music beast for you; especially if you use it in conjunction with WinAmp.

I purchased the VPR MATRIX 2020 and couldn't be happier. The only additional software I've purchased for it is Roxio's Easy CD 5 which is XP compatible.

Anyway, I'm thinking of getting an additional hard-drive to store all the "junk" I have. I was thinking about maybe an external USB one, but nowhere can I find info on the VPR MATRIX to determine if it has USB 2.0 ports (it only says it has 6 USB ports...doesn't say what kind).

Anyone know?

I've been trying to get one the 2020 for the past week and I've had no luck! Quit buying them, I want one!

Its me again.....Hey!! I believe they are 1.1 USB for the most part. BUt there is lots of room for another hard drive or two internally. But look out, within the month they are comming out with new models. Do the math, the 1620 is gone. THe 24xx should be out soon.

I just bought a 2020 and its great. Can't beat the value and performance. Hence the name V.P.R. (Value Performance Reliability). One thing buggin me is the C drive is showing only 93GB. I know its a 100GB drive, I'm guessing the 7GB was set aside for something in these machines. Anyone else notice this?

Hi !

I have been trying to get a vpr Matrix for a couple of days, but something worries me. At a Best Buy store a salesman told me that I could never open the computer box without voiding the warranty. It would mean that every time I wanted to install something on the motherboard I would have to take the computer to the store. Do you know if this is true ?

I just bought a VPR last night instead of a HP, only cause for the the 100$ difference the VPR was a serious machine. I also got a the super craptacular service plan. the sales rep told me I could crack it open as much as I wanted just don't slap anything with a screw driver and the warrenty is fine...I dunno.

I lknow this is probably pretty basic but how I do extact a song off a CD to make a CD Compilation?

I have a 2020...and I was wondering where is the creative soundblaster software? I went to the creative website and they have all this software that goes with the sound card but I dont see it on my hard drive...Im not at home so I can't check, but is the sofware on the CDs? Also does anyone know if the P4 2.0GHz is a Wilamette or Longwood P4?
Thanks!

Like so many others I was searching for information over the VPR Matrix computers. I am happy to have found this thread as it has helped me decide that I will be getting one of these computers. What had bothered me was the cheap price for such power the specs showed, kinda made me wonder if something was missing. But after reading this thread there apparently isn't anything missing.

Anyway all I have left is to decide between the 2020 and 2250. Only thing that bothers me is the fact I want a better Video Card then what either offer. Anyway I am leaning toward the 2250 since it does after all have a Geforce 4 card. Oh does anyone knows if BB can upgrade Video Cards without costing to much? I would much rather do it myself, but if I get one of these computers I don't want to void the warrenty just in case I actually need it. Although my present desktop computer has never experienced any problems you never know. Especially considering I will be using a BB service plan on a Compaq Labtop I got about 2 years ago.

Salutes,
Donavan

has anyone had problems with upgrades, i have not been able to use windows update or get an update for system works. i have the 1620 and the 2020 in service. on our other machines these updates work fine

I just picked up a 2020 this afternoon after a week of hassles with Best Buy. First they didn't have one in, then they didn't have the RAM for the free upgrade, and finally today I was able to get it. Like others here, the salesman tried selling me surge protectors, service plans, software, CD-R's, you name it. I had to tell him about 100 times "no thanks" before he gave up.

So far, the machine does exactly what I was looking for so I'm pretty satisfied with it. I only hope that if something goes wrong I don't have the same hassle getting it serviced with the warranty that I did in buying the thing in the first place!

I'm also a BestBuy tech - hold off for a couple of months. The new models are coming out with some nice new features, including RAID controllers built in. The top model will have two 60 GB drives already set up for RAID. Also the new models will have new cases (designed by Porche for some reason - yes, it's the car company) and will be more customizable. I'm also hoping that USB 2.0 will be standard - but I haven't heard anything definite on that yet.

Oh yeah - VPR laptops are on their way out this fall.

I am hoping that one of the BestBuy folks reading this list will comment on this. I've tried emailing support@vprmatrix.com twice now and have not gotten a response. I believe I've found a portion of vpr's warranty that seem to imply quite directly that you can open the box and upgrade components without voiding the warranty, despite being told by a BestBuy sales person that opening the box will void the warranty.

Here's the passage from the warranty:

"All components not originally installed on the Product or any unauthorized
upgrade products (upgrade products other than factory authorized parts) must be
removed from the system before authorized vpr Matrix service providers will
perform service. Neither vpr Matrix nor its authorized service providers are
responsible for non-original installed components or unauthorized products that
have been left in the unit. Such components include, but are not limited to,
upgrade processors, additional memory, expansion cards and various component
upgrades."

Now, this to me says that warranty service can be done on the system, but not on non-original parts (fair enough), therefore opening the box and upgrading components does NOT void the warranty.

Comments?

I bought the 2250 a week ago but am insecure about the decision and have only a couple of days to return it if I change my mind. Can't wait a couple of months and am tempted by the Sony Vaio 2.2Gz but several messages seem to be knocking the Sony. What are its problems.

Also does anyone know why the Matrix tower is 4 inches longer (deeper) than than the sony? It takes up a lot of room on my desk.

VPR Matrix machines rule. The 2250 actually was the most powerful machine BBY carried until the RX-770 Sony came out. However, VPR Matrix is releasing a new machine NEXT MONTH that has ONBOARD RAID (comes with two hard drives built in, preconfigured for striping but can be used for mirroring for your Raid fanatics out there) runs on a 533mhz FSB and comes with a DVD-RW. The VPR's have a lower return rate than the other computers and are the least proprietary and most expandable of any system BBY has to offer. Sony has stated numerous times that it gives users the option to upgrade the graphics card (even though their machines come with either a 32mb TNT or integrated graphics which is piss poor for machines that are designed for video editing) and their hard drives all run at slower speeds. The VPR's have server-quality drives, with less than 15000 BPM, which is awesome for a home PC.

I've been thinking about buying a VPR matrix for sometime, however now that I have heard that new models are coming out, I will wait.
Do any of the the Best buy employees know around how much the new ones will be? Will the DVD burner put up the cost a lot?
Afterall, that is ultimately the reason why they are the best out there - Lots of Power & features for a low cost; compared to others.

I am very glad I found this thread. I found it using Copernic.
I have advice for DVD recorders. I'm not sure it would be the best idea to buy the a pc with a first generation DVD burner. I'm sure they will work fine, but they are only 2x recordable speed. If you can wait a year, buy a cheaper VPR without the DVD burner now, then buy a DVD burner next year when DVD burners will cost half as much, be 10 times faster, and hopefully will have all DVD recording formats in one burner.
I will be purchasing a 2250 sometime this week (thanks to all the possitive comments on this thread). A buddy of mine is a PC tech, and he said he would get one right away if he had the extra cash.

I purchased the 1820 and am completely satisfied with it except for the cd burner software. HOw can i am improve it so that i can burn more songs to the cd.

I have a 2020, and am extremely happy with it. As for the "cd burner software", the only burning software that was installed with my machine was the native XP software. Buy a copy of Nero (or download the demo from www.ahead.de). Nothing beats a true, dedicated burning program, even though the XP feature is handy for quick data storage.

Chris

Hello everyone, I stumbled upon this page using http://www.google.com while searching for 'VPR Matrix'.

I recently created a message board for both VPR Matrix owners and those interested in this machine. I hope to see you all there! The URL is http://pub27.ezboard.com/bvprmatrix

i noticed over the weekend that all the vpr matrix models on the bestbuy.com website say "Not available for delivery at this time. Not available for store pickup."

the two conclusions i am drawing are: 1) they're running low on the older models to make way for newer models (yay!) or 2) the sales have been poor and they're discontinuing them (boo!).

anyone know what's going on? i assume some stores still have them in stock, but probably in limited amounts. i haven't bought one yet, but definitely planned on it. hopefully it's the first conclusion i came to and there will be some great new models to choose from soon!!!