Serious Bentley Manual Problems

Jim B.

Kent wrote: ..

" I was

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It sounds like someone sold you an old version that will not run on current operating systems and/or current versions of IE. That is not the fault of Bentley. Bentley can't control Microsoft or predict what they may do.

Your grip should be with whoever you bought the disk from because they sold you an out of date product.

I tried both Windows 98 and 2000 systems, both running the latest version of Internet Explorer.

I suspect you need an OLD version of IE not a new one.

I disagree. The CD case clearly says that the CD will run on Windows

95/98/NT and Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer 4 or higher. Bentley may consider this an obsolete "out of circulation" version, but they are still out there in the supply chain being sold to unwitting consumers (like me) as new. There is nothing on the packaging to indicate that the CD is out-of-date. In fact, I had to give Bentley software support a number off the CD itself before they could tell me that I had the obsolete version. Why should my distributor be held responsible when the case represents that it will run on systems that Bentley now concedes that it won't? Bentley is ultimately responsible for providing updates, equitable exchanges, or full refunds if their product does not function as advertised. This is especially true when you consider the outrageous pricing for the CD version. Instead they are beating around the bush, offering non-equitable exchanges, and hoping it will all go away. I won't go away.

So I can NEVER update my browser, or my $82 CD service manual will be rendered useless. That's some fine software support.

When a product does not state that it runs on Windows 2000 which has been out maybe 5 years or XP which has been out over 2 years then that would qualify as old, untested or not updated product. My 2003 cd has

2k and XP listed. No menti>I disagree. The CD case clearly says that the CD will run on Windows

Jim B.

The one for my Eurovan says copyright 2002 and lists Win 98 thru XP.

I had some issues and contacted bentley, and they had me download the latest version of something...I believe it was called ebahn, which is the software to read their data disc. The version of the reader I got was old. I downloaded the newer version, which improved some things, like ability to search, but I'd never buy another CD. I think it is a poorly executed product...well below Bentley's usual high standard for print versions.

Check here...

(hope that link didn't break!)

I have maybe three of the early versions of different Bentley Repair Manuals on CD, (Audi 80, Passat 95-97 and Passat 90-94) They all work for me on my old PII-350 running W98SE computer with the newer Netscape, IE and Avant browsers. It seems like the CD sets up some server on your computer and allows you to see info, or search info on the CD. Sometimes I find it is tricky and may not work perfectly all of the time. I am not sure if my Anti-Virus or Firewall have anything to do with that or not. I can always get the info that I need though..........eventually. lol

Paper manuals are easier to read esp. for the wiring diagrams!!! Of course you can print out the needed pages, but that might be only 20 or so pages if you are lucky! lol And for the 85-92 A2s, a paper manual off of Ebay or maybe Amazon ($47.36) should have been inexpensive too! :-)

Support will only be for the newest software, but I am scared of the newer ones since I have heard horror stories about these one time & one computer install only type of software! Reminds me of Windows XP or my Anti-Virus software!!! 8^o

Good luck and let us know what happens!! later, dave

lol you sound like a bad penny Kent! If I were Bentley I would give you both CDs to appease you and promote customer satisfaction!

I have quite a few of the Popular Mechanics Auto Repair Manuals on CD new and unopened that I bought from one of the Kmart stores for about $2 each. The activation support from Alldata is no longer offered, but they will offer me a years subscription for their online information. I did this for my 88 Jeep and I found the info online slightly helpful, but I did not use it all of the time. I have paper manuals for most vehicles. Of course then after a year I would have to pay $14.95 per vehicle. NOT!

So it is possible to purchase new but obsolete stuff, then get stuck with no support and only a little satisfaction. :-(

JMHO later, dave

Return it to the place you purchased for full refund. Done, end of story, since its effectively defective.

Decide whether you want to order version 2 or go with the hard copy manual.

Who are you mad at? If you had a car that needed leaded gas, and then the gas stations stopped selling it (as they did) can you blame the auto manufacturer? How did Bentley know Microsoft was going to make changes that would not allow their product to function. There are thousands of software products that will not function on current computers. That is the way of computers. Things change. Sorry it cost you, but it happens to everyone.

Which was true when Bentley was selling that version.

Bentley is not putting them into the supply chain.

It was not out of date when it was packaged. It was sold to you by a third party who should have told you it was out of date. How do you expect Bentley to fix the situation on product they no longer own. Get a life and blame the right people. Take it up with the people who sold you the out of date product.

How could Bentley know Microsoft was going to make changes that would keep it from running. Chill out man.

Since when?

So want are you going to do. Get a life.

The more I think about this the more it sounds like you bought this from a bootlegger and you knew full well that it was an iffy product and bought it anyway. Now you found it you were ripped off by the seller and you are mad but you know full well the seller is just going to laugh in your face now that he has your moeny.

Another suggestion............ If it is that important to you to be able to use this CD then buy an older computer, or one that is running WIN98SE (recommended by Bentley when that CD was brand new back in the last millennium) and be happy! It works for me!

I might try one of these early CD versions on my WINXP computers to see what problems I will encounter.

later, dave Reminder........ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. Frieda Norris

Most product distributors have a policy in place to alert their retailers that they have old, expired, or useless products on the shelf and make arrangements to pull those products back before something like this happens. If Bentley had no such plan in place, it is yet another example of how unprepared they were/are to be selling this type of product. If in your example, the auto manufacturer made no attempt to assist those who had their now useless product, I am sure you wouldn't be too happy either.

I think your comments are unreasonable. Lets say you and many others have an HP printer and the drivers no longer work after a microsoft update. HP could help their good customers by making a downloadable update available, or they could let you just twist in the wind and say even though the product you bought says HP on it, it isn't their problem. So what does HP and virtually every other computer related company do? They find a way to help, not screw, their customers by providing some type of update. That is pretty standard practice.

...And...as Kent points out, the case says what systems it will work on, leaving the retailer in the dark. The retailers read the package, and it says it should work, so how have they done anything wrong? If autozone sells me a fram filter that says it fits on my VW, and it doesn't, who is wrong, the retailer or the person who packaged the item incorrectly? Autozone is a big outfit who will eat the problem even if it isn't their fault. Many of the internet retailers are lower volume operators and can't be as generous. There are also issues about returning opened software.

I don't get the "chill out" and "get a life" comments. The complaint seems reasonable to me. Are your comments aimed at the man or the issue?

I'm also surprised at your attitude on this one. If Bentley knows that the product is pirated, that's one thing. But if not, and they know that there's an update issue and they've fixed it, why don't they just send him a new CD? He's paid for the copyright on the material. It'll cost Bentley all of about a 50 cents and postage. The bad rep doesn't seem worth the hassle.

-Chris

The auto manufacturers did nothing as far as I know. Oh they did suggest you could replace your valves and seats, but they did not offer any free work.

I don't know if Bentley notified their distributors, but somehow I doubt if everyone would have gotten the word.