Re: Suddenly I'm a hardware guy? shhheeessshhhhh

Booth,
Here's my experience, just my experience:

1.  iPTF will work for anyone, you just have to sign up (online) for it,
giving your customer number, serial number, and such.  It was really flaky
for a while, but seems to be pretty good now.  But, you can't order MF#####
ptf's this way...MF ptf's can only be ordered on media or with hardware
maintenance.(see next item).

2.  To get PTF's by ECS, you must have a hardware maintenance contract with
IBM.  I know because a couple of times, when mine ran out, my ECS
priviledges went away, but never exactly on time.  You are on the hardware
maintenance either by purchasing hardware maintenance, or on the 1-year
warranty which comes with a new box, or a mainboard-level (my term) upgrade,
such as a processor upgrade, which throws you back into the 1-year warranty
situation.  If ECS is working for someone without this, either you have some
form of IBM maintenance and don't know it, or IBM's records are screwed up
and I'd be quiet and enjoy it, while it lasts.  Mine ran out, ECS died
shortly thereafter...I purchased a processor upgrade, ECS came back.

3.  To order PTF's on media, you don't have to have a support contract in
place.  Call Supportline and tell the person that answers that you want to
order PTF's.  THey will transfer you to the right place.  The PTF person can
even point you in the right direction (give you a phone#) to place upgrade
orders.  I placed an order for 513 ptf's the other day and found out that
they even have an email address for large orders like this.  (I wasn't about
to read off 513 ptf numbers)  I imagine that 90% of these were superseded,
but my list had 513 in it.

4.  To get an OS (or licpgm) upgrade, you have to speak to whoever sold you
the system, ie., your IBM rep or your BP.  If you don't have a BP, find out
who your rep is.  Somewhere out there you have one which covers your
geographical area, at least.  Just ask someone at IBM, and they'll find out.
I'd start with the PTF folks, then go to IBM direct.  I have to find out
who's my rep every time I call, IBM plays musical chairs and it's usually
someone new.

5. If you "have" to have a supportline contract, so what, set one up.  Just
sign up for a hourly contract and if you never need it, don't use it.  This
is usually the first thing I do when I walk into a new situation...set up an
hourly supportline contract.

You may have a hard time getting back-level ptf's, especially
"way-back-level" ptf's.  I've known CE's to sometimes have a "stash" of
these old ptf files.

None of this is magic, most of the IBM folks are helpful and will try to
help.

And if you stick around this for long enough, yes, you are a hardware guy
whether you know it or not.

Your machines will probably be in a P05 group, if so, software subscription
and supportline will be fairly cheap...and worth every dime of it.
I've got SS and 24x7 supportline but get my hardware support via a local
company.

AS/Resources, Inc.
William A.(Tony) Corbett
IBM Certified Specialist - AS/400 Developer
http://www.asresources.com
corbett@asresources.com
770-587-4812 (no answer forwards to mobile)
fax:  404-663-4737