Tell me this isn't true.

It is true.

I can use this machine using the interior power switch and I intend to put it through its paces until it goes back. But yes, sadly, it looks like something may have jarred loose or gotten damaged in transit.

Downloading a couple of games now anyway, since nothing will change between now and Friday.

It's a very quiet machine. All the peripherals are working. It occurred to me that I need some really good wireless headphones since the ones I have are wired.

Well, apparently I missed the "post" button again before when I posted my reaction to this news, which was:

Oh, NO!

Does this mean that you will have to pay customs fees again? I sure hope not. I think the company should pay for those.

Marian, that's my biggest concern, and I raised it with the tech guy. He's going to chat with the admin people and get back to me tomorrow.

I can use this computer as is. The side panel comes off easily and access to the power button inside is easy. If it comes to it, I'd be happy with a discount refund rather than go through the he** of sending this back and arguing with customs.

It runs beautifully, by the way. I'm impressed with how quiet it is. I'm loading up a new game just to put it through its paces.

I’m so sorry to hear of the problem, hagatha, but I think you are going down the right path in considering keeping the machine .. as long as you are credited with some discount, of course.

If you really like it and are happy to access the power button as is, why subject yourself to stress that can be avoided ??

Have to agree with Mad about that! And shipping back and forth might cause some other problem.

That all sounds very good, hagatha. And I agree that getting a discount refund would be far preferable to all of the back and forth. I hope you can come to some kind of agreement with them about this. That sounds like the best course of action. Way less stressful.

Marian, the only downside is that the side panel is glass and taking it off all the time will inevitably lead to disaster.

I'll wait to see what they say tomorrow.

I see. Well, let us know what they say tomorrow. Good to know you are pleased with it otherwise.

My son had a Velocity Micro computer years ago and was very happy with it.

If the removable glass side panel could be replaced with a removable metal one would that help ??

(The side panel on my computer is super strong glass but it isn’t removable. And it’s only really there to allow you to see the innards at work.)

OMG, no!!! I was going to agree with using the HDMI high speed cable, but if it won't turn on except with getting into the guts... I am SO glad you seem to be getting great support, but how terribly disappointing.

Hmm, hopefully nothing else is loose and could that lead to other problems down the road. As for the glass panel, as Mad mentioned they are usually very strong so you should not worry about breaking it. One other thought, when you turn on your computer from the inside power button, have you then try to turn your machine On and Off from the front power button, sometimes the alternate power button is used as a safety power button so you do not accidently turn on your machine while working on it, so the extra power button when turned off means you cannot turn on the front one until you turn the extra power button back on. I mentioned this because some of the desktop machines I used to own had a power button in the back and when turned off, the power button in the front would not work.

Anyway, good luck with your decision and enjoy your new powerful machine.