Re: Can I upgrade from XP to Win2K?

From: Rick \ (rick_at_mvps.org)
Date: 03/13/04 

Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2004 06:20:35 -0500

Hi Brett,

Understand that you are somewhat miffed, and perhaps deservedly so. However,
the problem here is not the operating system. Either the hardware is flawed,
or the software is not XP-compatible (you didn't mention the program(s) by
name, so it's hard to tell). If it's flawed hardware, as Bruce has stated,
switching to Win2000 isn't going to help, as it is just as sensitive to
defects. Also, you may find system functionality reduced by replacing the
preinstalled OS with an older one that may not support the hardware that is
in use.

As to the hard restarts, have you check the event logs for clues? Is there a
blue screen? Start/run eventvwr.msc and look at the system and application
logs. The other possibility, should nothing exist in the logs, is an
overheating problem. If this is the case, you likely will not see an error
message. The cure is to invoke the warranty, as overheating in a laptop is
difficult at best to resolve. Simply put things back the way you got them,
then call it in and ask for an RMA. Also, not having added any hardware to
the system does not rule out a hardware issue. I've seen plenty of units
have component failures out of the box.

By the way, I've found that the best way to deal with an unsupportive help
desk rep is to calmly ask for their supervisor. Be patient, and state
exactly what the issue is and why you believe that the initial rep is not
helpful. Being overt or demanding usually results in putting people in a
defensive mode and they will be less likely to try and help. 

-- 
Best of Luck,
Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science!  That's my other hobby!
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org
"KMS - Brett Anderson" <gotomysiteto@emailme.com> wrote in message
news:e7fpB2LCEHA.2824@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Warranty?!?!?!?!   HAH!
>
> It's an IBM.
>
> What a friggin joke.   IBM laptop warranty is voided if you buy the
machine.
> Leave it on the store shelf, it's got a good warranty.  Buy it, warranty
> voided.  Common response from IBM warranty reps, "F*CK YOU"
>
> Machine is an IBM R40 laptop.  IBM has told me there is NO warranty on
> software issues if I *dare* to load something they didn't supply (which is
> anything useful).
>
> IBM tech support said I have a virus(in regards to machine shutting off,
> hard restart, for no reason).  They couldn't name the virus, or tell me
> anything else about it, but it *obviously wasn't a problem with *their*
> machine, or this garbage called XP.
>
> Oh, and their "software" warranty, on OEM installed software, runs out
after
> 30 days.  Nice!   35 days into ownership, the mouse driver decided to
ignore
> all settings.  No help from IBM.  I used to live in NY, and pitied the
> thousands of unemployed EX IBM employees.   By now, I'd be glad to see the
> currently employed IBM employees rotting in hell beside them.   LONG LIVE
> JAPAN!
>
> I have added no hardware to the machine. I've loaded all *FULL*, *LEGAL*
> versions of software that was not preloaded, and I've had nothing but
> headaches.
>
> That rules out hardware problems (that I also never experienced with the
> superior OS), so it appears I'm left with the tedious task of doing a
clean
> install of a useable OS, along with reloading and recovering all the
> applicable software and user files.
>
> Oh well.  The penalty we pay for using MS products........
>
> Oh, and before all the MS reps on this group hop in with their biased
> positions, I've tried all the relevant MS Usenet groups with the problems
> I've had, and not gotten a single response.  Implying, of course, that
there
> is no fix for the problems I have, other than a more reliable OS.
>
> Comments?
>
> Brett Anderson
>
>
>
>
> "Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@nospamcableone.net> wrote in message
> news:10555tdhn5gi5f6@corp.supernews.com...
> > Greetings --
> >
> >     If you're having so much trouble with a brand new OEM
> > installation, you really should contact the PC's manufacturer for some
> > warranty support.  And Win2K is just as likely to be as vulnerable to
> > whatever underlying hardware problems are causing your current
> > troubles.  (Not to mention the fact that changing the OS on an OEM
> > machine often voids the warranty.)
> >
> > Bruce Chambers
> > --
> > Help us help you:
> > http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> > http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
> >
> > You can have peace.  Or you can have freedom.  Don't ever count on
> > having both at once. -- RAH
> >
> > "KMS - Brett Anderson" <gotomysiteto@emailme.com> wrote in message
> > news:uqWSL3KCEHA.3852@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > > Thanks for the info.
> > >
> > > Given my experience with XP over the last 2.5 months, I have to
> > > disagree on
> > > the downgrade part.
> > >
> > > Can't get IIS working.  Can't get FPSE working.  Can't get the mouse
> > > drivers
> > > to work correctly.  Constantly crashing.  Constantly shutting down
> > > the
> > > computer without prompting.
> > >
> > > All with an untouched OEM install.
> > >
> > > Currently, XP is costing me between $500 and $1000 per week in lost
> > > sales
> > > due to it's refusal to follow instructions.  Time to cut my losses
> > > and go to
> > > a proven stable OS.  It's either Win2K or Unix.  Yeah, I know Unix
> > > is 10,000
> > > times better, but I don't "know" it, so the learning curve will be
> > > too
> > > expensive.
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Brett Anderson
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

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