Re: Upgrade to 2005 MCE

From: David (David_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 11/26/04 

Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 06:41:07 -0800

Whiting,

I have found that incompetence is usually a better explanation of otherwise
inexplicable behavior. On the MCE 2005 upgrade issue, the actions of
Microsoft and the OEMS seem so anti-customer and so anti-logical, it is easy
for one to assume that a devious master-plan conspiracy is going on. The more
likely explanation is that some key decision maker in the process is just
low-IQ stupid.

As a former Microsoft employee (off the payroll many years now), I would
guess that Microsoft is begging Gateway to offer the upgrade. I'll further
guess that Microsoft is offering every incentive it can think of to get
Getway to do it: training their support people, lowering the software cost,
etc. Meanwhile, over at Gateway, there is someone (who I'll further speculate
wouldn't even know how to find these newgroups, let alone read them) who is
looking hard at the bottom line. He or she is probably thinking: this company
is going backrupt, we're losing money on every system we ship, we spent $2
million ramping up to build MCE systems, we sold 500 of them, we have 5,000
getting dusty in a warehouse, etc., etc. I am not going to be the person who
loses even more money for us and loses my job.

So, Gateway is choosing to walk away from an opportunity rather than throw
more money at it.

I must admit that I had misgivings when I bought my Gateway Media Center. I
hadn't done business with Gateway in years, I knew the company was
struggling, their web site about the FMC was bare-bones (like they really
didn't want anyone to find it). I ignored my intuition and bought what I
recognized as a great piece of hardware, and now I am paying the price. My
solution is post my system on ebay as fast as possible and walk away from
Gateway forever.

I just set up my parents with HP new dual-tuner Digital Entertainment
Center. What a work of art. That's my next system.

David

"Whiting Toler" wrote:

> Why do so many assume that it is our sole responsibility
> to pester the upgrades out of the OEMs. Why isn't MS
> advocating on our behalf or providing alternatives such as
> downloadable upgrades for a reasonable cost that include
> support disclaimers and warnings that OEM support may also
> be voided. We should at least have the choice. MS should
> not be let off the hook because they arranged an OEM
> strategy that they claim absolves them of any
> responsibility. MS is feeding the true customer, the
> consumer, to the sharks (unscrupulous OEMs like Gateway
> and others mentioned here).
>
> I'm personally struggling to find reasons not to believe
> that this is a "you scratch my back and I'll scratch
> yours" deal between MS and the OEMs to stimulate hardware
> sales at the expense of the consumer. I want to believe
> that's no the case but it sure feel like it. I'm a very
> unhappy Microsoft/Gateway customer. I think its important
> to continue to pressure MS as well as the OEMs. MS could
> make this work for all if they wanted to - we've got to
> make them want to.
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Like it or not, it's Sony's job to get you the upgrade,
> not Microsoft.
> >Suggest you continue to flog Sony on a daily basis and
> maybe they'll change
> >their mind. So far, I think HP is the only OEM that has
> made the upgrade
> >available to their customers, and then only in the US.
> All other users (UK
> >HP, Sony, Gateway, etc) are hopping mad that they're not
> getting the ability
> >to upgrade. Microsoft certainly makes the upgrade
> available to all the OEMs
> >(probably for free too), so you need to keep pestering
> your OEM to make it
> >available.
> >
> >Dana Cline - MVP
> >
> >"DYG IT" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message
> >news:56a301c4c6db$0e019a20$a301280a@phx.gbl...
> >> I have a Sony Vaio with MCE - want to upgrade but Sony
> >> is not offering one and Microsoft does not have an
> answer
> >> for their loyal customers - just contact the
> manufacturer
> >> of the computer for an upgrade (catch 22). Is this a way
> >> to support us? If they do not offer an upgrade (it is ok
> >> with me to pay for one at a reasonable cost), I will
> >> ditch Microsoft (I had wanted to get MCE extenders) and
> >> find 3rd party software that will handle it. What the
> >> heck is Microsoft thinking? My computer is 1 year old -
> I
> >> paid $2K for it - HOW CAN THEY NOT SUPPORT IT????????
> >> I guess Apple may be my new computer when I upgrade.....
> >>
> >
> >
> >.
> >
>

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Gateway Upgrade Policy for MCE 2005
    ... current attitude toward the MCE upgrade path. ... >It plain sucks that Gateway didn't offer the upgrade. ... OEMS really do ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: MCE 2005 Update for Gateway PC
    ... > I called Gateway support and they don't have a clue. ... > With no upgrade path from Gateway and/or Microsoft, ... > How do I upgrade my Gateway 2004 MCE computer to MCE 2005? ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: Upgrading MCE 2004 OEM to MCE 2005
    ... I was wondering what Microsoft would do for us as an end ... They are making grumbling noises about providing us with an upgrade. ... Since Barb has a Gateway 901-X, I hope she will get us an answer either way. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: Upgrade to 2005 MCE
    ... to pester the upgrades out of the OEMs. ... to the sharks (unscrupulous OEMs like Gateway ... >Like it or not, it's Sony's job to get you the upgrade, ... Microsoft certainly makes the upgrade ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: Why buy MCE? Dual recording uk
    ... Microsoft made the 2004->2005 upgrade available to ... purchased your MCE 2004 PC from is primarily to blame, ... But Microsoft apparently did realize that not all OEMs were up to providing ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
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