| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
BaftaBaby 
"Always entranced by cinema."
|
 Posted - 08/02/2008 : 09:46:22
|
OK all you Mac users, stop chuckling!
Yes, folks, once again Uncle Bill Gates has stuffed us Vista users with what the Tech Guys refer to as a 'known issue.' The bastards.
This is just a friendly warning in case it happens to you -- apparently it may or it may not. That's tekkie precision for you!
I'm running pc pre-loaded with Vista Home Premium bought from new about 7 months ago. Apart from some minor stuff, it's been doing really well until about a week ago.
A bunch of little unrelated things started playing up ... I think it started when the bundled Windows Media Center wouldn't download the program guide. Then it wouldn't let me pre-record a tv show. Then, if I watched a tv show live, it wouldn't let me change channels.
I lurked on a bunch of tekkie forums and found out I wasn't the only one, but since the Media Center is so deeply integrated in Vista, there's no way [apparently] of uninstalling and/or reinstalling it.
OK - no biggie - I can live without tv through my 'puter, but still!
Then other little things until I finally started getting a notice saying my copy of Windows isn't genuine [it was bought from a nationwide chain of puter stores] and that "the Home Premium product key you typed is invalid for activation." Which is bullshit, of course, since I never typed any product key - didn't have to since HP was pre-loaded at the factory into the machine. 
I won't go into every nook and cranny - but let's just say I got to know quite a bit about the life of tech support guy Paul as we waited for the machine to go through various diagnostic tests for a couple of hours ... on MY phonebill. Not that anything was resolved since it was the end of his shift and I had to wait for the test to finish - another hour or so. 
I've found out how to get some access ... but the puter now doesn't recognize my printer and it prob'ly thinks my scanner is from Mars.
I am about to start working on a website for a client so this is great timing. Picture me this w/e with a phone growning out of my ear.  
And hoping none of this happens to you. 
|
|
|
w22dheartlivie 
"Kitty Lover"
|
Posted - 08/02/2008 : 10:37:19
|
I had to finally accept Windows XP with my last computer purchase. I've not had monstrous problems with it, but I'd still like to have 98 back. The biggest problem I've had has been that well over a year ago, Internet Explorer started causing some sort of fault, which would then crash the computer with the dreaded blue screen of death showing up. I solved this by switching over to Firefox, which I actually do like. The problems with it are that it won't upload jpg files to FWFR and occasionally just locks up, but otherwise it's great. The drawback came with trying to uninstall IE. I'm a bit hesitant to do so because I have no clue what is integrated with it, so I abandoned that project. The only problem left with it now is that when I use my dial up (yes, I do use dial up), the ISP software automatically boots up IE for my homepage, and I have to close it down quickly or ... yeah, the blue screen of death. I can't reconfigure the software to boot up Firefox. My relationship with computers is quite similar to my relationship with men: I hate computers, but I love em.
|
 |
|
|
benj clews 
"...."
|
Posted - 08/02/2008 : 14:09:12
|
I have Vista on my laptop. I had no choice in the matter but I resolved to downgrade it if all the dodgy problems I'd heard of came to fruition. So far nothing- it works fine. Okay so it's crashed once or twice but even that you can't always put down to the O/S- it's been hot here of late and computers (laptops especially) aren't too keen on that. I don't push the laptop too much however- just web and database development really. I certainly wouldn't entrust it with anything as important as recording my telly
As far as I'm concerned, XP was a fine and reliable OS... once all the service packs fixed it up. BB, I'd suggest you pick up a copy of XP from a computer fair or somewhere. I can't imagine it'd cost you more than about 50 quid. If you really need Vista for anything, make the PC dual boot. |
|
|
|
duh
"catpurrs"
|
Posted - 08/02/2008 : 19:44:13
|
My desk PC has XP. My laptap has Vista. So far the Vista is working fine.
I've never been able to upgrade to service pack two on my XP because it crashes my puter then I have to reinstall Windows. Suggestions? |
|
|
|
Mr Savoir Faire
"^ Click my name. "
|
Posted - 08/02/2008 : 19:54:37
|
| Mac users would be laughing but their new operating system is even worse. I have a mac and a pc an as much as I hate vista, i do not have to reboot it nearly as much as my mac. The best operating system is XP. Hands down. Unfortunately I use Vista now due to compatibility issues. |
|
|
|
benj clews
"...."
|
Posted - 08/02/2008 : 23:16:57
|
quote:
Originally posted by duh Improper Username
I've never been able to upgrade to service pack two on my XP because it crashes my puter then I have to reinstall Windows. Suggestions?
Best suggestion would be to reinstall Windoews and then install all the service packs before any other software at all. If that doesn't work then you've probably got some hardware Windows XP doesn't get on with. You might be able to fix this by getting all the latest drivers from the appropriate manufacturers- XP doesn't always get the best fit automatically.
If none of that works then you're stuck with SP 1 I suspect  |
|
|
|
BaftaBaby
"Always entranced by cinema."
|
Posted - 08/03/2008 : 08:12:20
|
quote:
Originally posted by benj clews
quote:
Originally posted by duh Improper Username
I've never been able to upgrade to service pack two on my XP because it crashes my puter then I have to reinstall Windows. Suggestions?
Best suggestion would be to reinstall Windoews and then install all the service packs before any other software at all. If that doesn't work then you've probably got some hardware Windows XP doesn't get on with. You might be able to fix this by getting all the latest drivers from the appropriate manufacturers- XP doesn't always get the best fit automatically.
If none of that works then you're stuck with SP 1 I suspect
Thanks, benj!
However
Yesterday, after several phonecalls with tekkies, eventually I was directed to a Microsoft automated service which allowed me to speak to a real live human being -- well, either that or a mind-boggling robot!!
He was able to verify my Vista is genuine and to reactivate the software. So now everything works. Except for the Media Centre, which I think has its own 'known issues.'
So ... now I can go off to see X-Files later this afternoon with an easier mind
PS - I agree XP behaves the best, but I just don't have the energy to go through all the hassle of re-integration of programmes, etc. If I had it all to do again I'd probably have become a Linux nerdperson. 
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Beware the Microsoft 'Known Issue'
