I have Automated Updates turned off on my xp pro Svce Pack 3 desktop. However, this does not stop Microsoft from hanging my computer up on startup: it assaults my computer with a popup that nags me about Automatic Updates being turned off and won't I please! click the balloon to resolve the issue -- which evokes a panel  demanding that I upgrade to ( Read more... )

It happened again last night --- I went to bed with programs open so I could work on them in the morning. This morning I wake up to all the programs gone and all my internet logins wiped (nobody else uses this computer so I stay logged in at the places that are the most pain in the ass to log in or that I visit frquently throughout the day) and who ( Read more... )

I spent about an hour with Microsoft this morning. It took much longer than it needed to, because they had to keep shuttling me around to various call centers around the world, but each person I talked to was kind and helpful and none of them thought my frustration was unreasonable. You may remember that a few months ago the "genuine advantage" ( Read more... )