Microsoft are the DEVIL.
I mean, normally I hate microsoft to the extreme, but today has finally done in the last straw for me. I will be fighting (for a customer, not even myself) this mega-corporation until they can offer some kind of proof of what they are claiming over the phone.
Basically it goes like this.
Customer comes in with their computer having a problem. Problem turns out that the motherboard has failed, and requires replacement. Perform the replacement with a newer part as old part is... well... old. No point putting the same back in when you can upgrade, yeah? So this is something we have done countless times over the mere 8 months I've been working there. Because of the hardware change, windows needed to be reactivated. Not a problem, done that countless times too. Run through the usual microsoft crap of having to ring them and jump through the relevant hoops to get it activated... Fail.
... The fuck? Why?
Things seem to have changed. Well, apparently things haven't changed and it's always been this way. I'm a little confused by this, as was my co-worker who originally tried to activate it. Taking a fucking loong time to figure out what the english-is-not-my-first-language morons are babbling about, it turns out that because our client did not return the system to Hewlett Packard (who made it) for the repairs, even though it's YEARS out of warranty, they won't activate windows.
Uh... what?
Trying to figure out WHY this has never, EVER happened in the history of me dealing with microsoft for re-activating anything result with being slapped in the face with the EULA. So, I took a trip through the EULA myself, and found abso-fucking-lutely nothing to do with any of what was said to me, except one part which says (in different wording) that if you change the hardware, you will need to reactivate windows. Nowhere could I see that part that says a 'royalty'** version of XP required that any repairs or upgrades must be performed by the distributor of the computer. Anywhere.
So, basically, I'm going to have another read or few through any XP Royalty EULA I can find, and get all the facts I can muster before I ring them back on Monday and proceed to rip shit into them for something which I believe is complete and utter BULLSHIT. It's never been a problem before for exactly the same circumstance, and now our client has to do without his computer until it is sorted, when he could have had it back today. I will fight these fuckers, and I intend to win.
And for that matter, what if a company registers itself with a royalty license, but then goes under? Who the fuck are you going to get to repair your system now if something goes wrong?
** - Windows XP Home comes in two versions - OEM and Royalty. OEM software is purchased on it's own without a computer, and you install it yourself. 'Royalty' XP is the kind that comes pre-installed when you buy the entire system from somewhere like Noel Lemming, Hardly Normal, etc. This license is purchased by the company to place on the computer for discount rates, I imagine. Apparently you're not allowed to fix your computer if something gets broken in it.
I have had more than enough of their bullshit.
Basically it goes like this.
Customer comes in with their computer having a problem. Problem turns out that the motherboard has failed, and requires replacement. Perform the replacement with a newer part as old part is... well... old. No point putting the same back in when you can upgrade, yeah? So this is something we have done countless times over the mere 8 months I've been working there. Because of the hardware change, windows needed to be reactivated. Not a problem, done that countless times too. Run through the usual microsoft crap of having to ring them and jump through the relevant hoops to get it activated... Fail.
... The fuck? Why?
Things seem to have changed. Well, apparently things haven't changed and it's always been this way. I'm a little confused by this, as was my co-worker who originally tried to activate it. Taking a fucking loong time to figure out what the english-is-not-my-first-language morons are babbling about, it turns out that because our client did not return the system to Hewlett Packard (who made it) for the repairs, even though it's YEARS out of warranty, they won't activate windows.
Uh... what?
Trying to figure out WHY this has never, EVER happened in the history of me dealing with microsoft for re-activating anything result with being slapped in the face with the EULA. So, I took a trip through the EULA myself, and found abso-fucking-lutely nothing to do with any of what was said to me, except one part which says (in different wording) that if you change the hardware, you will need to reactivate windows. Nowhere could I see that part that says a 'royalty'** version of XP required that any repairs or upgrades must be performed by the distributor of the computer. Anywhere.
So, basically, I'm going to have another read or few through any XP Royalty EULA I can find, and get all the facts I can muster before I ring them back on Monday and proceed to rip shit into them for something which I believe is complete and utter BULLSHIT. It's never been a problem before for exactly the same circumstance, and now our client has to do without his computer until it is sorted, when he could have had it back today. I will fight these fuckers, and I intend to win.
And for that matter, what if a company registers itself with a royalty license, but then goes under? Who the fuck are you going to get to repair your system now if something goes wrong?
** - Windows XP Home comes in two versions - OEM and Royalty. OEM software is purchased on it's own without a computer, and you install it yourself. 'Royalty' XP is the kind that comes pre-installed when you buy the entire system from somewhere like Noel Lemming, Hardly Normal, etc. This license is purchased by the company to place on the computer for discount rates, I imagine. Apparently you're not allowed to fix your computer if something gets broken in it.
I have had more than enough of their bullshit.