Microsoft today announced its Express Upgrade to Windows Vista program. It provides a coupon--if you buy a PC from a participating vendor from October 26, 2006 through March 15, 2007--that will allow a buyer to upgrade a Windows XP PC to Windows Vista when it becomes available next year.
The program seems designed to tame ill will between Microsoft and the vendors that hoped to sell you a Vista PC this holiday shopping season. But what's in it for the consumer? Well, the coupon sounds attractive: Buy a spiffy new XP PC now that transforms into a sleek Vista powerhouse later.
And Microsoft's representations of its program are positively glowing (naturally): "Don't wait to enjoy the benefits of owning a new PC. Buying a Premium Ready Windows Vista Capable PC means you can buy a great Windows XP computer today, with the confidence that it will easily upgrade to the Windows Vista edition of your choice."
But we here at PC World have reservations. As a guy who has upgraded a few operating systems over the years, I'm pretty skeptical about that "easily upgrade" comment.
Bottom Line on Money
First, looking at the various prices of the four different editions of Vista that will be available at retail gives me a headache. (An Enterprise version will be available only under volume license.) PC World did a complete breakdown in September, with a comparison to Windows XP pricing.
How much you'll have to pay for an upgrade ultimately will depend on where you buy your PC. As reported today by The Wall Street Journal Online, major OEM's will offer different pricing structures. For example, Hewlett-Packard will allow you to buy certain models and upgrade for free. Depending on the HP retailer, however, you may have to pay shipping and handling fees.
And the Journal reports that Dell will also allow you to upgrade by paying shipping and handling fees for systems using Windows XP Professional or Media Center editions. However, the Texas-based company plans to charge you $45 for an upgrade from Windows XP Home Edition to Windows Vista Home Basic.
Oddly enough XP Home and Vista Home Basic carry the same approximate prices: $200 new and $100 to upgrade.
More importantly, Harry McCracken, PCW's Editor in Chief, says that Vista Home Basic lacks some of Vista's more attractive features and will not hit the sweet spot for function and features that Windows XP Home does.
What's Your Time Worth?
Second, once you've done the homework on which version you want (and talked to your PC vendor to ensure that an upgrade to the version you want will be available and how much it may cost), there's a further issue that nobody is really talking about. Upgrading an operating system is not a trivial process.
If you use this coupon program, you are committing yourself to personally upgrading your own PC. Are you up to the task? Are you ready to fork over some extra dough if necessary? And are you ready to spend the time the upgrade process will take?
I stopped down at the PC World Test Center this afternoon to talk to Senior Performance Analyst Elliot Kirschling and Manager of Program Development James Motch about upgrade issues. Both Vista experts recommend a clean install of the OS, which will also require you to reinstall all of your applications (assuming that they will all work with Vista) and obtain and install drivers for everything that needs one, including your graphics board, printer, and so forth.
Which gets back to the question I raised earlier about that 'easy' upgrade: The hardware may take the upgrade in stride, but will you?
I enjoy working with PCs, or I wouldn't be here. But even so, I don't feel like dealing with the hassle of an OS upgrade anytime soon. A lot of you were looking forward to buying a new Vista PC. My advice: Be patient, and wait until your Vista operating system comes installed.
My hats off to Anne B. McDonald. I Loved your article. And you're right not many people can do "upgrade / clean re-install" on their own. The best thing to do is wait till Windows Vista comes pre-install.
-JayD
I am always amazed at the rush to tout the new and unknown, As a PC tech serving the consumer market, my advice to computer users is to wait until they have a true need for the features offered by any new software, and to wait even longer for a new operating system. Remember, the old term for unshipped software was vaporware. It isn't real until you can buy it.
This past weekend I upgraded my home system to Vista. I popped in the DVD, answered the questions, and got upgraded. The process, while lengthy, was flawless. This upgrade was much smoother than any before it. The result has also been most impressive. For two days, everything has been stable and smooth. After reading all the negative press about every little move Microsoft makes, I was expecting the worst. So I am going to do something completely unfashionable - I am going to praise Microsoft for an awesome operating system. Vista is awesome!
Bend over. It's time for your new Windows upgrade.
If I was to buy a computer in the near future, I certainly wouldn't be tempted to upgrade from XP to Vista. Heck, win 2k is still working great. I haven't read about any major features in vista that are so great as to make me want to switch.
As far as OS upgrades go, it should embarrass microsoft that debian and its derivatives can be upgraded with a simple "apt-get update && apt-get dist-upgrade" after a change in the repositories. Ubuntu doesn't even require you to change the repositories. It does it itself with: gksu ?update-manager -c -d? - when will windows be able to achieve the same degree of package management?
aw why dont you just shut up?!? stop scaring the people!!! upgrading to vista in this manner WILL benefit both the consumer AND the manufacturer. you people there are so smug, you dont know anything!!!
I concur, as a professional I have faced major headaches with every first release of a Microsoft OS. Most other software companies give you their beta-test version for free, whereas Microsoft stick theirs in a box and announce it's ready. I now refuse to install or support Microsofts OS until they've done their second service pack release. You have to remember that windows 95 wasn't reliable until the OS2 release in 97, same with Windows 98 (pro edition released in 99). and Windows ME was never properly fixed (glad I kept well away from that one).
I'm not going to touch Vista for at least a year or two. Microsofts cutting edge really is the bleeding edge. Don't forget that corporate IT departments have only been using XP for about 2 years, they wouldn't risk their systems with the beta-equivalent first releases.
You know a Machead would have to chime in. I am also a professional with over 20 years in the biz. I have upgraded from the beta of OS X to the 10.4.7 with no data loss, machine problems, user confusion or complications. I may wait a day or two before an upgrade just to read the early adoptor's reports but I have no underlying trepidation like long term and knowlegable M$ customers. Somehow this smaller company with vastly less developers and resources seems to be able to code, and debug an extremely complex, comprehensive and complete operating system that is ready for prime time when they ship it. Surprise, in this internet age for at least 80% of PC users (yes corporate too) the flavor of the underlying OS is unimportant, except for the amount of effort and money you have to spend to make the machine stable and useful.
Perhaps you might take this entire conversation as another 800 gorilla quietly suggesting that a PC with M$ OS software may not be your smartest next purchase.
Gives me confidence, as a non IT professional to see the Pro's giving their advice.
You just know that MAC users would have to chime in with their BS about how intelligent they are for using OS X. What I find amazing is that they have been paying 150 bucks for every minor point release of OS X. I have an iMAC in my mix of computers and have paid 450 dollars to upgrade the stupid thing every time apple releases one of their upgrades. The thing is I can't tell a big difference from the first version I had and the upgrades. Oh yes I have widgets and Google search built into the OS but was it worth $450 bucks? Yeah right.
Then I love how they completely ignore the fact that CrApple releases lots of security updates themselves. Did that mean OS X was not ready for prime time? I think I will stick to my PC so I can choose my own hardware and OS and not give my money to a company that not only milks you for every point release but dictates what hardware you can put it on.
I too, am an IT professional, and the upgrade from XP to Vista (I've had every major public beta test release since beta 2) was really just as easy as popping the DVD in and answering some questions. Vista does everything for you. If you can read, you can easily upgrade from XP.
In response to the security question asked previously here...yeah, I'm a "member of the general public", I have 3 versions of Vista beta software on my desk (5600 RC1, 5728 and 5744 RC2) and have found security to be quite good on all of them. As always though, if someone just starts clicking around carelessly, theres going to be problems.
Another one for the "I'll wait for the service packs" group. I have upgraded many a Microsoft Operating System, and the experience is not a ride in the park, seriously, whenever Ubuntu or another distribution releases a new version, it is stable from the start, and for crying out loud you don't have to fork over $$$ for it! I pay Micro$oft good money to give me a stable O/S, and they fail to deliver!
For crying out loud Microsoft, how about making a stable O/S for once????
Points again 1. you can historically update with aplomb without hosing your existing install and 2. security fixes come BEFORE any exploits (and not only on Tuesdays) making OS X the most ready for prime time OS out there. How much have you paid Symantec or McAfee over that time period, how locked down is your network environment because your OS is cheesy? The only reason you haven't spent anything on M$ upgrades is that there haven't been any. Defend your OS decision all you want, I live and work with computers that I actually enjoy using and don't give me or my clients headaches for years and years and funny, all the features advertised for upgrades are usually in there and they work. BTW google isn't buit in, maybe you should spend a few minutes when you are not fixing a PC.
Most retail PCs don't come with a proper O/S disk, but a rubbish OEM installer that erases everything that's already on the system. Are Microsoft planning to supply setup disks for Vista, or will the unfortunate end-users have to put their trust in flaky OEM installers?
... IIt will be interesting to see if Vista will actually go beyond the beta version. At home I work with Mac OS X and at the office I am forced to work with Windows XP because of an MRP program. While XP has been around for 5 or 6 years I haven't seen a fully working version yet. I get crashes all the time. It seems now, in Oct 2006, Windows XP Prof SP2 is still a beta version.... so, we'll see how Vista will do...
Vivifiant, Ohio
I have been in the computer business for 40 years and the PC world for 26. I have installed every MS Windows version since 3.11. I have CDs of all of the first releases of each Windows version. Over time, I have had to reinstall each of these multiple times when my PC crashes due to hardware or software problems. Over time, MS releases Service Packs for each of their Windows products. If I want to avoid repurchasing Windows Home/Professional/Media Center/Server 2003, my option is to download the service packs to get the latest updates. This process requires an entire day using a high-speed Internet connection (includes reinstalling my application software). Restore CDs from Dell, HP and others make assumptions about my system that are no longer valid if I have changed any components in the PCs I purchased from them. Not much help there. And I HATE Windows Upgrade discs--you have to install the Original Windows version before you perform the Upgrade. Add another hour or so to your day.
I've installed Windows since 3.11--every version for home/work use and Windows Server 2000 & 2003. And Vista 32 and 64. My advice is to wait until your PC comes with Vista already installed on it. That is, unless you enjoy wasting your time getting frustrated while trying to make your old PC work with VISTA. FYI, many printer companies will NOT be making drivers that allow Vista to use their older printers. Your video card may also be on the list of unsupported devices.
VISTA do-it-yourself is not for the faint of heart...
I've installed the Vista betas as well as RCs, and found the upgrade from XP to Vista to be quite easy...quite lengthy, but most of the time was just "waiting" time.
However, if I were looking to buy a new PC soon and wanted Vista, I'd wait for it to be shipped pre-installed on the PC. This makes it less likely that any data loss would occur.
OT I don't know how some people can have so many problems with XP. "I get crashes all the time!", they cry. What are these people doing with their PCs? I am constantly adding / removing software and hardware on my XP machine, and I maybe average two crashes a year, and I've NEVER had a BSOD with XP.
Keep the virii, ad-ware, spy-ware, and hacked programs off your PC, and XP should work just fine.
I'm not a MS fanboy, by the way. I also use MEPIS, and am currently shopping for my first MAC. Use whatever OS works best for what you want to do, but keep your mind open to the alternatives.
I agree, a direct run to the OS would probably not be the best solution - especially for inexperienced users. And it would be a pain for these users to have to perform the upgrade for themselves - as "stable" as XP is, I have seen brand new installs on new machines fail - anything is possible.
I saw the MAC person post - and I agree, the MAC upgrade procedure is less painful than the MS procedures, but you also have to remember that MAC OS does not have to contend with the variety of software packages and hardware deviecs from different manufacturers as a Windows machines does - their success (mass deployment) is also their greatest problem.
Personally, I have installed Vista RC1 on my laptop - because like it or not- it will be there - soon, and I need to know it to provide the support and consultantcy that I do, and have the added advantage of having multiple machines, and the technical base to fix it if it fails does help.
It's interesting how much variation there is in personal experience with these matters, depending on the PC configuration. For example, my own experience with Windows XP's System Restore has varied from working perfectly and solving a problem to (frequently) not working at all and coming back with a 'we couldn't restore to a previous state' message, to actually breaking the OS and causing the system not to boot. In my personal case, I find that I'm often working with a somewhat quirky system because of all the different SW I try out. I try to keep that in mind. My experience may not be the same as yours and vice versa... So assuming that everything will go just fine is not the best idea for the average user, in my opinion. Rex Farrance, Senior Tech Editor...
BIGED give me a break. I have NOT paid a dime for antivirus software as there are plenty of open source solutions for Windows that work fine. Maybe if you would look at the complete computing world you would know that. But I am sure you never leave the one button world of Crapple.
I have paid over 450 dollars for point upgrades to MAC OS X and that is exactly what they were. There were no HUGE changes for most users but Crapple still charges your $150 bucks. MS didn't charge that for SP2.
I won't deny that MAC OS X is a more secure OS. That has nothing to do with the INCREDIABLE programmers at apple. It has everything to do with the incredible programmers who created FreeBSD and UNIX, who didn't have to contend with the installed base MS has and backward compatibility.
Lastly, I don't fix desktops. I am a system admin for GE and monitor 1350 MS servers and I am very familiar with OS X and Windows. Historically we have not had issues "hosing" them because of patches.
Also, when I said google search built in, it was more a tongue in cheek poke at Apples spotlight feature. Which essentially is Google desktop search.
I have installed Vista Beata and have had the following problems:
1. My Logitech Cordless Mouse, No driver. Won't work. have to use PS2 mouse.
2. My ATI pci TV Tuner. Was able to get drivers and use a capture program to view TV but the program that came with tuner don't work. No program availible for the hardware.
3. Too much security. Unable to run Avast on startup, program locked out and not one that Microsoft thinks is safe. I want a PC I can use not one that is locked up and needs permission to do everything I do on my own PC. Microsoft needs to do better for the home user.
4. A lot of my software can not be installed or if it does install it don't work.
5. I think everone should wait for Microsoft to get the bugs out of it before they buy this program unless it comes loaded on a new PC. I don't plan to buy it for a long time. Maybe after I see that most of the bugs are worked out and there are drivers availible and most software will work on Vista.
If you haven't had a stable experience on XP / 2K, you've either got a total failure for an IT department, you're mucking around with things you don't have the expertise to touch, or you're lying.
I've built systems and reviewed computer hardware for the past five years, across cutting-edge equipment from Intel to AMD, all the way down to bottom-feeder ancient boxen. I've *never* seen the kind of stability problems Vivifiant describes--at least, not that were caused by the operating system.
Sure, if you're running on ancient hardware, at minimal memory, on an upgraded ME installation from 1999, and have swapped your video card, hard drive, CPU, and motherboard over that period of time without, say, having ever upgraded your power supply or properly uninstalled your drivers (or if you've got two different sets of chipset drivers loading simultaneously along with a few sound cards you don't have anymore), you'll have problems. Probably lots of them.
Don't blame it on XP.
I remember the first day XP came out, it was for sale at my local CompUSA at midnight. They did an upgrade type install on every one of their PCs and laptops right before the Grand Opening for XP. Every single one of their machines would NOT run. Strangely, there were over a hundred people lined up and every one of them had a copy of XP under their arm as they waited for their turn at the cash register.
I'm not saying that XP was necessarily flawed, allowing for some error in installation on the part of CompUSAs local "experts" being the problem with every single machine at ever price point on every brand they carry, but how on earth could all those people buy a copy with that reality staring them in the face?
I waited a good year before buying XP and never did see what the big benefit was in getting it. The programs I used were still the programs I used. But I waited until it was convenient for me to do a clean install and never regretted it or the wait.
XP? Linux? MacOS-X? These are all operating systems for Lamers. I've been using the same Commodore 64 for the past 20 years. I bought it used at a garage sale for 15 bucks and it still runs like a champ. (Though I have been thinking about upgrading to an Atari 520ST.)
My cat George says MEOOW to Microsoft, you should too.
Get a real upgrade and go with Mac OS X or Linux. I've worked as a computer consultant for 6 years and recommend Macs to nearly everyone because of their security, ease of use, and compatibility with the Windows world. Don't listen to all the FUD about spending $450 to upgrade all the point releases. There's no need. Just upgrade ever other or every third point release. Macs have incorporated for years now all the "major" upgrades that were supposed to be in Vista but aren't since Microsoft hasn't been able to figure them out yet. Microsoft is a sinking ship. Jump off now while it's still a little bit above water.
I think one problem is that people have become used to the flaws that Microsoft Windows has and they don't know there are other options such as Mac (OSX), Linux (countless versions to suit any desire - most completely FREE) or just sticking with Windows 2K which is not bad at all. Instead of insulting people who don't tout the latest Windows, why not realize it just isn't for everyone - epecially those who would rather spend time doing work or being creative than keeping viruses and spyware at bay and rebooting their machines. Having said this, I am looking forward to trying Vista to see if things have changed. If so, kudos to Microsoft. However, the pricing structure is still enough to scare anyone away considering Linux can be downloaded at no cost and I have various grandmothers using it on machines I have built for them.
FWIW DpuTiger, two friends just got brand new computers within the past three months - one a storebought, the other a Gateway. Within two weeks, the Gateway was crashing. They had only installed a couple programs like IPod sodtware. The storebought crashed on first boot. My point is that yes, you CAN blame it on XP. Macs and Linux just don't do that. Respectfully, I'm not trying to pick a fight, but just point out real-world problems that need to be addressed by MS. Having said that, yes Macs and Linux do experience problems occasionally, but not on the same order (or anywhere near it) as Windows.
Hear Hear kkrauss. Articles like this amuse me; I upgraded two computers with two new operating systems just this week. Took an hour or so. Cost was zero, and both OSes (Fedora Core 6 and Ubuntu 6.10) compare facorably to Vista without requiring new hardware.
Vista will be seen as the biggest ripoff of desktop computing history.
Caveyak,
That's not proof. Operating systems don't just magically degrade--there's another issue at work, and in both your friend's cases, I'd be checking internal temperatures, OEM-installed software (for the Gateway), and making sure that all system components check out as functional *and* are properly secured before I'd start blaming XP.
In the first case (system crashes immediately after first boot), I'd first be checking the hard drive, installed IDE drivers, and run MemTest x86 on the installed memory. Also make sure that the RAM timings aren't pulled too tightly for the memory to handle (if you can control them).
In the case of the second, check your Quicktime installations and your sound drivers.
GeekSmurf,
Just curious, do you really own a Mac or do you just get off on bashing Mac? If you did own a Mac, then you would know that the new OS X releases cost $129 list (single user), not $150 as you incorrectly stated.
As far as the OS X updates not having in new or worthwhile features I would disagree. MS VISTA will have many of these features, because Microsoft copied from OS X. (Right down to the icons and color schemes as noted by Apple at this years developer conference.) Heck, there are many articles in the mainstream press that note MS borrowed much from OS X for VISTA. To be fair, Apple borrows too, but not nearly as much.
By the way, the new Macs can run Windows natively under boot-camp. So, you argument about choosing your OS does not mean much.
One last question for you. If you are so big on choosing your own hardware and you call your iMac a "stupid thing", then why do you keep it around?
I'm a home user and experience has taught me wait and not fall for the "Grand Opening" hype. All the utilities and programs on my computer are legal and licensed and simply redownloading them and re-regestering them will likely be a huge headache. Since I expect that I will still be using this computer for at least two more years I probably will install Vista at some point, but I am going to let others be the guinea pigs.
For those of us building our own PC's like myself, My PC is a 3.4 plently of goodies.I'm going to buy XP Media center Edition in Nov but I get to buy Vista in two months when(if)Microsponge makes it's release date!So lets see 140.00 plus how much?Premium? when?who's getting bent over hear?I'll tell you the folks who actually buy their software from the ONLY Monopoly out there that's who.
Guys, y'all are jumping the gun.
Just because OEMs are offering coupons for Vista upgrades you CAN install doesn't mean you MUST install them. I'm buying four HP boxes with Athlon 64 chips and XP Pro and I'm looking forward to upgrading one of them to Vista 64 for free when it becomes available, as well as having the option to upgrade the rest of them when I get it working smoothly on my prototype system.
If it doesn't work well -- I got stuck when I bought WinME, too -- I've only polluted one machine and I can blow away the hard drive and go back to the previous install. I still have 3 Windows XP SP2 machines that work flawlessly in demanding documentation, administration and consulting support applications.
If you don't like the leading/bleeding edge of technology, get off and watch. Me? I'm praparing to make money supporting my clients on state-of-the-art technology as it's available to them and they choose to use it.
Guys, y'all are jumping the gun.
Just because OEMs are offering coupons for Vista upgrades you CAN install doesn't mean you MUST install them. I'm buying four HP boxes with Athlon 64 chips and XP Pro and I'm looking forward to upgrading one of them to Vista 64 for free when it becomes available, as well as having the option to upgrade the rest of them when I get it working smoothly on my prototype system.
If it doesn't work well -- I got stuck when I bought WinME, too -- I've only polluted one machine and I can blow away the hard drive and go back to the previous install. I still have 3 Windows XP SP2 machines that work flawlessly in demanding documentation, administration and consulting support applications.
If you don't like the leading/bleeding edge of technology, get off and watch. Me? I'm praparing to make money supporting my clients on state-of-the-art technology as it's available to them and they choose to use it.
Mac users are such BS artists. I was setting up an eMac at work to replace an old PC when a sub teacher comes in and says "Oh good, a Mac!". I ignored him and the librarian says "Oh you like macs?" He says "Oh yes! They do most of the work for you!"....what exactly does that mean? What work is it doing for you? Writing your documents? Surfing the net for you? WHAT? OS X isn't voice activated, you still have to type and such. We've have both PCs and macs at work, and there is no difference that I see in how well macs hold up hardware-wise over PCs. The only advantage OS X has is of course lack of viruses...but what virus writer is going to go for the 5% market target? None. I have an XP computer at home and it performs flawlessly and has done so for years. Before that my other Windows PCs performed extremely well. My only concern with Vista is that they are trying to be more mac-like by getting "pretty", which I could care less about. Just get the job done, bottom line..
GaryGanu, you say that Mac users are BS artists. Are you one of those people that try to make a blanket statements about all Mac users? One of my favorite STUPID statements that I hear. The basic assumption is that Mac users are too dumb to handle a "real computer". If this describes you, don't flatter yourself.
I'm a Mac user, I have 5 Macs and 2 PCs at home. I'm also an IT professional, that works with Linux, Solaris, and yes Windows. I love Windows, my current job is to protect HIPAA and PCI data on our corporate network. You know IDS, firewalls, Antivirus, pen testing, etc. You could say that Windows keeps me employed, but I digress.
There are plenty of PC end-users that have made just as many dumb statements, and in the last 10 years I have heard my fair share.
Perhaps what this person was trying to convey is how much OS X gets out of your way. The vast majority of devices work when you plug them in, you rarely need to mess with driver disks, it just works.
SORRY....do not trust Microsoft "yet"; I will stay where I'm: XP Pro SP 2 and IE 6; also I can't upgrade tp windows VISTA whit out upgrade my computer; I need more memory and a larger video/soun card and my memory is RDRam(Rambo) and this this thing is expensive; I'm one of a few that gettalked in to the RDRam in 2002.
Thanx to all of you that have post info that we (the Dummies) can use to stay on line.
Thank you
Tony
irhbt@yahoo.com
Has Bill G stolen something yet again--in this case, the name "Vista?" The VA (Veterans Administration) has been running a medical administration application called Vista going back possibly as far as the 1980s. This application, in conjunction with another called CPRS, has the VA (yes, the VA!!) at the cutting edge of IT related hospital / patient administration. I don't know if, legally speaking, the Feds can copyright / TM anything, but the VA has certainly paid for the development of Vista--the "real" Vista, not the MS vaporware version. Are there any copyright / TM / intellectual property experts out there that can help out with this question? Thanks--rb6261usmc@sbcglobal.net
I just recently bought mine from a small pc builder, and although it said that the costs of the upgrade from xp pro to vista buisness was "free", The Shipping and Handling ended up being $31.51, which i found to be excessive to ship out a dvd.
In the past microsoft shipped out cd's of SP2 for absolutely nothing, so why not now, or why not at least somthing reasonable like $5
And given that microsoft recently announced they will over downloadable versions of all their OS's why have any S&H at all, why not offer a downloadable version which would cost us nothing?
Here is details i posted on my upgrade experience
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1149570
Can anyone tell me where do I find the link to get the free upgrade to Vista. I bought my new pc recently and was told I could get a free upgrade but cannot find where to get it. I have looked on Microsofts website for ages and not found it.
I'm posting this comment all over the internet because I'm mad and eventually maybe I can get someone to tell me what the problem is at microsoft.
I bought my gateway in December and have been trying for 3 weeks now to send my info to the upgrade place. So far all I have received is problems, "unrecoverable error" and "coa # can not be validated." It seems to me that microsoft doesn't want anyone receiving the "free" upgrade as they are making it as difficult as possible for anyone to sign up for their "free" copy.
I ordered free upgrade on the Dell website for a $10 fee, they say it is to ship in the latter part of February, which is any day now...............lets see what happens in the days ahead. Try the Gateway site and see if you go to the Vista express upgrade.
I ordered my Vista upgrade in February (confirmation of order received 13th February) but am still waiting on 17th March.
I contacted Microsoft to ask when I might expect to receive it, but all I had back was this standard message:
"Due to the great amount of orders received, it is impossible for us to give you an exact date of delivery. We are still validating many of the documents
received.
When your Payment , COA and POP are validated you will get a confirmation via e.mail in the moment your product will be shipped."
I have been checking the status of my order on their website daily, but nothing has yet happened. How much longer will it take - it is now six weeks since I placed the order?
This one's aimed at Vivifiant, who has so many "Issues" with XP sp2.
I think we all know a PEBKAC when we see one.... Dont drag down a solid OS with that type of horse-puckey.