[LINK] Experiences with Microsoft support

[hartr@interweft.com.au]

Hi

As people here are well aware, I am a far from regular user of Microsoft
products. Unfortunately, there are a few things for which I am forced to
use Microsoft (eg software is not available from Linux for things like
the instrumentation in my glider).

People complain that Linux is hard to install and support - my
experience today suggests that Microsoft Windows (specifically 98 SE) is
worse.

I needed to install some new (multi function) hardware into a box I
keep that dual boots Linux and Windows 98SE. I duly followed the
directions and when Windows booted, it detected the new hardware and
'add new hardware wizard started'. Following the directions that came
with the hardware, I proceeded and I was prompted to insert my Microsoft
Windows 98SE CD - which I did. Windows then proceeded to fail to find
any of tghe files for which it was looking.

Carefully noting these down, I searched the CD - definitely not there,
so I called the Australian support phone number for the new hardware.and
got straight through to a human. Unfortunately, I was told that this was
NOT a problem with their hardware, but was a problem with 98SE - contact
Microsoft.

Ughh

First off I tried searching their knowledgebase - lots of info
about the hardware but nothing about the install process, so I phoned
the Microsoft Aus support number.

After the inevitable multiple menus and 'Your call is important to us'
whilst waiting (about 5 min), I got through to a suport tech - who
proceeded to tell me that neither the generic hardware 1394 (firewire)
was NOT supported by Windows 98SE nor was USB 2.0.

I agreed that the USB2.0 hardware was not supported - and in fact the
hardware came with the needed drivers for this - but it was the 1394
ports that were causing the problems.

I was again told that 1394 was not supported by Win98SE.

When I pointed out that there were a couple of hundred docs in the
Microsoft knowledgebase on this subject, he maintained that this was not
the case.

ARGHHH!!!

Back to the hardware people - very understanding and they are emailing
me the files that SHOULD be on the Microsoft CD...but aren't.

And people wonder why I use Linux for everything I possibly can!

-- 
Robert Hart					 hartr@interweft.com.au
Strategic IT & open source consulting                +61 (0)438 385 533
Brisbane, Australia			    http://www.interweft.com.au

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