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Microsoft (rant)

Paul Caldwell

New member
Those who know me, know I rarely rant, but after yesterday, I felt I need to post this.

I have been working up a new machine to run the 64 bit version of XP. For those not that familar with this code, Microsoft only offers it as a 180 day eval. It's very easy to get the eval, and the actual install of the software went without a hitch.

On this machine I am using a Adatper SCSI card and during the physical install of the card, I somehow got a NVRAM corruption issue. I am using a ASUS board and their soltuion was to clear the CMOS to see if I could get around the corruption error. I cleared the CMOS and sure enough the problem cleared up, but then I went back into XP, I got an error stating that my eval had run out and I had to purchase the code. NOTE, you couldn't even get into the OS to enter a new code, instead the machine just rebooted.

I called Microsoft hoping for a easy fix. Not to be the case, net, after almost 2 hours and I lost count on the number of "tech support specialists", I found out that there is not a way to conver the eval to a full licence. And nowhere on the Microsoft site does it say this! So if you were using this OS for a few months, you can use it up to 6, then decided to buy it, you have to fully reload the OS and start over. I find that totally amazing that Microsoft would have it desinged this way. As it is putting a 64 bit OS on a machine right now is not a text book operation as the support is sketchy at best.

So be warned, if you are looking to load the 64 bit version of XP, Don't start with the eval, thinking you can buy the full license codes at a later date and just add them to your current OS.

Paul Caldwell
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Hi Paul,

I empathize with you. My iview media pro insists it is a new installation on my G5 each time it boots. Sometimes it won't accept the serial number. On my tour of Europe with my G4 PB, iView totally refused to accept my serial number and I was left to just store my files without any cataloging!

It is so frustrating to get caught when we invest a lot of time in these programs. The inherent problem is that companies put out new software as almost a tax on us. Often we are the Beta testers! They expect us to re-pay for our software with "updates" each year.

With 64 BIT software, what software will you be using to take advantage of this environment?

Anyway, case, your case is downright aweful. I would like to see people now report on their experience with 64 BIT XP full version, so you know better whether or not similar difficulties occur,

Asher
 

Paul Caldwell

New member
Hello Asher,

The 64 bit reason for me was mainly for the ram issue. I am using the 3GB swtch on my other machine, but I still have issues with it.

I actually didn't really think this whole thing through when I started it and should have gone with the board I have now from Asus as it support a 64 bit slot (PCI-X). I know that PCI-X will work with a 32 bit OS and all, but I still wanted to get into an OS that hopefully would give me the best possible performance. IMO CS2 and any previous version has the worse memory management I have evern seen in that basically the software just wants to take the max amount of ram for itself and even then the performance on large 16 bit files can be terrible. I also wanted to use a 320 class scsi card and most of those are looking for a PCI-X slot.

With the Asus board, P5WDG2-WS you have more options and it's not too overpriced as some of the "server" boards are. You can go to 8 GB of ram but only with 2GB sticks which right now are just too expensive.

I stayed with Asus mainly for their support which I would give around a 70% rating. They also have a full set of drivers (64 bit) for this board.

What was amazing was how many different levels of Microsoft I went to and each time got a different answer. I am still not 100% sure you can't convert an eval to a full license, however I finally gave up and ordered the full license. Right now the 64 bit version of XP is less that the 32 Bit version if you shop around.

And I totally agree with you that most companies expect us to be the beta testers.

Paul C.
 
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