Hating Microsoft, reason #8342

[LDB]

My Streets and Trips 2010 decided not to load today. Some error about registration initialization or some such malarkey. Off I go to the MS website to look for support. I find it. It wants a code from my software. To provide the code you have to run the program and click Help, About. Well if I could get to the code I wouldn't need support.

There's an option to get support without the code. Great. Progress. What? $35 fee for this option? The stupid program is only $40.

OK, I'm not paying $35 for a one time help. I uninstall the software. I drive 2 miles to Best Buy. I pay $39.95 and get a new package. I install it. I run it and it does the same thing. What? Why isn't the brand new package working after uninstalling the broken one? STUPID Microsoft. (Replace stupid with something stronger in your mind).

I HATE MICROSOFT!

 

[Turtle]

What, exactly, is the error? What does it say, exactly?

Depending on what's going on, it might be Microsoft, or it might be something as simple as a corrupt video or mouse driver, a had block on the hard drive, or any number of things.

 

[redytrk]

Leo Laporte says MS support get hundreds if not thousands of these registration complaints every day. they usually fix it. The should also owe you for the extra copy. But lotsa luck on that one.

Haven`t replaces my S&T 2009 because Google give equal or better for free. On my puter and on my phone.

 

[LDB]

"A licensing initialization error has occurred. Please contact customer support for more assistance. Error 0xC004D301"

 

[Turtle]

Ah, OK. A known problem. Provided you are running a retail copy (not just a trial download) you will get free support regarding this problem when you call MS Tech Support at (866) 834-8317. They will need to remotely run a little "reset" utility that resets some registry settings.

 

[LDB]

I still don't like them but was able to go through that phone number and get it fixed so it only cost me the $40 buying the new package which I used the key code from when the fix caused it to have to be reinstalled.

 

[greg334]

Leo, there isn't a perfect operating system. Just imagine what it would be like without Microsoft. People think life would be better but not really. I am using Linux and it is not all that great on the hardware compatibility.

The cost of software is also another thing, I am all for open source but without the money driving innovation, it is slow to respond to the needs of the people. What open source mapping software out there?

 

[LDB]

No, there isn't a perfect system or company but there should have been a way to fix this without buying a whole new package of the same software. That's what most annoys me. I'm just thankful it was a $40 package and not a $379 package.

 

[greg334]

But Leo, if it was $379, would you have called first instead of trying to figure out what's wrong through that internet site?

 

[Turtle]

There was no need to go and buy another copy of the software to get this one fixed. Didn't even have to uninstall and reinstall, either.

 

[ATeam]

I am very proud of the fact that I have not paid a dime for a Microsoft product in several years, except when I bought a new laptop and Windows came with it. As my Microsoft products age into uslessness, I replace them with free products available from other sources or purchased products available from other software vendors. Microsoft lost me as a willing customer years ago.

 

[greg334]

Well crap Phil, we all can get free stuff from MS. It just takes a bit of phone work.

 

[AMonger]

I have a similar issue, but it's ASUS that I'm hating right now.

Bought an ASUS laptop a few months ago. Salesman asked if I wanted to have them build my Win-7 rescue disk for me, at a charge of $39.95 or whatever (ASUS doesn't provide one). I asked, "There'll be a wizard that runs me through it, right?" He said yes. So, natch, I declined.

I get home, and the laptop WILL NOT write the disks. It writes one or two of the three disks, then gets hung up verifying what it just wrote. No matter how long I leave it, it will not proceed to the next disk. I've tried different types and brands of disks, but it WILL NOT make my rescue disk.

When I boot, I get a message saying, "You have not yet built your recovery CD. We strongly recommend you make a copy of your factory state operating system," or words to that effect. But now, I no longer have a factory state OS; I have a used OS, so building the recovery may or may not be pointless at this point. It won't make a periodic backup of my data, either.

I asked a computer guy where that leaves me if my OS bites the dust. "You go buy another copy of the OS," he said.

Riiiiiiiight. Think I'll ever buy another ASUS?

 

[stamp11127]

AMonger, what model did you get and are the drivers up to date? The computer salesmen that I've run across are idiots and dispense advice to consumers that are purely profiteering in nature. Most of the time I don't listen to them.
What level of geekdom are you at? Novice, dangerous or way beyond help(needs to get a life). I'm bordering way beyond help myself.

 

[LDB]

I presumed, obviously erroneously, that uninstalling and then installing fresh would solve the problem. It should have really. I didn't have the needed ID number to get free support on the one I already owned. The only information I found said it would cost me $35 for support and be next day for a reply. For $40 I could buy the new package and have it at the computer in 20 minutes (I was 1.8 miles from Best Buy). That seemed the expeditious method (pun intended). It is now working and I have the package with a product key just in case. I still don't like MS and in a couple of years when it's time to update I may switch over to Street Atlas or some other option.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

I use MS the 06 version...*LOL* it works flawless..
if Google or MS can't find it I make my carrier find it...

E-1 will stay on the phone with you and guide you in...no problem..

 

[greg334]

Leo,
The product ID is located under the Help - About tab on the program. That's all you need.

But Leo if you would have had to buy the $379 package, then would you have called first?

 

[LDB]

Yes, and if the program actually starts you can select help about.. when you get the error message I got and it won't start that makes it pretty difficult to get the number you need. No, I wouldn't have bought the other. My point was for an extra $5 I presumed it would solve the problem and I'd have the full package here if I needed it in the future. I got the other by downloading off the internet.

 

[greg334]

Sorry Leo,
I have been preoccupy with these load offers.

 

[AMonger]

AMonger, what model did you get and are the drivers up to date? The computer salesmen that I've run across are idiots and dispense advice to consumers that are purely profiteering in nature. Most of the time I don't listen to them.
What level of geekdom are you at? Novice, dangerous or way beyond help(needs to get a life). I'm bordering way beyond help myself.

a K60I. I tried updating the drivers and it says their up to date, which it should be being as it's a new puter. I, too, am between merely dangerous and way beyond help. I can do anything routine, but I'm hardly MCSE material.