Vista beta timebombs on Rob Lagesse

Robert - thanks for the link. I still have a functional copy of XP on the same machine, so it's not completely dead. But it is completely unreal to me that Microsoft has deleted my posts - and has blocked me from the forum! They have not communicated with me in any way. I am infinitly available - by email, IM, and phone numbers are on my blog.

I really do NOT understand this behavior. I did use a four letter work for "poop". Sorry if they found that offensive - but the poist on the Microsoft Forum replaced "poop" with *** - so I don't think it's that.

I've never experienced this level of censorship before - it's annoying. It's actually kind of creepy.

I'll certainly let you know how things turn out.

Rob

Stuff like this ultrasecurity is going to drive people away from Windows and head towards Mac (regular dudes) or Linux (if you're more the tech type).

My site is getting hit really hard right now - I'm trying to optimize the bandwidth. Sorry for the slow response time. It's just a little bitty blog on a cable modem (and I bet Time Warner is loving me right now!)

Rob

I wouldn't even use a release version of Windows on a production machine either, but that's because I value reliablility and don't have the desire to reset the computer on a daily basis.

OK, I've stripped almost everything off my front page - hopefully it will load faster now.

Bob Jones - I hear ya - but evidently people must be interested in this, otherwise I wouldn't be getting censored by MS, and my blog wouldn't be limping along.

Rob

Personally, beta or not, I'm not that much of a fan of Windows alltogether. Too many bugs/security holes, you name it.

Even if I'm still using windows on some of my machines(even the one I'm writing from), I'll be "moving my business" to linux very soon.

Oh, cool. Now I appear to be banned from ALL MS support forums. I must have been a very, very bad boy! Really though - I think one MVP has it out for me for some reason. The last message I got on the forum was from him (Carey), and it said, "This forum is for troubleshooting Windows Validation issues".
And I think that's what I am trying to do!

Now Microsoft seems to have dis-owned me. Probably time I did the same with them. This has been unbelievably retarded on their part.

ROb

There's a reason why people call Microsoft EVIL. I am sure all the apologists will make this into Robs fault. But locking him out of all the forums and auto deleting his posts is just low. Welcome to the new "open" blogger loving Microsoft!

Hash

Hash - thanks. I left you a reply on my blog. At this point I am not sure MIcrosoft is screwing the pooch on the forums - that may just be one over-zealous idiot. But the fundemental Vista Activation problem is cerainly one MS caused - and one they should have seen coming, but they planned poorly for it.

Rob

Well. Vista Beta is timebombed. And it's not because of “frankenbuild” - but according to EULA you have agreed then installed beta. Your rights to use beta expire next day commercially released version become available. And if I remember correctly - people who had reported as least one bug were given RTM version and key already to make it possible remove beta versions (and BTW destroy all beta CD/DVD media) and install RTM.

So - why he did not do this ?

TAG: Read my blog - I reported numerous Vista bugs to MS - even talked directly with their developer's about a couple of them. I understand I will be getting three copies of Vista once it releases commercially. We'll see.

But Robert's post title isn't really accurate - my install didn't "time-bomb" as in a beta will only work unil x-day. It was broken by a new version of Windows Genuine Validation Tool.

But none of that really is importnat is it? I was a Microsoft Vista advocate - and a good one. Today I was adopted by a very generous Ubuntu community. Who lost here? I lost one day. Microsoft lost at least one customer, and more importantly an active advocate.

I'm over this now. I have Ubuntu installed and mostly functioning. It won't surprise me first thing on a Saturday morning by calling me a thief.

And I won't have to deal with arrogant Microsoft MVP's anymore.

It's all good.

Rob

Rob,

I'm not a Microsoft MVP (neither want to be it) and I understand that sometimes those folks try to help in something they have no any information. There must be some kind of alias/webpage at Microsoft to report those people so next year (or faster) their MVP privileges will not be renewed.

But to the point - beta is beta. You was warned several times to not install it on production system. There may be issues like BSOD, data corruption or even hardware damage - you was aware of it. Even if some Microsoft developer screw up then coded WGA tool - there is no real reason for him to fix this issue - as people affected (like you) are minor issue compared to wide-spread piracy issue.
As well - instead of posting your problems to blog or forums (maybe you did this in violation of some NDA (if was technical beta-tester and not CTP/Preview participant?) - you was able to try contact real human at
866-425-0593 (per http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/... ).

Then somebody want do something (resolve problem) he is searching for a way, then they don't want to do - they simply complain.

Tag - it's obvious you never read my blog posts, or you would know that everything you suggested (except the phone call) was tried. Read the posts. Don't reply again until you do, and you understand MY point of view. Or you at least READ my point of view. Don't assume Microsoft is always right, or that they are right here. Read. Learn. Think.

I didn't lose any data - I lost TIME. I lost time because MS arbitrarily acted in a way that was harmful to me. And it upset me. Still does, a little. But I do appreciate the support I have gotten from within Microsoft on this. Seems some of them actually predicted this.

Enjoy Vista, Tag. Me - I'm starting from ground zero with Ubuntu, and I'll see where it takes me.

Best of luck to you.

Rob

It's you assuming that Microsoft is always right and start complaining then they are not.

I assume that Microsoft is always wrong - and live with this. If they do something good - it's fine - but I don't assume they will react for each and every my complain.

P.S.> Don't forget to donate 100 USD or like this (cost of Windows) to Ubuntu team at http://www.ubuntu.com/donations

I take it the latest Microsoft update to stop the pirated copies has acted up? If your getting a screen that ask you to input a new key. Then your not totally locked out and you can get any data you wish to back up. From the article you've written up I can't tell if your getting this screen or not. Then again your probably some "uber geek" that would just give me the word your throwing around for trying to make a suggestion. So any direction I might give would be met with attitude. Par for the course. That said wasn't it Bill Gates' himself the other day that stated DMR does more harm than good? This might be an example of just that. Either way definitely not a positive from the PR perspective.

Interesting update on this - I'll post more details on my blog later. But as usual - there are two sides to every story.

http://lagesse.org/index.php/2006/12/18/microso...

Rob

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