12-02-2009, 03:50 AM
Orion Wrote:Hate: Microsoft. A client's PC's hard drive failed. The replacement came today, so I installed and and loaded Windows no problem. It gets to the login screen and says I have to activate before I can use it. A little annoying, since I can't log into Windows to install the network driver so I can get on the net, but I can do it over the phone.
It doesn't generate an installation ID. Fair enough, I call them up and they tell me to redo the licence key. Still don't get one. He forwards me onto another phone number. I call them up, tell them my situation, and am then told to get the original Windows disk and read out the serial number on it (its on the back side on the rim). Since this PC was bought when the old IT company looked after our client, we don't have the disk. I tell her that and she says I need it or I can't activate. Her hands are tied, but I'm getting pretty pissed off.
Then I realise I have the serial number on the Windows sticker on the computer case. I call up AGAIN (I've wasted over half an hour at this point) to be told that their system for validating the serial number and giving me a new key is down and I need to call back in an hour.
So gay.
Sorry that's not Microsoft's fault.
1) The old IT company should have provided you with the discs that came with the computer.
2) You should know better than to call Technical Support without a serial number.
3) Systems go down from time to time, even Apple has issues which are completely out of their control.