Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 WARNING! RIP-OFF to all consumers *Thank you Rip-off Report
This is a warning to all consumers thinking about having Windows XP installed on their computer.
I went out the first day and had Windows XP installed on my computer. Big mistake. It is so new that the stores and the technitions don't know much about it. I felt like a test rat and their mistakes were my costs.
I have years of materials and data on zip, cd-rw, from windows 95 and 98. This means that all the old windows software that you now have, this system can not read it. It is like a new version all together by it's self. Your software is not COMPATIBLE! They will not tell you this. Also, once you go through the horriable experience of registering all those numbers, you find out registering it, voids the return. You try to return it because it's not compatible and your stuck with the cost of buying it.
I tryed to un-register it with microsoft and couldn't. So there is no way to resale it unless you want someone to see your registration information. This does it for me in buying anymore microsoft products. Microsoft just comes out with a new system and doesn't ask the consumer what they want. When you register XP they don't give the option to accept or decline the product like before. The XP does not have the option for creating a shortcut to your folder. You can't compress a zip from 100m to 185m. It will not read cdin from your cd-rw system. They left out vital parts and components to run the system. On top of this, the XP will only work with Norton Anti-virus 2002, it won't work with McAfee Anti-virus.
To sum it up, the XP is a new system and takes special parts and won't run well with older software. It stands alone by it's self.
It is a waste of money and time for all of those out there, who know windows and want to keep their software and their sanity.
BUYER BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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12 Updates & Rebuttals
Darren
Neenah,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
The Bleeding Edge, be careful of version XXX.0 software. Especially if you are relying on your computer for your livelihood
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, September 13, 2004
Hi Christopher,
Me? I am a computer junkie. I remember staying up at night and taking my kids with me in 1998 to be one of the fist to get the Win98.
Also, I love WinXP. For me, mostly because of the better networking and plug-n-play.
I always go into a new operating system or update with my eyes open. I know that my date files are backed up and if push comes to shove, I have all my old disks and can do a reformat and go back to any version of Windows that I want.
Just as a lot of companies are hesitating now to install Service Pack 2 I am too. This has more to do with my son's games which may or may not work on his computer.
My recommendation to those that are considering updating any version of Windows? Same as has been a rule of thumb for years... be careful of version XXX.0 software. Especially if you are relying on your computer for your livelihood. Leave it up to the people like me that love to play with computers and operating systems.
If your current system works then keep it. Computers are getting faster to the point where they don't need to be replaced as often. But, if you can hang onto your current Windows until you buy a new computer, then do it. Like they say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
If someone must update their operating system, then search out the Windows site for known incompatabilities, and the websites for your applications for any known issues.
Now that my son has all these games I am waiting until I hear about any issues concerning his games before I update to Service Pack 2. I still do the other security updates... but I will wait a bit and then do a google search.
Thanks,
Christopher
Hinesville,Georgia,
U.S.A.
McAfee does work with microsoft Xp
#13Consumer Comment
Sun, September 12, 2004
Just to correct the record, windows XP does work with McAfee, if you buy a new computer, some times they come together.
Eddie
Beaumont,Texas,
U.S.A.
My XP solution
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, March 15, 2004
I had trouble with XP loading and finally gave up my AMD 300 k6. My p4 2.8 blazes. If you want the latest, get the latest.
1
a,Illinois,
99 dollar boat anchor
#13REBUTTAL Individual responds
Sun, September 08, 2002
I bought the OEM XP-HOME-EDITION and I can't even install the piece of crap.It constantly tells me it can't read files during install.I tried it in 3 different drives and even copied it to 2 hard drives and it doesn't work.I did get it loaded once and it crashed the first time it started without recovery. What a total waste of time and money. Bill Gates should be shot!
1
a,Illinois,
99 dollar boat anchor
#13REBUTTAL Individual responds
Sun, September 08, 2002
I bought the OEM XP-HOME-EDITION and I can't even install the piece of crap.It constantly tells me it can't read files during install.I tried it in 3 different drives and even copied it to 2 hard drives and it doesn't work.I did get it loaded once and it crashed the first time it started without recovery. What a total waste of time and money. Bill Gates should be shot!
1
a,Illinois,
99 dollar boat anchor
#13REBUTTAL Individual responds
Sun, September 08, 2002
I bought the OEM XP-HOME-EDITION and I can't even install the piece of crap.It constantly tells me it can't read files during install.I tried it in 3 different drives and even copied it to 2 hard drives and it doesn't work.I did get it loaded once and it crashed the first time it started without recovery. What a total waste of time and money. Bill Gates should be shot!
1
a,Illinois,
99 dollar boat anchor
#13REBUTTAL Individual responds
Sun, September 08, 2002
I bought the OEM XP-HOME-EDITION and I can't even install the piece of crap.It constantly tells me it can't read files during install.I tried it in 3 different drives and even copied it to 2 hard drives and it doesn't work.I did get it loaded once and it crashed the first time it started without recovery. What a total waste of time and money. Bill Gates should be shot!
Ian
Struthers,Ohio,
What?
#13Consumer Comment
Sun, June 09, 2002
First off, XP is not based around the same core that the previous Windows versions (such as 3.1, 95, 98, and Me) were based off of. It is based around the NT line (NT and 2000), so you can't expect everything to run perfect. Secondly, I've been using products from the NT line since Windows 2000 came out and almost never boot into Windows 98 anymore. I can even get some of my old DOS applications running fine under XP.
You said in your message that "I tryed to un-register it with microsoft and couldn't. So there is no way to resale it unless you want someone to see your registration information." You can't unregister it, but you don't need to. If you give someone else the CD, they can install it and reregister it. It's impossible for data to be written on a closed CD just as it always way.
"When you register XP they don't give the option to accept or decline the product like before." Microsoft decided to protect their rights a bit more with Windows XP, so it makes a small image of your system configuration and generates a key based on that. When your system boots up, it checks that key, and if anything major has changed, it will need to request a new one from Microsoft.
"The XP does not have the option for creating a shortcut to your folder." Rubbish. You are overexaggerating. To create a shortcut, you do it the same way you have since Windows 95, right-click on it and click "Create Shortcut".
"You can't compress a zip from 100m to 185m." I assume you mean "185MB to 100MB." What's that have to do with XP? That's a limitation of the ZIP compression algorithm. Also, it's very unlikely that you're going to get that high of a compression rate with ZIP files, unless you are compressing a ton of text files.
"It will not read cdin from your cd-rw system." If you mean "rip an image from a CD", no, it does not do that. If it did, that would make things too easy for pirates. If you need to pull an image from a CD, get software from Roxio (CD Creator) or Ahead (Nero Burning Rom).
"They left out vital parts and components to run the system." Now you are making things up.
"On top of this, the XP will only work with Norton Anti-virus 2002, it won't work with McAfee Anti-virus." That's McAffe's fault. And I seriously doubt that they wouldn't support NT considering the technology behind it is what, 7-years-old? Maybe more? XP is merely NT 5.1 (Windows 2000 being NT 5.0).
"To sum it up, the XP is a new system and takes special parts and won't run well with older software. It stands alone by it's self." Incorrect. You are saying that going from 98 to XP is like going from 98 to Linux. XP is compatible with many Windows applications (generally, the ones that it isn't compatible with do not comply with the Win32 standards...but it's even good at handling those, based on my experiences).
Don
Anaheim,California,
I don't understand why...
#13Consumer Suggestion
Fri, May 24, 2002
...people have to have the "latest and greatest" and then get upset when it isn't the same as yesterday's stuff.
Sheesh.
I'm a tech, and this is what I tell everybody: If it works, DON'T MESS WITH IT!
If your favorite app is Lotus123 v1.0, then DON'T upgrade to WindowsXP.
Your DATA files don't change. If you burn it all onto CD or Zip then you can access that data with new versions of the software. And, yes, Lotus123 v1.0 files can be read with Excel XP.
Christopher
Oxford,Mississippi,
Windows XP not a rip-off
#13Consumer Comment
Tue, May 07, 2002
I work in the technology industry in programming and software design. Not claiming to be an expert, but that I have experience with many different operating systems and hardward configurations.
Windows XP has been a very useful tool and well worth the upgrade to me. I have had little trouble updating my machine and previous software so that I am able to complete all the tasks I was able to before. Sure some older software isn't compatible, but there are ALWAYS cheap and affordable(if not free) solutions.
The added networking features, capabilities, and vast stability / speed improvements have made Windows XP a great change in my eyes.
My suggestion is to make sure you format and reinstall your operating system because aside from old clutter, there is little reason to have such severe problems.
Best of Luck,
Kevin
Lincoln,Nebraska,
Old Software
#13Consumer Comment
Wed, April 03, 2002
My first question is, Why do you need a new computer if all you are using it for is old software?
I think you missed the point of getting XP. Yes, old software is too old to run on XP. You have to look at what XP offers and where software is going.
look at it this way, DOS is realy old and outdated. Win 95 is just a add on for DOS. Win 98 and ME are patches to the win 95 code. Technology needs to grow, and to do that Microsoft cut out DOS because it was the limiting factor. In order to do that, MS had to create a new code base and in turn a New OS. Now new software written on XP code will run smoother and faster.
All I want to say is XP is not a rip, you were just un informed of the changes. I have had very little problem myself with xp compatible software, but I made that code change along time ago.
Thanks Rip-Off Report!!!
#130
Mon, October 29, 2001
This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #7375.
It was sent by J. H. (Harry) Winchester at anonymous@hotmail.com.
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 WARNING! RIP-OFF to all consumers (#7375)
They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:
Their email: JH_Winchester@hotmail.com
Their name: J. H. (Harry) Winchester
Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion
Rebuttal:
Almost a Victim.
Thanks Rip-Off Report!!! I almost got Windows XP installed on my brand-new HP Pavillion. There was a coupon I received with the computer and went to the website. They almost got me to download it to my system. I had decided I wanted the CD. I am so glad I didn't do it now. I would have been in the same predicament. I also have tons of zip files and CD-RW files.