clocker
08-18-2006, 02:03 PM
Recently we have seen several PCs come in with the notification from MS that "You may be a victim of counterfeiting...blah, blah, blah."
Without exception these PCs have all been completely legal, tier 1 and 2 boxes...Dells, eMachines, etc.
So I've been spending more time than normal on the phone with MS.
It's a PITA granted, but the process is usually painless and successful.
Till yesterday.
I finally had one the nightmare transactions that are so widely reported but, till now, never actually experienced first hand.
* We'll be starting halfway through the ordeal...I have already read the zillion digit installation code to the computer and been rejected.
I've already waited on hold for "Jason"/"Mary"/"Bob" and repeated the same zillion digits to her.
I've answered the ritual "how many machines has this been installed on?", etc. and we are now at the point where she's generated a new install key for me...
Microsoft:I will now read off the first six digits for Box A.
Me: Hit me, baby!
MS: 765432, now, on to Box B...1234567
Me: Um, a message box appeared. It says "Data entered in last field is invalid".
I've never seen such a warning...please repeat the last six digits.
MS: I'll start at the beginning...
Me: No! You don't have to start at the beginning.
Just give me Box B again.
MS: I'll start at the beginning....(which she does and now we're back to Box B)...the six digits for Box B are 9999999.
Me: Erm....that's not even remotely close to the numbers you gave me the first time...
MS: I'll start at the beginning...( here I bow to the inevitable)...the digits for Box B are "$%#&^*.
Me: OK, go on.
MS: I'll start at the beginning...
*sigh*....
This exact same scenario plays out for the next 4 data fields...there is now but one last box to fill...
MS: Now, click on next.
Me: Ahhh, wait a second.
I still need the rest of the numbers...there is one box left to fill.
MS: I will start at the beginning....
Long pause and then...hold music!
She put me on hold???!!!
.... I get cut off completely.
It was surreal (frighteningly so, at first) and ultimately quite amusing.
A complete and total meltdown of the "customer experience".
Back on the phone...1-888-etc, and this time the nice female computer lady validates my install and gives me the new code.
I have no idea what happened and am almost looking forward to my next transaction with the wild and crazy folks at MS.
It really made my day.
Without exception these PCs have all been completely legal, tier 1 and 2 boxes...Dells, eMachines, etc.
So I've been spending more time than normal on the phone with MS.
It's a PITA granted, but the process is usually painless and successful.
Till yesterday.
I finally had one the nightmare transactions that are so widely reported but, till now, never actually experienced first hand.
* We'll be starting halfway through the ordeal...I have already read the zillion digit installation code to the computer and been rejected.
I've already waited on hold for "Jason"/"Mary"/"Bob" and repeated the same zillion digits to her.
I've answered the ritual "how many machines has this been installed on?", etc. and we are now at the point where she's generated a new install key for me...
Microsoft:I will now read off the first six digits for Box A.
Me: Hit me, baby!
MS: 765432, now, on to Box B...1234567
Me: Um, a message box appeared. It says "Data entered in last field is invalid".
I've never seen such a warning...please repeat the last six digits.
MS: I'll start at the beginning...
Me: No! You don't have to start at the beginning.
Just give me Box B again.
MS: I'll start at the beginning....(which she does and now we're back to Box B)...the six digits for Box B are 9999999.
Me: Erm....that's not even remotely close to the numbers you gave me the first time...
MS: I'll start at the beginning...( here I bow to the inevitable)...the digits for Box B are "$%#&^*.
Me: OK, go on.
MS: I'll start at the beginning...
*sigh*....
This exact same scenario plays out for the next 4 data fields...there is now but one last box to fill...
MS: Now, click on next.
Me: Ahhh, wait a second.
I still need the rest of the numbers...there is one box left to fill.
MS: I will start at the beginning....
Long pause and then...hold music!
She put me on hold???!!!
.... I get cut off completely.
It was surreal (frighteningly so, at first) and ultimately quite amusing.
A complete and total meltdown of the "customer experience".
Back on the phone...1-888-etc, and this time the nice female computer lady validates my install and gives me the new code.
I have no idea what happened and am almost looking forward to my next transaction with the wild and crazy folks at MS.
It really made my day.