Free MS Support for Vista/SP1 Users

[Stinkerbell]

Vista users encountering problems when they upgrade to Service Pack 1 can breathe easier: the company is giving away free support for those installing the service pack.  The transition to the service pack has not been problem-free for many users, some of whom have seen their computers fall into endless reboot cycles and struggled with broken applications after installing the upgrade.

Normally, only Windows Vista users who bought the retail product would be eligible for free support but, for SP1 installation, even users with an original-equipment-manufacturer copy of Vista on their computer can get Microsoft's help, according to the official Vista blog.

"We are offering free-of-charge support to anyone who is having issues installing Windows Vista SP1," Microsoft blogger Brandon Le Blanc said.

Unlimited installation and compatibility support is available at no charge until March 18, 2009, according to the Microsoft Service Pack 1 support site.

There are three options available under the free support plan for U.S. users: e-mail support, which will be answered within one business day; online chat, which has a current waiting time of around 40 minutes; and call, available only for users who have a software-assurance agreement, professional contract, TechNet subscription, or MSDN subscription, or for those who come under the Microsoft Partner Program.

Support will be handled on a case-by-case basis, a Microsoft spokesperson said, and the user will always be advised if costs are involved.

Whether enterprise customers will also receive support without cost will depend on their agreement, the spokesperson added.

[casahilo]

That's what I need
"compatibility support"

6 days till your cruise

[Stinkerbell]

I know that many people downloading SP1 for Vista had problems with new and improved glitches.  I just got off the phone with a Dell manager who said that the SP1 that was out was only a beta version and around the first part of May, the real fully functional version of SP1 will be released.  I guess that means the the glitches and bugs will be fully functioning rather than just beta glitches and bugs?

!@#$ >:((

[spidertail]

I have Vista on my computer (says Vista Home premium) on the lil sticker on my laptop...what is SP1 and where do you get it?  My computer came with a disc that says "upgrade your windows vista experience" on the pamphlet with the disc, and on the disc itself, it's labeled "windows anytime upgrade.  I never fooled with it cause I don't know what it is! Just wondering if you might know since you have vista, is it the backup of my windows or is it possibly an upgrade to the next level which is "business"?    :OO :"

[Stinkerbell]

I have Vista on my computer (says Vista Home premium) on the lil sticker on my laptop...what is SP1 and where do you get it?  My computer came with a disc that says "upgrade your windows vista experience" on the pamphlet with the disc, and on the disc itself, it's labeled "windows anytime upgrade.  I never fooled with it cause I don't know what it is! Just wondering if you might know since you have vista, is it the backup of my windows or is it possibly an upgrade to the next level which is "business"?    :OO :"

I really don't know what your disk is for, as I didn't get one with mine.  SP1 is Service Pack 1 and it's a software update issued by MS to address known issues with their operating systems.  This SP1 is for Vista and apparently, it's not fully functional yet and has been giving many people fits!  I would avoid it if possible.  Dell told me MS will be releasing the correct version of SP1 sometime in May.   :-\

[spidertail]

Oh, I have all my updates except that one, the only reason I haven't done it yet was 'cause I'm on dial-up and it would take a while so I've been putting it off. Do you think I should just wait to install it?  It says "important".. :-\

[Stinkerbell]

Oh, I have all my updates except that one, the only reason I haven't done it yet was 'cause I'm on dial-up and it would take a while so I've been putting it off. Do you think I should just wait to install it?  It says "important".. :-\

Dell told me that the SP1 that's out right now is a trial version and has problems.  Then a tech manager at Dell told me that in May, the fully functional SP1 will be released.  If everything else is updated, I would wait.... but that's just my own, oh so humble opinion!!

[disneyland lady]

Was rereading the wording of the statement at the Microsoft site and it is quite misleading:

If you have problems <b>installing</b> SP1, Microsoft is here to help, free of charge—by e-mail, web chat, or telephone. Microsoft provides free support covering any issue you have with installing SP1, available until March 18, 2009. And, if you upgrade a Windows XP–based PC to Windows Vista with SP1, you get 90 days of free support.

This is not free support for SP1 - it is only support for INSTALLING it! Any issue ... as long as it has to do with the installing of SP1.

Sheesh    Rock{customer}Hard Place

disneyland lady insane diego

[Stinkerbell]

MS is worthless.... they don't help fix the problem even when they ARE the problem.  SO FAR my new hard drive is working fine and it accepted all the updates ok, but who knows how long before this ones out too?

[~Sassy~]

I have Vista on my computer (says Vista Home premium) on the lil sticker on my laptop...what is SP1 and where do you get it?  My computer came with a disc that says "upgrade your windows vista experience" on the pamphlet with the disc, and on the disc itself, it's labeled "windows anytime upgrade.  I never fooled with it cause I don't know what it is! Just wondering if you might know since you have vista, is it the backup of my windows or is it possibly an upgrade to the next level which is "business"?    :OO :"

Spider,
I saw that one too on my computer about the upgrade to "business". I have had about all of the business I can handle with Vista. So, I decided against installing it on mine. I compared the features on mine and the business one doesn't do that much more unless you are actually running a business. I hope this helps you some.
Sassy

[Stinkerbell]

Well, it's been a few days with the new HD and so far, not too bad.  Although, I lose my internet connection a few times a day and have to reconnect and occassionally have had to reboot.