Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Subscribe
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Video
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Subscribe
    Home Latest News

      Windows XP Upgrades Give Users Fits

      Written by

      Peter Galli
      Published November 19, 2001
      Share
      Facebook
      Twitter
      Linkedin

        eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

        For some users trying to load or upgrade to the Windows XP operating system, the experience has not been as seamless as Microsoft Corp. has promised.

        Officials of the Redmond, Wash., software maker contacted last week acknowledged that there have been installation, driver and device compatibility issues raised by users. In addition, some customers have had to wait on the phone for hours before reaching technical support representatives. Some users have complained about problems upgrading to XP, particularly XP Professional.

        “I have had endless trouble upgrading from Windows ME to XP Pro, even though my system meets all the requirements,” said Wayne Goodan, an IT professional in San Francisco.

        “I have had to download just about every driver known to man,” Goodan said. “It has taken me nearly a week, and its still not working properly. I also had to wait more than 2 hours on the phone before reaching a technical support representative, who really wasnt very helpful and certainly did not solve the problem.”

        Acknowledging that there have been long delays reaching the free support lines, Jim Cullinan, lead product manager for XP, said Microsoft recently increased the resources available to take support calls for installation issues.

        “In the initial stages, there were occasions when customers experienced long delays, but it is much better at this point,” Cullinan said here at Comdex last week. “The support calls we have received thus far show no huge flash point of issues. Rather, there have been a wide range of issues like application and device compatibility.”

        An IT consultant in San Diego, who requested anonymity, said he removed Windows 2000 from his relatively new computer so he could do a clean install of XP. But he, too, encountered problems related to incompatible drivers and peripherals such as his printer and scanner.

        “Contrary to what Microsoft says, many drivers and peripherals that work with Windows 2000 just do not work with XP. I spent hours trying to get it to work and finally gave up and reinstalled Windows 2000,” the consultant said. “I am going to warn my customers to exercise caution about upgrading to or installing XP at this point. I think they should wait until after the first service pack or when Microsoft addresses these issues.”

        Microsofts Cullinan declined to say when, or if, the company will follow XP with the first service pack. “At this point, the future direction in that regard is unclear,” he said.

        Many problems appear to be affecting users buying XP off store shelves. Sales clerks at several CompUSA Inc. and Circuit City Stores Inc. locations across the nation said there has been a strong demand for XP, but they are seeing quite a few returns, as well as reports of people complaining about installation problems. A Circuit City spokesman declined to comment on the number of returns, while CompUSA could not be reached for comment.

        Cullinan said Microsoft had not heard about a high level of returns from its retail partners. “I would hope people dont buy the product if they do not have a system that can run it. Most of the feedback we have revolves around applications, printers and scanners that wont work,” he said.

        Microsoft said it believes its education program for XP before the softwares Oct. 25 launch has been successful.

        “We tried to educate users about the upgrade process. We include Upgrade Advisor as part of the product. It warns consumers and, hopefully, helps prevent them from having a bad experience,” Cullinan said.

        Peter Galli
        Peter Galli
        Peter Galli has been a technology reporter for 12 years at leading publications in South Africa, the UK and the US. He has comprehensively covered Microsoft and its Windows and .Net platforms, as well as the many legal challenges it has faced. He has also focused on Sun Microsystems and its Solaris operating environment, Java and Unix offerings. He covers developments in the open source community, particularly around the Linux kernel and the effects it will have on the enterprise. He has written extensively about new products for the Linux and Unix platforms, the development of open standards and critically looked at the potential Linux has to offer an alternative operating system and platform to Windows, .Net and Unix-based solutions like Solaris.

        Get the Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

        Get the Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis

        MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

        Artificial Intelligence

        9 Best AI 3D Generators You Need...

        Sam Rinko - June 25, 2024 0
        AI 3D Generators are powerful tools for many different industries. Discover the best AI 3D Generators, and learn which is best for your specific use case.
        Read more
        Cloud

        RingCentral Expands Its Collaboration Platform

        Zeus Kerravala - November 22, 2023 0
        RingCentral adds AI-enabled contact center and hybrid event products to its suite of collaboration services.
        Read more
        Artificial Intelligence

        8 Best AI Data Analytics Software &...

        Aminu Abdullahi - January 18, 2024 0
        Learn the top AI data analytics software to use. Compare AI data analytics solutions & features to make the best choice for your business.
        Read more
        Latest News

        Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

        James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
        I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
        Read more
        Video

        Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

        James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
        I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
        Read more
        Logo

        eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

        Facebook
        Linkedin
        RSS
        Twitter
        Youtube

        Advertisers

        Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

        Advertise with Us

        Menu

        • About eWeek
        • Subscribe to our Newsletter
        • Latest News

        Our Brands

        • Privacy Policy
        • Terms
        • About
        • Contact
        • Advertise
        • Sitemap
        • California – Do Not Sell My Information

        Property of TechnologyAdvice.
        © 2024 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

        Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.