Microsoft to stop selling Windows XP on Monday

[Dodgergirl]

Microsoft Corp. is scheduled to stop selling its Windows XP operating system to retailers and major computer makers Monday, despite protests from a slice of PC users who don't want to be forced into using XP's successor, Vista.

Once computers loaded with XP have been cleared from the inventory of PC makers such as Dell Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co., consumers who can't live without the old operating system on their new machine will have to buy Vista Ultimate or Vista Business and then legally "downgrade" to XP.

Microsoft will still allow smaller mom-and-pop PC builder shops to buy XP for resale through the end of January. A version of XP will also remain available for ultra-low-cost PCs such as the Asus Eee PC.

A group of vocal computer users who rallied around a "Save XP" petition posted on the industry news site InfoWorld had been clamoring for Microsoft to keep selling XP until its next operating system, Windows 7, is available. The software maker has said it expects to release Windows 7 sometime in 2009.

Last week, Microsoft said it would provide full technical support for six-year-old Windows XP through 2009, and limited support through 2014.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080630/ap_on_hi_te/microsoft_xp_5

[MadScot]

I am so fed up with our throw away society. I used to do everything I could to talk people out of buying new microsoft operating systems until they had been on the market for at least 6 to 9 months. They use the comsumer public as guini pigs to field test their new OS. I know it's not a popular viewpoint with the newer is better crowd but I found I had happier customers. I spent 3 hours the other day trying to help a vista owner recover a 15 page file he lost when vista crosslinked the file when he saved it. It would have taken me 5-10 minutes to fix his problem had it happened in win98. As it was the file was lost with no hope of recovery. Sure am glad they added all those new security features. They even keep your data safe from yourself.

[Braymond141]

I am so fed up with our throw away society. I used to do everything I could to talk people out of buying new microsoft operating systems until they had been on the market for at least 6 to 9 months. They use the comsumer public as guini pigs to field test their new OS. I know it's not a popular viewpoint with the newer is better crowd but I found I had happier customers. I spent 3 hours the other day trying to help a vista owner recover a 15 page file he lost when vista crosslinked the file when he saved it. It would have taken me 5-10 minutes to fix his problem had it happened in win98. As it was the file was lost with no hope of recovery. Sure am glad they added all those new security features. They even keep your data safe from yourself.

You have to know how to use the new software. Windows Vista is a great operating system and 90% of faults are due to lack of how to or lack of matching hardware for the OS. The biggest part being the latter... software always comes out first, then the technology catches up.

This happens every time a new OS comes out. People stuck in the past unwilling to learn or set things up properly. Windows 3.1 users did the same when 95 came out, 95 users did the same when 98 came out, 98 users did the same... I think you get the idea.

Very glad XP is NLA.

[MadScot]

I think you may be missing the point of my post. This has nothing to do with being stuck in the past. The problem I mentioned occurred with a brand new name brand Vista laptop with MS Office that was preloaded. I don't discourage customers from buying a new OS I just try and convince them to wait until the first service pack comes out, which just happened for vista. In your post you even reinforce my viewpoint by pointing out the hardware conflicts that happen every time a new OS comes out. Then there's the software issues. The Program Compatibility Wizard as it's known in Vista has never worked well in previous versions of windows. If you are replacing a dead computer you are often forced to upgrade programs that are incompatible with the new OS. Even if this is just a $50 upgrade times that by 10 programs and you find yourself spending a chunk of money you hadn't planned on. There are often other considerations. Several of my customers were lawyers and paralegals. When they submitted e-documents to the court in Madera they had to be created with specific versions of MS Word or the court would reject them. I dearly wanted to upgrade their OS but couldn't. I wanted to upgrade their computers but couldn't due to the incompatibility of the new hardware to the old OS. Then you also get into the problems of custom software where companies have to spend thousands for a program.

There should be a consumer bill of rights which address these types of problems. A consumer shouldn't always be left holding the bag.

I had an incident which occurred shortly before I closed my repair shop it was one of many reasons I decided to close. A big screen came in for repair. It was less than two years old. 99 times out of 100 I can fix anything without manuals or schematics. This was the 1 out of 100. The unit worked but was drawing too much current and the power supply would eventually shut down. Upon calling the distributor I was told the service manual was no longer available. I went so far as to call all the local shops hoping one might have a manual but had no luck. Now I got to call the customer and inform him I can't fix the widescreen he had paid over $6,000 for, there wasn't even a factory service center he could take or send it to.

We have been conditioned for years to except inferior products, products which are not adequately field tested, products not backed up by the manufacturer, products designed with intentional flaws that will hold up just long enough to last the ridiculously short warranty periods.

I had a distributor refuse to replace a laptop that came out of the box with dead pixels. They tried to tell me that up to 8 dead pixels was considered to be ok. I lost a huge contract over it. I was willing to keep it and absorb the loss on one unit but what if more came like that. I couldn't risk it.

I don't know what your experience is but I've been repairing electronics and computers for 34 years. In 1974 I discovered a flaw in the IBM OS360 storage system. Over the last 3 decades I've watched the quality of products and integrity of manufacturers sink to levels that would make a priest curse. Software companies should not be allowed to arbitrarily decide when to stop support for their products. Not everybody can afford new computers and they should not be left vulnerable to security threats because they can’t afford a new computer and their old one doesn’t meet the hardware requirements of the new OS.


XP is still available to independent dealers and members of the Microsoft Partners Program and will be for quite some time just like 98 and ME was.

[yosemitewriter]

I have my Compaq with XP, but I also have two other computers with Windows 98. They all work perfectly for what I need them for. I have no need to rush out and buy something just to be trendy. And I have heard nothing but bad things about Vista from both users and technicians.
But I'm sure I'm behind the times. I still have all my LPs and my VHS tapes. Remember those antiques?????

[Braymond141]

I think you may be missing the point of my post. This has nothing to do with being stuck in the past. The problem I mentioned occurred with a brand new name brand Vista laptop with MS Office that was preloaded. I don't discourage customers from buying a new OS I just try and convince them to wait until the first service pack comes out, which just happened for vista. In your post you even reinforce my viewpoint by pointing out the hardware conflicts that happen every time a new OS comes out. Then there's the software issues. The Program Compatibility Wizard as it's known in Vista has never worked well in previous versions of windows. If you are replacing a dead computer you are often forced to upgrade programs that are incompatible with the new OS. Even if this is just a $50 upgrade times that by 10 programs and you find yourself spending a chunk of money you hadn't planned on. There are often other considerations. Several of my customers were lawyers and paralegals. When they submitted e-documents to the court in Madera they had to be created with specific versions of MS Word or the court would reject them. I dearly wanted to upgrade their OS but couldn't. I wanted to upgrade their computers but couldn't due to the incompatibility of the new hardware to the old OS. Then you also get into the problems of custom software where companies have to spend thousands for a program.

Vista hasn't encountered too many backwards compatibility issues as XP did.
I agree, the few you had to buy or wait for updates on, can be costly or annoying.
Every office type suite i've encountered (even open source) has backwards compatibility saving. The lawyers and such could of easily been taught that until officials caught up.

There should be a consumer bill of rights which address these types of problems. A consumer shouldn't always be left holding the bag.

I had an incident which occurred shortly before I closed my repair shop it was one of many reasons I decided to close. A big screen came in for repair. It was less than two years old. 99 times out of 100 I can fix anything without manuals or schematics. This was the 1 out of 100. The unit worked but was drawing too much current and the power supply would eventually shut down. Upon calling the distributor I was told the service manual was no longer available. I went so far as to call all the local shops hoping one might have a manual but had no luck. Now I got to call the customer and inform him I can't fix the widescreen he had paid over $6,000 for, there wasn't even a factory service center he could take or send it to.

eBay is a great source for replacement parts. I realize you didn't have schematics but that is not something that would stop me :)

We have been conditioned for years to except inferior products, products which are not adequately field tested, products not backed up by the manufacturer, products designed with intentional flaws that will hold up just long enough to last the ridiculously short warranty periods.

This is from our own nature as technology evolving humans. We are the ones that demand new products quickly and efficiently as possible. The xbox360 or the iPhone 3G are perfect examples of what you are trying to say. These are not inferior by any means, they are products built to the best of our human ability in a time frame to consumers patience. Even NASA launches billion dollar equipment and something goes wrong ;)

I had a distributor refuse to replace a laptop that came out of the box with dead pixels. They tried to tell me that up to 8 dead pixels was considered to be ok. I lost a huge contract over it. I was willing to keep it and absorb the loss on one unit but what if more came like that. I couldn't risk it.

That is something I hate as well, I'm extremely picky with certain quality standards. This is why I stick to companies that use high grade parts or are very easy to work with when issues arise. I wont be a brand ***** and list off, as I'm sure 10 people will follow with their bad experiences as a rebuttal... it's a live an learn type situation. For me and the people I have catered to, I recommend high end always. If they can't afford it then I clearly lay out the issues that might arise from something cheaper.

I don't know what your experience is but I've been repairing electronics and computers for 34 years. In 1974 I discovered a flaw in the IBM OS360 storage system. Over the last 3 decades I've watched the quality of products and integrity of manufacturers sink to levels that would make a priest curse. Software companies should not be allowed to arbitrarily decide when to stop support for their products. Not everybody can afford new computers and they should not be left vulnerable to security threats because they can’t afford a new computer and their old one doesn’t meet the hardware requirements of the new OS.

I have half you're experience but I'm probably half your age as well. I'm extremely fascinated with all electronics and equally good at debugging them. I'm also self taught but admittedly I can't say I know enough.

I have to say that I disagree, and companies should be allowed to cut the cord. They, and the consumers need to keep up a pace. Technology has gotten so sophisticated and so exciting we have to move ahead, it's a must. Companies don't make money supporting outdated software/hardware. This field has also never been one of consistency, it's always been about change.



...........

[Braymond141]

I have my Compaq with XP, but I also have two other computers with Windows 98. They all work perfectly for what I need them for. I have no need to rush out and buy something just to be trendy. And I have heard nothing but bad things about Vista from both users and technicians.
But I'm sure I'm behind the times. I still have all my LPs and my VHS tapes. Remember those antiques?????

That's good! See things aren't so throw away like mentioned above, are they?

I'm sure you understand that things are constantly evolving and you choose based on your time frame. You also probably understand that, by natural decay, your older items will eventually fail (maybe some not in your lifetime).

I forgot to mention above, but I very much love old technology equally as old. I'm raised by women who adorn their houses in antiques from an era long forgotten :)

[CatdaBrat]

I think technological advancement is fine, for those who find that it actually improves their lives. But I think it should be a choice and not something forced upon all consumers. I don't want Vista but I realize I eventually won't have any choice, and if that means I have to buy any new expensive applications to make them work with Vista, I will not be a happy camper.

For those of us who are happy with XP and it is fulfilling our needs and expectations to a "T" it is understandable that being forced into a new OS that has had many more complaints than compliments isn't viewed as an advancement nor will it make our work/lives easier.

It's all about money, of course, and I am not against Microsoft making profits. I just wish they would offer both XP and Vista so consumers could have a choice. Technology can still make its advancements but I don't see why it has to come at the expense of everything else.

I know there are fans and supporters of Vista, but 98% of the comments and reviews I have heard, the people hate it. And even if the reason they hate it is only because they are lacking skill and knowledge, I don't think it really makes any difference. It should be their choice as to which OS they want to use. Some people prefer a car with automatic transmission because they can't deal with a stick shift. They CAN learn how to use one, but if they don't need to, why force them into it? I feel the same way about being forced into an OS I don't want.

The more I hear and see about Macs, the more inclined I am to make the switch very soon. I recently got to try a Mac laptop for a week and I was amazed that it did everything I needed it to do, hassle free. Microsoft has come up with some amazing things, all right, but I am getting sick and tired of being jerked around by that company's marketing ploys.

[yosemitewriter]

I've been in the antique business as well as being a collector since I was a kid. I'm not sure what you mean by 'natural decay' exactly, or that I would agree with you. Some things made 100 years ago will be around for another few hundred years (if the planet survives that long).
Technology might get outdated, but that doesn't mean things 'decay'. I have player piano rolls over 100 years old, but since they are paper, they will decay at some point in the future. But I also have 78 RPM records which are heavy duty shellac, and they will probably be as good in 500 years as they are today. It's all a matter of how you take care of things. Products of 100 years ago had quality and integrity. Now it's just make them FAST and make them CHEAP. Oh yes, don't forgot that "made in China" label.......



That's good! See things aren't so throw away like mentioned above, are they?

I'm sure you understand that things are constantly evolving and you choose based on your time frame. You also probably understand that, by natural decay, your older items will eventually fail (maybe some not in your lifetime).

I forgot to mention above, but I very much love old technology equally as old. I'm raised by women who adorn their houses in antiques from an era long forgotten :)

[Braymond141]

I've been in the antique business as well as being a collector since I was a kid. I'm not sure what you mean by 'natural decay' exactly, or that I would agree with you. Some things made 100 years ago will be around for another few hundred years (if the planet survives that long).
Technology might get outdated, but that doesn't mean things 'decay'. I have player piano rolls over 100 years old, but since they are paper, they will decay at some point in the future. But I also have 78 RPM records which are heavy duty shellac, and they will probably be as good in 500 years as they are today. It's all a matter of how you take care of things. Products of 100 years ago had quality and integrity. Now it's just make them FAST and make them CHEAP. Oh yes, don't forgot that "made in China" label.......


Entropy in a sense. Every computer component has a life span, even if it's never used. Our universe is always in a state of natural decay.

It basically means that at some time it's guaranteed that anything and everything will decay or energy (building blocks of everything we know) is transferred.

CPU's dont last forever, motherboards don't, ram doesn't and most certainly not harddisks. If the manufacturers of these parts stop production and build newer better models, then the software follows. Although in this case Microsoft changes first, but that's so the new hardware can work when it's released.

I love how everyone points the finger at Microsoft.