«

family wrote:
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet
>
> Any problems relating to Microsoft software *only*. Search carefully,
> there are several solutions for several symptoms. Double then triple check
> the circumstances in the articles to make sure they apply to your case.
>
> *BUT* no telephone number, we wonder why.
>
>

I'm a guy who loves a challenge. The problem, at least for WinXP, could be
that the primary life cycle of the product has ended. That may change the
level of support offered. Since WinXP is still being shipped in new
products, I don't know exactly what that means. For Vista, I'd expect
better treatment. I found a web page that promised to offer me phone
numbers, but all it ended up doing is having me fill out an incident
report etc. I have no incentive to go that far. I'm not that curious
as to whether there'd be phone numbers, after I give my shoe size,
birth date or whatever.

(Retail software is the kind that has support. OEM software, like the OS that
comes with a Dell, is supported by Dell and not Microsoft. Support is also
offered by Microsoft, for short periods of time, for things like SP3 issues
when SP3 came out [support lasted for a year or so], support for people
installing IE8 and bricking their computers or whatever. This is an example
of a WinXP retail product still for sale, so it would be interesting to
see if I could get phone help from Microsoft, to install my new
purchase.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16837116194

I had to use the archive.org site, to try to dig back in time, to see
what a customer six years ago may have seen in terms of support. I've copied
the important bits, because sometimes archive.org is down and not
responding.

http://web.archive.org/web/200306070...us;Prodoffer31

Phone Support
-------------

Options Price Per Incident Phone Numbers
------- ------------------ -------------

2 incidents and installation support No charge (425) 635-3311**

Paid support $35.00 U.S. (800) 936-5700

Day of the Week Hours of Operation
--------------- ------------------

Monday - Friday 5:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. Pacific time
Saturday - Sunday 6:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Pacific time

The policy is also spelled out here. I expect Jim has less hair now,
then when he wrote this article.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3671_7-5020888-1.html

So, yes, technically, they did offer support. But notice the clever usage of the toll
call number. If you've used up your freebie "incidents", then you can spend $35.00 and use
a toll free number. It might be fun to call them, just to hear the droid on
the other end of the phone ask for your credit card number

Paul