| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| 1029usr078198 |
Posted - June 21 2008 : 12:34:02
The Clock Is Ticking... And Ballmer Ain't Budging...
With few exceptions, Windows XP will be unavailable July 1.
Posted 6/21/2008
Even with 208,721 signatures in the Save XP campaign, This week was the last week to buy Windows XP on a new computer from hp and some other manufacturers. After next Monday, you'll only be able to get Windows XP Home on low-cost notebook computers, and Windows XP Professional as a downgrade from Windows Vista Business or Ultimate. If you don't have physical CDs for Recovery CDs, either MAKE THEM NOW or ORDER THEM TODAY. (Was that enough emphasis?) If you don't have them, it's your own fault. You've been warned.
"So what if I don't have the CDs?" you ask. When your hard drive dies, as it eventually will, you will need either the recovery CDs or a full retail copy of Windows XP, including the Certificate Of Authenticity key (COA), to restore your computer to full, working order. That's not all. You will also need all the drivers for your particular computer's devices. These are typically available to download from the manufacturer's website for free (Internet charges may apply) if you don't have them. They will also be included with your computer, either on the recovery CDs or as a separate CD. Now, if when that time comes, you don't have the required CD's, you must either abandon your computer, which has now become a boat anchor, or you must abandon Windows for Linux. By the way, the name brand manufacturers sometimes have COA keys that won't work with any copy of Windows XP they didn't produce.
But, if you're in the market for a new computer with Windows XP on it, all is not lost until January. From July 1 until January 31, you can still purchase such a system if you desire; but only from a local computer builder like David Anderson Consulting. We have a bit longer, but what we're doing more than anything, is selling the Vista Business downgrades to folks who want new systems with XP. The big problem is that this means another Vista sale as far as Microsoft's concerned and allows them to inflate their sales numbers. I'd be curious to know the actual number of Vista licenses that resulted in downgrades instead.
I also wish Microsoft listened to its customers more.
Hope it helps,
David |
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