win vista is a real consumers hassler

[tommaso]

Hi everyone, first I'd like to state that I am firmly against piracy, I only buy original software & music as well. I have bought my original Win Vista 64x with the hardware components I needed to build my own PC.

Here's what's happened:

I noticed that with Vista 64 my iTunes couldn't detect cd burner anymore and does not allow me tu burn my cd. This looks like a very common problem "http://www.emergingearth.com/itunes-7-cant-burn-cds" as you can see... Luckily someone found the solution in here "http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070714011213AAmyyEd" , this was the problem

"The issue appears to be with the 64-bit version of Windows Vista (and XP apparently), and the fact that a version of the third-party driver that iTunes uses to burn CDs and DVDs will not interact correctly with 64-bit OSes. This is characterized by an Error code 2380 when you run CD/DVD diagnostics in iTunes.

The third party driver is known as gearsec.exe, and the solution is to download the correct 64-bit version, direct from GearSoft:

http://www.gearsoftware.com/support/driv..."

Guess what happened? Yes, Vista detects the cd burner "under a new light" and recognize a "major changment" in your hardware setup... This will lock my OS from 2 days from now until I do not manage to put my hands over a new product key (and no, I'm not gonna waste any more money, I already bought my orignal copy) or to contact MS support...

This is simply not possible. I can even agree with anti-piracy software but, dammit MS should "tune-up" the way it detects any chang made on my hardware! I mean, I keep running the the same cpu, mobo, hdd, graphics and audio card!!! And what if I decide to turn on SLI and add another video card? Another product key or other tons of time wasted with MS? I'm sorry but if my problem will not be solved by MS support in 48hrs, this is the time I will switch to Linux. I am just sorry for my gaming life. But I'd prefer to spend my free time gaming rather than losing my time with supid MS requests!

[djnes]

Honestly, in much less time than it took you to have typed that entire message, you could have had it re-activated. I've had to call in a re-activation of several Vista machines already. It is a nuisance, but you've already spent more time venting about it, than it would take to solve the actual issue. 5 minutes is the absolute longest I've ever been on the phone for this.

I don't mean to pile it on, but I also never understand what part of the problem, or text of a message makes people think you need to buy a new key. Call it in, re-activate, and be done with it.

Edited August 29, 2007 by djnes

[tommaso]

Is not that I disagree with you, but in Italy MS does not provide suppor 24/7... Actually, I'm plenty of time until tomorrow morning at 9

[cluberti]

Is not that I disagree with you, but in Italy MS does not provide suppor 24/7... Actually, I'm plenty of time until tomorrow morning at 9

Microsoft is a global company, and support centers are open somewhere at any time of day or night. However, if you don't have a premier contract, and are thus opening Pro cases, then I can understand your statement (it's much harder to open a pro case outside of business hours).

I noticed that with Vista 64 my iTunes couldn't detect cd burner anymore and does not allow me tu burn my cd. This looks like a very common problem "http://www.emergingearth.com/itunes-7-cant-burn-cds" as you can see... Luckily someone found the solution in here "http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070714011213AAmyyEd" , this was the problem

"The issue appears to be with the 64-bit version of Windows Vista (and XP apparently), and the fact that a version of the third-party driver that iTunes uses to burn CDs and DVDs will not interact correctly with 64-bit OSes. This is characterized by an Error code 2380 when you run CD/DVD diagnostics in iTunes.

The third party driver is known as gearsec.exe, and the solution is to download the correct 64-bit version, direct from GearSoft:

http://www.gearsoftware.com/support/driv..."

Guess what happened? Yes, Vista detects the cd burner "under a new light" and recognize a "major changment" in your hardware setup... This will lock my OS from 2 days from now until I do not manage to put my hands over a new product key (and no, I'm not gonna waste any more money, I already bought my orignal copy) or to contact MS support...

So let me get this straight - you installed 32bit software that uses 32bit drivers onto a 64bit OS, and it didn't work properly (cd burning 32bit driver). So you hacked away to make the 32bit app and driver work properly with the 64bit drivers in the OS, and then the OS said you made a major change (which you did) and wants you to reactivate.

I understand the frustration, but you should blame apple for not releasing 64bit versions of iTunes, or blame yourself for not using 32bit Vista if iTunes is that important to you.

If you contact Microsoft customer service, they'll make your key work again and your box will reactivate in this scenario.