[Azselendor]

I had the same problem two weeks ago, ironically it was a malformed install and I fixed it with a restore. When I accidentally reinstalled the update it a few days after, it was fine.

Same thing with a video driver fix that screwed it up. It's in large part because microsoft uses a large number of 3rd party drivers and the drivers those 3rd parties supply are often out of date.

As for getting around technical support warrenty issues. I have 2 tricks.

1st I try the Agent route. I call them up and if it's a voice system I keep saying "AGENT" at each menu until it takes me to the right menu or person. I insist to the person I'm a field technician from the local OEM distribution site sent to fix a computer by the company -but I need verification on what is going on. This sometimes works.

2nd one requires me to be totally irrational and upset. I call them up and insist I purchased the extended warranty and I am asking for support under the terms. If they don't find any I tell them I purchased it at the store I purchased the computer and I already went to the store about it and they told me to call the company (microsoft/hp/compaq/dell/etc.). If they still refuse help, I get their full name (making them spell it) and demand to take to a supervisor. I get the supervisors' full name and repeat the situation to him informing him that on no uncertain terms will I tolerate his company or underlings pretending I don't have a warranty.


So far I've successfully replaced by defective Xbox 360 without having to pay the replacement shipping, 2 bad hard drives and got my directv bill cut in half.

It doesn't always work, but these companies are making money from my purchase and then deliver substandard equipment and service from new dehli, I'll be damned if I'm paying for that too.