Heavy drinking accompanied by vulgar language has been the order of the day for me this last week of 2010. So what's new some insensitive acquaintances may ask? To them I say, "posh and piffle," because I have a good excuse. I have replaced my dying Windows XP desktop with a super-duper Windows 7 model.
While the installation of hardware went swimmingly, software was an entirely different matter. The Win 7 64 bit thingy, with 8 gazillion jackhammers of ones and zeros was more than slightly perturbed when I endeavored to load some older apps. I was disappointed to lose MasterCook and Micrografx Picture Publisher, but I had prepared myself for that in advance (see: heavy drinking).
What I wasn't prepared for was Hewlett Packard's tech support and customer service refusing to assist with a driver upgrade when their web site failed to download said drivers. A less than helpful support person did volunteer to assist for a $39 charge, and she did assure me that if she was not successful that I would still be charged. There was still another option I was told. It was suggested that I simply buy a new device, and for an additional fee HP would be overjoyed to take back my old device for recycling. Yeah, right! I pulled the plug on the chat session, uttered a few vulgar words, consumed an adult beverage, and vowed never to do business with HP again.
As of this morning, everything computer, minus the HP device, seems to be perky. I am now screaming down the information super highway. While I will never recommend any HP product, there is a lot to be said for heavy drinking and vulgar language, especially when involved with technical stuff. You will not find that advice in any text book. That knowledge comes from 30 years in telecommunications with GTE Florida and Verizon Communications. And, you are welcome.
JR:
ReplyDeleteBig fan of the blog.
I own an IT consulting company. Have you tried your old apps in XP compatibility mode? What device are you having issues with?
Chon
Hello Chon,
ReplyDeleteBased upon your suggestion I Googled compatibility mode and gave it a try on MasterCook and Picture Publisher. Even trying XP SP 3 and then going back to Win 98 made no difference. There is a missing dll in MC, and Win 7 said "no way, Juan" to PP. Both apps are older than I am, and that is older than dirt (or so says my bride).
I later discovered on my own that HP will not support my scanner...ever! I am still POed that HP was going to bill me and then tell me "no way, Juan." The scanner works with generic drivers, it just doesn't have the HP bells and whistles any longer.
I am grateful for your comments and suggestions. I learned something new today. Thanks for reading my blog and taking the time to comment.
Jon
I have been disappointed with HP for years. There was a time when HP printers were workhorses, but that doesn't seem to be true anymore.
ReplyDeleteDear Finding,
ReplyDeleteWhile HP is the pits, your photos are terrific.