Vista - Once more, Hoodwinked by dumb decisions (32 to 64 bit issues)

I worked for Microsoft for 12 years, in the Office documentation group.
Therefore, I take it personally when the company screws up so BADLY on an
incredbily simple thing. The documentation for HOW TO INSTALL SOMETHING!
Something as simple as "Here is how you upgrade from WINDOWS XP 32 BIT to
WINDOWS VISTA 64 BIT". If you haven't noticed it yet folks, the postings
throughout this site are chock full of 32 bit to 64 bit install questions.
Which means, someone in the documentation group should be taken out and given
a severe beating. AND, you should notify everyone who has purchased a copy
of Vista for 64 bit with the intent to upgrade over a 32 bit installation -
that MICROSOFT SCREWED UP YET AGAIN.

This is really going to cost MS dearly with bad publicity. The number of 64
bit systems out there that came preinstalled with Windows XP 32 bit is rather
large. And, those people who bought those systems REALLY want to have 64 bit
Vista on them. So what happens when all those 64 bit Vista hungry folks try
to install the 64 bit version using the incredibly lacking install
documentation? You get totally hacked off people (include me in the list -
if I could get smoke and flames to appear in this flame mail, I would). I'm
a very competent computer geek, license to kill CPUs kind of guy, and I
scratched my head for hours trying to figure out just why the damn thing
wouldn't install. "Not a Win32 app!" Okay, I know what that means, but hey,
I've taken the 16bit to 32 bit trip before without having to go through this.
So, like the NT install, I'll drop into DOS mode and sneak around in the
folders till I find the 32 bit setup that will install the 64 bit version.
But OH NO, there ISN'T one that I can find. I had to come to this insane
"Vista Community" site to find out that what I thought would be possible
(because it is NOT mentioned in the documentation anywhere) is that I could
NOT install the 64 bit over the 32. Heck, even the upgrade website tells me
I can install 64 bit over Windows XP. Ah, but no, the poor documentation
folks weren't given all the information, maybe they knew but for some reason
couldn't put it into words, or worse yet - were told NOT to document it (or
maybe were too stupid to notice that there was such a thing as a 64 bit
computer). Egad! If I had left out something this important from the Office
installation documentation I would have been crucified! All it would have
taken for me (and everyone else) to avoid this insanity would have been for
someone to put on page 3 or 4 of the Windows Vista Ultimate "Quick Startup
Guide" the following information

For those of you who want to install Windows Vista 64 Bit Ultimate edition
as an "upgrade" over a Windows XP 32 bit install FORGET IT - IT CAN'T BE
DONE! Choose the 32 bit or wipe your machine and start over (yep, painful,
and probably NOT the reason why you bought the Upgrade version - but hey,
we're Microsoft, we don't really care, that's why we DIDN'T BOTHER TO
DOCUMENT IT ANYWHERE!

Come on guys. Was this a marketing thing? Rather take the lumps than admit
that the guys who dreamed up the install process couldn't figure out a way to
hack together a 32 to 64 bit upgrade path? My GOD. If you can't hack
together a solution YOU SHOULD HAVE DOCUMENTED IT SOMEWHERE EASY TO FIND. I
wouldn't have purchased Vista if I had known there was no 32 bit to 64 bit
upgrade path. I've got days invested in my XP configuration. I'm not about
to give it up. And, I'm running on a top-of-the line HP DV8000 that is
totally max'd out. I bought it because I had just left Microsoft and knew
that Vista was coming out in 64 bit and couldn't wait to taste it (actually,
i bought THREE of them - two for my kids). Now I'm so disappointed I can't
really put into words just how PO'd I really am. You've been wondering why
so many people have been leaving the company - this is one of those things.
I couldn't take all the insane marketing decisions that drove the development
side of the company. Stupid decisions like not providing for a 64 bit
upgrade path from a 32 bit installation is right there at the top of the
"REALLY STUPID THINGS THAT Microsoft DID - YET AGAIN!" I hate to say it, but
I'm glad I left Microsoft and don't have to suffer the embarrassment of this
huge mistake. -- Note to self, sell off all remaining Microsoft shares
before it tanks after news of this hits the streets.

Oh, and BY THE WAY, if the folks on the other end of the support phone lines
can't speak English, why waste money on them? I couldn't hear her or
understand her broken English. Saving a buck by sending support calls
overseas doesn't help the company image. Oh well. The Microsoft megalyth
lumbers forward - crippled by its own weight and smug omnipotence (oh - we
only hire brilliant people, therefore we must be making good decisions).
Well, think again, and again, and again....

----------------
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suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
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click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/com....vista.general

100% agree.

Marketing is running MS and they know less than zero about technologies.

Good post.

--
Mark-Allen Perry
160825 / 1112165
Windows Vista X64 Ultimate
RTM Build 6000.16386
ALPHA Systems
Marly, Switzerland
mark-allen @ mvps . org



"EX Microsofty and glad of it!" <EX Microsofty and glad of
it!@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:12219398-FEDE-4CD0-85CD-8F7FF50469A8@microsoft.com...
>I worked for Microsoft for 12 years, in the Office documentation group.
> Therefore, I take it personally when the company screws up so BADLY on an
> incredbily simple thing. The documentation for HOW TO INSTALL SOMETHING!
> Something as simple as "Here is how you upgrade from WINDOWS XP 32 BIT to
> WINDOWS VISTA 64 BIT". If you haven't noticed it yet folks, the postings
> throughout this site are chock full of 32 bit to 64 bit install questions.
> Which means, someone in the documentation group should be taken out and
> given
> a severe beating. AND, you should notify everyone who has purchased a
> copy
> of Vista for 64 bit with the intent to upgrade over a 32 bit
> installation -
> that MICROSOFT SCREWED UP YET AGAIN.
>
> This is really going to cost MS dearly with bad publicity. The number of
> 64
> bit systems out there that came preinstalled with Windows XP 32 bit is
> rather
> large. And, those people who bought those systems REALLY want to have 64
> bit
> Vista on them. So what happens when all those 64 bit Vista hungry folks
> try
> to install the 64 bit version using the incredibly lacking install
> documentation? You get totally hacked off people (include me in the
> list -
> if I could get smoke and flames to appear in this flame mail, I would).
> I'm
> a very competent computer geek, license to kill CPUs kind of guy, and I
> scratched my head for hours trying to figure out just why the damn thing
> wouldn't install. "Not a Win32 app!" Okay, I know what that means, but
> hey,
> I've taken the 16bit to 32 bit trip before without having to go through
> this.
> So, like the NT install, I'll drop into DOS mode and sneak around in the
> folders till I find the 32 bit setup that will install the 64 bit version.
> But OH NO, there ISN'T one that I can find. I had to come to this insane
> "Vista Community" site to find out that what I thought would be possible
> (because it is NOT mentioned in the documentation anywhere) is that I
> could
> NOT install the 64 bit over the 32. Heck, even the upgrade website tells
> me
> I can install 64 bit over Windows XP. Ah, but no, the poor documentation
> folks weren't given all the information, maybe they knew but for some
> reason
> couldn't put it into words, or worse yet - were told NOT to document it
> (or
> maybe were too stupid to notice that there was such a thing as a 64 bit
> computer). Egad! If I had left out something this important from the
> Office
> installation documentation I would have been crucified! All it would have
> taken for me (and everyone else) to avoid this insanity would have been
> for
> someone to put on page 3 or 4 of the Windows Vista Ultimate "Quick Startup
> Guide" the following information
>
> For those of you who want to install Windows Vista 64 Bit Ultimate edition
> as an "upgrade" over a Windows XP 32 bit install FORGET IT - IT CAN'T BE
> DONE! Choose the 32 bit or wipe your machine and start over (yep,
> painful,
> and probably NOT the reason why you bought the Upgrade version - but hey,
> we're Microsoft, we don't really care, that's why we DIDN'T BOTHER TO
> DOCUMENT IT ANYWHERE!
>
> Come on guys. Was this a marketing thing? Rather take the lumps than
> admit
> that the guys who dreamed up the install process couldn't figure out a way
> to
> hack together a 32 to 64 bit upgrade path? My GOD. If you can't hack
> together a solution YOU SHOULD HAVE DOCUMENTED IT SOMEWHERE EASY TO FIND.
> I
> wouldn't have purchased Vista if I had known there was no 32 bit to 64 bit
> upgrade path. I've got days invested in my XP configuration. I'm not
> about
> to give it up. And, I'm running on a top-of-the line HP DV8000 that is
> totally max'd out. I bought it because I had just left Microsoft and knew
> that Vista was coming out in 64 bit and couldn't wait to taste it
> (actually,
> i bought THREE of them - two for my kids). Now I'm so disappointed I
> can't
> really put into words just how PO'd I really am. You've been wondering
> why
> so many people have been leaving the company - this is one of those
> things.
> I couldn't take all the insane marketing decisions that drove the
> development
> side of the company. Stupid decisions like not providing for a 64 bit
> upgrade path from a 32 bit installation is right there at the top of the
> "REALLY STUPID THINGS THAT Microsoft DID - YET AGAIN!" I hate to say it,
> but
> I'm glad I left Microsoft and don't have to suffer the embarrassment of
> this
> huge mistake. -- Note to self, sell off all remaining Microsoft shares
> before it tanks after news of this hits the streets.
>
> Oh, and BY THE WAY, if the folks on the other end of the support phone
> lines
> can't speak English, why waste money on them? I couldn't hear her or
> understand her broken English. Saving a buck by sending support calls
> overseas doesn't help the company image. Oh well. The Microsoft megalyth
> lumbers forward - crippled by its own weight and smug omnipotence (oh - we
> only hire brilliant people, therefore we must be making good decisions).
> Well, think again, and again, and again....
>
> ----------------
> This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
> suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
> Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow
> this
> link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
> click "I Agree" in the message pane.
>
> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/com....vista.general

Amen--marketing/business types with no insight into the software they sell
are running way too much of MSFT and running their customers into the ground
as well as individuals who have politically gotten into positions for which
they have no IT background whatsoever to perform well.

Example: The idiot Scott Di Valerio a CPA (nothing against the profession
at all of course) but he's the turkey in part repsonsible for MSFT stomping
on the 300 OEM named partners and forcing them into contracts that won't
ship Vista DVDs which allow them to repair Vista. Let me be clear: MSFT
is directly responsible for the situation where a company ships you a box
pre-loaded with XP or now I hear it's Vista, and you plucked down
$1000-$4000 for your dual core/quad core with 4GHZ on the floor and you have
no Vista DVD to show for it (except for Dell--and there are 299 or so more
of those companies).

If this happens to you, look in the mirror and ask the image why he or she
didn't demand a Vista OS DVD and tell them which anatomical compartment they
can shove those recovery partitions and recovery piece of crap media in.

MSFT is not interested in your being able to run your computer well and fix
Vista if there is a signficant situation and it's the Marketing types who
have little or no knowledge of Windows and Office who are behind this.

CH


"Mark-Allen [160825]" <mark-allen@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:%23LAr9NtRHHA.920@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> 100% agree.
>
> Marketing is running MS and they know less than zero about technologies.
>
> Good post.
>
> --
> Mark-Allen Perry
> 160825 / 1112165
> Windows Vista X64 Ultimate
> RTM Build 6000.16386
> ALPHA Systems
> Marly, Switzerland
> mark-allen @ mvps . org
>
>
>
> "EX Microsofty and glad of it!" <EX Microsofty and glad of
> it!@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:12219398-FEDE-4CD0-85CD-8F7FF50469A8@microsoft.com...
>>I worked for Microsoft for 12 years, in the Office documentation group.
>> Therefore, I take it personally when the company screws up so BADLY on an
>> incredbily simple thing. The documentation for HOW TO INSTALL SOMETHING!
>> Something as simple as "Here is how you upgrade from WINDOWS XP 32 BIT to
>> WINDOWS VISTA 64 BIT". If you haven't noticed it yet folks, the postings
>> throughout this site are chock full of 32 bit to 64 bit install
>> questions.
>> Which means, someone in the documentation group should be taken out and
>> given
>> a severe beating. AND, you should notify everyone who has purchased a
>> copy
>> of Vista for 64 bit with the intent to upgrade over a 32 bit
>> installation -
>> that MICROSOFT SCREWED UP YET AGAIN.
>>
>> This is really going to cost MS dearly with bad publicity. The number of
>> 64
>> bit systems out there that came preinstalled with Windows XP 32 bit is
>> rather
>> large. And, those people who bought those systems REALLY want to have 64
>> bit
>> Vista on them. So what happens when all those 64 bit Vista hungry folks
>> try
>> to install the 64 bit version using the incredibly lacking install
>> documentation? You get totally hacked off people (include me in the
>> list -
>> if I could get smoke and flames to appear in this flame mail, I would).
>> I'm
>> a very competent computer geek, license to kill CPUs kind of guy, and I
>> scratched my head for hours trying to figure out just why the damn thing
>> wouldn't install. "Not a Win32 app!" Okay, I know what that means, but
>> hey,
>> I've taken the 16bit to 32 bit trip before without having to go through
>> this.
>> So, like the NT install, I'll drop into DOS mode and sneak around in the
>> folders till I find the 32 bit setup that will install the 64 bit
>> version.
>> But OH NO, there ISN'T one that I can find. I had to come to this insane
>> "Vista Community" site to find out that what I thought would be possible
>> (because it is NOT mentioned in the documentation anywhere) is that I
>> could
>> NOT install the 64 bit over the 32. Heck, even the upgrade website tells
>> me
>> I can install 64 bit over Windows XP. Ah, but no, the poor documentation
>> folks weren't given all the information, maybe they knew but for some
>> reason
>> couldn't put it into words, or worse yet - were told NOT to document it
>> (or
>> maybe were too stupid to notice that there was such a thing as a 64 bit
>> computer). Egad! If I had left out something this important from the
>> Office
>> installation documentation I would have been crucified! All it would
>> have
>> taken for me (and everyone else) to avoid this insanity would have been
>> for
>> someone to put on page 3 or 4 of the Windows Vista Ultimate "Quick
>> Startup
>> Guide" the following information
>>
>> For those of you who want to install Windows Vista 64 Bit Ultimate
>> edition
>> as an "upgrade" over a Windows XP 32 bit install FORGET IT - IT CAN'T BE
>> DONE! Choose the 32 bit or wipe your machine and start over (yep,
>> painful,
>> and probably NOT the reason why you bought the Upgrade version - but hey,
>> we're Microsoft, we don't really care, that's why we DIDN'T BOTHER TO
>> DOCUMENT IT ANYWHERE!
>>
>> Come on guys. Was this a marketing thing? Rather take the lumps than
>> admit
>> that the guys who dreamed up the install process couldn't figure out a
>> way to
>> hack together a 32 to 64 bit upgrade path? My GOD. If you can't hack
>> together a solution YOU SHOULD HAVE DOCUMENTED IT SOMEWHERE EASY TO FIND.
>> I
>> wouldn't have purchased Vista if I had known there was no 32 bit to 64
>> bit
>> upgrade path. I've got days invested in my XP configuration. I'm not
>> about
>> to give it up. And, I'm running on a top-of-the line HP DV8000 that is
>> totally max'd out. I bought it because I had just left Microsoft and
>> knew
>> that Vista was coming out in 64 bit and couldn't wait to taste it
>> (actually,
>> i bought THREE of them - two for my kids). Now I'm so disappointed I
>> can't
>> really put into words just how PO'd I really am. You've been wondering
>> why
>> so many people have been leaving the company - this is one of those
>> things.
>> I couldn't take all the insane marketing decisions that drove the
>> development
>> side of the company. Stupid decisions like not providing for a 64 bit
>> upgrade path from a 32 bit installation is right there at the top of the
>> "REALLY STUPID THINGS THAT Microsoft DID - YET AGAIN!" I hate to say it,
>> but
>> I'm glad I left Microsoft and don't have to suffer the embarrassment of
>> this
>> huge mistake. -- Note to self, sell off all remaining Microsoft shares
>> before it tanks after news of this hits the streets.
>>
>> Oh, and BY THE WAY, if the folks on the other end of the support phone
>> lines
>> can't speak English, why waste money on them? I couldn't hear her or
>> understand her broken English. Saving a buck by sending support calls
>> overseas doesn't help the company image. Oh well. The Microsoft
>> megalyth
>> lumbers forward - crippled by its own weight and smug omnipotence (oh -
>> we
>> only hire brilliant people, therefore we must be making good decisions).
>> Well, think again, and again, and again....
>>
>> ----------------
>> This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
>> suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the
>> "I
>> Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow
>> this
>> link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and
>> then
>> click "I Agree" in the message pane.
>>
>> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/com....vista.general
>