Vista

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S.

10 October 2008 I purchased an

Acer

Aspire running Widows Vista from Comet. During September it repeatedly failed to update Vista. I contacted Microsoft 29 September. Microsoft advised me that I need "The Windows Vista DVD" on 1st October. Comet advised me that

Acer

do not warranty the software and would charge for any assistance. Comet added:

"You can call our Comet on Call PC Support team to arrange for assistance from Comet in trying to resolve your issue, but we also would charge for this service. To book and pay the required £9.95, please call our Comet on Call team on 08448 920 999."
I can't help feeling that having purchased the PC from a leading retailer I should be entitled to expect it to remain operational without being forced to pay

anything else within a year - if not a lot longer.

enigma52

why would you wait until 12 month warranty expired to bring this up. I would storm into shop you bought from and take it up with them. I cannot see any question in your post? so is this just a general rant?

borders_dude

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S. wrote: »

10 October 2008 I purchased an

Acer

Aspire running Widows Vista from Comet. During September it repeatedly failed to update Vista. I contacted Microsoft 29 September. Microsoft advised me that I need "The Windows Vista DVD" on 1st October. Comet advised me that

Acer

do not warranty the software and would charge for any assistance. Comet added:

"You can call our Comet on Call PC Support team to arrange for assistance from Comet in trying to resolve your issue, but we also would charge for this service. To book and pay the required £9.95, please call our Comet on Call team on 08448 920 999."

I can't help feeling that having purchased the PC from a leading retailer I should be entitled to expect it to remain operational without being forced to pay

anything else within a year - if not a lot longer.

Do you feel better for having that rant?

Or are you asking for advice on what you could do regarding the situation?

DatabaseError

I'm not having a go - but could you explain exactly what the error message is, and the version of vista installed on the machine.
Also...why has it taken 12 months to raise the issue?

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S.

Sorry guys it wasn't just meant to be a rant. I should have been a bit clearer. I was hoping someone would advise of the position regarding software - I thought it should be covered by the retailer warranty if not the manufacturer warranty - is that right?
I might have to contact Consumer Direct
The reason why it took 12 months - it has updated with no problem until very recently.

Baldur

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S. wrote: »

Sorry guys it wasn't just meant to be a rant. I should have been a bit clearer. I was hoping someone would advise of the position regarding software - I thought it should be covered by the retailer warranty if not the manufacturer warranty - is that right?
I might have to contact Consumer Direct
The reason why it took 12 months - it has updated with no problem until very recently.

There is no warranty on software but the manufacturer, as part of their OEM licensing agreements with Microsoft, agrees to provide customer support for the operating system instead of Microsoft doing so.

sco0ter

Acer WILL provide free assistance on trying to correct your problem (they did for me)

HOWEVER if it needs to be returned for reinstalation or to have the software fixed by them then they will charge.

Have you tried just backing up any wanted data and reinstalling everything again from your backup

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S.

Comet say that Acer will charge for any assistance.

When the pc was new I created 2 System Restore DVDs as instructed but I hoped that I would never have to rely on them and once I've ran them there will be no turning back if they don't work (sounding more of a rant now LOL) until I get a Windows Vista DVD (or perhaps I should try Windows 7) - but I might try the 2 discs I made.

Microsoft have contacted me for an update on the situation so I will let them know the latest first

Thanks everyone to all the replies.

davb

I think you will find that most places would not cover the build of the Operating System on a PC, as what you install after purchase (knowingly or unknowingly) is beyond their control, although some will help more than others.
They obviously have to cover the hardware, but the usual thing is they ask for it to be restored to the factory default build. I think Acer usually have a pre-installed utility which creates a restore DVD/CD set, although most people never run it until it's too late.

T.F.S.B.I.G.W.S.

I had an idea to do a System Restore to the oldest available date which was 13 September. As soon as I had completed that I ran updates and, at the moment, it is installing Windows Service Pack 2 and has been doing so for sometime - but I don't remember this update being attempted previously so perhaps the problem is solved. I only opened my browser to record this update at moneysavingexpert and will close it as soon as I have finished. Just to let everyone know - I'll keep you posted on whatever next...

Esqui

If it's still not working, you should do a full system recovery, either using the DVDs or by pressing alt+F10 on start up.

After 12 months, how would you prove it wasn't caused by a virus or worm or something that you've acquired?