Why Are Microsoft Updates and Programs So Frustrating?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around frustrations experienced by users with Microsoft products, particularly focusing on Windows XP updates and issues with Excel VBA programming. Participants share their personal experiences, challenges with software installations, and opinions on alternative operating systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over the difficulty in finding and installing Windows XP service packs, noting that the Microsoft website has confusing links.
  • Another participant shares their experience with Excel VBA, highlighting issues with code execution despite no changes being made to certain parts of the code.
  • Some participants suggest alternative operating systems like Apple and Linux, with varying opinions on their suitability for different types of users.
  • A participant mentions the concept of backward compatibility in Microsoft operating systems as a reason for their complexity, contrasting it with experiences on Mac systems.
  • There are multiple mentions of dissatisfaction with Microsoft, including humorous remarks about Bill Gates and the company's practices.
  • Several participants share their own experiences with Windows XP, with some claiming to have had no issues while others report significant problems, especially with updates.
  • One participant advises on creating a bootable CD with Windows XP and SP2, referencing Microsoft’s knowledge base for guidance.
  • Another participant raises a question about whether SP1 is included in SP2, reflecting on the expectations of software updates.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus among participants; some express strong frustrations with Microsoft products, while others report having no issues. The discussion includes competing views on the effectiveness of different operating systems and the challenges of software updates.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific technical issues, such as compatibility problems with proprietary software and the challenges of using VBA in Excel. There are references to the need for fresh installations versus upgrades, indicating a lack of clarity on the implications of different update paths.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to users experiencing difficulties with Microsoft products, those considering alternative operating systems, and individuals involved in programming with Excel VBA.

Integral
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I installed XP on one of my home systems today. I spend 3hrs looking on the MS web page for SP1a so it would recognize a 300GB HD, then started all over again on SP2. The stinking MS site has links for both all over the place, they all seemed to be circular and none of them had the actual D/L link. I would follow a link which said get the sp here it would take me to another page with a link back to the starting place. Frustration!

I did finally get it done. GRRRR!

Then I came to work, where I have been developing an Excel VBA program to aid us in some some long tests we need to run. I have a working copy but am still making some changes and adding features, so I made a copy of my working version to modify for my next rev. I spend several hours last night coding without being able to trouble shoot. (The working version was running a test on the tool). When I finally got to test my new code, the program would not execute code that was unchanged from the first version. I never was able to understand why it would not work but have finally, after ~6hrs of frustration trying to understand what was wrong, imported the identical code that works in my operating code. I think I am back on track now.

OK I feel better now :smile:

I HATE MICROSOFT! :mad:
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
The important thing is that Bill Gates is happy.
 
I've never had a problem with microsoft really.

but my opinion is worthless
 
You've obviously never used Apple Integral? I highly recommend, especially for those who don't like computer trouble.
http://apple.com/getamac
 
Apple's not for scientists, it's for web designers or my mum :-p

Linux is the way forward, and has been for the past 7 years :smile:
 
Do a web search on "slipstream XP SP2", to find out how to create a bootable cd-rom with XP / SP2 on it. Microsoft includes some of this info in their knowledge base, so it's an Microsoft approved method. The updating of install files in a directory is accomplished via a built-in command line option, so Microsoft intended for IT groups and smart end-users to do this.

If you do try this out, note that the Roxio versions 7 and later no longer support creating mulitple sector boot cd-roms (Roxio is mentioned on some web sites that explain slipstreaming). You'll need to use Nero Burning Rom or the bundled version of Nero to do this.
 
Last edited:
Mk said:
You've obviously never used Apple Integral? I highly recommend, especially for those who don't like computer trouble.
http://apple.com/getamac

Great Idea! Just give a call to Mike Hurd, the CEO of HP, and tell him we should abandon windows and move to apple. :rolleyes:

Then I can drop my 4 home built systems in garbage can and sent $4k to Steve Jobs to replace them... I don't think so.

When I can buy a disk with the Apple OS and install it on my home brews then I will consider Apple, until then I am stuck with Winblows.

Unix would be fun, but then what would I do with my computs? Make them all routers?
 
Last edited:
Ivan Seeking said:
The important thing is that Bill Gates is happy.

Bill F'n Gates can eat my...

Oh yeah this is a family board.

I am so frustrated with VBA for Excel right now I could cuss some more! :mad:

( I have sp1a and sp2 all taken care of that was just a minor few hours of frustration warming me up for a whole night of doing battle with VBA!) ARGGGGH!


Ya' know when it all finally gets worked out (and it will) I tend to forget the pain... must be the same with childbirth.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
The important thing is that Bill Gates is happy.

Don't think his wife is, though. There's a reason he named his company "Microsoft". :smile:

Right, Integral, family board, gotcha! :biggrin:
 
  • #10
Question: How many Microsoft employees does it take to change a lightbulb?

Answer: Zero - Bill Gates declares darkness to be the standard.

Regards,
George
 
  • #11
We can all crab and moan about MS (and I do, myself), but we should keep in mind one important reason that MS's OSs have traditionally been large and complex - backward compatibility. Even when running Windows several versions removed from DOS, I often ran my old DOS versions of Wordstar and Ashton-Tate dBase, old DOS games, etc. You couldn't do that with a Mac. I remember when a previous employer upgraded Mac operating systems, and had to buy all new application software. That got pretty expensive.
 
  • #12
Integral said:
I installed XP on one of my home systems today. I spend 3hrs looking on the MS web page for SP1a so it would recognize a 300GB HD, then started all over again on SP2. The stinking MS site has links for both all over the place, they all seemed to be circular and none of them had the actual D/L link. I would follow a link which said get the sp here it would take me to another page with a link back to the starting place. Frustration!
I hope you didn't upgrade from XP SP1 to SP2. I unfortunately did and then discovered that everyone who did has problems. Best to do fresh install of XP SP2.

Also, a good site is www.winguides.com[/url] and their forums [url]http://www.winguides.com/forums/[/URL].

Good place to share the frustration and misery. :biggrin:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #13
turbo-1 said:
We can all crab and moan about MS (and I do, myself)...
Yeah - I like to moan about them but lately I've been using my windows partition all the time to browse the web and listen to the radio - stuff just works so much better under woindows for these things :smile:

Of course, I do all my proper work under linux o:)
 
  • #14
Astronuc said:
I hope you didn't upgrade from XP SP1 to SP2. I unfortunately did and then discovered that everyone who did has problems. Best to do fresh install of XP SP2.

Also, a good site is www.winguides.com[/url] and their forums [url]http://www.winguides.com/forums/[/URL].

Good place to share the frustration and misery. :biggrin: [/QUOTE]
This one of the things I was trying to find on the mircosoft (Some how Macrohard just doesn't sound the same!) web site. Is Sp1 included is Sp2? I needed the large HD support that came in SP1, Good companies include all of the previous upgrades in the lastest and greatest.

Time, to go home! later.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #15
Integral said:
This one of the things I was trying to find on the mircosoft (Some how Macrohard just doesn't sound the same!) web site. Is Sp1 included is Sp2? I needed the large HD support that came in SP1, Good companies include all of the previous upgrades in the lastest and greatest.
You'd think so. Any good company with integrity would do that. AFAKIK, Win XP SP2 supports large HD's.

On the other hand, I set my large HD with my office PC, which use Win2K. :biggrin: We don't trust XP. :rolleyes:

I have been using Winchester HD's and I use their software to format the drive, and then install with Windows Plug n Play. We also use Power Quest's Partition Magic and DriveImage. Unfortunately Symantec bought them. :frown:
 
  • #16
I have XP on 2 machines, never had a problem with it. :confused:
 
  • #17
Astronuc said:
I hope you didn't upgrade from XP SP1 to SP2. I unfortunately did and then discovered that everyone who did has problems. Best to do fresh install of XP SP2.

I still have compatibility issues with SP2 and industrial proprietary software. As a result, I ended up having to dedicate a computer to SP1, and buy a new one for SP2.
 
  • #18
Pengwuino said:
I've never had a problem with microsoft really.

but my opinion is worthless

I know how you feel :frown:
 
  • #19
Bill F'n Gates can eat my...

Oh yeah this is a family board.
PF isn't a family activity for me :confused: Do families surf PF?
 
  • #20
Integral said:
Bill F'n Gates can eat my...

Oh yeah this is a family board.

I am so frustrated with VBA for Excel right now I could cuss some more! :mad:

( I have sp1a and sp2 all taken care of that was just a minor few hours of frustration warming me up for a whole night of doing battle with VBA!) ARGGGGH!


Ya' know when it all finally gets worked out (and it will) I tend to forget the pain... must be the same with childbirth.
Forgetfulness is an oversimplification. That kind of feeling is very common for me and my friends when we have to hastle with computers. Frustrated at first, but in the end, unless you're a lazy whimp like my roommate, you get a feeling of accomplishment. I'm sure there's some existential philosophy explaining that, but I can't remember it.
 
  • #21
Mk said:
PF isn't a family activity for me :confused: Do families surf PF?
Technically I'm a minor, so yeah. Family activity.
 
  • #22
Unix would be fun, but then what would I do with my computs? Make them all routers?

lolololol...
 

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