I strongly recommend connecting to https://h30237.www3.hp.com/mce2005upgrade/ instead, (SSL version), as it requires a credit-card # for the shipping & handling.

Michael, not to complain or anything but WTF with HP?

They require your serial number, your PC System Number, (whatever the hell this is?), and your Microsoft Product Identification Number (COA), again what the hell is this?

Shouldn't they be able to determine all of the above from your seriel number?

Then they have an 800 number for support that is only available on business hours M-F (not when people are upgrading on evenings and weekends) and they want 4-6 weeks to send you an upgrade?

Further, they may require "proof" of purchase prior to sending an upgrade. Huh? Isn't their serial number enough?

Really poor on their part. I can't believe they call themselves a technology company or that they are a partner of yours in this whole MCE venture. They should be able to capture all of the info they need from the seriel number alone.

And to top it off they want to charge you for the whole thing.

OK, call me crazy but you guys would be much better off just releasing the update on Windows Update for existing users.

HP has been absolutely HORRIBLE with service. I bought an original 873N back in 2002 and purchased a 3 year extended warranty and every time I've ever called them they insist on telling me that my product is out of warranty and try to sell me another one prior to letting me talk to a generally worthless tech support rep.

I know this totally is not your area of concern but somebody at Microsoft ought to call somebody over at HP and say, hey knock it off, you guys are making you and us look bad.

It shouldn't be this difficult.

Just my two cents.

Tom

Tom,

I've also got an 873N, I'll try ordering an upgrade tonight so I can see what it's like.

As to why it's not on Windows Update - the 2005 release is effectively a new OS unlike the 2004 release which was just an upgrade from 2002. Even the 2004 upgrade was really too big to go on Windows Update, it's up to the OEMs to decide how they wish to support upgrades.

Great. I understand due to the size that it probably doesn't make sense as a Windows Update. I hadn't thought about that.

I guess I'm just complaining as 4 to 6 weeks seems really unreasonable to send an upgrade when it takes two seconds to pop it in the mail and in general HP ought to be together enough as a technology company to track their seriel numbers and not require a bunch of extraneous information. And the seriel number of an HP Media Center PC by default kind of proves purchase, especially when they already have my name associated with it through the warranty.

I just think it's an example of them making it harder than it has to be. I should log on. type my seriel number, credit card number and shipping address in and be done with it. vs. the current form online. Obviously you guys can't control the OEMs and their poor service but if you had any influence it would be nice to see them make the upgrade a little easier for the early adopters and users.

Maybe they should have an option to charge an extra $10 and offer expedidated processing to avoid the 4 to 6 week delivery time. I guarantee you I wouldn't have to wait 4 to 6 weeks if I wanted to buy a new PC from them.

Thanks for the good work on the product and your blog.

Hi,

I have an HP zd7180 notebook medis center. The upgrade website won't take the information, customer service can't get it to enter. Thjis is frustrating as I would like to order MCE 2005

I have a HP 854n. The web site would not take my system number of serial number.

I too have a HP zd7180 notebook computer that is not on the HP "list" and using the serial/product number combination on the web site gives "invalid entry" errors. When I call "Customer Support", all they do is go the the same web site page and enter the same infomartion and, "Oh my god, I can't believe it", they get the same error messages.....

Why would HP screw their customers who forked over over $2500 for their top of the line Media Center notebook computer less than six months ago and not offer this upgrade?

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