A lot has happened today. Hours, in fact all of my day. With the bit between my teeth I decided I shouldn't have to pay for MY key, and started out about mid day with a call to MS. Same oll' sameo. It's Asus. Asus, no, it's MS. Now I was trying to get a key that would work with this software without using my paid go. Huh!
Three calls each.
Now, here's another thing. I followed an Asus logo. Real and solid looking. After giving them permission to enter my computer, they were telling me all the faults they could see. She, a sweet sounding young lady, drew red lines around my faults. "But, but, if I'm formatting the drive, all of this doesn't matter . . . does it??????????"
I was told I was to be put through to the experts. They would find my Key. Ok. $99.99 please.
WTF?????? Now I questioned her. No, I wasn't actually speaking to Asus. I was through to "MY PHONE SUPPORT" Now, the little angel spat nails as she spoke. Horrible. Without doubt sticking pins into my effigy.
Mmmmm . . . back to the real Asus. (Oh, by the way, they weren't interested in the bogus users of their logo. I wonder if they knew.)
Literally four hours of calm but forceful talks to both. Every time, contradictions and nonsense melded with some basic truths. This is just one email sent.
If you accept replies (to one of their missives) on this email thread, I've just spent another half an hour with MS. They are unequivocal, you, the manufacturers, are responsible for the OS Key. I am now days - spread over three weeks - into trying to resolve this issue, with IT guys in various parts of the world reading in and occasionally posting, but none have an answer for this bizarrely circular situation.
I'll try calling again today, Tuesday, but I'm determined to find out why the owner of a product should not have access to their OS Key.
Recovering a system when thousands of miles away may well see the owner having to buy a new drive. Even if they could get someone to download the soft, they'd still be out of business because of the key. I have been told by Asus and MS that the computer will recognize the soft and not want a key. Other people at MS say this is nonsense.
As an ex computer company owner, I find this situation bewildering and only as a matter of principle feel determined to find an answer. As a businessman I'd simply obviate the need by walking away from the product. Shame, since two old competitors in England have told me Asus is the most reliable computer they sell, but if true this situation still leaves the owners with a huge vulnerability.
Mailer Dæmon killed that one. But they'll get to know the content when I finally speak to bosses. (yes, I will
)
But no matter, I was now talking to someone (Asus) in a far-flung place that had exactly the same model of Asus on his desk. When he was realized this, he burst into life and told me he'd sort the problem right away. After 20 mins of yada-yada he asked me if I'd received an e from him. Excitedly I waited for my code based on the (one of many ) forms I'd filled in with Asus. When it arrived, it was an application to register my computer.
Oh, my. But, he did say from that new grand status, I could redeem my Key and that "not many operatives knew that". I said cheers, and no, I wouldn't fill in a survey right now thanks.
I filled in the application to register this now 18 month old product. ("Don't worry, we support our machines out of warranty, 24/7") Now after ages of finding the O in CANOCJ was in fact, CAN0CJ, I put in the serial number for the fourth time. Rejected. I hit upon NOT putting in the 12M clearly on the SN label. Success! Now, as a registered owner, I asked the question. I was presented with the vast form I'd filled in . . . to be a registered owner. It was about this time I opened a bottle of something that affects my brain but takes away the pain.
The last man had promised any W8 product would install. He put himself in that camp right away. So, I casually tried installing through to the Enter Key box. Excitedly I watched "Collecting Information" green bar progressing - I'd never seen this before, it must be getting my key, no? No. It moved 26mm and stayed there for the next half hour. And yes, I'd measured it with a vernier gauge.
Just one more go since here I am refreshed at 21:30, and yes, if I put in the Key sent to me with the soft, I may progress. One of the options is for Load drivers. Mmmm... who knows. But if I do a normal install, I'll have lost the battle of principle. Only an old bloke with no life could afford to do this, so perhaps I'll carry on.