Need Hotfix! Where to Go, Who to Contact??

[Ken]

Hi, All,

I have a Dell 5150 laptop (WinXP factory installed, P4
3.06GHz, Hyperthreading, 512 MB RAM), and I'm having a
problem playing MIDI files. MIDI plays slowly, with
timing errors.

This is a known issue, addressed in Microsoft Knowledge
Base Article 835730, which affects computers with
hyperthreading processors.

There is a Hotfix available for this problem as stated in
the Knowledge Base Article, but I'm advised to contact
Microsoft for the Hotfix.

Now the fun begins!! Since my copy of WinXP came
preinstalled on my machine Microsoft requires that I
contact Dell for any support issues.

I contacted Dell Support, and after three contacts Dell
finds that the Hotfix is only available directly from
microsoft!

I have thoroughly investigated my support options through
the Microsoft Websites, and it seems my only option is to
phone or e-mail Paid Tech Support at $35 per incident...

Before I bite the bullet and spend the money (probably in
futility), are there any other options?

Is there a contact or website that can help me download
the required Hotfix?

This seems so simple, but it's getting really frustrating!

Thanks for any help or info!

Ken

 

[Tom Pepper Willett]

There is no download. That's why they say to contact MS for the fix.

Tom

 

[Phil]

It says right in the article:
Note: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support
calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a
specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will
apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the
specific update in question.

So if this fix indeed fixes your problem, then you will not be charged.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services
to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone
numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

Note: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be
canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will
resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support
questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Ref: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];835730

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

------------------------------------------------------------------------


| Hi, All,
|
| I have a Dell 5150 laptop (WinXP factory installed, P4
| 3.06GHz, Hyperthreading, 512 MB RAM), and I'm having a
| problem playing MIDI files. MIDI plays slowly, with
| timing errors.
|
| This is a known issue, addressed in Microsoft Knowledge
| Base Article 835730, which affects computers with
| hyperthreading processors.
|
| There is a Hotfix available for this problem as stated in
| the Knowledge Base Article, but I'm advised to contact
| Microsoft for the Hotfix.
|
| Now the fun begins!! Since my copy of WinXP came
| preinstalled on my machine Microsoft requires that I
| contact Dell for any support issues.
|
| I contacted Dell Support, and after three contacts Dell
| finds that the Hotfix is only available directly from
| microsoft!
|
| I have thoroughly investigated my support options through
| the Microsoft Websites, and it seems my only option is to
| phone or e-mail Paid Tech Support at $35 per incident...
|
| Before I bite the bullet and spend the money (probably in
| futility), are there any other options?
|
| Is there a contact or website that can help me download
| the required Hotfix?
|
| This seems so simple, but it's getting really frustrating!
|
| Thanks for any help or info!
|
| Ken

 

[Mike Kolitz]

Contact Microsoft at the support number provided to you, and tell them you
need the hotfix for KB835730. They'll help you get the fix, and you won't
have to pay for it.