After trying numerous online "support" places, I found none of them can give me accurate information so I decided to call MS. They shuttled me off to HP. Their tech support said as I had not purchased a warranty they'd charge me to answer the question. I told them that was a scam. My computer is NOT broken.

This is what happens when companies "partner" with one another, they like to pass the buck constantly. Well, as I filed about MS, they will topple if they keep this disrespect of customers up. I'll have another computer in my hands in less than a month and I'm installing LINUX on it. We'll see if that is at least as good if not superior to MS with NO customer service.

As to HP, they may have noticed there are other manufacturers out there--as well as the parts to build one's own computer. Custom builds cost more, but I see why the advanced computer users do it and I may RETURN to doing custom builds just to not be held up for more money at every turn. After all, how much ARE they paying these people in India to provide support? They have multi-millions for advertising, but are too cheap to support their products--or their customers.

Especially in tough economic times, a company will neither thrive nor in many cases survive, without customer service.