http://www.car4play.com/forum Car4play forum en-gb Fri, 01 May 2026 08:54:07 +0100 Copyright: Car4play webmaster@car4play.com (Technical) 5 car4play688556 Fri, 01 May 2026 08:54:07 +0100 Microsoft were but a niche responsibility of a wide-ranging job (though I was regularly informed we were their second-biggest customer). My last contact with them in that role must have been around 2002, at which point I moved on to something considerably more challenging and difficult. I remember (well I would, wouldn't I!) my visit to Thames Valley Park on 9/11, which I think was my last there. (and I note that one of our account managers from that era is now an MBE - definitely not for services to computing ;-) ) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=688556&v=e car4play688550 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:39:16 +0100 my contact, a senior account delivery manager, retired 3 years ago. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=688550&v=e car4play688549 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:25:55 +0100 >> >> If you were still thus, with that issue, you would be kicking your MS account >> manager >> Being in Henley at the weekend, I pondered calling in at Thames Valley Park on the way home, but I doubt anyone there now would remember me ;-) (I've just had another call from "Bellevue", connected OK, but silent. :-( ) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=688549&v=e car4play688539 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:45:32 +0100 >> Frankly, the process is entirely deficient. As someone who has in the past implemented a >> national/global IT helpdesk for tens of thousands of users, I feel qualified to judge. If you were still thus, with that issue, you would be kicking your MS account manager >> Anyway, rant over. I needed to get that off my chest. As a home user, you can rant, but you will still be ignored. I steadfastly refuse to move to W11, far too intrusive and fishing to get me to pay for features, and its bloated. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=688539&v=e car4play688538 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:12:43 +0100 Not fit for purpose. I'm increasingly finding this! http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=688538&v=e car4play688536 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:44:49 +0100 I have 4 Windows 11 machines at home. Somewhat over a week ago I noted that there were a few issues, particularly with Outlook not receiving mail and very slow shutdown. Investigation indicated problems with the "BITS" service (a service that handles certain file transfers in the background, including elements of Outlook mail). The service itself wouldn't respond to query commands, neither to a direct attempt to shut down and restart. At that time, I could find no reference to similar issues via Google, but it happening on four entirely different machines, with different accounts and software indicated it probably wasn't an isolated problem. So, all the potential "in-place" repair options suggested online were attempted without success, and these were followed by "repair install" (keep files and settings, refresh Windows, on one machine and that being unsuccessful, a full clean install and rebuild (a painful process) on another. Still no resolution. I then tried a minimal clean install (basic Win11 and enough Office to run Outlook). This still failed. All these were done with the latest Win11 image, so, having managed to locate an earlier version (but same release) ISO install, I tried the minimal clean install with that, and that removed the issues. Time to raise with Microsoft. 1. On 21st a painfully long webchat and on-line diagnosis session found it unresolvable at tier1 support. Referred to tier2 support and discussed by 'phone. promised a call back within 48 hours. The support request was then arbitrarily closed as resolved (it isn't) on the 24th, with no notice to me. 2. Being away over the weekend, I attempted to get the issue reopened. They can't do that, only open a new one. Even knowing it was with tier 2 originally, the webchat was going the way of the first, with a request to do remote diagnosis. That wasn't going to happen again (and couldn't as I wasn't at home!). I then lost the webchat. (I think from my end). The support request was closed (no notification). 3. I immediately opted for a 'phone call back rather than webchat. The lady at the other end opened yet a new support request, wanted to do remote diagnosis again (it was explained that it had been through this before and handed to tier2) and resolutely refused to do anything until/unless I or someone else was sitting in front of the PC. Request closed again (though this time I received email notification and a feedback survey - the latter wouldn't have made happy reading for someone!) The irony is that, after the first request I had isolated where the issue had arisen. it was from a patch (KB5083769) which had been delivered by Windows Update on Patch Tuesday and was implicated in a number of problems since, but at that point not any similar to mine. When I got home, Google was now showing a number of people with similar issues to me, and their suspicion was the same patch (some things thought to be rather more critical than Outlook involved). 4. Fourth service request raised with call-back requested. Attempts at tier1 diagnosis robustly resisted, and eventually an agreement for tier2 to contact me the following day (Tuesday). The call came instead yesterday evening Wednesday) whilst I was in the bath, so I missed it, but at least there was an email follow-up that I could reply to with full details. I currently have no idea whether they've picked up on it, but the service request is at least still open (and mine and other's issue unresolved). Frankly, the process is entirely deficient. As someone who has in the past implemented a national/global IT helpdesk for tens of thousands of users, I feel qualified to judge. The process is exacerbated by only having two ways to initiate a service request, either by webchat (which believe me is painful) or requesting a call-back (which is only slightly better). In theory, once a request is logged (and if still open) I should be able to add notes and/or files to help the diagnosis, but that process fails on every one of my machines, including one Win10 one which is not the subject of the outstanding issue. I'm encouraged that I'm now seeing the issue documented elsewhere, but frustrated with the sheer mediocrity of the IT systems and processes of a mainstream Technology company. They weren't particularly good when I was one of their major customers, but this is real "cobbler's children" stuff. (The support is largely in India, and I strongly suspect outsourced, though the 'phone calls are routed via Redmond or Bellevue, Washington State. Anyway, rant over. I needed to get that off my chest. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=688536&v=e