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General discussion

MS and WinMe/IE5.5SP-2 support

Feb 11, 2004 5:24AM PST

When MS tells us that"customers can request
security fixes for...WinMe...until June 30,
2006,through normal-assisted support
channels", what does this mean? From whom
do we request security fixes? If it means
"contact us" via cust. support, then I'm
in big trouble.

Last time I contacted online support for
a patch that went wrong (a service that
is supposed to be freely available), MS wanted nothing
to do with me once they found out I had an
OEM installation.

I also get the idea that the latest security
patch for IE 5.5SP-2 (MS04-004)is only coming
our way because it was mentioned publicly before
the end of last year. Are we left hanging
on this one, too?

What exactly is "extended hotfix support"?

Does all this mean nothing more will be coming
through Windows Update?

Honest to goodness, why didn't I buy a Mac?
Or go with Linux? Hope somebody can elucidate.
Thanks. Eandka

Discussion is locked

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Re:MS and WinMe/IE5.5SP-2 support + OEM = You go to the OEM.
Feb 11, 2004 5:36AM PST

To lower the cost of the OS, your OEM took on the responsibility for your support.

Many never understand this until they call Microsoft and find out that the agreement is not with Microsoft, but the OEM.

As to the OS needing a Hotfix, your post mentions Internet Explorer and not an OS issue. As such, what is there for Microsoft to fix?

Bob

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Re:Re:MS and WinMe/IE5.5SP-2 support + OEM = You go to the OEM.
Feb 11, 2004 6:16AM PST

So, MS sends me to Dell and when I call Dell,
they tell me it's a MS problem-the typical runaround. No tech. I
have ever talked to at Dell seemed to know
much about Dell-installed software, anyway. And on the Dell
site, the responses are often so technical, I
have no idea what they're talking about. I still
have no idea where to "request security fixes".
Eandka

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My last windows me box...
Feb 11, 2004 6:53AM PST

Ran IE 5.5 SP(2?) and I put on IE 6.0 just before it glitched and then it was bye-bye Windows ME and hello Windows 2000.

Just so we're clear, I can't look at any Windows ME box anymore. Banned from the office and now I don't have any to really look it over.

Was there something specific about a Windows ME patch?

Remember that IE is not OS specific and you may be asking the wrong people about your issue.

Which begs the question: What is the issue?

Bob

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Re:My last windows me box...
Feb 11, 2004 12:58PM PST

One issue, and the most important to me, is where and how will WinMe (and Win98/SE) users get their security fixes now. The other is that to supposedly protect my computer, I am being forced to
download the glitchy IE6 since MS04-004 appears
to be the last patch available for IE5.5SP-2.
This issue doesn't have anything to do with winMe per se except that MS specifically mentioned that
we were only getting it because it was mentioned
in public before support ended.
Eandka

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You need to read carefully..
Feb 11, 2004 8:27PM PST

The OS is getting its patches.

When you write "the glitchy IE6" this is NOT the OS, but an application.

"This issue doesn't have anything to do with winMe per se except that MS specifically mentioned that
we were only getting it because it was mentioned
in public before support ended."

And there you have it. Utter confusion about OS support verses some application support.

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

I can't supply you with any good news about Internet Explorer. Today as noted at http://www.safecenter.net/UMBRELLAWEBV4/ie_unpatched/ there are over a dozen noted issues. And these issues can extend over to the Macintosh, so that's no cure.

Rather than continue living with those bugs, I just use Mozilla so I don't open the door to these issues. Your choice on that one.

Bob