Xerox: Workers to pull Windows XP copies

The company is warning employees not to install the test version of Windows XP after a hardware glitch on a machine running the new operating system leads to network outages.

Jan. 2, 2002 4:43 p.m. PT

Xerox is warning employees not to install the test version of Windows XP after a hardware glitch on a machine running the new operating system led to network outages at the company.

Xerox spokeswoman Kara Choquette said a bug caused three separate outages at California facilities, primarily at the company's El Segundo, Calif., location, between March 30 and April 4. The problem was not caused by the new operating system, but rather by an unnamed company's hardware when used with Windows XP. Nonetheless, Xerox has pulled the XP beta from its machines.

"Removing the software was just the best way to prevent the problem from happening," Choquette said. "The vendor is aware of the bug and is working on the issue."

Stamford, Conn.-based Xerox sent its 50,000 workers an e-mail last week, warning that anyone installing Windows XP or any non-standard software or technology face could disciplinary action.

Microsoft released the latest beta version of Windows XP last month. The software, which is the successor to both Windows ME and Windows 2000, is set to go on sale late this year.