Vista Support/ What is Microsoft's Policy?

I have a fundamental question about Microsoft's Vista support policy.

I have licensed Vista for more than 90 days.

Today I had a Blue Screen Error. A device driver IRQ not equal.
When I attempted to submit a bug report, I found that was impossible without
a credit card of a fee of $30 or $60 dollars.

Is that Microsoft's policy? That I have to pay to submit bug reports?
I understand that it may be my configuration, etc, but if it is a product
bug is Microsoft interested in providing me an answer?
I have seen words about the knowledge base, self-help, communities, and
"would I like to ask a friend for help".

To be straight forward, I know much more about the technical architecture of
Vista I would like.
Vista is one of the few products that I have that need "fixes" applied
continuously.

I would just like the product to work. Period.

Is Microsoft now saying that they will not provide support for fatal errors
like the one I had today?

Even with Windows/XP there were two free support incidents.

I did have a similar experience with Adobe, they wanted a credit card, i
think to even view the knowledgebase.

Am I missing something here?

Thanks,

Retail versions of Vista has free support assistance. If you
have an OEM version, then Microsoft support is not free.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

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"whynot" wrote:

I have a fundamental question about Microsoft's Vista support policy.

I have licensed Vista for more than 90 days.

Today I had a Blue Screen Error. A device driver IRQ not equal.
When I attempted to submit a bug report, I found that was impossible without
a credit card of a fee of $30 or $60 dollars.

Is that Microsoft's policy? That I have to pay to submit bug reports?
I understand that it may be my configuration, etc, but if it is a product
bug is Microsoft interested in providing me an answer?
I have seen words about the knowledge base, self-help, communities, and
"would I like to ask a friend for help".

To be straight forward, I know much more about the technical architecture of
Vista I would like.
Vista is one of the few products that I have that need "fixes" applied
continuously.

I would just like the product to work. Period.

Is Microsoft now saying that they will not provide support for fatal errors
like the one I had today?

Even with Windows/XP there were two free support incidents.

I did have a similar experience with Adobe, they wanted a credit card, i
think to even view the knowledgebase.

Am I missing something here?

Thanks,