Vista Express hassles continue

People who bought XP machines over Christmas are still having problems getting a promised free "Vista Express" upgrade even though they applied before the deadline.
PCW's website was flooded with complaints, after Vista's January launch, from people having problems with getting the upgrade from Moduslink, the company Microsoft contracted to deal with the scheme in Europe.

They were given until March 31 to apply and until May 31 to resolve any problems with their order.

PCW reader Tony Simmons told us how he applied in February and after a series of mix-ups and glitches Moduslink finally tried his charge his Debit Card for the administration fee in May – by which time had it had expired.

Moduslink refused to accept his new card number, and told him his upgrade application had timed out and would be cancelled.

Moduslink said his supplier Mesh should resolve the problem; Mesh told him it was Microsoft's task. Michael Meape, of Mesh Computers, us: "The only people who can fulfill this would be Moduslink".

A Microsoft spokesman said the Vista Express deal was an issue for Moduslink and the PC vendor.

A Moduslinks spokeswoman said the company could not by law take payment from a card until they could supply the product it was paying for, and Vista shipments were delayed in some case until the end of April.

The upgrade was cancelled for "a small group of customers … when we were unable to process payment."

She claimed: "We contacted all affected customers informing them that they would need to re-enter their order and provide valid payment in order to complete the transaction."

She said that customers who did not comply with the request to provide payment would need to contact their PC vendor.

A disgruntled Simmons said: "This customer has been hung out to dry by the three parties [even though] I have gone through all the right steps in claiming my upgrade."

There's a fuller version of the Moduslink statement here.