Looking for support help (beware - rant inside)

D

Dave Lowndes

I've been told that one of the publishing problems I see on Project Server
2002 can be fixed by obtaining a hotfix. The problem is that resource
information does not always get updated to PWA when saving, publishing and
closing a project in Project Proefessional 2002.

Apparently I don't pay for the hotfix if it can solve my problem.

I'm in Japan.

If I look for online support services I get to the stage where my "Software
Assurance Access ID" is required. All the links just take me in a roundabout
way back to this point.

- How do I get a Software Assurance Access ID?
- Do I have to pay for this?
- How do I know that the hotfix can fix my problem. I don';t like the idea
of paying $99 for a phone call to be told my problem cannot be fixed and
that I should pay for the full version of Project Server 2003 - becuase no
upgrade is available
- Is MS likely to bring out a service pack containing these hotfixes soon.
AFAIK there are sevreal hotfixes released which are not available in a
Service Pack.

<rant>
This is incredible frustrating. I'm held to ransom for bug fixes (my time is
valuable spent chasing this up) meanwhile my project managers are left
languishing dealing with quirks in the software with fixes hidden behind
some web of support complexity and cost. If I'm not careful I end up paying
handsomely for nothing at all. I will be fighting every inch of the way to
avoid upgrading to 2003 since this is the way I'm treated as a customer.
</rant>

Dave
 
G

Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]

Dave:

Hotfixes are free. If you know the hotfix number, you can obtain the hotfix
by calling Microsoft support. I can't speak for Japan, but in the US, the
IVR system has been updated to include a selection for hotfixes that dumps
you into the correct queue. If you don't know the hotfix number, then you'll
have to give your credit card number to start the call, once the support
technician determines that your problem is, in fact, bug related, the fee is
waived.

As much as we can complain about Microsoft's service, I defy you to point to
a hardware vendor that isn't 10 times worse!
 
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