How to get stubborn clients off of XP?

[Anteaus]

So i guess no one liked my idea? I mean even XP apps should beable to run in compatibility mode and you can make them do that automatically without manually selecting it.

it also wouldnt be hard to make W7 look and function like XP. You could even change the boot screen to match it and chances are, they wouldn't be the wiser.

But of course if those apps still don't function and they don't like the idea of Virtualization then just tell them they are SOL.

You're talking about people who have been using XP for many years. The differences would be easy to spot, even if you made efforts to skin.

 

[corkyg]

But of course if those apps still don't function and they don't like the idea of Virtualization then just tell them they are SOL.

Yep! And that's why I lit the candle.

 

[wpshooter]

You say that they are not wanting to switch from XP to 7 ?

Are you positive that their objection (as is mine) is not of moving from XP to 7 but instead of moving from an older M/S office suite like 2003 to one of the more recent versions like 2007 or 2010 (I think those may be the latest incarnations).

I had the IT people wanting to move me from XP and office 2003 to 7 and office 2010 (I think), like they had previously done every one else in the work site and I told them that I did not want a window 7 machine because all of the other people at the work site were just ranting like mad about having to relearn and find where everything that they knew how to do in office 2003 had been hidden in 2010. After taking a look at some of the other people's new 7 / office 2010 machines, I quickly realized why they were ranting. AND, no there were no efforts by IT to instruct personnel about the changes from office 2003 to 2010. Personnel were left at their own devices to try to find out how to do everything and still keep their work production up to the same level as before.

Also, you did not say what this particular person might be using this new computer for.

If they are perhaps are using it as a home based computer to do only web surfing and word processing, etc., then try installing Ubuntu or Linux MINT on it for free and give them about a 30 minute to 1 hour instruction session on how to find things in these O/Ss and let them be on their merry way !!!!

Good luck from one of those OLD persons.

 

[Munky]

Or, perhaps, they like the way they're used to doing things, and don't feel like adapting their habits to every new fad that comes along? I know how Windows 7 is so "progressive" and how "uncool" Windows XP is, but if it works for them, then you're not exactly doing them a favor by pushing new technology.

 

[rchiu]

I have someone that wants a new computer, theirs is several years old. Only problem is, they insist that they want XP, rather than Windows 7.

I can get Windows 7 for them for their computer easy enough, but Windows XP, you have to pay through the nose for a retail copy off of ebay. (I think I saw a link to some place called "RetroSoftware" selling Win XP Pro Full Retail for $320 on Amazon.com too.)

Anyways, I told the client that if they really wanted Windows XP, they could buy it themselves, and I would install it for them onto the new computer.

But this is really frustrating, that I cannot sell a computer to someone, because they refuse to learn to use Windows 7.

Personally, I think Windows 7 improves on XP nearly all around. I'm running Windows 7 on all of my personal rigs. But some people (older people especially), are very resistant to change, even if that change could be good for them.

Edit: I also named off some places where they could get refurb computers with XP Pro pre-installed, but I worry about the lifespan of those machines, they might not last much longer than the current machine.

You can get xp from legit vendor for $155.95 here:

http://www.buycheapsoftware.com/details~productID~3266.asp

Why is it frustrating when it is you who made the decision to not sell computer with XP when you can easily do that? Your client may have some legit reason to stick with XP, not wanting to learn new interface, have some old program they want to make sure will run on new machine...etc. It's there money and their call.

Sure Win 7 improves on XP but I've seen enough business and individuals with legit reason to keep xp machines, it is both stupid and naive to think the technical advantage of Win 7 is the be all and end all solution for every computer users out there.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You can get xp from legit vendor for $155.95 here:

http://www.buycheapsoftware.com/details~productID~3266.asp

Interesting. I wonder if that's a legit generic MS OEM copy, or a Dell-branded bundled OEM copy. Worth trying, I guess.

 

[Anteaus]

Or, perhaps, they like the way they're used to doing things, and don't feel like adapting their habits to every new fad that comes along? I know how Windows 7 is so "progressive" and how "uncool" Windows XP is, but if it works for them, then you're not exactly doing them a favor by pushing new technology.

True but there are limits. Ever try buying a new car with a carborator instead of fuel injection? Sometimes you need to move on because they don't make what you want, it's as simple as that.

I get that some people are burned into their ways and changing the status quo might make them unconfortable or require them to actually learn something new. Maybe they don't want to have to buy a new software package to do X because they paid $200 back in 2003 and don't want to replace it, but there are times in life where you simply gotta adjust, both in financial and opportunity costs. PCs are not static entities that sit on a shelf in the living room.

On another note, my family doctor still doesn't have a computer in his office and the secretary still does everything by typewriter....that's stubborn. Moving to Windows 7 from XP is trival.

 

[cheez]

I would offer the clients the regin champ Windows 2000 Pro. It's famous.

 

[xgsound]

You could let them use a cheap ($4 or 5 hundred) win7 laptop for a time to play with. That will answer all the questions they won't ask you. If you don't have one buy one. There are $400 15.6 inch laptops with 4 Gig mem and AMD E450 or INTEL B950 cpus at Staples and Costco. Another hundred gets much better cpus.

It wouldn't be practical for every customer or a customer with one machine, but it could keep a favored account even if they don't want Win7.


Jim

 

[pw38]

Since they're old and, as old people are usually patriotic, I'd tell them that MS doesn't support XP anymore so terrorists can get in their computer and bring down America with their islam. I bet it'd work like a charm.

 

[sm625]

Get a win xp upgrade. And then get an old copy of win 98. costs $80 combined and is totally legal.

There are good reasons not to want 7. Like it doesnt frickin fix anythign! And it breaks several things. Like for example if you have a win 98 machine on your network win7 just refuses to access it. Why deal with the trouble if you do not need to? There is literally nothing win 7 offers that is worthwhile.

 

[nemesismk2]

"How to get stubborn clients off of XP? "

After all is said and done, I just light a candle for them when I go to church.

please don't burn down the church with your candle

 

[nemesismk2]

Since they're old and, as old people are usually patriotic, I'd tell them that MS doesn't support XP anymore so terrorists can get in their computer and bring down America with their islam. I bet it'd work like a charm.

that would work on me and I am not even american lol

 

[corkyg]

please don't burn down the church with your candle

That's why the votive candles are in glasses in racks. <LOL>

Anyway, the real reason two of my clients will not switch is that they have several years of investment in "creations" that they sell, and the software used to create, access, and edit thousands of files simply will not run in 7. And, they do not want to re-do things with newer software.

I put two of their "legacy" programs in a Microsoft VM which put XP as a VM in Win 7 Pro, but - they do not want to have to deal with additional layers to access their work.

In one case, the husband has a new laptop with Win 7. He's very cool with it, but mama will not touch it. So, I just smile and deal with it. It ain't no biggie.

 

[gmaster456]

Get a win xp upgrade. And then get an old copy of win 98. costs $80 combined and is totally legal.

There are good reasons not to want 7. Like it doesnt frickin fix anythign! And it breaks several things. Like for example if you have a win 98 machine on your network win7 just refuses to access it. Why deal with the trouble if you do not need to? There is literally nothing win 7 offers that is worthwhile.

Why on earth are you still using a windows 98 machine on your network? And also, the value in getting windows 7 varies on a case by case basis. For me, it has increased my productivity immensely. Maintenance is another thing. Maintaining XP is a job within itself.