Jokes

Nearly three months after the launch of Windows Vista, thousands of people are still waiting for their promised upgrade to the new version of Microsoft's operating system. Vista finally launched on January 30, missing the vital Christmas sales period. In order to boost sales of PCs over the festive season, Microsoft and OEMs - computer manufacturers who sell PCs with Windows pre-installled - agreed to offer a scheme under which people who bought PCs with the XP operating system between October 26 last year and March 15 this year could upgrade to Vista for a nominal administrative charge.

However, fulfilment of this huge "Express Upgrade" scheme has left many people still waiting for their upgrade. Internet forums are abuzz with complaints about the delays. Larry Wallis' story is typical. Wallis's three-month wait is a long way from the four-week period that Microsoft says getting these upgrades to customers should take. "It's getting a lot better now," says Robert Epstein, Microsoft UK's Group OEM Manager. "We're getting them out of the door now - they should be shipping within four weeks."