Jeezes. I feel like a running helpdesk trying to get things all worked out. Apparently, from what I’ve learned up until today, there’s been an error in the image IT created from my original configuration. The error might have appeared while creating the image from the ‘mother’ laptop, or it might have occured whilst putting the image on the network, or while using the network boot to load the image on the other laptops. Whatever way it is, there’s something wrong and it’s somewhat my fault, I guess.
So, what have I been up to these last ten days? I installed and formatted the test-Vaio about 9 times from scratch, using the original Windows Vista Ultimate that came with every laptop, then I installed Office again, then all the drivers and utilities from the Sony site, then the sidebar. When it was all done, I tried every known issue, until it was unreproducable.
The there’s a tiny little small issue with OneCare. I can activate it, it’s added to my Live account, but it doesn’t seem to be able to communicate with the software on the laptop, because that seems to keep on believing I’m still running the trial however the serial key has been entered and accepted. Ugh. Luckily some people are on it, trying to fix it asap, so I can get the other bloggers to enjoy the same service and normally, in the end, everything will work smoothly.
That said, if there’s anyone out there who has issues with Vista and Vaio combined, I think in the meantime I qualify as a certified problem solver… This sooo reminds me of the time when I was working at an ISP and I spent my lunches laughing with the guys over at the helpdesk… with the people who called in. Karma always comes back to haunt you. Trust me.
Other than that, the good news is I finally actually got to help out Tom Raftery, and also Hans Mestrum who’re now able to run Second Life on Windows Vista, just like I am. And on the Vaio. Yeey.
So, before I head to Vegas I’ll fire off an email to all bloggers and describe the install procedure from scratch, should they have the need to reinstall. Sorry for the inconvenience guys. I didn’t really think it would be this tricky to do a sysprep and copy the image you created afterwards.
