How to get stubborn clients off of XP?

[VirtualLarry]

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.

 

[lxskllr]

Add $500 to the price. That might get them to switch. If not, you're getting paid extra for dealing with the POS that is XP. ~$300 for the software, and $200 for you having to deal with it :^)

 

[Dahak]

You just have to try to explain to them the benefits of moving to win 7. I know I have had to pretty much just force them to go to it, but there maybe some that will absolutely refuse, but seeing as its very difficulty to get now that helps a bit.

Depending on how well you know the people you are building the machine for you could try

Install windows 7 without a key and it will work for 30days, and let them use it and see if they will stick with it. if so just pop the key in and activate it.

This will only work if its Pro or higher --
If not and they absolutely want to stay with xp, you can get the oem version of pro and exercise the Downgrade rights which allow you to put xp pro on the machine from a previous media and key from the old machine, as long as its not a factory oem ie hp, dell
Downgrade Rights

 

[jhansman]

Some people have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century. Perhaps they still have the debacle that was Vista ringing in their ears and figure Win7 is just more of the same. If you have a machine with Win7 installed that they can use for a spell, that might get them over the hump. In any case, all the explaining in the world about how much better one OS is over the other will usually fall on deaf ears. I have clients who simply refuse to give up their XP machines for fear of the unknown. So be it...

 

[Corporate Thug]

show price for xp v. win 7

 

[beginner99]

Add $500 to the price. That might get them to switch. If not, you're getting paid extra for dealing with the POS that is XP. ~$300 for the software, and $200 for you having to deal with it :^)

this. and I would charge more than $500 because who knows? maybe the first copy you buy of ebay won't activate.

 

[thescreensavers]

W7 or bust, its not that different. Much more secure and much less susceptible to issues. Not to mention many apps are not being updated in XP which leaves more security holes.

Give them an analogy they can understand, 10 year old car vs 2 year old Car, both are similar but the 2 year old car less issues and more reliable... or something heh

You will fail as a computer guy installing XP on someones machine in 2011.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

here's an article I just read on this subject:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/clock...agglers/60891?tag=search-results-rivers;item1

 

[nemesismk2]

I am a stubborn windows xp user but atleast I also have a computer with windows 7 ultimate as well. I use windows 7 pc for serious stuff and windows xp pc for gaming some old games and some new etc

 

[dualsmp]

If it's a new computer your building, you can't use an OEM copy?

 

[Sheep]

Aside from charging them for the actual cost of an XP license and then some as others have suggested, if they're really that ignorant, just tell them XP won't work on a modern machine with new hardware. This isn't *entirely* untrue.

 

[DrGreen2007]

Tell them XP isnt listed as supported by the manufacturer (if it isnt of course) then if they still want XP, sell them XP, install XP and install whatever XP drivers are available.
Maybe they wont miss having sound or LAN available...

 

[Anteaus]

Tell them XP isnt listed as supported by the manufacturer (if it isnt of course) then if they still want XP, sell them XP, install XP and install whatever XP drivers are available.
Maybe they wont miss having sound or LAN available...

Buying XP is not exactly easy to do these days. Even with the downgrade it's still a PITA. I'd just tell them straight up that it isn't possible and that it's in their best interest to move forward.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If it's a new computer your building, you can't use an OEM copy?

But where can you get legitimate, non-counterfeit, non-branded OEM copies? Most of the places selling at least non-counterfeit copies, are selling branded OEM copies (restore discs).

 

[timswim78]

Demo XP-mode for them perhaps.

 

[HeXen]

Install W7, then put an XP skin on.
simple.
i think classic shell lets you do just that.

 

[Saint Nick]

I usually just tell them that M$ isn't going to be supporting it in the long term.

 

[Spicedaddy]

Can't buy new cars with 10-year old engines.

Same with computers.

 

[corkyg]

I have just such a client. It is not that they would not like Windows 7, but that they have specific software packages that will not run on Windows 7. They have been using them for several years and don't want to change. So, it was mantioned before, but I installed Microsoft's XP in their VM in Win 7 Pro, and all their old software ran just fine. I got the lady to do that. In time, she may find newer software compatible with Win7. These are mostly :crafters" who create graphics items, clock faces, candy wrappers, bookmarks, etc. that they sell.

That is why some OEMs offer machines with XP downgrades.

 

[gmaster456]

Just give it to them straight. XP is 10 years old now, is less or even non compatible with modern hardware, typically costs more, less secure, less support, harder to use and maintain, hard to find. the clock is running out.
Also give them an analogy they will understand, the car one above is good.
If none of those work, track down a copy of XP, install it, and wait for them to come crawling back to you.

 

[xSauronx]

Aside from charging them for the actual cost of an XP license and then some as others have suggested, if they're really that ignorant, just tell them XP won't work on a modern machine with new hardware. This isn't *entirely* untrue.

its actually pretty damn true...we use lots of dell at work, optiplexes from 240s on to 780s. the next model we are trying to get working with xp is a 790 or something, and its being a pain. laptops are a nightmare.

if its software compatibility you have to deal with, id want to try win 7 w/ an xp vm, or xp mode or whatever its called and see if that can deal with their software.

otherwise, even my dad moved to windows 7 without me needing to help him, and he has needed help attaching things to emails until about a year ago.

 

[wirednuts]

i would build an xp machine for someone anyday. and tell them AS IS MOFO.

its bad enough to install and setup winxp... but to maintain it, just forget it. win7 makes winxp seem like win95

 

[craftech]

Some people have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century. .

Windows XP was first released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001.

John

 

[corkyg]

"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.

 

[HeXen]

Install W7, then put an XP skin on.
simple.
i think classic shell lets you do just that.

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.