The whole Windows situation just pisses me off in general. OK, you have a (almost) total lock on the OS market. That doesn't mean you can totally ignore things like, say, quality and performance.

I mean, it's not like I'm trying to do anything special. I just upgraded my OS (for the SOLE purpose of being able to use my iPod, btw, thank *you* Apple for that) and now I want my hardware configuration to be the way its supposed to be.

OH! And also? Would it freaking kill Microsoft to have a free call in helpline for licensed users? Like every person gets 5 free phone calls even. I've owned a Windows machine since 1997 and I've gone through Windows 95, 98, ME, and now XP and, frankly, this is the first time I've had a real problem that I can't work out how to fix.

Someone here at work suggested deleting the RW off my hardware profile because it shows up there and maybe it'll reinstall correctly when I restart.

If that doesn't work it'll be time to call the step-brother even though he's taken to wearing a t-shirt that says, "I'm not your IT department."

/off rant