What Happens When You Call Microsoft Support To Remove Linux?
Linux, Microsoft, Video April 1st, 2008
This April Fools’ Day it needs to be special. And by special, I mean truly EPIC.
I’ve been brainstorming for weeks about what I would do, and I’ve had some real killer ideas that would unfortunately fall flat on their face during execution. One idea I had was to bridge the #emacs and #vim internet chat rooms with clones that relayed messages from one room into another, one clone per person. When I saw there was 250+ people in each room, I figured it would be nearly impossible to pull off without a lot of help – someone would notice all the clones and it would be over.
Then a stroke of genius struck me: For this April Fools’ day, I’ll call Microsoft to help me uninstall Linux. Yes, that’s right. Microsoft would willingly help me uninstall Linux, they even have a Knowledgebase article on it, and all I would need to do is tell them I’m having some problems following the KB article, and they would helpfully guide me through it.
This prank would need PROOF that it happened, not just my word – and nothing is better to prove that something happened than video. But first there were some legalities to figure out… can I record the phone call?
I did some research, and sure enough, Utah is a one-party consent state. If at least one party (aka me) consents to recording, I’m in the clear. However, I’m calling a company based out of Washington – and they’re a two-party consent state (for the most part).
What happens when you’re calling across state lines? Federal law takes precedence as far as I can tell, and that my friends is where I get carte blanche – federal law states that at least one party needs to consent.
Wayne – 1, Microsoft – 0.
I got the camera ready, found my copy of Windows XP Professional Edition, printed out the KB article in case I needed it while my machine was down, and called their support number and drilled down through the voice menus to get to someone who would transfer me to the right person.
Silly youtube disabled embedding. My appologies! Can view the video at the below link.
I don’t want to spoil the fun, just watch the video and see what unfolded.
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Tags: install windows xp, microsoft support, uninstall linux
I HATE YOU I WENT ALL DAY WITHOUT GETTING RICKROLLED AND YOUR EFFIN VIDEO AHBFIJGOPJNEROJNGHOJNRFHSOJNGH ETGKNOROPJNGWERSDTG OJNWETRG IOETITJETWEE
I hate you for this, Wayne. -_-
No, in all seriousness, everyone gets Rickrolled sometime and you were the first one to get me. Cheers.
I can tell you’re from Northern Utah by your area code (801).
Um, I think the algorithm for interstate calls is that the jurisdiction that applies is the state of the calling party. So you’re still in the clear.
But what’s with the preppy wanker music video?
Did they give you the preppy wanker music loop in hopes you’d hang up?
BASTARDS!
[...] writer of Fsckin w/ Linux and his experiences with calling Microsoft for assistance with removing Linux so he can install [...]
Haha, oh wow.
Epic does not begin to describe how awesome that is.
Agh! If Linux had a support line I would expect to here friendlier people. Teehee. Also, Nice surprise ending
You win a million Internets.
[...] sgsnoopy in OS Been reading around for April’s Fool jokes… other than the Google one, this one came across as funny. Heh… I never thought someone would abuse it. On another note, I thought [...]
Looks like this is gonna get dugg, so I’ll lock down the page to avoid overloading the server – kinda stuck in this situation until I can upgrade to Wordpress 2.5 in a few days.
Um, WTF? I expected to see your experience with Microsoft, all I saw was some stupid pop music video. Thanks for nothing.
Haha thats soooo funny! I got rick rolled, I can’t believe it!
*sarcasm*
you got me, you bastard. Great rick roll
Don’t even bother watching – so lame – what starts off as a great idea turns into the shittiest bait & switch ever.
Seems like if they tell you they’re recording the call, that amounts to consent to record them.
Aghghghgh!!!
Awesome!
Damn you. Damn you to hell. That’s the fifth time today.
Now I’m no stranger to Microsoft Customer support, but it seems to me that the rep should know the rules. I know I do. All I ask of Microsoft is Customer Service that fully commits to helping me. Quite frankly, they’re the only people who can provide me with it.
Great Job!
Actually, in a call across state lines, it’s not federal law that takes precedence; it’s the most restrictive of the two states’ policies, so you technically violated Washington state law.
Okay, on 1st of April you would’ve gotten a smile but it is EXTREMELY annoying to get fooled, the 2nd of April.
Can’t belive you got on Digg, bunch of retards.
god damn Rick RoLLED!
Oh wow.
Was told to watch this video, was told it was hilarious, sadly got rickroll’d. GG.
Pretty lame.
Damned, I forgot all about April Fools Day.
Wayne….way to waste a companies money…. I hope they trace you and charge you for their time and expenses….
You complete and utter SHITE!!! I love it!!
This doesn’t count as a rick roll. This is dumb.
I must admit: That was good. That’s the first time I’ve been genuinely Rick Roll’d =]
xD, I love that video.
Useless article.
I don’t get it… I mean, it would have been interesting had they not known how to deal with it, or if they had done…well, anything out of the ordinary. But no. Oh, and I don’t mind being rickrolled – after “internetisseriousbusiness.com” I’m immune.
The reserve process is much simpler. Here’s the support page:
http://goodbye-microsoft.com/
Ben, yeah because the #linux channel is really friendly
Thanks for Rickrolling me. I’ve avoided it this whole time.
Awesome.
I can’t believe I feel for it again
Never understood why his voice is so deep when he looks so young. Rick I mean…
Wayne has bar dollars.
Why? :/
Damn you!
OMG RICK ROLLED !!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!
First time I got rickrolled.
Pretty funny, but why the music video at the end?
I’ve volantarily looked at rick rolls in my day, but this single handidly is the best rick roll ever and the first rick roll.
I commend you good sir, good work!!
Fuck it! thats like the hundredth time and it was so legit in the beginning… GRRRRR…
[...] There is a first time for everything. Like calling Microsoft on April Fools’ Day to help uninstall Linux. [...]
YOU ARE A SON OF A BITCH!!!!
GOD DAMN IT
FUCK FUCK FUCK…
2 TIMES IN ONE DAY
SHIT SHIT SHIT
BEST RICKROLL I HAVE SEEN IN A WHILE.
great song.
btw, is he still alive? rick astley?
Augh! That’s a new one for me. Embedded rickroll!
Oh damn. Most tasteful Rick Roll yet. I loled quite hard, thanks a lot you made my day
You ought to hide the comments for now
– I read it was a rickroll before
watching it then just fastforwarded
through to see the good stuff.
So how do i uninstall linux?
So, this is “the stroke of genius” you talk about??
Congrats, you had a prank that had been done exactly 45,894,786 times.
Eh, not that hilarious of an April Fools’ Prank, you’re just a nerd, the video takes too long and is boring…
Nice one !
LOL!
lol and they thought they where being so helpful! yolks on you micro$oft! ^_^
what is linux anyways? someone should beat you up…
You know you didn’t even have to check about 2 party consent, the fact that they have a pre-recorded “your call may be recorded” is an immediate acceptance that they will be recording your call. You staying ON the line after hearing it is also consent on your part.
Don’t ever tell your customer service rep that your recording the call as they’re instructed to disconnect the call, but in all legal purposes that little recording is consent on microsofts part.
figures, coming from linux fans
when linux has support, publish this
when linux has a single os release, publish this
when linux has a single complete program, publish
until then, watch you gay videos
Thanks a lot. I so did not need that.
Why oh Why didn’t I read the comments first?!
I was listening to this in the background while I did other things, and all the sudden there was spontaneous rick roll music and I couldn’t figure out what was causing it
Very funny situation.
I think M$ should relocate their resources to become more open in their business, instead of trying to help people to do crazy stuff.
I don’t get it. I feel a bit embarrassed when I don’t understand people’s jokes.
evil bastard.
yes, 1,000,000 internets.
the new Emmy/Grammy/Golden Globe and all that
other USA Hollywood bullshit – they are so over!!!!
Award!
You get the award.
Ah f- I gotta go to work.
I hate Microsoft.
Keep up the good work.
[...] Microsoft will willingly help me uninstall Linux, they even have a Knowledgebase article on how to do it, and all I would need to do is tell them I’m having some problems following the KB article, and they will (hopefully) guide me through the process. Here [...]
I didn’t know about this whole rick-thing and it doesn’t really bother me other than I want to know what Microsoft told you later on.
Good idea ruined.
Hvad sker der når man ringer til Microsoft support for at få fjernet sin Linux?…
Blog skriveren har tænkt i ugevis for at finde en original 1. april joke.
Og så fandt han på at ringe til Microsoft support for at få hjælp til at fjerne sin Linux installation. Læ hvordan det gik.
http://www.fsckin.com/2008/04/01/what-happens-w…
Everyone got RickRolled because YouTube changed all their links to that video on April 1st.
you’re gay
This sucks
pointless. so what if microsoft tried to help you? tell them you want to reinstall linux and they would hang up. but you told them you wanted to reinstall xp, so of course they’d help. what a pointless and stupid prank.
Greg Ryan, you turd, you friggin rickrolled us.
Watch your back, gay boy!!!!
never EVER have i been rickrolled. NEVER! goddamnit
Mad Propz on the music interjection choice, :@
O nvm thgt u had mor cal. . . . U SUcK
I m M**tha F*c*in SHarRK on PHnz. . .
Isell = SUck4z G37z Ro113d A11z d4y l0n@!!!!
shulda pnt a SHarRK on SUck4!!!!
You truly suck. truly.
so lame it’s unbelievable.
are you aware of how lame you are ?
i really came here hoping to laugh, unfortunately, no one warned me of how lame you are
LAME !!!!!
GET A LIFE !!!!
Where’s the video?!?!
This video is no more available. This is the message I get when I click the play button.
???
Ah, the Jim Neighbors of 1980’s pop music.
I had successfully forgotten him. Oh well.
[...] some problems following the KB article, and they will (hopefully) guide me through the process.read more | digg [...]