Announcements and Bitches
If you people aren't aware of it already, "Big Names" buy you big price tags!! Initially, it may sound/feel/smell/look good, but the more "propietory the system is (Packard Bell, IBM, Compaq, etc) the less more difficult it is to get 'good' parts (at a lower price!). (sigh) The more generic a computer you buy, the easier they are to maintain, upgrade, repair, troubleshoot.... and on and on.. ALWAYS!! call a local "computer consultant" and ask him! about the system you're looking into, and what you want to do with it. Yes, we're "in business" to deal with computers, but in that same thought, we don't like kha-kha equipment because we're always fighting with it to make it run the way a customer thinks it ought to. Therefore, we'll tell you, straight out, what we think. It's just the way most of us tend to be. If you spend money, spend it wisely.
Customer 11/13/2007 06:03 PM
I spend a LOT of money on this software only to get told that I can't log on due to my keycode being in use!! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, People! NO-ONE has seen the inside of my cd case, let alone ever TOUCHED it!! I am, to say the least, FURIOUS! WHAT is going on here?!?
Response (Thien Nguyen) 11/14/2007 02:36 AM
Hello and thank you for
contacting
Activision Customer Support,
Be sure that your computer is not
behind a software or hardware firewall of any kind. This includes
firewalls built into routers or other equipment, as well as programs
like Zone Alarm, Black Ice, and the integrated firewall in Windows
XP. Activision does not support the use of our games from behind a
firewall. If it is not possible to disable the firewall you will need
to open the ports for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Call of Duty 4
transmits and receives network traffic on port 28960 (UDP/TCP). The
exact details on opening a port is specific to your firewall. For
more information check with the firewall documentation or
manufacturer.
Another common cause of problems is a poorly
configured router or connection sharing solution. If you are using a
router, ICS, NAT or a software gateway you may have problems playing
on the internet. This is because the router may not be forwarding the
correct information back to your machine. It may be possible to get
around this problem using port forwarding or DMZ. You can find more
information on configuring shared connections for multiplayer gaming
at www.practicallynetworked.com. Please be aware that like a firewall
we cannot actively support using shared connections to play
online.
The most common cause of problems though is usually
the simplest - an overburdened network stack. By default many
computers have protocols the average person doesn't use; things like
VPN or NDISWAN. You may want to contact your ISP to find out exactly
which protocols you can safely remove. Often times network game
problems are resolved by something as simple as removing unused
adapters and protocols.
The problem may also be related to the
status of your ISP or that of the server. Due to the dynamic nature
of the internet and the variable levels of traffic, it is impossible
to completely eliminate this error. If you are having persistent
problems you may wish to try a different server, or just wait and
play a little while later.
You may have conflicting programs
running in the background that may be intefering with your connection
and forcing a cd key code in use error, shutdown your background
programs using the following procedure:
Windows will have some
programs pre loading without prompting you. You can use the system
configuration utility in Windows XP and Windows Vista to tell windows
not to pre-load these background programs that can interfere with the
game.
1. Go to your start button and select RUN and in the
box labeled OPEN type MSCONFIG and press the OK button.
2. Click
on the tab that reads SERVICES
3. Check the box that reads "Hide
all Microsoft Services"
4. Click on the button that reads
"DISABLE ALL"
5. Now click on the tab that reads START
UP.
6. Click on the button the reads "DISABLE ALL" and
press the OK button. Windows will prompt you to restart the system.
7. Once windows restarts then you may get a message that the
SELECTIVE STARTUP has been used.
8. Just close the message box.
Now try the game.
Thank you for contacting Activision Customer
Support, if you have any other questions, we will be happy to address
them.
Customer 11/14/2007 09:09 AM
DID ANYONE ACTUALLY READ
MY
COMPLAINT?!?!?
You sent me back a 'canned' response for dumb MS
users, which add insult to injury!! I'm a computer CONSULTANT! I
build these things! I know more about them then most of your IT
folks! NOW, WHY IS MY KEY BEING USED BY SOMEONE ELSE, AFTER I SPENT
HARD-EARNED MONEY?!? Do you have ANY security? Do you actually have
anybody there that CAN answer questions?!? I'm about two breaths away
from turning this over to our attorneys to file a breach of contract
law-suit against your company! I expect a REAL, LIVE answer, before
end of business, TODAY!
Response (Sam Akiki) 11/14/2007 02:26 PM
Hello,
The information we sent
is relevant. This error can sometimes be caused by network issues.
Please follow the previous instructions to check for any network
issues. Also please note that once the game and CDkey are in your
possession they are your responsibility. Activision can not provide
security for your computer. If you have any further questions feel
free to contact us.
Customer 11/14/2007 02:57 PM
Bull! Having already logged on, played multiple times and then, SUDDENLY not being able to because someone else is using MY keycode does NOT resolve back to MY MACHINE/NETWORK being at fault. It resolves down/back to you and your company! Now, I want to know what you are going to do to resolve this, WITHOUT trying to shift blame back to me! As I said originally, NO-ONE has ever touched my cd case, let alone been allowed to open it and view the keycode!! Yet, I can no longer play because someone else is USING MY KEYCODE! This is NOT the fault of my equipment, my network, my firewall, my router, my neglect and I resent your attempts to make it seem so. Someone else has my keycode, from my legitimately purchased copy of YOUR game. I want resolution, NOW! As it stands now, until this IS resolved, all ActiVision games have been removed from our shelves and the gaming computers in my business. Oh yeah. I own a computer store and gaming center and until this is resolved, I will NO LONGER support ActiVision or allow their products to be sold or recommended by my sales people.
Response (Sam Akiki) 11/15/2007 07:12 AM
Hello,
Do you have Xfire
installed on your system?
Customer 11/15/2007 11:05 AM
Response (Sam Akiki)
11/15/2007 07:12
AM
Hello,
Do you have Xfire installed on your system?
No.
My machine has no IM software installed. I have the Windows hard
drive ONLY for gaming. No other software (other then the Windows
Updates) has been installed.
I will reitterate. My machine is
behind multiple firewalls, all configured for maximum protection. I
was able to log on, join servers and play without issue for two days
(reaching Gunny II) and then the next day I was unable to as someone
else was playing, using MY keycode. My machine is NOT compromised,
nor are my networks. I have analayzed them and there are no
weeknesses and all log files are clean.
Response (Sam Akiki) 11/15/2007 12:13 PM
Hello,
Send me your key. I will
test it here.
Customer 11/15/2007 12:23 PM
I'll need you gpg/pgp key and you'll need to install and sign mine. If you send me an email address, I'll send you a mail that has instructions on where to retrieve mine from.
Customer 11/15/2007 12:24 PM
Also, I've found that my key is usually being used in the evenings (from 18:00 PST to 23:00)
Response (Sam Akiki) 11/15/2007 12:31 PM
Hello,
I do not have a PGP key.
Send it through here. I can assure you that no one on the outside can
see these communications.
Customer 11/15/2007 12:36 PM
I'm sorry Sam but I won't send that info in plain text. As I have explained, I use high security (former Cryptologic Technician) and this page is NOT SSL wrapped so yes, it's all in plain text. I've already checked and verified this. If you want, I WILL give you my phone number that you're welcome to call me and I will give you the info.
Response (Sam Akiki) 11/15/2007 12:43 PM
Hello,
Our web support site is
256bit SSL encripted. Make sure that you click the support link from
our main Activision website to get to the SSL protected support
interface.
Customer 11/15/2007 12:51 PM
http://activision.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/activision.cfg/php/enduser/myq_idp.php?p_sid=lFQ_JPQi&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=&p_li=&p_iid=397066&p_created=1195005804&p_allorg=&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&update_question_btn=Update+Question
is
the webpage I'm on and answering you from. Using a simple
'port-sniffer' software, I'm able to capture and read all the packets
sent between the server and myself. :-( You might want to let the web
admins know. (sniffit -L [ip] )
If you give me your word as a
gentlemen that my sending this to you, via this page will NOT be used
as an excuse to claim I compromised my key, I will do so. But I will
need that, here and in my email before doing so.
Response (Sam Akiki) 11/15/2007 12:55 PM
Hello,
Log in from https://activision.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/activision.cfg/php/enduser/home.php?p_sid=-e32PPQi.
This is the encripted site.
Customer 11/15/2007 12:59 PM
Okay, NOW I am very
uncomfortable!
Reference Call of Duty4: Modern Warfare manual;
Inside of
the front cover,
Section 2; ENTER KEY CODE
Sentence 5;
"No
one from Activsion or Infinity Ward will ever ask you for your Key
Code."
Response (Sam Akiki) 11/15/2007 01:13 PM
Hello,
That statement refers to
unsolicited requests. If you are not comfortable sending the key then
the only other suggestion I have is to return it to the store you
bought it at for an exchange. If you have any further questions feel
free to contact us.
Customer 11/15/2007 01:16 PM
Do I your word that my
sending this to
you, via this page will NOT be used as an excuse to claim I
compromised my key?
I want a resolution to this, but I'm VERY
gun-shy, as I'm sure you can understand.
Response (Sam Akiki) 11/15/2007 01:18 PM
Hello,
I can assure you that if
your key is compromised it is not due to sending it to us through
this page.
Customer 11/15/2007 01:20 PM
(sigh) With my heart in my
throat....
XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Response (Sam Akiki) 11/15/2007 01:41 PM
Hello,
Well I tested your key
and it worked fine. Im not sure what is going on but your key does
not seem to be compromised.
Customer 11/15/2007 01:44 PM
Holy Jumped Up JESUS!! I
do NOT
believe this! After telling you I would not send my info to you
without it being encrypted, YOU sent my key out, in plain text, via a
mail!!
I want to speak to a supervisor, NOW! Give me a direct
contact point, preferable a phone number. I'm FURIOUS with your lack
of security and respect!
Response (Sam Akiki) 11/15/2007 01:54 PM
Hello,
I am not sure what you
are talking about. I did not send an email to anyone. The only place
you key is posted is in this thread.
Customer 11/15/2007 01:57 PM
I don't know what part of
this you
didn't get, so I'll resend it, verbatim.
"After telling
you I would not send my info to you without it being encrypted, YOU
sent my key out, in plain text, via a mail!!
I want to speak
to a supervisor, NOW! Give me a direct contact point, preferable a
phone number."
Customer 11/15/2007 04:03 PM
I'm still waiting for a Supervisor to contact me!!!
Customer 11/15/2007 05:47 PM
17:37 PST
15 November 2007
Keycode
in use
Naw! Nobody else has my key! Naw! You're DRM hasn't
been compromised!
You BEST get a supervisor to contact
IMMEDIATELY as the attorneys are now ready to file the paperwork
against you for breach of contract.
Customer 11/16/2007 09:05 AM
I'm not going to just go
away so you
might as well get a supervisor to contact me!!
You're secure
keys aren't and attached you'll find the proof.
After
stressing that I would not send my keycode to you in plain text for
fear of it being compromised I was suckered into doing it, anyway,
just to have your firm send it back to me in a plain text email. I
want a new game set/keycode set and a letter of apology for your
SERIOUS disrespect/disregard to my privacy and patronage!!
Customer 11/16/2007 02:46 PM
I'm not going to just go away so you might as well get a supervisor to contact me!!
Response (Gary Bolduc) 11/27/2007 10:09 AM
Hello,
Thank you for your interest
and support of Activision products. I am the Customer Support Manager
and your request has been forwarded to me. At Activision, we are
committed to creating a great experience with our products. Your CD
Key has not been compromised in any way. When testing your CD Key
here it works perfectly. No one else has your CD Key unless you gave
it to them. Since for some reason you do not believe us and you still
think your key has been compromised we can offer you the option of
sending in your game to us and we will send you back a new copy with
a new CD Key. That should resolve any fear that your original CD KEY
was compromised. If you choose to do this then please reply with your
name and your complete return mailing address and we will send you
instructions on where to send your game for replacement.
Another
option which may be easier for you would be to return the game to the
retailer and do an even-exchange for another copy of the game.
Reputable retailers have no problem exchanging open software for
another copy of the exact same game. They will not let you exchange
for a different game title. Most stores are fairly reasonable about
exchanging software. I advise speaking to a Manager at the retailer
however, as most of the basic staff has neither the experience nor
authority to accept an exchange. Please refer to the retailers return
or exchange policy for further details.
Customer 11/27/2007 11:17 AM
Response (Gary Bolduc)
11/27/2007
10:09 AM
Hello,
Thank you for your interest and support of
Activision products.
There must be some confusion going here
as I do not any longer nor will ever again support inActiVision.
I
purchased this software on 'day of release' only to find that I was
allowed to play it for two (2) days before "Razor 1911"
cracked your DRM and put out a keygen which allowed someone else to
take control of my game key.
All of your products have been
pulled from our shelves.
All of your products have been purged
from our hard drives.
Never again will any of your products be
sold by our firm or recommended.
Quit the contrary to be
truthful.
We have a running posting of this and six other
'pending issues' with your firm concerning these issues, running on
our website and posted on 'the gaming wall' within our
establishment.
I am the Customer Support Manager and your
request has been forwarded to me.
The original request for a
Supervisor was posted, TWELVE DAYS AGO!! It takes TWO WEEKS for a
supervisor to be brought into the loop of a serious complaint???
If
this is a sign of your being 'committed to creating a great
experience', You Are Failing Horribly!
No surprise there...
At
Activision, we are committed to creating a great experience with our
products.
You're actions and responses (e.g. again trying to
shift the blame back onto the purchaser) show a MUCH DIFFERENT belief
and intent.
Your CD Key has not been compromised in any
way.
Bull-excrement! YOUR TECH/WEBSUPPORT MAILED IT OUT, IN
PLAIN TEXT, TO MY HOTMAIL ADDRESS! Which doesn't even address the
multiple 'keygen' programs I've since found all over the internet
that generate 'valid/usable' key codes to your software!
When
testing your CD Key here it works perfectly.
Sure it does, if
the craker isn't already online! (ref: 11/15/2007 12:24 PM) Did you
even TAKE THE TIME TO back-read what has already been
posted?!?!?
No one else has your CD Key unless you gave it
to them.
Yup! Here we go again. inActiVision's common
response; "It's YOUR fault, not ours!"
My clients refer
to myself, my technicians and our policies as being 'Network Nazis'
due to our insistence that EVERYTHING they send/recieve be encrypted
in a MINIMUM of 128 bit encryption... So, what are the odds "I",
as the owner, would be so seriously stupid as to let anyone see my
game key???
(ref: 11/14/2007 02:57 PM)
Since for some
reason you do not believe us and you still think your key has been
compromised we can offer you the option of sending in your game to us
and we will send you back a new copy with a new CD Key. That should
resolve any fear that your original CD KEY was compromised.
Oh?
Have you come up with some other scheme to protect my key that Razor
1911 or some other craker group hasn't circumvented? If so, I would
like a full and in-depth explanation of it for my analysist to look
through. If not, why in the name of all the gods would I take the
time/energy to package everything up, put it into a shipping
container, schedule UPS for a pick-up and pay more money for shipping
just to get another copy and have some script-kiddie run his keygen
and come up with my new key?!?!
If you choose to do this
then please reply with your name and your complete return mailing
address and we will send you instructions on where to send your game
for replacement.
Another option which may be easier for you
would be to return the game to the retailer and do an even-exchange
for another copy of the game.
Why would I punish a retailer
for your short-comings? I grew up in 'retail'. The store receives
MAYBE 30% of the original cost of returned software, meaning that
this poor business owner would, in-turn, be paying a penalty for
making the horrible mistake of stocking his shelves with your
products!
No, this is YOUR error, YOUR mistake, YOUR costs.
No-One else is paying for this, but inActiVision. PERIOD!
Reputable
retailers have no problem exchanging open software for another copy
of the exact same game. They will not let you exchange for a
different game title. Most stores are fairly reasonable about
exchanging software. I advise speaking to a Manager at the retailer
however, as most of the basic staff has neither the experience nor
authority to accept an exchange. Please refer to the retailers return
or exchange policy for further details.
Again, No-One else
pays for this fiasco but inActiVision!
You/your people
have tried, in every way, to shift the blame back onto me, the
end-user, and away from your company.
You/your people, after my
insistence for security and undeniable paranoia, released my keycode
via a completely insecure medium.
You/your people have shown
beyond reasonable doubt that the end-user is of minor consequence,
albeit a major annoyance.
When you have cleared it, you
are welcome to contact me again and I will give you a temporary phone
number so you can contact me, via a phone call, where I will give you
an address you will ship the new software to. This new software will
be delivered with a 'Will Call' tag for me to put on my old software
to return to you.
I will NOT pay to ship this. I will NOT go
out of my way, any longer, to bring this to an amicable close.
Customer 11/27/2007 11:51 AM
Oh, and don't forget the letter of apology. It is now a requirement, not a request.
Response (Gary Bolduc) 11/27/2007 12:17 PM
Hello,
Once again, Thank you for your interest and support of Activision
products!
Keygens
do not work. We have been using CD Keys since Quake III Arena was
released back in 1999 and have never had proof of a single legitimate
CD Key becoming compromised.
Regarding your replacement, We will
ship you a pre-paid FedEX envelope for you to return you game to us (at
no cost to you) after you provide us with a return mailing address as
previously requested.
Customer 11/27/2007 01:00 PM
No, Gary!
You will send me a new, unopened copy of the game-set, a pre-paid FedEX
envelope and a signed letter of apology.
After
I have inspected, installed and VERIFIED that validity of the
software/keycode, THEN I will put my original package into the FedEx
envelope for return to you.
I no longer have ANY faith in you/your firm and will not 'hope' you
send me a legitimate copy after returning mine.
Gary,
I'm quite sure you feel I'm being unfair or belligerent here and I very
well may be, but I have NOT had anything near what I would call good
service or upright behavior in this matter. Subsequently, I will no
longer flex is this situation.
You send me a replacement, the letter of apology and I'll return my
originals to you after verifying the validity.
========================================
Well, after weeks of fighting with these clowns I gave up. As you can see, IT IS ALL MY FAULT and that is their stance. Wish a heavy heart I repackaged my game and returned to the shop where I purchased it. The young fellow behind the counter listen to my woes, sadly shaking his head, took my package, walked into the back and CAME OUT WITH AN UNOPENED BOX!
WooHoo! for vendors who listen!
It seems I was only one of a NUMBER of people that had fallen into this abys! Thankfully (for the vendor) InActivision DOES refund / replace faulty stuff to the vendors so they had just decided that instead of loosing customers, they'd take a lead roll in being better then the builder.
Oh, if you're wondering about CoD5 - WoW, keep the money in your pocket. It was a total waste of time and effort. I DID borrow the game from a mate and played it, thinking 'It really can't be that bad!' and was sadly disappointed. It was.
Old Bitches
Well, I find myself needing to express my total dislike of a company that I, had up until a short time ago, respected....
GateWay!!
Take it from someone who deals with companies,
computers, and
peripherals for a living, this company is NOT out to support the
customer as they lead you
to believe in their television commercials!!
Thrice now I've had to call them after discovering
errors in equipment,
software, drivers, etc.... Each of these times it's felt as though I
have a "caring
soul" on the other end of the line. That is UNTIL the kha-kha hits the
ventilator
system!! Then they conveniently loose the call-in info, "forget" to log
the
call, or just plain hang-up.
Remember people, these are NOT technical folk that
you are calling.
These are trained monkeys who know how to look in a reference book or
computer for the
"quick fix". And if there isn't a "fix" available, you may end up
having some dolt running you through hoops for HOURS. And not
necessarily to correct what
you intended. If they keep you on the line, then they don't have to
take other calls!!!
Twice now I've had to re-call them on simple
problems.
Once on a CD-ROM that died and was "supposedly"
being
replaced. We were told that we would receive a call within 72 hours to
arrange delivery.
Two weeks later, when I phoned them again, they attempted to make me go
BACK to the
clients business, re-run all the troubleshooting, etc, before they
would authorize a
replacement. I informed them that we had already done this, gave them
the "badge
number" and name of the original person we had spoken with. They STILL
insisted that
they couldn't ship out a replacement until the "troubleshooting" had
been done.
That's when I asked for a supervisor.
Supervisors..... The idiot that watches the morons on the phone.
Anyhow, this "lost soul" was just as worthless as
the
first dupe. I RE-explained that we had called, run through their
prescribed
"testing", the date of the testing, the person we had talked to, etc...
He
"Hmmm'ed" as he pulled up the records, and Low-And-Behold, weren't
there.
"Well, I'd be glad to authorize a replacement be
shipped to
you, but we need to run through this troubleshooting to verify that the
ROM has in-deed
ceased functioning."
"Hey moron. Didn't you hear a SINGLE word I've told
you?!? We DID
the testing! We WERE authorized a replacement! We HAVE jumped through
all of your hoops!
You're employee dropped the ball. Not myself. Not my client. It's YOUR
responsibility to
follow-through. Not ours to MAKE DAMN SURE YOU DO!!"
"Uh, well, errrr, ummmmm. I'm sorry, but I can't
authorize a
replacement until we verify...."
"GIVE ME YOUR SUPERVISOR!! It's apparent I'm
speaking to a
parrot!"
"The Main Supervisor is out today. I'm filling in
for him."
"Give me his HOME phone number. I WILL not go out to
my clients,
wait for 30 minutes on hold, re-do the work I've already done, and
charge them AGAIN for
the stupidity of your firm!! Give me his HOME number NOW!!"
"Can you hold please?
"Absolutely NOT!!"
"Ummm, well, errrr, You say you already checked the
machine with
one of our techs?
"Yeah, Five times I've told you, or one of yours,
this"
"Well,..... I guess we can send a replacement then"
.....
Be aware of these facts!!
If you purchase one of these machines, you're at THEIR mercy!!
If they are there for you, great.
But if they choose not to be, then you're screwed!!