Microsoft KB Archive/69468

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

Microsoft Basic Phone Support Policies; 900 Unblocking
Last reviewed: October 21, 1997

Article ID: Q69468

1.00 1.01 1.02 2.00 2.01 3.00 4.00 4.00b 4.50 MS-DOS kbprg B_BasicCom B_GWBasicI B_BasicInt

SUMMARY
The following open letter describes Microsoft's telephone support policies for Microsoft Basic and QuickBasic, as of February 20, 1991:

Dear Microsoft Basic or QuickBasic Customer:

On October 23, 1990, Microsoft announced Microsoft OnCall(TM) for Microsoft Basic. OnCall for Basic offers high-level support, extended service hours, and minimal hold time for all Microsoft Basic products through a 900 phone number or a flat rate added to a toll number. Microsoft offers OnCall for Basic in response to customer demand for faster, more sophisticated support.

&quot;The entry-level support line meets the requirements of most customers who need assistance with installing Microsoft QuickBasic software and getting up to speed. Those who require priority support on more advanced issues now have an additional option with Microsoft OnCall for Basic,&quot; said Charles Stevens, general manager of Microsoft's Data Access Business Unit. Common questions from Microsoft OnCall for Basic customers include inquiries about Microsoft QuickBasic memory management, inter-language calling, and error and event trapping.

Microsoft OnCall for Basic is offered through a 900 phone number at a cost of $2.00 per minute. Hold time will be minimal and customers will not be charged until they reach a technician. Extended service hours are from 6 AM to 6 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST), Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). The Microsoft OnCall for Basic phone number is (900) 896-9999.

In many businesses, universities, and government agencies, the phone systems are blocked from using our 900 phone number. Therefore, you may also access OnCall for Basic through the following unblocking toll number: (425) 646-5102, which is open 6 AM to 6 PM PST, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), with a flat-rate fee of $20.00 per call for programming assistance. Only Master Card, VISA, and American Express credit cards are accepted.

The entry-level phone line for Microsoft QuickBasic supports Microsoft QuickBasic version 4.50 for DOS systems, and Microsoft QuickBasic version 1.00 for Macintosh(R) systems. Technicians will help new Microsoft QuickBasic users get up and running as quickly as possible. The entry-level Microsoft QuickBasic support number is (425) 646-5101. Service hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).

Users of Microsoft Basic Professional Development System and earlier versions of the Microsoft Basic compiler will continue to have unlimited support on the Microsoft Technical Support toll line, which is (425) 637-7096 for Languages and Hardware.

Blain Barton Basic Languages Team Manager Microsoft Technical Support