Court filing: HP's Hurd complained to Ballmer about rocky Vista upgrades

Mark Hurd

In an e-mail message after Windows Vista's release, Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Mark Hurd complained to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer about the computer maker's "call lines being overrun" with customers' Windows Vista upgrade problems, according to a court filing made public late Wednesday in the Windows Vista Capable lawsuit.

"I'm sure you're aware of this," Hurd told Ballmer.

That's how the plaintiffs characterize the message in a court filing unsealed by the judge in the case. The text of the message hasn't yet been made public in the court record, so the full context of Hurd's e-mail to Ballmer isn't clear. The plaintiffs cited the message in making their argument to quiz the Microsoft chief executive as part of the case.

The filing (PDF, 14 pages) provides more insight into the turmoil that Windows Vista caused in the computer industry, leading up to and following the operating system's January 2007 retail release. That history is notable now because it demonstrates the legacy Microsoft will need to overcome as it works with hardware makers on the upcoming launch of Windows 7, Windows Vista's successor.

Previous filings showed disappointed HP executives responding with disbelief when Microsoft relaxed the requirements for the Windows Vista Capable designation, diminishing the value of the investment HP had made in advanced hardware.