The Windows Vista Express Upgrade program is anything but express. In order to support PC sales throughout the holiday season of the commercial availability of the operating system, Microsoft introduced in collaboration with the original product manufacturers the Express Upgrade to Windows Vista. The initiative is designed to offer buyers of Windows Vista capable PCs pre-loaded with Windows XP, Vista upgrades to the edition of their choice.

The first two weeks of the aftermath of Vista's launch have been plagued with problems, from compatibility issues, to Vista's failure to outperform XP and to Steve Ballmer's tempering the analysts' revenue projections for the 2008 fiscal year. But it is not over yet for Microsoft. Now there are issues with the delivering of the operating system to eligible customers via the Windows Vista Express Upgrade program.

"Many customers are now asking when we will start shipping the Vista Upgrade. Dell expects to begin shipping the upgrade in the latter part of February. The upgrade availability for some systems like the XPS 710 and 710 H2C will take longer. We're still validating some drivers for high-end graphics cards and gaming peripherals, and still testing compatibility with some gaming software. When we have updated information for XPS 710 and 710 H2C customers," said Lionel Menchaca, Digital Media Manager for Direct2Dell.

But Dell is not a singular case. Not even by a long shot. HP is in a similar tight spot with delivering the Vista Express upgrades. According to HP's website Express Upgrade kits are scheduled to ship "within 6-8 weeks" following the Vista launch.