There’s no escaping Windows

While running errands this morning I stopped at one of the larger home construction/supply stores in the area. I found the things I needed and proceeded to the check-out counters.

Seeing there was only one manned check-out open I decided to use one of the self-checkout positions. I scanned my items and selected debit card for payment. After reading my card I was asked for my pin number, which I entered.

At that moment the Point of Sale (POS) system froze. No responses, no error messages and no reaction to any screen touches or button pushes. I called the person over that was monitoring the self-checkout stations and told them that I thought it was hung up. They stood there a few minutes and then said they would have to call technical support.

I was at a loss as to what my options were. I had entered my card and pin so I may have payed for my items or I may have not.

I stood-by as the POS system rebooted itself prior to any support staff being reached. The screen went black and then in a few moments a booting Microsoft Windows XP screen appeared and the system began a long boot up process that included checking for updates and current firmware for devices.

The attendant had reached someone in technical support just as another of the self-checkout positions also rebooted on its own. Out of curiosity I asked if they knew what could have caused this and my question was relayed to the support person.

His official reply was “Oh It sometimes just happens with Windows, we don’t know why.”

Support did confirm from looking at the processed transactions that my card had not been charged and I was able to pay elsewhere.

As I was walking out the door with my new purchases I noticed the POS position was still booting.

Goodbye Windows, till next we meet. :-)