Tech: WIN 8.1

Subject: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: gnu
Date: 28 Feb 14 - 11:09 PM

4 hours. And I cold booted once because it just sat there for a half hour saying it was installing my apps. I don't have any fucking apps. I don't even know what an app is. It told me to sign in but told me that my sign in was wrong (nooooo... same sign in for years) and then wouldn't let me apply for a new one because my email addy was already in use and...... finally I saw the prompt "Go ahead without that shit"...

4 hours. For a fucking Start Button. Fuck Bill Gates.

WIN 8 sucks. Upgrading sucks. Did Bill buy a lot of Apple stock?

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 01:05 AM

You can upgrade to 8.1 but be sure the computer is ready for it. What kind of machine, tell us what the features are?

My suggestion - spend $25 for a one-month subscription to http://www.lynda.com/. That site has tons of training videos. I used two or three of them to learn how to use Win8 and during the time you have the membership you can watch and rewatch the videos. (My university has a contract with them so we can watch whatever, whenever, logging on with our university ID. If we didn't have this through work, I'd probably maintain a regular membership there. It really is helpful in many ways.)

Is it a touch screen machine? That is what Win8 is really meant for.

I could describe some of it here, but it does get involved. Get the training because it is a new system and you'll appreciate learning a lot at once versus the trial and error method.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 07:19 AM

It's a year old 17" HP laptop but not a touchscreen. Tutorials? I am a man and I do not read directions. It should work like my old op systems. I click, it works. Now, I got 8 working the way I wanted it after a couple of weeks. My beef this time is 4 hours to upgrade and then the reboot and the sign in part. The sign in was soooo frustrating because I was signed in when I started and then it told me the password I had used to sign in was no good and it said I couldn't use my email addy because it was already in use but I could use one of the following and... I lost it. That's when I saw the "continue" and... it worked. I now have a Start Button.

BTW... I am getting an Acer this morning. This will be PC number too many but Vista won't be supported as of next month and I got a great deal so I figure retiring this PC from the net is a good idea. The thee items I bought were on sale and my buddy gave me a further discount because I am such a nice guy...

Rocketfish 32" - 70" Tilting Flat-Panel TV Wall Mount With Home Theatre Accessory Kit                1.0000                $79.99
        Rocketfish 32" - 70" Tilting Flat-Panel TV Wall Mount (RF-TVMLPT03)
        Rocketfish FlatScreen 4-Outlet Surge Protector (RF-HTS125)
        Rocketfish 1.8m (6 ft.) HDMI Cable (RF-G1167)
        Monster Big Screen Cleaning Kit (TV CLNKIT EFS)
        Acer AXC-605 Desktop PC (Intel Core i5-4440 / 1TB HDD / 6GB RAM / Windows 8)                1                $389.99
        Insignia 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (NS-32D20SNA14)                1                $179.99

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 10:17 AM

Gary, I'll send you a PM.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: Greg F.
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 10:33 AM

That is what Win8 is really meant for.

Making gobs of money off idiots with "smartphones" is what Win8 is meant for, nothing else.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 10:33 AM

I hear ya, gnu. But never mind Bill Gates. He retired.

My husband bought a computer with 8 on it abt 7 months ago. He never connected it to the Internet. Last week we connected it, and it 'updated' Windows for an hour and half.

Then it needed to 'upgrade' Windows. It took so long that we just went to bed and let it run all night. My theory is that sometime in that 7 months, somebody did a major revision of Win 8, because it was obvious that it was not a functional system. (Actually, we bought the DH two computer 7 months ago. The first one, a Lenovo, was such a failure that Office Depot took it back. Not even their own tech people could make it work.)

I suspect that when Bill Gates retired, Microsoft turned into a mess of squabbling VP's who hated one another and who produced an operating system made of parts which did not work together. Then when it was obviously a work and PR failure, somebody stepped in and Did Something.

Hang in there, gnu, because I think at the end of the hours-long upgrade, you will have a better system.

In the meantime, we are learning how Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern must have felt.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: Greg F.
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 10:56 AM

Consunmer-grade machines with Windows 7 are still available and business-grade machines with Win 7 Pro will be available for another year.

Ya don't have to get snookered - unless you want to.

PS: Turn off "automatic update" & all the other automatic nonsense, too.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 12:04 PM

Its a no Win Win situation

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 12:29 PM

The major upgrade to Windows 8 was Windows 8.1.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 12:35 PM

Guest... hahahaaha!

Thanks, SRS. I am in the middle of a long installation. I removed one PC from my desk and took samples of the dust which I carefully bagged and will send for carbon dating. Intel chips must run some cool because the dust on the intakes was, well, you could see the hole pattern... little dust balls.

I am 20% done the full job after 1.5 hours but I gotta rest my back every 15 - 20 minutes so that adds up.

leeneia and others... if I win the Looto... MAC ME!

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: EBarnacle
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 12:54 PM

Since you don't have touch screens, consider putting all of your machines on Win 7. It works. Many Vista machines can be put on 7 also.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 12:55 PM

I like your idea about carbon-dating the dust, gnu.
===========
Here's some ancient lore which Windows doesn't want you to know.

When it's trying to do something and you want it to stop, press Alt + F4. That is the secret code for "Avast, swabbies."

I just used it to shut out something called Silverlight.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 01:10 PM

"consider putting all of your machines on Win 7"

Does that cost coin?

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 02:16 PM

Of course. You need to buy the operating system. Or you could look into Linux.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 05:14 PM

Update... 2 hours trying to install Kaspersky anti-virus. It removed all McAfee automatically except one that requires a web based removal tool so I went online but my control panel doesn't show it so I couldn't do it and Kaspersky will not install because it now detects a virus.

Fuck Bill Gates.

SRS... $... there ya go. Time to get with the new program... but it ain't workin out at the moment.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 05:42 PM

Hmmm? Comments? Wiki : "Before Windows 8, Windows Defender featured antispyware capabilities. It included a number of real-time security agents that monitored several common areas of Windows for changes which may be caused by spyware. It also included the ability to easily remove installed ActiveX software. Also integrated support for Microsoft SpyNet that allows users to report to Microsoft what they consider to be spyware, and what applications and device drivers they allow to be installed on their system. In Windows 8, functionality has increased to offer antivirus protection as well. Windows Defender in Windows 8 resembles Microsoft Security Essentials and uses the same virus definitions."
So... do ya need Kaspersky or NcAfee or Symantic or whatever?

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: Greg F.
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 06:08 PM

WIN8 was panned by every reviewer that looked at it. Don't blame Bill Gates 'cause you picked a loser.

Antivirus? try Avast. Free.

But first, ditch Win8.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: artbrooks
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 06:25 PM

Bought a Toshiba laptop with Win 8. Worked fine out of the box. Updated to Win 8.1 - took about a 1/2 hour - worked fine. Got a Dell desktop with Win 8. Worked fine out of the box. Took about 6 hours to get 8.1 up and running - about half of that on the phone with Microsoft...some sort of issue with the Dell system; Dell is notorious for doing things their own way. Been working fine for 2 months now. Both computers boot to what looks just like the old Win 7 desktop, but they run much faster. When I go back to the old laptop with Win 7, it feels so slow that I think I'm using Win 3.1.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: Greg F.
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 06:41 PM

What's the rush, Art? Where ya goin?

And why should you have to go thru all that crap after paying good money for a (defective) product?

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 07:57 PM

Heard from a reliable source... free Avast (installing) and AVG are better than WIN DEF. I will sort this out with Future Shit soon.

In the meantime, no way I can import my bookmarks. I can click on it but W8.1 calls it something else and will NOT import from a flash. I can do it one other PCs but not in W8.1. I grabbed an ale and the pain on the inside of my left arm is gone. Good thing I buy cans of ale because I might have been tempted to smack the new PC with a bottle.

BTW... I am now typing on one of my old keyboards. The new Acer keyboard is total crap! And I mean CRAP! Emergency ONLY.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: Greg F.
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 08:00 PM

Like I said - time to ditch Win8 for the pile of crap that it is.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Mar 14 - 09:04 PM

But that costs money, Greg... no?

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: Greg F.
Date: 02 Mar 14 - 10:08 AM

Buying a computer with ANY Operating System costs money, no?

Unless Linux would suffice, which is a possible alternative,depending upon what functions one needs.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: gnu
Date: 02 Mar 14 - 01:23 PM

Yeah... but I ani't payin fer TWO OSs. I WILL beat this thing into submission. Over time. But, it is frustrating to try to do something I have done for 15+- years and find out 'nah, don't work that way no more'.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: artbrooks
Date: 03 Mar 14 - 10:14 AM

Gnu, rather than beating your head into the wall, buy a copy of "Windows 8.1, the Missing Manual". They do have bookstores up there, don't they?

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 03 Mar 14 - 11:55 AM

Good advice Art,

But scroll up a bit on this thread. Gnu says I am a man and I do not read directions. Hmmm

Says it all really...

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 14 - 06:01 PM

Buy a copy of... ??? I paid $X... + $X for the anti-viral. The SOB should work! If someone offers to shovel yer driveaway fer $X, ya shouldn't hafta wade thru snow and get stuck!

So, Kaspersky said today... after at least six hours of screwing with it over the past two days... Nope. OS is not supported. Says on the package that it IS supported. Took a pic of that on the screen, copied it to a flash and Dave is gonna see it tomorrow and he will refund me.

So... what is the very best? Here is where I go... Future Shit.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: gnu
Date: 04 Mar 14 - 10:24 AM

Typical... Dave got a geek and I tried four times to explain to him what happened. The fourth time he interrupted I showed him my palm and said "We'll never get thru this unless you listen until I tell you the whole story." He listened (Dave is in charge of customer service) and then told me it was impossible and... I produced the flash drive and said "See for yourself." Sooo, he suggested I download the trial version and then activate it with the code I purchased. Reasonable suggestion. I acted rather pleased and praised his "great idea" and said "Gee. I wish I had thought of that. Thanks."

As I left, Dave thanked me.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: gnu
Date: 07 Mar 14 - 08:26 AM

Odd... 8.1 has the time for the Atlantic Canada Time Zone incorrect.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 25 Mar 14 - 08:00 AM

I have Windows 8 on this Toshiba (the only option available when I bought it). I don't like it but I am coping. It is NOT a touchscreen - why would I want to tire myself out reaching for the screen when I am used to just making small movements with my fingers?
Last night Windows suddenly, and without any warning, took over my screen to offer me a free upgrade to 8.1. They just TOOK OVER. There wasn't even an 'Ask me later' box to click. By the time I had extricated myself I had completely lost my train of thought about what I was working on, and had to backtrack and re-do some of the work. (If I had been about to make a late bid for something on ebay the bargain would have been snatched from me!)
I was considering changing to 8.1, but I hate it already.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: gnu
Date: 25 Mar 14 - 05:46 PM

You will be assimilated. You cannot resist The Borg.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: Stanron
Date: 25 Mar 14 - 09:09 PM

Dump Windows. Linux is free. I like Mint 16. It plays videos, free, youtube free, comes bundled with an office suite compatible with windows formats free and has Firefox browser as standard. I run my old version of Sibelius 3 under a program called Wine, (free download) and although it is not so far running my OKI printer I recon it will use the windows drivers in the Wine environment next time I try.

There are shedloads of free software packages you can download using a program called 'Software Manager', games, graphics applications, sound applications, programming stuff and lots of others, all free, open source and wonderful.

If you don't like Mint there are seveal other types of Linux available for free download. You can download the image, burn it to CD and boot from that to try it out. Easy.

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 25 Mar 14 - 10:26 PM

Looks as though we are back to the situation Les Barker wrote and spoke about to lots of simpathetic amusement.

"Re-Installing Windows"

Happy days - not!

But then why am I not surprised?

Subject: RE: Tech: WIN 8.1
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 26 Mar 14 - 11:59 AM

Unconfirmed speculation during the past couple of weeks has ben that Microsoft will relase (at least Beta copies) of Windows 9 sometime later this year. "Official rumors" (intentionally accidental "leaks") from Microsoft have previously suggested that the plan was for this to happen (maybe) in late 2016.

Those making guesses appear to hope that Win9 will recover some of the desktop functionality that went away with Win8, but the big question is whether Microsoft is smart enough to recognize that they chopped off one leg (mainly Enterprise users) with their push to make everything "portable."

It's difficult to tell whether the speculation now is credible enough to limp forward with Win8/8.1 while waiting for a return to sanity.

For now, I'll stick with Win7, I think, despite it's peculiarities.

John