windows 8

[Rolo42]

Windows95 would be fast on an SSD.

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

If Microsoft wanted to design a platform for both, desktops and portables, then they should have made it work just as effectively with touch and mouse/trackball/touchpad+keyboard (those things we've been using since the '80's) but it doesn't. That's like removing the steering wheel from the automobile and giving the option of handlebars (because bikes use them) or one of these:

It does, you go to desktop and it works just like you're used to. And if you load Start8 or Classic Shell it defaults to desktop.

 

[mikedt]

I've just been trying Win 8 on a spare laptop, see what it's like. But I seem to have hit a problem with the activation.

Sorry, but you can't activate this copy of Windows online. To activate, go to a store that sells Windows and buy a Windows Get Genuine kit

So apparently Win 8 can't be activated online, even though I've previously activated Windows 7 and Vista online. Where exactly am I supposed to find a store that sells a "Windows Get Genuine" kit? Microsoft fail.

 

[Xyro]

That's odd. Think it's a regional issue maybe?

Is there any way to call them and get it validated that way?

 

[mikedt]

That's odd. Think it's a regional issue maybe?

Is there any way to call them and get it validated that way?

It's definately a regional or country issue, because the original activation message, said that Windows 8 couldn't be activated online in this country. And it didn't give a phone number either. Just this stuff about buying it in a store. Can you even buy Windows 8 or a product-key/license in a box? I thought MS delivered all their software online these days.

I downloaded the Windows 8 ISO from Microsoft a few months ago, but just got around to trying it out.

Previously I've activated Windows in the UK, and there it did give a phone number in case it wasn't online. I've also activated Windows 7 last year in Hong Kong SAR(which is not Mainland China), when I bought a new laptop there.

 

[jefboyardee]

From what I’ve read, I’m not compelled to jump into Win8. I may do Win7, if I can find a cheap install. Or I may just stick with XP until ReactOS makes the grade, if and when.

 

[lunatic59]

Mike, I wouldn't be surprised Windows 8 couldn't communicate with MS activation servers from China. Either China is blocking them or they are refusing connections from China because of rampant piracy. Even if you did get a legit boxed copy of Windows 8, it still may not activate properly. That the message didn't give you a phone number to call only reinforces my suspicions that it's being blocked.

I don't know if it will help, but the U.S. toll free activation number is in this post ... Activate Windows 8 Enterprise over the phone (The option to choose what country you are calling from is greyed out).

 

[Caloy]

I regretted upgrading. For one thing I didn't really gain any advantage, and two, I'm missing some device drivers one some of my laptop specific functions. Thank God found the drivers for Mmy keyboard back lights.

Sent using the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ocnbrze]

I regretted upgrading. For one thing I didn't really gain any advantage, and two, I'm missing some device drivers one some of my laptop specific functions. Thank God found the drivers for Mmy keyboard back lights.

Sent using the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using Tapatalk 2

yeah i think that windows 8 is better on new computers rather doing an upgrade on an existing computer. my keyboard has been acting wonky ever since i upgraded

luckily my drive is partitioned........gonna try and install ubuntu later today.

 

[Sak01]

Had it for a month now and I still like it. Can't think of one thing that I dislike.

An update from Samsung fixed the non-functioning fn keys on my laptop. The only niggles are that Caps Lock used to flash an on/off message on screen which isn't working for some reason and also Firefox seems to have become less stable. Not sure if it's to do with Win8 but it was working fine before.

 

[javasirc]

I've been using Windows 8 for a few weeks or month now. Files (such as video or PDF) opened in metro, full screen, and boy was that annoying. Lucky I figured out how to set default program to opened it with. I'm having no real issues.

My biggest pain so far is printing. "Right click, Send To" doesn't have my printer listed like windows 7 did. I've been having to open each file I needed to print, then use the program's print button. When in metro app, I have to go to Charms, Device, HP Printer, print. Printing had become a hassle in W8, unless I'm missing something...

 

[mikedt]

Mike, I wouldn't be surprised Windows 8 couldn't communicate with MS activation servers from China. Either China is blocking them or they are refusing connections from China because of rampant piracy. Even if you did get a legit boxed copy of Windows 8, it still may not activate properly. That the message didn't give you a phone number to call only reinforces my suspicions that it's being blocked.

I don't know if it will help, but the U.S. toll free activation number is in this post ... Activate Windows 8 Enterprise over the phone (The option to choose what country you are calling from is greyed out).

It seems to be that you can activate Windows 8 in China provided you have an existing Windows 8 product-key/license. But apparently you can't buy a new Win 8 license here, only way to get new Win 8 is to buy it with a new PC.

So I bought a Win 8 product-key online from Microsoft UK, with a UK bank card, it was only 25 pounds GBP.

 

[alostpacket]

I'm kinda frightened by Win 8 heh.

I think I am gonna "give it the Vista" :smokingsomb:

I keep trying to keep an open mind about it but there isnt anything that is selling me on it yet. And the start screen looks terribad.

 

[Bob Maxey]

yeah i know. it is such a drastic change to windows that it is such a gamble for microsoft. i just bought a laptop and they are doing an upgrade to windows 8 pro for $14.99. gonna give it a go when it is released. i also have the release preview as well downloaded to my pc, but i have yet to install it.

Windows Upgrade Offer - Landing Page

What happens if you do not like it? I e-hear the BIOS issues and that bloody "Windows Certification" applied to new machines might mean you cannot install another OS or even downgrade to a previous version of Windows.

Just asking.

I think this is whole UEFI/BIOS/Certification issue is a big mess and it (apparently) will mean the new PC you purchase will leave you with no options as far as an OS is concerned. It will always run Windows because it can't run anything else.

This is not strictly a Windows 8 issue (or is it?). I think Microsoft thinks if we cant beat Apple, lets see if we can force our loyal customers to stick with us forever.

Time to find my soldering iron and look for motherboards and such.

 

[lunatic59]

I think this is whole UEFI/BIOS/Certification issue is a big mess and it (apparently) will mean the new PC you purchase will leave you with no options as far as an OS is concerned. It will always run Windows because it can't run anything else.

I'm sure the DOJ is drooling at the possibilities.

 

[mikedt]

Now I've been using Win 8 for a few days, there is one thing that was really doing my head-in, the new tiled full-screen start menu. So I've installed Classic Shell and now I've got my Start button back. Main problem was with the Win 8 start screen is that it made a really long-winded way of shutting down the PC, as well as rather a clunky way of launching applications. I don't have a touch screen, and just using it with a mouse.

The new search in Win 8 is not good either. You got the search box, then you have to choose from Apps, Settings or Files. Classic Shell puts the unified search back that Win 7 had.

I can confirm that Win 8 starts and shuts down significantly quicker than 7. This was a clean install, and the laptop it's running on has a UEFI BIOS.

 

[Demache]

What happens if you do not like it? I e-hear the BIOS issues and that bloody "Windows Certification" applied to new machines might mean you cannot install another OS or even downgrade to a previous version of Windows.

Just asking.

I think this is whole UEFI/BIOS/Certification issue is a big mess and it (apparently) will mean the new PC you purchase will leave you with no options as far as an OS is concerned. It will always run Windows because it can't run anything else.

This is not strictly a Windows 8 issue (or is it?). I think Microsoft thinks if we cant beat Apple, lets see if we can force our loyal customers to stick with us forever.

Time to find my soldering iron and look for motherboards and such.

I don't think it will be a problem. The Linux community is usually pretty good at finding workarounds.

 

[alostpacket]

Main problem was with the Win 8 start screen is that it made a really long-winded way of shutting down the PC, as well as rather a clunky way of launching applications.

LAUNCHY! :trytofly:

I can't live without it heh

Launchy: The Open Source Keystroke Launcher

(IIRC you need to tweak it a bit to launch x64 programs -- (have it index /Program Files/ and look for the EXE directly)

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

I have Classic Shell at home and Start8 at work, I like Start8 much better so far. Classic Shell has to go to the Metro start screen then desktop, Start8 go straight in to the desktop.

 

[Xyro]

I have Classic Shell at home and Start8 at work, I like Start8 much better so far. Classic Shell has to go to the Metro start screen then desktop, Start8 go straight in to the desktop.

In classic shell, right click on the start icon and hit settings. Then find the 'Windows 8' tab and enable the option to 'Skip metro screen'.

 

[DraastiK]

I'll be 100% honest and say I absolutely hate this OS.

I work at Best Buy/Geek Squad. I constantly get clients that want to return the computer because they just CAN'T figure it out. I can't fathom why Microsoft decided to design the OS this way. It's MUCH more difficult for someone who doesn't know a lot about computers.

Thankfully, I tell my clients about Start8, which makes things so much easier for them. They don't mind paying for the app, as long as it's more user-friendly for them.

I received a free copy of Windows 8 through an accommodation. I REFUSE to install it.

 

[SamuraiBigEd]

In classic shell, right click on the start icon and hit settings. Then find the 'Windows 8' tab and enable the option to 'Skip metro screen'.

Already done, it stops briefly at the Metro start screen before going to desktop. Nothing major, just a petty annoyance.

 

[pbf98]

I am really thinking about installing it now. I just got an MSDN subscription and I have 21 keys for various versions of windows 8...
I have passed the computers set up in stores and seen the UI, and I like the look of it. I have stopped to try and figure it out in 5 minutes but get lost. But I think once I figure it out it will be a nice thing.

The thing Microsoft is doing, is trying to bridge the gap between phone/ tablet/ and pc.. in a few years from now our phones will be our computers, and we will connect it to a "dummy terminal" that will allow keyboards, mice, a bigger screen, and possibly expanded memory though with the advent of cloud computing probably not.
I saw someone say "If apple would have come up with this UI first it would be the biggest hit..." and I really think that is a true statement.. Most of us on here would agree that the iPhone 5 is somewhat of a joke, but apple is still able to tell its users that its the best smart phone there is.

But I do believe I will try this out on a virtual pc before committing to it to my desktop.

 

[mikedt]

There's a real improvement that Win 8 has over other versions of Win. Is when you plug a USB thumb-drive in, there's no more of that waiting for a minute while it searches for drivers stuff. I've never understood why Win has always done that, it shouldn't need to hunt for drivers, it's a USB drive, they should just work and mount instantly, like they do on Linux and OS X. It seems MS finally fixed it with Win 8

 

[Speed Daemon]

There's a real improvement that Win 8 has over other versions of Win. Is when you plug a USB thumb-drive in, there's no more of that waiting for a minute while it searches for drivers stuff. I've never understood why Win has always done that, it shouldn't need to hunt for drivers, it's a USB drive, they should just work and mount instantly, like they do on Linux and OS X. It seems MS finally fixed it with Win 8

I don't believe that's what's happening with prior versions of Windows. I have a Windows 7 computer with a USB drive connected 100% of the time, so the drivers are already loaded, and it still takes a while before the pop-up window appears. Some of the latency is clearly due to the antivirus program doing its thing. (I can see it hog the CPU in Process Explorer.) Sloppy coding over the years is no doubt to blame for some of the sloth. And it takes time for the WIMP versions of Windows to scan the thumb drive to find what kind of files are on it before it puts up the pop-up with recommendations about what app(s) it suggests to be used to read the drive. That's what Microsoft gets for trying to be "more Mac-like" instead of giving the user some credit for having a clue.