Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I just can't make up my mind now. If i get it for £15 and don't install it i hope they keys don't expire.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

An interesting piece of information I read from my latest edition of Computer active is that it is illegal apparently to use the Windows 8 Pro as a dual boot alongside Windows 7 or earlier. Will try and scan the page, or find a digital copy of said page to post here.

Hmm, can't find the article now. Sure it was there I saw it. Will have another look for it, I know I definitely read it somewhere this month.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

It is as Windows 8 was an upgrade, so you shouldn't even be able to run Windows 7 at the same time as windows 8 without uninstalling 1 of them, it has always been like that with other versions of Windows too.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

* Unless you bought the full-priced retail

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Exactly just like i did with Windows 7.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Over priced retail version you mean? :D

---------- Post added at 13:55 ---------- Previous post was at 13:49 ----------


Exactly - effectively you don't own a copy of Windows 7 anymore.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I don't know if this is any help to anyone but I've gone back to 8 again (oh how I love having ADHD...) and there were no issue with the key, it all worked fine. So I had 7 on a brand new machine, went to 8, back to 7 and on 8 now. All working fine.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Well possibly, but the reason i got it was it only cost me £45 and i didn't have a legal copy of XP so i thought it was a good offer.

---------- Post added at 14:06 ---------- Previous post was at 14:05 ----------

How many days did you have Windows 7 off of your machine? Sirius says if it is longer than 7 then you're not meant to be able to go back.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Just set boot priority to a different drive and install there then as you as to select boot drive you are not technically dual booting. I never dual boot myself always use the above method less likely to fubar

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Only a few days. 3 maybe 4. But it certainly was activated. I don't know if that version of 7 coming pre-installed on the computer makes a difference though.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Microsoft says it's sold 40 million Windows 8 licenses so far

Tami Reller, the chief marketing and financial officer for Windows, announces the tally today during the Credit Suisse tech conference.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57...news&tag=title

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Where can Tami Reller be found? Nah, can't really make her responsible for the dog's breakfast that is known as Windows 8.

Oh, I missed the bit about "the Windows unit has a deep bench". Do these people speak a recognised and intelligible form of English? I truly despair.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I know of a site where they are uploading their copies of Windows 8 with genuine keys, so could be more than 40 million people using Windows 8.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Update for anyone playing code 4 on windows 8.

I reported to Evan Balance "the punkbuster people" the problems i and other members of the Nthwgaming clan have been having running Cod 4 on windows 8 . They finally sent me a short reply.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

are you going back to windows 8 when punkbuster cod4 prob is fixed

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Undecided at the moment, I am not happy with the way Micro**** have dealt with this. there customer service is crap, there attitude is crap and i hate the fact they talk to you like your a piece of crap on the bottom of there shoe.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

punkbuster is nothing to do with MS though?

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Maybe not, but they did not need to speak to me the way they did and certainly did not have to have the attitude they had. A bit of civility would have gone a long way. but that is what i have come to expect from there over seas call centres

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Does anyone know if you can get a Win7 theme for 8? Much prefer the older themes and skins.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

if you right click desktop and then personalize the click get themes online to see all the themes you can get

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Yeah I tried that, I don't think MS want us looking at their new baby that way :(

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I fortunately have never had to call them but I do know what you mean :-)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

MMMmmm when I was running windows 8 pre release I'm sure you could still select the aero theme.

It may still be there just hidden.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

They removed it at the same time they removed the code for the start button. some excuse about it using to much power.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

you could try this


http://www.redmondpie.com/enable-hid...d-performance/

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Hmm, I just tried to do that but I don't have the right privileges to do so.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

can you take ownership of the folder?

Ok I dunno how they did it lol Admin account is disabled by default its easy enough to activate it however I still could not change the file

Ok taking control of files is quite complicated

To change permissions of files right click select security highlight you account and click advanced. Where is says owner click change in the new window select advanced. New window click find now.Highlight your account and ok out of it now you will be able to change the write commands of the file

And unfortunately the Aero lite theme is just that and just like windows basic but the research for me is not a waste of time as its taught me a few new things lol

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

follow this to get it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irYQeJqhRzo

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Taught myself it as in previous post but its not what we want anyway lol

also if you follow that clip you will find you do not have permission ;-)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

nope wanted full aero lol

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

as I said that clip missed out the permission changes needed as well

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Bit confused by that article. No 'Home' key? Yes there is - there is a physical key on tablets and the Windows key on a keyboard. Both take you straight back to the Start screen.

A month in and I love Windows 8 and its speed. The quick startup is a joy. This morning I wanted to check if a podcast had been released and it took me less than a minute from hitting the space bar to start the machine, through starting iTunes, clicking refresh on my podcast list, finding nothing and hitting the sleep key. Before on Vista, that would be at least a 5 minute job. It's changed the way I use my desktop machine.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Got to say I agree. After a few false starts caused by a faulty hard disk I am loving Windows 8 on my laptop. The start up time and energy consumption are greatly improved.

My knackered old battery would only last 30 minutes on Vista but now I can squeeze about 90 minutes out of it. I'm glad I upgraded.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

And me, the full version much better than the trial one I used. Bargain at £15.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

the story of windows 8 why it looks way it does

http://vimeo.com/52173464

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I will likely pick this up for £15 (if i can get it) or the regular £25 upgrade and put it on my new SSD this coming weekend, seeing the offer ends soon.

I will be taking an image of my current Windows 7 install as recommended by Tiz so if i don't like it i can go back to Windows 7.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I'm using one of the many widely-available 'start button and menu' apps you can download for it so it looks as close to 7 as I can get it - I'm happy with 8 now.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I will likely install 1 of those too, as i don't think i will care for the modern UI, but the desktop is said to offer improvements over Windows 7, so i will give it a try for not very much money.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Good grief - we got a Laptop with this pile of rubbish forced on us. Metro or whatever its called is just truly awful .

Adding a user takes like 10 minutes and wants my e-mail and entire life story - what the hell is that about. Do they seriously believe big businesses will want this pile of crap.

I was so pee'd off that Im already looking at buying W7 to install on it, - I will be installing the classic shell first to see how that goes.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

you can create local accounts that do not need log ins.

if you search my posts in the windows 8 threads then you will find a few tips that will make it easier for you

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I am now back on Windows 7 and will not be re installing this bag of pooo. I would install Linux before even reconsidering windows 8

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

what else has it done to you besides not playing COD ?

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

i am struggling to make up my mind again on whether it is worth the hassle of spending £15-25 on it.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

ifabdfi or ifinbdfi depending on elocution

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Well each to their own of course, but I find it much better than windows 7. I wouldn't want to go back now.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I want to install XP on a dual boot but I'm having problems working out how.

when I first tried 8 it was truly awful. especially with no Start button at all. everything is hidden all over the place. LOL I couldn't even find out how to shutdown or restart!
I've installed Classic Shell since. which has brought some sanity back to it all.

I was having problems disabling Bluetooth and it was killing my wifi. then wifi card wasn't connected and all sorts. I've reseated the wifi card and so far so good.

yeh, but back to this big pile of poo.
it's horrible!

it's mainly all focussed on Music and Messaging and people. I don't want to be hip and trendy like them prats in the advert. I want to be someone who uses it for work. not piddling about on.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Every now and then i agree with you 100% and this is one of those times. :tu:

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

LOL I've just noticed. they've done away with the refresh button in IE too.

The laptop's nice. it's just unuseable with 8 on it.
it's like they want to slow us down and restrict us a bit.

I read somewhere that they've made it like this with that Metro thing because they'll be coming out with some phone with the same look. so everyone will say that's the same as my computer, and buy it.

they've lost their way Microsoft have. they took the no start button path.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

the phone with the UI similar has been around for ages. Its not unusable you need that kid in the advert to show you how lol

As I pointed out a lot earlier in this thread its all there if you know where lol

Gary install this and make sure its skips the new UI and leave the IE app alone and use the standard browser

http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Thanks, I was already using Classic Shell.
I'm using the IE in the start menu now. I wondered why there seemed to be a difference with that one and the other.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I have removed all traces of Win,crap8 from all machines. We now have 3 PC's & lappy running 7.
Gave up with 8, too much hard work.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

:clap:

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Reading this thread is making me want to stay on 7.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

nobody yet has offered a well thought out reason for their opinions. Of course everyone in entitled to theres

People do not like the new UI.... Well thats easy fixed

Some programs are not updated yet to work correctly ie punkbuster on COD4 .... Not the OS fault

What other reasons have there been?

Once you can use win 8 its a damn site faster than win 7

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I was very anti Windows 8, now I have it I am a full convert. Much easier to use than 7, starts and shuts faster than 7 ever did, and some very good free apps to use. I can play my Football Manager game on 8, use my printer on 8, and use the same programs I used on 7 in 8.

All in all, for me 8 is what Vista should have been.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Cod4 is fixed, however i still don't like what i have lost included the ability to run dreamscene and other fancy desktop apps.

Does not matter to me now as i have a key for windows 7 ultimate and windows 8 can join windows ME and Vista as crap versions of windows. It cost me £15.00 or so to find out but i can spend more than that at the pub.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Just a small point - but cod4 isn't fixed. (at least not for me so I'm sure it'll still be having problems for others).

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Sorry m8 i was under the impression everyone on Windows 8 the other night played fine. My bad :(

So add COD4 back into the mix as well.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Based on what ?

Its not very fast so far in my experience.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Mine was crashing out after two rounds. I think storm had a bit more luck though.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Ok i have a spare manchine i can infect with windows 8 to do some more testing :).

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I accept your view and respect your choice and would not try to change your mind however video wallpapers do apparently work on windows 8 and the feature is only hidden. I would guess most of what you had working would work but you are happy with 7 and fair play

---------- Post added at 11:47 ---------- Previous post was at 11:47 ----------

oh btw dreamscene was a vista app and not native to 7 either hidden the same way as it is in 8

---------- Post added at 11:48 ---------- Previous post was at 11:47 ----------

http://www.windows-7-themes.info/win...ator-released/

---------- Post added at 11:49 ---------- Previous post was at 11:48 ----------


well common opinion in the IT world is that it is and my experience in it but what would I know ;)

few benchmarks to back it up http://www.techspot.com/review/561-windows8-vs-windows7/page2.html

are you booting off SSD ?

---------- Post added at 11:55 ---------- Previous post was at 11:49 ----------

I think I best point out that I by no means champion M$ I hate the company same as I hate Apple for how they treat the industry however I never view new operating systems blinkered and I spend a lot of time ( which I know a lot of people do not have) in learning my way around. If I have an issue I research it and try to find a way around it. I used to slag Linux off until I spent a lot of time working with it

This is why I got on well with Vista I installed enough memory and optimized the OS so you didnt tend to hear me complain about. Same with Windows 8 I spent time at the start learning my way around it so I could support customers.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I've actually had a change of mind about this pile of poo.
I've spent a couple of hours sorting it out and getting it to resemble XP as much as I can, and it's worked.

the folders being the main thing I didn't like with the Ribbons thing. I don't like the icon views (either too big or too small) now I've got it looking a lot like XP and I have to say you wouldn't really know that it was Windows 8 anymore.

I don't like the fact that you can't see the total amount each folder uses in size on the status bar like you could in XP.

The metro thing isn't too bad now. I automatically bypass that at startup, and I only use it for the apps and if I have to change settings.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

One of the shortcuts is Win-X, which gives you access to quite a few machine-related things like Control Panel, Device Manager, Disk Management and so on. No need to use the 'Settings' charm as far as I can see.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I was just using it to turn Bluetooth/wireless on and off. and Windows update.

now I just use it for the free apps. and as a great big desktop with most of all the programs I use.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Does anyone know how I can get Gmail on Win 8 without having to use the website?

Google haven't made an app because they're being awkward.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

you can access it though your outlook/hotmail account

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I think I've done that in the metro mail app.
I had just Hotmail in there. I can't see how it works really.

Microsoft/Hotmail are really annoying the way they think you want to broadcast yourself to the world every minute of the day.
there's no privacy with them people.

Forget it. I've deleted it now. it keeps signing me into messenger which is the last thing I want!

If I had an abusive girlfriend Microsoft have just told her I'm still alive and worth hunting again. stupid idiots really think you want everyone to know you're there and want to share hip and trendy stuff all day long.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I have decided i am staying on 7 because after installing my first SSD i tried to upgrade using the £15 offer, like others managed to do here but it said i wasn't eligible(rightly so) and i didn't want to pay £25 for it.

Awesome having an SSD for the first time though, well worth the £80.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I think its mad my win 8 pro key has not been locked yet. I installed it on this system as an upgrade to win 7. I had problems with a certain config so ghosted back to 7 to get settings and upgraded again with the same key. I then had a drive die but didnt realise it was that until after I ghosted back to 7. The the other day I installed a retail edition win 8 pro did a full clean install and used my pro upgrade key to activate and it did no issues

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I can tell you its not worth the £15.00 never mind £25.00. Hope the next release follows the general rule for Microsoft. Millennium was poo, Xp was excellent, Vista was poo, windows 7 was excellent, Windows 8 is poo, Windows 9 excellent one would hope. :D

My windows 8 disk is in the bin. Long live windows 7

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

if it a retail key think it unlimited use on your machine

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

it was the 14.99 pro upgrade thats allowed me to use it without upgrading

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Oh dear





http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/01/08/open_and_shut/

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Christmas itself did not boost holiday sales. It may have escaped the writers notice but a lot of people do not have the money to spend on new computers also the rate in which people connect has grown so fast some sort of saturation point must be reached sometime?

I put it to the writer and anyone else it was not since Vista that the sales dropped but since the end of new PCs having XP. So many people still run XP machines and do not want to change also a hell of a lot of people most likely the majority of users hardly use their machines for more than mail word facebook and gambling so have no need to upgrade. There is nothing wrong with Windows 8 Sirius well nothing we have not seen with the birth of any of the previous OS's yes including the much loved XP in fact more so than with Win 7 due to the fact Vista hardware just worked with it

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I had a nightmare with Vista, in fact that much of a nightmare that when i put windows 7 beta on my machine it ran better than Vista did so i binned my vista disk and ran full time on the beta. Having tried windows 8 my final opinion of it is that its a good os for a phone and tablet but rubbish for hardcore pc users. Its the sort of os you give to someone you know cannot understand pc's very well and will need constant support :LOL:

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

That's what M$ did when they sold it you then ? lmao ;)

My pcs productivity is better with 8 than 7 as it seems somehow to handle all my drives properly :)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

same here love 8 much better

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Have binned it, very happy windows 7 user again ;)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I decided to back to 7 again - I just can't get along with the 8 theme and layout. I know you can get Start Buttons etc for 8 but it's just not the same. The functionality and features of it are pretty good and if someone can bring out a skin or theme so make it exactly like 7 then I'll be more than happy to stick with it. So unless that happens or 7 starts to really feel like it's being left behind, 8 is currently lost on me... :erm:

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I think the only difference between mine and windows 7 is the lack of aero on the browser and explorer instances

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Well -whatever keeps people happy, I'd not go back to windows 7. I find 8 much easier to use and am happy that Microsoft are /starting/ to take accessibility seriously. Still a long tway to go to catch up with apple though. But they are on the way.

On the other hand Natalie can't stand windows 8. Which is great for me as the keeps the hell off my pc and laptop ;)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

It could just be that - but I much prefer the look of 7. A lot more clean and professional to these eyes. It's like MS tried to go for a 'minimalist' look with 8 and in time-honoured tradition got it very wrong.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

sure you got that the wrong way round? see through fancy glass effects are surely less professional and clean looking than sold bold none fancy colours?


As Dilli said though each to their own and its everyone's tastes but I am yet to see many good technical reasons why people should not use it or install it.

---------- Post added at 09:59 ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 ----------

Ive had a little look back in time and you in the past have not liked it when themes changed. When you upgraded to Win 7 you asked for a Vista theme so I take it over time you got used to windows 7. The same thing would happen if you gave win 8 a chance. People are writing it off to quickly imo

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

What I disliked about 7 was the size of the icons on the toolbar compared to Vista - they just seemed too big. The theme itself was fine, I didn't really have an issue with it.

8 obviously works well for some people and I'm not knocking the OS itself, I like the new features although not enough that I feel I have to upgrade and stick to it just yet.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

The size you could change, you mean? ;)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I wish I had the choice but I have to keep up to support others. Also somehow I am patient when it comes to computers and software a lot more patient than I am with people I have to admit so I guess I can adjust easy. I do find all version of Windows I have used very easy to get my head round

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

You could change it but not so it was like Vista. It was either the large '7' icons as they are now or minuscule and neither suited me. If I had the choice I'd have the Vista size on my 7 now.

---------- Post added at 11:35 ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 ----------

Absolutely - I disagree with anyone who says 8 is hard to navigate or understand.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Sorry for being a bit pedantic here, but the 'small' taskbar on W7 is the same size as the Vista one

http://www.istartedsomething.com/200...super-taskbar/

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Pedantry accepted! But yeah, it's not quite the same. If they can get 8's to look like 7 I may well stick with it.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Whatever you do, do not 'Reset' Win8.

It takes ages. Installing/upgrading takes about half an hour. I'm resetting it on my other machine, I started at 7.30 this evening and almost 3 hours later it's only on 31%. I feel like giving up...

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

If the sales are as bad as it would appear, I am not sure this is a good idea, but Microsoft are doing it anyway.

Apparently, the price MS have been charging for Windows 8 until the end of this month is a special offer. Starting on February 1st, the cheapest upgrade for Windows 8 (currently $39.99) will be $119.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/01...counts_ending/

I really think Microsoft have lost their way recently. Raising the price of a product that isn't selling is unlikely to help sales.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Anyone tried installing Windows 8 again after removing it?

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I have a few times

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Yes...it's called delete the partition, install Windows 7 and upgrade it to Windows 8.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

That's interesting - when I reinstalled windows 8 later on last year I didn't have to put windows 7 on again first.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I do this often - with my ADHD I can't make up my mind which I prefer. I like the look, feel and familiarity of 7 (as well as everything I have works on it) but 8 has extra features that come in handy and I do enjoy having the most up-to-date stuff where possible so I go from one to the other every week/fortnight or so.

I know some people sometimes have issues with licensing when going either way but I've not had any real issues. My 7 came pre-installed on my machine so whereas some people get told once they go from 7 to 8 they can't use their old 7 key, I've not had any issues at all.

Going to 8 has always been fine too, once or twice when I type in the key I get the "you have reached the maximum number of machines you can install this on" etc message but I activate it over the phone and it all works fine.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Thanks Russ, I've had the same problem with 7 after clean installing with having to ring, didn't know if the process was the same with upgrading.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Did you have to provide it with some qualify media (W7) during the upgrade?

Did you just boot direct from the DVD and install it?