Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Any idea if i purchase the £25 deal before the end of Jan 2013 whether i HAVE to install it? as i may want to install it in 6 months time.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

when you pay you get a key in email so just make sure you download and create media

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

This. Once you've downloaded it and burnt to DVD or USB stick and get your serial key. Up to you when you install it.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I may just do it then before the end of the month incase i want to install it at a later date as i won't buy it at full price.

A shame i could never get the £15 deal to work.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Just a reminder for anyone still wanting to take advantage of the £15-£25 Windows 8 Pro upgrade offer.

The offer ends on Thursday 31st January 2013.

If you took advantage of the FREE media center key this MUST be added and activated by 1st February 2013 to Windows 8 otherwise it will become invalid.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

that media key is a waste of time the media centre in clunky compared to others

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

:tu:

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Anyone had trouble setting up other user accounts on Windows 8? I tried doing it for my brother and sister but both accounts login and then show a black screen. I'm trying to do local accounts of this makes a difference.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

The Media Centre remains completely unchanged since Windows 7

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

What if you need to re-install Windows 8 + Media Center after 31st Jan?

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

As long as it was registered to your Windows 8 Cd Key before 1st February you should be ok..... i hope. I now have to install Windows 8 that i bought at the weekend this week because of this and i didn't want to yet.

It can take 72hrs to get the Media centre key so for anyone that hasnt applied yet and want it they should get it.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

you are correct I believe it all gets activated and is tied to serial number

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I bought a brand new laptop in November with Windows 8 pre installed and wished I had not bothered. There are many bugs and faults so I am just going to sell it on.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Windows 8 has kinda grown on me, but it's very much like Windows 7, once you remove all the stupid tablet/touch screen crap.

I installed the classic shell open source program, which removes the corner popouts, adds the start menu and skips the "metro" page on startup.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

To be honest why should you have to use open source software to fix windows 8. MS should have given users the option of having a start button if they wanted it. :mad:

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

The dates for this are all mixed up. The end of Jan date is for people who bought a windows 7 pc the end date for registering is the end of Feb . On the main page it does not appear to give a end date for purchase just an end date for registering



http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/w.../upgrade-offer

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Can you pass on a link for this, my daughter has Win 8 and hates it for all the micky mouse metro rubbish, if we could make it like win 7 that would be great.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Here's a link to it.

http://www.classicshell.net/

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

According to the £24.99 Microsoft download link the last day for someone to upgrade from a previous version of windows for £24.99 is 31st January 2013.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/buy

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

ok different dates for each then

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

You may want to read my woes on this:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/19...ed-please.html

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

yeah but you were trying to do something you can not do

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I bought it as it was £25 so i can use it in the future if needed without having to buy it for full price. :)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Maybe, but nothing that wasn't within their claims. Anyway all working OK.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Now I've done a fresh install, rather than upgrade (Didn't have a usb stick or dvd drive at the time heh), it's feels/works much better than it did before.

When I upgraded from Windows 7, I had constant issues with explorer.exe crashing when I had windows open showing files/folders

Doesn't seem to do it now since a clean install

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

clean install is always best glad it sorted for you now

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

It only took me 5mins to upgrade to Windows 8 with the keep nothing option, it will probably take me days to get the hang of it though.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Besides the start menu, nothing has changed drastically. Win key and type the program name just same as 7 workds hunky dory for me

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

M$ have never claimed you can run an in place upgrade from X86 to X64 never. And they do not claim you can with 8 at all because its clear on the site you can't

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/w...e-to-windows-8

You have been dissing M$ for an error that was yours and yours alone

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Indeed - I did an upgrade on the pc that the wife's boss gave her - it had 32bit windows vista on it. I updated to 64bit windows 8 without issue by doing a clean install.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I am finally getting the hang of this now, my biggest grudge is the placement of the power button, and i prefer the Windows 7 theme to the pastels in Windows 8.

Still trying to avoid installing something like Start8 though.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

You could create a shutdown button shortcut on your desktop / tiles to turn tort pc of quicker.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Thanks for the idea, i am sure there are loads of tricks out there. :)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

search my posts in this thread there are loads of easy ways to get to it

---------- Post added at 18:00 ---------- Previous post was at 17:58 ----------

win key + I gets you straight to shut down there are a few others I posted near the start

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

As advised on this forum...

http://www.classicshell.net

Did exactly what I wanted and it's free.

It couldn't disable the screen asking me to install a browser (as I already had done) but if you bring up the task manager with ctrl-alt-del, you can remove this from the startup (a tip from a work collegue).

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Yes Tiz i found a few earlier for shortcuts to get to it. :)

I don't want to install an app to change Windows really. :)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

[img]Download Failed (1)[/img]



some windows 8 wallpaper 1920x1080

http://www60.zippyshare.com/v/2119717/file.html

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Bit plain Jane :)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=_d6KuiuteIA


Introducing the Leap Motion

Leap Motion represents an entirely new way to interact with your computers. It's more accurate than a mouse, as reliable as a keyboard and more sensitive than a touchscreen. For the first time, you can control a computer in three dimensions with your natural hand and finger movements.

The Leap Motion works on Windows Vista/7/8 and Mac OS X, with Linux being on the agenda.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

seen that posted on here a while ago.

another way would be to modify a Kinect camera

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

never seen it before but know there was talk of a Kinect for windows from Microsoft wonder if that's still happening

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Over the last few days my laptop has started blue screening atleast once a day. :(

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

new windows 8 guide app in windows store

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9281/screenshot1icf.png

---------- Post added at 16:14 ---------- Previous post was at 16:12 ----------

update all drivers ect that might help

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I had one today as well, just installed some updates as well.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

My windows 7 is fine,

Best get my coat and run :Sprint:

Hope you get it fixed :tu:

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

my windows 8 pro running fine as well :):) not one problem with it

hope both cimt and mark get sorted very soon

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Well due to windows 7 key problems AGAIN, i have been forced into running windows 8 :mad:. So i have spent the last couple of hours installing any extra software i can find to make my windows 8 desktop as near to my windows 7 desktop as i can. I seem to be 50% there now. Time will tell if it lasts or i move to linux Mint for daily use and only use windows 8 for gaming when needed.

This is my present desktop with animated earth and gadgets

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I could still send ya that thing I mentioned before

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Seems to be all working just like my windows 7 build. If it stays like this i will be happy. Will let you know m8 :tu:

I have my start menu, video desktop, gadgets and my cod 4 works :)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Lets hope you will be happy with Windows 8 this time, as apart from a few annoyances it isn't too bad and i hardly use the start screen and don't have a start menu. I also use Alt F4 to shutdown which is quicker. :)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

once win 8 starts freaking out it crashes with a vengeance imo. I somehow managed to run out of system resources( something like an IRQ conflict ive not seen one of them since xp) and it would not boot my nic started messing ended up with half the system failing, Its own recovery didn't work either, My hard usage long term experience of it is starting to turn a little

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

What programs have you got installed there? Wouldn't mind testing some out.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

well im very glad your cod 4 working I know that was your biggest complaint about windows 8 and know you don't like the modern ui hope you get used to it and start liking windows 8 I would not go back to 7 now even though I loved it but love windows 8 lot more not had 1 problem with it good luck with your windows 8 too mate

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

On my mobile at the moment,will post links tomorrow.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Video desktop is in beta at the moment, it does seem to work fine.

http://www.stardock.com/products/des...beta/index.asp

This allows you to place gadgets on the windows 8 desktop.

http://addgadgets.com/faq/#g18

List of some nice gadgets

http://addgadgets.com/

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Thanks, I shall try them out now.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Glad to have helped

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

hows your windows 8 going mate are you starting to like it ?

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Its still on and its still working, and its not give me any issues YET :)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

good to hear and should not give you any issues ive never had one problem with it

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Dont say that :D

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

well I haven't lol and hope you don't either mate

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I'm still having issues with cod4 and my widget for my power key thing from Scottish power.but everything else.is ok.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Windows 8 Pro price slashed

today By Nicole Kobie

Posted on 4 Mar 2013 at 11:35

The Windows 8 Pro upgrade price has inexplicably been slashed on Microsoft's online store.

An upgrade from a previous version of Windows to Windows 8 Pro had previously cost £190 inc VAT, but is now being advertised for £45.

Oddly, that means it's cheaper than the standard Windows 8, which is £99, and also cheaper than an upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro, which remains at £99.

Windows 8 Pro had previously been available for an introductory discount price, but that ended 31 January.


Read more: Windows 8 Pro price slashed to £45 | News | PC Pro http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/380347/w...#ixzz2McV8MLUR

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I hope this lasts to the end of the month - dithered over getting it previously, but Pro for £45 may be worth it

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Yes i am still using windows 8 before you ask :), but only because i cannot get my windows 7 key working. Microsoft will never admit they are not selling as many windows 8 keys as they would wish :LOL:

If Microsoft reintroduced the start menu it would i feel be better received.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I am so pleased i didn't dither so ended up getting it for £25 and managed to add the free mediacentre key to it on the last day. :)

I did take an image of my windows 7 install before installing it incase i didn't like it, but to be honest i live on the desktop and the start screen is just a large start menu so all is good here for now.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

you can get start menu's in windows store if you want one just go to store and click search on charms bar type classic there a few there I for one don't miss start menu one bit as snoopz said in post above the start screen is just a big start menu and I believe the start screen will get better with windows blue update and maybe resizable screen for the apps would be good too

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I hope it does

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

flash works on all sites in IE 10 metro version now after update out today just did mine

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

And i am still using windows 8, however i have only lasted this long because of using the startisback tool to give me the start menu as per windows 7. :)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I don't miss the start menu at all, even though i don't often use the start screen.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

don't miss start menu one bit either

---------- Post added at 21:29 ---------- Previous post was at 21:28 ----------

so you enjoying windows 8 now you got your start menu mate

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

As long as i can have the start menu I will be ok

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Oh really? You hadn't mentioned it before now :rolleyes:

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I will remind you again tomorrow unless your on yet another holiday from the site :rolleyes:

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Anyone know where you are 'supposed' to redownload Windows 8? Microsoft Store says I have no purchases so I can't do it from there. I have my product key written down on paper so maybe I'l just give them a ring, assuming its 0800.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Look here

http://www.askvg.com/how-to-re-downl...ade-assistant/

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=271128 you download the installer not the upgrade assistant it asks for your key and bobs your uncle this gives options for iso etc

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Got my USB set up, installation goes fine until it restarts then just has a black screen.

Its like stotting my head against a brick wall.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I assume you only have one screen plugged in and not plugged into you tv?

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Two monitors, one VGA one HDMI, both show the black screen after the restart.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

have you tried just one just to rule it out

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Yeah, I've done it three times, once for each monitor then both.

I'm going to give it a go now with no graphics driver, fingers crossed.

---------- Post added at 23:25 ---------- Previous post was at 22:41 ----------

I got to 'preparing devices' before black screen syndrome set in, it's reminded me why I like this iPad so much.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Now after reinstalling the graphics driver I get black screen on Windows 7.

Hopefully YouTube has some good noose tying tutorials.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

so a driver installed and the screen goes black. No driver and it works? is it a discrete GFX? try an older driver?

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

The Mail, Calendar and People apps are getting better!

Posted on: Mar 25, 2013

by Brandon LeBlanc

Starting tomorrow, you will be able to download an update for the Mail, Calendar, and People apps from the Windows Store. These apps are designed to manage communication seamlessly on Windows PCs and tablets across multiple accounts—Outlook.com, Exchange, and others. We know our customers typically have two or more email accounts for personal use and work use, they use these accounts throughout the day, and they have a large volume of email they’re continuously managing. So this update will bring improvements to your Windows experience across your whole life - your personal communication and your work. You will see big improvements to performance and additional new features to make it easier to connect with friends and colleagues, manage your inboxes, create and send email, and manage your calendar.

read the rest here

http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/w...ng-better.aspx

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I'd rather just use Outlook.com which has Calendar & People hubs built in.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Deep inside Windows Blue: 10 coolest features in Microsoft's leaked OS

http://www.pcworld.com/article/20319...leaked-os.html

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

gonna throw it at a VM

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

By lord have mercy I've finally got Windows 8 running again.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

How did you fix it?

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

glad you got it sorted hope you like windows 8

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Does anyone know how i can get the themes to randomly change without any manual intervention from me? I know i can change the backgrounds but i want the theme to rotate too.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

right click on desktop click personalization then click desktop background and pick time it changes and make sure all is selected

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

That only changes the background and not the theme though, which is what i was already doing.

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

click get themes online

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

I already do that Dave, which brings me back to my question is there a way to 'auto' change the themes like we can do the backgrounds? :)

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

Deleted graphics driver (that was supplied with motherboard)
Installed Windows 8 graphics driver
Installed Windows 8
Deleted Windows 8 graphics driver
Installed graphics driver (that was supplied with motherboard)

Now my Xbox Games app crashes on launch.

It's just another day, for you and me, in paradise...

Re: [MERGED] Windows 8 discussion
 

You don't have it easy do you? lol

When i upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 8 the whole process took only 5mins and it just worked.