Windows 7 or 8

[BettyO]

My next "Tech Toy" is going to be an iPad - I've been wanting one for the longest time - I'm saving up....

[LincolnMan]

I would go to a Mac myself- but my Windows lap top is not even a year old. Donna has a Mac- and she says she "ain't going' back."

[RJNorton]

Yesterday afternoon I spent about 3 hours downloading and installing Windows 8.1. I was upset when done as I could immediately tell many of my programs were lost during the upgrade. I thought Microsoft had stated that people upgrading from Windows 8 would have all their programs retained. So I will need to reinstall programs such as Word, Works, Adobe Reader, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Real Player, Quicktime, etc. Very frustrating! All my documents and mail files were retained, but they were in a different location, and it took a while to find them. Also, very frustrating.

As soon as I am done with this process I will be putting this computer back in the closet and return to my beloved Windows 7 computer.

So far the only difference I see between Window 8 and Windows 8.1 is there is an option to go straight to the desktop when the computer starts (rather than going to the Start screen as in Windows 8).

[LincolnMan]

Thanks for thr "heads up" Roger. I've heard that Microsoft lost a ton of business due to Windows 8.

[Linda Anderson]

Yesterday afternoon I spent about 3 hours downloading and installing Windows 8.1. I was upset when done as I could immediately tell many of my programs were lost during the upgrade. I thought Microsoft had stated that people upgrading from Windows 8 would have all their programs retained. So I will need to reinstall programs such as Word, Works, Adobe Reader, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Real Player, Quicktime, etc. Very frustrating! All my documents and mail files were retained, but they were in a different location, and it took a while to find them. Also, very frustrating.

As soon as I am done with this process I will be putting this computer back in the closet and return to my beloved Windows 7 computer.

So far the only difference I see between Window 8 and Windows 8.1 is there is an option to go straight to the desktop when the computer starts (rather than going to the Start screen as in Windows 8).

Here's an update on Windows 8.1.


NEW YORK (AP) — Microsoft has pulled a Windows update from its website after it caused problems on some customers' devices.

The company didn't give details about the problems but says it's investigating. It removed the RT 8.1 update from the Windows Store during the weekend.

In place of the update, Microsoft posted an apology for the problem and said it's trying to resolve the situation quickly. The company says it will give updates as soon as possible. It says the problem affected only a limited number of users.

The company says RT 8.1 is an operating system for tablets and light, thin personal computers. It only runs built-in apps or apps downloaded from the Windows Store.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-10-2...x-problems

[JMadonna]

Could be worse. They could be using 8.0 technology for the Affordable Health Care website.

They aren't are they?

[LincolnMan]

Could be worse. They could be using 8.0 technology for the Affordable Health Care website.

They aren't are they?

No, it has been reported that the technology that was used for the ACH Web Site is 10 years old!

[RJNorton]

Last Thursday I downloaded and installed Windows 8.1 and am using it as I make this post. For the first two days it seemed obvious what Microsoft thinks of Google. I am posting a sample screenshot of the way search results were displayed on my monitor. For this example I used a search for John Hay:

It took me until Saturday to find what was wrong. There is a setting in IE11 called "Compatibility view settings." In order to display Google's search results properly one has to uncheck "Use Microsoft compatibility lists." Once this is done, the results for the John Hay search appear normally.

I am sure there a lot of people out there who wonder why Google search results don't display normally in Windows 8.1. Also, if you don't like IE11 (which comes with Windows 8.1) you are not allowed to revert back to IE9, IE10, etc. You are stuck with IE11, like it or not.

[LincolnMan]

As a Windows 8 user, am I going to be forced to install 8.1 at some point? Thanks for keeping us posted on this.

[RJNorton]

Good morning, Bill. No, it's a free "upgrade" for Windows 8 users, but it's totally optional. Microsoft released it as "a fix" for many of the complaints coming from Windows 8 users, but I am not seeing a huge difference. You do not need to install it if you prefer to just stick with what you have. I will be putting this computer away and returning to Windows 7 this week.

[BettyO]

Earlier back in August, Hotmail users were forced by Microsloth to use Outlook. I hate it and wish that users had a choice - I'd have stuck with Hotmail as would other users.

[Rob Wick]

I think I'm going to have to invest in a desktop after all. My laptop shut down on me four times yesterday out of the blue. I've got everything backed up and saved in case it goes kaput, but this is really frustrating. I found a Dell that has Windows 7 for $359 (I just need the tower), that I think I'm going to order.

Wonder if I can find an old Underwood typewriter somewhere. Or even an IBM Selectric.

Best
Rob

[LincolnMan]

Earlier back in August, Hotmail users were forced by Microsloth to use Outlook. I hate it and wish that users had a choice - I'd have stuck with Hotmail as would other users.

Betty: I think the same. It's of those " don't fix it if it ain't broke" situations. The "fix" hardly ever turns out.

[Rob Wick]

Got a SATA to USB adapter yesterday and hooked it up to my hard drive, and so far I've been able to save about 100 pictures, including the pictures I took when I visited Lincoln's birthplace and the boyhood home. Still haven't found my book proposal but there's about 800,000 files to go through yet. Also, got my new computer in yesterday, but I doubt it won't get hooked up before Saturday night or Sunday. It's a Dell with Windows 7.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

Good to hear you are making progress, Rob.