After reading; please use the "Rate This Entry" link at the top of the page (stars) to score the Blog you just read.
I also would welcome very much the favor of a "Comment."
Thank you.
I also would welcome very much the favor of a "Comment."
Thank you.
Window 8 Pro (install)
Hey Guys ...
This is my first post subsequent to installing Windows 8 Pro.
Here's what you get in the retail package ... 32 and 64 Bit install software, I used the 64 right away. if you put in the 32 it'll tell you to switch over if you have enough hardware to support 64 Bit.
The Windows 8 Pro retail package consists of a slide over windowed cover, a hinged package, a getting started card, 32 bit & 64 bit Windows 8 software and a "Key" card. The Windows 8 package can come in different colors so if you're a collector you'll have to buy more than 1 copy.
if you look in the middle of the photo you will see a small key graphic on a white background. On the reverse of the card is your 25 digit key code. The blue card in the foreground is a "Welcome Card" with a very few getting started tips.
The box is hinged when you pull it out of the package, no need to try and open an end flap ...
So far so good, the install took about 2 hours I bet, was not really timing it but you will have to allocate a bit of time toward the install.
My machine came right up without any issues. I did have to work through a number of questions and having to login into Microsoft NET Passport. (write this info down before you upgrade)
You will also want to write down your secure login for your router before you begin as well.
I don't exactly know how to describe all the features just yet but there's a shell that comes up and it's designed for a tablet and touch screen.
I found out that my Microsoft "scroll" mouse can do about the same thing as a finger touching the screen for navigating anyway. The wheel will scroll the desktop back and forth and you can simply click on what you want .... I'm not sure what I want at the moment but I'm kicking the tires ....
Does anyone know what they did to the "Start" button so I can see all my installed software?
The installation process will present the blue screen you see above. Initially you will be given the option to keep all your files and settings or to install a fresh version and delete all your old stuff. It's up to you. I kept all my files and settings. it will display a "%" of completion as the software installs. Don't turn off your system and let it go. The system will restart a number of times and resume the install. Once the software is installed you will go through an easy wizard that will setup your machine.
I'm sure that I'll find all that stuff here soon. So far all my attached hardware works just fine.
I've worked in IT for a number of years so for me upgrading is just the next logical thing I would do. There's nothing that says that you have to upgrade but I did and I don't expect to look back on yesterday ... Ahhh yes the good old days of supporting Windows 3.1. In my career, I worked with 95, 98 & SE, XP Pro, (Hate Vista), and Win 7 and now 8. I'll even buy 9 as soon as that rolls out because as a pseudo nerd, I just have to have it.
I'm also finding that if I misspell a word, I get a little wavy line under the word and I can right click on the word and choose from the available recommendations OR add a new word. I am not sure if WIN8 supercharged my IESpell Check or if spell checking is built in but this feature was INOP in WIN7. Very cool!
Now in regard to grammar, ... like they say you can't fix stupid. 
At this time I am spanning screens. I have a window open on my 27" VIZIO Razor LCD and I'm looking at a second on my laptop. Works fine. The mouse commutes from one device to the other when you drag it around. The TV is connected via HDMI cable and the TV is on HDMI2.
Prior to doing this upgrade I also upgraded my RAM from 4GB to 8GB. Memory is cheap! I bought 2 sticks of 4GB memory (DDR3 13333) ($23.99ea) at Best Buy for a reasonable price and Windows 8. I walked out of the store for a little over a buck and a quarter. I wanted to go to 8GB for a long time since some of the Performance benchmarks indicated that my memory was just about pegged out. With 8GB it looks like I have just about a little over 4GB free.
(Editorial; Don't you just hate it when people go to Best Buy to get hands on and then go and buy on the Internet? I call it free Enterprise BUT I still want the luxury of having a dozen or more computers to play with at Best Buy when it's impossible to have that same benefit on-line. if there were no big box computer store (1) here I would not be a happy camper especially since we've already lost a competitor in Circuit City )
Just a little something to pass the time during "Sandy"
What's new when the software comes up is the Windows 8 UI or user interface. All the squares/rectangle graphics that you see are called "apps." The apps are available at the Microsoft Store and there are several hundred and I expect growing daily. Using your Microsoft NET Passport credentials you can login to the store. As you can see in the photo some of the apps are directly linked to the Internet and are active all the time. If you have a curiosity I'm sure this product is for you if not you can always press the "Windows Key" and it'll switch you over to a Windows 7 desktop.
This is my first post subsequent to installing Windows 8 Pro.
Here's what you get in the retail package ... 32 and 64 Bit install software, I used the 64 right away. if you put in the 32 it'll tell you to switch over if you have enough hardware to support 64 Bit.
The Windows 8 Pro retail package consists of a slide over windowed cover, a hinged package, a getting started card, 32 bit & 64 bit Windows 8 software and a "Key" card. The Windows 8 package can come in different colors so if you're a collector you'll have to buy more than 1 copy.
if you look in the middle of the photo you will see a small key graphic on a white background. On the reverse of the card is your 25 digit key code. The blue card in the foreground is a "Welcome Card" with a very few getting started tips.
The box is hinged when you pull it out of the package, no need to try and open an end flap ...
So far so good, the install took about 2 hours I bet, was not really timing it but you will have to allocate a bit of time toward the install.
My machine came right up without any issues. I did have to work through a number of questions and having to login into Microsoft NET Passport. (write this info down before you upgrade)
You will also want to write down your secure login for your router before you begin as well.
I don't exactly know how to describe all the features just yet but there's a shell that comes up and it's designed for a tablet and touch screen.
I found out that my Microsoft "scroll" mouse can do about the same thing as a finger touching the screen for navigating anyway. The wheel will scroll the desktop back and forth and you can simply click on what you want .... I'm not sure what I want at the moment but I'm kicking the tires ....
Does anyone know what they did to the "Start" button so I can see all my installed software?
The installation process will present the blue screen you see above. Initially you will be given the option to keep all your files and settings or to install a fresh version and delete all your old stuff. It's up to you. I kept all my files and settings. it will display a "%" of completion as the software installs. Don't turn off your system and let it go. The system will restart a number of times and resume the install. Once the software is installed you will go through an easy wizard that will setup your machine.
I'm sure that I'll find all that stuff here soon. So far all my attached hardware works just fine.
I've worked in IT for a number of years so for me upgrading is just the next logical thing I would do. There's nothing that says that you have to upgrade but I did and I don't expect to look back on yesterday ... Ahhh yes the good old days of supporting Windows 3.1. In my career, I worked with 95, 98 & SE, XP Pro, (Hate Vista), and Win 7 and now 8. I'll even buy 9 as soon as that rolls out because as a pseudo nerd, I just have to have it.
I'm also finding that if I misspell a word, I get a little wavy line under the word and I can right click on the word and choose from the available recommendations OR add a new word. I am not sure if WIN8 supercharged my IESpell Check or if spell checking is built in but this feature was INOP in WIN7. Very cool!
Now in regard to grammar, ... like they say you can't fix stupid. At this time I am spanning screens. I have a window open on my 27" VIZIO Razor LCD and I'm looking at a second on my laptop. Works fine. The mouse commutes from one device to the other when you drag it around. The TV is connected via HDMI cable and the TV is on HDMI2.
Prior to doing this upgrade I also upgraded my RAM from 4GB to 8GB. Memory is cheap! I bought 2 sticks of 4GB memory (DDR3 13333) ($23.99ea) at Best Buy for a reasonable price and Windows 8. I walked out of the store for a little over a buck and a quarter. I wanted to go to 8GB for a long time since some of the Performance benchmarks indicated that my memory was just about pegged out. With 8GB it looks like I have just about a little over 4GB free.
(Editorial; Don't you just hate it when people go to Best Buy to get hands on and then go and buy on the Internet? I call it free Enterprise BUT I still want the luxury of having a dozen or more computers to play with at Best Buy when it's impossible to have that same benefit on-line. if there were no big box computer store (1) here I would not be a happy camper especially since we've already lost a competitor in Circuit City )
Just a little something to pass the time during "Sandy"
What's new when the software comes up is the Windows 8 UI or user interface. All the squares/rectangle graphics that you see are called "apps." The apps are available at the Microsoft Store and there are several hundred and I expect growing daily. Using your Microsoft NET Passport credentials you can login to the store. As you can see in the photo some of the apps are directly linked to the Internet and are active all the time. If you have a curiosity I'm sure this product is for you if not you can always press the "Windows Key" and it'll switch you over to a Windows 7 desktop.
Total Comments 5
Comments
-
Give me back DOS.
DPosted 10-27-2012 at 02:48 PM by Dunner 
-
Which one? I carried MSDOS 3.22 files on a diskette in my tool bag for many years.Quote:Originally Posted by Dunner
Give me back DOS.
DPosted 10-27-2012 at 03:57 PM by DriVer
-
I am waiting until a few more people install/upgrade to this. I've got 3 systems to switch to Win8. There is no way I'd go back to DOS. There's a better chance of me switching to IOS first.
Posted 10-27-2012 at 06:59 PM by jckidd
-
Thanks for contributing to this thread.Quote:Originally Posted by jckidd
I am waiting until a few more people install/upgrade to this. I've got 3 systems to switch to Win8. There is no way I'd go back to DOS. There's a better chance of me switching to IOS first.
So far this is what I have found over a 24 hour period.
What works:- Global spell checking in most all apps in Windows 8 works great!
- Netflix; The Silverlight application that is required to view movies now loads I am now able to watch movies. In Win7, I was unable to get Silverlight loaded.
- The screen saver now works without crashing my computer. I am using 3D text.
- The speakers in the laptop are linked to an HDMI device and if I disconnect the HDMI cable I am unable to get and sound from the laptop. The task bar app shows that it's in a mute status. I don't know exactly where to go to dis-associate the LT's speakers to HDMI. (I was able to fix this today - all it was was a switch to set the internal speakers to default in the Control Panel)
- Seagate dashboard does not work, returns operating system not supported.
- Memeo Backup Premium does not work, returns operating system not supported. (eMail was forwarded to vendor)
I'm sure that I will find more things to talk about over the next few weeks. The OS is stable and has not given me any problems so far. My system for me is mission critical so for me to upgrade it was a tough decision. Good news is that I'm not going to loose my productivity.
The system has been downloading and applying MS Updates. So far so good.Posted 10-28-2012 at 12:24 PM by DriVer
Updated 10-28-2012 at 08:21 PM by DriVer -
Not so much a long term experience report however in the short term and now installed on a new system, Windows 8 appears to be running very well.
When you get a new system, Windows 8 will typically ship OEM with "Media Player." Purchasing a key code card package allows you to download WIN8 Pro and that gets installed over the top of the Media edition.
In properties it shows, "Windows 8 Pro with Media Center.
New in the OS is the Microsoft Store which allows you the opportunity to download what are called "Apps." So far I like app technology (although it's been around for a while) as it plays a large role in how WIN8 looks and feels.
Using the WIN7 Desktop for a lot of the stuff that you do on your system won't change. Get used to NOT having a start button but I am getting used to it. There are a number of keyboard shortcuts which are helpful so get that list.
My old system (2 years old) had a "System Rating" of 4.3. That's not bad I expect in comparison to a lot of others. BTW Adding RAM (8 total) did not change the number since the index is keyed on the lowest value in all the items that are tested. The index therefore was the result of the video performance where the computing performance on my DV6 was in the mid 5 range.
My new system, HP Envy M6-1125DX (Google Best Buy) has an index of 5.8 and this is keyed to the lowest value - again the video performance however the computing index is now 7.7 out of a max of 9.9.
This system will go on sale as a "Black Friday" (BF) special for ONLY $499.99. You have got to get one of these systems if you are looking for a new computer.
3rd Gen I5, 8GB RAM, 750GB HD, Backlit KB (it's going to be nice in the dark RV at night), Gigabit Ethernet, DVD burner, 15+ inch screen. You can beat this machine for the black Friday price. Don't say the I didn't tell you.
I think BF is on 11/23 but check the Best Buy flyer in your community.Posted 11-13-2012 at 08:04 AM by DriVer
Updated 11-13-2012 at 08:08 AM by DriVer
