Windows 8 coming... Yes, no?

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Windows 8 coming... Yes, no?

1 | ... | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | ... | 24

20520 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4797

#707231 26-Oct-2012 23:01

Gilco2:
linw: Guys, with the 'clean' installs from the downloads, do you get the 64 bit version?
I was already running windows 7 64bit and the 3 downloads I did were all 64bit. They also are upgrades. But can do clean install. If virgin hard drive install twice

I wonder if it is all down to the PC you download it from. So if you download from a windows 32 bit, you will get a windows 32 bit version of 8. But if you download it form a 64bit pc, you will get the 64 bit version. Maybe they assume that the pc you are downloading it from is the pc you are installing it on.

mattwnz

20520 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4797

#707236 26-Oct-2012 23:11

teamsteve: I specifically asked if the boxed copy I was ordering would be able to be installed on my machine which doesn't have a previous version of Windows on it and was told "Yes you will be able to install it on your macbook as it’s a full version not an upgrade."

But when I try to active it I get this message...

... boo :(

Just return it to the store for a refund if they told you that, as it sounds like they gave you incorrect information. I think the full version of win 8 as an OEM DVD is like $230, so the upgrade is a lot cheaper.

sidefx

3775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1295

Trusted

#707238 26-Oct-2012 23:22

mattwnz:
I think it gives you the option to create a DVD. Not a fan of their installer system though. It crashed the first time I used it when I tried to pay. Why can't they just have a simple download site.

Argh, WTF, it crashed on me too. Only after I'd already paid and was approaching the end of the download! Was taking an age to download so I left it at about 60% done... when I come back everything had hung and I had to reboot. Now how do I get my frikkin' download back?? Reopening the upgrade assistant takes me back to the order link and wants me to pay again.

There's a link in the email with purchase confirmation to "Windows 8 setup" where I can enter the cd key but that's just trying to download the whole thing again. Grr. Guess I'll have to download it all again...

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

CYaBro

4708 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1182

ID Verified

Trusted

#707252 27-Oct-2012 00:29

CYaBro: Yes for me.
I looked at the CP and didn't think much of it but have been running the RTM on my laptop since it was available on TechNet.
Getting used to the new way of doing things and liking it now.

One thing I have to ask, what's happened to the 'Manage Wireless Networks' option that was in the Network & Sharing Centre in Windows 7?
I had to change the wireless key on my router at home and could find no way to remove the existing wireless config, in Win8, so that it I could enter in the new wireless key!
In the end I had to run some command line thing to delete the existing wireless network and then I was able to do it.
Not very end-user friendly!

For those who want the 'Manage Wireless Networks' option again in Windows 8 I just found this:
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/wifi-profile-manager-windows-8

Works great and I now no longer have the phantom 'Home 1' wireless network showing on my laptop!

Thanks a lot Microsoft!

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

StevieT

706 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 34

#707278 27-Oct-2012 06:30

If you used Windows 7 64-edition, upgrade to Windows 8 64-edition. If you use Windows 7 32-bit, I think you need to do a clean install to get the Windows 8 64-bit edition.

And I still await for my product key for Media Centre......

StevieT

706 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 34

#707279 27-Oct-2012 06:33

mattwnz:
teamsteve: I specifically asked if the boxed copy I was ordering would be able to be installed on my machine which doesn't have a previous version of Windows on it and was told "Yes you will be able to install it on your macbook as it’s a full version not an upgrade."

But when I try to active it I get this message...

... boo :(

Just return it to the store for a refund if they told you that, as it sounds like they gave you incorrect information. I think the full version of win 8 as an OEM DVD is like $230, so the upgrade is a lot cheaper.

Which store did you buy it from? That's bad they can't differentiate between an upgrade and OEM DVD, and give advise accordingly. Though be prepared for a battle if you return it. They may not accept it - even though you were told 'x, y and z'. That's what they're like.

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

Oliver

80 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#707284 27-Oct-2012 07:22

INFO ON 64/32BIT INSTALLS AND ISO DOWNLOADS:

I've seen a few questions through the thread about this, and after struggling through an installation and calls to Microsoft tech support last night here's a few answers.

I upgraded from Windows XP 32-bit (SP3), with the intention of using the online upgrade process to end up with Windows 8 Pro 64-bit. I had previously been running Windows 8 Release Preview 64-bit but didn't think you could use the online upgrade path from this, so I formatted my drive, installed my last legitimate copy of Windows (which was XP! - had switched to Apple for a few years when Vista came out), and started the online upgrade.

ISO file?
Anyway, yes, the online upgrade process gives you the chance to create an .iso file of Windows 8 which can be burned to disk. You can also create a bootable USB flash drive. To do this run the upgrade assistant you download here. Let it do it's thing and download Windows. At the end you get a choice to Install Now, or create the .iso file / bootable flash drive. If you select the .iso option it will also walk you through burning a DVD of it (unless you are using Vista).

Change from 32-bit to 64-bit editions during upgrade?
In my case, because I started with a 32-bit edition, I could only download WIndows 8 32-bit. I understand from other comments that if you start with a 64-bit edition you'll upgrade to 64-bit, but there's definitely no option to upgrade from 32 to 64-bit online, at this stage. On the upgrade page at Microsoft, an FAQ spells out that if you want to do this you need to go and buy the DVD upgrade edition from a retail outlet (around $89). In my case I found this out too late, as I had already paid the $49.95 for the online upgrade. Basically I was stuck with my 64-bit capable processor and 8GB of RAM going partly to waste with a 32-bit install.

To try and sort this out I rang Microsoft tech support at 8pm who were surprisingly quick to answer and put me on to a technician. They eventually explained that the product key I had received when I paid for the upgrade was good for Windows 8 Pro 32-bit AND 64-bit editions, but "at this stage, because Windows 8 is very new, we don't have time yet to place a link online to the download page for Windows 8 64-bit". He suggested I wait the "two to four weeks until the 64-bit .iso file is available to download online", at which time I could download it, burn the .iso to disk, and install it (as a clean install), using my product key to complete the activation.

Not wanting to wait that long I managed to find an RTM copy of WIndows 8 Pro 64-bit through a certain torrent sharing website, which downloaded overnight. As the technician suggested, I was able to make an install DVD from that, which I successfully installed and activated this morning using my (legitimate) product key.

Hope that clears a few things up, feel free to hit me up with any questions.

UncleArk

110 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 28

#707297 27-Oct-2012 08:31

In case anyone's interested, here's a brief summary of my Windows 8 upgrading experience...

Existing OS = Windows 7 64bit. Computer = high-end custom built (i.e. I selected my components and built it myself)

Downloaded and ran the upgrade assistant. 15 items on the list of issues.
This discovered a number of programs/driver that needed updates - but informed me they were available. These were items such as my older Canon LiDE scanner.
In terms of programs the only one which I noted down to investigate was Daemon Tools Pro. This was a purchased program and I may need to purchase a new version as the free upgrades only extend to the current version number. Not something I use offen and will investigate "when I get around to it"!
In terms of drivers the only one of concern was that apparently my Intel USB3 controller was not compatible. Before proceeding with purchasing I went to my motherboard manufacturer's website and satisfied myself that my (fairly current) motherboard has new Windows 8 drivers for everything.

The upgrade assistant required that I uninstall any incompatible software first. I did this and proceeded onto purchase.

I was pleasantly surprised that Paypal is an option to pay the $49.99 and I made use of that.

You are given the option to additionally purchase a DVD for an extra $25 (I think it was that) but I chose not to do this as I've never used previous disks always relying on a backup image (regularly schedules full image backups with Acronis) to reinstall with if anything goes wrong.

Once purchased the download started and took approx 25 mins to download. In the meantime you can still use your PC.

The actual install took around 15 to 20 minutes with the PC rebooting a number of times.

Once this was completely I had a play with Metro, realising that a heap of the new Metro apps are cool but not something I would use much. Apps like stocks for example. I then spent about 1/2 an hour familiarising myself with how Metro works and how Desktop works coming to the conclusion that in terms of real life operation there is actually very little different at all from windows 7 to windows 8 if you "live" in the dekstop app.

I have always used jump lists and have previously pinned my frequently used programs to the W7 taskbar. The W8 desktop is exactly the same as I left it in W7 (without the formal "start" button of course).

I then took the opportunity to install the latest version of my motherboard's .INF and chipset and USB 3 drivers etc.

While I was pretty sure the upgrade process also installed the latest sound driver I did also reinstall that just for good measure using the latest from the m/board maker - same with LAN driver.

I tested my scanner and found that a snazzy new preview/scan screen comes up and that the updated driver has installed successfully.

I did go to guru3D and got the latest WHQL video driver for my card and installed that also for good measure (it was infact newer than the one installed by W8).

I made sure to make sure that my SSD is aligned properly still. I was aligned properly under 7 and there has been no change.

I spent another 1/2 or so customising Metro/Start with the "apps" I want on there - selecting from the ALL APPS you can right click to get to "unpinning from start" to remove the ones I didn't want. All said and done the new Metro/Start is merely the former start menu just using tiles instead of the cascading folders/headings with sub-categories that it was formerly.

Everything, and I mean everything, appears to be available to be tiled onto start including things like Disk Cleanup which was formerly found under accessories in the previous start etc.

I would say it took about 2 to 2.5 hours all up from deciding to install to being fully installed and comfortable using the new windows. The caveat to this though is that I've had a computer since 1981 or so and have never not had one and I've grown and used windows since it was first released and am a reasonably expert overall computer user.

Things that have pleased me:

(1) The ability to upgrade 7 pro to 8 pro without a complete reinstall.
(2) The option of using Paypal
(3) The seemless upgrade considering I have a lot of programs installed (one of the reasons to avoid reinstall!)
(4) While I did have to uninstall a few programs prior to installation I have not found anything "broken" whatsoever now.
(5) Search tool is very powerful, whether you are searching the app store or your PC.

Annoyances:

Metro has somewhat disappointed me. My initial impression was that windows 8 is something quite new and something quite different. It's not. It's very much just windows 7 with a tarted up start menu system using tiles instead of folders and folder contents. Sure some of the tiles have live display which is nice - but from an expert point of view there's not much change here. This may actually be a comfort to some I guess!

The details pane in a file manager/explorer window is now on the right instead of the bottom and you cannot change it!
I think it just takes up too much real-estate in that location.

Aero has been ditched. I actually quite liked the Aero transparency look of Windows 7. Windows 8 has solid borders around programs. You can choose the colour though. Programs that don't have focus have a grey look to them which scarily makes them look like MAC programs (a bit like how iTunes on Windows just looks too bland grey MAC like).

I do miss the analogue clock I always kept on my desktop. Yes yes I know there's a digital one in the system tray and I will have to adjust to glancing at that! Speaking of clocks there's none in the new start menu by default but there are several free clock tiles in the app store you can install and place wherever you want.

I hope this isn't too much of a wall of text and is of use to someone!

P.S. I am still waiting (18 hours or so now) for the media centre promo serial to come through as others are!

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80657 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41065

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#707299 27-Oct-2012 08:32

Still waiting for the Media Center key as well...

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

Batman

Mad Scientist
30014 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#707305 27-Oct-2012 08:51

yo guys - can you dual boot? ie is the win 8 MBR similar to win 7? and can you just delete the win 8 partition without boot failure needing to "fix" with the original disc?

UncleArk

110 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 28

#707314 27-Oct-2012 09:26

After reading my previous post I thought I better just include some additional commentary on this comment I made:

"Metro has somewhat disappointed me. My initial impression was that windows 8 is something quite new and something quite different. It's not. It's very much just windows 7 with a tarted up start menu system using tiles instead of folders and folder contents. Sure some of the tiles have live display which is nice - but from an expert point of view there's not much change here. This may actually be a comfort to some I guess!"

Metro can be different if you choose. You can "live" in the new start menu and load Apps from here using the new task switcher to swap between running apps (actually similar to an iPad where you double click/4 finger swipe up and bring up the "task manager" to swap between apps).

What I have found however is that I have unpinned many of the metro Apps. Many are just "OK" (i.e. not spectacular) and I am, at the moment, making the decision to mostly run my existing programs.

When you run these they load up in the desktop. If for example I run Firefox, my browser of choice, from the new start menu it loads up in the desktop and looks and feels exactly as if I was in windows 7 When I click the X in the top right to exit the program where does it leave me? Still in the desktop! To get back to start I have to either hover in the lower left or the top right and choose start.

Since I have all my frequently used programs pinned to the task bar in the desktop environment I may as well "live" in this environment only using start for those infrequently used programs that I need to get at or search up.

Another reason for me personally is that (due to my employer have access to MS's "home use program") I have Office installed and Outlook is my mail program of choice. It is much nicer than the Metro mail app in my opinion so Mail is one of the Metro apps I've unpinned from start. By living in the desktop I still see the new mail notifications in the system tray.

As more and more Metro apps come along and as more and more programs become Metro-ised I may find I evolve to "living" in start more... but not yet.

Hope that provides some context to my statement above from my previous posting!

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

UncleArk

110 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 28

#707316 27-Oct-2012 09:33

POST INSTALLATION TIP FOR UPGRADERS:

Here's a tip, or a reminder at the very least, of something worthwhile doing post upgrade from Windows 7 - especially if you use a limited size SSD as a boot/primary disk for your OS.

After installation of Windows 8 and after you are satisfied all your programs/settings/files etc are OK you may wish to remove the previous windows install.

If you run DISK CLEANUP (from the start simply hover in the top right and then click on the search/magnifying glass and then make sure the search is searching apps and type in disk cleanup) you will note that your previous windows install can be "cleaned up".

In my case there was around 30gig worth of previous install I was able to get rid of...

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80657 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41065

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#707333 27-Oct-2012 09:47

Just received my Windows 8 Media Center key email. It took about 16 hours to arrive from request.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

sidefx

3775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1295

Trusted

#707334 27-Oct-2012 09:49

Not a very smooth upgrade for me! I'm still trying, after all this:

1) The upgrade assistant\setup crashed twice before successfully completing the download (hung the computer once and bluescreened once while trying to verify the download)

2) After the second time the Setup program would no longer start (after clicking it it showed in task manager pegging the CPU at 25% but never actually started properly) So I had to delete the temporary folder it creates and try again. 3rd download succeeded and I could create ISO.

3) Rebooting with the DVD in the drive looked like it was going to start installing but then get stuck

4) Starting the install from the ESD folder on the C: drive then looked like it was going to work, but was going incredibly slowly. So I left it over night. When I return in the morning guess what... whole compute is frozen and stuck at 37% which is where I left it last night.

5) Now the install seems to have left a bunch of data on the C: drive because it has dropped back down below the required 20GB free to actually start the install... so now I'm freeing up more space to try again :-/

I'm going to try prime95 and memtest to make sure everything is looking ok on my system. It's a bit odd because nothing else is giving problems on my system (including a couple of games that stress the system a bit) and the Dev preview and Release candidates both worked on my system (though installed on separate drives)

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

Behodar

11101 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6090

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#707346 27-Oct-2012 10:04

Behodar:
DoggNZ: Edit: Windows 8 Media Center pack for free

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/feature-packs

Did this work for anyone? I put in a request at about 11:00 and no email yet. Just me, or everyone?

It just turned up, so it took 23 hours in total. If anyone else is still waiting then it'll probably turn up eventually :)

1 | ... | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | ... | 24