Upgrade to Win 8 questionable

[Panic]

I have a Sony All-in-One desktop computer with touchscreen, voice
recognition, TV tuner, etc. which came with Win 7 Home Premium. I ran the
Win 8 evaluation program to see what programs and devices will still work
with Win 8. I was saddened to see how many will no longer work correctly
with Win 8. I would expect problems upgrading to Win 8 if I was upgrading
from Vista or other earlier versions but to lose that much on a one step
upgrade is ridiculous. Plus I have read that the touch screen regimen using
Win 8 requires a whole new learning curve. It really doesn't seem that was
necessary since I've used my touch screen computer with Win 7 using normal
procedures and layout.

Anyone interested in upgrading to Win 8 should go to
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8 and run
this evaluation. Make sure you have all your peripherals on and running.

 

[Drew]

I have a Sony All-in-One desktop computer with touchscreen, voice
recognition, TV tuner, etc. which came with Win 7 Home Premium. I ran
the Win 8 evaluation program to see what programs and devices will still
work with Win 8. I was saddened to see how many will no longer work
correctly with Win 8. I would expect problems upgrading to Win 8 if I
was upgrading from Vista or other earlier versions but to lose that much
on a one step upgrade is ridiculous. Plus I have read that the touch
screen regimen using Win 8 requires a whole new learning curve. It
really doesn't seem that was necessary since I've used my touch screen
computer with Win 7 using normal procedures and layout.

Anyone interested in upgrading to Win 8 should go to
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8 and
run this evaluation. Make sure you have all your peripherals on and
running.

Discovered almost the same thing with my wife's computer. Unfortunately
the so called upgrade advisor said all would work. When I purchased the
upgrade and installed it then the nightmare started.I still have the
upgrade report and marvel at the mistakes it made. Win 8 dvd's have
become coasters and possibly skeet as suggested by others. I restored it
back to win7 64 premium and it works perfectly. I guess it will stay
that way until either HP does something (doubtful) or it dies. I know it
is not up to HP but still a little ticked that I wasted the money.

 

[Scott]

I have a Sony All-in-One desktop computer with touchscreen, voice
recognition, TV tuner, etc. which came with Win 7 Home Premium. I ran the
Win 8 evaluation program to see what programs and devices will still work
with Win 8. I was saddened to see how many will no longer work correctly
with Win 8. I would expect problems upgrading to Win 8 if I was upgrading
from Vista or other earlier versions but to lose that much on a one step
upgrade is ridiculous. Plus I have read that the touch screen regimen using
Win 8 requires a whole new learning curve. It really doesn't seem that was
necessary since I've used my touch screen computer with Win 7 using normal
procedures and layout.

Anyone interested in upgrading to Win 8 should go to
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8 and run
this evaluation. Make sure you have all your peripherals on and running.

If criticising Windows 8 on this group full flame proof protection is
highly recommended.

 

[Mellowed]

Discovered almost the same thing with my wife's computer. Unfortunately
the so called upgrade advisor said all would work. When I purchased the
upgrade and installed it then the nightmare started.I still have the
upgrade report and marvel at the mistakes it made. Win 8 dvd's have
become coasters and possibly skeet as suggested by others. I restored it
back to win7 64 premium and it works perfectly. I guess it will stay
that way until either HP does something (doubtful) or it dies. I know it
is not up to HP but still a little ticked that I wasted the money.

Sounds like my story but I tried it for 5 months before going back to
Win7. Love Win7.

 

[sticks]

If criticising Windows 8 on this group full flame proof protection is
highly recommended.

The ability to get thicker skin is part of the usenet experience. You
should give it a try.

 

[Scott]

The ability to get thicker skin is part of the usenet experience. You
should give it a try.

I'm kitted up mate.

 

[Drew]

If criticising Windows 8 on this group full flame proof protection is
highly recommended.

Plonk!.. Feel better now?

 

[Paul]

The ability to get thicker skin is part of the usenet experience. You
should give it a try.

And whoever thought that changing your OS was easy ?

Lots of MacOSX applications break, from one release
of OS to the next.

On one Linux "rolling release distro" I have here, I
tried to upgrade it one day, and it was a complete
meltdown (restore from backup).

The safest approach to a new OS, is multi-booting,
but I guess that escaped people. (I install one OS per
disk, allowing disks to be unplugged without affecting
other OS choices.)

I have access to around four OSes directly on this
computer, and Windows 8 sits on its own disk. Windows 8
is not my everyday OS. But, if I need to compress a
500GB archive on this computer, I boot Windows 8 and
do it there - because it completes faster and doesn't
tickle a bug that exists in WinXP.

To me, an OS is just a tool. If it works well, it
becomes the "everyday OS". If it doesn't work well,
it's like that pair of pliers I own, with the 90 degree
tip on the end. It is seldom used, but when you need it,
you really need it. You manage OSes like you manage
tools in your toolbox. The really useful ones, are
in easy reach. The useless tools, they go in a second
(obscure tools) toolbox. I only throw out a tool,
if it is damaged (bust tip off pliers).

I would never expect to change the OS, and be entirely
happy. And that's where multi-booting comes in.

If the upgrade assistant says your computer doesn't
have NX/XD support in hardware, that's a "drop dead"
issue. Only one computer in my collection, is ready to
run Windows 8. Microsoft has seen to it, that lots of
hardware will not be a basis for a Windows 8 system.

If the Upgrade Assistant says an application is not
compatible, and an update is available, that doesn't
mean the application is broken. You need to investigate
that further, and talk to people who have actually tried
that particular application. You'd expect big packages
(like Office) to have more issues than a smaller package.
In some cases, proof of compatibility is impossible to find.

In terms of drivers, Vista/Win7/Win8 should share a lot
in common. Windows includes generic drivers for some
of the stuff, so even if you think something in the
peripheral area might be broken, there might be a
workaround.

The output of the Upgrade Assistant is a starting
point, not an ending point. If a "drop dead" issue
shows up (NX/XD, or no video driver), then you stop
right there. For example, there's no driver for my
FX5200 video card (so Windows 8 stays stuck at 1024x768).
For a lot of the other output from the tool, it requires
further research.

The Upgrade Assistant doesn't tell you everything. For
example, you may think you're getting a free copy of
Hyper-V with your Windows 8, but when you go to "install"
it later (it's a separate step), it tells you your
hardware doesn't have Extended Page Tables (SLAT).
And I wasn't warned about that. For some people, that
would be critical to their usage of the computer.
While VirtualBox (free) can solve that, the control
UI on VirtualBox, is like dealing with a bureaucracy.

And upgrading to Windows 8, only made sense while it
was $39.99. Whatever the price is now, upgrading
no longer makes sense. At $39.99, it's like a
cheap, badly fitting pair of shoes. And only fit
to add to your multi-boot collection.

http://www.fitcustomshirts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/square-toe-shoes.jpg

Paul

 

[sticks]

I'm kitted up mate.

evidently too late. it already got in. hope you get better, mate.

 

[Wolf K]

I have a Sony All-in-One desktop computer with touchscreen, voice
recognition, TV tuner, etc. which came with Win 7 Home Premium. I ran
the Win 8 evaluation program to see what programs and devices will still
work with Win 8. I was saddened to see how many will no longer work
correctly with Win 8. I would expect problems upgrading to Win 8 if I
was upgrading from Vista or other earlier versions but to lose that much
on a one step upgrade is ridiculous. Plus I have read that the touch
screen regimen using Win 8 requires a whole new learning curve. It
really doesn't seem that was necessary since I've used my touch screen
computer with Win 7 using normal procedures and layout.

Anyone interested in upgrading to Win 8 should go to
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8 and
run this evaluation. Make sure you have all your peripherals on and
running.

Interesting. This mobo with a 2006 BIOS running a "64 bit ready" Core 2
Duo E660 CPU, 4GB RAN, Invidia 9400-GT graphics card, had no issues
with W6 Pro 64 bit. Drivers weren't a problem, either. 32-bit software
runs fine, 16-bit doesn't.

That being said, the minor improvements of W8 over W7 don't make a
compelling case for an upgrade to W8 IMO. I did it partly because I was
curious, and partly because MS offered a dirt cheap upgrade package (no
longer available AFAIK). I'm using Classic Shell to avoid Metro, so from
my POV there's almost no difference between W7 and W8.

Your Sony specs would be of interest.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I'm kitted up mate.

I'm not surprised to read that, since I thought your remark was a
warning to Panic, rather than an admission that your own skin was thin


Meantime, I better apply my own epoxy hand lotion, right?

 

[stones]

it's like a cheap, badly fitting pair of shoes. And only fit to add to
your multi-boot collection.

I never even consider a new Windows version for use as my main OS until
the first service pack has been out for a few months.

None of them "fit well" and all of them have widespread compatibility
issues and other problems until then.

After that, the service pack has fixed the most serious wrinkles in the
original version, a few Patch Tuesdays have fixed the most serious
wrinkles with the service pack, and most application vendors and hardware
manufacturers have gotten around to releasing compatible versions of
their applications and drivers.

The OS always seems to be most usable between about three months after
SP1 becomes available until MS EOLs it or it's obsolete for using new
hardware or software you want to use.

That said, I have heard of no compelling advantage to using Windows 8
unless you have a touchscreen device you're running it on. And desktop
PCs will never make for good touchscreen devices, because vertical
touchscreens a full couple of feet from you aren't comfortable to use.

Maybe there'll be a killer software application or stupendously game-
changing hunk of hardware that Win7 will never support. Until then, I'm
not sure I'd upgrade even after Win8 SP1 becomes available.

 

[...winston]

"Gene E. Bloch" wrote in message

I'm not surprised to read that, since I thought your remark was
a warning to Panic, rather than an admission that your own skin
was thin


Meantime, I better apply my own epoxy hand lotion, right?

Like the rest of us long term nntp users..you probably have applied enough lotion that your skin is permanent epoxy - a periodic
polishing will maintain its lustre and protection.

 

[...winston]

"Panic" wrote in message ? I have a Sony All-in-One desktop computer with touchscreen, voice
recognition, TV tuner, etc. which came with Win 7 Home Premium. I ran the
Win 8 evaluation program to see what programs and devices will still work
with Win 8. I was saddened to see how many will no longer work correctly
with Win 8.
Care to elaborate on the hardware (specs), installed software, and 'how many will no longer work'.

That info might help others avoid a similar problem.

 

[John Morrison]

The ability to get thicker skin is part of the usenet experience. You
should give it a try.

LOL.

The only reason I'm reading this thread, is my Newsreader asked me, do
you want to read this thread? And I answered YES.

Next week I will have a new computer running Windows 8 and I hope you
never hear any complaints from me.

 

[Martin Edwards]

Sounds like my story but I tried it for 5 months before going back to
Win7. Love Win7.

I was fine with XP, but 7 is okay too.

 

[Fokke Nauta]

And whoever thought that changing your OS was easy ?

Lots of MacOSX applications break, from one release
of OS to the next.

On one Linux "rolling release distro" I have here, I
tried to upgrade it one day, and it was a complete
meltdown (restore from backup).

The safest approach to a new OS, is multi-booting,
but I guess that escaped people. (I install one OS per
disk, allowing disks to be unplugged without affecting
other OS choices.)

I have access to around four OSes directly on this
computer, and Windows 8 sits on its own disk. Windows 8
is not my everyday OS. But, if I need to compress a
500GB archive on this computer, I boot Windows 8 and
do it there - because it completes faster and doesn't
tickle a bug that exists in WinXP.

To me, an OS is just a tool. If it works well, it
becomes the "everyday OS". If it doesn't work well,
it's like that pair of pliers I own, with the 90 degree
tip on the end. It is seldom used, but when you need it,
you really need it. You manage OSes like you manage
tools in your toolbox. The really useful ones, are
in easy reach. The useless tools, they go in a second
(obscure tools) toolbox. I only throw out a tool,
if it is damaged (bust tip off pliers).

I would never expect to change the OS, and be entirely
happy. And that's where multi-booting comes in.

If the upgrade assistant says your computer doesn't
have NX/XD support in hardware, that's a "drop dead"
issue. Only one computer in my collection, is ready to
run Windows 8. Microsoft has seen to it, that lots of
hardware will not be a basis for a Windows 8 system.

If the Upgrade Assistant says an application is not
compatible, and an update is available, that doesn't
mean the application is broken. You need to investigate
that further, and talk to people who have actually tried
that particular application. You'd expect big packages
(like Office) to have more issues than a smaller package.
In some cases, proof of compatibility is impossible to find.

In terms of drivers, Vista/Win7/Win8 should share a lot
in common. Windows includes generic drivers for some
of the stuff, so even if you think something in the
peripheral area might be broken, there might be a
workaround.

The output of the Upgrade Assistant is a starting
point, not an ending point. If a "drop dead" issue
shows up (NX/XD, or no video driver), then you stop
right there. For example, there's no driver for my
FX5200 video card (so Windows 8 stays stuck at 1024x768).
For a lot of the other output from the tool, it requires
further research.

The Upgrade Assistant doesn't tell you everything. For
example, you may think you're getting a free copy of
Hyper-V with your Windows 8, but when you go to "install"
it later (it's a separate step), it tells you your
hardware doesn't have Extended Page Tables (SLAT).
And I wasn't warned about that. For some people, that
would be critical to their usage of the computer.
While VirtualBox (free) can solve that, the control
UI on VirtualBox, is like dealing with a bureaucracy.

And upgrading to Windows 8, only made sense while it
was $39.99. Whatever the price is now, upgrading
no longer makes sense. At $39.99, it's like a
cheap, badly fitting pair of shoes. And only fit
to add to your multi-boot collection.

http://www.fitcustomshirts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/square-toe-shoes.jpg


Paul

Why using a variety of operating systems in a multiboot pc when you can
try them out in a virtual machine?
Years ago I had a multiboot machine with XP and linux. Now I still use a
multiboot system (W7 and an XP backup system) but for a different
reason: for daily use I use W7, and I use the XP backup system in case I
need to reinstall a W7 system image in the W7 partition.
Nowadays I have a lot of linuxes in VMWare. And tried W8 there as well.
I love it! VMWare, that is, not W8.

Fokke

 

[Paul]

Why using a variety of operating systems in a multiboot pc when you can
try them out in a virtual machine?
Years ago I had a multiboot machine with XP and linux. Now I still use a
multiboot system (W7 and an XP backup system) but for a different
reason: for daily use I use W7, and I use the XP backup system in case I
need to reinstall a W7 system image in the W7 partition.
Nowadays I have a lot of linuxes in VMWare. And tried W8 there as well.
I love it! VMWare, that is, not W8.

Fokke

I have fifteen different VMs as well. I didn't want to make
the story too boring.

Paul

 

[Fokke Nauta]

I have fifteen different VMs as well. I didn't want to make
the story too boring.

Paul

And still a multiboot machine?
Why's that?
Not quite boring ...

Fokke

 

[Paul]

And still a multiboot machine?
Why's that?
Not quite boring ...

Fokke

My VM of choice, was VPC2007, and it's only installed in WinXP.
VPC2007 won't run Windows 8. And VPC2007 supports a single core
only. I don't like VirtualBox, because of the "rigid" rules
in the control panel (usage of GUIDs) - the rules just get
in the way of getting things done. And VMWare never seemed to
be a practical option (I think I installed it once for a trial,
but threw it away). I'm just set in my ways I guess.

Windows 8 won't run VPC2007 or Windows Virtual PC or WinXP mode.
Windows 8 will run Hyper-V (but only if you have SLAT) and
Windows 8 will run VirtualBox. What a mess. And much of the
"rules" are purely arbitrary and capricious.

Kinda like the Linux kernel bug for the last year, where
Linux improperly determined that VPC2007 was actually
Hyper-V, and then Linux assumed Hyper-V "drivers" were
available, when in fact they're not. (The Linux LiveCD
could then not find a hard drive to install on!) Finally,
that was fixed, and the first evidence of the fix is in
Ubuntu 13 beta. I can actually load Ubuntu 13 in VPC2007 - it's
dog slow on my 3GHz Core2! It even gets into a loop once
in a while, and pegs the CPU on one core. Cool!

Now, why would I want to scare someone, when I can instead
just convince them to use multi-booting for a few things

Multi-booting isn't convenient, but it is "clean".

Paul