Windows 8 Discussion

Michael Slaunwhite · Post by **Michael Slaunwhite** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 4:03 am

Hi.

Well, I have been using Windows 8 for about 2 or 3 hours now, and at first glance I was a bit taken back by how the Start Menu is missing. The reason why the good old Start Menu is missing is because the the Start Menu is right in front of you...[see pic]

The attachment startmenu.png is no longer available

See, this is the Start Menu, and you can so easily add anything you wish to it by doing what you would do now, and that is right clicking, and pinning it to the start menu.

Now there is one key that will bring you back to your standard desktop, or too your Start Menu which is your Windows Key, or select the Desktop icon [see pic].

The attachment desktop.png is no longer available

Once you select either the Windows Key you can very quickly switch between the original Desktop setup we are all use too, and press it again to have it replaced with the full screen Start Menu.

The attachment Startmenu2.png is no longer available

Now if you wish to see, and access all of what is in Windows 8, while having your Start Menu showing, right click, and choose "show all apps", and this is what you will see... [see pic]

The attachment allappsmenu.png is no longer available

You know I am finding Windows 8 much more easier to use, and much for fluid than Windows 7. After using Win 8 for a wee bit, I find it much more comfortable to use, and much more enjoyable.

Everything you have with Windows 7 is here, and with the press of one key (Windows Key), I am hopping from one location so quickly that it's shameful that people are so disgusted with this. I just don't get it.

You can either (when installing, and after) to choose to create your account to be online, or have it offline, that is up too you. I personally like keeping to the offline mode so I never have to sync with Microsoft's Cloud server.

Personally, so far I am won over, and I have no real idea why anyone is so offended. I mean I just installed Minecraft, and it works like a charm, and normally that causes me a couple of problems right out of the box with Windows 7. I'll be doing more testing, but so far it's very nice, and if this keeps up, I'm going to buy this baby.

Oh one more thing, it works beautiful with the mouse, and no you do not need to be pressing your fingers up against your monitor.

Michael Slaunwhite · Post by **Michael Slaunwhite** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 6:34 am

....Now comes the kicker!!!

Before anyone chooses to upgrade to Windows 8, make sure that your video drivers are supported.

I own an ATI HD4600 series card, and so far AMD only has Win8 drivers for the higher end cards, and legacy Win8 drivers for the HD4000, HD3000, and HD2000. The description does not say series in the main description, so I'm a wee bit reluctant on trying to install Win 8 on my HD. So for now VMWare will have to do until I get an answer.

Will it be supported? No idea, but AMD would be insane not to update the drivers, if not many people with older cards will not go out of their way to purchase the latest, and greatest video card just so they can run Windows 8 (some will, many won't because of the costs involved).

Now, since Windows 8 is new, and the hardware manufacturers have had several months to get their driver base up too snuff (for some reason the manufacturers have been a bit slow), I do think they would be foolish not too release proper drivers. If I remember correctly they acted the same way with Windows Vista, and Windows 7... So I'm going to keep my fingers crossed, if they don't I would suspect many others like myself will scream blue murder.

So remember, check for the latest Video, and Sound Card (and other drivers for hardware you have installed) drivers. DO NOT make the mistake of leaving it up to Microsoft. This is the responsibility of the hardware manufacturer.... Be proactive, and READ, READ, and READ everything again just to be sure!

Michael Slaunwhite · Post by **Michael Slaunwhite** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 5:51 am

Okay, here are video drivers that I just installed which work for Windows 8. Check out the Spoiler for ATI cards which are supported, and the download link. It appears that the drivers I just installed (from the link below) installed without any problems, and looks good. I did previously install the latest drivers from ATI/AMD but they would not install thoroughly meaning it installed the ATI Manager, but that is it, no drivers themselves were installed which of course ticked me off but I wasn't going to give up because I think I have spent enough money on ATI, and if they do not come out with proper drivers, I am no longer going to support them, and I told them so.

I own an ATI HD4650 Video card.

Link for Driver: http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=368960

SPOILER: SHOW

Michael Slaunwhite · Post by **Michael Slaunwhite** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 8:46 am

I think Microsoft has hit a home run with this OS. It's actually smoother, and very easy to use. WOW, outside of ATI/AMD not releasing yet the latest video driver for Windows 8, I am very impressed with it. Everything so far has worked right out of the box with very few or no problems. Even older utils not written for this particular OS works very well, and the speed of what I have tried so far is very fast including all the games I am now re-installing which of course includes SOW. Heck, even Dungeon Keeper 2 works well.

With that said of course, and since Windows 8 is new, there will be problems along the way, but I am very impressed by it. I'll be uploading more videos on Windows 8 when I have a chance.

Michael Slaunwhite · Post by **Michael Slaunwhite** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 9:36 am

Here is a link for those who are using Windows 8, and wish to have the Start Button as in previous Windows versions.

Link: http://bgr.com/2012/08/24/windows-8-sta ... -download/

Here are some very nice screenshots of a background theme I have installed called "Sweden Winter".

The attachment Capture.jpg is no longer available

The attachment capture2.jpg is no longer available

The attachment Capture3.jpg is no longer available

Michael Slaunwhite · Post by **Michael Slaunwhite** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 11:40 pm

Here is a link for the latest 10 apps for Windows 8 from PCWorld.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2012988/ ... first.html

Michael Slaunwhite · Post by **Michael Slaunwhite** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 1:53 am

If anyone is interested, Windows 8 still has that start button at the button left hand corner. Just move your mouse pointer to the far lower left corner, and it will popup a very small option, just click, and you are brought to the main UI which in effect is your Start button. [See pic]

The attachment startbutton.png is no longer available

Michael Slaunwhite · Post by **Michael Slaunwhite** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:39 am

Having to still use the CTRL+ALT+DEL to access the Task Manager? Well in Windows 8 just enter your start MenuUI, right click, select "All Apps", look for Task manager (or better yet, at the MainUI, just start typing task manager, it will find it for you), and you can either pin it to your MainUI or Taskbar (both if you prefer). Then just click on it whenever you need it. Here are some photos of the Task Manager in action.

The attachment Capture_2012-11-01.PNG is no longer available

The attachment Capture2_2012-11-01.PNG is no longer available

The attachment Capture3.PNG is no longer available

The attachment Capture4.PNG is no longer available

The attachment Capture5.PNG is no longer available

The attachment Capture6.PNG is no longer available

The attachment Capture7.PNG is no longer available

Col. Manning · Post by **Col. Manning** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 9:20 am

Really considering doing this deal now, Mike. I personally found it a different "user experience", but I could get around on it pretty well. I've been messing with, messing up and fixing messed up software for several friends for a few years, so it wasn't a problem for me. I think the average mom and pop won't like it because it is a bit different to navigate.

The wife and I stretched our slim budget to the maximum when we had to buy Win7 Pro a couple of years ago. A few days ago she got a refurbished Win7 laptop, and now we have to consider selling the dog, who is worth about $1, to pay for it. I'm posting a link to the sidegrade deal below, because it is very affordable for us right now. You have until January 31 to decide, and I'll probably think about it a bit more, but I'm strongly leaning in that direction.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/wind ... T.search=1

Michael Slaunwhite · Post by **Michael Slaunwhite** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 9:46 am

Really considering doing this deal now, Mike. I personally found it a different "user experience", but I could get around on it pretty well. I've been messing with, messing up and fixing messed up software for several friends for a few years, so it wasn't a problem for me. I think the average mom and pop won't like it because it is a bit different to navigate.

The wife and I stretched our slim budget to the maximum when we had to buy Win7 Pro a couple of years ago. A few days ago she got a refurbished Win7 laptop, and now we have to consider selling the dog, who is worth about $1, to pay for it. I'm posting a link to the sidegrade deal below, because it is very affordable for us right now. You have until January 31 to decide, and I'll probably think about it a bit more, but I'm strongly leaning in that direction.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/wind ... T.search=1

Yeah it's something else. I started to look deeper into the Store option since my conversation with Flanboy, and I fully understand his concern, it's like seeing Walmart come to town, and all the Mom, and Pop stores are up in arms about it. I have to say that Microsoft has struck gold with this OS there is no doubt about it. The free apps for Windows 8 at the their online store is very nice to browse through. I have installed a few apps just a few minutes ago (mostly free games), but hey their free so why not.

I'm still using the Evaluation copy just to do allot more testing. I haven't even scratched the surface of what you can actually do, but from what I have experienced so far with the OS, it's incredible.

My honest advice to you is download the Evaulation Copy (full version) which is good for ninety days, and test drive. Install the software you normally would, and really give it a once over before finally taking that step. That is what I am doing, and since I am a game nut, and I really enjoy testing out new, and crazy utilities, and so far so good.

ALSO Important is too realize that the cheap upgrade is good until early 2013. I can't remember if it's January, February or March but you should have some more time to just play with the Eval copy if you are interested in trying it.

First, please make sure all of your hardware has drivers for Windows 8, that is the most important piece of advice I can give you.

Also, please don't take my word or anyone else's, try it out, and make up your own mind, if you like it, buy it!

Have fun!

Scourge of War Boards

Windows 8 Discussion

Re: Windows 8 Released on Friday...

Re: Windows 8 Released on Friday...

Re: Windows 8 Released on Friday...

Re: Windows 8 Released on Friday...

Re: Windows 8 Released on Friday...

Re: Windows 8 Released on Friday...

Re: Windows 8 Released on Friday...

Re: Windows 8 Released on Friday...

Re: Windows 8 Discussion

Re: Windows 8 Discussion