CHIT CHAT in VOLTVILLE

[Tail11]

Whatever you do for an OS upgrade don't make the mistake I made and upgrade to Windows 8. Windows 8 is great of you want to turn your nice, high horsepower, wonderful, easy-to-use computer into a smartphone wannabe. I did find a utility that lets me boot directly into the traditional Windows GUI rather than the "Metro" GUI and that did help, but the darn pop-out menus are a pain in the tuchus to say the least and, unless you have a touch screen monitor, the "Metro" interface is useless crap. Then, if you have a touch screen monitor, do you really want lots of finger smudges all over that nice, crisp, clean, brilliant surface?

In my efforts to go back to Windows 7, which is what this laptop came with, I managed to wack the recovery directory and files in a moment of frustration. Now, if I want to go back to Windows 7, it'll cost me fifty bucks for the recovery CD from Asus or I'll just have to buy Windows 7 and be done with it. Thankfully, I haven't installed any real software on this thing yet so recoveryto Windows 7 will be painless in that sense.

My big desktop tower is still on XP-Pro, good, stable and easy to work with but I guess I'll have to upgrade that to Windows 7 before the end of the summer. How Microsoft ever thought Windows 8 was an "upgrade" is beyond my comprehension. It will never work in a business environment and to me is a complete waste.

Just my opinion, worth what you're paying for it. Your results and mileage may vary. No warranty or guarantee is expressed or implied.

I think Windows 7 will be the XP of the future, once XP is retired. No one likes Vista and I think MS knows that. Windows 8 was built for touch screens to compete with Apple, Android, and Chrome. If they had a slimmer OS, it might work. But they continue to make a fat OS so hackers can keep hacking away at it.

I'd go back to 7 if you can. From what I understand from the IT folks, it's going to take MS a year to get most of the kinks out.

*pokes nose in thread* like I need another thread to keep up with

hi all



I'm a big fan of XP.. wish I could go back to it.. can't stand 7 - never made the stop at vista .. don't like that I have to *take ownership* of my own darn computer files and folders! Don't like that I cannot do a search for all files and folders created today in one click.. don't like that it won't let me in my settings folders.. don't like ~hidden~ accounts for microsuck helpers .. really cannot stand that UAC crap.
Will NOT go to windows 8.. I don't do mobile devices - my cell phone is just that.. a phone. No camera.. no texting.. no data plan.. just a phone, and it was darn hard to find too. (big button marketed to seniors phone) I don't do apps.. I don't want to do apps and I would prefer that my computer not have preinstalled apps that have to be removed.
If microsuck forces 8 on the world, I'm probably going to have to become a linux geek

I dabbled in linux for awhile. I made my computer dual boot. You have given me new life to possibly look back into it. I have been eyeing a cheap chromebook just to play around on. I do like my desktop to keep my phone running (magic jack), and my wireless network, so I continue down the road of endless MS upgrades.

Welcome, Opal. Why don't all you Windows people just get a Mac. I'm no genius, and my Mac works really well for me.

Macs are over my price range. When Apple came out with the Mini and really didn't reduce the prices, it made me mad. I can buy a kindle fire cheaper than the mini.

I will admit, I do have an iphone. I had to live on that for a day while my computer was in the shop. I like it enough to keep it, because I like gadgets. Plus, I'm hooked on Angry birds!

 

[JoAnnW]

Too late - I already ordered it. Haven't received it yet, but I expect to be pleased.

If you like Werther's butterscotch candy, you will be very pleased. It's great! I'm getting ready to try the strawberry fuzz now.

 

[cindycated]

In my efforts to go back to Windows 7, which is what this laptop came with, I managed to wack the recovery directory and files in a moment of frustration. Now, if I want to go back to Windows 7, it'll cost me fifty bucks for the recovery CD from Asus or I'll just have to buy Windows 7 and be done with it. Thankfully, I haven't installed any real software on this thing yet so recoveryto Windows 7 will be painless in that sense.

Since your laptop came with Windows 7 and you already have a COA# (your laptop should have a COA sticker somewhere on the bottom, right?), couldn't you just download the installer disc from somewhere (like MS) for free? Likewise for any Asus-specific drivers?

 

[cindycated]

I think Windows 7 will be the XP of the future, once XP is retired. No one likes Vista and I think MS knows that. Windows 8 was built for touch screens to compete with Apple, Android, and Chrome. If they had a slimmer OS, it might work. But they continue to make a fat OS so hackers can keep hacking away at it.

I'd go back to 7 if you can. From what I understand from the IT folks, it's going to take MS a year to get most of the kinks out.



I dabbled in linux for awhile. I made my computer dual boot. You have given me new life to possibly look back into it. I have been eyeing a cheap chromebook just to play around on. I do like my desktop to keep my phone running (magic jack), and my wireless network, so I continue down the road of endless MS upgrades.



Macs are over my price range. When Apple came out with the Mini and really didn't reduce the prices, it made me mad. I can buy a kindle fire cheaper than the mini.

I will admit, I do have an iphone. I had to live on that for a day while my computer was in the shop. I like it enough to keep it, because I like gadgets. Plus, I'm hooked on Angry birds!

Macs are really expensive new (which is why mine is 6+ years old), but refurbs are pretty affordable, especially if you're OK with a slower, older one (just make sure you get at least a Core 2 Duo). The OS is just so much more user-friendly. I have one of each (mac & windows): I'm smiling when I use my mac, but I cuss like a sailor (haha, Tail) when I have to use my PC (the mac I have is too old to double as Windows). I think geeks.com has them. Only thing about macs though, not as much freeware out there and software is more expensive.

 

[opal]

I must be getting old.. tablets = things you swallow when you feel bad.. ie asprin.. motrin... vitamins

of course I did bit ch for years that cell phones were getting to small to see and use - so I feel exactly the same way about making computer screens tiny too.

Then again.. I do fall into the 21 century communications model of emailing my husband who's within ear shot in the other room (usually links or pictures..)

my brother in law is a mac user (you don't want to know what suffix we put on the end of mac____) and he's afraid to go in his case and add memory even for fear it will void the warantee. MHO --- it's not yours until you MOD it.

 

[cindycated]

I only buy my stuff used, and I open it up the day I get it!
The only thing I own that has a warranty is my car. Now that, I AM afraid to get into. Even changing the oil or a lightbulb is complicated on this one.

 

[awsum140]

Since your laptop came with Windows 7 and you already have a COA# (your laptop should have a COA sticker somewhere on the bottom, right?), couldn't you just download the installer disc from somewhere (like MS) for free? Likewise for any Asus-specific drivers?

I've been trying, hard, to get used to and like Windows 8 but it just ain't a happenin thing. I'm going to look around for a download of Windows 7 and cut a CD. I give up on Windows 8. My laptop isn't a smartphone, can't make any calls from it without Skype so what's the point? I do think part of my problem, anyway, is the touch pad on this laptop is too sensitive and I am inherently careless about it. Still, the "Metro" thing is a gigantic waste of code and processor resources IMHO so I'll be taking it back to 7. To be honest, if I could find drivers for XP I'd rather go back to that!

 

[JoAnnW]

I've been trying, hard, to get used to and like Windows 8 but it just ain't a happenin thing. I'm going to look around for a download of Windows 7 and cut a CD. I give up on Windows 8. My laptop isn't a smartphone, can't make any calls from it without Skype so what's the point? I do think part of my problem, anyway, is the touch pad on this laptop is too sensitive and I am inherently careless about it. Still, the "Metro" thing is a gigantic waste of code and processor resources IMHO so I'll be taking it back to 7. To be honest, if I could find drivers for XP I'd rather go back to that!

I use a wireless mouse to solve that problem for me. Hate touchpads!

 

[SandySu]

I've been trying, hard, to get used to and like Windows 8 but it just ain't a happenin thing. I'm going to look around for a download of Windows 7 and cut a CD. I give up on Windows 8. My laptop isn't a smartphone, can't make any calls from it without Skype so what's the point? I do think part of my problem, anyway, is the touch pad on this laptop is too sensitive and I am inherently careless about it. Still, the "Metro" thing is a gigantic waste of code and processor resources IMHO so I'll be taking it back to 7. To be honest, if I could find drivers for XP I'd rather go back to that!

I have a Mac, but my laptop has a touchpad, and it was hard to get used to, but I persevered, and finally mastered it. On my computer, you can adjust the sensitivity. Maybe yours does that, too, and you can make it less sensitive?

 

[SandySu]

I use a wireless mouse to solve that problem for me. Hate touchpads!

I have a wired mouse for my other computer, and I could use it on my laptop, though I don't. Why do you need a wireless mouse? Won't any mouse work?

 

[awsum140]

I have a Mac, but my laptop has a touchpad, and it was hard to get used to, but I persevered, and finally mastered it. On my computer, you can adjust the sensitivity. Maybe yours does that, too, and you can make it less sensitive?

I've downloaded the latest and greatest touchpad drivers from Asus and no way to change the sensitivity. Somehow, I think it's related to Win 8, or maybe I'm just trying to pile things onto Win8. I've used touch pad laptops for about seven or eight years and this one is really sensitive. I'm forever zooming the view by accident and that @$#% "charm bar" is forever popping out necessitating a click to clear it. What a PITA! I'm consciously making myself keep only one finger on the pad, but sometimes I go on autopilot and BAM.

Another thing I've noticed, and I'm not sure if this is Win8 or IE10, the editor here is squirrely. Just now I was editing this after posting it and missing a typo. I clicked where I wanted the cursor, multiple times, and nada, nothing, then I noticed the cursor flashing one line down, exactly where I wanted to edit but on a duplicate of the text. I'm confused enough already without this kind of stuff! If I send a privae message, the carriage return won't work so my messages all look like run-on sentences, but if I reply to one everything works fine. Go figure.

I'd love to get a Mac, well sort of anyway. To me, Mac traps you in a box that's smaller than, and more expensive than MS does. Combine that with the price of a "nice" Mac, and it's way too expensive for my tastes or budget. I bought new laptops for myself and my wife, i5 processors, 500gig drives, 15.6" displays, 6gig of RAM and DVD burners with a three year warranty for was less than one Mac would have cost. Yeah, now I'm frustrated by Win8, but that's my own fault.

 

[opal]

IE is up to 10 now? LOL.. last time I found it usable was back at IE6
<--- uses waterfox

 

[Dovahkiin]

um... why don't I get a mac? overpriced.. propritary software, icons! I can't stand icons.. icons are for children that cannot read yet...

hubby builds our computers.. we don't buy them.

I build my own computers too!!!!

 

[Dovahkiin]

Whatever you do for an OS upgrade don't make the mistake I made and upgrade to Windows 8. Windows 8 is great of you want to turn your nice, high horsepower, wonderful, easy-to-use computer into a smartphone wannabe. I did find a utility that lets me boot directly into the traditional Windows GUI rather than the "Metro" GUI and that did help, but the darn pop-out menus are a pain in the tuchus to say the least and, unless you have a touch screen monitor, the "Metro" interface is useless crap. Then, if you have a touch screen monitor, do you really want lots of finger smudges all over that nice, crisp, clean, brilliant surface?

In my efforts to go back to Windows 7, which is what this laptop came with, I managed to wack the recovery directory and files in a moment of frustration. Now, if I want to go back to Windows 7, it'll cost me fifty bucks for the recovery CD from Asus or I'll just have to buy Windows 7 and be done with it. Thankfully, I haven't installed any real software on this thing yet so recoveryto Windows 7 will be painless in that sense.

My big desktop tower is still on XP-Pro, good, stable and easy to work with but I guess I'll have to upgrade that to Windows 7 before the end of the summer. How Microsoft ever thought Windows 8 was an "upgrade" is beyond my comprehension. It will never work in a business environment and to me is a complete waste.

Just my opinion, worth what you're paying for it. Your results and mileage may vary. No warranty or guarantee is expressed or implied.

For me I 'm using Windows 7. I will not buy Windows 8. Usually when I buy Windows I usually look for a service pack one to come out.
Also I look at reviews first and them wait for problems with the operating system. Windows 7 has been stabile when I bought it.
If I decide to buy Windows 8, it needs to be stabile and waiting for all the kinks to be worked out!!!!

 

[Dovahkiin]

I agree! I have Windows 7 and don't have any plans to "upgrade" to Windows 8. DO NOT want anything that looks like a smartphone. Heck! I don't even have a smartphone and don't want one... don't want an iPad either. Just give me my regular desktop, laptop and regular cell phone. Even my Kindle has the keyboard!

I agree with you on this.

 

[Dovahkiin]

I think Windows 7 will be the XP of the future, once XP is retired. No one likes Vista and I think MS knows that. Windows 8 was built for touch screens to compete with Apple, Android, and Chrome. If they had a slimmer OS, it might work. But they continue to make a fat OS so hackers can keep hacking away at it.

I'd go back to 7 if you can. From what I understand from the IT folks, it's going to take MS a year to get most of the kinks out.



I dabbled in linux for awhile. I made my computer dual boot. You have given me new life to possibly look back into it. I have been eyeing a cheap chromebook just to play around on. I do like my desktop to keep my phone running (magic jack), and my wireless network, so I continue down the road of endless MS upgrades.



Macs are over my price range. When Apple came out with the Mini and really didn't reduce the prices, it made me mad. I can buy a kindle fire cheaper than the mini.

I will admit, I do have an iphone. I had to live on that for a day while my computer was in the shop. I like it enough to keep it, because I like gadgets. Plus, I'm hooked on Angry birds!

Window 7 is all ready XP of the future. At least to me and many companys aroud here!!!!

 

[Dovahkiin]

I've downloaded the latest and greatest touchpad drivers from Asus and no way to change the sensitivity. Somehow, I think it's related to Win 8, or maybe I'm just trying to pile things onto Win8. I've used touch pad laptops for about seven or eight years and this one is really sensitive. I'm forever zooming the view by accident and that @$#% "charm bar" is forever popping out necessitating a click to clear it. What a PITA! I'm consciously making myself keep only one finger on the pad, but sometimes I go on autopilot and BAM.

Another thing I've noticed, and I'm not sure if this is Win8 or IE10, the editor here is squirrely. Just now I was editing this after posting it and missing a typo. I clicked where I wanted the cursor, multiple times, and nada, nothing, then I noticed the cursor flashing one line down, exactly where I wanted to edit but on a duplicate of the text. I'm confused enough already without this kind of stuff! If I send a privae message, the carriage return won't work so my messages all look like run-on sentences, but if I reply to one everything works fine. Go figure.

I'd love to get a Mac, well sort of anyway. To me, Mac traps you in a box that's smaller than, and more expensive than MS does. Combine that with the price of a "nice" Mac, and it's way too expensive for my tastes or budget. I bought new laptops for myself and my wife, i5 processors, 500gig drives, 15.6" displays, 6gig of RAM and DVD burners with a three year warranty for was less than one Mac would have cost. Yeah, now I'm frustrated by Win8, but that's my own fault.

Hate to hear about the troubles you are having with your computer. Here is a tip for next time you upgrade. Use Acronis. This is a back up software that takes an image of your computer. So if you change operating systems and you do not like it, You put in the Acronis disk and reimage you hard drive back to you default operating system. Where you left off. Also your computer did not come with a disk. If you have a disk then that disk should have Windows 7 with the drivers. But I guess that Asus wants more money. If I have to pay $50 for
to fix, then I would ask for the physical disk. So I would not pay for it again.

 

[Dovahkiin]

Whew Alot of post to catch up on!!!

I do now have a new washer. Now I got to do laundry!!!!
I already washed the owners manual, doing a test run
Still have alot of work ahead of me!!!!

 

[awsum140]

They want fifty bucks for the disk and it includes their bloatware. Some of it might be useful at some time, but most of it is junk. I guess I'll download and install Win7 if I can find a download for it. Worse case is to buy a CD. I am usually very careful with OS changes, I spent 15 years in IT as an admin, so I know the pitfalls. For some reason, that I can't explain, I assumed (and you know what that does) that Win8 was going to be the cats meow and the dogs woof. Instead it's the cats woof and the dogs meow.

I regularly image my OS drive on the XP machine, Ghost still works for that, too much installed to want to rebuild that one from scratch, but since this thing was "pristine" I didn't bother with that which was my mistake and being too optimistic.

 

[JoAnnW]

I have a wired mouse for my other computer, and I could use it on my laptop, though I don't. Why do you need a wireless mouse? Won't any mouse work?

I have a couple of wired mouse(s) but I prefer the wireless. Have used the wireless for years, I like the sensitivity and response time much better than the wired. I also have a wireless mouse on my desktop PC. Don't have to worry about the cord catching on anything or using mousepads. Any surface will do.