Want a new laptop but do I want Windows 8?

[pacerron]

I went to the app store. ( took 2 tries ).. and it gave me the option to get ie11 and 8.1 at one pop. like 3.2g download. I left it going onmy 1.5 dsl connection and went to work..

That's the one I got up for 5 minutes to start downloading on Hughesnet free time. I got up at 5:30 AM and it was done and waiting to be finished.
You may have to get a new code number to verify your ID. We had it call our cell phone and the response was immediate with a new number.
We had set up the W.8 using wireless but I plugged it in to do the W 8.1 download, so on the set up of 8.1 we had to tell it which wireless channel to use.
Then uninstall the 2 month McAfee that Dell stuck in there and run the McAfee clean up download and put the code in to run the 340 days left on Norton 360-3 and it has run fine ever since.
I like the Metro Reading screen which is full screen and arrows to the next page pre-loaded. Nice feature for old folks with poor eyes, like me.

 

[Soundguy]

I hope you didnt do the 'run' option again as I do believe theres a part in the setup where if you dont answer a question, it will stop and revert back to 8.

I think..

there was no option other than to download IE 8.1

IE.. from the app store there was a single icon.

you could either click to download or go back... no option to save and run.. only to downlaod.

it said then that you could continue working while it was downloading.

it also said after it downloads you will then be presented the MS agreement. if you did not accept the agreement it would revert.

I assume when I get home it will be setting at the agreement waiting for me to say yes. etc..

 

[Soundguy]

i hope i don't have to do any code thing.. I have no clue what tel# it might be wanting.. etc. the pc came presetuip from ho.. didn't have to enter any codes to get it to load up.. etc...

That's the one I got up for 5 minutes to start downloading on Hughesnet free time. I got up at 5:30 AM and it was done and waiting to be finished.
You may have to get a new code number to verify your ID. We had it call our cell phone and the response was immediate with a new number.
We had set up the W.8 using wireless but I plugged it in to do the W 8.1 download, so on the set up of 8.1 we had to tell it which wireless channel to use.
Then uninstall the 2 month McAfee that Dell stuck in there and run the McAfee clean up download and put the code in to run the 340 days left on Norton 360-3 and it has run fine ever since.
I like the Metro Reading screen which is full screen and arrows to the next page pre-loaded. Nice feature for old folks with poor eyes, like me.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Ok... I didnt download from the store (I bought the W8 at $40 deal and downloaded and install W8.1 'fresh' using a developers temp code when I updated) so I couldnt remember if there was a time limit on accepting the agreement or not..

 

[Soundguy]

Ok... I didnt download from the store (I bought the W8 at $40 deal and downloaded and install W8.1 'fresh' using a developers temp code when I updated) so I couldnt remember if there was a time limit on accepting the agreement or not..

yep.. mine ws preinstalled 8. so i hope it is easy. I hate computers these days.

now.. when i downloaded ie11 at work for the guy int he back office on a w7 machine.. i went thru ms download site.. not the app store.

that one had the option of run or save.. and save is the only one that worked.

i needed to get 8.1 and ie 11 for this new machine as it had 10.. the app store said get 8.1 and 11.. yada yada.. 3.2g downlaod.

so we will see.

i may be back tonight at 10:15 pm asking how to fix the wifes *^^$# computer..

 

[pacerron]

i hope i don't have to do any code thing.. I have no clue what tel# it might be wanting.. etc. the pc came presetuip from ho.. didn't have to enter any codes to get it to load up.. etc...

When you register the software you have to have a real Microsoft ID. A hotmail address will work.
They seem to already know your land line or cell phone number as they will appear as xxxxx and the last four digits of your numbers.
You will tell them if you want to receive a text message with the code or a call on one of the phones.
Since my wife has a $14 cell phone that we bought 5-6 years ago and only use when away from home, that may or may not have texting, we chose
call by cell phone. The phone rang immediately and a recording repeated the code number 2 times over.
We put in the code number and was done.

The tower came pre-installed with Windows 8 and IE 10. We had already registered it the same way a few days before but the update required it again and was a new code. Since these systems have all the cloud storage and remote access from any computer it is just another security protection.
She uses the Lock screen and sign in feature, so if I want to snoop in her files via the wireless group I have to input her password to wake up her pc from another one in the group. At least the first time. I haven't tried it since as the computer is only 2 rooms away.

 

[Jim Shooz]

Never did I expect so many posts and so much chatter but I got what I feel will work for me and thanks to all. .

But so many of us have learnt so much more from the chatter that has gone on. Thanks for asking the question. :thumbsup:

 

[aczlan]

When you register the software you have to have a real Microsoft ID. A hotmail address will work.

Nope, when you set it up, you tell it that you want to create a new ID, then on that page there is an option to skip it and just use a local account. That's what we do at work.

Aaron Z

 

[Soundguy]

Nope, when you set it up, you tell it that you want to create a new ID, then on that page there is an option to skip it and just use a local account. That's what we do at work.

Aaron Z

Aaron. when i get home.. if there is a 'hard time' waiting for me.. I'll be looking for guidance..

 

[pacerron]

Nope, when you set it up, you tell it that you want to create a new ID, then on that page there is an option to skip it and just use a local account. That's what we do at work.

Aaron Z

I'm sure that is fine for your work but it depends on the type of work.
i.e. My wife was a microbiologist for 40 years and everyone had to protect their work results and patient's data so every entry into the computer system was password protected, documented and routinely checked to be sure someone without "the need to know" was not in there fishing.
The health system being forced on us now does not have that security.
Passwords and entry codes are a PITA but in today's world particularly with the remote access and cloud storage are a necessary evil.
Windows 8.1 automatically sends a copy of every file to a 50 gig cloud storage unless you tell it not to during the set up. This is great, I guess, for all the folks on the move all the time that want to access data from a little remote device somewhere. It is promoted as a back up and all kinds of neat worldly things.
For our purposes we don't need it so I turned it off.

Soundguy is setting up a laptop for his wife's personal use that may be used in a public place on occasion or even on the back porch watching him
put on a demo for the neighbors of one of his old restored tractors. Without a secured WIFI set up somebody could be sitting in the driveway
downloading all the data from her hard drive.