New desktop hassles

[awa355]

We have a new all in one desktop pc. It's an Acer A4. Runs windows 8.1. The laptops run 7 Home and give no problems.
With this Acer, it will open MSN and its other pages ( with pictures), I could get the Herald website but only text, not pictures. same with you tube. but all others come up as 'unable to connect etc'

I cant update the apps as the pc wont connect. Could there be a problem with the settings or as someone said, could it be in the wireless router settings. I cant see why, 7 home receives the internet perfectly but 8.1 wouldn't, and if I can receive MSN then the internet connection must be okay. I'm keen to download google chrome for 8.1 but need to reach the website first.

I have found the control panel and have set windows media as the default player for my vids and photos. The installed acer apps wouldn't open anything. Do I need the Acer doc, photos, portal apps or are they just thrown in? I'll install windows office 2013 when I am satisfied the rest of the running hassles have been sorted.

Can 7 home edition be installed over 8.1? Thanks.

[BigAl]

Plug PC directly into router with patch lead to see if that helps.

Otherwise still got the packaging it came in? :cool:

[awa355]

Plug PC directly into router with patch lead to see if that helps.

Otherwise still got the packaging it came in? :cool:

Dont worry, I kept all the packaging. Told the shop this morning, it may be coming back. Just had an idea, I will try it with the Hauwei hotspot thingy tonight. If it gets all websites with that, then maybe I need to look at the router settings.

[Akzle]

cant be 'installed over' but you CAN wipe the drive and install fresh.
I suggest a)linux instead. B) win 7 ultimate (rather than home) edition.
C)dont use msn, or google chrome, or win media player.
Use opera browser, and vlc media player

[mashman]

Is your router configured to allow only 1 PC to use the internetz at the same time?

[Big Dog]

Sounds like DNS. Sites you have already loaded should be okay until your lookup expires. Sites you mention will be using content delivery networks to deliver the images. These are actually different sites and will update regularly. So if your DNS is not there, no images. Try going to a website you have never been to from your win7 box. If it loads your issue is more likely local to your win8.1 box.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[awa355]

Is your router configured to allow only 1 PC to use the internetz at the same time?

No, we have three laptops running at times, all independant and not linked.

Big Dog, DNS was mentioned. Is this a setting within the computer itself?

[Big Dog]

If you can look up new sites the issue is local to the new PC.
Some wifi units you will need to set the address of your router as the DNS server. This is a network setting on the PC.
Hit windows key and r at the same time.
Type in cmd and hit enter.
Type in ipconfig /all.
Do you see a line for DNS servers? What does it say.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[pete376403]

cant be 'installed over' but you CAN wipe the drive and install fresh.
I suggest a)linux instead. B) win 7 ultimate (rather than home) edition.


Why Ultimate? Apart from the language options its the same as pro. (unless you're referring to the activated ultimate iso that's floating around...)

[Akzle]

Why Ultimate? Apart from the language options its the same as pro. (unless you're referring to the activated ultimate iso that's floating around...)

none of the above. the last 7 installer i saw, one had the option of choosing anything from i386 home edition to x64 ultimate. it, ahem, may not have been entirely legal.
i've never run pro, but i know that home is lacking in network and admin functionality.

why ultimate? because it's the ultimate windows. and i shit all over it with debian.

[Akzle]

No, we have three laptops running at times, all independant and not linked.

Big Dog, DNS was mentioned. Is this a setting within the computer itself?

find (somehow) your network settings under 8.
ipv4 and ipv6, just set it to "obtain addresses automatically"
as long as your router is serving dhcp, there should be no conflicts.

then punch yourself in the crotch for owning windows 8.

[mashman]

No, we have three laptops running at times, all independant and not linked.

Big Dog, DNS was mentioned. Is this a setting within the computer itself?

It's a setting on the network adapter. (http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/fl/change-dns-servers-windows-8.htm)

[Gremlin]

I have found the control panel and have set windows media as the default player for my vids and photos. The installed acer apps wouldn't open anything. Do I need the Acer doc, photos, portal apps or are they just thrown in? I'll install windows office 2013 when I am satisfied the rest of the running hassles have been sorted.

Can 7 home edition be installed over 8.1? Thanks.
Just to double check, normal internet browsing works perfectly fine or not? As for the installed Acer apps, this is basically the joy of buying a store PC, every manufacturer adds in a bunch of stuff you never had prior (and likely wouldn't need). Whether you can install Win7 on it, you need to go to the Acer website, locate the support page for your model PC, and look for drivers. If they list Win7 as an option and drivers are available, then it's feasible. However, it's also likely you may lose some functionality over Win8. If drivers aren't available, then it's still possible, but more difficult and will involve tracking drivers down, perhaps speaking to Acer etc. Just did this for a Lenovo Yoga for a client, took quite a bit of messing around.


Why Ultimate? Apart from the language options its the same as pro. (unless you're referring to the activated ultimate iso that's floating around...)
Actually, Ultimate and Pro do differ (multi screen RDP is one incredible annoyance I can think of... fuck you MS)

Over to the original problem. It could be the router, more likely it's the PC (age of router? Any other issues with it? Perhaps a power cycle if it hasn't been done for a while). This is assuming stuff like network problems don't exist. By this, I mean the PC gets an address from the router, DNS, and can function in some limited way on the network. If that's all fine, I'd be looking at the drivers for the network adapter. Wired or wireless? Both? Have you tried both? Either/or have issues? See if the Acer website gives you updated drivers. Failing that, you'd need to located the OEM manfacturer of the network adapter and look on their website (did that last year as a client's child really wanted THAT laptop - which had problems with the wireless after a few min) :facepalm:

[buggerit]

Ive got a 100 tonne hydraulic press and beer:drinkup:

[awa355]

The desk top went back to the shop this morning. They have done some adjustments and updated some drivers etc. (wouldn't have thought anything would need updating on a new pc). Anyhow, I'll pick it up tomorrow and give it another go. If still no good, I'll take up buggerit's offer of the 100 ton press.

Thanks for the help fellas.

[Gremlin]

The desk top went back to the shop this morning. They have done some adjustments and updated some drivers etc. (wouldn't have thought anything would need updating on a new pc).
Quite possible. Batch of motherboards we bought early in USB3 launch had issues for a few days, then a new driver sorted it out (all the head scratching and no new drivers for a day or 2 wasn't convenient tho).

Hope it works for ya now :niceone:

[mossy1200]

My new acer with 8.1 laptop is a dog.

You go into pictures and you cant get back out again.
When it shuts down with an update to do you get up the next morning and find the update has failed its been going all night.
Gets to 30% on the update and has a tanty.
Theres no option to shut down without update if it wants to do one.

Often it turns on has dropped the wireless after an update.


Wish my old laptop hadn't had an accident.

[Gremlin]

Don't worry... Windows 9 will probably be out next year :crybaby:

Reminds me of this funny vid (actually being forced to use Win8 on customer MS Surfaces reminds me of this a lot right now):

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jOh6Nh8w6f8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Big Dog]

Don't worry... Windows 9 will probably be out next year :crybaby:

Reminds me of this funny vid (actually being forced to use Win8 on customer MS Surfaces reminds me of this a lot right now):



Don't forge the curse of the even OS?
Every second OS sucks so bad you have to buy the odd numbered versions.

To be fair 8.1 is much better than 8.
Provided you go and disable all the crap ware that is only in 8 if you do an upgrade.

I have an AMD exquivalent of a gaming I7. Microsoft 8.1 uses 50% less CPU if I turn off dynamic panels on the metro desktop...
So let me be clear... if I use sql server, visual studio, mail and a couple of vms it uses 100% cpu. turn that crap (like metro mail, people etc) off only using 60% CPU... (about 10% is consumed by the OS and other automated tasks.)

[Akzle]

microsoft offends me with resource whoring. And it doesnt even DO anything for it.

[jonbuoy]

Don't forge the curse of the even OS?
Every second OS sucks so bad you have to buy the odd numbered versions.

To be fair 8.1 is much better than 8.
Provided you go and disable all the crap ware that is only in 8 if you do an upgrade.

I have an AMD exquivalent of a gaming I7. Microsoft 8.1 uses 50% less CPU if I turn off dynamic panels on the metro desktop...
So let me be clear... if I use sql server, visual studio, mail and a couple of vms it uses 100% cpu. turn that crap (like metro mail, people etc) off only using 60% CPU... (about 10% is consumed by the OS and other automated tasks.)

Yeah its not so bad when you get it as close to Windows 7 as possible. What the hell were they thinking with Windows 8 - forcing a tablet interface onto desktop users. Surely to god someone at Microsoft tried giving it to a normal work user and asked them what they thought. They were doing so well with Windows 7. No one needs/wants to full screen every single programme on a desktop/Laptop.

[Big Dog]

Windows key + arrow keys. Magic. Unfortunately this still only let's you split screen metro but it is better than full.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Gremlin]

Surely to god someone at Microsoft tried giving it to a normal work user and asked them what they thought. They were doing so well with Windows 7. No one needs/wants to full screen every single programme on a desktop/Laptop.
I thought about that a lot. I suspect all the key decision makers were in their positions because they were yes men. That said, whoever was head of Win8 development got fired (read or told somewhere). As someone that has triple screens on work and home desktops, full screening almost anything is stupid. Having a "Start Menu" that fills my screen? :laugh: Not to mention that to edit user accounts it bounces you to metro, but won't return you to desktop when you're finished. The Esc key sometimes works on the metro tiles to get you to desktop, sometimes doesn't... Then I end up shouting at the OS...


Windows key + arrow keys. Magic. Unfortunately this still only let's you split screen metro but it is better than full.
A few days ago, I discovered you can right click on Start (or whatever we're supposed to call it, tile? globe?) and get a lot of the basics (I was scratching my head how I was supposed to launch an admin command prompt). I actually started using Start a whole lot more with Win7, as you can do things like type "icons" and get the prompt "Show or hide common icons on the desktop". It saves a lot of time digging through the menus.

I had to setup a couple of Surfaces in the last couple of weeks. I installed remote software and used that (with it 1m away) rather than use the actual device... it was quicker...

[Big Dog]

Sounds like you should try pokki menu.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Gremlin]

Sounds like you should try pokki menu.
Used a couple of them on a few machines, but the Surface is a different kettle of fish. Haven't found one that exactly mimics all the functionality of Win7 (like the searching option for icons for eg - but I haven't used the Pokki one).

My fix for myself... use Win7. If I spend all my time trying to make it look like Win7, what's the point of having Win8?

[Big Dog]

Without a touch screen, or a desire to use the cutdown ie. not much.

Running multiple browsers is smoother.
Running multiple vans are smoother.
The power shell integration is a1, especially for multiple machine management.
Memory management is better for 64 bit apps. At the cost of 32 bit apps mind. This is horrible because a lot of drivers and support software saw still 32 bit. Eg if I put in a wireless adapter in she runs fine, streams movies to TV etc. But install the support software as well and IRQ central.

Works fine on 32 bit systems and win7.




Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Akzle]

Running multiple browsers is smoother.
Running multiple vans are smoother.
The power shell integration is a1, especially for multiple machine management.
Memory management is better for 64 bit apps.

1) why would you? that's just stupid
2) van? what kind of uteless bastard has vans?
3) scripting? for windows? you masochist.
4) no it isn't.

i would suggest that ubuntu could shit all over your current set up. for free.

[Big Dog]

1) why would you? that's just stupid
2) van? what kind of uteless bastard has vans?
3) scripting? for windows? you masochist.
4) no it isn't.

i would suggest that ubuntu could shit all over your current set up. for free.

1 because what I do for a job requires ability to do so? Because I often use browsers to keep identities separate for email logins. Because some systems only work properly in ie but buggered if I am going to use ie for general surfing.
2 DYAC, I meant VM's. Virtual machines.
3 Microsoft SQL Server requires a windows OS. Also helps to be able to test powershell scripts you plan to run against core edition servers on something that is not in our DMZ.
4 Compared to windows 7 yes it is.
When I have no need for windows based apps I run Ubuntu. Or Ubuntu server.
Yes they are faster. Yes they crash less.
Bit they also both have limitations that take
Them out of the ballpark for total solution for me.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Akzle]

any one/thing that 'requires' ie, deserves nothing but scorn. Burn it.

[Gremlin]

Because some systems only work properly in ie but buggered if I am going to use ie for general surfing.
IE Tab 2 extension for Firefox. Handles things like OWA which many often won't.

[Big Dog]

CRM, OWA, forefront other Microsoft products that don't support other browsers. I might just try your suggestion. Even if I had the time to wait for ie all day every day I would still prefer fox for general, chrome for research.
That is another feature of multiple browsers. Because I only ever have research in chrome I can can the whole browser any time. When working i often have 30 plus pages open. That is 15 I don't need to look at before closing if I am ready to go home.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[jonbuoy]

Apart from surfing for porn the incognito windows are handy if your signing into multiple webmail accounts at the same time from the same machine.

[G4L4XY]

There is/are windows 7 addon thingies that you can download in order to give back the "proper" start menu. Google it.

I was working in a call center when windows 8 came out. The amount of people that would call up and have no idea how to work their new OS omfg. And I was supposed to help them never having seen it myself how? Went and got a stupid windows 8 laptop (so fucking shit) anyway the gf uses that piece of shit now (haha) and I'm sticking with windows 7.

Actually the amount of people that would give up on windows and go buy a mac then call up and be like "oh it's brand new, I'm a windows user but thought I would try mac, but please help me work this pc I've never used in my whole entire life" (disconnect call - oops) haha

[awa355]

Well, I have just installed Google Chrome for windows 8.1 and it is brilliant. The same face that I'm used too. Have got all the familiar features. Even having little things like the "minimize, re size, close" buttons, bookmarks bar, being able to go back to the previous page etc gives a sense of being back in control.
I don't know how much of my problems were due to not understanding 8.1 and how much was due to Telecoms internet hitches. Thanks for all of the advice.

[Big Dog]

Well, I have just installed Google Chrome for windows 8.1 and it is brilliant. The same face that I'm used too. Have got all the familiar features. Even having little things like the "minimize, re size, close" buttons, bookmarks bar, being able to go back to the previous page etc gives a sense of being back in control.
I don't know how much of my problems were due to not understanding 8.1 and how much was due to Telecoms internet hitches. Thanks for all of the advice.

One thing about 8 most users miss is that you get a different experience in some items launching them from metro than you do from desktop. IE is massively different.

Big difference as I see it between 8 and 7? My 2 year old can do stuff on 8. The menus make sense to her. But then she has never used a traditional windows is before.
After nearly 30 years of the windows interface things are not so natural for me.
Teens seem to struggle at first but get it quickly.

Like it or hate it the old Microsoft standard is tattooed on our brains. Now there is a new ink slinger in town and he's not going anywhere. Servers with the same interface are an equal issue, but come with some pretty cool stuff under the hood if you can find it.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.