Listening to the Voices in My Head

Why is it when you say you're keeping Windows XP on specific computers, you get inundated with unhelpful suggestions about Linux or Macs?

1: I don't want LINUX. It's great you love LINUX, but I have certain programs and hardware that will not, and cannot run in LINUX, even using a simulated Windows Environment.

2: I wouldn't be going through all the effort of making sure I was getting the last Windows XP updates available if I wanted to run a different OS. I don't know why that is do difficult to see.

3: Also, I don't want a Mac. Again, you like Macs, fine by me! But It's not for me. (yes, I've used them, and no I don't want to again!)

Dashed upon the rocks of "Must be user error".

Quick recap: bought a Sony Vaio laptop with Windows 7 on it, but Windows 8 ready. Could purchase upgrade for $14.99.

First time, around, using the Sony Vaio update utility, I had problem after problem after problem (copy/paste not working, Windows Explorer crashing, video/graphics drivers issues, then the black blank screen) so I restored the Windows 7 system image I had.

A few months roll by, and after yet again getting intermittent BSODs during Windows 7 start ups, of which no specific reason could be found, I decided to update to Windows 8 again.

Once again, rolled out the Sony Viao update utility, updated to Windows 8. Knew about the graphics driver issue, the fix for the copy paste issue, and what to do about the black screen.

Ok, well and good. Let's go back to the Sony site and get the most up to date drivers. Therein lies the problem. Once again, when I tried to update the video drivers, I keep getting "You don't have the right hardware for this update". So, I head on over to the AMD site. Yes, they have the newer drivers, but it specifically says NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SONY LAPTOPS.

I emailed Sony. I had thought I was actually getting somewhere with them. How so silly of me. Want to know what their final response was? An hours long version of "Have you tried turning it off then back on?" Yes, their brilliant decision was to restore Windows 7 (again) and update to Windows 8 (again) using the Sony Viao update utility (again)

Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same exact thing over and over and expecting a different result?

Clue up: First attempt to update fails, could very well be user or software problem. 2nd attempt, there's something wrong with the hardware.

Or at least running the way I want it.

Figured out the "windows explorer crashing when copying and pasting" on my own. My ability to troubleshoot, research, try different things, and then and only then open a support request is why even though I give them all the information, even step by step what I've already done, I'm treated like a know nothing.

So, I fixed the problem. Then I found a Windows 8 Aero Tweak tool that works (still in beta, so I get a nag screen every once in a while, but have told the programmer I wouldn't have a problem buying it when it comes out commercially, as long as the nag screen goes away).

Made the touch pad a little less sensitive. No more moving cursor but accidentally moving oxygen molecules over it.

Still no BSODs after the Windows welcome screen anymore. I still believe that even though the laptop was sold with Windows 7 installed, it was built for Windows 8. I wonder how many other Sony Vaios have been having a lot of BSODs at welcome screen?

After getting the constant "It must be something you're doing wrong" or "Must be something wrong with your hardware", "You must have incompatible software" or suggestions of doing a 'clean install'.

The process of making note of everything that is installed, having to deactivate software, and do a 'clean install' wasn't an option, as the time it would take would make restoring the Windows 7 system image a better option.

But, what I did was this:

Uninstalled all the Windows 8 Updates. Copy/Paste/Move files worked. Uninstalled CFiShellToys. Rebooted. Copy/Paste worked.

Then I reinstalled Win8 updates, no more than 3 at a time. Sometimes just 1 if it was a large one. With every Windows Start up, I copied/moved a test file. When it succeeded, I would install another update. Repeat.

I then re-installed CFiShellToys, restarted. Copy/Paste/Move worked.

All I can figure is one or more of the Windows 8 updates screwed something up, or was corrupt. I'm a bit smug about the fact that it wasn't something I was don't incorrectly, or the fault of already installed software.

There were a few hiccups setting up Windows 8. I got some assistance from slightlysatan on a "get me the hell past that gawd awful tiled start screen" program actually worked. It was on the list, but I had a ways to get there. Got that set up. Having a tiled start screen works great if your computer is a touch screen machine, but is a right useless pain in the ass if you don't.

Downloading Driver Updates: The downloads were fine, but what was annoying is there is an order in which certain ones have to be installed.

I have to say this: it does load faster than it did with Windows 7. Don't get me wrong, Windows 7 is great. Have it on my big desktop and won't be upgrading it under the auspices of "If it ain't broken, don't fix it!" I upgraded the laptop because the $15 upgrade price.

All programs I had running on Win7 run fine on Win8. I do get these little nags pop up when I use one my programs the first time, rather than one of the Win8 native programs. There is a big stink about Win8 not having DVD playing software, but if you see the majority of the notebooks that have Win8 pre-installed don't have DVD/Blu Ray drives. There are some good freebies for playing DVDs (I like TheKMPlayer. Been using it ever since CinePlayer was no longer usable due to OS upgrade) and also, my laptop already had PowerDVD installed. What I find funny is I still get the nag screen about not having a player when I insert a DVD. I also have TotalMedia Player that I use as TV receiver (annoyance factor 5: the stations scanned while using Win7 no longer 'configured', have to go through the whole mess again).

Windows Media Center isn't included, but for a short time will be free. After Jan 31st 2013, it will be a whopping $10. Still, making people pay for something that has been a freely available as a download is a bit of a cash grab.

Another thing: if you have a program that's hanging, and you use Task Manager to end process, guess what? It actually ends it without having to reboot the system.

Customization: Now that was a bit trickier. I had gotten used to how to set permissions, and how to dive into the Win7 Registry and what to look for and change, but some of the architecture has been changed. It's so similar but just enough different that it's confusing. Luckily, someone has already done the hard yards and have posted on Windows8 forum.

Is it better than Win7? That depends on your definition. Personally, faster start up, easier shutting down of hanging programs are good, but Win 7 has it's pluses over Win8. So, if Win 7 works for you, keep it. If you're obsessed by the latest and maybe greatest, go for it, but be prepared for at least 2 full days of frustration.