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August 5th, 2012 03:00
Windows 8 Discussion - Dell Users Experience/Feedback
Information About Windows 8
- Before You Begin
- Back Up Critical Files
- Create Recovery Discs
- Update Critical Drivers
- View General Issues with Windows 8 Upgrade
- See If Your System Supports Windows 8
- Software Support
- Check Printer Support
- Upgrade to Windows 8
- Install Updated Drivers
- Activate Windows 8
• Windows 8 Upgrade Troubleshooting
- Secure Boot and Windows 8
- Microsoft Office 2010 Starter
- Graphics Control Panel Disappears
- Dell Webcam Central
- Antivirus Software
- Bluetooth Issues
- DVD Playback Not Supported in Windows 8
- Windows Media Center
- Touch Compatibility with Windows 8
- TV Tuner Card Loses Function
- Upgrade Installation Versus New Windows 8 PC
- Intel Rapid Start Causes Blue Screen
• Dell Computer Support for Windows 8
- How to Determine Your Computer Model
- Select Your Computer Type
- Dell Installed Software Support for Windows 8
- Dell Printer Support for Windows 8
- How to Upgrade to Windows 8
- Get Windows 8 Drivers for Supported Dell Computers
Note: Most computers that came with either Windows Vista or 7 will probably run Windows 8 of the same bit natively. The system requirements for Windows 8 are almost identical to Windows 7. Dell will not provide specific Windows 8 drivers for models outside the list however.
• Dell Preinstalled Software for Windows 8
• Dell Printer Support for Windows 8
• Dell Windows 8 upgrade offer
- What is the Windows Upgrade Offer?
- Microsoft is providing an upgrade program available to individual customers who want to purchase their new PC now with Windows® 7 and upgrade to Windows 8 Pro when it’s available.
- Am I eligible for a Windows 8 Pro upgrade?
- To be eligible for an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro, you must meet these guidelines:
- Purchase a qualifying Dell system between June 2, 2012 and January 31, 2013.
- For a system to be considered qualified, it must have one of the following four operating systems installed: Windows® 7 Home Basic, Windows® 7 Home Premium, Windows® 7 Professional or Windows® 7 Ultimate.
- Note: Offer must be redeemed prior to February 28, 2013. Certain features of Windows 8 may not be available when an existing Windows 7 system is upgraded. Driver updates may also be required. Commercial and public enterprises are not eligible to participate.
I see we don't have a proper public discussion on Windows 8 on the Dell Microsoft OS Forum. Such a debate will help out Dell users and Dell likewise.
The reason I am creating this discussion is I am wondering what other brave Dell users are thinking of trying or currently using the Windows 8 Consumer Preview?
What systems have you attempted installation on, have you had any installation woes and found a way to resolve them?
What is your general opinion on Windows 8, do you like it? Have you tried it with keyboard and mouse, have you tried it with a touchpad and finally have you tried it with a touchscreen?
What do you like about Microsoft's changes to this Operating system and what do you hate?
Tell us what model of Dell and whether you are trying the 32 bit or 64 bit version.
I personally have tried it on a Desktop XPS 8300 (keyboard and mouse) 64 bit and a Laptop Latitude D820 (touchpad) 32 bit. I have hated Windows 8 on both units and reverted them back to Windows 7. I have one installation of Windows 8 on a virtual machine. Actual Windows Manager improved the usability of Windows 8 (and 7) for me.
I have yet to try it out on a touchscreen device which arguably the new OS will run the best on.
The Windows 8 release preview is out and may be downloaded and tried out here.
Before trying out Windows 8 ensure that you have the previous version of Windows Reinstallation DVD. For Windows Vista and Windows 7 you may also use the retail .isos with phone activation if you have the 25 digit product key to hand. Ensure that you understand everything in my wiki A Clean Install of Windows. This will tell you where to download all the files you need for correct of Windows XP, Vista and 7. Also don't feel afraid to contact technical support in your country to request the Dell Reinstallation DVD. In the US there is a form here
Alternatively for newer systems you can create the recovery USB/DVD with Dell DataSafe Local Backup as instructed in this video here. I personally always recommend having the OS Reinstallation DVD. I don't like the Dell Factory Settings or the Dell Local DataSafe.
Another way on a sufficiently powerful system (8 GB of RAM or superior) is to use Oracle VirtualBox and to install Windows 8 within it. Give the Windows 8 virtual machine 3.5 GB of RAM.
Chromebuster
64 Posts
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October 6th, 2012 21:00
Has anybody tried it on the Latitude E6530? I'm asking because I have Windows server 2012 running on there as a virtual machine, and it works fine. It seems right now that there are a few differences between server and client, but what they are, I don't know. I'm curious about the experiences of other Latitude owners. What exactly do you guys hate about the consumer preview? Thanks!
nwells
27 Posts
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October 7th, 2012 10:00
Also, my Vostro 3450 is running hot all the time...the fan is going full blast, when in Windows 7, it only did that if I was rendering a movie or something...will this be resolved?
nwells
27 Posts
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October 14th, 2012 07:00
Thanks for the response. Yes, I've tried installing as many drivers as would install (from here ftp.dell.com/.../Vostro%203450). But the ATI video card still gives an error, and I can't get any driver to work (it is switchable). The Intel on-board graphics card works.
Right now with Chrome open I'm using 2% of my cpu and 17% of my ram (I have 16gig). I have it on the balanced battery profile, and my fan is still going full blast (it did not do this in Windows 7).
Also, I can't sleep or hibernate correctly - most of the time it looses all the data and has to restart or won't turn off, and so I have to hold the button down to kill it. Which seems to be known: support.dell.com/.../document
The only thing is on that page they don't say anything about the over-heating.
Also the touchpad drivers are directly from Synaptics and that seems to work.
I also upgraded my hard-drive firmware just in case that was the culprit. But still having problems....kind of a bummer.
Philip_Yip
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October 14th, 2012 07:00
Lost track of this post a little. I have been working a bit on Windows 8 and Office 2013 recently. I wrote A Clean Install of Windows 8 wiki.
On the Vostro 3450 are you running Windows 8 bare or did you try installing any drivers? Is there anything taking up high CPU or Memory usage in the task manager? Do you have any errors in the device manager?
Did you upgrade from 7 to 8 or perform a clean install?
Philip_Yip
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October 14th, 2012 11:00
Okay CPU and RAM seem to be at ordinary levels.
Have you tried this ATI driver here? http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx/
How hot is your system running? Install Piriform Speccy and have a look at the temperatures.
What BIOS revision are you? BIOS Revision A11 http://ftp.dell.com/FOLDER00311153M/1/V3450A11.exe is meant to help with the fan (see this thread here).
Note do not update your BIOS while the system is overheating. Ideally have it off for a few hours and update it while it is nice and cool.
nwells
27 Posts
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October 14th, 2012 20:00
Thanks - yes I have A11 installed for my bios.
My cpu is running at 67 degrees C - and all I did was boot up and launch chrome (I have about ten tabs open), and I am in "balanced" power mode. I launched Adobe Lightroom and put it in "high performance" power mode. After about 5 min of looking at pictures the temp went up to 87 deg. C. Should I be concerned? That seems hot...
And yes, I've tried that ATI driver - it says it can't find anything compatible on my system (on the site they say if it is switchable their drivers probably won't work and you have to get them from the manufacturer).
Thanks for your time.
Nathan
Philip_Yip
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October 17th, 2012 01:00
Yes you should definitely be concerned with they temperatures. Have you tried downgrading back to Windows 7 to see what the temperatures are with Windows 7?
Philip_Yip
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October 27th, 2012 07:00
Dell ST Microelectronics DE351DL Motion Sensor http://ftp1.dell.com/folder00951951m/6/
Try also the Bluetooth 380 Driver here: http://ftp1.dell.com/folder00865420m/1/. Seems to work with the 375, 370, 365, 360 and 355 modules. If you do install it let me know as its useful information.
nwells
27 Posts
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October 27th, 2012 09:00
Also temp is a little lower - though I might take my computer in, maybe the heatsink needs replacing...
nwells
27 Posts
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October 27th, 2012 09:00
Thanks - I was also able to get the new A13 bios today along with graphics drivers for Windows 8 - battery life is up to 3 hours (not sure why it is less than Windows 7, which was 4, but at least 3 is doable).
yathish naik
1 Message
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October 30th, 2012 11:00
I am not able to fix th Quick set part tooo. Did you found any solution? I need driver for Dell Studio 1558. Its crashing even when i connect my laptop charger. -.-
bb193
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22 Posts
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October 31st, 2012 08:00
Quote
Posted by msgale
Of course there is plan "B", wait until October for PCs with Windows 8 loaded. There are several advantages
1. Save money.
2. If you need to do a full restore the restore partition will have Windows 8, not Windows 7
3. There will be no chance of losing work during the upgrade process.
4. There will no be any compatible issues.
This is what I did - and I am horrified to say it was entirely the wrong thing to do! The new Inspiron 15R I bought for my daughter comes with Windows 8 alright - but not Pro.
As a student, she wants to be able to play DVDs - Windows 7 Home Premium did that - but vanilla Windows 8 does not.
I could have got the upgrade from 7 to 8 Pro for £15 - but to get Pro for a Windows 8 machine, I need the Pro pack, which costs over 3 times the amount - £50.
I'm shocked I have been suckered - it doesn't feel good :-(
nwells
27 Posts
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October 31st, 2012 08:00
Just use www.videolan.org/.../index.html - it's free and she'll be able to play dvd's on Windows 8 without any issues.
Hernan.Aros
3 Posts
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October 31st, 2012 09:00
Or use this: http://www.team-mediaportal.com/
msmbdog
5 Posts
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December 6th, 2012 19:00
I have an old XP system, but just bought a new Win 8, 64-bit (not Pro). Is there a way to install/run the XP apps under Win 8 -- I've heard of HYPER-V, but that's only under Pro)? If not, should I go Win 7 or 8, 32 bit, or do something else. TIA.