Windows 8 - does anybody have it? If so - question

[mark_wpduet]

I hope it's OK to post this since it sort of is a product related to the home (A computer!)

At any rate, about 3 weeks ago I bought a Lenovo Laptop that has Windows 8. I wasn't thrilled about having Windows 8, but it's NOT that bad......But I do have an issue that is annoying me. I've Googled and can't find an exact answer but I have read people post having exactly the same problem......

I installed "Classic Shell" which basically is a free shell to make the computer have a start button and you can make it look exactly like 7 or XP......I downloaded both firefox and Chrome......When surfing the net, everything is golden for about a few minutes....everything is perfect, then, suddenly websites don't load properly unless you stop, close, clear history, then open back. It's like the web pages only loads half way or NOT at all. For example, I tried to come to this site and it said "server does not exist with some ERROR".......It's really strange! It happens on ALL browsers......It has something to do with Windows 8. Not my network or DNS/router, etc.

I don't think it's the antivirus. I took the antivirus off that came with it and installed AVG, and I also use Ccleaner

 

[mich]

Have you looked..

At the firewall settings? Maybe, it's launching very slowly in the background, around the same time you open your browser, and is blocking your connection.

I personally, would purchase a cheap copy of Windows 7 off Fleabay, or go another route *cough* *cough* (Torrent) *cough* before I had to use Windows 8...

Also, it's my *not factual* but my personal opinion that Avast is the best. It's never really let me down before, and besides (Kaspersky) I'd say it's probably the best protection you can have.

Anyhow, have you tried connecting straight into the router?

Connect not through Wi-Fi but use a Ethernet cord, and connect straight into the Modem, or one of the ports on the back of the wireless router. If it works, and the Firewall is not the problem, I'd check your Drivers, or the Physical Well-being of the Wireless care itself (some of those Chinese wireless cards are close to DOA whan purchased).

 

[mark_wpduet]

Ok I will check these things

As for firewall settings. ALL I'm aware of is that in security it says windows firewall is either ON or OFF. It's on

I changed the adapter power settings and turned off power saver

I don't know.

Other than this issue, classic shell makes windows 8 not so bad at all. I just wish I could figure out what this browser problem is.

I have Avast on one of my other computers. I like it and AVG both equally

 

[mrb627]

Windows-8 Hatred?

Why is there so much hatred for Windows-8?

Malcolm

 

[mich]

Look in..

The Firewall Settings, and make sure Chrome & Firefox both are not blocked. I don't think they would be (considering, you said they work for a little bit) but who knows.

I really think it might have something to, do with the Drivers on the Wireless Card.

Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to do a DNS Flush. It might just fix the problem.

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1600/vista_dns_cache_flush/

I'd try turning the Firewall off for just a few minutes, as well, and see if it just magically works again. You really don't need one if your behind a router. Although, if this doesn't *fix* the problem, having a firewall is a good idea, no matter the circumstances.

 

[wayupnorth]

I have a new Dell which has 8 and I DESPISE it. It seems to be designed for a touch screen. I dont like the fact of no start button as it makes it next to impossible to find anything. The people at Dell support told me that supposidly by the end of the year there would be an upgrade available to 8.1 bringing back the start button and everything it did on previous versions of Windows. I still use AOL and everything works fine on the web,its just figuring out where 8 hides everything on your hard drive.

 

[mich]

I'm suprised you still can use AOL...

The past 3 laptops I've purchased, hasn't had a port to even connect to Dial Up.

I recall the last time, while on vacation, probably 2007ish, I poped in a CD, and tried to log-on, but, it simply couldn't find a non-busy number.

There *Free* (for subscribers) Mcafee kept on working, long after I canceled the account though

Tim, have you looked into DSL? Cable Internet? Here, we have very affordable offerings, from AT&T & the like, that'd you'd come out ahead money wise switching to. $25.90 a month (AOL), Vs $15-$20 for a faster connection...

 

[kb0nes]

Why is there so much hatred for Windows-8?

Because in the eyes of many they ruined a perfectly good operating system with a touch format GUI. This is purely a marketing ploy in an attempt to gain some market share into the tablet market.

I love my tablet devices, while sitting somewhere that is not in front of a computer, they are darned handy for surfing and even an email or two. But where the serious work is done, with a keyboard and a monitor, I NEVER NEVER NEVER want to have to touch the display!! A mouse is more accurate and closer to the keyboard. Perhaps they are just trying to boost sales of Windex...

Had they designed Win 8 to have a user selectable GUI to allow either for either the start button or tiled experience then they could have allowed the users choice. But they had to try to push their agenda and hatred follows.

I've used Win 8 on a tablet and its OK. I am more comfortable with iOS though. For my PC's its Win 7 only. A new Win 8 PC would be reloaded, quickly. I have a group of friends that all do IT for small to medium businesses, its interesting hearing their tales of Win 8 rollout to their customers. Many buy a new computer, and a separate license of Win 7 to get it to work well again!

In most all operating system releases from Microsoft I tend to leap-frog to every other one. Win 95, ME, Vista and Win 8 are all good to have skipped out on!

 

[wayupnorth]

I have High Speed internet Mich

I have my internet with the mid range High Speed plan thru FairPoint Communications for 19.95/mo. I have just downloaded AOL on every new computer I have got and have kept all of my screen names and favorite places, etc. Dial up is only one charged by AOL, otherwise it is free to use and I dont subscribe to anything.

 

[launderess]

Why is there so much hatred for Windows-8

Speaking in general as one whose first PC and the subsequent (recently purchased) replacement came pre-loaded with MS Windows, there is much to hate almost about everything from that company.

First and foremost Microsoft is well known for releasing software and operating systems so full of bugs you need an army of exterminators. Then will come a litany of *updates* and *service packs* to correct everything that is wrong including but not limited to security issues. Once enough of these updates or whatever have come along you get a "new" version which really is the previous one with most (but not all) the bugs worked out.

Once you *finally* get whatever Windows OS or software finally up and running to your liking and it is stable, MS now has a new trick up their sleeves.

Apparently seeing that private and business consumers weren't playing Microsoft's game anymore (purchasing a new OS every few years to keep up with the slew of releases), the company now drops support for OS and software after a certain period of time. If you have problems MS's response will be to purchase the new *whatever* since they no longer support whatever you are having problems.

Another new trick is that for several releases now MS no longer provides complete and unhindered full CDs, DVDs or whatever program/software one has purchased. What little one does receive can only be used twice or three times IIRC, then you must contact MS to either *pay* to have the key further released, or come to other arrangements. MS claims this was done to cut down on piracy. But it means for the consumer if your HD becomes infected and or you otherwise need to do a clean reinstall you may be out of luck.

Microsoft is fighting to stay relevant and like many other early Internet companies or such faces going the way of the Dodo. PC sales continue to decline year after year especially among younger consumers. Apple's Iphone and all that has come afterwards (tablets, Nook, Kindle, smart phones, etc...) were game changers that MS is trying very hard to catch up or otherwise adapt.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Knock on wood

Because as soon as I say I've fixed it.......the problem will return........but I did the DNS flush.......rebooted, and browsed a few web pages........Before, I would go to maybe six or seven sites and by the eighth site, it would start acting crazy and not loading web pages correctly.......but this time, It's been 30 min's or so and I haven't noticed anything.

I HIGHLY recommend download classic shell.........Having it on my windows 8 laptop I feel like I'm on windows 7.. Of course, after you download classic shell, you can tweak the settings, which is easy. You can also make the start button a real Microsoft start button instead of the shell start button. Directions are all over youtube and the web.

 

[ptcruiser51]

Oh, God, please help me

I have not an idea how my computer works! Except that it does!

It's a Dell with Microsoft XP installed, that's all I know.

You folks with your techo-language and in-speak drive people like me crazy.

Please stop. Please. Or at least label your posts "for the techno-savvy only"

Thanx.

Dumbass in NJ.

 

[danemodsandy]

Uh....

"Or at least label your posts "for the techno-savvy only"

Thanx.

Dumbass in NJ."

Dear Bass:

I don't think you're dum at all. It's just that when a thread says "Windows 8," there's bound to be a bit of computer discussion in there somewhere.

* ducks and runs *

 

[perc-o-prince]

They had a pretty stable, friendly, useable OS with XP SP2. Why the h*ll didn't they leave it alone? I don't like 7, I'm sure I won't like 8 when I get a new laptop, and the changes to IE are just as annoying.

Give us the option to keep what we have that works!!

Chuck

 

[sudsmaster]

I was a hold-out for years... still running Windows 2000 Pro at home until a couple years ago. Even though I had a copy of XP sitting on the shelf, unopened.

Finally more and more software packages refused to load on 2000, and I reluctantly switched over to XP. I was pleasantly surprised (not that I hadn't seen it before). I coupled it with a hardware upgrade as well.

In the meantime got a notebook with Vista on it. Not a big fan of Vista; few people are. Also have a copy of 7, unopened, waiting for the next hardware upgrade. Right now XP is good enough.

I have been thinking of getting a new notebook, however, and since they all come with latest Windows on them was going to wait for 8.1 to come out later this year before pulling the trigger on that.

Some of my work involves RS232 communications with older manufacturing machinery. The newest hardware and software combinations have made that increasingly difficult. Serial ports have disappeared. There are USB to serial converters, but not every comm program will recognize them. C'est la vie.

 

[toploader55]

I just bought a New Asus

My computer guy recommended it, and it has 8.

It also is a touch screen and I'm really beginning to like the touch screen feature.

I'm self taught and have no idea what most of you guys are talking about. I just seem to plough my way through it, and have been enjoying it so far.

Plans are to have instructions in 9 days after the restaurant closes.

 

[launderess]

Hold Out? Can Top That! *LOL*

Was running my old Dell (beige box and all metal) on Win98! Granted it was the "second edition" and had all updates but still by 2011 it was showing it's age.

Thing was as the system was stable (finally) and didn't really see any need to upgrade kept putting it off. Finally as less and less software and others such as printers and so forth would run on Windows 98, it was time for an upgrade.

My new Dell is from the "office" side of their lineup and am that well pleased. Am glad one purchased over almost two years now since it was before the current upheavals Dell is having with going private.

Am *NOT* planning on purchasing a new computer and or OS for a very long time. Don't care what stunts MS pulls.

One of the main reasons one has remained with MS is because knowing most of the Office software (Excel, Word, etc....) from my college and working in office days, am just to set in my ways to switch.

Speaking of MS Office, am surprise that for the past few years so many entry level office/corporate jobs require a working knowledge of Excel, Word and perhaps Powerpoint. Guess it reinforces the days of having lots of personal secretaries/assistants is over.

 

[DADoES]

 
There's no need to update/replace an OS just because micro$oft abandons support of it unless there are dire incompatibility issues with newer hardware/software.  It's not going to suddenly stop working on the trigger-date of support-end.

 

[NYCWriter]

I can't imagine ...

... why anyone would use a Windows-based computer in their home.

It's bad enough to be stuck using them for 8-12 hours a day at work.

I've been a Mac person from the very beginning. People call us "cult followers", "brand loyal", and even "brainwashed". But let me tell you, there's a reason Apple users simply would not consider using ANY other device manufactured by someone else.

We're very much like Mercedes owners who would never ever drive anything but a Mercedes. It's really not a status thing; it's a QUALITY thing. Until you've driven one, you just wouldn't understand.