Replies

[QUOTE}Bruce: I believe you are correct, and perhaps this is why the install attempt fails.[/QUOTE]

As it did when Windows 8 was released for many.

I’ve had Windows 10 Pro on 5 different computers, three were PC’s & two notebooks, not counting the release before the final on another. Today, it’s only on one, a Toshiba with a 1st gen i3 370M & Intel HD graphics that’s used sparingly, and a Vmware Player VM inside of Linux Mint running the same OS. Surprisingly, the VM runs much better than any of the native installs did.

Compared to both Windows 7 & 8.1, it was taking at least 2x the time to run AV/AM scans on fast SSD’s, and SuperAntiSpyware scans that would complete in 17-22 seconds would take over a minute, on one machine, a clean install. Windows 10 seems to be the second coming of Vista, a resource hog designed to be ran on the newest hardware, such as MB’s that runs DDR4 RAM. And my main PC is no wimp, a Dell XPS 8700 with a i7-4770, 32GB RAM & a GTX 960 GPU.

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/Oa6G1egJmmUlqBt8TgVbtvL

My relatives & close friends always calls on me to fix their computer/networking issues, and all but one whom upgraded to Windows 10 has brought their computer back to me & asked to reinstall Windows 7 or 8.1, the same ones I’ve warned over & over again to create backup images monthly (at a minimum) & before any major changes. Had they heeded my advise, in 30 minutes, they’d be up & running again.

I believe once the initial excitement is over & the smoke clears, many will revert to whatever version of Windows they were running, or to a Linux OS, speaking of which, Linux Mint 17.1 is my daily OS. Less overhead, maintenance and breathes new life into low end Windows 7 computers that were churned out by the millions from various OEM’s. Windows 10 will never run on many of these machines w/out issues.

Just my personal opinion, Windows 7 was Microsoft pinnacle, since then, the corporation has been delivering crappy OS’s, though 8.1 runs good on many computers. Yet not enough to lure many away from the safe haven of Windows 7. To this very day, at Costco, Windows 7 Pro computers of all types are in high demand, and has been so since at least early 2013, there’s no sign the surge is slowing. Many envisioned what Windows 10 was going to be, as well as not wanting a Windows 8 or 8.1 computer & took action.

Do the same while you still can. The way the UEFI firmware is today, I’m not sure if one can take OEM Windows 7 media & COA & install it on a new computer shipped with Windows 10, even if drivers are available (the XPS 8700 has drivers for Windows 7 through 10). Not all OEM’s has this option, as some changes product lines every year. Dell will ride the XPS 8700 until they come up with a DDR4 compatible build to replace it, the PC has been a huge cash cow for the corporation for over 2 years.

It’s a bit early to deliver the final verdict, yet I believe Microsoft will fail in their goal to have the OS on the majority of the world’s computers. And if eventually so, by then it’ll be like XP, held together with spit & duct tape. Piling updates/upgrades on top of another, we’ve already seen the outcome of that & don’t need to go there again.

Cat

As close as it’s getting to Christmas & having just dropped $220 for a monitor (though on promo), those headphones may have to wait a month or so. Too, in January there’s more promos ran, because many retailers are desperate for sales.

However, the more I read into it, the more I see that Bluetooth may not be for me. As I stated, my sound card is Maxx Audio 7.1, from all of the headsets I’ve reviewed, it’s going to be hard to find something to meet my needs. Wireless (USB receiver) likely won’t get it either.

I believe that I’ll have no choice but to go wired for quality sound.

If my usage were for office, that would be different. Never had any Bluetooth device before, saw this thread & my hopes were jumping at the thought of having a killer headset w/no wires.

For some things, the old still applies today. Even wireless speakers doesn’t get the same positive reviews as wired ones does, if so, they’d be stock equipment by now. The main complaint that I read is the lack of bass response.

Cat

Am still looking for a compatible Bluetooth headset, but have been busy with my newly purchased ASUS VE248Q 24″ LED backlight monitor.

Seems that most that I’ve looked at more for phone/music players, not PC’s. The couple that I did consider, the reviewers mentioned the lack of “real stereo”, or defects such as one side not working, a more notable complaint is for larger heads, they don’t fit good & are uncomfortable after a short time of use.

So far, I just haven’t yet settled on one. I believe that my assumption may have not been what was expected. Of course I know that non-wired speakers of most any type doesn’t give quite the sound quality of wireless, but for $49-$69, I expect more than 3 star (or egg) reviews.

My sound card is Maxx Waves 7.1, while I can’t afford those $200-$300 headphones, there should be some lower priced ones to meet my needs. Like in the $79-$100 range on promo. Sometimes on the Logitech site, there are dented boxes with full warranty, product guaranteed not to be damaged.

Still haven’t totally thrown in the towel on Bluetooth, but it’s beginning to look dim for my needs.

Cat

I use Macrium on 2 machines myself. Had the same issue on the Dell that shipped with a 1 year McAfee IS suite, though I didn’t know that was causing the issue. When trying to create WinPE rescue media to clone it to a SSD, the needed files (about 300MB worth) would crash as the 62-63% mark. This happened 3 times inside of 15 minutes. However Macrium itself downloaded & installed fine.

So I had to download the MS ADK for Windows 8, which was an initially small file, but when opened, downloaded & installed over 1GB of files (have these on Windows 7, but it’s on DVD when needed). Once this was done, Macrium only needed a 6MB file, which it quickly fetched & I was then able to create an ISO, made both a CD & Flash rescue media using a 1GB unused SDHC card, attached to a USB card reader.

I then was able to boot from that SDHC card, first I created an image of the 1TB HDD, verified the image. Then cloned all but the Recovery partition to a SSD. This was back in October, I believe 2 versions of Macrium has been released since, but being this is meeting my needs for now, don’t see the need to update & have to create media right now. Mabye after a year I’ll do so, once McAfee is removed.

The other computer I since installed Macrium on, with Bitdefender IS 2014, the needed files for WinPE downloaded fine.

The reason why I chose Macrium Free for this machine, though I normally use EaseUS Todo Workstation, was the GPT cloning support. A member on another forum recommended it to me, as EaseUS (the version that I have) will see & backup/restore some of those critical GPT partitions of FAT32 sector by sector, which I’ve read doesn’t work. So I asked on the forum for a solution & Macrium was recommended.

Years ago, before going with EaseUS, I used Macrium for a long time. Until I got the Workstation version of EaseUS on the Giveaway of the Day site. Then someone gave me a copy of ATI 2010, still in use on that PC. It had failed me only once & that was due to HDD corruption, not the fault of Macrium. Switched for premium versions only, no WinPE ISO was offered back then with Free version.

RetiredGeek, thanks for posting this thread, had no idea it had to do with McAfee.

Cat

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/advisory/2916652

“At this time, no update is available for customers running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, or for customers who choose not to install the automatic updater of revoked certificates.”

:o:

That’s because MS is doing all they can to get their customers off of XP, even if it’s an upgrade to Windows 7, if the machines can run it.

While I do have 2 computers running & designed for XP, they’re only used to check the weather or read articles. I no longer even use those OS’s to post on forums, as I’m scared to enter my passwords on them. I have recently done some beta testing of security apps on them.

As soon as what support XP does get is dumped, now less than 4 months away, these will be converted into Linux Mint computers. Since neither has PAE, the latest I can run is Mint 13, however it’s supported until sometime in 2017. By then the computers will likely pass or be given away or donated. No more cash will be spent on them.

Cat

I believe that WD has also acquired Hitachi, as they’re now marketed as the HGST brand. Basically a generic WD. My luck with WD has been good, except for a 750GB Caviar Black that was beginning to fail (noisy/vibration) after 5-6 months of use. I believe it had to do with what was then Newegg’s sloppy packaging of HDD’s, which has since improved greatly. Like DrWho, I was sent what I thought to be a new 1TB as a replacement.

Figured a larger capacity HDD was sent for my troubles. Only months afterwards & I still can’t recall what compelled me to examine the label, but needed a magnifying glass to read the “recertified” wording on it. However I have no gripes, it ran well in a PC for a year & is now one of my backup drives.

However I still have a 40GB, 7200 rpm Hitachi HDD, going strong after 10 years of a lot of use, as well as another newer one in a IBM T42 notebook.

Never had good luck with the Maxtor brand, nor Seagate. The 500GB Barracuda 7200.11 that died on me w/no notice, is now used to sit candles on to burn. There are thousands of forum posts in regards to that model, considered by many to be a high performance model in 2008/2009 with it’s 32MB cache, still more than that of most notebook HDD’s. Fortunately, I had backed it up 2-3 days prior to the failure (I backup weekly), so except for a few bookmarks, I lost nothing (except $60).

A HDD/SSD loss I can deal with, so long as I keep recent backups. That’s about the only thing we can do to minimize the loss that end, we can’t prevent drives from failing, but we can protect our data. While I know that many thousands of customers lost their data on those 7200.11 HDD’s & many were screaming for Seagate for data recovery, the responsibility to backup is the customer’s duty. My guess is that those users needs no more reminders of this.

As to OCZ, I almost bought one, but just before I had saved enough cash for purchase, reviews at Newegg began to pour in over their dying SSD’s. That led me to wait another year before purchasing my 1st one, a 128GB Crucial M4, which has performed well on all 3 computers it’s been installed on. SSD Life Free reports it as having 99% of life left, with an approximate date of sometime in 2022 as end of life date with current usage pattern.

Glad that I didn’t become another victim to OCZ.

Cat

3 days later, PC still faster than out of the box in 2009! Ended up reducing the swap from 2048MB to 1024.

Safe Defaults, some are OK, but many also robs the customer of performance that their hard earned cash paid for. MS & the OEM’s can do a better job on that end. Plenty of examples, but deep discussions on these would take away from Ted’s OP.

Generally, I don’t dive head first for every claimed performance enhancement trick that I read. However the source having came from Ted, whom I’ve known for a couple for years, I felt it to be a safe chance to take. Plus the PC was in dire need of anything to boost Windows 7’s performance.

BTW, this same PC also runs Linux Mint 15 x64 via dual boot, even given the low specs of the machine (1.5GHz Athlon X2 64, 4GB DDR2 6400 RAM), Mint screams on it, although 7 has struggled. For the most part, all that I do is keep 7 & it’s few apps updated on it, my wife, who is as computer illiterate as anyone I know, runs Mint on it w/no problems.

Cat

Didn’t realize it until doing a check today, all of my Windows 7 installs (3) has IE11. Though I primarily use FF & Chrome, I did use this opportunity to test IE11 out, on all installs, it’s as usable as IE9/10 was. Though Windows 7 shipped with IE8, I had never liked & avoided using that browser, it was so heavy, also poorly designed as far as actual browser space goes (too many toolbars by default).

bigbadsteve, have been working on rebuilding XP Mode on one of my notebooks today, starting Windows Update from IE6 got me nowhere, even with automatic updates selected. Had to manually download/install IE8 to get going & still had to fight the svchost.exe issue (99% CPU usage). I believe MS is in full throttle mode to discourage XP usage in every way possible, as I’ve clean installed 2 other XP machines (one of my own), the same issue with those. For years, this was a non-issue for me, until just 2-3 months ago.

Anyway, IE11 is worth trying out, if not running properly or as desired, uninstall & the previously installed IE will be reverted back.

Cat

Glad IreneLinda created this topic! Have been considering a headset myself for my Dell, but had forgotten about the Bluetooth option, actually have it disabled at Startup because I’m not using it. Have since added a wireless keyboard/mouse, as I can’t stand wires all over the place. With 2 monitors on my PC desk (one of which is an HP AIO PC), 2 notebooks, plus the Dell underneath, all but one connected by Ethernet for security, I don’t need anymore wires.

May as well make use of what I have in that Bluetooth connection, plus I won’t be bounded by a cable, meaning that I could walk to the fridge to grab a soda & not miss anything.

lostwages, thanks for reminding me of what I have! Otherwise that disabled Bluetooth connection would have been totally forgotten (as stated above, actually already was).

I’ll likely find on on promo somewhere, still possibly Newegg, with a better warranty.

Cat

lostwages, I would have bought that bluetooth headset, but the 90 day warranty on the white set held me back. No warranty is specified on the black set, even on the Philips website. Just the 30 day return/exchange that’s standard for Newegg.

90 days is a short warranty for this type of purchase, kind of making me wonder if it’s a refurb. I once bought a wireless mouse from Newegg Flash, of the Verbatim brand, however it shipped from 1 Sale a Day. Was defective from the start, come to find out it was a refurb, but Newegg Flash didn’t state this in their ad. And being it was actually sold by 1 Sale a Day, Newegg didn’t back the sale.

It was advertised as a $40+ model, on promo for $8.99. After returning it at my expense back to Verbatim, another $8 spent & they wanted it packed where it couldn’t move in the packaging. The original was shipped to me inside of a box large enough for a small PSU w/no cushioning at all, just the packaged mouse & receipt. I finally have a decent, but not what one would expect for $40, wireless mouse.

Needless to say, I’m leery of these “Flash” sales, though I’m a regular Newegg customer & have been since 2009.

Cat

Wished I could say my Toshiba was as good. I have the Satellite A665-S6086 (will add to my System Specs next time I visit the Lounge with it). HDD was failing not long after initial warranty period, fortunately I have a collection of various HDD’s on hand & replaced it. Now it has a 128GB Crucial M4, dual booting Windows 7 Pro/8.1 Pro, plus Linux Mint is on the main HDD (SSD is mounted in optical bay adapter).

Now it’s the keyboard. The Backspace key works when it wants to regardless of OS, same with the “P” key. Have reverted to a wireless keyboard, as on Toshiba’s, they’re not easily replaceable, like the older Dells are. Otherwise it runs good, it’s just a matter of “What’s Next?”.

As to the OCZ transaction, I have mixed feelings. Toshiba already markets it’s own brand of SSD’s, if word gets out about this, many customers will likely shy away from the brand, as even if Toshiba does a total house cleaning of employees (they likely won’t), the stigma of being associated with the OCZ brand could be damaging. It’s highly possible that Toshiba will never market the brand, but rather use it’s facilities for expansion.

OCZ was once a promising brand of SSD’s around the time of the Windows 7 launch with dominating sales. Bad firmware was their downfall, in part due to the massive number of them on the market, other brands also suffered controller issues. It’s no wonder there’s so many refurbished units at ultra low pricing on the market, however one thing that I won’t buy used or refurbished (still used) is SSD’s.

Still, I give OCZ credit for what they did successfully accomplish. By saturating the market with their SSD’s, in essence the competition was forced to lower their pricing to compete. Which is why today, most customers has access to affordable SSD’s. There was also help by the HDD OEM’s 2011 “shortage” that really was non-existent (there were plenty available, but at high cost). This also compelled SSD OEM’s to lower prices, leading to millions of consumers adapting to SSD’s & many, including myself, have never looked back. Except on two older computers, the only spinners I have are for Data/secondary drives.

Cat

Toshiba agreed to buy OCZ’s assets, so the technology will live and be improved, I guess.

I don’t know about that. Toshiba’s of today aren’t what they were just a few years ago. Just 5-6 years ago, Toshiba was a top rated brand, highly due to quality. Now one buys a Toshiba, the HDD failure rates are higher in the 1st couple of years of ownership (as evidenced on many tech forums), plus keyboard issues.

Toshiba isn’t the brand that it once was. Yes the corporation markets more hardware, such as HDD’s, SSD’s & Flash drives, but they don’t have the same ratings as the leading competition. I bought one of their 16GB Flash drives to use as a Windows 8 Recovery Drive, it’s notably slower than most of my others.

Seems that Toshiba is falling into a Tier 2 brand, like Gateway & HGST.

Cat

If I see that Nutrisystem commercial with Marie Osmond one more time I am gonna scream!!!!!

I really don’t care if she lost 50# and her husband thinks she’s hot!

Only to regain it back every other year & lose it again…..of course her husband thinks she’s hot, she’s a celebrity, has money & endorsements (such as this one), no way he’s leaving.

Cat

Ballmer dismissed his likely replacement in Steven Sinofsky, so it’s unclear.

It would likely be best to bring in an outsider, for starters to put everyone at MS on notice that the status quo must end, secondly to jump start innovation. Even if that means bringing in his/her own staff. Personally, I question the release of Windows 8 for desktops/notebooks, as Windows 7/Office 2010 was & still is very popular, as well as their bread & butter, or cash cow.

MS could have released a tablet OS only & let it be that, while continuing 100% support for Windows 7, which is still climbing in market share. Shame that MS won’t offer SP2 for Windows 7 (it’s largest by far customer share), though they have for Office 2010. Few corporations can ignore their main stable of customers w/o some loss of customers/market share.

The next chief needs to keep MS’s largest customer base happy, while at the same time focusing on current & future products. And needs to soon realize that the Apple way won’t be a success at MS. Note that Apple no longer makes it’s fortune on traditional computer sales, but on smartphones, tablets & gadgets. MS is way behind in those 3 areas & should stick to what made the corporation great, Windows & Office.

Innovation is good, but a corporation as large as MS has to deliver to customers what they want, not what their developers thinks they want. MS went too far, too fast with Windows 8 & it has cost them some business.

The new CEO hopefully will stop the bleeding & commit to total customer service to it’s supported software. Windows 7, unlike XP, is far from dead & hasn’t even hit it’s peak yet, as all numbers shows. It would be good to see more of a mixture of both Windows 7 & 8 devices (Windows 7 demand is still very high), w/o the extra price tag on Windows 7.

Cat

Thanks for your input Gentleman much appreciated. What are the dangers of staying with IE9?
Phil.

Being 2 versions behind. There are more security features with most any new browser released, regardless of brand. IE9 is only one step above IE8, though it is much better than the latter.

I recommend IE10 at the minimum, as there’s security risks with using older browsers to conduct transactions on. Security risks that not all security apps will cover. Plus, unlike FF & Chrome, there’s very little support as far as extensions goes. Of which both the latter, as well as Opera, has plenty of choices.

Cat