Windows 8 Consumer Preview Thread

So i managed to fix my windows 7 MBR, but windows 7 recovery insisted on running an automated recovery before allowing me to get to the cmd and it reset all sorts of custom tweaks that I had in window 7. Very annoying. The whole windows 8 idea was just a head ache. I won't be installing that again any time soon.
 
Yes, agreed, the mouse cursor does disappear when the mouse is biconnected. Its not the sort of thing one would find in ordinary use, I suppose, Oddly, it remembered where the cursor was and put it back in the same place when I re plugged the mouse.

I am using Windows Defender, which comes with Windows 8 for viruses etc. It seems to be Microsoft Security Essential masquerading under another name. WSE has worked for me for ages so I am using with this trial.
 
prescott28 said:
Yes, agreed, the mouse cursor does disappear when the mouse is biconnected. Its not the sort of thing one would find in ordinary use, I suppose, Oddly, it remembered where the cursor was and put it back in the same place when I re plugged the mouse.

I am using Windows Defender, which comes with Windows 8 for viruses etc. It seems to be Microsoft Security Essential masquerading under another name. WSE has worked for me for ages so I am using with this trial.
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Thanks for that...

Yeah I noticed the mouse cursor thing as I'm currently running windows 7 and 8 in parallel with inputdirector as I migrate stuff over. Even though the mouse works you can't see the cursor so I have to leave a mouse plugged in the windows 8 machine

I guess it makes perfect sense for the mouse cursor to disappear as the OS thinks that you're using a tablet.
 
I seem to recall that some hardware was lacking support for some time with the Windows 7 beta. My HP scanner was without suitable support for some time after Windows 7 was released for example. I suppose it is like the apps in Metro - despite the time since the Developer Preview, no one has got round to writing anything useful yet.
 
The Xonar thing is purely down to Asus I think, and the OS checks the drivers do. Doesn't make it right, but surely Asus are doing something different to a lot of others, or there'd be more problems :s
 
theheyes said:
Yeah, it's pretty annoying. I like Win8 but I think there is some way to go on the desktop - and that's understandable. The problem is Microsoft are close to being a bit pig headed about the "consumer preview" and not giving us an easy way to provide feedback. I've tried going via the msdn site to submit the suggestion but gave up, I might try again tomorrow.

Yet the app previews that are clearly there to populate the start screen have their own feedback button(!)
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I'm happy with the desktop side of things, maybe give me the Orb back so I know where I'm aiming! The open apps (top left) and charm (top right) are also a bit hit and miss, especially if you've multiple monitors.

With Win 7 they had the "feedback" link on practically every window. Whilst it was feature locked I'm sure they must have got some good feedback that led to tweaks.

With Win 8 that just doesn't exist at all, I had a brief look and couldn't even see a Connect feedback area either.

The Metro apps themselves are mainly a waste of space at the moment, some are in a better state than others but most are very early. Also UK isn't a supported region, so as I'm not prepared to create a new MS Account half the stuff doesn't work properly yet, as I can't sign in.

If I was running on a touch device then it would frustrate me more, but as I'm on desktop, I'm essentially running the same apps I would run on Win 7 and the Start Screen is just useful for searching or the odd Metro App I can use.

But I'm probably going to move my main machine back to Win 7 this weekend, as I'm getting regular BSODs from a power management issue.
 
Subliminal Aura said:
Wait a sec.

If you remove the mouse you also lose the mouse cursor :/

Can someone confirm this please. Cheers
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Don't shoot me, but I see that as a good thing.

I'm hoping for some good apps that will mean Metro can become a HTPC front end, and allow it to do all that Media Center does but give me access to a wider range of applications all from my remote :)

In that sense I'd want the mouse cursor hidden when playing back anything.
 
Gosh you seem a modern lot here. Having searched this thread no one seemed to have a problem using "Win 7 USB/DVD tool" on a 32bit machine making a bootable usb using the 64bit iso?

Upon 100% copied to USB "Win 7 USB/DVD tool" says;

Files copied successfully. However, we were unable to run bootsect to make the USB device bootable. If you need assistance with bootsect, please click the "Online Help" link above for more information.
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Gotta love MS messages haven't you :mad: , of course I need help with bootsect but unfortunately the link they direct you to in the message above is in typical MS vagueness as it doesn't link to anything about bootsect! :mad:

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Help#

I'm using XP along with millions of others :D , they know this as its kinda been a thorn in their side :p but in most of the literature to try this out all that is mentioned is Vista and W7 users. :mad:

Googling I came across something about WAIK :rolleyes: which I now know after more Googling stands for Windows Automated Installation Kit. This is an image file just under 1GB which apparently I have to burn to a DVD and then install in order to get a 32bit bootsect.exe tool. Anyone know if this is the only way I can make my usb bootable please?
 
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2nd attempt...

Found bootsect.exe on a site showing how to install XP onto an Asus Eee PC in case anyone else finds themselves in a similar plight.

Obviously I can't vouch for the reliability of the following file, it didn't trigger my Kaspersky software but ultimately it's your choice whether to trust it.

http://www.sumedh.info/articles/install-windows-xp-usb-flash-drive-eeepc-asus.php

Don't know why MS couldn't have made this available from the W8 iso downloads page it isn't any wonder people get infected by bot nets and viruses. :mad: tut MS!

I then placed the bootsect.exe file from the extracted above zip download into the following directory on my XP machine;

C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR-WIN-USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Apps\Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool

YOUR-WIN-USERNAME being the name of the user account on your machine that your using to run the "Win 7 USB/DVD tool".

Will update with the outcome of this second attempt. :rolleyes:
 
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ChileanLlama said:
I'm happy with the desktop side of things, maybe give me the Orb back so I know where I'm aiming! The open apps (top left) and charm (top right) are also a bit hit and miss, especially if you've multiple monitors.

<snip>
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See, I've not really missed the Start menu as much as I'd thought considering how long it's been there. I'm slowly getting used to hitting the Explorer icon instead. Neither have I had a problem with the hot corners, but I only ever use one monitor.

And yes, the Metro apps aren't that great currently. I think this is a big deal for people casually using the preview and forming their opinion of Metro. The UI doesn't particularly shine on the desktop and the apps that are there don't add much, if any, value. It's no wonder people hate it.

Shame you're having to go back to Win7. I had a BSOD today but I think my laptop is on it's way out and did have much/anything to do with Win8.

Regarding my search problem, I couldn't find any easy way to submit it so I did the next best thing and emailed Paul Thurrott of Winsupersite. Like him or not, he did take the time to reply:

That's a legit complaint. I do think they will add this back if/when enough people complain. It's sorely needed.
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So there you go, it still might be worth my while cracking on trying to submit it.
 
djkav said:
Yup its just silly :P

The drivers go on fine, but the control panel application just refuses to work.

That's the reason i'm staying with Win 7 for now.
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I had the same problem with the touchpad drivers for my laptop. I installed the synaptics drivers to try and get multi touch scroll/navigation gestures working. Installation seemed to go fine but when I tried to go I to the control panel to enable them it wouldn't open
 
Martini1991 said:
I can't believe there's still no fix for my Xonar control panel.
Half tempted to get rid of the STX now.
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It's a preview OS

You can't expect every driver to work, Microsoft could make changes that could break functionality in their next preview/beta/RC.

I don't blaim Asus for not writing new drivers, they're slow at releasing them for the current OS as it is!

Not having graphics drivers that work is another story..
 
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