Computer question

[art]

I have a lap top three months old and windows 8 which I don't like. anyway in the last two days when I try to watch a video either from this web site or youtube I get a green screen after about ten seconds. Would appreciate any help from computer geeks .Thanks

[Serk]

Which web browser are you using?

And if not Chrome, try Chrome...

http://www.google.com/chrome

[Dagwood]

"If you are using Internet Explorer, I would suggest you to follow these steps and check if it works:

a. Open Internet Explorer.
b. Click the Tools button or press Alt key + X, and then click Internet Options.
c. Click the Advanced tab, and then browse to the Accelerated graphics section.
d. Click to select the Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering check box.
e. Click Apply, and then click OK.
f. Close all open Internet Explorer window and then test the issue."

Pulled from the web.

[art]

"If you are using Internet Explorer, I would suggest you to follow these steps and check if it works:

a. Open Internet Explorer.
b. Click the Tools button or press Alt key + X, and then click Internet Options.
c. Click the Advanced tab, and then browse to the Accelerated graphics section.
d. Click to select the Use software rendering instead of GPU rendering check box.
e. Click Apply, and then click OK.
f. Close all open Internet Explorer window and then test the issue."

Pulled from the web.

I did as you said and I'm still getting a green screen.

[PAVALKER]

I wanna ask a question as well.....   we have a Windows 8 notebook and I refuse to use it, and the GF hates it as well.  Actually we bought two at the same time (Costco).  We opened hers, I didn't like it and returned mine unopened.  I am still using an older notebook and when this fails might switch to my iPad as primary viewer.


Is there an easy way to convert or reset Windows 8  back to a previous version?

[Serk]

Is there an easy way to convert or reset Windows 8  back to a previous version?

Not an easy way, and some of the manufacturer's make it quite difficult, having drivers available only for Windows 8...

I've been kept quite busy upgrading local friends and family from Windows 8 to Windows 7, but it's not a simple thing most of the time...

[art]

I got it fixed by restoring the comp to an earlier date. Nothing else worked. I hate windows 8

[PAVALKER]

Is there an easy way to convert or reset Windows 8  back to a previous version?

Not an easy way, and some of the manufacturer's make it quite difficult, having drivers available only for Windows 8...

I've been kept quite busy upgrading local friends and family from Windows 8 to Windows 7, but it's not a simple thing most of the time...

Odd that you state "upgrade" when you are going back to the previous version.   But I agree it is.....     

[Serk]

Is there an easy way to convert or reset Windows 8  back to a previous version?

Not an easy way, and some of the manufacturer's make it quite difficult, having drivers available only for Windows 8...

I've been kept quite busy upgrading local friends and family from Windows 8 to Windows 7, but it's not a simple thing most of the time...

Odd that you state "upgrade" when you are going back to the previous version.   But I agree it is.....     

That's why I call it an upgrade...

I've dealt with some BAD software in my 20+ years in IT. Windows 8 is the first OS I've tried to use that I'd describe as completely un-usable.

[R J]

Is there an easy way to convert or reset Windows 8  back to a previous version?

Not an easy way, and some of the manufacturer's make it quite difficult, having drivers available only for Windows 8...

I've been kept quite busy upgrading local friends and family from Windows 8 to Windows 7, but it's not a simple thing most of the time...

Odd that you state "upgrade" when you are going back to the previous version.   But I agree it is.....    

That's why I call it an upgrade...

I've dealt with some BAD software in my 20+ years in IT. Windows 8 is the first OS I've tried to use that I'd describe as completely un-usable.

My Grandson wanted a new lap top.
He had XP on his old one.
Went to Best Buy and told them I wanted a Lap Top.
He went to the back came back and started ringing it up.
I said hold up here Partner, what OP is on it.
He told me the latest and Greatest.
Said what is that.
He responded Windows 8.

Told him I wanted one with XP on it.

We don't have one.

Pulled this box over that was setting on the counter, asked what this was.

That was a return, we took back after he had had it unopened for 4 years.

I told him the box said XP, he pulled it out, plugged it in, fired it up and XP was the OP.    Played with it a little bit and it acted okay so I asked him how big of a discount could I get for a 4 year old box.    He let me have it for $75.00 + tax.

Gave it to the Grandson on his Birthday and he is tickled PINK.   Grandpa was happy to be able to get it for his Birthday.

[RP#62]

My desktop died last night, so I'm going to be looking for a new one.  I wonder what the chances of finding a Windows 7 machine.  I've got 8 on the laptop and I hate it.

-RP

[RainMaker]

My desktop died last night, so I'm going to be looking for a new one.  I wonder what the chances of finding a Windows 7 machine.  I've got 8 on the laptop and I hate it.

-RP

Just bought a Dell Inspiron 660 and you can still get Windows 7 Professional on them with a disc so you can "upgrade" it to Windows 8 later.  (Using that machine now to reply).

I am using the Windows 8 upgrade disc as a shim to keep my table level.

[F6Dave]

My desktop died last night, so I'm going to be looking for a new one.  I wonder what the chances of finding a Windows 7 machine.  I've got 8 on the laptop and I hate it.

Micro Center still sells lots of new PCs with Win 7 Pro installed.  I just bought one in June.  They are a national chain but the stores tend to be only in very large cities.  You could order from their website.

[0leman]

I bought a new dell laptop several months ago.  told them I wanted windows 7 not 8.  Got 7.  Works great so far.   A lot like Windows XP but has a few more bells and whistles.  f

Not impressed with Window 8.  They can keep it.  

If you can find the drivers for you laptop, one can  load Wd-7 and make it work. 

[hubcapsc]

My desktop died last night, so I'm going to be looking for a new one.  I wonder what the chances of finding a Windows 7 machine.  I've got 8 on the laptop and I hate it.

-RP

There's a lot of peecees and laptops over at Amazon with Windows 7 on them...

My X1 Carbon came with Windows 7 when I got it almost a year ago, they still seem to
have Windows 7 on them...

-Mike "mine has Fedora on it  now "

[Serk]

-Mike "mine has Fedora on it  now "

Real Men use Debian (Or Gentoo stage 1 if you wanna be a REAL manly man...) 

[Robert]

You can buy windows 7 for 139.00. Just load 7 and allow it to format your hard drive and it will install by itself and its done. Very easy, drivers are not a problem. But first copy all your document files to another hard drive or backup drive and then when done recopy them to the new op system documents file, easy, quick. Or clone your present computer to another hard drive and install 7 on the computer when done. The other option is buy another hard drive install it in your computer install 7 on it and you have a new op system and still have access to your old drive. If you want you can remove the 7 drive and put your old hard drive back in and have your old computer. Or use the old hard drive as a second hard drive and you can access your files and have a storage drive. It is always good to have a cloned copy of your hard drive with all your files on them because you never know when they will take a dump and may loose some important files. Drivers for 7 and 8 are readily available and if you have trouble finding them there are some good programs that will do all the work for you of finding the latest drivers and install them automatically. Microsoft update does a lousy job on new drivers but the ones they do install are at least reliable. Do not use Windows backup it stinks and you may windup loosing some stuff thats why a good clone software or just plain copy is good.

[hubcapsc]

-Mike "mine has Fedora on it  now "

Real Men use Debian (Or Gentoo stage 1 if you wanna be a REAL manly man...) 

Dweebian, feh  ...

-Mike

[Serk]

-Mike "mine has Fedora on it  now "

Real Men use Debian (Or Gentoo stage 1 if you wanna be a REAL manly man...) 

Dweebian, feh  ...

-Mike

Dead Rat pffffft...  <- This is an evil grin, not a BSD Daemon...

[hubcapsc]

-Mike "mine has Fedora on it  now "

Real Men use Debian (Or Gentoo stage 1 if you wanna be a REAL manly man...) 

Dweebian, feh  ...

-Mike

Dead Rat pffffft...  <- This is an evil grin, not a BSD Daemon...

Dead Rat, sure, it's like 2.6... Fedora is 3.11 

-Mike "I think we're going off course for the OP..."

[Scott in Ok]

Not to drag this more off topic, but Serk.......you confirmed what I figured was true.  I've been a computer nerd from way back, though I don't work in IT.  In all the years i've tinkered with computers I've never met an OS that I couldn't at least figure out the simplest of tasks in 5-10 minutes of tinkering around.  Windows, linux, Mac OS.....etc.  However, I sat down in front of a Windows 8 machine some time back and I was at a complete loss of what to do with the silly thing.  Most confusing thing I've ever tried to figure out.

How Microsoft shipped that is beyond me.

-Scott

[ugelstad]

Microsoft has addressed this concern and with the update to 8.1 you can get back a close facsimile to your old desktop. 

http://www.stuff.tv/microsoft/windows-81/review

Good luck.  I have seen this in operation and it work quite well.

[alph]

I got it fixed by restoring the comp to an earlier date. Nothing else worked. I hate windows 8

my father in law just bought a new PC that has windows 8, he's had nothing but problems!!  the problem for me is he calls me up to trouble shoot it over the phone, and i don't have windows 8 so i have no idea what to tell him to do!!  i'm 20 years younger than he is and i can't stand those "updates" i can't imagine how he feels!! 

i accidently updated my iphone to IOS 7, i use to like my iphone, used it a lot 'cause everything was pretty easy and i never had problems with it.  now, with IOS 7, i can't stand the music player, can't stand the phone search feature, the internet sucks, it's actually slower now than before, it stays on all the time and drains the battery in 1/2 a day when before it use to last a good day in a half, every 4 hours i have to "unlock" it.  the ONLY thing i do like that they updated was the camera, but, getting to the pictures sucks now!!

oh well, i guess it's an "apple" thing.....

[RP#62]

Found a W7 machine on Amazon, then looked around and found it for 70 bucks cheaper at Office Max.  It'll be here in a couple of days.
Thanks guys.  PS non of the retailers in town had any W7 machines and they looked at me like I was from Mars when I asked for one.

-RP

[Art708]

I needed a new computer a month or so ago. I went to Best Buy and bought a Win8 machine and returned it to BB in a few days for a refund. I went online and ordered components and a Win7 64bit OS and built what I wanted.  Cost me about the same price but I got a better computer and a clean OS without all the crapware that they put on the store bought ones.  I HATED Win8!

[Titan]

I got it fixed by restoring the comp to an earlier date. Nothing else worked. I hate windows 8

my father in law just bought a new PC that has windows 8, he's had nothing but problems!!  the problem for me is he calls me up to trouble shoot it over the phone, and i don't have windows 8 so i have no idea what to tell him to do!!  i'm 20 years younger than he is and i can't stand those "updates" i can't imagine how he feels!! 

i accidently updated my iphone to IOS 7, i use to like my iphone, used it a lot 'cause everything was pretty easy and i never had problems with it.  now, with IOS 7, i can't stand the music player, can't stand the phone search feature, the internet sucks, it's actually slower now than before, it stays on all the time and drains the battery in 1/2 a day when before it use to last a good day in a half, every 4 hours i have to "unlock" it.  the ONLY thing i do like that they updated was the camera, but, getting to the pictures sucks now!!

oh well, i guess it's an "apple" thing.....

Alph
There's settings to let you turn off unneeded features that are draining your battery. If you change them it won't drain the battery any more than it used to. And the "unlock every 4 hours" is on you. That's simply the way you have it set up. If you don't want to deal with it simply turn it off. As for "hating the search feature" I have no idea how to address that. It's drop dead simply and does what it's supposed to do so what's to hate? Single swipe down the screen and type your search. ??

Google "iPhone IOS 7 battery drain" for a bunch of tips.
My battery lasts all day. Just because they added "features" doesn't mean you have to leave stuff on that you don't want. That's why they gave you the ability to customize it.

[Serk]

I got it fixed by restoring the comp to an earlier date. Nothing else worked. I hate windows 8

my father in law just bought a new PC that has windows 8, he's had nothing but problems!!  the problem for me is he calls me up to trouble shoot it over the phone, and i don't have windows 8 so i have no idea what to tell him to do!!  i'm 20 years younger than he is and i can't stand those "updates" i can't imagine how he feels!! 

i accidently updated my iphone to IOS 7, i use to like my iphone, used it a lot 'cause everything was pretty easy and i never had problems with it.  now, with IOS 7, i can't stand the music player, can't stand the phone search feature, the internet sucks, it's actually slower now than before, it stays on all the time and drains the battery in 1/2 a day when before it use to last a good day in a half, every 4 hours i have to "unlock" it.  the ONLY thing i do like that they updated was the camera, but, getting to the pictures sucks now!!

oh well, i guess it's an "apple" thing.....

Alph
There's settings to let you turn off unneeded features that are draining your battery. If you change them it won't drain the battery any more than it used to. And the "unlock every 4 hours" is on you. That's simply the way you have it set up. If you don't want to deal with it simply turn it off. As for "hating the search feature" I have no idea how to address that. It's drop dead simply and does what it's supposed to do so what's to hate? Single swipe down the screen and type your search. ??

Google "iPhone IOS 7 battery drain" for a bunch of tips.
My battery lasts all day. Just because they added "features" doesn't mean you have to leave stuff on that you don't want. That's why they gave you the ability to customize it.

...or upgrade to an Android device...

[Titan]

I got it fixed by restoring the comp to an earlier date. Nothing else worked. I hate windows 8

my father in law just bought a new PC that has windows 8, he's had nothing but problems!!  the problem for me is he calls me up to trouble shoot it over the phone, and i don't have windows 8 so i have no idea what to tell him to do!!  i'm 20 years younger than he is and i can't stand those "updates" i can't imagine how he feels!!  

i accidently updated my iphone to IOS 7, i use to like my iphone, used it a lot 'cause everything was pretty easy and i never had problems with it.  now, with IOS 7, i can't stand the music player, can't stand the phone search feature, the internet sucks, it's actually slower now than before, it stays on all the time and drains the battery in 1/2 a day when before it use to last a good day in a half, every 4 hours i have to "unlock" it.  the ONLY thing i do like that they updated was the camera, but, getting to the pictures sucks now!!

oh well, i guess it's an "apple" thing.....

Alph
There's settings to let you turn off unneeded features that are draining your battery. If you change them it won't drain the battery any more than it used to. And the "unlock every 4 hours" is on you. That's simply the way you have it set up. If you don't want to deal with it simply turn it off. As for "hating the search feature" I have no idea how to address that. It's drop dead simply and does what it's supposed to do so what's to hate? Single swipe down the screen and type your search. ??

Google "iPhone IOS 7 battery drain" for a bunch of tips.
My battery lasts all day. Just because they added "features" doesn't mean you have to leave stuff on that you don't want. That's why they gave you the ability to customize it.

...or upgrade to an Android device...

Yeah, that makes all the sense in the world. He already has a problem figuring out how to set things. Let's talk him into swapping it for a real mess. And let's throw him into a system that has every security issue you can have. Serk, you're a tech whiz and can deal with crap like windows and the android knock off. That doesn't mean it's it's good. Android is far from being an upgrade. It's a fragmented POS and is never going to be any more than that. Great for tinkerers and apple haters. Nothing more.

http://readwrite.com/2013/03/04/in-the-security-world-android-is-the-new-windows#awesm=~ooypvyeMezaMPU

[alph]

people just don't like change.  I don't like having to spend hours upon hours having to relearning how to use my phone!  I was happy with it the way it was, worked great for me, as it was.  I should be given the option to go "back" to my "happy place!!"

same thing with windows 8, it may have taken many people years to learn how to use windows 7, now they've got to start all over!  for many, that's not progress.

[art]

people just don't like change.  I don't like having to spend hours upon hours having to relearning how to use my phone!  I was happy with it the way it was, worked great for me, as it was.  I should be given the option to go "back" to my "happy place!!"

same thing with windows 8, it may have taken many people years to learn how to use windows 7, now they've got to start all over!  for many, that's not progress.

I agree ,they won't leave well enough alone. It's all the money. I'm stuck if I want to play around with a computer. I did get it working but still don't know why I had a problem to begin with. I enjoy watching videos on the comp. instead of watching adds on tv.

[alph]

I just found out that my father in law is returning his new Gateway computer 'cause he's had nothing but problems with it.  I'm wondering if it's the windows 8 program!!  the PC he's got has a 1 terabyte hard drive, and the system will throw up a screen that says he's out of memory! I've got a gateway that's a year old and it's got a terabyte hard drive as well.  but I've got windows 7 and haven't had a single problem since I got it, I've got hours of home video stored on this thing and it's about 1/2 full.  my father in law probably has about 2 gigabytes of data on his system and it says it's full!!

[Titan]

I just found out that my father in law is returning his new Gateway computer 'cause he's had nothing but problems with it.  I'm wondering if it's the windows 8 program!!  the PC he's got has a 1 terabyte hard drive, and the system will throw up a screen that says he's out of memory! I've got a gateway that's a year old and it's got a terabyte hard drive as well.  but I've got windows 7 and haven't had a single problem since I got it, I've got hours of home video stored on this thing and it's about 1/2 full.  my father in law probably has about 2 gigabytes of data on his system and it says it's full!!

I don't know exactly the wording of the error message but "Out of memory" doesn't mean the same as out of disk space. Memory refers to the memory chips and the machine likely has 4 gigabytes. You would get a more detailed error message if you were running out of disk space. An out of memory error is not very common nowadays and it may be coming from some unruly piece of software.