WTF

Ziggy925

New Member
Messages
7
I've been a huge Windows fan since DOS, and I've used every incarnation of Windows since it's inception. I've also used other ancient operating system I don't even want to get into, but yesterday I was helping a friend setup their new computer running Windows 8 and felt like I was visiting another planet. I have a higher than average IQ, and I can usually sit down at any computer and figure it out, but this was too much. I tried doing searches on the Net to figure out what was going on but didn't get anywhere. Am I the only one with this problem?

Eventually I found a program called Classic Shell and we were able to move forward, but now "I'm" contemplating getting a new computer and I'm thinking Apple for the first time in my life.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Since you didn't state a problem it would pretty hard to know if you are the only one with this problem. It is strange that you know enough to find this forum but you haven't read enough on it to be prepared to help your friend. I'm thinking that you may be from another planet and that your friend picked the wrong person to help with setting up his new computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt special
    CPU
    i3
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTS250
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    big ones
    PSU
    lots of power
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Intel
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    smokin
    Browser
    IE, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
Hi Ziggy925. Welcome to EightForums.

What seems to be the problem? Is it that things are in a different place? 8 is quite the radical change from previous OSs, but not too difficult to learn. The Modern UI is based on touch but works well with mouse and keyboard. There's still the classic desktop to run win32 legacy programs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
The problem I'm having is that this new OS is not intuative to me at all. It took me five minutes to figure out my iPhone and using my girlfriend's iPad is a no-brainer. The computer is a notebook with a touchpad, and when I use the new IE things keep jumping around on me, which I'm assuming is a function of the touchpad trying to emulate a touchscreen. I guess I'll have to buy a Windows 8 book or something, and I appologize for the rant, but I've never had this much trouble getting out of the gate with an OS before. Maybe I'm just thinking too hard. I'm going to go into the corner and meditate now. :confused:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
I've been a huge Windows fan since DOS, and I've used every incarnation of Windows since it's inception. I've also used other ancient operating system I don't even want to get into, but yesterday I was helping a friend setup their new computer running Windows 8 and felt like I was visiting another planet. I have a higher than average IQ, and I can usually sit down at any computer and figure it out, but this was too much. I tried doing searches on the Net to figure out what was going on but didn't get anywhere. Am I the only one with this problem?

Eventually I found a program called Classic Shell and we were able to move forward, but now "I'm" contemplating getting a new computer and I'm thinking Apple for the first time in my life.

Ziggy,

Stick with it for about 24 hours and you will have an "aha". I'm here to tell you, I fought the damn thing for a year (playing with it in VM's etc.) but only after I upgraded my primary box with it and "forced" myself into it did I "get it". My machine flow and desktop are as good or better than they were in Win7. As odd as it may sound it adds a 3rd-dimension to the machine environment. Once you get used to it you won't want to go back.

-Max
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17R / Dell XPS 8300
    CPU
    Intel i5 (17R) / Intel i7 (XPS)
    Memory
    8GB / 8GB
Thanks, Max. I understand exactly what you are saying. It's just that sometimes you just want to take care of business and 2 dimensions is more than enough.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
The problem I'm having is that this new OS is not intuative to me at all.
I found many things to not be intuitive either. What brought me some success was to "NOT" think of Windows as Windows anymore, but think about it in terms of it being an Android based system on a smartphone. You aren't alone in your struggle. I find that some didn't even now to hit enter or the mouse to get the logon screen. I couldn't find the power button, I got stuck in metro apps and couldn't figure out how to get out of them. We've all been there.

It took me five minutes to figure out my iPhone and using my girlfriend's iPad is a no-brainer.
My wife had an iPhone for many years and I never came to terms with it. I didn't find it to be intuitive at all either. Coming from blackberries and android where we have back buttons, that whole 1 button thing always confounded me. I struggle to find anything whatsoever on a Mac.

I guess I'll have to buy a Windows 8 book or something, and I appologize for the rant, but I've never had this much trouble getting out of the gate with an OS before. Maybe I'm just thinking too hard. I'm going to go into the corner and meditate now. :confused:
Nothing wrong with ranting. There are quite a number of us who after having used Windows 8 for some time have figured it out, but still don't feel inclined whatsoever to actually buy it. I don't see it as a sure fire win, some are simply going to elect to stay on Windows 7...and there is nothing wrong with that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
You'll find that mostly hardcore techies with decades of experience find issues with Windows 8...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
The problem I'm having is that this new OS is not intuative to me at all. It took me five minutes to figure out my iPhone and using my girlfriend's iPad is a no-brainer. The computer is a notebook with a touchpad, and when I use the new IE things keep jumping around on me, which I'm assuming is a function of the touchpad trying to emulate a touchscreen. I guess I'll have to buy a Windows 8 book or something, and I appologize for the rant, but I've never had this much trouble getting out of the gate with an OS before. Maybe I'm just thinking too hard. I'm going to go into the corner and meditate now. :confused:

It would help if you could be more descriptive. So far, none of your posts have actually described any real problems and just had vague notions expressed in them.

I have no idea what you mean by "things keep jumping around on me". You might as well have said a magic fairy kept zapping you with a wand every time you touched the computer.

If you want help with solving any problems, then you need to be specific about what those problems are. If you just want to rant, then there's already plenty of that here by a select few people.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
Troll? I can't see how Windows 8 is difficult for anyone with an above average IQ.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel i3 3220 @ 3.3Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte H77M-D3H
    Memory
    Kingston Value RAM - 8GB DDR3 1333MHz CAS 9
    Graphics Card(s)
    Onboard Intel 2500
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA 2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq G2420 24" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 256GB 830 SSD
    1 x Seagate 7200.12 500GB
    1 x Western Digital 3TB EZRX
    PSU
    Corsair CX 430 v2
    Case
    HAF 912 Advanced
    Cooling
    Stock - 1 x 12cm, 2 x 20cm
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Basic Wired 600
    Mouse
    Combo with keyboard
Ziggy, I'll advise to be a little more patient with 8. It'll stretch one's patients for sure. The learning curve is a bit more with this one. I've got to say you came on a bit strong including the title of your thread. It certainly caught my eye. It's ok to rant as others stated, but the sudden judgement is what bothered me.

8 is mainly created for touch, but works well with mouse and keyboard shortcuts. Modern (Metro) plus Win32 UIs combined. Win32 taking 2nd to Modern. Think of your pointer being your finger. The four corners are "hot spots" for navigation for charms bars on the right, mini Start Screen lower left (right click that for guts menu), and upper left slide-outs for open Modern apps, legacy programs, and/or the desktop (if any open). Think of the desktop as a program, for it takes second place to the Start Screen now. As you will see, navigation is quite different. Menus are in different places. I think once you get accustomed to this you'll feel more comfortable. Also, there are a ton of tutorials in the tutorial section of the forum. There's a keyboard shortcut list as well. I pinned a help tile in my Start Screen for reference.

I'll advise other members to be more patient with new members even if they come on strong. Try to remember your first experience with 8. We all asked more or less in our own way -> WTF is this?!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
The biggest help I got in getting used to Win 8 was to use Dual monitors and keep the Metro Screen up at all times on one monitor, then I was able to stop fighting it since it came out. And I am now at ease with just one monitor.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
Thanks, Max. I understand exactly what you are saying. It's just that sometimes you just want to take care of business and 2 dimensions is more than enough.

I understand, Ziggy. There's no reason to rush. Win7 is superb. Win8 is just going to extend that "superbness" I believe. It will be there when you're ready for it.

-Max
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 17R / Dell XPS 8300
    CPU
    Intel i5 (17R) / Intel i7 (XPS)
    Memory
    8GB / 8GB
Troll? I can't see how Windows 8 is difficult for anyone with an above average IQ.

Trolling is possible.

However, it's pretty easy to see how some people would find Windows 8 difficult to use. Not impossible to figure out, but perhaps far less intuitive than one would imagine. I've got over 20 years of running Windows under my belt and been supporting it professionally since 1997 and my first few encounters were a bit confusing
1). waiting for prompt to press ctrl-alt-delete to logon
2). where is the power button
3). I picked desktop app and i'm now stuck in the desktop and cannot figure out how to get that start menu back
4). I launched full screen IE and now cannot figure out how to close it (since there are no X's in the upper corner).

Perhaps my IQ really is super low, but using Windows 8 was certainly not drop dead simple for me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I've been a huge Windows fan since DOS, and I've used every incarnation of Windows since it's inception. I've also used other ancient operating system I don't even want to get into, but yesterday I was helping a friend setup their new computer running Windows 8 and felt like I was visiting another planet. I have a higher than average IQ, and I can usually sit down at any computer and figure it out, but this was too much. I tried doing searches on the Net to figure out what was going on but didn't get anywhere. Am I the only one with this problem?

Eventually I found a program called Classic Shell and we were able to move forward, but now "I'm" contemplating getting a new computer and I'm thinking Apple for the first time in my life.

Use your IQ to spend a few minutes reading this free book, all the "problems" will vanish.
Dell | Windows 8 for Dummies E-book
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual Win 7-8 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio XPS8100
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3.2 GHz
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 260
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Dell 24" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    900GB and 1.5TB
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell Optical
    Internet Speed
    10 Mb/s down 1.5 Mb/s up
    Other Info
    I worked my up from a virtual machine, to a slow 32-bit celeron and now two monitors on my XPS8100. Works great!
Well, I guess my IQ lowered over the last few days. Look, I went to a friend's house to help them set up a new Windows 8 notebook. She's a writer and needs to write, save her work and email it out to publishers. I've been doing this for years and years and this is the first time I've hit a wall. I realize if I keep at it I'll figure it out, but we simply installed Classic Shell and her problem is solved and she is very happy. While I realize Windows 8 is a leap into the future for Microsoft and its customers, why couldn't they have provided a Windows 7 overlay for the rest of us? BTW, I do realize what I did is not the solution, but it is "a" solution and I explained this to her.

My problem is years and years of using other Windows products and I think too much. I'm sure if you put a 5-year-old in front of a Windows 8 computer they'll figure it out in a few minutes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
I've been a huge Windows fan since DOS, and I've used every incarnation of Windows since it's inception. I've also used other ancient operating system I don't even want to get into, but yesterday I was helping a friend setup their new computer running Windows 8 and felt like I was visiting another planet. I have a higher than average IQ, and I can usually sit down at any computer and figure it out, but this was too much. I tried doing searches on the Net to figure out what was going on but didn't get anywhere. Am I the only one with this problem?

Eventually I found a program called Classic Shell and we were able to move forward, but now "I'm" contemplating getting a new computer and I'm thinking Apple for the first time in my life.

Just use classic shell and be done with it. No need whatsoever to bother with that metro nonsense.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
Well, I guess my IQ lowered over the last few days. Look, I went to a friend's house to help them set up a new Windows 8 notebook. She's a writer and needs to write, save her work and email it out to publishers. I've been doing this for years and years and this is the first time I've hit a wall. I realize if I keep at it I'll figure it out, but we simply installed Classic Shell and her problem is solved and she is very happy. While I realize Windows 8 is a leap into the future for Microsoft and its customers, why couldn't they have provided a Windows 7 overlay for the rest of us? BTW, I do realize what I did is not the solution, but it is "a" solution and I explained this to her.

My problem is years and years of using other Windows products and I think too much. I'm sure if you put a 5-year-old in front of a Windows 8 computer they'll figure it out in a few minutes.

Don't worry, after a few weeks you will be able to take the training wheels off.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual Win 7-8 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio XPS8100
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3.2 GHz
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 260
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Dell 24" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    900GB and 1.5TB
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell Optical
    Internet Speed
    10 Mb/s down 1.5 Mb/s up
    Other Info
    I worked my up from a virtual machine, to a slow 32-bit celeron and now two monitors on my XPS8100. Works great!
People don't like change. They will stay with what they have rather than learn something new.

I have been using Windows since 3.0. When Windows went from 3.1 to 95 there was a big difference. You had to give it time to learn it. Same with Windows 8, give it time to learn. Microsoft did make it more confusing by making windows with tiles and the desktop. I used a program called start8 to get the start menu back. My desktop pretty much looks like Windows 7. I have start8 set to go to the desktop after I enter my password to login so I don't see the tiles.

I don't use the tile side of the OS much. So far I think the apps are to basic for my liking. I think the Microsoft Surface is over priced and there isn't very many apps out to justify buying the surface. Windows 8 for a desktop, I think Microsoft should of made it an option of where you want to boot your computer to. For a tablet I think it would of been better welcomed if also there was an option of using icons like android.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-990FX
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 980
Start 8 is a great program. I installed in the Consumer Preview version of Windows 8. However, since I almost never used the Start Button in XP or 7 I haven't yet installed it in Windows 8. I find my usual shortcuts on the desktop handle 95% of my program access. Also some of my file access which isn't a Start Button matter.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual Win 7-8 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio XPS8100
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3.2 GHz
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX 260
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Dell 24" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    900GB and 1.5TB
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell Optical
    Internet Speed
    10 Mb/s down 1.5 Mb/s up
    Other Info
    I worked my up from a virtual machine, to a slow 32-bit celeron and now two monitors on my XPS8100. Works great!
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