Is The Windows 8 Consumer Preview A Good Replacement Operating System?

Amy

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My desktop uses Windows Vista, which may seem like an okay operating system, but when you try to game on it, it crashes constantly. So I wanted to replace my operating system.

I don't know much about the Consumer Preview, though. It seems okay, but can it replace an entire operating system on a desktop, and be used as the desktop's only operating system?

I know it's a preview, so I keep on feeling like there is something huge that is in the preview that I will find myself despising a while after I replace Windows Vista with it.

My main question is as the title says. Is it a good enough operating system, the Consumer Previewer, to stand on its own?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 / Ubuntu / Windows Vista / Windows XP / Windows 8 CP
It is pretty good and also pretty stable. But I would not yet choose it as my primary OS - there are still glitches. Install it in a seperate partition and try is out. If after a couple of weeks you think it does your jobs, stay with it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
It is pretty good and also pretty stable. But I would not yet choose it as my primary OS - there are still glitches. Install it in a seperate partition and try is out. If after a couple of weeks you think it does your jobs, stay with it.

I tried putting in on another partition. The damned thing messes up the original Grub, and forced me to have to go back and fix it, plus after that, some reason the other partition wouldn't load. I don't want to go through another tedious process of setting it up on another partition, plus Windows 8 has a very annoying installer which doesn't make it any easier.

I just want to know if it's a good replacement for Windows Vista, because we all know the amount of glitches Windows Vista has.
I was hoping someone who has been using it would already know if it does the job, and could inform me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 / Ubuntu / Windows Vista / Windows XP / Windows 8 CP
Well, with the Grub you definitely have a problem. The Win8 installer tries to take over everything.

But back to your question. I am using Win8 in a double boot partition on a laptop and in Virtual box on a desktop. Most things work but not everything. It will depend on your needs and the programs you install.

I have also 2 Vista systems that are rock solid. If today you have problems with Vista, you will probably get more problems with Win8. But as I suggested, you really have to try it with your configuration to make sure it works for you.

Make an image of your current Vista and install it there - you can even try an upgrade. But I recommend to first get rid of the Grub.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Well, with the Grub you definitely have a problem. The Win8 installer tries to take over everything.

But back to your question. I am using Win8 in a double boot partition on a laptop and in Virtual box on a desktop. Most things work but not everything. It will depend on your needs and the programs you install.

I have also 2 Vista systems that are rock solid. If today you have problems with Vista, you will probably get more problems with Win8. But as I suggested, you really have to try it with your configuration to make sure it works for you.

Make an image of your current Vista and install it there - you can even try an upgrade. But I recommend to first get rid of the Grub.

But I need the Grub to boot in Ubuntu. :\
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 / Ubuntu / Windows Vista / Windows XP / Windows 8 CP
I know that. I run Ubuntu in Virtual Box. Runs just as well. Maybe that is an alternative. But as long as you have the Grub around, you are liable to run into problems with Windows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
I know that. I run Ubuntu in Virtual Box. Runs just as well. Maybe that is an alternative. But as long as you have the Grub around, you are liable to run into problems with Windows 8.

I don't run Ubuntu on virtual box. I have it actually installed on another partition, that's why I need the Grub. I probably won't install Windows 8 on this computer anyways, it's the other one that I am considering putting Windows 8 on. The one I am using now is a laptop with Windows 7, the one I was thinking of putting Windows 8 on is a desktop with Windows Vista.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 / Ubuntu / Windows Vista / Windows XP / Windows 8 CP
/8 and Vista will work well together.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Install Windows, then Linux

You are generally better off installing all of your Windows operating systems first and then installing Linux afterwards.
I've never had any problems, when I've done it that way.

What you could do is:

  • Backup your Ubuntu install.
  • Install Windows.
  • Create a new Ubuntu install (this should generate the appropriate GRUB files).
  • Copy your original Ubuntu install to the new installation.

I have tried this and it works (it's a little bit tricky though).
I have a script (I downloaded it) which completes the last step (above) for you.

I'm not in Ubuntu now, but if you need a copy, tell me and I'll try to find it for you. :)

Your other option is to use a VHD (if your OS supports booting VHDs).
That is the option I used for W8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
Is there anything on your current OS(Vista) that you really need. If not just wipe it out, if yes, just create a partition and put it on that. Before creating the partition, and you really don't want to loose anything, back it up.
If you are going to use Win 8 for really important stuff, I wouldn't recommend relying on it, but just for casual gaming I cant see a problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
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