Return to Windows 8 (or 9)

I have Windows 8.1 on two laptops.

My older Toshiba laptop is having the Windows 8 "know issue" with 100% disk usage. I upgraded it to Windows 8 from Vista a year or two ago. I've tried all the supposed solutions, don't have a virus and have lost patience with trying to fix the problem.

This older laptop is connected to my ScanSnap scanner. I use it primarily for scanning my personal files etc. to Google Drive.

I can't wait for Windows 9 to MAYBE fix this disk usage issue and am looking at loading Linux on it instead to do the scanning.

What do I need to do to insure I do NOT loose the ability to upgrade to Windows 9 on this old laptop if I load Linux on it?

Thanks,
Dave

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Use Windows 8.1 tell windows 9 comes out. That's what im doing... Don't get me wrong love windows 8 and the start screen but I want that voice assistant cortana (*¬*) . because I have it on my nokia and its awesome!!

DaveB11 said:

I have Windows 8.1 on two laptops.

My older Toshiba laptop is having the Windows 8 "know issue" with 100% disk usage. I upgraded it to Windows 8 from Vista a year or two ago. I've tried all the supposed solutions, don't have a virus and have lost patience with trying to fix the problem.

This older laptop is connected to my ScanSnap scanner. I use it primarily for scanning my personal files etc. to Google Drive.

I can't wait for Windows 9 to MAYBE fix this disk usage issue and am looking at loading Linux on it instead to do the scanning.

What do I need to do to insure I do NOT loose the ability to upgrade to Windows 9 on this old laptop if I load Linux on it?

Thanks,
Dave

Click to expand...

Had a problem with my old Asus 70sa, I couldn't even install window 7. Hardware wasn't compatible so it stayed Vista until the Video card died then G75VW

I wouldn't count on your being able to install Win 9. since its purposed just put it Linux or Vista back on.

You reckon dual booting would help ?

It seems like if you booted into Linux the Windows 100% usage would go away ??????

If it worked you could use Linux until 9 comes out & uninstall it if 9 works good.
Or keep it if 9 does not work good.

Someone here can most likely offer better information on the subject.

My older Toshiba laptop is having the Windows 8 "know issue" with 100% disk usage. I upgraded it to Windows 8 from Vista a year or two ago. I've tried all the supposed solutions, don't have a virus and have lost patience with trying to fix the problem.

Click to expand...

Since you upgraded to Windows 8 from Vista, chances there are a lot of junk left over from Vista such as invalid entries in the registry, old drivers were carried over, invalid links in WinSxS etc... those might have caused the issue with disk usage. If I were you, I would try to get an ISO for Windows 8/8.1 and perform a fresh install.
If you can get whole of a Windows 8 ISO and do a fresh install, there's something you need to do first:

1. there's a hidden folder under: C:\Windows\System32 called spp. This folder contains your Windows activation information, copy this folder to a USB or to an external drive.
2. Install Windows 8
3. disable the spp service then copy this folder spp back and Windows should be activated.

If you decide to install Linux then I would recommend Linux Mint 17, the interface is pretty close to Windows Environment.

One important note: before doing any of the above, make a back up image first.

Does Toshiba have the Windows 8 drivers for that specific laptop? Installing a new OS on older hardware is always risky unless the hardware is less than a years old. The manufacturers are in the business of selling new hardware, not spending time and resources updating drivers for older systems. They only do what they need to do.

Sometimes you can find Windows 8 drivers for the same MB chipsets for a slightly newer version of the system.

I would check around Toshiba's support site for the older system that has Windows 8 drivers and then check those against the specific chipset, audio or whatever. If you find Windows 8 drivers for the same component specs, try installing it. If it won't work, it should error out, saying it couldn't find the compatible hardware (i.e., a 945 chipset vs a 965).

Failing that, I agree with topgundcp. You should probably wipe the Vista and start from scratch. But remember Windows will just install generic drivers when it can't find the manufacturer's correct drivers. Your system will run, but barely.