windows 8 vs 7 comparisons

[Peter2]

8.1

I am glad to hear about 8.1.
I now have to think about the upcoming update.

Just let you know, it's actually an "upgrade-to" edition, not update.

I advise to wait to buy that edition to install. That way you will have a disc to fresh install. They are also handy to have for repair.

>>I had Win 7 in my pc when I bought it. I then downloaded the iso file and burned a dvd with Win 8.
Now I am confused as I thought the update to Win 8.1 was through the store and was free.
If you want to reinstall 8.1 some day, do you use the Win 8 disc or do you burn another iso for Win 8.1?

 

[Peter2]

When I moved from Win 7 which came installed on my pc to Win 8 I ran the advisor which told me I would lose some features and Bluetooth was one of them.
After attaining Win 8, the programs it told me I would lose, was accurate.

That just means that the currently installed driver was not compatible. You have to get an updated driver from either your computer manufacturer or the Bluetooth vendor.

>>Could you please help me understand how to know which driver I should use and how to get it.?

 

[HippsieGypsie]

I am glad to hear about 8.1.
I now have to think about the upcoming update.

Just let you know, it's actually an "upgrade-to" edition, not update.

I advise to wait to buy that edition to install. That way you will have a disc to fresh install. They are also handy to have for repair.

>>I had Win 7 in my pc when I bought it. I then downloaded the iso file and burned a dvd with Win 8.
Now I am confused as I thought the update to Win 8.1 was through the store and was free.
If you want to reinstall 8.1 some day, do you use the Win 8 disc or do you burn another iso for Win 8.1?

I apologize for the confusion. I edited my last post. I didn't realize you already installed 8.

Yes, one will be able to upgrade via the store for free.

Personally I'm not liking the idea. I'd much more prefer an ISO to fresh install. Hopefully MS will supply one to do so.

 

[djsigma]

Could you please help me understand how to know which driver I should use and how to get it.?

Do you know what make/model the hardware is? If so, check the manufacturer's website for an updated driver.

If the machine was pre-built, often whoever made the machine (Dell, for example), will have drivers on their site for you to download.

If you have absolutely no idea what the make/model of the hardware is, you can use software such as Everest, Sisoft's Sandra and one or two others to find out.

So, in short, ID the hardware, then look around for an updated driver, starting with the manufacturer/vendor's websites. Be very wary of downloading and running anything from a source that isn't trusted, as always.

 

[djsigma]

I would not do 8.1, I have it installed as a VM, and I hate it. But I LOVE Windows 8.

What is it that made you go from LOVE to hate with 8.1?

To me, it's really not that different in terms of day to day usage, other than the return of the Start button instead of using the lower-left hot corner.

 

[Peter2]

Dell N5010 Inspiron 15R

The shipping list said Bluetooth was Dell wireless DW 365(BT v.2.1 + EDR)
There is nothing in device manger.
I read the Dell site and it said no drivers were available yet some downloaded Lenovo drivers successfully.
Should I consider BT lost or is there another place to get Win 8 drivers?

 

[popeye]

The shipping list said Bluetooth was Dell wireless DW 365(BT v.2.1 + EDR)
There is nothing in device manger.
I read the Dell site and it said no drivers were available yet some downloaded Lenovo drivers successfully.
Should I consider BT lost or is there another place to get Win 8 drivers?

Peter2, if it doesn't even show up in device manager with a yellow triangle then a big problem. May not even really exist in your computer. Did you check for hidden devices in Device Manager?

 

[djsigma]

If there's nothing in Device Manager, then it could be disabled in the BIOS. To enable it, try this: -

As your machine is booting, repeatedly tap F2 until you get into the BIOS. From here, use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate to Advanced, then Wireless. There should be an option in there to enable Bluetooth. If it's disabled, enable it, then exit out of the BIOS, making sure you choose the option to save the changes.

When the computer starts up, the Bluetooth adapter will be enabled and you can attempt to install drivers for it. It could be that the drivers you already have will work with it, but it's just been disabled in the BIOS all this time.

 

[popeye]

If there's nothing in Device Manager, then it could be disabled in the BIOS. To enable it, try this: -

As your machine is booting, repeatedly tap F2 until you get into the BIOS. From here, use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate to Advanced, then Wireless. There should be an option in there to enable Bluetooth. If it's disabled, enable it, then exit out of the BIOS, making sure you choose the option to save the changes.

When the computer starts up, the Bluetooth adapter will be enabled and you can attempt to install drivers for it. It could be that the drivers you already have will work with it, but it's just been disabled in the BIOS all this time.

My BIOS is locked down to very basic settings. I don't even have any wireless settings there. I guess Bluetooth is enabled by default.

Apologize, I think the Bluetooth thing is off-topic and I'm helping.