The heck?!

Lebon14

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OK, so here's the deal. My dad purchased a brand new 17" Dell laptop (17R) with Core i7, 8GB of RAM... and it came with, of course, Windows 8. So, we purchased an extra Windows 7 HP x64 OEM licence for it.

So, I decided to check it (Win8) out before formatting it back to Windows 7. (I'm retaining my bad words against Win8 here...)

To my grand surprise, it had a watermark in the desktop corner! It says "Windows 8 Build 9200". The heck?!
Are those things only in unofficial builds before public release? That's just wow...


Oh, and by the way, I'll be writing my "impressions" later... Note that I won't be using the internet in trying to find my way around and I will use a touchpad as my pointing device.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium FR x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 950 3.06 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte X35A-UD3R
    Memory
    Corsair XMS3 DDR3 3x2GB 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus nVidia GeForce GTX460 1GB Factory Overclocked
    Sound Card
    HT Omega Claro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus VW246H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x OCZ Vertex 2 90GB SSD, 1x Hitachi 7200RPM 500GB, 1x 1TB WD Green
    PSU
    Silverstone DA700 700W
    Case
    Lian-Li Lancool PC-K62
    Cooling
    Case : Stock, CPU : Cooler Master Hyper N520
    Keyboard
    Logitech Media Elite Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    30MBits down, 1Mbits up
    Other Info
    Scanner : Canon LiDE 200
    Printer : Samsung ML-2010
To my grand surprise, it had a watermark in the desktop corner! It says "Windows 8 Build 9200". The heck?!
Are those things only in unofficial builds before public release? That's just wow...
I seem to remember mine had that (on an upgrade rather than OEM install) the first time I used it. I don't think it lasted long though; it went away without me doing anything.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
While I'm not a huge proponent for upgrading existing Windows 7 systems to Windows 8, I do question why you are certain that you want to get rid of Windows 8 and go with Windows 7 instead. Put a 3rd party start menu program on which allows you to boot to a desktop and it's like you don't even have Windows 8. It boots faster, and is easier on hardware, brings up the network faster...therefore it's got a lot going for it.
 

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.
Wait, Windows 7 on the Desktop showed that watermark?

Also, you're on a Windows 8 forum. There are PLENTY of people here that know how to tweak it to their liking, and possibly might be to your liking. There are start menu replacements out there but those are third party junk. There is a first party start menu replacement called...

Screenshot (112).png
the Start Screen.
:cool:
 

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
^ But don't worry, if you don't want to see anything like that above, it's very easy to avoid. I rarely ever see the Start Screen.
 

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.
While I'm not a huge proponent for upgrading existing Windows 7 systems to Windows 8, I do question why you are certain that you want to get rid of Windows 8 and go with Windows 7 instead. Put a 3rd party start menu program on which allows you to boot to a desktop and it's like you don't even have Windows 8. It boots faster, and is easier on hardware, brings up the network faster...therefore it's got a lot going for it.

Things that should have been built in to begin with needs to be replace with 3rd Party that can screw the system up? No thanks.
Boots faster? Yeah, like 4 seconds is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long, it's seems like years!
Easier on hardware? Sure....... it's not like using 100MB extra RAM is going to make much of a difference or extra CPU time gonna drop the CPU life span to a single month.
Connects faster to network? Like I said... like 4 extra seconds is the end of the world.
Yes, I exagerate things. But you see how much I care when the difference isn't exactly mind-blowing.

I opened up the "Camera" just for jiggles and I found no way to close the app other than pressing Windows button, right click on task bar, open task manager and kill the app. YES! That is REALLY EFFICENT!! Congrats, Microsoft! /Sarcasm My dad would ever have figured it out... really.

@DavidY Yes, it's gone now... weird...

So many options got tossed around for no reasons whatsoever. For exemple, there's always the "Language bar" on desktop on first boot. Like, I needed to go several menus to find the "Hide" options. Windows 7 was much more clearer. The inconstanticies in UI are really... I can't find the word. Not fitting at all. The Start Screen, for me, is like a drawer that... takes a whole wall with very little clothes scattered about in it. While Win7 StartMenu is a normal size drawer in your chamber that has all your clothes in it ordered, how you want it. And you still have space on the rest of the wall.

Also, I realize I'm on a Win8 forum. My initial wtf was about the watermark... nothing else. 8.1 is not gonna change much of my opinion if it doesn't bring a startmenu. I use my start menu on my Win7. Oh, and, I don't want to go to the troubles of teaching my dad an xth way to do things, too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium FR x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 950 3.06 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte X35A-UD3R
    Memory
    Corsair XMS3 DDR3 3x2GB 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus nVidia GeForce GTX460 1GB Factory Overclocked
    Sound Card
    HT Omega Claro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus VW246H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x OCZ Vertex 2 90GB SSD, 1x Hitachi 7200RPM 500GB, 1x 1TB WD Green
    PSU
    Silverstone DA700 700W
    Case
    Lian-Li Lancool PC-K62
    Cooling
    Case : Stock, CPU : Cooler Master Hyper N520
    Keyboard
    Logitech Media Elite Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    30MBits down, 1Mbits up
    Other Info
    Scanner : Canon LiDE 200
    Printer : Samsung ML-2010
I think Mr Robot's start screen image is enough to turn anyone off Windows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
I believe the water mark appears until windows 8 is activated and then goes away. Sometimes it takes a day or so for the activation process to complete. It seams you have already decided not to learn Windows 8 so the water mark wont be a problem when you load Windows 7. I found Windows 8 a lot different but have learned how to use it and I do like it. And I like the Start Screen better then the Start Menu.

Jim :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 HP 64bit, Windows 8.1 Pro w/Media Center 64BIT
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS - Home Built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1100T
    Motherboard
    ASUS M5A99X EVO
    Memory
    Crucial Balistic DDR-3 1866 CL 9 (8 GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R6850 Cyclone IGD5 PE
    Sound Card
    On Chip
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VE258Q 25" LED with DVI-HDMI-DisplayPort
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Two WD Cavier Black 2TB Sata 6gbs
    WD My Book Essential 2TB USB 3.0
    PSU
    Seasonic X650 80 Plus GOLD Modular
    Case
    Corsair 400R
    Cooling
    Antec Kuhler H2O 620, Two 120mm and four 140mm
    Keyboard
    AVS Gear Blue LED Backlight
    Mouse
    Logitech Marble Mouse USB, Logitech Precision Game Pad
    Internet Speed
    15MB
    Antivirus
    NIS, Malwarebytes Premium 2
    Other Info
    APC UPS ES 750, Netgear WNR3500L Gigabit & Wireless N Router with SamKnows Test Program,
    Motorola SB6120 Gigabit Cable Modem.
    Brother HL-2170W Laser Printer,
    Epson V300 Scanner
Wait, Windows 7 on the Desktop showed that watermark?

Also, you're on a Windows 8 forum. There are PLENTY of people here that know how to tweak it to their liking, and possibly might be to your liking. There are start menu replacements out there but those are third party junk. There is a first party start menu replacement called...

View attachment 22123
the Start Screen.
:cool:

Coke, that is awesome :thumbsup:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Other Info
    Surface RT
Things that should have been built in to begin with needs to be replace with 3rd Party that can screw the system up? No thanks.
I agree out of principal, but I don't find either of the common simple start menu apps (classic shell or start8) to cause system problems or screw the system up. Certainly not a care to make me HAVE to spend $100 to get a different copy of Windows for a brand new computer.

Boots faster? Yeah, like 4 seconds is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long, it's seems like years!
With hybrid boot enabled, I've seen Windows 8 boxes that boot in about 8 seconds from off versus 24 seconds or so for the same hardware with Windows 7. I certainly appreciate turning off my laptop rather than putting it to sleep.

Easier on hardware? Sure....... it's not like using 100MB extra RAM is going to make much of a difference or extra CPU time gonna drop the CPU life span to a single month.
Nope, I never said it would radically improve the lifespan of the computer, but less resources is less resources either way.

Connects faster to network? Like I said... like 4 extra seconds is the end of the world.
Yes, I exagerate things. But you see how much I care when the difference isn't exactly mind-blowing.
Well, when you boot a lot, connecting faster is nicer. At least I think so.

Clearly you don't care about slight performance tweaks, but to turn around and spend another $100 on a copy of Windows 7 doesn't seem like a great move either.

I opened up the "Camera" just for jiggles and I found no way to close the app other than pressing Windows button, right click on task bar, open task manager and kill the app. YES! That is REALLY EFFICENT!! Congrats, Microsoft! /Sarcasm My dad would ever have figured it out... really.
Well, you boot to the desktop and those apps wouldn't be found. Then you learn how to drag them to the bottom and you know how to close them if you ever ACCIDENTALLY open them. Piece of cake.

I don't like the new apps at all, and I NEVER use them. You don't have to use them when you are on Windows 8.
 

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.
The START screen is what ENDED the Windows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8 (64) : Win 7 (64) : Vista (64) : Android JB 4.2 : iOS 6
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AX Series & HP i-5 2400s
    Screen Resolution
    Main PC - 2x Sony PS3 3D LED Displays + 1x 22" Philips; HTPC - 47" HDTV w/ 17" LCD secondary display
    Hard Drives
    Internal- 1TB on each system; 1x120GB SSD on main PC
    External (network attached)- 1x2TB Seagate backup; 1x1TB ext. storage; 1x500GB,
    Other Info
    http://tinyurl.com/br4uxrk

    http://tinyurl.com/cwj93pj
I opened up the "Camera" just for jiggles and I found no way to close the app other than pressing Windows button, right click on task bar, open task manager and kill the app. YES! That is REALLY EFFICENT!! Congrats, Microsoft! /Sarcasm My dad would ever have figured it out... really.
For future reference... if you move the mouse to the top of the screen, the pointer changes to a hand shape. Click with the mouse (holding the button down) and drag downwards. Or old-school keyboard shortcut Alt-F4. But you're right - it's not intuitive to figure out.

Microsoft would probably claim it doesn't matter because apps are suspended so they don't take up resources.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
Things that should have been built in to begin with need to be replaced with 3rd Party that can screw the system up? No thanks.

Oh, and, I don't want to go to the troubles of teaching my dad an xth way to do things, too.

Hello,

Just for your dad you should consider using Classic Shell.

Welcome to Classic Shell

It's free & works good.

A picture:

Untitled.png

I don't use the Metro screen.
I prefer the old way.

I have used it for months now with no problems.
Do as you will, I think your dad would like it.

If it caused problems, I would not suggest it. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
Just for your dad you should consider using Classic Shell.

Not sure about just for your dad.

The number of downloads for classic shell and others has been enormous since the release of 8.

We don't know precisely how many are using them. We don't know how many are able to tolerate 8 only by using them.

I think it is very substantial, and MS should be extremely grateful to those who make the shell/start menu programs.

MS should also learn from that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
You don't need a screwdriver to put a screw into a piece of wood.

You could pick up an 80kg washing machine and smack it in with that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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